cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GABAergic modulation of secondary hyperalgesia: A randomized controlled 4-way crossover trial with the α2-subunit preferring GABA positive allosteric modulator, N-desmethyl-clobazam in healthy volunteers.

The antihyperalgesic and sedative effects of the α2-subunit preferring GABAA positive allosteric modulator (GAM), N-desmethyl-clobazam (NDMC), 20 and 60 mg, were assessed in a randomized, placebo and active-controlled (clonazepam 1,5 mg), 4-way crossover study, in healthy volunteers, using the ultraviolet B-induced experimental pain model. Single (20, 40, 60 mg) and repeated doses (20 mg over 15 days) of NDMC pharmacokinetics were evaluated. Thirty-two subjects participated in the study. Primary outcome parameter was maximal change in the area of cutaneous UVB irradiation-induced secondary hyperalgesia (ASH). ASH decreased under all treatments. Mean (SD) relative change was 79 (22)%, 83 (24)%, 77 (30)% and 92 (16)% for placebo, NDMC20, NDMC60 and clonazepam, respectively. Neither absolute change nor relative change in ASH was significantly different between NDMC60 and placebo (mean difference = 2.3 cm2 [95% CI 4.0-8.5], p = .462 and 0.4% [-11.9 to 12.6], p = .952, respectively). An overall treatment effect was found on level of sedation. Compared to placebo, sedation was higher under clonazepam (mean difference = 39 mm [30-49] on a visual analogue scale, p < .001) while NDMC was free of sedative effect. NDMC pharmacokinetics after single doses showed poor absorption, but was linear. Steady-state plasma concentrations of NDMC20 were attained within 14 days, with low between-subjects variability. Mean steady-state concentration (CS-S , SD) reached 209 (22) ng/ml. NDMC absence of sedative effect and its overall well-characterized safety coming from years of utilization as a metabolite from clobazam, raise the prospect of dose escalating trials in patients to quantify its clinical utility. SIGNIFICANCE: This article, presenting the Phase I data of the new antihyperalgesic compound, α2-subunit GABAA positive allosteric modulator, N-desmethyl-clobazam (NDMC) is exploring the modulation of a new target in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Based on these results and on its preclinical properties NDMC would qualify as a good tool compound to seek confirmation of the clinical utility of selective GABA allosteric modulators in neuropathic pain patients.
Extended screening guidelines for the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract Background The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines are the most widely used criteria for screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, when the USPSTF criteria are applied retrospectively to a group of patients who have undergone treatment for AAA, there are many patients who satisfy none of the AAA screening criteria. The more sensitive Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) guidelines have expanded the criteria for screening for AAA with the hope of capturing a greater fraction of those individuals who can undergo treatment for their AAA before presenting with AAA rupture. We sought to identify the number of patients who would have been identified as having criteria for screening for AAA by both the USPSTF and SVS criteria, in a cohort of patients who have undergone treatment for AAA. Methods We assessed demographic, comorbidity, and perioperative complication data for all patients undergoing endovascular and open AAA repair in the Vascular Quality Initiative. Patients meeting each of the screening criteria were identified. Clinical factors and demographic variables were collected. Results We identified 55,197 patients undergoing AAA repair in the Vascular Quality Initiative, including 44,602 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and 10,595 patients undergoing open repair. Of these, the USPTF guidelines would have identified fewer than one-third of patients (32% EVAR and 33% open repair). Applying the SVS guidelines increased the number meeting criteria for screening by 6% and 12% for the EVAR and open repair cohorts, respectively. Finally, adoption of the expanded SVS guidelines (including the “weak recommendations”) would have identified an additional 34% of EVAR patients and 21% of open AAA repair patients. Use of the expanded criteria would have resulted in 27% of patients undergoing EVAR and 33% of patients undergoing open AAA repair who would not have met any screening criteria. In EVAR patients not meeting the criteria, 52% were younger than 65 years had a history of heavy smoking. Of all those who did not meet screening criteria, ruptured AAA was twice as prevalent as those who met screening criteria (8.5% vs 4.4%; P ≤ .0001). Conclusions Expanding established USPSTF screening guidelines to include the expanded SVS criteria may potentially double the number of patients identified with AAA. Smokers under the age of 65, and elderly patients 70 and older with no smoking history, represent two groups with AAA and potentially twice the risk of presenting with rupture.
Zika Virus-Like Particle (VLP) vaccine displaying Envelope (E) protein CD loop antigen elicits protective and specific immune response in a murine model.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus associated with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), reflecting a wide range of congenital abnormalities in fetuses and infants infected with ZIKV before birth. ZIKV infections have also been associated with the neurological autoimmune disorder known as Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS). To date, no vaccines or antiviral strategies are licensed for ZIKV. We used rational design to develop a novel ZIKV vaccine candidate using a Woodchuck Hepatitis core Antigen (WHcAg) Virus-Like Particle (VLP) scaffold for displaying selected antigens from the ZIKV Envelope (E) protein. A Zika-VLP vaccine candidate containing the CD Loop sub-structural domain from ZIKV E protein Domain III (WHcAg CD Loop) elicited a strong immune response in a murine model. Analysis of serum immunoglobulins demonstrated induction of both Th1- and Th2- mediated immune response. No cross-reacting antibodies were detected between Zika, dengue and yellow fever virus, demonstrating a high level of specificity for the ZIKV CD Loop antigen. Immunization with the WHcAg CD Loop vaccine candidate demonstrated immunoprotection in a murine model of ZIKV infection, stimulating protective antibodies associated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activities. The WHcAg CD Loop candidate may represent a safer vaccine for preventing antibody dependent enhancement (ADE).
Neurology Morning Rounds: Return to the Bedside? (2226)

Objective: To compare bedside rounding with hallway and conference room rounding on the neurology inpatient ward service at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and identify best practices associated with educational and patient care outcomes. Background: Despite increasing focus on patient-centered care and evidence showing higher patient satisfaction with bedside presentations, trainees and attending physicians express concerns for bedside rounding and often prefer hallway rounding. The use of the common styles of rounding has not been assessed within neurology and best practices are unclear. Design/Methods: The inpatient neurology service at Brigham and Women’s Hospital consists of two teams. During a two-week attending rotation, one of the teams will be designated the “bedside rounding team” and the other team the “hallway and conference room rounding team”, serving as the control group. The bedside rounding team will present patients at the bedside, with nursing involvement in each patient’s room. The hallway rounding team will present patients outside of the patient’s room, with nurse participation in the hallway. Our planned study period is an 8 week period, with anticipated sample size of 150–200 patients. To evaluate the two approaches, we will survey patients (or their families if the patient is unable), residents, attending physicians, and nurses on both teams. For collection of data, a research assistant will accompany the neurology teams during morning rounds and record data about the composition and timing of rounds. The primary outcome measures will be resident educational experience and patient satisfaction with rounds. Secondary outcome measures will be the proportion of rounding time spent at the patient’s bedside and total duration of rounds. Results: The proposed educational trial provides a pragmatic approach to evaluating effects of different rounding styles on patient satisfaction and resident educational experience. Conclusions: This will be the first randomized trial of different rounding structures within neurology. Disclosure: Dr. Schulman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bhattacharyya has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Advance Medical, American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Bhattacharyya has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Springer. Dr. Boxer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sajawal Ali has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cleary has nothing to disclose. Dr. Milligan has nothing to disclose.
Full-chip thermal map estimation for commercial multi-core CPUs with generative adversarial learning

In this paper, we propose a novel transient full-chip thermal map estimation method for multi-core commercial CPU based on the data-driven generative adversarial learning method. We treat the thermal modeling problem as an image-generation problem using the generative neural networks. In stead of using traditional functional unit powers as input, the new models are directly based on the measurable real-time high level chip utilizations and thermal sensor information of commercial chips without any assumption of additional physical sensors requirement. The resulting thermal map estimation method, called ThermGAN can provide tool-accurate full-chip transient thermal maps from the given performance monitor traces of commercial off-the-shelf multi-core processors. In our work, both generator and discriminator are composed of simple convolutional layers with Wasserstein distance as loss function. ThermGAN can provide the transient and real-time thermal map without using any historical data for training and inferences, which is contrast with a recent RNN-based thermal map estimation method in which historical data is needed. Experimental results show the trained model is very accurate in thermal estimation with an average RMSE of 0.47°C, namely, 0.63% of the full-scale error. Our data further show that the speed of the model is faster than 7.5ms per inference, which is two orders of magnitude faster than the traditional finite element based thermal analysis. Furthermore, the new method is ~4x more accurate than recently proposed LSTM-based thermal map estimation method and has faster inference speed. It also achieves ~2x accuracy with much less computational cost than a state-of-the-art pre-silicon based estimation method.
Electron leakage through heterogeneous LiF on lithium-metal battery anodes.

The solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) that forms on lithium ion battery (LIB) anodes prevents degradation-causing transfer of electrons to the electrolyte. Grain boundaries (GBs) between different SEI components, like LiF, have been suggested to accelerate Li+ transport. However, using the non-equilibrium Green's function technique with density functional theory (NEGF-DFT), we find that GBs enhance electron tunneling in thin LiF films by 1–2 orders of magnitude, depending on the bias. Extrapolating to thicker films using the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) method emphasizes that safer batteries require passivation of GBs in the SEI.
Standardized flow-cytometry-based protocol to simultaneously measure transcription factor levels.

Summary Transcription factor (TF) expression levels drive developmental programs, including cell fate and function, and their measurement by flow cytometry allows for robust downstream analysis. However, significant batch-to-batch variability between replicative experiments precludes direct comparison of absolute values across experimental conditions. Here, we present a flow cytometry protocol to measure the relative abundance of multiple TFs simultaneously in single cells, allowing for direct comparison across experimental conditions/time points. This protocol uses bone marrow cells but can be adapted for other cell types. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Manso et al. (2021) and Manso et al. (2019) .
Building a Chemical Toolbox for Human Pregnane X Receptor Research: Discovery of Agonists, Inverse Agonists, and Antagonists Among Analogs Based on the Unique Chemical Scaffold of SPA70

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays roles in detoxification and other physiological processes. PXR activation may enhance drug metabolism (leading to adverse drug reactions) or inhibit inflammation. Therefore, PXR agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists may serve as research tools and drug candidates. However, a specific PXR modulator with an associated structure-activity relationship is lacking. Based on the scaffold of specific human PXR (hPXR) antagonist SPA70 (10), we developed 81 SPA70 analogs and evaluated their receptor-binding and cellular activities. Interestingly, analogs with subtle structural differences displayed divergent cellular activities, including agonistic, dual inverse agonistic and antagonistic, antagonistic, and partial agonistic/partial antagonistic activities (as in compounds 111, 10, 97, and 42, respectively). We generated a pharmacophore model that represents 81 SPA70 analogs, and docking models that correlate strong interactions between the compounds and residues in the AF-2 helix with agonistic activity. These compounds are novel chemical tools for studying hPXR.
Back to nature: herbal treatment, environmental enrichment, and social play can protect against unpredictable chronic stress in Long-Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus).

The importance of integrative biobehavioral responses to complex challenges cannot be overlooked. In this study, the synergetic effects of icariin (a flavonoid present in the plant Epimedium brevicornum), natural enrichment (NaEn), and play behavior were investigated. Rats (n = 60) were assigned to standard housing or NaEn; these two groups were subsequently divided into controls, rats receiving icariin treatments, and rats receiving icariin and allowed to play with an individual from another cage. All rats were exposed to unpredictable mild stressors for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, a Forced Swim Task (FST) was conducted to assess emotional regulation during an inescapable acute challenge. Biological samples were collected weekly and before and after the FST to monitor endocrine changes. Corticosterone (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone (T) were assayed. We found that icariin had a significant effect on DHEA/CORT ratios and T levels. NaEn also had a significant effect on both CORT and DHEA, but not on T levels. Play did not appear to be significantly related to the endocrine changes. The strongest positive effects on emotional resilience were observed in NaEn rats that also received icariin. Our results confirmed that using multiple channels to stimulate adaptive responses can be effective in increasing the ability of an organism to face uncertainty. Considering how quickly our life can change due to unpredictable events, our data is instrumental to a better comprehension of the many aspects of integrative biobehavioral responses.
From Stoke to Swaddle: Surfer-Dads, Voluntary and Obligatory Identities, and Identity Change

This research explores identity processes using qualitative, interpretive methods. Using the ethnographic case of surfers who are new fathers, a voluntary and obligatory identity are examined, respectively. The surfer identity illustrates how a salient (frequently enacted) and prominent (important) voluntary identity can significantly impact self-development. The father identity represents a salient and prominent obligatory identity and demonstrates identity change through the acquisition of a new identity. Becoming a father can also have an effect on how men see themselves in other aspects of their lives, producing another form of identity change. Surfer-dads in this research enthusiastically embrace the “selfless” aspects of fatherhood, contrasting this with their “selfish” surfer identity. This could reflect elements of the self that are important to balance.
A Brief Review of Studies of Orangutan Morphology and Development with a Discussion of Their Relevancy to Physical Anthropology

Studies of comparative anatomy and development have frequently been used to debate issues of hominoid phylogeny and taxonomy and to explain fossil ape and human morphologies. However, although a large corpus of information exists on human morphological development, information on the extant great apes, particularly the orangutan, remains deficient in areas critical for comparison with relevant fossil material, including the patterns, rates and variability of dental and skeletal development. Such data are particularly applicable in evaluating the life histories and phylogenetic relationships of recently discovered immature fossil apes. Recent studies have described (Winkler, 1987 et seq.) various aspects of orangutan anatomy and dental and somatic development documenting similarities between the orangutan and the other great apes as well as several differences in anatomical structure and developmental pattern. Many great ape similarities may be shared generalized anthropoid traits, whereas the differences can be explained, in many cases, by morphologies or developmental patterns unique to the orangutan. Because of extreme variability in many aspects of orangutan development and morphology, a great deal more information is needed to clarify taxonomic issues.
A Travesty of Justice: Restoring Nafissatou Dialloâ€™s Integrity

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the travesty of justice that was done to Ms. Diallo by the official investigation of her sexual assault complaint. It uncovers the assumptions and presuppositions that overshadowed the investigation, noting how these features obscured critical elements of the assault through flattening her identity and dismissed her humanity and personhood.
Studies on the Subunit Structure of Myosin

Abstract The low molecular weight protein associated with rabbit skeletal myosin has been estimated by gel filtration studies in 5 m guanidine hydrochloride and was found to constitute 9 ± 2% of the myosin mass. We have found that 40 to 50% of the low molecular weight protein can be removed from myosin without any apparent changes in the adenosine-triphosphatase activity. Attempts to remove a larger fraction of low molecular weight protein resulted in a concomitant loss of enzymatic activity. The molecular weight of the major myosin subunit freed of low molecular weight protein has been redetermined in 5 m guanidine hydrochloride and was found to be 194,000 g per mole. The significance of its presence in assessing the molecular weight of the major subunit at low speed and high speed sedimentation equilibrium has been investigated.
What Can Be Known about the Radiometric Response from Images

Brightness values of pixels in an image are related to image irradiance by a non-linear function, called the radiometric response function. Recovery of this function is important since many algorithms in computer vision and image processing use image irradiance. Several investigators have described methods for recovery of the radiometric response, without using charts, from multiple exposures of the same scene. All these recovery methods are based solely on the correspondence of gray-levels in one exposure to gray-levels in another exposure. This correspondence can be described by a function we call the brightness transfer function. We show that brightness transfer functions, and thus images themselves, do not uniquely determine the radiometric response function, nor the ratios of exposure between the images. We completely determine the ambiguity associated with the recovery of the response function and the exposure ratios. We show that all previous methods break these ambiguities only by making assumptions on the form of the response function. While iterative schemes which may not converge were used previously to find the exposure ratio, we show when it can be recovered directly from the brightness transfer function. We present a novel method to recover the brightness transfer function between images from only their brightness histograms. This allows us to determine the brightness transfer function between images of different scenes whenever the change in the distribution of scene radiances is small enough. We show an example of recovery of the response function from an image sequence with scene motion by constraining the form of the response function to break the ambiguities.
Heritability of the Human Craniofacial Complex.

Quantifying normal variation and the genetic underpinnings of anatomical structures is one of the main goals of modern morphological studies. However, the extent of genetic contributions to normal variation in craniofacial morphology in humans is still unclear. The current study addresses this gap by investigating the genetic underpinnings of normal craniofacial morphology. The sample under investigation consists of 75 linear and angular measurements spanning the entire craniofacial complex, recorded from lateral cephalographs of 1,379 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Heritabilities for each trait were estimated using SOLAR, a maximum-likelihood variance components approach utilizing all pedigree information for parameter estimation. Trait means and mean effects of the covariates age, sex, age2, sex × age, and sex × age2 were simultaneously estimated in the analytic models. All traits of the craniofacial complex were significantly heritable. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.10 to 0.60, with the majority being moderate. It is important to note that we found similar ranges of heritability occurring across the different functional/developmental components of the craniofacial complex, the splanchnocranium, the basicranium, and the neurocranium. This suggests that traits from different regions of the craniofacial complex are of comparable utility for the purposes of population history and phylogeny reconstruction. At the same time, this genetic influence on craniofacial morphology signals a caution to researchers of nongenetic studies to consider the implications of this finding when selecting samples for study given their project design and goals. Anat Rec, 298:1535–1547, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental and numerical investigation of separated-reattached flows behind uniform and notched spoilers

Separated-reattaches flows behind uniform and notched spoilers are experimentally and numerically investigated. Aerodynamically excited noise from the open sunroof of a vehicle is of particular interest due to the high pressure oscillations that may be generated inside the cabin for certain vehicle speeds. Notched spoilers have frequently been observed to be more effective than uniform spoiler for buffeting suppression. The experimental cases under investigation consisted of uniform and notched automobile sunroof spoilers mounted into the test section of a low-speed, quiet wind tunnel. The commercial software PowerFLOW™ was used and a number of pre- and post-processing operations were followed in order to prepare and verify the spoiler geometry. The simulation results were verified based on comparisons between the simulation results and measured flow field statistics from hot-wire anemometry.
The Effect of Expertise on the Quality of Appraisal Services

This article examines the quality of appraisals as a function of expertise. In particular, we compare novices (beginning real estate students) to experts (practicing certified and/or designated app...
ADOLESCENT MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL USE

Most tests of differential association theory focus on the basic relationships rather than the causal process specified by the theory. This study provides a more thorough test of Sutherland's differential association hypothesis by deriving and testing a causal model of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents. The findings provide strong support for the causal process specified by differential association theory. However, two unexpected findings suggest that the theory may have to be modified to account for the differential impact of peer pressure, independent of internalized definitions, on individual behavior and for the differential impact of specific primary groups on the formation of individual definitions.
A radiation-induced hippocampal vascular injury surrogate marker predicts late neurocognitive dysfunction

Purpose We aimed to develop a hippocampal vascular injury surrogate marker for early prediction of late neurocognitive dysfunction in patients receiving brain radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials Twenty-seven patients (17 males and 10 females, 31-80 years of age) were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved prospective longitudinal study. Patients received diagnoses of low-grade glioma or benign tumor and were treated by (3D) conformal or intensity-modulated RT with a median dose of 54 Gy (50.4-59.4 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions). Six dynamic-contrast enhanced MRI scans were performed from pre-RT to 18-month post-RT, and quantified for vascular parameters related to blood-brain barrier permeability, K trans , and the fraction of blood plasma volume, V p . The temporal changes in the means of hippocampal transfer constant K trans and V p after starting RT were modeled by integrating the dose effects with age, sex, hippocampal laterality, and presence of tumor or edema near a hippocampus. Finally, the early vascular dose response in hippocampi was correlated with neurocognitive dysfunction at 6 and 18 months post-RT. Results The mean K trans Increased significantly from pre-RT to 1-month post-RT ( P P P P P Conclusions The early hippocampal vascular dose response could be a predictor of late neurocognitive dysfunction. A personalized hippocampus sparing strategy may be considered in the future.
Fast triangular factorization of the sum of quasi-Toeplitz and quasi-Hankel matrices

Abstract The literature contains several recent fast algorithms for the triangular factorization of strongly regular Toeplitz-plus-Hankel matrices. In this paper we study the rather more general sum of quasi-Toeplitz and quasi-Hankel matrices, both Hermitian and non-Hermitian. Quasi-Toeplitz and quasi-Hankel matrices are those that are congruent to Toeplitz and Hankel matrices in a special sense. The derivation is based on the concept of displacement structure and its intimate relation to the Schur reduction procedure for triangular factorization. Various special cases covering displacement ranks from two to eight are considered. Several other problems (e.g., factorization of the inverse matrix, solution of exact or overdetermined linear systems) can be reduced to the direct factorization problem.
Cohesion and structure in stage-1 graphite intercalation compounds

We have developed a Thomas-Fermi theory for the structural and elastic properties of the first-stage alkali-metal graphite intercalation compounds. We use a simplified model for the electronic structure of these materials which assumes full charge transfer between the alkali metal and the graphite, no hybridization between metal and carbon states, and a uniform distribution of the donated charge on the graphite planes. We have computed lattice constants, compressibilities, shear moduli, alkali-metal diffusion constants and activation energies, and domain-wall thicknesses; general agreement with available experiments is found. These results indicate that our model of the electronic properties is consistent with known elastic and structural properties. The interplane metal-carbon interaction is mostly determined by a competition between Coulomb attraction and hard-core repulsion. The Li ion is much more compact than that of K, Rb, or Cs, which explains the higher compressibility of the Li graphite intercalation compound and the lower Li ionic mobility. The Na--C bond is found to be very soft, explaining the lack of formation of Na-intercalated graphite. The in-plane alkali-metal--alkali-metal interaction is determined almost entirely by the Coulomb interaction, and is thus relatively independent of the alkali-metal species.
Participants' Sensitivity to Percentage Payback and Credit Value When Playing a Slot-Machine Simulation

Legalized gambling has become both a major industry and concern in the United States, but little research from the behavior-analytic perspective has been done on the topic. The present study consisted of two experiments that had participants play a computer-simulated slot machine. The variables manipulated were the percentage payback rate (i.e., overall rate of reinforcement) and the amount of money the credits being wagered were worth (i.e., reinforcer magnitude). Experiment 1 investigated these variables using a between-groups design. Experiment 2 investigated them using a within-subjects design. Results from both experiments demonstrated that participants' gambling behavior did not vary as a function of payback percentage. Their behavior was, however, sensitive to credit value; overall, participants bet less when the credits were worth more. These findings have potential implications for why some people display "problem gambling." They will also hopefully promote research on a topic that has been largely ignored by the field of behavior analysis.
FDI Inflow and Human Development: Analysis of FDI's Impact on Host Countries' Social Welfare and Infrastructure

We examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the mediating effects of country national governance on the welfare and knowledge infrastructure of host countries. Based on a five-year anchored panel data of 175 countries producing over 9,000 observations, we find that in general FDI has a positive influence on both host country welfare and knowledge infrastructure and the national governance positively mediates these relationships.1 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of sewage sludge as a greenhouse soil amendment. I. Effects on soil chemical constituents and pH

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effect of sewage sludge amendments used as potting media, on soil pH and 0.1 N HCl-extractable soil P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd concentrations. Sewage sludge from Atlanta, Ga. was mixed with Montevallo clay loam (Typic Dystrochrepts), Davidson clay loam (Rhodic Paleudults), Lynchburg loamy sand (Aeric Paleaquults), and Norfolk loamy sand (Typic Paleudults) soils at the rates of 0, 10, and 25%. The media were incubated for 7 days prior to the transplanting of the two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum van Homestead) plants which were grown thereon during the final 38 days of incubation. The pH of the clay loam soils increased slightly with increasing sewage sludge rates but the pH of the loamy sand soils decreased with sludge additions with no difference noted between the 10 and 25% rates. The extractable elemental concentration generally increased with sludge rate, but increases were considerably different for the various soils. The final P, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cr concentrations were higher on the sandy soils, while the Mn was higher on the clay soils. The Mg concentrations could not be related to soil types. The 0.1 N HCl-extractable elemental concentration recovered at the end of the incubation period varied with element and was generally less with the 25% sludge treatment and clay loam soils when compared to the 10% sludge rate and sandy soils.
Development and Performance Validation of Portable Air-Conditioning Experimental Apparatus

A bench-top air-conditioning experimental apparatus was designed, developed, and constructed for instruction and demonstration purposes. This air-conditioning experimental set-up was designed around the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. It is reliable, safe for student use, and portable. The apparatus has an intuitive user interface that supports data acquisition by a computer. The unit is capable of demonstrating air-conditioning processes such as cooling, heating, and humidification. The level of cooling, heating, and humidification is monitored and controlled using a PC-based control system which consists of LabVIEW and a data acquisition unit. The system can also be used to demonstrate the fundamentals of the refrigeration cycle and the psychrometric properties of air, as well as some fundamental concepts and principles in heat transfer, heat exchangers, and thermodynamics. This paper provides details about the development of this unit and the integration of the electrical/electronic components a...
Gastrointestinal Surgery for Obesity and Diabetes: Weight Loss and Control of Hyperglycemia

Obesity is associated with a variety of weight-related metabolic comorbidities. Bariatric surgery (metabolic/gastrointestinal surgery) not only achieves significant and sustainable weight loss, but also induces extraordinary effects on nearly all obesity-related comorbidities, particularly remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mechanisms underlying such effects are slowly being elucidated, and it appears that the metabolic benefits of bariatric surgery are not only attributable to weight loss, but there are also weight independent mechanisms at play. This article outlines the metabolic effects of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures, with a particular emphasis on how they affect glucose metabolism and T2DM.
Construction of a Muscular Strength Test for Boys in Grades 4, 5, and 6

Abstract In this study, a strength test for boys 9 through 12 years of age in grades 4, 5, and 6 was constructed based upon cable tension strength tests. From 18 cable tension strength tests, the following four were selected by multiple correlation procedures: shoulder extension, trunk extension, knee extension, and ankle plantar flexion (ankle extension). The total of these four tests was designated the strength composite. Norms were prepared based on age and weight, utilizing Roger's method in the construction of Strength Index norms; the subjects were 826 boys from ten communities located in various parts of Oregon. A strength quotient was derived by dividing the achieved by the norm strength composite and multiplying by 100.
Searching for a needle in a haystack: evaluating survey methods for non-indigenous plant species

The control and management of non-indigenous plant species (NIS) can be conceptually divided into three phases: inventory/survey, monitoring and management. Here we focus on phase one, determining which species are present and where they are located within the environment. Sampling for NIS is inherently time-consuming and thus costly. Many management areas are large and therefore can only be surveyed (partial observation of the total area by sampling) and not inventoried (total observation of area). Survey data should reflect the spatial distribution of the target species populations over the landscape. Such data can then be used in combination with environmental data, to create probability maps of target species occurrence for the entire area of interest. We used a GIS model to evaluate seven different survey methods for consistency and reliability of intersecting NIS species’ patches and producing samples which reflect the spatial distribution of the population, and which can be performed in a cost and time-efficient manner. The GIS model was developed to create NIS populations which were then sampled using the different survey methods, and the results recorded. To improve the applicability of the model, four patch sizes and levels of occurrence were used, along with random and weighted distribution patterns in relation to patch proximity to roads and trails. Grid and random points, and targeted (stratified continuous) transects (starting on a road or trail (rights of way (RoW)) and finishing 2 km from any RoW) methods provided the most consistent samples of the population. Logistically, point methods required an unrealistic distance and time commitment in comparison with transect methods. The importance of collecting information on the size of NIS patches was demonstrated as more small patches were intersected than larger ones when the area infested was held constant. Thus, if frequency of patches is used to explain the results of a survey then comparisons between species and methods are difficult to interpret thus leading to erroneous conclusions. However, use of percentage of area infested estimates provides for easier comparison between species and sample methods. The targeted transect method provided the most reliable, efficient and consistent sample with the expected spatial distribution.
Role of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors in Apoptosis in DT40 Lymphocytes

Abstract The role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) in caspase-3 activation and cell death was investigated in DT40 chicken B-lymphocytes stably expressing various IP3R constructs. Both full-length type-I IP3R and a truncated construct corresponding to the caspase-3 cleaved “channel-only” fragment were able to support staurosporine (STS)-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death even when the IP3R construct harbored a mutation that inactivates the pore of the Ca2+ channel (D2550A). However, a full-length wild-type IP3R did not promote caspase-3 activation when the 159-amino acid cytosol-exposed C-terminal tail was deleted. STS caused an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ in DT40 cells expressing wild-type or pore-dead IP3R mutants. However, in the latter case all the Ca2+ increase originated from Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. Caspase-3 activation of pore-dead DT40 cells was also more sensitive to extracellular Ca2+ chelation when compared with wild-type cells. STS-mediated release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization could also be observed in DT40 cells lacking IP3Rs or containing the pore-dead mutant. We conclude that nonfunctional IP3Rs can sustain apoptosis in DT40 lymphocytes, because they facilitate Ca2+ entry mechanisms across the plasma membrane. Although the intrinsic ion-channel function of IP3Rs is dispensable for apoptosis induced by STS, the C-terminal tail of IP3Rs appears to be essential, possibly reflecting key protein-protein interactions with this domain.
Using action abstraction to evolve effective controllers

We propose that abstracting the actions of a behavior coordination mechanism promotes the faster development and higher fitness of an effective controller for complex, composite tasks. Various techniques are well suited for the development of controllers for individual simple tasks. However, as individual tasks are combined into complex, composite tasks, many of these techniques quickly become impractical. By reusing existing behaviors, the focus of development for a controller can be shifted from low-level control to high-level coordination of these existing behaviors. As a result, the development of an effective controller becomes far more practical. Experiments using a single-agent task in a continuous environment demonstrate that grammatical evolution is capable of discovering fuzzy rulesets which effectively coordinate existing behaviors in a controller in fewer generations and with higher fitness than monolithic controllers.
Attenuation of Polyatomic Ion Interferences in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry by Gas-Phase Collisions

A double quadrupole arrangement to remove polyatomic ions by collisions with an added target gas has been evaluated. The ions Ar2+, ArO+, and ArN+ were attenuated by factors of 50-400 to count rates of \lesssim 100 counts s−1. Fifty to seventy percent of the analyte ions were retained. Removal of polyatomic ions and retention of analyte ions were favored by low-energy collisions with Xe or CH4 rather than typical target gases like N2 or Ar. Products of ion-molecule reactions between background ions and target gas in the first quadrupole could be observed.
Almost automorphic solutions to some damped second-order differential equations

Abstract In this paper we make extensive use of dichotomy tools and the well-known Schauder fixed point principle to study and obtain the existence of almost automorphic solutions to some nonautonomous damped second-order differential equations. To illustrate our abstract result, we study the existence of almost automorphic solutions to the so-called plate-like equation.
Effect of cytochalasin B, nocodazole and irradiation on migration and internalization of cells and microspheres in tumor cell spheroids

Abstract The effect of cytochalasin B (CB), nocodazole, and irradiation on the adherence and internalization of 3H-labeled EMT6 spheroid-derived single cells and inert microspheres in unlabeled, intact EMT6 multicellular spheroids has been examined. CB inhibited adhesion and internal migration, whereas nocodazole did not stop adhesion but did prevent later internalization. Treatment of labeled cells with 5, 15 and 25 Gy 250 kV X-rays before adherence did not effect their adherence or later internalization. The same radiation treatments administered to the spheroids either immediately before or after the introduction of unirradiated single cells did not affect adherence, but the depths reached by labeled cells and microspheres were reduced largely because of the consequent reduction in spheroid growth. Microsphere size (9, 15, or 25 μm) and surface charge (negative, or nonionic) had minimal, if any, effect on the adherence and internalization of these particles.
Emergency Open Heart Surgery for Acquired Heart Disease

Eighteen patients, 15 to 74 years of age, in intractable and life-threatening heart failure underwent emergency open heart surgery. There were 14 long term survivors. One hundred percent mortality was predicted without the application of surgery. The cause of failure was valvular heart disease in 14 and coronary heart disease in four patients. Assisted circulation during the most critical period, namely, the interval between the induction of anesthesia and the institution of total cardiopulmonary bypass, proved life-saving, at least in five patients. On the basis of this study it is postulated that no heart patient is too sick to be operated upon if he is dying from a surgically remediable underlying cardiac condition.
Analysis of histopathologic and electron microscopic determinants of keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Histopathologic study of 108 keratoacanthomas and 14 squamous cell carcinomas failed to reveal any consistent, single feature allowing for their distinction. Variation in clinical features of keratoacanthoma minimizes their value in this regard. On the other hand, crater, flask-like configuration, lipping of edges, collarette and cytoplasmic eosinophilia were statistically more frequent in lesions regarded as keratoacanthoma whereas atypical cytologic alterations including greater numbers of typical and atypical mitoses and a desmoplastic tumor stroma were most frequent in squamous cell carcinoma. Electron microscopy of examples of each lesion revealed the well-differentiated appearance of cells comprising keratoacanthoma. In addition, intracytoplasmic aggregates of desmosomes were unique but not consistently observed in keratoacanthoma. Cells comprising squamous cell carcinoma exhibited decreased numbers of tonofilaments and intercellular desmosomes. The subjective nature of these distinguishing ultrastructural features minimizes the value of electron microscopy for the differentiation of these two lesions. Intranuclear bodies noted in some cells of keratoacanthoma resemble similar non-viral particles observed in a variety of pathologic and even some normal cells. Interpretation of these findings as well as follow-up observations have provided practical guidelines for therapy.
Photoactivatable Cross-Linked Polyacrylamide for the Site-Selective Immobilization of Antigens and Antibodies

This paper describes the synthesis, characterization, and photochemical behavior of a new light-activated material for the photoimmobilization of antigens. The material is a derivative of cross-linked polyacrylamide that incorporates photoactive o-nitrobenzyl carbamates. When irradiated, the polymer undergoes a photochemical rearrangement to produce primary amines that can be used as molecular attachment sites. We monitored the photoconversion of thin (1−2 μm) polymer films that were deposited on silicon wafers or fused silica substrates using FT IR spectroscopy and UV−vis spectroscopy. To produce patterned polymer-modified substrates, we irradiated the material using a photolithographic mask. This process yielded 10-μm lines of photogenerated amines, to which an amine-reactive antigen (2,4,6-trintrobenzenesulfonic acid) was covalently bound. When we used this antigen-patterned substrate in a competitive fluorescence immunoassay containing tetramethylrhodamine-labeled anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl antibodies and...
Stimuli influencing host microhabitat location in the parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis

The host microhabitat location behavior of females of the generalist parasitoid Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was studied in a wind tunnel. Visual cues associated with the host plant cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., were important and significantly more parasitoids completed flights to a damaged 4-leaf cotton plant bearing a Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larva and frass than to a similarly damaged single leaf with frass and a larva. This difference in completed flights was not due to differences in amounts of volatiles released by the two stimuli, Both naive and experienced parasitoids responded differently to an undamaged cotton leaf, a mechanically damaged leaf, a naturally damaged leaf with the host removed and a naturally damaged leaf with a host larva. Parasitoids completed significantly fewer flights to the undamaged sources of volatiles than to damaged sources of volatiles. Experienced females responded strongly to all types of damage. The number of flights completed by naive females to the three types of damage differed but not significantly and was less than the number completed by experienced females. Components of the preflight experience were varied to determine which factors were responsible for the higher response of experienced females to the host/plant complex. Oviposition was the most important component of this experience. Contact with host frass or plant damage followed by oviposition did not increase the response over that exhibited by females allowed oviposition only. When frass or damaged plant material were contacted without subsequent oviposition, females completed fewer flights than naive females.
The etiology of intimal hyperplasia

Injury of an arterial wall results in the growth of a neointima which can cause significant luminal narrowing. Current theories do not adequately explain the experimental and clinical data. We propose the hypothesis that some substance produced by the media is inhibitory to smooth muscle cell proliferation. This substance cannot cross the normal intima. Following an injury which removes the intima this substance quickly diffuses out of the arterial wall into the blood, its concentration in the arterial wall falls and proliferation of smooth muscle cells begins. Later, as the arterial wall volume increases and the lumen (and, thus, area for diffusion) decreases, the substance returns to inhibitory levels and intimal hyperplasia ceases.