cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of status epilepticus on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the immature rat.

Seven-day postnatal rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation, 3 h after which they were subjected to hypoxia with 8% oxygen at 37 degrees C for 2 h. Thereafter, they received multiple s.c. injection(s) of bicuculline (6 mg/kg) adequate to produce behaviorally apparent seizures lasting greater than 1 h (status epilepticus). Repeated episodes of status epilepticus at 2, 6, and 12 h of recovery from hypoxia-ischemia (HI) produced a mortality rate of 53%. Among the survivors, there was no statistically significant difference in the extent of brain damage between convulsing and non-convulsing HI controls, analyzed at 30 d of age. Histopathologic examination for acute lesions also indicated no difference in the severity of brain damage between dead and surviving rat pups subjected to status epilepticus, indicating that mortality was not related to the severity of prior HI brain damage. Those immature rats that died during status epilepticus exhibited lower blood glucose concentrations (1.75 +/- 0.35 mmol/L) compared with surviving, convulsing animals (4.25 +/- 0.51 mmol/L; p = 0.016). Glucose supplementation (0.1 mL of 50% glucose) early during status epilepticus improved survival and significantly prolonged seizure activity (90 +/- 14 min) compared with non-glucose treated, convulsing littermates (47 +/- 10 min; p = 0.02). Glucose supplementation did not increase the extent of brain damage despite improved survival and increased duration of seizure activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
High Cell Surface Death Receptor Expression Determines Type I Versus Type II Signaling

Previous studies have suggested that there are two signaling pathways leading from ligation of the Fas receptor to induction of apoptosis. Type I signaling involves Fas ligand-induced recruitment of large amounts of FADD (FAS-associated death domain protein) and procaspase 8, leading to direct activation of caspase 3, whereas type II signaling involves Bid-mediated mitochondrial perturbation to amplify a more modest death receptor-initiated signal. The biochemical basis for this dichotomy has previously been unclear. Here we show that type I cells have a longer half-life for Fas message and express higher amounts of cell surface Fas, explaining the increased recruitment of FADD and subsequent signaling. Moreover, we demonstrate that cells with type II Fas signaling (Jurkat or HCT-15) can signal through a type I pathway upon forced receptor overexpression and that shRNA-mediated Fas down-regulation converts cells with type I signaling (A498) to type II signaling. Importantly, the same cells can exhibit type I signaling for Fas and type II signaling for TRAIL (TNF-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), indicating that the choice of signaling pathway is related to the specific receptor, not some other cellular feature. Additional experiments revealed that up-regulation of cell surface death receptor 5 levels by treatment with 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin converted TRAIL signaling in HCT116 cells from type II to type I. Collectively, these results suggest that the type I/type II dichotomy reflects differences in cell surface death receptor expression.
CHANGES IN CARDIAC REPOLARIZATION FOLLOWING SHORT PERIODS OF VENTRICULAR PACING

Cardiac Memory. Introduction: “Cardiac memory” (primary T wave change) is thought to occur after 15 minutes to several hours of right ventricular (RV) pacing. The two components of the temporal change in repolarization are memory and accumulation. The purpose of this study was to examine quantitatively the effect of short periods of ventricular pacing on the human cardiac action potential, using monophasic action potential (MAP) recordings. Methods and Results: Thirty-one patients (ages 43 ± 14 years) with structurally normal hearts undergoing a clinically indicated electrophysiologic procedure were enrolled. Catheters were placed in the right atrium (RA) and RV, and a MAP catheter was positioned at the RV septum. APD90 was calculated from digitized MAP recordings. MAP morphology comparisons were performed using the root mean square (RMS) of the difference between complexes. All pacing was at 500-msec cycle length. There were four pacing protocols: (1) RA pacing was performed for approximately 15 minutes to evaluate temporal stability of the MAP recordings (5 pts); (2) to evaluate the memory phenomenon, four successive 1-minute episodes of RV pacing were interspersed with 2 minutes of RA pacing (5 pts); (3) the accumulation phenomenon was evaluated by assessing the effects of 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes of RV pacing on the MAP during RA pacing (16 pts); and (4) 20 minutes of RV pacing was followed by 10 minutes of RA pacing to correlate visually apparent T wave changes with changes in MAP recordings (5 pts). In the control patients, no changes in APD90 or RMS analysis were noted during 14.9 ± 1.4 minutes of RA pacing. In the second protocol, RMS of the difference between the baseline MAP complexes and the signal average of the first 50 beats following each of four 1-minute RV pacing trains demonstrated progressively greater differences in morphology after successive episodes of RV pacing. In protocol 3, RMS analysis identified a progressively greater difference between the baseline MAP recording and the average of the first 50 beats after 1,5, 10, and 15 minutes of RV pacing. In protocol 4, visually apparent changes in T waves occurred in parallel with the RMS of the difference between the baseline MAP recordings and the average of the first 50 beats after 20 minutes of RV pacing. Similar changes also were demonstrated by APD90 analysis. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that episodes of abnormal ventricular activation as short as 1 minute in duration may exert lingering effects on the repolarization process once normal ventricular activation resumes.
Air pollution and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress

Chemical components of air pollutant exposures that induce oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation may be partly responsible for associations of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with airborne particulate matter and combustion-related pollutant gasses. However, epidemiologic evidence regarding this is limited. An exposure-assessment approach is to measure the oxidative potential of particle mixtures because it is likely that hundreds of correlated chemicals are involved in overall effects of air pollution on health. Oxidative potential likely depends on particle composition and size distribution, especially ultrafine particle concentration, and on transition metals and certain semivolatile and volatile organic chemicals. For health effects, measuring systemic oxidative stress in the blood is one feasible approach, but there is no universal biomarker of oxidative stress and there are many potential target molecules (lipids, proteins, DNA, nitric oxide, etc.), which may be more or less suitable for specific study goals. Concurrent with the measurement of oxidative stress, it is important to measure gene and/or protein expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes because they can modify relations between oxidative stress biomarkers and air pollutants. Conversely, the expression and activities of these enzymes are modified by oxidative stress. This interplay will likely determine the observed effects of air pollutants on systemic inflammatory and thrombotic mediators and related clinical outcomes. Studies are needed to assess the reliability and validity of oxidative stress biomarkers, evaluate differences in associations between oxidative stress biomarkers and various pollutant measurements (mass, chemical components, and oxidative potential), and evaluate impacts of antioxidant responses on these relations.
Lipoic acid decreases lipid peroxidation and protein glycosylation and increases (Na(+) + K(+))- and Ca(++)-ATPase activities in high glucose-treated human erythrocytes.

Abstract Lipoic acid supplementation has been found to be beneficial in preventing neurovascular abnormalities in diabetic neuropathy. Insufficient (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity has been suggested as a contributing factor in the development of diabetic neuropathy. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that lipoic acid reduces lipid peroxidation and glycosylation and can increase the (Na+ + K+)- and Ca++-ATPase activities in high glucose-exposed red blood cells (RBC). Washed normal human RBC were treated with normal (6 mM) and high glucose concentrations (45 mM) with 0–0.2 mM lipoic acid (mixture of S and R sterioisomers) in a shaking water bath at 37°C for 24 h. There was a significant stimulation of glucose consumption by RBC in the presence of lipoic acid both in normal and high glucose-treated RBC. Lipoic acid significantly lowered the level of glycated hemoglobin (GHb) and lipid peroxidation in RBC exposed to high glucose concentrations. High glucose treatment significantly lowered the activities of (Na+ + K+)- and Ca++-ATPases of RBC membranes. Lipoic acid addition significantly blocked the reduction in activities of (Na+ + K+)- and Ca++-ATPases in high glucose- treated RBC. There were no differences in lipid peroxidation, GHb and (Na+ + K+)- and Ca++-ATPase activity levels in normal glucose-treated RBC with and without lipoic acid. Thus, lipoic acid can lower lipid peroxidation and protein glycosylation, and increase (Na+ + K+)- and Ca++-ATPase activities in high-glucose exposed RBC, which provides a potential mechanism by which lipoic acid may delay or inhibit the development of neuropathy in diabetes.
Economic evaluation of alternative strategies to treat patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

Diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) commonly coexist, and thus effective, cost-effective management strategies are needed. Intensive management of diabetes has been shown to increase medical costs while yielding better outcomes, with an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio of
Student-Created Skits: Interactive Class Demonstrations:

One classroom activity that may be helpful in demonstrating certain psychological concepts is the use of student-created skits. These in-class performances take up only one class period and are not...
Early Formative Pottery Production, Mobility, and Exchange on the Pacific Coast of Southern Mexico

ABSTRACT In this article we report ceramic stylistic and compositional (Instrumental Neutron Activation-INAA) data from two Early Formative Period (3,400–2,800 cal yrs. BP) coastal sites from the Acapetahua region of southern Mexico, datasets potentially sensitive to the study of the exchange of ideas and materials. Gourd-shaped vessels (tecomates) with red slips dominate the earliest ceramic assemblages at the two sites. The compositional comparison of these early ceramics with reference clay samples indicates that this pottery was manufactured locally. Grey, black, and white wares appear in the assemblage ∼3,000 cal yrs. BP and the number of serving bowls substantially increases. Most of these ceramics were also manufactured locally, but imported wares from farther south and the north from the Gulf Coast lowlands were also identified suggesting some connectivity within an emerging long-distance exchange network. Given the position of these settlements we hypothesize that the movement of people, goods an...
Uniqueness of solutions to inverse Sturm--Liouville problems with L2(0,a) potential using three spectra

The uniqueness of solutions to two inverse Sturm-Liouville problems using three spectra is proven, based on the uniqueness of the solution-pair to an overdetermined Goursat-Cauchy boundary value problem. We discuss the uniqueness of the potential for a Dirichlet boundary condition at an arbitrary interior node, and for a Robin boundary condition at an arbitrary interior node, whereas at the exterior nodes we have Dirichlet boundary conditions in both situations. Here we are particularly concerned with potential functions that are L^2(0,a).
Perceived Problems With Access to Medical Care and Depression Among Older Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Other Hispanics, and a Comparison Group of Non-Hispanic Whites

The relationship between problems accessing medical care and depression is examined in a sample of older Hispanics (Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Other Hispanic) in Massachusetts and a comparison group of same-neighborhood non-Hispanic Whites. The research questions are: Do older Hispanics experience more problems with access to medical care than do older non-Hispanic Whites? What types of access problems do Hispanics encounter, and how do these relate to depression symptoms? The data come from the Massachusetts Hispanic Elders Study; descriptive and multivariate regression analysis procedures are used. Older Hispanics report more problems obtaining medical care than do older non-Hispanic Whites. Puerto Ricans report significantly more transportation problems to access medical care. For Dominicans and Puerto Ricans, being female, living alone, and lower education attainment are associated with depression. For Puerto Ricans, health problems, disability, and access problems are also significant.
Thermal Conductivity, Electrical Resistivity, and Seebeck Coefficient of Silicon from 100 to 1300°K

Results are presented of measurements of the thermal conductivity (90-1328\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K), the electrical resistivity (300-1273\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K), and the Seebeck coefficient (350-1273\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) for single-crystal and large-grained polycrystalline specimens of 99.99+% pure silicon. The thermal conductivity above 387\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K was measured by an absolute radial-heat-flow technique; below 350\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, by an absolute longitudinal technique. Some intermediate thermal-conductivity measurements from 300-400\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K were made on the polycrystalline material using a comparative longitudinal-heat-flow apparatus. The estimated errors of these three thermal-conductivity methods were \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.2%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4.0%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, respectively. The estimated error for the electrical-resistivity measurements was \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.4%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and for the Seebeck measurements \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The thermal-conductivity values were compared with conflicting data from the literature, and they corroborate the higher-temperature results obtained by Glassbrenner and Slack. Therefore, we agree with their conclusion that the electronic contribution is reasonably close to theoretical estimates which include a large ambipolar-diffusion term. The temperature dependence of the lattice thermal resistance has been compared to various theoretical models but no approach seems to explain the data in detail. An abrupt slope change in the thermal resistivity at about 670\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is a major cause of the difficulty.
Calcium-dependent polymerization of lactoferrin.

Summary Lactoferrin is known to have a molecular weight of approximately 77,000. In this study, we show that it undergoes polymerization in calcium-containing fluids and that the predominant species is a tetramer. Preliminary evidence is presented to indicate that the tetramer is also found in human serum, tears and breast milk. When the lactoferrin monomer and the tetramer were tested for biological activity in a system that is known to be highly sensitive to an inhibitory effect of lactoferrin — the production of granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating activity — it was found that only the monomeric form of lactoferrin was inhibitory.
Adjuvant ovarian suppression versus chemotherapy for premenopausal, hormone-responsive breast cancer: quality of life and efficacy tradeoffs.

Purpose. Recent clinical trials suggest that adjuvant ovarian suppression may be an equally effective and less toxic alternative to systemic chemotherapy in premenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer. We used a decision-analytic framework to evaluate tradeoffs between efficacy and quality of life in the choice between these treatments. Patients and methods. We used a Markov state-transition model to simulate clinical practice in a cohort of 40-year-old premenopausal women with newly diagnosed, hormone-responsive early breast cancer. We assessed three adjuvant treatments: chemotherapy, surgical ovarian suppression, and medical ovarian suppression. Outcomes were recurrence-free, overall, and quality-adjusted survival. Quality-adjusted survival reflected effects of cancer, treatment-related side effects, and menopausal symptoms. Results. Assuming equal efficacy, ovarian suppression was superior to chemotherapy when the relative utility of chemotherapy side effects compared with ovarian suppression side effects was less than 0.95. Results were sensitive to assumptions about the likelihood, duration and consequences of treatment-induced menopause. Treatment choice was affected by a 7% proportional increase in the efficacy of one therapy relative to the others, independent of other factors. Conclusion. If adjuvant chemotherapy and ovarian suppression have similar efficacy, then there may be a subgroup of women for whom quality-of-life considerations dominate the choice of treatment. However, small differences in the relative efficacy of these therapies have a substantial impact on treatment choice, regardless of side effects and menopausal transitions.
Integrating Annual and Perennial Warm-season Grasses in a Temperate Grazing System

Warm-season grasses (WSG) can supply badly needed forage in summer when cool-season grasses (CSG) are often unproductive. This study was conducted from 2005-2007 in central Illinois to compare annual and perennial WSG pasture types integrated into a CSG grazing system. The objective was to compare summer herbage mass, forage nutritive value, cattle (Bos taurus) performance, and variable costs between CSG systems integrated with either annual (AWSG) or native, perennial warm-season grass (NWSG) pastures. The AWSG pastures were established with sorghum-sudangrass cultivars [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] dominated NWSG pastures. Beef cow-calf groups were moved between CSG and WSG pastures during summer based on forage availability. Both WSG pasture types averaged 61% more herbage mass (493 g m- 2 ) in mid-summer compared with CSG pastures (204 g m -2 ). Except for one sampling date, herbage mass on NWSG pastures either exceeded (P < 0.05) or was equal to AWSG pastures. The nutritive value of AWSG forage was consistently higher than NWSG (P < 0.05), but cow and calf performance was similar on both pasture types. A simple cost analysis showed that AWSG pastures were more expensive to maintain even though establishment costs of NWSG pasture were much higher. Our results suggest NWSG pastures may be the better option for livestock producers seeking a longer-term solution to summer forage deficits associated with CSG.
Hepatocellular carcinoma following renal transplantation: experience in northern Taiwan.

Abstract Background Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) have been reported to be the most common post-renal transplantation malignancy in Taiwan; they are considered to be related to the use of herbal drugs. However, in 2004, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the most prevalent malignancy at our institute. We therefore extended our observations through 2006 to include a larger renal transplant cohort. Materials and Methods Patients were given an immunosuppressive regimen consisting of either cyclosporine or FK 506, mycophenolate mofetil, and copticosteroid. Critical diagnostic follow-up procedures were performed trimonthly. Aggressive surgical procedures were performed when operable cancers were found. Immunosuppressants were reduced thereafter to prevent recurrence. Results Among 663 patients, 55 developed 58 malignancies which were diagnosed after a mean of 70 months posttransplantation. Among these 55 patients, 25 died. HCC accounted for 22 malignancies, followed by 15 cases of TCC, and 8 cases of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Fifteen known hepatitis B carriers received lamivudine therapy; none had recurrences and only 2 acquired HCC. These 2 patients are still living, whereas the remaining 20 subjects with HCC are deceased. Of the 37 patients who received anti-CD25 induction therapy, none displayed PTLD. Conclusions HCC remains the most common post-renal transplantation malignancy in northern Taiwan. The high rates of hepatitis B and C endemic to Taiwan and the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infections in northern Taiwan may explain this finding. Frequent alpha-fetoprotein measurements and liver ultrasonograms are recommended for early detection of HCC among Taiwanese renal transplant recipients. Anti-CD25 induction therapy appears to be helpful to prevent the development of PTLD among Taiwanese renal transplant recipients.
Numerical Simulation of the Weld Residual Stresses for a Man-Hole Drainage Nozzle in a Steam Generator: Design Comparison

The numerical welding simulation has developed very rapidly during the last few years. The problem complexity has increased from simple 2D axis-symmetric or cross-section models to full 3D models, which can describe the entire welding process more realistically — including start-stop effects. As recent research projects indicate, a quantitative assessment of the residual stresses magnitude by means of a 3D analysis is possible. Moreover, the structure integrity with respect to fatigue, fracture or S tress C orrosion C racking (SCC) processes can be evaluated based on the welding simulation results superimposed with the operating load (or any arbitrary disturbance transient load). This makes a more accurate life time prediction of the welded components possible. Furthermore, in order to minimize the residual stresses in components, a parametric study can be performed considering important input data like heat input or bead sequencing. It would make the development of virtual welding procedures possible, which can essentially help to cut the design and operating costs. In this paper a full 3D numerical welding simulation for a man-hole drainage nozzle in a steam generator will be presented. Two design options are considered. The residual stresses are calculated by means of an uncoupled transient thermal and mechanical FE analysis using the ABAQUS code. The paper will present a robust procedure allowing reasonable predictions of the residual stresses for complex structures in industrial practice.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Modeling the information behavior of lay mediaries

The notion of proxy information seekers or lay mediaries has risen to the forefront of recent information behavior research. Defined broadly as people who seek information on behalf of others without necessarily being asked to do so or engaging in follow-up with the recipient(s), lay mediaries are becoming more prevalent and thus identifiable due to expanding information and communication technologies such as forwarding and other Web-based alerting services. The bi-fold purpose of our poster is to review past research on lay mediaries and related notions, and to propose a conceptual model that can be used to base future empirical and theoretical work.
Subunit structure of chromatin and the organization of eukaryotic highly repetitive DNA: recurrent periodicities and models for the evolutionary origins of repetitive DNA.

Abstract A restriction enzyme analysis of the repeat structure of mouse satellite, sheep satellite II, human highly repetitive fractions, calf satellite I, and a repetitive fraction of the rat indicates that those DNAs share repeat periodicites in common with one another and with the highly repetitive component α DNA of the African green monkey. The basic repeat periodicity of component α is 176 ± 4 nucleotide base-pairs: the repeat periodicities of the various highly repetitive fractions described here also seem based on this fundamental unit, but it is disguised by a superimposed, higher order repeat organization in each case. The higher orders of organization are based on integral multiples of the basic unit which may reflect the nucleosome spacing of constitutive heterochromatin. With the exception of component α DNA, which shows a repeat structure based on a monomer of 176 ± 4 nucleotide base-pairs, all of the highly repetitive DNAs examined showed a preference for even-numbered or geometric multiples of the basic unit in their higher order sequence organization. It is suggested that such organization is a relatively recent development in the hierarchical evolution of the sequences. Several models are discussed which may account for the higher order organization and expansion of these highly repetitive DNAs. Either a modified unequal crossover model (Smith, 1973) or a modified replicative loop model (Keyl, 1965 a ) seems consistent with many of the properties of highly repetitive DNAs. The models may have implications for the number, distribution and intranuclear rearrangements of transcribed sequences associated with such DNAs.
ABSORPTION MAXIMA OF CATIONS RELATED TO RETINAL AND THEIR IMPLICATION TO MECHANISMS FOR BATHOCHROMIC SHIFT IN VISUAL PIGMENT

— The cations resulting from eleven retinal-related polyenes by placing the latter in n-butanol-sulfuric acid were examined spectroscopically in an effort to explain the batho-chromic effect observed in visual pigments. A comparison of the Λmax values, intensities and 1/2-band widths of the model carbonium ions with those of the visual pigments does not seem to justify the representation of the chromophore in visual pigments as a pure carbonium ion.
When Work Turns to Grief: The Applied Anthropologist as Engaged Scholar in the American Workplace

This paper describes what I have learned over the last fifteen years in my role as an applied organizational and medical anthropologist. It describes the triad of change-loss-grief in the life of countless workplace organizations in the United States and how an applied anthropologist might be of help to traumatized organizations (Hormann and Vivian 2005). Specifically, it addresses how one can be an engaged anthropologist both within organizations and in writing about organizational life. When in the fall of 2007 Dr. Satish Kedia invited me to submit a proposal for a panel or paper on organizational grief, he was the second or third Society for Applied Anthropology program chair to extend this invitation in recent years. Given the current state of the American economy, I can only conclude that the idea of the topic resonated with them and at this moment is terribly timely (Geoghegan 2006).
Myosin Motor Domain Lever Arm Rotation Is Coupled to ATP Hydrolysis

We have investigated coupling of lever arm rotation to the ATP binding and hydrolysis steps for the myosin motor domain. In several current hypotheses of the mechanism of force production by muscle, the primary mechanical feature is the rotation of a lever arm that is a subdomain of the myosin motor domain. In these models, the lever arm rotates while the myosin motor domain is free, and then reverses the rotation to produce force while it is bound to actin. These mechanical steps are coupled to steps in the ATP hydrolysis cycle. Our hypothesis is that ATP hydrolysis induces lever arm rotation to produce a more compact motor domain that has stored mechanical energy. Our approach is to use transient electric birefringence techniques to measure changes in hydrodynamic size that result from lever arm rotation when various ligands are bound to isolated skeletal muscle myosin motor domain in solution. Results for ATP and CTP, which do support force production by muscle fibers, are compared to those of ATPgammaS and GTP, which do not. Measurements are also made of conformational changes when the motor domain is bound to NDP's and PP(i) in the absence and presence of the phosphate analogue orthovanadate, to determine the roles the nucleoside moieties of the nucleotides have on lever arm rotation. The results indicate that for the substrates investigated, rotation does not occur upon substrate binding, but is coupled to the NTP hydrolysis step. The data are consistent with a model in which only substrates that produce a motor domain-NDP-P(i) complex as the steady-state intermediate make the motor domain more compact, and only those substrates support force production.
Herbarium records, actual distribution, and critical attributes of invasive plants: genus Crotalaria in Taiwan

Herbarium records have been widely used in biogeographical and ecological studies for decades. To test the adequacy of using herbarium records, we used residuals, calculated from the regression of the number of herbarium records on minimum residence time of Crotalaria species naturalized in Taiwan, as a predictor of species actual frequency and invasiveness. Number of positive localities (localities where a particular species is present), net infested area, maximum cover, as well as reproductive traits, were estimated for five exotic Crotalaria species with a similar minimum residence time. The tight correlation between residuals and the number of positive localities, as well as with maximum cover, confirms that herbarium records accurately reflect some aspects of the invasion success of the studied species. However, residuals were not a significant predictor of net infested area. Strong correlations between residuals and reproductive traits contributing to species fitness, including log(seeds/plant), flowers/inflorescence, inflorescences/plant, and flowers/plant supported the use of herbarium records in representing field distributions and invasiveness.
Motor vehicle crashes among active duty U.S. Army personnel, 1999 to 2006.

ABSTRACTIn the U.S. Army, motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), both privately owned and military, are a leading cause of injury and death. Few studies have described the distribution and trends of MVCs among Army personnel, which may have been impacted by current military missions. This descriptive study of risk factors and select outcomes is from safety report data maintained by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center on 11,469 active duty Army personnel involved in MVCs, 1999–2006. The majority (66%) of Soldiers in MVCs were in military vehicles within the continental United States (68%). The average age of individuals involved in MVCs was 27.7 years old. Males had a consistently higher MVC rate than females. The average cost per MVC related to property damage and injuries was $36,039 and $24,038, respectively. Results suggest a need for additional exploration of MVCs involving Army vehicles, which were the most common and among the most costly.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Mortality in the United States, 1990–2006

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common intrauterine infection in the United States disproportionately affecting minority races and those of lower socio-economic class. Despite its importance there is little information on the burden of congenital CMV-related mortality in the US. To measure congenital CMV-associated mortality in the US and assess possible racial/ethnic disparities, we reviewed national death certificate data for a 17-year period. Methods Congenital CMV-associated deaths from 1990 through 2006 were identified from multiple-cause-coded death records and were combined with US census data to calculate mortality rates. Results A total of 777 congenital CMV-associated deaths occurred over the 17-year study period resulting in 56,355 years of age-adjusted years of potential life lost. 71.7% (557) of congenital CMV-associated deaths occurred in infants (age less than 1 year). Age-adjusted mortality rates stratified by race/ethnicity revealed mortality disparities. Age-adjusted rate ratios were calculated for each racial/ethnic group using whites as the reference. Native Americans and African Americans were 2.34 (95% CI, 2.11–2.59) and 1.89 (95% CI, 1.70–2.11) times respectively, more likely to die from congenital CMV than whites. Asians and Hispanics were 0.54 (95% CI, 0.44–0.66) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.83–1.10) times respectively, less likely to die from congenital CMV than whites. Conclusions/Significance Congenital CMV infection causes appreciable mortality in the US exacting a particular burden among African Americans and Native Americans. Enhanced surveillance and increased screening are necessary to better understand the epidemiology of congenital CMV infection in addition to acceleration of vaccine development efforts.
A comparison of the affinity of metal ions for the ligand bis(β-mercaptoethylamine)nickel(II)

Abstract The affinities of cadmium(II) and nickel(II) for a coordinated mercapto group were compared by investigating the equilibria between Cd +2 or Ni +2 ( M ), Ni L 2 ( L = β -mercaptoethylamine) and the trinuclear complex [ M (Ni L 2 ) 2 ] +2 . Radiotracers were used to study the equilibria. It was found that the coordinated mercapto group has a greater affinity for the “soft” cadmium(II) than the harder nickel (II). This indicates that the hardness or softness of the central ion takes precedence over crystal field stabilization energy considerations when predicting the stability of these trinuclear complexes.
Microprocessor-based quality testing of devices containing gases

Abstract A study of the intensity of radiation emitted by the gas molecules excited with high frequency high voltage power input to the gas has been presented. Experimental results are given to show that the intensity of radiation due to molecular glow discharge and the decay processes depends on traces of impurities in the gas atmosphere. A method has been proposed for the on-line quality testing of devices that use gases as essential components for their successful operation.
Vitamin D, Sunlight and Cancer Connection

Abstract It has been more than 100 years when it was first appreciated that increased sun exposure reduced risk of dying of cancer. The most beneficial effect of sun exposure is the production of vitamin D in the skin. Recent evidence suggests that most cells in the body not only have a vitamin D receptor but also have the capacity to convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Once formed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D can inhibit cellular proliferation, induce cellular maturation, inhibit angiogenesis and ultimately cause apoptosis to prevent malignancy. A multitude of studies have associated improved vitamin D status with decreased risk for developing several deadly cancers including colon, breast, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Patients with cancer are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency. Sensible sun exposure, vitamin D fortification and vitamin D supplementation should be encouraged to improve the vitamin D status of children and adults not only for bone health but for reducing risk of developing and dying of cancer. The goal is to achieve a blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 40-60 ng/mL. This can be accomplished by children taking 600-1000 and adults 1500-2000 international units (IU) vitamin D daily from diet and supplements along with sensible sun exposure when the sun is capable of producing vitamin D in the skin.
Low-dimensional dynamics in cardiac tissues: experiments and theory

ABSTRACTRelevant beat-to-beat measures of local electrical responses during complex cardiac rhythms are interpreted as successive iterates of a low dimensional mapping. That simplified view is supported by previously reported experimental and numerical work. In that approximate theory, low dimensional dynamics (not restricted to chaos) also can be perturbed andcontrolled, much in the same way as in the Ott et a! method for controlling chaos in nonlinear dynamical systems. In the problem at hand, which involves nonlinear waves and spatial degrees of freedom, the task is much more complicated and the phenomena less well understood. Recordings from an in vitro model of ventricular fibrillation are analyzed searching for deterministic recurrences in the local period of activation. 1. INTRODUCTIONControlling complicated patterns of excitation in cardiac tissue during or preceding lethal arrhythmias is a major challenge which can have important clinical implications even if it is only partially successful. The application of strategiesderived from the Ott, Grebogi & Yorke (OGY) method1 to complex in vitro cardiac rhythms was first reported by Garfinkel etal2. The extension of these initial results to the control of clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmias is hindered by the fact that i)cardiac dynamics evolve in time and space rather than on an isolated point, as in the OGY scenario; and ii) current knowledgeof dynamical and elecirophysiological aspects of ventricular fibrillation (VF) is incomplete at best. This paper describes insection 2 what is already known of a relatively simpler situation involving complex rhythms in periodically perturbed isolated
The effect of antihypertensive drugs on vascular compliance.

Measurement of vascular compliance has assumed increasing importance as a marker of early disease of the vascular wall, a predictor of future vascular disease, and a way to monitor the effects of vasoactive agents on arterial wall stiffness. Vascular compliance can be estimated by several methods: measurement of the pulse pressure, or pulse pressure-stroke volume ratio; analysis of the systolic pulse wave augmentation index and the diastolic pulse wave contour; ultrasonic echo-tracking; and MRI. Because few comparative studies have been done, the physiologic significance of the measures of compliance obtained by each method is uncertain. Antihypertensive drugs may improve vascular compliance by reducing blood pressure, relaxing vascular smooth muscle, or promoting long-term effects on vascular smooth muscle and cardiomyocyte growth and remodeling. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported to improve vascular compliance in nearly all studies, suggesting a beneficial class effect independent of blood pressure reduction. Favorable changes in the vascular wall-lumen ratio of small vessels from subcutaneous gluteal biopsy specimens after treatment with ACE inhibitors and the persistence of improved vascular compliance after withdrawal of therapy indicate that these agents may produce long-term vascular remodeling. Although few studies have been done, angiotensin II receptor antagonists improve vascular compliance, possibly by blocking angiotensin II-mediated cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis via unopposed AT1 receptor stimulation. In contrast, calcium antagonists and b-blockers have variable effects on vascular compliance, although b-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity improve vascular compliance. Diuretics have little effect on vascular compliance beyond their blood pressure-lowering actions, except for spironolactone, which by improving vascular compliance may have contributed to the reduction in heart failure mortality seen in the Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study.
A DIGEST OF THREE PAPERS BY JOSEPH D. BEASLEY

2 family planning programs operating in New Orleans and Lincoln Parish Louisiana between 1965 and 1967 are reviewed to refute the concept that indigent women and those who have experienced out-of-wedlock pregnancies are uninterested in fertility control. Studies conducted prior to the inception of both programs determined a lack of reproductive and contraceptive knowledge among lower socioeconomic couples rather than a lack of motivation. The population of rural Lincoln Parish is 41.8% black and the median annual family income ranges between $2000 and $3000. 50% had delivered out-of-wedlock the median age was 23.6 years and the majority displayed low parity. In the New Orleans program annual family incomes were below $4500 and 95.7% of the patients were black (primarily because poor whites were unwilling to attend integrated clinics). Birth records from public and charity hospitals were used to identify patients and priority contact was given to current postpartum patients followed by high-risk mothers who had delivered in the past 2 years. Low-risk women were contacted last. Contact with postpartum mothers was made 1 or 2 days after birth by a program nurse and included an individual education session literature and the offer of an appointment 4 to 6 weeks later. High and low-risk women were contacted by family planning auxiliary workers selected from the indigent population and trained in reproductive physiology contraceptive techniques and program orientation. Auxiliary workers were responsible for the program follow-up system which increased the total number of first admissions by 22% in New Orleans. Patients received a call or letter after missing their first appointment and a home visit after a second cancellation. Data from the Lincoln Parish programs second year of operation showed a significant decrease (47%) among indigent illegitimate births and other pertinent indices. In New Orleans 96% of the first admissions accepted some form of birth control. Oral contraceptives were chosen by 62% of the women and the IUD was chosen by 20% compared to previous usage levels of 24% and .2% respectively. 88% of the first admissions remained with the program over an 18-month period. Both Louisiana programs demonstrate that successful acceptance of family planning by indigents depends upon the design and provision of adequate maternal health services which stress privacy freedom of choice and sustained personal contact.
Acute subdural hematoma: nonsurgical management of selected patients

There is a current trend toward nonsurgical therapy for small, minimally symptomatic acute subdural hematomas (ASDH), but data supporting such a scheme have been lacking. We evaluated 83 patients with minimally symptomatic ASDH (Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 11-15) and found 58 managed nonsurgically (70%) and 25 managed with craniotomy (30%). Patients managed without surgery had a lower incidence of focal neurologic deficits (12% vs. 40%; p < .01), open cisterns (90% vs. 28%; p < .001), and small (< or = 1 cm) ASDHs (92% vs. 62%; p < .001). Ninety-three percent of patients managed nonsurgically had functional recovery compared with 84% of patients with craniotomy. Age and injury Severity Score were significantly associated with patient outcome. Timing of surgery had no association with outcome. Six percent of patients managed nonsurgically developed chronic SDH requiring craniotomy. We conclude that unless the hematoma is causing clinical evidence of intracranial hypertension or significant neurologic dysfunction, there appears to be no advantage in evacuating the clot. Selected patients with ASDH and GCS scores of 11-15 can safely be managed without craniotomy.
Thermoelastic damping in micro- and nanomechanical systems

The importance of thermoelastic damping as a fundamental dissipation mechanism for small-scale mechanical resonators is evaluated in light of recent efforts to design high-Q micrometer- and nanometer-scale electromechanical systems. The equations of linear thermoelasticity are used to give a simple derivation for thermoelastic damping of small flexural vibrations in thin beams. It is shown that Zener’s well-known approximation by a Lorentzian with a single thermal relaxation time slightly deviates from the exact expression.
Normal postexercise facilitation and depression of motor evoked potentials in postpolio patients

We studied the effects of exercise on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy subjects and postpolio patients. Subjects performed repeated sets of isometric exercise until the muscle fatigued. In both groups, the mean MEP amplitude immediately after each exercise set was approximately twice that of the baseline amplitude, indicating similar postexercise facilitation, and after fatigue was approximately half that of the baseline amplitude, indicating similar postexercise depression. We conclude that the intracortical component of central fatigue is normal in postpolio patients.
Proton translocation by cytochrome c oxidase can take place without the conserved glutamic acid in subunit I.

A glutamic acid residue in subunit I of the heme−copper oxidases is highly conserved and has been directly implicated in the O2 reduction and proton-pumping mechanisms of these respiratory enzymes. Its mutation to residues other than aspartic acid dramatically inhibits activity, and proton translocation is lost. However, this glutamic acid is replaced by a nonacidic residue in some structurally distant members of the heme−copper oxidases, which have a tyrosine residue in the vicinity. Here, using cytochrome c oxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans, we show that replacement of the glutamic acid and a conserved glycine nearby lowers the catalytic activity to <0.1% of the wild-type value. But if, in addition, a phenylalanine that lies close in the structure is changed to tyrosine, the activity rises more than 100-fold and proton translocation is restored. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the tyrosine can support a transient array of water molecules that may be essential for proton transfer in the h...
A Multicenter Intervention to Prevent Catheter‐Associated Bloodstream Infections

Background. Education‐based interventions can reduce the incidence of catheter‐associated bloodstream infection. The generalizability of findings from single‐center studies is limited. Objective. To assess the effect of a multicenter intervention to prevent catheter‐associated bloodstream infections. Design. An observational study with a planned intervention. Setting. Twelve intensive care units and 1 bone marrow transplantation unit at 6 academic medical centers. Patients. Patients admitted during the study period. Intervention. Updates of written policies, distribution of a 9‐page self‐study module with accompanying pretest and posttest, didactic lectures, and incorporation into practice of evidence‐based guidelines regarding central venous catheter (CVC) insertion and care. Measurements. Standard data collection tools and definitions were used to measure the process of care (ie, the proportion of nontunneled catheters inserted into the femoral vein and the condition of the CVC insertion site dressing f...
Electron transfer in macromolecules: Green's function and diagrammatic techniques (continued fraction representation)

We applied special graphical technique to investigate the influence of side/end groups of macromolecules upon long range electron transfer. We show that in case of acyclic side/end groups the Green function may be cast in the form of continued fraction, similarly to the result of electron transfer in random media. The structure of continued fraction correlates exactly to the side/end graph's structure. The rules of graphical construction of Green functions (which are solutions of Schwinger–Dyson equations) are presented in concise form.