cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-line Resources for Pediatricians

Background: Medical information is increasingly available on computer networks. Objectives: To familiarize the pediatrician with some of the terms associated with these on-line resources, and to describe what is available via the Internet and dial-up computer bulletin boards. Data Sources: Information for this article was taken from publicly available on-line services and Internet servers. Data Extraction: Only resources relevant to pediatric practice were included. Data Synthesis: Medical information on the Internet is in a state of evolution. Useful resources for pediatricians are sparse but expanding rapidly. Conclusions: Pediatricians may use on-line computer networks to communicate. Familiarity with computer networks will become more important to pediatricians as electronic medical records, on-line medical literature, and telemedicine (the practice of medicine over long distances) become more common. Medical libraries and commercial on-line services are good places to begin to investigate the availability of medical information over computer networks. (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995;149:1160-1168)
Activation of Histamine H3-Receptors Inhibits Carrier-Mediated Norepinephrine Release During Protracted Myocardial Ischemia

We previously showed that prejunctional histamine H3-receptors downregulate norepinephrine exocytosis, which is markedly enhanced in early myocardial ischemia. In the present study, we investigated whether H3-receptors modulate nonexocytotic norepinephrine release during protracted myocardial ischemia. In this setting, decreased pH(i) in sympathetic nerve endings sequentially leads to a compensatory activation of the Na+-H+ antiporter (NHE), accumulation of intracellular Na+, reversal of the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine, and thus carrier-mediated release of norepinephrine. Accordingly, norepinephrine overflow from isolated guinea pig hearts undergoing 20-minute global ischemia and 45-minute reperfusion was attenuated approximately 80% by desipramine (10 nmol/L) and 70% by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA, 10 micromol/L), inhibitors of norepinephrine uptake and NHE, respectively. The H3-receptor agonist imetit (0.1 micromol/L) decreased carrier-mediated norepinephrine release by approximately 50%. This effect was blocked by the H3-receptor antagonist thioperamide (0.3 micromol/L), indicating that H-receptor activation inhibits carrier-mediated norepinephrine release. At lower concentrations, imetit (10 nmol/L) or EIPA (3 micromol/L) did not inhibit carrier-mediated norepinephrine release. However, a 25% inhibition occurred with imetit (10 nmol/L) and EIPA (3 micromol/L) combined. This synergism suggests an association between H-receptors and NHE. Conceivably, activation of H-receptors may lead to inhibition of NHE. In fact, alpha2-adrenoceptor activation, which is known to stimulate NHE, enhanced norepinephrine release, whereas alpha2-adrenoceptor blockade attenuated it. Furthermore, activation of adenosine A1-receptors markedly attenuated norepinephrine release, whereas their inhibition potentiated it. Because norepinephrine directly correlated with the severity of reperfusion arrhythmia and imetit reduced the incidence of ventricular fibrillation by 50%, our findings with H-receptor agonists may further the development of novel pharmacological means to reduce reperfusion arrhythmias in the clinical setting.
Companion: An Economical Adjunct to the Space Shuttle

A 'Companion' system which would operate with the Space Shuttle to provide lower cost transportation is proposed. The companion system operation would involve launching simultaneously with the Shuttle, booster fly back to the launch site for reuse, payload delivery, rendezvous with the Shuttle, and reentry in the payload bay of the Orbiter. The disadvantages of this system are that the Orbiter could return only the Companion in its payload bay and the Orbiter may need to remain in orbit extra days; however, the economic benefits of the system are significant. It is estimated that the system could deliver a payload and shroud mass of about 10,000 kg into low earth orbit.
Computer simulation of the mathematical modeling involved in constitutive equation development: Via symbolic computations

Development of new material models for describing the ''high temperature'' constitutive behavior of real materials represents an important area of research in engineering disciplines. Derivation of mathematical expressions (constitutive equations) which describe this high temperature material behavior can be quite time consuming, involved and error-prone; thus intelligent application of symbolic systems to facilitate this tedious process can be of significant benefit. Here a computerized procedure (SDICE) capable of efficiently deriving potential based constitutive models, in analytical form is presented. This package, running under MACSYMA, has the following features: partial differentiation, tensor computations, automatic grouping and labeling of common factors, expression substitution and simplification, back substitution of invariant and tensorial relations and a relational database. Also limited aspects of invariant theory have been incorporated into SDICE due to the utilization of potentials as a starting point and the desire for these potentials to be frame invariant (objective). Finally not only calculation of flow and/or evolutionary laws have been accomplished but also the determination of history independent nonphysical coefficients in terms of physically measurable parameters, e.g. Young's Modulus, has been achieved. The Uniqueness of SDICE resides in its ability to manipulate expressions in a general yet pre-defined order and simplify expressions so as to limit expression growth. Results are displayed when applicable utilizing index notation.
An industrial model based computer vision system

The significant amount of research devoted to model-based vision has not been widely accepted in industrial environments because of the rapid throughput rates typically imposed by industry and the high costs of specialized hardware and prototyping. The model-based vision system described performs model-based reasoning at real-time (or near real-time) rates and with low hardware and prototyping costs. A set of useful features is extracted from observed models using a library of feature-extraction operators. Scale and orientation-invariant combinations of these features are used as indices in a hardware lookup table to establish initial correspondence between similar combinations that will be encountered when examining unknown objects. From initial recognition of an unknown object, evidence for an object in a particular spatial pose is accumulated, giving an initial set of hypotheses. The strongest hypotheses are refined by iteratively hypothesizing previously uninstantiated model/object feature matches and computing a confidence measure associated with the current instantiation set. If confidence increases, the newly hypothesized instantiation is retained; otherwise, it is discarded. The system has been implemented and tested on a SunSparc 2 workstation hosting a DataCube image processing system using a variety of model objects and feature-extraction primitives. Results show that real-time operation and rapid prototyping are achievable, particularly where there are at least a few nonambiguous model-feature combinations.
The Hawaiian hula and legacies of institutionalization

Using the Hawaiian hula tradition as a case study, this article explores archival institutionalization of knowledge and contents necessary for performance. The fact that the performance skills of hula remained in continuous practice is what allowed a successful revival in the late 20th century of poetic repertoire that had become entombed in archival sources by the end of the 19th century. I consider the role of archives as a form of memory, particularly in the context of colonized peoples, and advocate for performers to determine how the archived repertoire would be staged again in ways that address contemporary rather than past circumstances.
Passive range estimation using dual‐baseline triangulation

Modern combat systems based on active radar sensing suffer disadvantages against low-flying targets in cluttered backgrounds. Use of passive infrared sensors with these systems, either in cooperation or as an alternative, shows potential for improving target detection and declaration range for targets crossing the horizon. Realization of this potential requires fusion of target position data from dissimilar sensors, or passive sensor measurement of target range. The availability of passive sensors that can supply both range and bearing data on such targets would significantly extend the robustness of an integrated ship selfdefense system. We consider a new method of range determination with passive sensors based on the principle of triangulation, extending the principle to two orthogonal baselines. The performance of single or double baseline triangulation depends on sensor bearing precision and direction to target. An expression for maximum triangulation range at a required accuracy is derived as a function of polar angle relative to the center of the dual-baseline system. Limitations in the dual-baseline model due to the geometrically assessed horizon are also considered.
I think I could turn and live with animals.

Suggested citation for this article: Potter P. I think I could turn and live with animals. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2009 Dec [date cited]. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/15/12/2087.htm
FQR1, a novel primary auxin-response gene, encodes a flavin mononucleotide-binding quinone reductase

FQR1 is a novel primary auxin-response gene that codes for a flavin mononucleotide-binding flavodoxin-like quinone reductase. Accumulation of FQR1 mRNA begins within 10 min of indole-3-acetic acid application and reaches a maximum of approximately 10-fold induction 30 min after treatment. This increase in FQR1 mRNA abundance is not diminished by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, demonstrating that FQR1 is a primary auxin-response gene. Sequence analysis reveals that FQR1 belongs to a family of flavin mononucleotide-binding quinone reductases. Partially purified His-tagged FQR1 isolated from Escherichia coli catalyzes the transfer of electrons from NADH and NADPH to several substrates and exhibits in vitro quinone reductase activity. Overexpression of FQR1 in plants leads to increased levels of FQR1 protein and quinone reductase activity, indicating that FQR1 functions as a quinone reductase in vivo. In mammalian systems, glutathione S-transferases and quinone reductases are classified as phase II detoxification enzymes. We hypothesize that the auxin-inducible glutathione S-transferases and quinone reductases found in plants also act as detoxification enzymes, possibly to protect against auxin-induced oxidative stress.
The timing of TGF-β inhibition affects the generation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a potent immunosuppressive cytokine necessary for cancer growth. Animal and human studies have shown that pharmacologic inhibition of TGF-β slows the growth rate of established tumors and occasionally eradicates them altogether. We observed, paradoxically, that inhibiting TGF-β before exposing animals to tumor cells increases tumor growth kinetics. We hypothesized that TGF-β is necessary for the anti-tumor effects of cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs) during the early stages of tumor initiation. BALB/c mice were pretreated with a blocking soluble TGF-β receptor (sTGF-βR, TGF-β-blockade group, n=20) or IgG2a (Control group, n=20) before tumor inoculation. Tumor size was followed for 6 weeks. In vivo lymphocyte assays and depletion experiments were then performed to investigate the immunological basis of our results. Lastly, animals were pretreated with either sTGF-βR (n=6) or IgG2a (n=6) prior to immunization with an adenoviral vector encoding the human papillomavirus E7 gene (Ad.E7). One week later, flow cytometry was utilized to measure the number of splenic E7-specific CD8+ T cells. Inhibition of TGF-β before the injection of tumor cells resulted in significantly larger average tumor volumes on days 11, 17, 22, 26 and 32 post tumor-inoculation (p < 0.05). This effect was due to the inhibition of CTLs, as it was not present in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) or those depleted of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with sTGF-βR inhibited tumor-specific CTL activity in a Winn Assay. Tumors grew to a much larger size when mixed with CD8+ T cells from mice pretreated with sTGF-βR than when mixed with CD8+ T cells from mice in the control group: 96 mm3 vs. 22.5 mm3, respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, fewer CD8+ T cells were generated in Ad.E7-immunized mice pretreated with sTGF-βR than in mice from the control group: 0.6% total CD8+ T cells vs. 1.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). These studies provide the first in vivo evidence that TGF-β may be necessary for anti-tumor immune responses in certain cancers. This finding has important implications for our understanding of anti-tumor immune responses, the role of TGF-β in the immune system, and the future development of TGF-β inhibiting drugs.
The chemical evolution & physical properties of organic aerosol: A molecular structure based approach

Abstract Global climate, atmospheric chemistry, and air quality are affected by tropospheric particulate matter. Recent measurements suggest organic compounds present in this haze comprise roughly half of total aerosol fine mass concentration globally. Unlike the well-constrained processes which result in formation of nitrate or sulfate aerosol, the oxidation of volatile organics in the atmosphere can lead to thousands of stable compounds in the aerosol phase. Development of a tractable framework to consider the chemical and physical evolution of the organic aerosol is crucial for modeling its effect on global climate. Here we show coupling a 3-dimensional coordinate system defined by the molecular descriptors of molecular weight, heteroatom mass, and double bond equivalents (D.B.E.) with high-resolution molecular mass spectrometry is a powerful approach for describing key properties of the organic aerosol. The scheme is conceptually simple, yet maintains sufficient complexity to be compatible with quantitative structure–property relationships (QSPRs) used to predict chemical and physical properties that govern aerosol behavior. From available data, both ambient organic aerosol and laboratory generated organic aerosol frequently occupy the region characterized by
Isolation of Marrubiin, a Sterol, and a Sesquiterpene from Marrubium vulgare

A simple column chromatographic method for isolating the bicyclic diterpene marrubiin from acetone and ethanol extracts of Marrubium vulgare L. is described. An unsaturated sterol of the stigmastanol series, present in esterified form, and a sesquiterpene (C 15 H 22 O 2 ) have been isolated from the extracts.
Activity of penicillin combined with an aminoglycoside against group B streptococci in vitro and in experimental endocarditis

Group B streptococci were less susceptible in vitro to penicillin and to aminoglycosides with an inoculum size of 10(7)-10(8) cfu/ml than with an inoculum size of 5.5 X 10(5)-10(6) cfu/ml. With a rabbit model of experimental group B streptococcal endocarditis, after one or three days of therapy with procaine penicillin alone, the mean log10 cfu/g of valve vegetation was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that of the control groups. After one day of therapy, procaine penicillin combined with streptomycin was significantly more effective (P less than 0.01) than was treatment with procaine penicillin alone. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05) in the results of treatment of animals for one day with procaine penicillin combined with streptomycin compared with those of animals treated for three days with procaine penicillin alone.
L1 and NCAM adhesion molecules as signaling coreceptors in neuronal migration and process outgrowth

Neural cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of the immunoglobulin superfamily engage in multiple neuronal interactions that influence cell migration, axonal and dendritic projection, and synaptic targeting. Their downstream signal transduction events specify whether a cell moves or projects axons and dendrites to targets in the brain. Many of the diverse functions of CAMs are brought about through homophilic and heterophilic interactions with other cell surface receptors. An emerging concept is that CAMs act as coreceptors to assist in intracellular signal transduction, and to provide cytoskeletal linkage necessary for cell and growth cone motility. Here we will focus on new discoveries that have revealed novel coreceptor functions for the best-understood CAMs--L1, CHL1, and NCAM--important for neuronal migration and axon guidance. We will also discuss how dysregulation of CAMs may also bear on neuropsychiatric disease and cancer.
Relative Optical Collision Diameters from the Pressure Broadening of Individual Infrared Absorption Lines

A matching method for the study of the widths of individual infrared absorption lines is used to obtain relative values of optical collision diameters, and to determine qualitative features of molecular interactions in pressure broadening phenomena. Isolated vibration-rotation lines of HCl and C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ are successively broadened by the same fourteen gases, and collision diameters derived are compared with each other and with previously published values of optical collision diameters. Striking correlations are found between the HCl relative diameters and absolute values of optical collision diameters obtained by other investigators using microwave techniques on the inversion spectrum of N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$. The experimental data here presented are consistent with the presence of a pressure broadening interaction between the induced dipole of a broadener molecule and some undefined property of the absorber, for any broadener used. An additional interaction between the quadrupole moment of the broadener and the dipole of the absorber appears to exist when unsymmetrical molecules are employed to broaden the spectral lines of polar absorbers.
Electrocardiographic changes in hypothermia

With the clinical use of cold cardioplegia, or total body hypothermia, it is crucial that critical care physicians and nurses be aware of the electrocardiographic changes related to hypothermia. Similar changes also occur with accidental exposure to cold. We report and discuss a patient who presented with typical electrocardiographic changes upon accidental exposure to cold.
High performance lung nodule detection schemes in CT using local and global information.

Purpose: A key issue in current computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) schemes for nodule detection in CT is the large number of false positives, because current schemes use only global three-dimensional (3D) information to detect nodules and discard useful local two-dimensional (2D) information. Thus, the authors integrated local and global information to markedly improve the performance levels of CAD schemes. Methods: Our database was obtained from the standard CT lung nodule database created by the Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC). It consisted of 85 CT scans with 111 nodules of 3 mm or larger in diameter. The 111 nodules were confirmed by at least two of the four radiologists participated in the LIDC. Twenty-six nodules were missed by two of the four radiologists and were thus very difficult to detect. The authors developed five CAD schemes for nodule detection in CT using global 3D information (3D scheme), local 2D information (2D scheme), and both local and global information (2D + 3D scheme, 2D − 3D scheme, and 3D − 2D scheme). The 3D scheme, which was developed previously, used only global 3D information and discarded local 2D information, as other CAD schemes did. The 2D scheme used a uniform viewpoint reformation technique to decompose a 3D nodule candidate into a set of 2D reformatted images generated from representative viewpoints, and selected and used “effective” 2D reformatted images to remove false positives. The 2D + 3D scheme, 2D − 3D scheme, and 3D − 2D scheme used complementary local and global information in different ways to further improve the performance of lung nodule detection. The authors employed a leave-one-scan-out testing method for evaluation of the performance levels of the five CAD schemes. Results: At the sensitivities of 85%, 80%, and 75%, the existing 3D scheme reported 17.3, 7.4, and 2.8 false positives per scan, respectively; the 2D scheme improved the detection performance and reduced the numbers of false positives to 7.6, 2.5, and 1.3 per scan; the 2D + 3D scheme further reduced those to 2.7, 1.9, and 0.6 per scan; the 2D − 3D scheme reduced those to 7.6, 2.1, and 0.8 per scan; and the 3D − 2D scheme reduced those to 17.3, 1.6, and 1.0 per scan. Conclusions: The local 2D information appears to be more useful than the global 3D information for nodule detection, particularly, when it is integrated with 3D information.
The restless brain: how intrinsic activity organizes brain function

Traditionally studies of brain function have focused on task-evoked responses. By their very nature such experiments tacitly encourage a reflexive view of brain function. While such an approach has been remarkably productive at all levels of neuroscience, it ignores the alternative possibility that brain functions are mainly intrinsic and ongoing, involving information processing for interpreting, responding to and predicting environmental demands. I suggest that the latter view best captures the essence of brain function, a position that accords well with the allocation of the brain's energy resources, its limited access to sensory information and a dynamic, intrinsic functional organization. The nature of this intrinsic activity, which exhibits a surprising level of organization with dimensions of both space and time, is revealed in the ongoing activity of the brain and its metabolism. As we look to the future, understanding the nature of this intrinsic activity will require integrating knowledge from cognitive and systems neuroscience with cellular and molecular neuroscience where ion channels, receptors, components of signal transduction and metabolic pathways are all in a constant state of flux. The reward for doing so will be a much better understanding of human behaviour in health and disease.
Toponymic inscription, physical addressing and the challenge of urban management in an era of globalization in Cameroon

Abstract The paper focuses on the problem of non-descript spatial structures, characterized by the absence of street and place names as well as the lack of unambiguous physical addresses in Cameroon. Initially, the problem is examined in its continental context. Then, it is discussed with specific reference to Cameroon. It is noted that efforts on the part of Cameroonian authorities to address the problem have at best been half-hearted. In particular, the efforts have been limited to the country's two largest cities, Douala and Yaounde, and have focused exclusively on street and place naming while ignoring the lack of physical addresses. It is noted that the toponymic inscription problem, and especially the absence of physical addresses, limit the chances of benefiting from the advantages offered by the globalization process for Cameroon and other African countries. It recommends some steps that can be adopted in efforts to deal with this problem. Prominent in this regard is a proposed unambiguous physical addressing system that builds on Cameroon's extant geo-administrative and vehicle matriculation system.
Slabpose Columnsort: A New Oblivious Algorithm for Out-of-Core Sorting on Distributed-Memory Clusters

Our goal is to develop a robust out-of-core sorting program for a distributed-memory cluster. The literature contains two dominant paradigms for out-of-core sorting algorithms: merging-based and partitioning-based. We explore a third paradigm, that of oblivious algorithms. Unlike the two dominant paradigms, oblivious algorithms do not depend on the input keys and therefore lead to predetermined I/O and communication patterns in an out-of-core setting. Predetermined I/O and communication patterns facilitate overlapping I/O, communication, and computation for efficient implementation. We have developed several out-of-core sorting programs using the paradigm of oblivious algorithms. Our baseline implementation, 3-pass columnsort, was based on Leighton's columnsort algorithm. Though efficient in terms of I/O and communication, 3-pass columnsort has a restriction on the maximum problem size. As our first effort toward relaxing this restriction, we developed two implementations: subblock columnsort and M-columnsort. Both of these implementations incur substantial performance costs: subblock columnsort performs additional disk I/O, and M-columnsort needs substantial amounts of extra communication and computation. In this paper we present slabpose columnsort, a new oblivious algorithm that we have designed explicitly for the out-of-core setting. Slabpose columnsort relaxes the problem-size restriction at no extra I/O or communication cost. Experimental evidence on a Beowulf cluster shows that unlike subblock columnsort and M-columnsort, slabpose columnsort runs almost as fast as 3-pass columnsort. To the best of our knowledge, our implementations are the first out-of-core multiprocessor sorting algorithms that make no assumptions about the keys and produce output that is perfectly load balanced and in the striped order assumed by the Parallel Disk Model.
Calcium-activated potassium channels

Abstract Ca 2+ -activated K + currents are found in most types of cells. Considerable progress has been made since the development of single channel recording techniques in identifying some of the channels underlying these currents. It is now apparent that there are many types of Ca 2+ -activated K + channels, which differ in their conductances and sensitivity to activation by both [Ca 2+ ] i and voltage. Ca 2+ -activated K + channels couple Ca 2+ metabolism and membrane potential to K + flux and membrane excitability. Ca 2+ -activated K + channels allow and modulate repetitive firing in some neurons and contribute to regulation of secretion in some endocrine and exocrine cells.
Host Plants of Brevipalpus californicus, B. obovatus, and B. phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and their Potential Involvement in the Spread of Viral Diseases Vectored by these Mites

The family Tenuipalpidae has over 622 species in 30 genera described worldwide. A total of 928 plant species in 513 genera within 139 families are recorded hosts of one or more of the following species: Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), B. obovatus Donnadieu, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes). B. californicus has 316 plant species reported as hosts compared with 451 and 486 host plants for B. obovatus and B. phoenicis, respectively. There are 67 genera of plants within 33 families that are reported hosts of only B. californicus, 119 genera within 55 plant families that are hosts of only B. obovatus, and 118 genera of plants within 64 families that are hosts of only B. phoenicis. There are 14 genera of plants within 12 families that are hosts to both B. californicus and B. obovatus, while there are 40 genera of host plants within 26 families that are hosts for both B. californicus and B. phoenicis. A total of 70 genera of host plants within 39 families have been reported as hosts of both B. obovatus and B. phoenicis, while 77 genera of plants within 44 families have been reported as hosts of all three Brevipalpus species. Geographical differences in the three species of Brevipalpus identified on different plant species within the same genus are common.
Nakanishi representation and unitarity condition

The explicit forms of the kernels appearing in the elastic unitarity condition are derived for the Nakanishi representation of scattering amplitude.
A model for short-term group therapy on a children's inpatient unit

The paper describes the group therapy model which has evolved over the past two years on the Child Psychiatry Inpatient Unit of North Carolina Memorial Hospital. It begins with a brief review of the literature concerning group therapy with latency-aged children. The setting and patient population are described. Vignettes from group sessions are used to illustrate techniques which have evolved to deal with this particular setting and population. These include a leadership style characterized by much clarification, modeling, and limit setting; extensive focus on beginning and terminating; clearly defined behavioral limits; the use of “time out”; and use of play materials requiring little skill or attention as anxiety binders as well as projective media; and observation and supervisory discussions open to all members of the treatment team. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potentials and limitations of group therapy in such a setting. The thesis is that this model is effective in diagnosing developmental levels, in developing interpersonal skills, in substituting verbalization for action, and in mastering separation anxieties, though the setting limits the extent to which controlled regression, transference, and group pressures can develop and be used to produce change.
Eigenfrequencies of an Arbitrarily Supported Beam Carrying Multiple In-Span Elastic Rod-Mass Systems

Many vibrating mechanical and structural systems consist of a host structure to which a number of continuous attachments are mounted. In this paper, an efficient method is proposed for determining the eigenfrequencies of an arbitrarily supported Euler–Bernoulli beam with multiple in-span helical spring-mass systems, where the mass of the helical spring is considered. For modeling purposes, each helical spring can be modeled as an axially vibrating elastic rod. The traditional approach of using the eigenfunctions of the beam and rod in the assumed modes method often leads to an intolerably slow convergence rate. To expedite convergence, a spatially linear-varying function that corresponds to the static deformed shape of a rod is included in the series expansion for the rod. The proposed approach is systematic to apply, easy to code, computationally efficient, and can be easily modified to accommodate various beam boundary conditions. Numerical experiments show that with the addition of a spatially linear-varying function, the proposed scheme converges very quickly with the exact solution.
Failure rate of pulse oximetry in the postanesthesia care unit

Objective. The objective of this study was to prospectively examine the incidence of patient-related failure of pulse oximetry in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU).Methods. We studied 2,937 patients who, after receiving anesthesia, were admitted to the PACU at the University of Washington Medical Center from December 1989 through May 1990. Pulse oximetry readings were recorded using a Nellcor N-200 oximeter without electrocardiographic synchronization. Failure was defined as the inability to obtain a pulse oximetry reading for 2 or more 15-minute periods after eliminating probe position or mechanical malfunctions.Results. The overall failure rate in our study was 0.64%, with 19 patient-related pulse oximetry failures from 2,937 cases. Patients on whom the device failed were significantly older (62±18 vs 46±19 yr [mean ± SD];p<0.01), had higher median American Society of Anesthesiologists status (3 vs 2), and had longer operations than nonfailure patients (328±182 vs 185±127 min;p<0.01). There was no difference in the duration of PACU times for both groups.Conclusions. The failure rate and patient characteristics compare favorably with a previously published study of intraoperative pulse oximetry failure. We conclude that while the pulse oximeter is a reliable instrument for the measurement of blood oxygenation, there is a small but consistent incidence of patient-related failure with this monitoring device in the PACU.
Steady-State Electrorheology of Nematic Poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) Solutions

The steady-state electrorheological (ER) properties of unidomain nematic poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) (PHIC) solutions in p-xylene have been experimentally characterized and theoretically modeled with a two-dimensional modified version of Doi's theory of liquid crystalline polymer rheology. This molecular model allows the prediction of ER fluid behavior directly from properties of the component polymer and solvent. Optical conoscopic measurements confirmed that high applied electric fields align the PHIC molecules in the field direction, so the high-field viscosity approaches the transverse Miesowicz viscosity, ηc. The PHIC solutions exhibited many desired ER properties comparable to strong suspension ER fluids, such as a transmitted shear stress of 16 kPa and a viscosity enhancement of 180 times. At low shear rates, quantitative agreement between predictions and data at high fields was obtained using a single adjustable parameter, the rotational diffusivity, Dr. At high shear rates, an additional parameter, ...
Neurogenesis in Embryos and in Adult Neural Stem Cells

How the differentiated cell types that comprise the vertebrate CNS are generated during development is one of the central questions in developmental neurobiology. Considerable progress recently made in addressing this question has led to a rudimentary understanding of the molecular mechanisms that
Heat shock temperature acclimation of normal secretory protein synthesis in barley aleurone cells

Exposure of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers to 40°C for a period of 3 h results in the selective suppression of the synthesis and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes; other normal cellular protein synthesis continues during heat shock. This suppression is correlated with secretory protein mRNA destabilization and the dissociation of stacked ER lamellae during heat shock (Belanger et al. 1986, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 83, pp. 1354–1358). In this report we examined the effect of exposure to extended periods of heat shock. If exposure to 40°C was continued for a period of 18 h, the synthesis of α-amylase, the predominant secreted hydrolase, resumed. This was accompanied by increased α-amylase mRNA levels and the reformation of ER lamellae. Though initial exposure (3 h) to 40°C reduced protein secretion to ∼10% of that observed in aleurone cells maintained at 25°C, exposure for prolonged periods (16–20 h) permitted the resumption of protein secretion to ∼66% of non-heat-shocked control levels. The resumption of normal secretory protein synthesis during prolonged exposure to 40°C was correlated with an increase in the incorporation of [14C]glycerol into phosphatidylcholine and an increase in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in lipids isolated from ER membrane preparations. Increased fatty acid saturation has been demonstrated to enhance thermostability in biological membranes, and such changes in membrane composition may be important to the recovery of secretory protein synthesis at the ER.
More Evidence to Support “Outsourcing” of Diabetes Care

In the January issue of Diabetes Care , there were three articles that provided additional support for “outsourcing” diabetes care to improve outcome measures (1). In the first (2), individual, self-planned, intensive programs were established in 19 community health centers. Most health centers performed at least 30 different interventions during the year. The most common ones were to 1 ) provide a diabetes flow sheet (100%), 2 ) collaborate with community organizations that represented the health center’s population (89%), 3 ) provide a patient self-management or goal sheet to track his or her progress (63%), 4 ) redesign the delivery system to include group cluster visits (63%), and 5 ) use computer information systems to follow-up on examination and laboratory data (37%). A comparison of the results in 989 …
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Polymerase Can Initiate Transcription from Position 3 of the Leader Promoter

The mechanisms by which the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) initiates mRNA transcription and RNA replication are poorly understood. A previous study, using an RSV minigenome, suggested that the leader (Le) promoter region at the 3′ end of the genome has two initiation sites, one at position +1, opposite the 3′ terminal nucleotide of the genome, and a second site at position +3, at a sequence that closely resembles the gene start (GS) signal of the RSV L gene. In this study, we show that the +3 initiation site of the Le is utilized with apparently high frequency in RSV-infected cells and yields small RNA transcripts that are heterogeneous in length but mostly approximately 25 nucleotides (nt) long. Experiments with an in vitro assay in which RSV RNA synthesis was reconstituted using purified RdRp and an RNA oligonucleotide showed that nt 1 to 14 of the Le promoter were sufficient to signal initiation from +3 and that the RdRp could access the +3 initiation site without prior initiation at +1. In a minigenome assay, nucleotide substitutions within the Le to increase its similarity to a GS signal resulted in more-efficient elongation of the RNA initiated from position +3 and a reduction in RNA initiated from the NS1 gene start signal at +45. Taken together, these data suggest a new model for initiation of sequential transcription of the RSV genes, whereby the RdRp initiates the process from a gene start-like sequence at position +3 of the Le.
The Identification and Determination of Reserpine in Tablets

A method is proposed for the colorimetric determination of reserpine by means of a vanillin reagent.The alkaloid is then saponified, and the derived trimethoxybenzoic and reserpic acids are estimated.
Resistance of Neonatal Human Lymphoid Cells to Infection by Herpes Simplex Virus Overcome by Aging Cells in Culture

Mononuclear leukocytes freshly harvested from human umbilical cord blood were refractory to infection by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, whereas cells aged in vitro for a week produced 10- to 100-fold or greater more virus. Increased sensitivity of aged cells to infection by HSV was not dependent on active DNA synthesis by the cells at the time of exposure to HSV. The aging phenomenon was not due to the outgrowth of a specific cell subpopulation that is uniquely susceptible to HSV because increased sensitivity to HSV type 1 occurred in a variety of cell subpopulations enriched or depleted of T lymphocytes, phagocytic cells, or adherent cells. About 25% of aged cells contained virions detectable by electron microscopy, considerably more cells than formed infectious centers. These virions were seen in large activated lymphocytes which are the principal cell subpopulation present in the aged cultures, but virions were also seen in small lymphocytes.
Retinoid signaling in immortalized and carcinoma-derived human uroepithelial cells

Abstract This paper investigates the presence and functionality of retinoid signaling pathways in human urinary bladder carcinoma and SV40-immortalized uroepithelial cell lines. Only two of eight cell lines were proliferation-inhibited by 10 μM of either all-trans or 13-cis-retinoic acid. Transactivation of the CAT gene under control of a retinoid-responsive element demonstrated functionality of the signaling pathway in both sensitive cell lines and four of six resistant cell lines. Relative RT-PCR analysis of a panel of retinoid-responsive and inducible genes demonstrated changes in expression levels of all the genes in response to-retinoic acid treatment together with numerous aberrations dysregulations. We conclude that retinoid signaling may be a target for inactivation during tumorigenesis by uncoupling gene expression, proliferation and differentiation. Therefore retinoids are more likely to be effective for chemoprevention than for treatment of bladder carcinomas.
Managing Multiple Case Bases: Dimensions and Issues

Case-based reasoning (CBR) models the process of reasoning from specific experiences acquired by an agent, and contained in the agent’s case-base. When multiple agents acquire cases, opportunities arise for sharing their case-bases, with accompanying issues for how to apply others’ experiences effectively. This paper examines issues for multi-casebase reasoning (MCBR), the reasoning process needed for a CBR system to exploit external case-bases reflecting similar but different tasks and task environments. The paper summarizes the component processes required, the dimensions along which these processes may differ, and some of the key research issues that must be addressed for successful MCBR systems. It closes with a perspective on the relationships of case-based reasoning and multi-case-base reasoning, examining the analogy between reasoning about cases in CBR and case-bases in MCBR.
INSECT HERBIVORY ABOVE‐ AND BELOWGROUND: INDIVIDUAL AND JOINT EFFECTS ON PLANT FITNESS

Understanding of the selective effects of insect herbivory on plants comes primarily from studies of herbivory aboveground. The impact of belowground herbivory, either in isolation or in concert with herbivory aboveground, on plant fitness is only be- ginning to be understood. I reduced the densities of root-boring ghost moth (Hepialus californicus) larvae and/or flower- and seed-feeding insects of bush lupine ( Lupinus arboreus), a woody shrub, and followed fecundity and survival of plants for three years. In year one, suppression of aboveground herbivores increased mean seed output by 31%, but suppression of below- ground herbivores had no significant effect on plant fecundity. In year two, suppression of aboveground herbivores increased mean seed production by 123%, and belowground her- bivores again had no significant effect on plant fecundity. In year three, suppression of aboveground herbivores had little effect on lupine fecundity; plants protected from root borers, however, produced, on average, 85% more pods and 83% more seeds compared with unprotected plants. In each of the three years, there was no statistical interaction between herbivory above- and belowground; effects of individual herbivores on plant fitness were additive. Both modes of herbivory had significant cumulative effects on lupine fitness. Protection from chronic aboveground herbivory increased mean cumulative seed output over 3 yr by 78%; suppression of belowground herbivores increased mean cumulative seed production by 31%. Cumulative average mortality across all three years was 18% greater for plants exposed to root herbivory than for plants protected from root herbivory. Taken together, results show that both above- and belowground herbivores can potentially impose strong selection on bush lupine.
Studies on the antagonism by chloramphenicol of carbon tetrachloride-induced damage: Examination of mitochondrial protein synthesis

Abstract The damage induced in the mitochondria of rat liver during intoxication by carbon tetrachloride is prevented by the administration of chloramphenicol early in the intoxication. The possibility that the protective ability of chloramphenicol lies in the compound's ability to inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis was eliminated by the failure of other inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis, namely Tevenel, a chloramphenicol analog, and oxytetracycline, to prevent mitochondrial damage. Conversely, the optical isomer of chloramphenicol, which is not an inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis, and does not possess antibiotic activity, does prevent mitochondrial damage during intoxication by CCl 4 . SKF 525A also preserves mitochondrial integrity, albeit not as well as chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol, early in the course of intoxication, partially prevents the characteristic loss of protein synthesis after CCl 4 . It was concluded that the protective action of chloramphenicol could be due to either an interdiction of a destructive event triggered by CCl 4 , or to the preservation of the cellular repair processes being served by protein synthesis in the cytosol.
Too Little - Or - Too Much Competition? Integrating Legal And Relationship Marketing Strategies To Manage Market Entry Adversity

In the deregulated, yet highly regulated environment of the telecommunications industry, a rural telephone cooperative transformed itself into a successful integrated telecommunications company. Managing local political and legal environments along with using relationship marketing tactics implemented cross-functionally, this Midwestern company challenged incumbent monopolies for market share. While the company spent more than one year acquiring legal permission to access the market and another year building its fiber optic telecommunications network, it also constructed relationships with community leaders, politicians, media outlets, and thousands of residents. Its monopoly competitors utilized state laws and the legal process in an attempt to prevent the Midwestern companys entry into the market. Interestingly, the competitors ignored the necessity of relationship marketing and by the time the Midwestern companys first client was connected, it had a waiting list of eager new consumers. This case chronicles the actions taken to achieve the Midwestern companys major accomplishments and expansion and is appropriate for use in a graduate Business and Society, or Business, Government and Society course.
CDC64 encodes cytoplasmic alanyl-tRNA synthetase, Ala1p, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The cdc64-1 mutation causes G1 arrest in Saccharomyces cerevisiae corresponding to a type II Start phenotype. We report that CDC64 encodes Ala1p, an alanyl-tRNA synthetase. Thus, cdc64-1 might affect charging of tRNAAla and thereby initiation of cell division.
Egr-1 Regulates Autophagy in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by abnormal cellular responses to cigarette smoke, resulting in tissue destruction and airflow limitation. Autophagy is a degradative process involving lysosomal turnover of cellular components, though its role in human diseases remains unclear. Methodology and Principal Findings: Increased autophagy was observed in lung tissue from COPD patients, as indicated by electron microscopic analysis, as well as by increased activation of autophagic proteins (microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3B, LC3B, Atg4, Atg5/12, Atg7). Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) is an established model for studying the effects of cigarette smoke exposure in vitro. In human pulmonary epithelial cells, exposure to CSE or histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor rapidly induced autophagy. CSE decreased HDAC activity, resulting in increased binding of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and E2F factors to the autophagy gene LC3B promoter, and increased LC3B expression. Knockdown of E2F-4 or Egr-1 inhibited CSEinduced LC3B expression. Knockdown of Egr-1 also inhibited the expression of Atg4B, a critical factor for LC3B conversion. Inhibition of autophagy by LC3B-knockdown protected epithelial cells from CSE-induced apoptosis. Egr-1 2/2 mice, which displayed basal airspace enlargement, resisted cigarette-smoke induced autophagy, apoptosis, and emphysema. Conclusions: We demonstrate a critical role for Egr-1 in promoting autophagy and apoptosis in response to cigarette smoke exposure in vitro and in vivo. The induction of autophagy at early stages of COPD progression suggests novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of cigarette smoke induced lung injury.