cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic hypoxemia causes extracellular glutamate concentration to increase in the cerebral cortex of the near-term fetal sheep

Abstract Fetal hypoxia is an important cause of neurologic morbidity and mortality. Hypoxia-induced increase in extracellular glutamate concentration can lead to excitotoxic neuronal death in adults. The objective of this study was to test whether chronic fetal hypoxemia increases extracellular glutamate concentration in the unanesthetized intact cerebral cortex of the near-term fetal sheep. Microdialysis probes were implanted into the parasagittal parietal cortex and periventricular white matter of near-term fetal sheep. At 124±1 days of gestation, extracellular glutamate concentration was determined before and during 24 h of fetal hypoxemia. Chronic hypoxemia was produced by tightening a vascular occluder placed around the maternal common iliac artery. Larger decreases in fetal arterial oxygen content were associated with larger increases in extracellular glutamate concentration in the parietal cortex (Kendall's τ=0.81, N=7, p=0.005). No such relationship was detected in the periventricular white matter. Chronic hypoxemia increases extracellular glutamate concentration in the intact cerebral cortex of the unanesthetized near-term fetal sheep.
Sodium Hydroxide Sterilization of Intraocular Lenses

Intraocular lenses of polymethylmethacrylate contaminated with various inocula of bacteria, spores, and fungi were sterilized by modifications of the Ridley method using sodium hydroxide. Positive cultures were obtained from iris-supported lenses contaminated with concentrations of approximately 1 x 10(6) organisms per milliliter after one hour in 10% NaOH. No positive cultures were obtained when lenses remained in 10% NaOH for three hours, a time corresponding to a 1 x 10(-6) probability of surviving organism. The NaOH method, when appropriately used, is an effective sterilization process for intraocular lenses.
Circadian rhythm of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase and cortisol in the african green monkey (Cercopithecus Aethiops)

Abstract Cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase in African green monkey liver had an apparent K m of 1.65 · 10 −4 M cholesterol and a pH optimum of 7.4. The amplitudes of the circadian maxima of enzyme activity and serum cortisol levels were significantly greater in vervets than in grivets. Fluctuations in enzyme activity and cortisol levels during the circadian cycle were positively correlated ( r = 0.89). Enzyme activities and hormone levels were 2.7-fold lower over a 24-h period in the grivet than in the vervet. Cholesterol feeding reduced the enzyme activity by 40% and serum cortisol was reduced to 38% of control levels at the diurnal peak. Serum glucocorticoids may be important physiological regulators of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase in non-human primates. The concentration of cortisol and its time of release appear to be factors in the hyperresponsive trait of grivets. Genetic differences between vervet and grivet races may account for differences in the amplitude and timing of the circadian rhythm of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase activity possibly influenced by cortisol.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Clostridium difficile in Adults: A Systematic Review

Importance Since 2000, the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) have increased. Objective To review current evidence regarding best practices for the diagnosis and treatment of CDI in adults (age ≥18 years). Evidence Review Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched using keywords relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of CDI in adults. Articles published between January 1978 and October 31, 2014, were selected for inclusion based on targeted keyword searches, manual review of bibliographies, and whether the article was a guideline, systematic review, or meta-analysis published within the past 10 years. Of 4682 articles initially identified, 196 were selected for full review. Of these, the most pertinent 116 articles were included. Clinical trials, large observational studies, and more recently published articles were prioritized in the selection process. Findings Laboratory testing cannot distinguish between asymptomatic colonization and symptomatic infection with C difficile . Diagnostic approaches are complex due to the availability of multiple testing strategies. Multistep algorithms using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the toxin gene(s) or single-step PCR on liquid stool samples have the best test performance characteristics (for multistep: sensitivity was 0.68-1.00 and specificity was 0.92-1.00; and for single step: sensitivity was 0.86-0.92 and specificity was 0.94-0.97). Vancomycin and metronidazole are first-line therapies for most patients, although treatment failures have been associated with metronidazole in severe or complicated cases ofCDI. Recent data demonstrate clinical success rates of 66.3% for metronidazole vs 78.5% for vancomycin for severe CDI. Newer therapies show promising results, including fidaxomicin (similar clinical cure rates to vancomycin, with lower recurrence rates for fidaxomicin, 15.4% vs vancomycin, 25.3%; P = .005) and fecal microbiota transplantation (response rates of 83%-94% for recurrent CDI). Conclusions and Relevance Diagnostic testing for CDI should be performed only in symptomatic patients. Treatment strategies should be based on disease severity, history of prior CDI, and the individual patient’s risk of recurrence. Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for severe or complicated CDI, with or without adjunctive therapies. Metronidazole is appropriate for mild disease. Fidaxomicin is a therapeutic option for patients with recurrent CDI or a high risk of recurrence. Fecal microbiota transplantation is associated with symptom resolution of recurrent CDI but its role in primary and severe CDI is not established.
Segregation of unvoiced speech from nonspeech interference

Monaural speech segregation has proven to be extremely challenging. While efforts in computational auditory scene analysis have led to considerable progress in voiced speech segregation, little attention has been given to unvoiced speech, which lacks harmonic structure and has weaker energy, hence more susceptible to interference. This study proposes a new approach to the problem of segregating unvoiced speech from nonspeech interference. The study first addresses the question of how much speech is unvoiced. The segregation process occurs in two stages: Segmentation and grouping. In segmentation, the proposed model decomposes an input mixture into contiguous time-frequency segments by a multiscale analysis of event onsets and offsets. Grouping of unvoiced segments is based on Bayesian classification of acoustic-phonetic features. The proposed model for unvoiced speech segregation joins an existing model for voiced speech segregation to produce an overall system that can deal with both voiced and unvoiced speech. Systematic evaluation shows that the proposed system extracts a majority of unvoiced speech without including much interference, and it performs substantially better than spectral subtraction.
Understanding APCs for nuclear cardiology.

The new HCFA HOPPS with APCs is a reality. This system is an averaging and bundling system mandated by Congress and implemented by HCFA to save health care dollars and reduce patient co-payments. The BBRA allows for a 2- to 3-year transition period of continued separate payment of radiopharmaceuticals. Please review your current systems to ensure your hospital has complied with the August 1, 2000, implementation of the APC system. In addition, please continue to monitor the HCFA (www.hcfa.gov), American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (www.asnc.org), and Society of Nuclear Medicine (www.snm.org) APC link Web sites for changes to the evolving final rule, published on April 7, 2000. Any questions regarding APCs for Nuclear Cardiology can be directed to your FI, the Nuclear Medicine APC Task Force (NMAPC@snm.org) or the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. Finally, I would like to emphasize that nuclear cardiology departments can survive and live with APCs if you code accurately. Of key importance is to know the hospital revenue in the APC system and calculate actual costs for procedures performed in the nuclear cardiology department.
How the News Media Reported on Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

Of the many criticisms leveled at the Soviet Union by the Western press during the accident at Chernobyl, perhaps the most damning was that the U.S.S.R. failed to provide prompt warning to her foreign neighbors, and to her own citizens, about the seriousness of the accident. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev counterattacked by charging that the US. government had taken months to inform the world of the accident at Three Mile Island (TMI) and that Congress did not know about it for ten days (7, 23). Gorbachev’s charge even found some support from US. journalists (see, eg, 11). There were many striking parallels in the flow of information during TMI and Chernobyl, from the absence of emergency communications plans to the deliberate withholding of data on radiation releases. But in both the attitude of officials toward what the public needed to know and when, and their willingness to provide certain information to the press, TMI was not Chernobyl. This article will develop the comparison, for a clearer understanding of the differences makes the similarities all the more revealing and provides important lessons for the handling of future events. Information about the accident at TMI was available in greater quantity in a shorter time and with fewer restrictions than at Chernobyl. About three and one-half hours into the accident at TMI (7:24 A.M. local time), officials of Metropolitan Edison informed the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency that they had declared a general emergency at the site because of high radiation readings in containment. Less than an hour later, this information was passed along by a civil defense official to an enterprising reporter at a local radio station. He confirmed it with utility officials in Reading, Pennsylvania, and broadcast it at 8:25 A.M. (21, p. 295). Shortly after 9:OO A.M. the information appeared on the Associated Press national wire (21, p. 106).
Formaldehyde-free durable-press finishes

Durable-press finishing agents that neither contain nor release formaldehyde when applied to cotton fabrics are reviewed and compared with conventional N-methylolamides in regard to fabric wrinkle resistance, smooth drying properties, strength retention and yellowing imparted. The need for agents that are not derived from formaldehyde results from international recognition that formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. When formaldehyde-free cellulose crosslinking agents are screened to eliminate those having toxicity, odour and environmental problems of their own, the most likely candidates are seen to be polycarboxylic acids and 1,3-dimethyl-4, 5-dihydroxy-ethyleneurea (also known as DHDMI). These differ in cost and effectiveness, and will require further research and development to become fully practical.
Spiritual Well-Being and Depression in Patients with Heart Failure

Background In patients with chronic heart failure, depression is common and associated with poor quality of life, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher mortality. Spiritual well-being is an important, modifiable coping resource in patients with terminal cancer and is associated with less depression, but little is known about the role of spiritual well-being in patients with heart failure.
The effect of protein quality and ascorbic acid deficiency on stimulation of hepatic microsomal enzymes in guinea pigs

Abstract Poor quality protein supports and even potentiates some metabolic responses in DDT + lindane-treated guinea pigs. Ascorbic acid deficiency, on the other hand, impairs induction of most of the responses measured. Animals fed soy protein and gelatin exhibit the highest O -demethylase activity, hepatic glycogen content and urinary excretion of lindane and lindane metabolites. However, only soy protein permitted significant increases in glucaric acid excretion, hepatic cytochrome P-450 content and glucuronyl transferase. Furthermore, only the guinea pigs on soy protein had statistically significant increases in the metabolic stimulation induced by DDT and lindane in the casein-fed animals. Thus, the animals on the soy protein diet excreted significantly more lindane and lindane metabolites as well as more glucaric acid than the guinea pigs receiving casein.
Photokilling of Micrococcus roseus.

. Previous work showed that the bacterium Micrococcus roseus is killed by photodynamic action when an exogenous photosensitizer is present, but when a photosensitizer is not added the organism survives long exposure to high intensity (22,000ft-c, 348 J/s/m2) white light. Experiments designed to demonstrate the presence of a mechanism to repair damage caused by photodynamic action failed to reveal such a mechanism. However, the organism was killed by light of a very high intensity (32,000ft-c, 506 J/s/m2) in the absence of added photosensitizer, indicating that cells have an effective endogenous photosensitizer(s). Two carotenoid-deficient mutants were killed via photodynamic action more rapidly than the fully pigmented wild-type in the presence or absence of an exogenous photosensitizer. Thus, resistance of M. roseus to photodynamic action is not due to a repair mechanism, nor to lack of an effective endogenous photosensitizer, but to the protective action of carotenoid pigments.
Outside looking in: shaping access and use of PCCs

We examine factors that mediate the access and use of public computing centers (PCCs) that are part of a United States government policy initiative to bridge the digital divide. Drawing on in-depth interviews and field observations conducted in the state of Texas, we interrogate how the social settings in which the sites are embedded, influence the way marginalized users approach and use the Internet resources inside the PCCs. Through our analysis, we demonstrate that access and use of PCCs is mediated by factors beyond the mere availability of computing infrastructure and include conditions such as fulfillment of routine life needs, geo-spatial characteristics of sites, availability of transport, and access to alternative sites of Internet access.
Menstrual cycle as focus of study and self-reports of moods and behaviors

Retrospective questionnaires show cyclical variations in moods and behaviors across the menstrual cycle. However, results obtained from daily mood questionnaires are inconsistent. In the present study, which ran for 11 weeks, self-report measures of menstrual symptomatology, using the 8-factor Moos (1968, 1969 a,c) Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), were investigated. The MDQ was administered under conditions that made the menstrual cycle a salient (retrospective questionnaire) or not a salient (daily questionnaire) part of the study. The study included women who were taking and not taking oral contraceptives. A 2×3 analysis of variance (with the two groups of women and three menstrual cycle phases as independent variables) yielded broad cyclical variations only in the menstrual cycle salient condition. When the menstrual cycle was not a salient part of the study, only the pain factor reached significant cyclical variation (p<.01). A 2×3 analysis of variance (with the two types of questionnaires and three menstrual cycle phases as independent variables) indicated that for women not taking oral contraceptives the two questionnaires differed on pain (p<.01), concentration (p<.01), autonomic reaction (p<.05), and water retention (p<.01). Phase effects were significant on all factors, with largest cyclical variations in the menstrual cycle salient condition. A similar analysis for women taking oral contraceptives yielded fewer significant differences. These results suggest that questionnaires that make the menstrual cycle a salient part of the study may exaggerate possible cyclical variations in moods and behaviors.
Preview method for electron-beam CT scanning of the coronary arteries.

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a method that uses electron-beam computed tomography to obtain the most appropriate starting level for complete imaging of the coronary tree and to compare it with the existing method. A second aim was to evaluate the spatial location of the coronary arteries relative to different anatomic cardiac and chest landmarks. Materials and Methods. Two hundred forty consecutive patients were randomly assigned to imaging with either a six-level preview (new) method or the traditional preview method. The accuracy of each preview method to encompass the coronary anatomy was compared. Results. All coronary arteries were included in 3-mm scans obtained starting three levels above the origin of the left main coronary artery. The left anterior descending coronary artery extended 3–9 mm above the left main artery in 33 patients (14%). The coronary arteries were encompassed by scans depicting 72–105 mm; thus, with 3-mm sections, up to 35 scans are necessary to cover the entire coronary tree. No stable relationship between the coronary arteries and the pulmonary artery or carina could be found. Conclusion. The six-level preview method that identifies the left main coronary artery and begins 9 mm above this level is the most accurate method for depicting the coronary anatomy. No anatomic landmarks in the heart or chest can be used reliably to identify the position of the coronary arteries in individual patients.
1-D ELECTRO-OPTIC BEAM STEERING DEVICE.

Abstract In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of a 1D beam steering device based on planar electro-optic thermal-plastic prisms and a collimator lens array. With the elimination of moving parts, the proposed device is able to overcome the mechanical limitations of present scanning devices, such as fatigue and low operating frequency, while maintaining a small system footprint (∼0.5 mm × 0.5 mm). From experimental data, our prototype device is able to achieve a maximum deflection angle of 5.6° for a single stage prism design and 29.2° for a cascaded three prisms stage design. The lens array shows a 4 μm collimated beam diameter.
Thermal state of an ice shell on Europa

We consider a model of Europa consisting of an ice shell that is decoupled from a silicate core by a layer of liquid water. The thickness of the shell is calculated as a function of colatitude and longitude, assuming that a state of conductive equilibrium exists with the incident annual average solar insolation, tidal dissipation within the shell, and heat flow from the core. Ice thickness profiles are calculated for each of two plausible rheological behaviors for ice: the Maxwell rheology and the generalized flow law rheology. In both cases the strong temperature dependence of the dissipation rate, as well as the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of ice, is explicitly included. Because of the strong temperature dependence of the dissipation rate, nearly all of the tidal dissipation is concentrated in the lowermost few kilometers of the shell. Even though the effective Q of the greater part of the shell is ⪢ 100 in our models, average shell thickness do not exceed 25 km. Thus, if the total thickness of H_2O which mantles Europa is ≳25 km, none of our models admit the possibility of a completely frozen H_2O layer, although such a state cannot be entirely ruled out, because the rheology of ice at the low tidal frequency has not been directly measured. The total dissipation rates in our models are comparable to those of a constant Q model with Q ∼ 10. Average thickness profiles are relatively insensitive to heat flow from the core. The second-degree spherical harmonic components of the ice thickness are given and the resulting contributions to the quantities (B - A)/C and (B - C)/A of Europa are estimated. Although the contribution to (B - A)/C is perhaps larger than the permanent value needed to prevent nonsynchronous rotation, its dependence on the shell's orientation relative to synchroneity suggests that very slow nonsynchronous rotation will persist, with reorientation of the shell relative to the satellite-planet direction occuring on a time scale greater than or approximately equal to the thermal diffusion time scale for the shell (∼10^7 years). The existence of significant “fossil” bulge on the shell due to long-term elastic behavior of its outer, coldest regions would eliminate nonsynchronous rotation. Since the contribution to (B - C)/A of the thickness variations in most of our models is >0, Europa's shell may experience large-scale polar wander as thermal equilibrium is approached, if the above is the most important permanent contribution to (B - C)/A. For some parameter choices, the presence of an insulating regolith that raises the near-surface temperature by more than a few tens of degrees may stabilize the shell against polar wander by reducing thickness variations; yet a modest regolith may enhance the likelihood of ppolar wander (G.W. Ojakangas and D.J. Stevenson 1989, Icarus 81, 242–270) by reducing retarding friction within the shell. The magnitudes of the principal moment differences are insensitive to the details of the parameterization of the tidal dissipation.
An Algorithm for Finding Repeated Solutions to the General Perspective Three-Point Pose Problem

In the Perspective 3-Point Pose Problem (P3P), the transformation that converts the triple of (unknown) camera-to-control-point distances, into the triple of (known) angle cosines between the projection lines, is generally locally invertible. However, this fails to be the case when the camera's focal point (center of perspective) is on the danger cylinder. This situation corresponds to a double solution to P3P, and presents extra difficulties in solving P3P. An extensive analysis of the danger cylinder setup leads to the introduction of a special rational function that proves to be quite useful in solving P3P in the danger cylinder case. This involves some rather long algebraic expressions that are best manipulated using mathematical software. Ultimately, some fairly simple formulas emerge that serve as a basis for an algorithm, called the Double Solution Algorithm (DSA). Experimental results comparing DSA with Grunert's quartic polynomial method demonstrate that DSA often has substantially greater accuracy. This is particularly so when the camera is relatively far from the control points, even if it is not very close to the danger cylinder.
Current Cosmological Constraints from a 10 Parameter Cosmic Microwave Background Analysis

We compute the constraints on a "standard" 10 parameter cold dark matter (CDM) model from the most recent CMB data and other observations, exploring 30 million discrete models and two continuous parameters. Our parameters are the densities of CDM, baryons, neutrinos, vacuum energy and curvature, the reionization optical depth, and the normalization and tilt for both scalar and tensor fluctuations. Our strongest constraints are on spatial curvature, -0.24 < Ωk < 0.38, and CDM density, h2Ωcdm < 0.3, both at 95%. Including Type Ia supernova constraints gives a positive cosmological constant at high significance. We explore the robustness of our results to various assumptions. We find that three different data subsets give qualitatively consistent constraints. Some of the technical issues that have the largest impact are the inclusion of calibration errors, closed models, gravity waves, reionization, nucleosynthesis constraints, and ten-dimensional likelihood interpolation.
VP's and verb movement in Chamorro

Most GB analyses of VSO languages have assumed that these languages have an SVO clause structure in which surface order is derived by leftward movement of V — usually, movement of V to Infl. This paper argues that that there is another possible route to VSO-hood, which is instantiated by the VSO language Chamorro. I argue for a view of Chamorro clause structure that consists of three claims: (i) there is a predicate XP constituent separate from the subject; (ii) this predicate XP precedes the subject, in other words, the clause structure of Chamorro is fundamentally VOS; (iii) surface word order is produced not by V Movement, but by adjoining the subject to the right of some projection of a [+V] category, essentially as proposed by Choe (1986) for Berber. Evidence supporting these claims is drawn from proper government in WH-constructions, from the syntax of nonverbal predicates, and from coordination.
Comparison of empirical closed-form functions for fitting diatomic interaction potentials of ground state first- and second-row diatomics

Twenty-one empirical potentials, having simple functional forms and varying numbers of adjustable parameters, were fitted to experimental RKR data for the ground states of 14 first- and second-row diatomics. The goodness-of-fit was evaluated in each case using the statistical least-squares Z-test of Murrell and Sorbie, and functions with more parameters generally produced better fits (lower Z values), as expected. The dependence of the goodness-of-fit varied in a complicated way with the number of adjustable parameters; for a given number of parameters, some functions outperformed others, indicating that certain functional forms give rise to inherently better empirical potentials, at least for the limited set of diatomics selected here.
Influence of Emotional Role-Playing on Smoking Habits and Attitudes

Summary.-Each of 20 female Ss participated in a role-playing session with one of two Es. S acted the role of a lung cancer patient and E the role of her physician. These 20 Ss displayed significantly greater changes in smoking habits and attitudes toward cigarette smoking than a comparable group of 10 control Ss. Ss who role-played with E of high status, a physician, showed significantly greater attitudinal change than Ss who role-played with E of a less status. No significant difference appeared, however, between these two groups in their change of habits. Several experiments have shown that role-playing is an effective method of inducing attitudinal change (Culbertson, 1957; Janis & Gilmore, 1965; Janis & King, 1954). Modification of smoking attitudes is one particular way in which the technique has been investigated (Elms, 1966; Janis & Mann, 1965). The present experiment was designed to replicate one by Janis and Mann. Specifically, the purpose cf this study was: (1) to determine whether experimental Ss performing the role of a lung cancer patient woi~ld show more change in smoking attitudes and habits than a comparable control group and (2) to determine whether Ss would be more influenced when the role of a physician was played by a male of high status (medical doctor) than by a female of a lesser degree of status. METHOD
XANES: Solid state mineral analysis

Researchers in the field of mineral physics have become aware of new analytical techniques for studying the electronic structure of solids; one such technique is the X ray absorption fine structure (XFAS) method. In this technique the fine structure of the X ray K-edge, for example, can b e employed as a critical probe of t h e intricacies of a crystal structure (P. A. Lee, P. H. Citrin, P. Eisenberger, and B. M. Kincaid, Rev. Mod. Phys., 53, 799, 1981). A similar, related technique, X ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), is a relatively unknown method of studying the electronic structure of solids. XANES is new, and due to its complex nature, data on all but very simple solids have not yet been applied rigorously. Among the first XANES results on minerals is the recent study reported by G. Knapp, B. Veal, H. Pan, and T. Klipper (Solid State Comm. 44, 1343, 1982) on perovskites, magnesiowustites, and other 3d oxides in the zircon and spinel groups. The interpretation of these results is still semiquantitative, being based on ground state and basic selection rule considerations. The results show, however, a strong correlation between near-edge spectra and crystal structure.
The effect of synthesis solution pH on the physicochemical properties of Co substituted MCM-41

The adjustment of the initial synthesis solution pH affects the structure and stability of C16 Co-MCM-41. This pH effect was systematically investigated using N2 physisorption, TPR, in-situ FTIR, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Co-MCM-41 catalysts with the same pore size but greater porosity were synthesized with increasing pH from 10.5 to 12. The distribution of Co ions with respect to being on the pore wall or in the silica wall framework was changed by pH; higher pH produced Co ions mainly distributed just subsurface or in the interior of the silica wall. These pH effects significantly affected the reduction stability of the Co-MCM-41 sample similar to that of the pore radius of curvature effect (Lim et al, J. Phys. Chem. B, 109 (2005) 2285), resulting in stable and size controllable sub-nanometer Co clusters that are useful for catalyst design for specific reactions.
An Examination of Privacy Policies in Fortune 500 Web Sites

Although personal information privacy concerns have been around for years, the introduction of E‐commerce and its associated technologies presents privacy concerns anew. The Fortune 500 represents traditional leadership in the use of technologies and business practices. This preliminary study examines Web sites of the Fortune 500 and shows that slightly more than 50 percent of Fortune 500 Web sites provide privacy policies on their home pages. Comprehensive privacy policies to address all privacy dimensions recommended by the FTC are less common.
The Apparent-Impedance Method of Calculating Single-Phase-Motor Performance

In the past several years there have been offered a number of calculation methods to be used in connection with predetermining the performance of single- phase induction motors. While such methods are usually based upon either the cross field or the revolving field theory, they differ from each other according to individual preferences. In the present paper there is proposed a method which seems to be convenient and simple, and which, because of symmetry, involves a minimum of charts in carrying out the necessary calculations. The method is proposed because it has been used in one design department for a number of years and found to be very satisfactory as a practical method.
Distribution patterns suggest biomagnification of halogenated 1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrroles (MBPs).

The halogenated 1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrroles (MBPs) are a suite of marine natural products that have been detected in marine mammals worldwide. Although their concentrations are similar to persistent organic pollutants that biomagnify, such as 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153), it is not yet clear that these natural products also biomagnify. Here we analyze MBPs and CB-153 isolated from the blubber and liver of marine mammals stranded on the eastern coast of Massachusetts. Four odontocete species (Delphinus delphis, Lagenorhynchus acutus, Phocoena phocoena, and Globicephala melas) and two pinniped species (Halichoerus grypus and Phoca groenlandica) were sampled. MBPs were present in all odontocetes, but not detected in pinnipeds; CB-153 was detected in every species. MBP patterns indicative of biomagnification were found, including age-dependent concentration increases and reduced concentrations in adult females. Also explored were the similarities and differences with CB-153, the effects of nutriti...
Fundamental biophysical aspects of high-energy radiations in cancer therapy

The limitations of conventional therapy with x and $gamma$ radiations are reported, and high-energy particulate radiations that exhibit physical and/or biological properties more suitable for cancer therapy are discussed. Specifically, future prospects for radiotherapy with beams of electrons, neutrons, negative pions, protons, $alpha$ particles, and heavy ions are surveyed, and some of the results of clinical trials are analyzed. (auth)
Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on coronary blood flow.

Propranolol caused a reduction of left circumflex coronary blood flow and increased coronary resistance in open-chest anaesthetized dogs. Similar results were shown at rest and during exercise produced by repetitive electrical stimulation of the leg muscles. Diminished coronary flow occurred in association with diminished left ventricular work and a diminished product of arterial mean pressure and heart rate. This suggests that myocardial oxygen consumption decreased and may have been responsible for the diminished coronary flow.
Notes on Cryptoporus volvatus

Crytoporus volvatus is unique among polypores, for the porebearing layer is hidden by a volva. It is thus often termed the "hidden-pore fungus" or the "volvate polypore." During the fall of I9II, the writer frequently found this species on fallen coniferous trunks. Since that time, many specimens of it have been collected. They were growing from such hosts as Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga taxifolia), Ithe western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and white fir (Abies grandis). During the months of March and April, I912, I had the opportunity of observing quite thoroughly the development of the sporophores of this fungus, an,d a few words might be said here to supplement what Peck (3) has already said concerning some advanced stages of the pileus. Two trees of Tsuga heterophylla found on the campus at the University of Washington were thoroughly infected. This gave splendid opportunity to observe the sporophores in different stages. The very young stages of the sporophores of Cryptoporus are globose and covered with a thick crust of reddish-brown resin exuded from the tree. As the button grows, this crust becomes thinner and thus the sporophore appears to grow lighter in color. Because of this coating of resin, no satisfactory method of killing and embedding for histological work was found. However, some free-hand sections were made and examined after staining with eosin. In the earlier stages the button is an undifferentiated mass of fungous filaments. The cortex is soft-fleshy, hygrophanous, and white. Soon a tiny spherical cavity appears in the center of the button, when the latter is from 3 to 4 mm. in diameter. This increases in size with the growth of the button and the fleshy tissue increases in thickness up to about 3 mm. Until the sporophore is about 12-20 mm. in diameter, the tissue is about the same 121
Irregular warfare models for regional stability development

A war game can be defined as a realistic representation of inputs and outcomes in line with real world situations in a military environment. The Center for Army Analysis runs a war game simulation in order to gain insights and analyze counterinsurgency operations for higher level military commanders. The war gaming process is designed to develop a methodology that allows for the analysis of counterinsurgency operations at the operation/strategic levels. The adjudication table within the war game is used to predict outcomes based on troop levels, and is based solely on data from U.S. counterinsurgency missions in Iraq. With the withdrawal of forces from Iraq and now soon Afghanistan, it will be important to expand the scope of the adjudication table in order to improve the adaptability and accuracy of the war gaming process. An expanded adjudication table will allow the process to model counterinsurgency operations of the future that we have little knowledge of today. It can expedite decision making at the strategic level by modeling a wider expanse of solutions for an unfamiliar war zone. Outcomes can consist of a variety of possibilities to include number of insurgent attacks, total number of insurgents, and troop levels required to defeat the insurgency. In order to expand the scope of the adjudication table we have analyzed a number of counterinsurgency operations across a wide variety of countries and time periods. Incorporating additional conflicts into the adjudication table will allow for the adaptation of the war game to any potential number of conflicts in the future.
When the body and appendage of the left atrium disagree: "Focal" atrial fibrillation-implications for atrial thrombus formation and risk of thromboembolism.

Abstract A case is presented of a man who had 5 hours of atrial fibrillation followed by spontaneous conversion and maintained sinus rhythm that persisted as shown by surface electrocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography performed 24 hours after electrocardiographic conversion documented an atrial fibrillation pattern within the left atrial appendage, with a normal sinus Doppler pattern in the body of the left atrium. This apparent regional discrepancy in atrial function may partially explain the increased risk for “late” thromboembolism among patients with atrial fibrillation who appear to be successfully converted with sustained sinus rhythm. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1999;12:1097-1100.)
Complaints of Constipation in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

AbstractPsychoanalytic observation has launched a long tradition in medical literature that links constipation with obsessive-compulsive traits. This association, however, has never been tested empirically. The current investigation sought to test this hypothesized association empirically using a large, randomly sampled population database. Data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area project collected with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule were analyzed to determine the association, if any, of complaint of medically unexplained constipation (ascertained from the somatization disorder section of the interview) with a DIS diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Reported history of constipation was significantly associated with a lifetime diagnosis of OCD in women (not men), even when controlling for symptom-reporting biases using number of other positive somatoform symptoms. This association was specific to constipation and OCD and did not apply to other functional bowel symptoms including diarrhea...
The Effect of the Number of People Present in a Nonemergency Situation

Summary The “flat tire” paradigm (1) was extended in an attempt to determine whether the number-of-people-present effect, often demonstrated in the emergency situation, generalized to a nonemergency case. A coed and a car with a flat tire were placed on a superhighway (high traffic density) and also on a country road (low traffic density). A significantly greater proportion of people rendered aid in the country road condition; however, the average time between attempts to aid was less on the superhighway. Possible differences between emergency and nonemergency situations were discussed.
Heterogeneity and Tumor History

All cells are almost perfect copies of prior cells. Imperfect DNA replication creates random variation, which is the substrate for evolution. Such differences may be small [normally about one new mutation per human cell division ( 1 )], but the accumulation of mutations over time can eventually transform a single cell. Progeny of this first transformed cell expand by bifurcating branching cell division (see the figure) to form visible billion-cell clonal tumor populations. Each one of these cancer cells is an almost perfect copy of the first transformed cell. Given this scenario, different genetic alterations in different parts of the same cancer should be found in most tumors. Such intratumor heterogeneity has been found in many cancers, but its true extent is becoming much more evident with the unprecedented ability to sequence genome-wide many times (deep sequencing).
A risk-constrained multi-stage decision making approach to the architectural analysis of planetary missions

This paper presents a novel risk-constrained multi-stage decision making approach to the architectural analysis of planetary rover missions. In particular, focusing on a 2018 Mars rover concept, which was considered as part of a potential Mars Sample Return campaign, we model the entry, descent, and landing (EDL) phase and the rover traverse phase as four sequential decision-making stages. The problem is to find a sequence of divert and driving maneuvers so that the rover drive is minimized and the probability of a mission failure (e.g., due to a failed landing) is below a user-specified bound. By solving this problem for several different values of the model parameters (e.g., divert authority), this approach enables rigorous, accurate and systematic trade-offs for the EDL system vs. the mobility system, and, more in general, cross-domain trade-offs for the different phases of a space mission. The overall optimization problem can be seen as a chance-constrained dynamic programming problem, with the additional complexity that 1) in some stages the disturbances do not have any probabilistic characterization, and 2) the state space is extremely large (i.e, hundreds of millions of states for trade-offs with high-resolution Martian maps). To this purpose, we solve the problem by performing an unconventional combination of average and minimax cost analysis and by leveraging high efficient computation tools from the image processing community. Preliminary trade-off results are presented.
Preservation of protein in marine systems: Hydrophobic and other noncovalent associations as major stabilizing forces

—The fate of proteins during early diagenesis was investigated in environments with low mineral content to assess preservation mechanisms other than mineral sorption. Preservation was examined in anoxic, organic-rich sediments of Mangrove Lake, a marine environment located in Bermuda, and for particulate material generated during oxic decay of diatoms.N-phenacylthiazolium bromide (PTB) treatment tested the hypothesis that proteins may undergo modification reactions with glucose to form advanced-glycation end products (AGEs). A small but significant release (additional 14%) of proteins was observed after PTB treatment in surficial sediments, indicating that some aggregations can proceed through an α-dicarbonyl intermediate of the AGE pathway. Size-exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography with protein fluorescence, absorbance, and evaporative light-scattering detector measurements under native (phosphate or bicarbonate buffers) and denaturing (guanidine · HCl, urea, or acetonitrile) conditions point to the importance of hydrophobic and other noncovalent interactions in the stabilization of proteinaceous material in the environment. Soluble aggregates of substantial, relative molecular mass (Mr ≳ 106) appear to be formed early in the diagenetic sequence. The preferential preservation of very highMr, multisubunit phytoplankton proteins in sediments suggests that such aggregations confer resistance to degradation. Alternatively, some of the proteinaceous material may represent that fraction of organic matter that is highly prone to aggregations. Extended incubations (18 h; 37°C) with trypsin and proteinase-K showed that much of the aggregates that could be extracted are receptive to proteolytic cleavage. Buffer-, surfactant-, and NaOH-extractable aggregates comprised most of the acid-hydrolyzable proteinaceous material in detritus and surficial sediments but <35% in 9.7-m-deep sediments, suggesting additional mechanisms for preservation might be in operation. The results are direct evidence for the preservation of peptide linkages in sediments as old as 4000 yr and for noncovalent associations (hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding) of protein as important mechanisms in long-term preservation.
Analysis of total uncertainty in spectral peak measurements for plasmonic nanoparticle-based biosensors

One goal of recent research on plasmonic nanoparticle-based sensors is maximizing nanoparticle sensitivity or shift of resonance peak wavelength per refractive index change. Equally important is a measurement system's peak location uncertainty or shift resolution. We provide systematic analyses and discuss optimization of factors that determine peak location uncertainty, reporting values as low as 0.3 nm for the presented scheme. This type of analysis is important, in part, because it provides a means of evaluating detection thresholds for biosensor applications such as analyte binding. We estimate thresholds of 310 streptavidin molecules for the presented scheme and 20 molecules with system improvements.
Gender Differences on WAIS-III Incidental Learning, Pairing, and Free Recall

Gender differences on Digit-Symbol-Coding-Incidental Learning, Pairing, and Free Recall were examined using the standardization sample of the WAIS-III. Males earned significantly higher scores on both Pairing and Free Recall, but effect sizes were small. Gender effects were not significant when age and educational level were included in the model or when differences in ability level were considered. The results showed a tendency for increased performance on both Pairing and Free Recall for individuals with higher levels of education or higher ability levels and for younger examinees. The findings support the use of combined norms on these procedures for males and females but indicate a need for adjusting scores based on differences in age and education.
Abstract 15: Targeting cancer stem cells and vasculature by a novel anti-delta-like 4 ligand (DLL4) antibody inhibits triple-negative breast cancer tumor growth and delays tumor recurrence

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC, ER−, PR− Her2−) accounts for about 10% of all types of breast cancer and is known to particularly aggressive and refractory to current therapies. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as taxanes, are currently the only treatment option for this type of breast cancer, however, these treatments often result in high rates of local and systemic relapse. It has been suggested that cancer stem cells drive tumor growth and progression and are preferentially resistant to many current therapies. Delta-like 4 ligand (DLL4) is an important component of the Notch signaling pathway which is known to mediate stem cell self-renewal and vascular development. We hypothesized that targeting cancer stem cells and the tumor vasculature by interfering with the DLL4/Notch pathway will improve treatment outcome. We developed anti-DLL4 antibodies that recognize either the human or murine protein and have potent binding and antagonist activities. We used these antibodies to investigate the role of DLL4 in triple negative breast cancer and to probe the mechanism in tumor and stromal cells in xenograft models derived from primary breast tumors. These studies showed that anti-DLL4 was efficacious as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel (Taxol) against TNBC xenograft tumors. Gene expression analysis showed that anti-DLL4 affected vascular-related genes in the stroma and Notch target genes in the tumor and stroma. Inclusion of anti-DLL4 delayed breast tumor recurrence and decreased the growth rate of recurrent tumors following termination of paclitaxel treatment. Flow cytometric analysis showed that ESA+/CD44+/CD24low expressing breast cancer stem cells, BrCSC, were enriched followed by paclitaxel treatment, whereas the combination of anti-DLL4 and paclitaxel reversed paclitaxel-induced increase in this cell population. Further analysis indicated that blocking DLL4 signaling in tumor cells by anti-human DLL4 delayed tumor recurrence and decreased ESA+/CD44+/CD24low expressing BrCSC fraction and tumorigenic potential, whereas blocking DLL4 in host stroma and endothelial cells by anti-mouse DLL4 interfered with angiogenesis. The combination of both antibodies produced an additive effect. Our findings provide a rationale for targeting cancer stem cells and tumor vasculature through inhibition of the DLL4/Notch signaling for TNBC treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 15.