cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential rAAV2 transduction efficiencies and insulin secretion profiles in pure and co‐culture models of human enteroendocrine L‐cells and enterocytes

Background Cell-based therapies for treating insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) can provide a more physiologic regulation of blood glucose levels in a less invasive fashion than insulin injections. Previously, we developed an engineered human enteroendocrine L-cell model for regulated insulin release via recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2, or rAAV2, transduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and selectivity of rAAV2-mediated insulin gene delivery to enteroendocrine L-cells in co-culture with a prevailing number of enterocytes, which are the predominant cell type in intestinal epithelium. Methods We tested rAAV2 transduction in pure and co-culture models of human cell lines of enterocytes (Caco-2 and T84 cell lines) and enteroendocrine L-cells (NCI-H716 cell line). Non-viral, chemical-mediated transfection was used as a control. Transduced and transfected co-cultures were subjected to insulin secretion studies. Results In pure cultures, rAAV2 exhibited a low transduction efficiency towards both Caco-2 and T84 enterocytes, as opposed to a strong reporter expression in permissive NCI-H716 L-cells. In co-cultures of NCI-H716 L-cells and Caco-2 or T84 enterocytes, rAAV2 exhibited differential transduction efficiency with a strong preference towards NCI-H716 L-cells. The rAAV2-transduced co-culture achieved regulated insulin release against stimulation, whereas the chemically transfected co-culture failed to respond. Conclusions This study demonstrated that rAAV2-mediated insulin gene transfer can differentiate human intestinal cell types in vitro, in particular enterocyte and enteroendocrine L-cell lines. We consider the AAV2 vector a useful tool in developing enteroendocrine L-cell-specific insulin gene delivery for IDD treatment, in terms of AAV2 avoiding enterocytes and targeting selectively L-cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of different electroacupuncture scheduling regimens on murine bone tumor-induced hyperalgesia: sex differences and role of inflammation.

Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) is able to reduce hyperalgesia in rodent models of persistent pain, but very little is known about the analgesic effects and potential sex differences of different EA treatment regimens. In the present study, we examined the effects of five different EA treatments on tumor-induced hyperalgesia in male and female mice. EA applied to the ST-36 acupoint either twice weekly (EA-2X/3) beginning on postimplantation day (PID) 3 or prophylactically three times prior to implantation produced the most robust and longest lasting antinociceptive effects. EA treatment given once per week beginning at PID 7 only produced an antinociceptive effect in female animals. The analgesic effect of EA-2X/3 began earlier in males, but lasted longer in females indicating sex differences in EA. We further demonstrate that EA-2X/3 elicits a marked decrease in tumor-associated inflammation as evidenced by a significant reduction in tumor-associated neutrophils at PID 7. Moreover, EA-2X/3 produced a significant reduction in tumor-associated PGE2 as measured in microperfusate samples. Collectively, these data provide evidence that EA-2X/3 treatment reduces tumor-induced hyperalgesia, which is associated with a decrease in tumor-associated inflammation and PGE2 concentration at the tumor site suggesting possible mechanisms by which EA reduces tumor nociception.
Parallel implementation of an MPEG-1 encoder: faster than real time

In this paper we present an implementation of an MPEG1 encoder on the Intel Touchstone Delta and Intel Paragon parallel computers. We describe the unique aspects of mapping the algorithm onto the parallel machines and present several versions of the algorithms. We will show that I/O contention can be a bottleneck relative to performance. We will also describe how the Touchstone Delta and Paragon can be used to compress video sequences faster than real-time.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
QSM treatment of radiationless transitions: effects of frequency shifts on decay rates of heteroaromatic molecules

Abstract The QSM treatment of radiationless transitions is extended to a detailed consideration of the effect of frequency distortion on radiationless decay rates. The non-radiative decay rate is enhanced by a large increase in the frequency of non-totally symmetric accepting modes, but relatively little affected by a decrease in the frequency. It is shown that vibronically active out-of-plane modes do not seriously affect the rate of internal conversion between vibronically coupled states of El-Sayed's rule for singlet—triplet intersystem crossing.
Crossing the Omic Chasm: A Time for Omic Ancillary Systems

Despite the information gains from genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing (NGS), there remains a chasm between this scientific knowledge and daily clinical practice. Leveraging recent advances in genomics to improve patient care will require electronic health record (EHR) systems that incorporate genomic clinical decision support (CDS). The eMerge (Electronic Medical Records and Genomics)1- 2
Privacy Tendencies and Revealing/Concealing: The Moderating Role of Emotional Competence

In this study, alexithymia was tested as a moderator of the relationship between individual tendencies toward privacy (i.e., personal privacy orientation and anticipation of boundary turbulence) and the decision to reveal and conceal. Using structural equation modeling, results showed that both personal privacy orientation and anticipation of boundary turbulence were positively related to alexithymia. Alexithymia, in turn, moderated the relationship between personal privacy orientation and concealing, anticipation of boundary turbulence and concealing, and personal privacy orientation and revealing. Implications and directions for future research will be discussed.
Relationship of Three Measures of Behavior to Milk Production

Abstract Nine commerical herds were observed on three separate occasion for flight distance, i.e., how close a human can come before a stationary cow moves away, and approach distance, i.e., how close a cow will come to a stationary human. Herdsmen from each herd scored their cows on parlor behavior using a scoring system that ranged from 1 (the most docile) to 5 (the most aggressive). These three behavior factors were compared with milk production. Both mean flight distance and mean approach distance were 1.6 m. Mean parlor score was 2.2 and mean production was 9153 kg. These were significant inter-herd correlations between flight distance and approach distance (r=0.30), flight distance and parlor score (r=0.20), and parlor score and milk production (r=0.08); however, only flight distance and approach distance (r=0.18), and flight distance and parlor score (r=0.12) were significantly correlated within herds. There was no significant intraherd correlation between milk production and any of the behavioral factors considered. These findings indicate that while parlor score is associated with milk production across herds, flight distance and approach distance are not useful indicators of milk production.
Virtual simulation: Initial clinical results

Abstract We have developed a graphics-based three-dimensional treatment design system that permits the physician to easily understand which anatomy will be treated for any arbitrary beam orientation. Our implementation of this system differs from others in that the software (the Virtual Simulator) simulates the full functionality of a (physical) radiation therapy simulator allowing it to be easily used by physicians. The details of the of our initial clinical experience with virtual simulation are presented in this paper. Virtual simulation was attempted in 71 patients and completed in 65. In 41 71 patients (58%), the beam orientations chosen differed significantly from those traditionally used in our department. Although virtual simulation lead to traditional radiation portals in the remaining patients, in 23 71 (32%) secondary blocking was designed which was different from that which would have been conventionally employed. Thus, overall, virtual simulation lead to treatment changes in 64/71 (90%) of the patients in whom it was attempted. In 78% of evaluable patients the treatment designed with virtual simulation could be implemented on the physical simulator with a precision of ±5 mm (±3 mm for brain and head and neck). Thus virtual simulation allowed both accurate planning and execution of treatment plans that would be difficult to achieve with conventional methods.
Visual searh through word lists as a function of grade level, reading ability, and target repetition

Second-, fourth-, and sixth-grade students of high or low reading ability and college students carried out a visual-search task in which they scanned a list of 10 words, looking for a target word which was changed every trial or remained constant during an entire session. Search time increased linearly with serial position, consistent with a serial self-terminating model of visual search. The search rate increased from 3.3 words/sec in the second grade to 8.4 words/sec in college. Reading ability was not a significant factor in any comparisons. These results on the development of visual-search ability agree with others in showing that with increasing age there is a marked increase in search speed. However, retarded readers are as competent as their age peers on this task, suggesting that reading dysfunction must be traced to other deficiencies.
Randomized study of pre-induction cervical ripening with sequential use of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of serial frequent intravaginal prostaglandin (PG) E 2 gel applications in shortening the time required to achieve an inducible cervix. Methods From May 1, 1993, through April 30, 1994, 101 pregnant women with medical indications for induction of labor and Bishop scores less than 7 were randomized to receive intravaginal 2.5 mg of PGE 2 gel every 6 hours or as often as every hour until the Bishop score was at least 7 or intervention was required. Results The mean total number of PGE 2 gel applications was significantly different between the 1- and 6-hour groups 6.5 and 4.4 PGE 2 applications, respectively. The mean time from PGE 2 application to delivery was similar, 42 and 45 hours, for the 1- and 6-hour groups, respectively. The intervention rate, occurrence of labor during ripening, and neonatal outcomes were also similar. Conclusion Intravaginal application of 2.5 mg PGE 2 gel as frequently as every hour appears to be safe, but it does not decrease the time interval to induction or delivery, nor does it decrease the cesarean rate.
SURFACE PHAGOCYTOSIS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF ITS DESTRUCTIVE ACTION UPON FULLY ENCAPSULATED PNEUMOCOCCI IN THE ABSENCE OF TYPE-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY

Experiments recently reported (18) have been interpreted to indicate that surface phagocytosis plays no significant part in natural antipneumococcal defense. A repetition of these experiments has revealed: (a) that the cellular content of the leucocytic suspensions used in the phagocytic tests was of a different order of magnitude from that of the exudates which usually exist in infected tissues, (b) that the suspensions were too dilute to allow surface phagocytosis of pneumococci to occur, and (c) that the ratio of bacteria to leucocytes. was such that, when a sufficiently concentrated exudate was employed, the pneumococci injured the leucocytes and thus prevented phagocytosis from taking place. When conditions of the tests were suitably controlled, and conventional quantitative methods were employed to measure the end results of the phagocytic reaction, the essential observations relating to surface phagocytosis were fully confirmed. The significance of this non-antibody mechanism of defense in pneumococcal infections was thus further substantiated.
Fuzzy homoclinic orbits and commuting fuzzifications

Fuzzy homoclinic orbits and commuting fuzzifications are defined and studied. We study sufficient conditions, involving commuting fuzzifications, under which a crisp homoclinic orbit is preserved after fuzzification. We show the usual fuzzification is commuting and therefore preserves homoclinic orbits. Several examples are given regarding fuzzy homoclinic orbits and commuting fuzzifications.
Lesiure and civility: Reflections on a Greek ideal

Abstract De Grazia's study Of Time, Work, and Leisure requires reinterpretation based on a more thorough understanding of the Aristotelian conception of leisure on which it is based. The prevailing approach to Aristotle is that his conception of leisure focuses on withdrawal into philosophical contemplation. This is inaccurate for several reasons. Reviewing the interconnections among the concept of civility and Aristotle's emphasis in his practical philosophy on participation in the communal affairs of the city‐state, leisure is seen to be the arena in which the virtues of civil character are sought, demonstrated, and refined. This gives leisure a far more central place in the lives of people in themselves and in their communities. De Grazia's appeal to this conception in criticizing modern leisure thus becomes a more powerful indictment than has generally been recognized.
Determination of selected biogenic amines in Acacia rigidula plant materials and dietary supplements using LC-MS/MS methods.

Abstract Extracts of Acacia rigidula leaves are used in weight-loss products sold in vitamin shops and over the internet with little or no published data about their potential biological effects. In our chemical investigations on authenticated A. rigidula plant material, we established a rapid and sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the quantitative determination of several phenethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine derivatives. Stable isotopically labeled compounds were used as internal standards for quantitative analysis. We found total calculated contents of 6 biogenic amines in A. rigidula leaf of 18.6 and 32.9 μg/g. The content of selected amines in 21 dietary supplements labeled as containing A. rigidula was determined by a second LC–MS/MS method. Our study revealed significant differences in the amine profiles of authenticated plant materials and dietary supplements. β-Methylphenethylamine, a non-natural compound, was found in 9 of the 21 dietary supplement products. β-Methylphenethylamine was found at levels of 960–60,500 μg/g while phenethylamine was found at levels of 710–171,620 μg/g. β-Methylphenethylamine is a positional isomer of amphetamine and our results showed that it can be misidentified as amphetamine during LC–MS analysis. An independent GC–MS analysis was used to confirm the presence of β-methylphenethylamine and the absence of amphetamine in dietary supplements labeled as containing A. rigidula. This study demonstrates that confirmations by independent analytical methods are essential to verify findings of unusual or unexpected compounds in dietary supplements.
Unseen measures: the need to account for intangibles

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the needs to assess the value and impact of the intangible resources and efforts produced by the library.Design/methodology approach – A literature overview is used to provide the background of intangibles assessment and its application in libraries, with examples of library intangible resources used and efforts produced, and reviews the possible benefits for libraries in adopting and effectively utilizing intangible assessment.Findings – The library has multiple intangible assets, resources, and efforts it produces that are not generally accounted for in annual assessments, accountability reporting, or budget planning. Learning to account for and include the intangibles used/produced by the library will increase the library's capability to address accountability concerns of stakeholders, more effectively align the library's resources with strategic responses, and more effectively utilize intangible assets and resources.Originality/value – Increased report...
Effects of the host-specific toxin of Periconia circinata on some properties of sorghum plasma membranes

Abstract Susceptible tissues of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) exposed to toxin from Periconia circinata had increased loss of electrolytes within 20 min; resistant sorghum tissues were not affected. Electrolyte loss from susceptible tissues increased with increases in toxin concentration from 0·1 to 100 μg/ml; the correlation was the basis for a new toxin assay. Toxin decreased the ability of tissue to take up and/or to retain amino acids from an ambient solution. Toxin also decreased the amount of amino acid incorporation into insoluble components of the cell. Tissues became less sensitive to toxin following 12 h exposure to cycloheximide. Similar exposures to phospholipase D and uranyl salts also decreased the sensitivity of tissues to toxin. Results show that P. circinata toxin changes the characteristics of the plasma membrane, but do not prove that the membrane is the initial site of toxin activity. Resistant sorghum cells may lack toxin receptor sites, or have sites with low affinity for toxin.
Rimcazole analogs attenuate the convulsive effects of cocaine: correlation with binding to sigma receptors rather than dopamine transporters.

Abstract Cocaine interacts with dopamine transporters and σ receptors at concentrations that are achievable in vivo, suggesting that they may both be viable targets for the development of anti-cocaine agents. Rimcazole binds to both of these targets and also attenuates cocaine-induced locomotor activity and sensitization. To further characterize the mechanism(s) underlying the attenuation of cocaine-induced convulsions and lethality, rimcazole and three analogs (SH3/24, SH2/21, SH1/57), with a range of affinities for dopamine transporters and σ receptors, were evaluated. The highly selective and potent σ receptor ligand LR176 was used as a reference. Competition binding studies confirmed that the rank order of the compounds at dopamine transporters vs. σ receptors differed, thus enabling a correlation between the relative anti-cocaine activities of the compounds in behavioral studies and their affinities for dopamine transporters vs. σ receptors. In behavioral studies, male Swiss Webster mice were pre-treated with one of the compounds (0–60 mg/kg, i.p.), then challenged 15 min later with either a convulsive (60 mg/kg, i.p.) or lethal (125 mg/kg, i.p.) dose of cocaine. When the compounds were ranked according to their protective effect, there was a significant correlation between their anticonvulsant actions and their affinities for σ receptors, but not dopamine transporters. Although the rimcazole analogs were ineffective against the lethal effects of cocaine, the selective σ receptor ligand LR176 provided significant protection. These data thus suggest that σ receptors may mediate some of the toxic effects associated with cocaine and that σ receptor antagonists may be developed as pharmacotherapeutic agents for this application.
Non-relativistic bosonization and fractional statistics☆

Abstract We demonstrate that a quantum system of N identical particles in one space dimension. interacting with a 1 x 2 two-body potential is unitarily equivalent to a system of N free particles. This system can be interpreted as a system of N particles obeying fractional statistics of order l, where l(l − 1) is the strength of the potential. For l an even (odd) integer, in particular, the system is equivalent to N free bosons (fermions) respectively. As a byproduct, a set of operators in the phase space of the interacting system generates a nontrivial realization of the Virasoro algebra without central extension.
Synchronous postnatal increase in α1 and γ2L GABAA receptor mRNAs and high affinity zolpidem binding across three regions of rat brain

Abstract The objective of this study was to correlate postnatal changes in levels of mRNAs encoding predominant GABAA receptor subunits with a functional index of receptor development. This study is the first to quantify the temporal relationship between postnatal changes in predominant GABAA receptor mRNAs and zolpidem-sensitive GABAA receptor subtypes. In Experiment 1, we measured zolpidem displacement of 3 H -flunitrazepam from rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum at 0, 6, 14, 21, 29, and 90 postnatal days. Three independent 3 H -flunitrazepam sites with high (Ki=2.7±0.6 nM), low (Ki=67±4.8 nM), and very low (Ki=4.1±0.9 mM) affinities for zolpidem varied in regional and developmental expression. In Experiment 2, we used RNAse protection assays to quantify levels of α1, α2, β1, β2, γ2S and γ2L mRNAs in the above regions at the same postnatal ages. Although there was a high degree of regional variation in the developmental expression of zolpidem-sensitive GABAA receptors and subunit mRNAs, a dramatic increase in high affinity zolpidem binding sites and α1 mRNA levels occurred within all three regions during the second postnatal week. Furthermore, a temporal overlap was observed between the rise in α1 mRNA and high affinity zolpidem binding and a more prolonged increase in γ2L in each region. These results point to the inclusion of the α1 and γ2L subunits in a GABAA receptor subtype with a high zolpidem affinity and suggest that a global signal may influence the emergence of this subtype in early postnatal life.
Solvolysis of di‐2‐pyridylketone methiodide

Di-2-pyridylketone methiodide undergoes a facile nucleophilic substitution reaction with various alcohols followed by subsequent cleavage and elmination of pyridinium methiodide and the correspoing picolinates.
Highlights from American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions 2009: Orlando, Florida, November 14–18, 2009

The annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association were held November 14–18, 2009, in Orlando, Florida. This internationally attended meeting was the venue for the release of new clinical trial data as well as an ongoing comprehensive review of many subjects of interest to cardiovascular specialists throughout the world. We provide here a brief overview of some of the most innovative and important developments from the American College of Cardiology scientific sessions.
Promoting Student Ownership in a Non-Traditional Physical Education Teacher Education Internship Course.

Background: Recently in education, the idea of promoting student ownership has emerged as a means of authentically engaging students in their own learning. Providing them with ownership over their experiences can lead to students making a greater connection with what they are learning. In teacher education, student ownership takes the form of education belonging to the students rather than a ‘service’ that professors are providing to them.Purpose: The experiences of pre-service teachers were explored to determine the extent to which a course taught using a social constructivist framework fostered a sense of ownership over the course content and organization.Context of the study: The inquiry took place within the context of a non-traditional, elective internship course in a physical education teacher education (PETE) program.Data collection: Data were collected using several different methods including interview, participant observation, and document analysis.Data analysis: Data were analyzed inductively u...
Innocents on the Ice: A Memoir of Antarctic Exploration, 1957

Many books have been written about Antarctica since early explorers first ventured inland from the coast in the early 20th century. Many of them have focused on the day-today rigors of staying alive and on the effort to survive by daring explorers who ventured where no person had been before. Innocents on Ice: A Memoir of Antarctic Exploration, 1957 by John Behrendt differs slightly by dealing not only with survival and exploration, but also with the day-to-day rigors of conducting scientific work in an inhospitable environment. Aside from the survival and the science, Behrendt's story also has a remarkable human side as he describes the battle between civilian scientists and an overbearing commanding naval officer with an unusual and controversial style of leadership. “Innocents” refers to the relative youth and inexperience of the traverse team of five young scientists who set out to explore and conduct geophysical and glaciological research in previously unexplored territory.
Global vector field computation for feedback motion planning

We present a global vector field computation algorithm in configuration spaces for smooth feedback motion planning. Our algorithm performs approximate cell decomposition in the configuration space and approximates the free space using rectanguloid cells. We compute a smooth local vector field for each cell in the free space and address the issue of the smooth composition of the local vector fields between the non-uniform adjacent cells. We show that the integral curve over the computed vector field is guaranteed to converge to the goal configuration, be collision-free, and maintain C∞ smoothness. As compared to prior approaches, our algorithm works well on non-convex robots and obstacles.We demonstrate its performance on planar robots with 2 or 3 DOFs, articulated robots composed of 3 serial links and multi-robot systems with 6 DOFs.
The prevalence and significance of clinically unsuspected neoplasms in cervical lymph nodes

Background. Histopathologic scrutiny of surgical pathology specimens can uncover unexpected but important pathologic processes that might not (yet) be clinically apparent. We suspect that cervical lymph nodes removed from patients with known cancers of the head and neck might occasionally harbor clinically unsuspected neoplasms. Methods. We reviewed the pathology reports of all patients who had undergone cervical lymph node dissections at our institution between 1984 and 2001 to determine the prevalence of occult metastatic thyroid cancer and other clinically unsuspected tumors. The medical records were reviewed to obtain follow-up information when histologic examination disclosed some significant finding that was unsuspected on clinical grounds. Results. Of the 1337 patients who underwent cervical lymphadenectomy during the 17-year period, 27 (2.0%) had at least one lymph node harboring an unanticipated finding that raised the concern of a clinically unsuspected neoplasm. Sixteen (1.2%) of these patients had conclusive histologic evidence of an unexpected neoplasm, including 6 patients (0.4%) with malignant lymphomas (low-grade B cell, n = 5; high-grade B cell, n = 1) and 10 patients (0.7%) with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinomas. An additional 11 patients (0.8%) had lymph nodes harboring “benign” thyroid inclusions or psammoma bodies. Four of these 11 patients underwent thyroidectomy, but thyroid cancer was not detected in the ipsilateral thyroid. Only one patient died as a consequence of the incidentally discovered neoplasm. Conclusions. To the degree that our study population is reflective of the adult population at large, at least 1% of adults harbor malignant neoplasms in their cervical lymph nodes. Although this statistic seems alarmingly high, most of these neoplasms are indolent and do not undergo unrelenting progression to clinically overt malignancies. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head and Neck 25: 841–847, 2003
Feminists Need to Look Beyond Evolutionary Psychology for Insights into Human Reproductive Strategies: A Commentary

The Sex Roles: Feminist Reappraisals of Evolutionary Psychology issue that addressed evolutionary psychology’s Sexual Strategies Theory is enlightening for feminists as well as those scholars who examine men and women’s behavior. As several articles in this issue show, there are mixed results in support of this theory. While some feminists may want to conclude that this an indication of the limited influence evolution and biology has on gendered behavior, the mixed results rather may be due to problems that are foundational to evolutionary psychology itself. For those interested in evolutionary perspectives of men and women’s behavior, they should look beyond evolutionary psychology and examine what evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology can provide to our understanding of reproductive strategies. This is evident in feminist and female evolutionists’ works that have created a new model of sexual dialectics, begun the retesting of A. J. Bateman’s foundational work that underlies parental investment theory and Sexual Strategies Theory, and provided new evidence of phenotypic and behavioral plasticity. This research has called into question past assumptions of male dominance and female passivity in mating, and continues to challenge evolutionary psychology’s claim that based on Sexual Strategies Theory, there are evolved psychological gender differences between men and women in their desire for short-term mating opportunities and sexual variety that are rooted in our evolutionary past and not very responsive to the current environments within which men and women are making these reproductive decisions.
Maxillofacial surgery and nasal CPAP. A comparison of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Recent reports have indicated, however, that there is a small but significant number of failures related to patient compliance. Primary surgical treatment, which has been uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), has declined because of poor results. A reviewed of UPPP failures has shown that while UPPP eliminated palatal obstruction, it failed to eliminate base of tongue obstruction. Maxillofacial surgery has been reported as treatment of OSAS by correcting base of tongue obstruction. Thirty patients with severe OSAS were evaluated to compare nasal CPAP and maxillofacial surgery. The goal was to determine if our surgical protocol was as effective as nasal CPAP. All patients initially underwent baseline diagnostic polysomnography to document OSAS. A nasal CPAP study was performed to determine the appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure. The patients in this study were using nasal CPAP, but they found it unacceptable as long-term treatment and elected surgery. Maxillofacial surgery consisted of maxillary, mandibular, and hyoid advancement. Polysomnography was performed six months following surgery and compared with the night 2 CPAP results. The parameters included in the investigation were the respiratory disturbance index (RDI), lowest SaO 2 , number of SaO 2 falls below 90 percent, total sleep time (TST), REM sleep percent, stage 3–4 sleep percent, and wake after sleep onset. The mean RDI before treatment was 72.0 (SD 25.7). After completing therapy, the RDI from surgery and CPAP was 8.8 (SD 6.0) and 8.6 (SD 4.1), respectively. The mean low SaO 2 prior to treatment was 61.0 (SD 13.5), and the CPAP results and postsurgical results were 86.2 (SD 5.5) and 86.1 (SD 4.2), respectively. An analysis of variance was used to examine the results, and there was no statistical difference between nasal CPAP and surgery for all respiratory variables.
Screening for current opioid misuse and associated risk factors among patients with chronic nonalcoholic pancreatitis pain.

Objective The objective of this study is to assess clinical variables that may be associated with risk for opioid misuse in individuals with chronic pancreatitis. Design This study utilized a descriptive, quasi-experimental, cross sectional design. Setting and Patients Three hundred seven individuals with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis engaged in chronic opioid therapy for pain presented to an outpatient specialty clinic at an academic medical center. Measures Participants completed the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Short Form (SF)-12 Quality of Life Measure, Center for Epidemiological Studies 10-item Depression Scale (CESD), and a single item asking about current alcohol use. Mean scores on the CESD, COMM, BPI, SF-12, and factors associated with opioid misuse measures from regression analyses were the outcome measures. Results Mean scores on the CESD, COMM, BPI pain-on-average item, and the SF-12 physical and psychological quality of life factors (t scores) were 11.2 (standard deviation [SD] = 6.7), 8.5 (SD = 7.3), 4.8 (SD = 2.8), 39.7 (SD = 7.0), and 45 (SD = 9.0), respectively. Descriptive analyses revealed that 55% of participants scored above the clinical cutoff for depression on the CESD, and 39% scored above the cutoff for opioid misuse concerns on the COMM. Regression analyses identified several factors associated with higher opioid misuse measure scores, including increased depressive symptoms from the CESD (β = 0.38, P < 0.0001), increased pain rating at the time of the office visit (β = 0.16, P = 0.03), impairment of psychological quality of life (β = −0.27, P = 0.001) and endorsement of alcohol use (β = 0.16, P = 0.03). These factors accounted for 37% of the variance in current opioid misuse scores. Conclusions Depression, quality of life, pain intensity and alcohol use may be good candidate variables for prospective studies to determine clinical risk factors for opioid misuse among patients with pancreatitis.
NEUROGENICALLY MEDIATED CYSTITIS IN RATS: AN ANIMAL MODEL

AbstractPurpose: Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a useful tool for mapping the control circuitry of the spinal cord. In the process of mapping CNS regulatory pathways for the lower urinary tract, a hemorrhagic change in the bladder was observed that was not overtly evident in other pelvic organs. The relationship between the appearance of hemorrhagic changes in the bladder and the evolution of PRV induced changes in the spinal cord was therefore explored.Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with PRV into the ACD tail-muscle. Bladder and CNS fixation were achieved by transcardial perfusion with formaldehyde. Multi-level sections were obtained from T8 through S4. Fixed tissue was stained and evaluated by light microscopy. Immunohistochemical stains were carried out for PRV and iNOS on spinal cord tissue. We were therefore able to evaluate the relationship between the manifestation of the hemorrhagic cystitis, appearance of the PRV in the spinal cord and evidence of CNS inflammation.Results: ...
Review: Benjamin Crabtree & William Miller (Eds.) (1999). Doing Qualitative Research (2nd edition)

Das Buch ist ein Muss fur alle qualitativ Forschenden im Themenfeld Gesundheit. Den Lesenden wird ein Uberblick zu qualitativen Methoden geboten und unterschiedliche Erhebungsverfahren und Auswertungsstrategien werden zusammen mit einigen besonderen Forschungsdesigns vorgestellt. Besonders wertvoll sind die detaillierten Beispiele tatsachlicher Forschungsprobleme und die angebotenen Vorschlage zu deren Losung. In Anbetracht der Komplexitat der Verfahren und Forschungsdesigns, die vorgestellt werden, eignet sich der Band weniger als Einfuhrungsbuch oder als Anleitung zur Nutzung qualitativer Methoden. Vielmehr richtet er sich an zumindest teilweise mit qualitativer Forschung bereits vertraute Personen; fur diesen Kreis ist das Buch allerdings von grosem Wert. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs020432
An improved quad diversity combining technique for effectively combating multipath, antenna gain and shadowing

Mobile operation suffers from platform agility, low antenna gain patterns, multipath fading and platform shadowing. Prime candidates for quad diversity (QD) are mobile platforms requiring hemispherical-coverage reception. QD combines signals from four antennas to improve link margin and provide spatial diversity. Low UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) link margin drives the mobile user to employ QD for combating multipath fading and low antenna gain, especially for high-latitude operation. QD is also needed to counteract the roll, pitch and yaw of aircraft and superstructure shadowing of naval vessels. The performance of a new combining scheme based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is favorably compared with previously reported Granlund (1956) combiners. The SNR combiner has been implemented in a TMS320C6201 digital signal processor (DSP) embedded in the Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT). DSP algorithms are employed which allow the integration of carrier recovery with the combining algorithm, thereby enhancing rapid burst acquisition probability, reducing overall implementation loss and providing robust tracking during signal fades. Comparisons are made to the classical "ratio-squarer" combining method based on tolerance to mismatched receivers, computational complexity, signal dynamic range, bit error rate (BER) and acquisition probability. Because combining is based on SNR weighting, the JTT combiner performance is independent of the matching receiver gain or cable loss in each channel. No dynamic system calibration is required, thereby eliminating periodic field calibration and costly factory gain matching.
Formation of lipid raft redox signalling platforms in glomerular endothelial cells: an early event of homocysteine-induced glomerular injury.

The present study tested the hypothesis that homocysteine (Hcys)-induced ceramide production stimulates lipid rafts (LRs) clustering on the membrane of glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) to form redox signalling platforms by aggregation and activation of NADPH oxidase subunits and thereby enhances superoxide (O2.−) production, leading to glomerular endothelial dysfunction and ultimate injury or sclerosis. Using confocal microscopy, we first demonstrated a co-localization of LR clusters with NADPH oxidase subunits, gp91phox and p47phox in the GECs membrane upon Hcys stimulation. Immunoblot analysis of floated detergent-resistant membrane fractions found that in LR fractions NADPH oxidase subunits gp91phox and p47phox are enriched and that the activity of this enzyme dramatically increased. We also examined the effect of elevated Hcys on the cell monolayer permeability in GECs. It was found that Hcys significantly increased GEC permeability, which was blocked by inhibition of LR redox signalling platform formation. Finally, we found that Hcys-induced enhancement of GEC permeability is associated with the regulation of microtubule stability through these LR-redox platforms. It is concluded that the early injurious effect of Hcys on the glomerular endothelium is associated with the formation of redox signalling platforms via LR clustering, which may lead to increases in glomerular permeability by disruption of microtubule network in GECs.
Phase I study of O6-benzylguanine and temozolomide administered daily for 5 days to pediatric patients with solid tumors.

Purpose This pediatric phase I trial of O6-benzylguanine (O6BG) and temozolomide (TMZ) on a daily schedule for 5 days, every 28 days was performed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose of TMZ when given with a biologically active dose of O6BG and to define the toxicity profile of the combination in children with solid tumors. Patients and Methods Patients ≤ 21 years old with refractory solid tumors were eligible. O6BG was administered intravenously over 60 minutes daily for 5 days. TMZ was administered orally 30 minutes after completion of each O6BG infusion. Starting doses of O6BG and TMZ were 60 mg/m2/d and 28 mg/m2/d, respectively. O6BG was escalated to 90 and 120 mg/m2/d; TMZ was subsequently escalated to 40, 55, 75, and 100 mg/m2/d. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. Results Forty-one patients were enrolled; 32 patients were assessable for toxicity. The combination of O6BG and TMZ was tolerable at TMZ doses less than half of the conventional dose of 200 mg/m2/d. Myelosuppression occurred sporadica...
PrimerBank: a PCR primer database for quantitative gene expression analysis, 2012 update.

Optimization of primer sequences for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reaction conditions remains an experimental challenge. We have developed a resource, PrimerBank, which contains primers that can be used for PCR and qPCR under stringent and allele-invariant amplification conditions. A distinguishing feature of PrimerBank is the experimental validation of primer pairs covering most known mouse genes. Here, we describe a major update of PrimerBank that includes the design of new primers covering 17 076 and 18 086 genes for the human and mouse species, respectively. As a result of this update, PrimerBank contains 497 156 primers (an increase of 62% from the previous version) that cover 36 928 human and mouse genes, corresponding to around 94% of all known protein-coding gene sequences. An updated algorithm based on our previous approach was used to design new primers using current genomic information available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PrimerBank primers work under uniform PCR conditions, and can be used for high-throughput or genome-wide qPCR. Because of their broader linear dynamic range and greater sensitivity, qPCR approaches are used to reanalyze changes in expression suggested by exploratory technologies such as microarrays and RNA-Seq. The primers and all experimental validation data can be freely accessed from the PrimerBank website, http://pga.mgh.harvard.edu/primerbank/.
Video assisted endoscopic saphenous vein harvest

SummaryThe saphenous vein remains the mainstay as the conduit in a great majority of coronary artery bypass operations. The traditional method of vein harvesting results in substantial morbidity. An alternate, less traumatic method for saphenous vein harvest is desirable to reduce or eliminate healing problems in the legs. A system of endoscopic vein harvest was utilized to harvest the saphenous vein through one or more small incisions in 81 patients from 14 May 1996 to 12 September 1996. The system consists of subcutaneous tunnelling and dissecting instruments using a video camera for visualization. To date, no major wound complications have been encountered in 114 harvest sites. Minor drainage, haematomas or ecchymoses have not required additional treatment and have not delayed recovery. Patient acceptance has been enthusiastic. We conclude that this technology represents a breakthrough in reducing the annoying and costly morbidity associated with saphenous vein harvest. The initial cost of the equipmen...
Tunable routing solutions for multi-robot navigation via the assignment problem: A 3D representation of the matching graph

In scenarios in which new robots and tasks are added to a network of already deployed, interchangeable robots, a trade-off arises in minimizing the cost to execute the tasks and the level of disruption to the system. This paper considers a navigation-oriented variant of this problem and proposes a parametrizable method to adjust the optimization criterion: from minimizing global travel time (or energy, or distance), to minimizing interruption (i.e., obtaining the fewest number of robot reassignments), and mixtures in-between. Paths are computed by a task-allocation formulation in which the destinations of newly deployed robots are added to an existing allocation. We adapt the graph matching variant of the Hungarian algorithm—originally designed to solve the optimal assignment problem in complete graphs—to construct routing paths by showing that there is an interpretation of the sparse Hungarian bipartite graph in three dimensions. When new agent-task pairs are inserted, the assignment is reallocated in an incremental fashion in linear time (assuming traversal choices are limited in number). The algorithm is studied systematically in simulation and also validated with physical robots.
Academic emergency medicine: A national profile with and without emergency medicine residency programs

Study objective: Formal data are lacking regarding emergency departments in academic medical centers, particularly those without an emergency medicine residency program. The Education Committee of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine conducted a survey to define a national profile of academic emergency medicine. Design: Prospective survey with telephone follow-up. Setting: Academic medical centers. Participants: One hundred twenty-three academic medical centers as defined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Results: Results were obtained from 94(78%) institutions: 27 (29%) had an emergency medicine residency program and 67 (71%) had no emergency medicine residency program. Significant differences were found between those with and without emergency medicine residency programs regarding 24-hour attending coverage (96% versus 73%), mean weekly clinical faculty hours (26 versus 33), the number of emergency medicine board-certified faculty, faculty recruitment difficulties (25% versus 75%), and the presence of a curriculum for housestaff (96% versus 38%). No significant differences were noted regarding the presence of a curriculum for medical students (78% versus 64%). Of the 67 institutions with no emergency medicine residency programs, 42% were actively planning a program, and 42% would consider future development of a program. Conclusion: This article provides the first comprehensive profile of emergency medicine in the Association of American Medical Colleges academic medical centers. Programs with emergency medicine residency programs provided more 24-hour attending coverage, had more emergency medicine board-certified faculty, and reported less difficulty recruiting additional faculty than institutions with no emergency medicine residency program. Both need to expand their undergraduate educational activities. Many institutions with no emergency medicine residency program are attempting to develop emergency medicine residency programs.
Partitioned Nonlinear Optimization for the Interpretation of Seismograms

The WKBJ or path integral approximation to the solution of the elas- todynamic equations in a slightly heterogeneous Earth allows us to partition the inverse problem for a large set of observed seismograms along different wavepaths. We first find a collection of one-dimensional (1D) Earth models by nonlinear optimization, each of which predicts the observed waveforms along one particular path. Diagonalization of the Hessian matrix involved in the optimization allows us to isolate those features of the 1D models that are uniquely determined. These features — integrals over depth along the wavepath—are then used as constraints in a linear inversion for three dimensional (3D) Earth structure. We illustrate the theory with a synthetic example.
Corrosion Processes Affecting the Performance of Alloy 22 as a High-Level Radioactive Waste Container Material

Alloy 22 is the material preferred by the U.S. Department of Energy for the waste package outer container for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste at the proposed site in Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Alloy 22 is considered to be extremely resistant to various modes of aqueous corrosion over broad ranges of temperature, pH, and concentration of anionic and oxidizing species. Uniform corrosion under passive dissolution conditions, localized corrosion in the form of crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking are discussed on the basis of experimental results obtained with mill annealed, thermally treated, and welded specimens using electrochemical techniques. The approach developed for long-term performance prediction, including the use of empirically derived parameters for assessing localized corrosion and the modeling of the passive dissolution behavior, is described.