cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Osteopontin in Hemophilic Synovitis.

Introduction Hemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder due to the deficiency of blood coagulation factor VIII or IX. The joint is the most common site of serious bleeding. Repeated episodes of hemarthrosis lead to hemophilic synovitis (HS) and destructive hemophilic arthropathy (HA). The molecular changes responsible for HS and HA are not known. Osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in the process that leads to bone destruction in other forms of arthritis. We hypothesized that OPN plays a similar role in HA. Methods Hemophilic synovitis was induced in factor (F) VIII and IX deficient mice by causing traumatic (blunt trauma) and non-traumatic (needle puncture) hemarthrosis in the right knee joint of mice. The concentration of OPN was measured in plasma of mice five days after inducing hemorrhage. Expression of OPN in synovial tissue from affected knee joints was compared with control uninjured joints by DNA microarray and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis on different days following joint injury. Results OPN concentration in the plasma of both FVIII and FIX deficient mice sacrificed 5 days after a single capsular puncture was increased 92–98% compared to control mice. In other experiments, traumatic hemarthrosis was induced three times at weekly intervals in the right knee joints of FVIII deficient mice. On day 21, synovial tissue from the knee joints of 20 mice was isolated, pooled and RNA from affected and control joints probed using microarray. The expression of OPN in right knee tissue was 7.5-fold greater compared to the left. These data were confirmed by RT-PCR analysis which showed that OPN was highly expressed in synovial tissue from mice 14, 21 and 30 days after single puncture injury and 21 days following three traumatic injuries. Conclusion The concentration of OPN was increased in the plasma of mice following hemarthrosis and OPN expression was increased 7-fold in synovial tissue of mice with hemophilic arthropathy. Our data implicate OPN in the pathobiology of hemophilic arthropathy. ![Figure][1] Figure ![Figure][1] Figure [1]: pending:yes
HIV Testing in Adults Presenting With Central Nervous System Infections.

Background Universal HIV testing in adults presenting to a health care setting was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2006, but compliance in central nervous system (CNS) infections is unknown. Methods A multicenter study of adults presenting with CNS infections to 18 hospitals in Houston and New Orleans between 2000 and 2015 was done to characterize HIV testing and explore factors associated with a positive HIV test. Results A total of 1478 patients with a diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis were identified; 180 were excluded because of known HIV diagnosis (n = 100) or were 38°C, or had seizures on presentation, and of those tested, non-Caucasian patients and those with photophobia were more likely to have a positive HIV test (P < .05). HIV testing also varied by type of CNS infection: community-acquired bacterial meningitis (98/130, 75.4%), encephalitis (174/255, 68.2%), aseptic meningitis (285/619, 46.0%), and health care-associated meningitis (85/288, 29.5%; P < .001). Conclusions Even though HIV testing should be done in all adults presenting with a CNS infection, testing remains ~50% and did not improve after the recommendation for universal testing by the CDC in 2006.
Uncertainty Quantification Using Generalized Polynomial Chaos for Online Simulations of Automotive Propulsion Systems

Online simulations conducted in vehicles can enable predictive control of automotive systems. This capability can be especially valuable for complex propulsion systems to manage performance, safety, and efficiency under changing drive conditions. Reliable online simulations require accurate models. However, modeling errors are unavoidable, and the inputs from the driver and environment are subject to uncertainty and generally unknown a priori, rendering the system stochastic. Furthermore, limited computing resources in a vehicle can prohibit solving stochastic systems, posing a major challenge. This paper seeks to alleviate these computational bottlenecks by utilizing generalized Polynomial Chaos to efficiently propagate and quantify uncertainty without loss of accuracy for online propulsion system simulations. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, uncertainty quantification is performed for simulations of vehicle launch where both model and input uncertainties are considered. A standard Monte Carlo method is used as a baseline for comparison. It is shown that, for the same accuracy, the proposed method is more than two orders of magnitude faster than a Monte Carlo method. A variance-based sensitivity analysis is also used to quantify the statistical contribution from each uncertainty source to the output. The outcome suggests that the proposed method is well-suited to automotive applications where fast and accurate on-board simulation capabilities are required.
“Equal or Nothing”: Concern for Fairness and Reciprocity in Trust Game

We present the results of a contingent trust game experiment measuring the impact of a ‘Fair’ allocation by the proposer on the reciprocal reaction of the responder. We used an online questionnaire to ask participants how they would respond to each possible transfer made by the proposer in a standard trust game. Existing research suggests that there is a ‘norm of reciprocity’ dictating that one repays (in kind) for the provision made by another. We have confirmed that the traditional relation between trust and reciprocity exists, and that there is a positive and significant relation between the amount transferred by the proposer and the return made by the responder. More significantly, our results suggest that in response to unequal (unfair) allocations by the proposer, responders on average return more proportionally. We believe this is the evidence of negative reciprocity, where responders return proportionately more to humiliate and/or to refuse any bond of alliance with the proposer. We also find that responders who are not economically dependent on their parents, return more than others. Psychological characteristics were also tested and interestingly a respondent who ‘cries’ when their feelings get hurt return significantly more than others. Key words: Trust; Trust Game; Reciprocity; Fairness.
Illustrating Randomness in Statistics Courses With Spatial Experiments

Understanding the concept of randomness is fundamental for students in introductory statistics courses, but the notion of randomness is deceivingly complex, so it is often emphasized less than the ...
The socialist origins of the Green Revolution: Pandurang Khankhoje and domestic ‘technical assistance’

Origin narratives of the Green Revolution have been periodized to influence who is seen as an expert and memorialized as such. This article pushes us to reframe technical assistance to include in c...
Endovascular Thrombectomy after Large-Vessel Ischemic Stroke: Utilization, Outcomes, and Readmissions across the United States.

Use of thrombectomy increased in the United States after it became standard treatment for ischemic stroke in 2015, yet disparities in rates and outcomes exist and adverse events and readmissions ar...
First Steps for Conducting Online Research with Adolescents: Basic Considerations for Implementation Success

Online delivery of mental health resources and interventions has many benefits, including scalability. This may be particularly relevant when in-person services are limited and researchers need to transition their work to online platforms. This report aims to describe the challenges experienced in a pilot study of an online program (Teen Wellness [TW]) for adolescents and outline first step considerations for conducting online research with adolescents. A total of 16 participants (Mage = 13.125; 43.8% female) in an after-school program engaged with TW. The usefulness was rated 7.62 out of 10 and 68.8% of participants completed all modules. Significant changes in the adolescents’ satisfaction with “self” (p = 0.035) and “friendships” (p = 0.035) were observed. The pilot study informs researchers doing their first steps in online research with adolescents. Basic considerations are related to determining the desired level of human support and setting, the consent-assent process, designing or utilizing an existing online resource, utilizing agile design, and including adolescent feedback.
Improving productivity of warm-season pastures by interseeding legumes

The dynamics of warm-season grass and legume plant communities are affected by grazing landscape and soil type. This project explored how these factors could be managed by western Iowa farmers to successfully establish higher-quality summer pastures comprised of warm-season grass/legume mixtures. Question & Answer Q: Can the productivity of warm-grass pastures be improved by interseeding legumes? A: The results suggest that in western Iowa, interseeding switchgrass or big bluestem pastures with legumes has an adverse impact on the grasses due to early season competition from the legume. Stands of both warm-season grasses were significantly reduced by interseeding legumes, and for this reason it should not be a recommended practice.
Should the Playing Field Be Leveled? Funding Inequities Among Division I Athletic Programs

Significant funding inequity exists within Division I athletic programs. The widening gap between heavily resourced university athletic programs and those less resourced is explored, explained, and then analyzed. Considerations are offered to help frame continued discussion and include regulating the number of ancillary personnel, creating a financial support bandwidth for conference membership, distributing media income, and scaling success differently.
Seasonal versus transient snow and the elevation dependence of climate sensitivity in maritime mountainous regions

[1] In maritime mountainous regions, the phase of winter precipitation is elevation dependent, and in watersheds receiving both rain and snow, hydrologic impacts of climate change are less straightforward than in snowmelt-dominated systems. Here, 29 Pacific Northwest watersheds illustrate how distribution of seasonal snow, transient snow, and winter rain mediates sensitivity to 20th century warming. Watersheds with >50% of their area in the seasonal snow zone had significant (α ≤ 0.1) trends towards greater winter and lower summer discharge, while lower elevations had no consistent trends. In seasonal snow-dominated watersheds, runoff occurs 22–27 days earlier and minimum flows are 5–9% lower than in 1962, based on Sen's slope over the period. Trends in peak streamflow depend on whether watershed area susceptible to rain-on-snow events is increasing or decreasing. Delineation of elevation-dependent snow zones identifies climate sensitivity of maritime mountainous watersheds and enables planning for water and ecosystem impacts of climate change.
Maximum Flows and Critical Vertices in AND/OR Graphs

We will study this problem and present an algorithm for finding the minimum-time-cost solution graph in an AND/OR graph. We will also study the following problems which often appear in industry when using AND/OR graphs to model manufacturing processes or to model problem solving processes: finding maximum (additive and nonadditive) flows and critical vertices in an AND/OR graph. Though there are well known polynomial time algorithms for the corresponding problems in the traditional graph theory, we will show that generally it is NP-hard to find a non-additive maximum flow in an AND/OR graph, and it is both NP-hard and coNP-hard to find a set of critical vertices in an AND/OR graph. We will also present a polynomial time algorithm for finding a maximum additive flow in an AND/OR graph, and discuss the relative complexity of these problems.
Human chorionic gonadotropin. II. Nature of the carbohydrate units.

Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was desialyzed by mild acid hydrolysis, reduced with mercaptoethanol, and carboxamidomethylated by iodoacetamide. The resulting alkylated product was subjected to tryptic hydrolysis. Two chromatographically homogeneous glycopeptides were obtained by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 and ion exchange chromatography on Dowex 1. The carbohydrate composition of these glycopeptides was found to be Fuc1, Gal4, Man5, GluNAc6 and Gal2, Man5, GluNAc5. The sequence of monosaccharides in the carbohydrate chains of these highly complex units was determined by stepwise cleavage of the sugars from the nonreducing ends with specific glycosidases, such as β-galactosidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, α-mannosidase, and α-l-fucosidase. HCG and desialyzed HCG were also studied with these glycosidases and neuraminidase. The carbohydrate chains in the hormone, as shown by this investigation, have the following monosaccharide sequence: N-acetylneuraminic acid [see PDF for sequence], sialic acid or fucose being at the nonreducing ends of the chains. The carbohydrate unit of each of the above glycopeptides was composed of several chains and was probably linked to the polypeptide chains by an N-acetylglucosaminyl-asparagine linkage. Preliminary studies on the alkaline degradation of HCG suggested that all galactosamine residues were linked to the polypeptide chain by N-acetylgalactosaminyl-serine linkages. Based on these studies, the tentative structures of the carbohydrate units have been proposed.
Relaxed ordered subsets algorithm for image restoration of confocal microscopy

The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for maximum-likelihood image recovery converges very slowly. Thus, the ordered subsets EM (OS-EM) algorithm has been widely used in image reconstruction for tomography due to an order-of-magnitude acceleration over the EM algorithm. However, OS-EM is not guaranteed to converge. The recently proposed ordered subsets, separable paraboloidal surrogates (OS-SPS) algorithm with relaxation has been shown to converge to the optimal point while providing fast convergence. In this paper, we develop a relaxed OS-SPS algorithm for image restoration. Because data acquisition is different in image restoration than in tomography, we adapt a different strategy for choosing subsets in image restoration which uses pixel location rather than projection angles. Simulation results show that the order-of-magnitude acceleration of the relaxed OS-SPS algorithm can be achieved in restoration. Thus the speed and the guarantee of the convergence of the OS algorithm is advantageous for image restoration as well.
Microsatellite instability in inflammatory bowel disease-associated neoplastic lesions is associated with hypermethylation and diminished expression of the DNA mismatch repair gene, hMLH1.

Twelve to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers display defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR), manifested as microsatellite instability (MSI). In this group of cancers, promoter hypermethylation of the MMR gene hMLH1 is strongly associated with, and believed to be the cause of, MSI. A subset of colorectal neoplastic lesions arising in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is also characterized by MSI. We wished to determine whether hMLH1 hypermethylation was associated with diminished hMLH1 protein expression and MSI in IBD neoplasms. We studied 148 patients with IBD neoplasms, defined as carcinoma or dysplasia occurring in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. MSI was evaluated using multiplex fluorescent PCR to amplify loci D2S123 , BAT-25 , BAT-26 , D5S346 , and D17S250 in all cases. Lesions were characterized as high-frequency MSI (MSI-H) if they manifested instability at two or more loci, low-frequency MSI (MSI-L) if unstable at only one locus, or MS-stable (MSS) if showing no instability at any loci. Methylation-specific PCR was performed to determine the methylation status of the hMLH1 promoter region. hMLH1 protein expression was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Thirteen (9%) of 148 neoplasms arising in IBD were MSI-H, comprising 11 carcinomas and 2 dysplastic lesions. Sixteen additional lesions (11%) were MSI-L, comprising 11 carcinomas and 5 dysplastic lesions. The remaining 118 neoplasms (80%) were MSS. Six (46%) of 13 MSI-H, 1 (6%) of 16 MSI-L, and 4 (15%) of 27 MSS lesions showed hMLH1 hypermethylation ( P = 0.013). Diminished hMLH1 protein expression in neoplastic cell nuclei relative to surrounding normal cell nuclei was demonstrated immunohistochemically in four of four (100%) hypermethylated lesions tested. In IBD neoplasia, hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation occurs frequently in the setting of MSI, particularly MSI-H. Furthermore, hMLH1 hypermethylation and MSI are strongly associated with diminished hMLH1 protein expression in IBD neoplasms. These findings suggest that hMLH1 hypermethylation causes defective DNA MMR in at least a subset of IBD neoplasms.
Role of ß Blockers in Congestive Heart Failure

Prolonged activation of the adrenergic nervous system has adverse consequences on the cardiovascular system in patients with congestive heart failure. β adrenergic receptor—blocker therapy modifies these deleterious effects. β blockers have been shown to improve myocardial function and survival when used in conjunction with conventional treatment with diuretics, angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors, and digoxin. β blocker therapy in mild-to-moderate heart failure should not be delayed because it causes some reversal of both neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms and the deletorious myocardial remodeling process. This paper reviews the beneficial effects of β adrenergic receptor-blocker therapy on the pathophysiology, symptoms, left ventricular function, morbidity, and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure.
Specification of Calendars and Time Series for Temporal Databases

Most temporal data models have concentrated on describing temporal data based on versioning of objects, tuples, or attributes. The concept of time series, which is often needed in temporal applications, does not fit well within these models. The goal of this paper is to propose a generalized temporal database model that integrates the modeling of both version-based and time-series based temporal data into a single conceptual framework. The concept of calendar is also integrated into our proposed model. We also discuss how a conceptual Extended-ER design in our model can be mapped to an object-oriented or relational database implementation.
THE IMPACT OF THE ROCHESTER NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER ON HOSPITALIZATION OF CHILDREN, 1968 TO 1970

The admission patterns of children to area hospitals was studied. The study design allowed for comparisons between actual users of the health center, nonusers who lived in the target area and a comparison group. During the second year of operation, the admission rate of health center users was only 33 versus 67 per thousand for nonusers and 39 per thousand for the comparison group. Comparing the first two years, hospital days per thousand among users dropped by approximately half. Due to higher admission rates and longer average stays, nonusers had a rate of 2.5 times that of the users for hospital days per thousand. The rate for the comparison group remained constant. Users had fewer admissions for respiratory infectious diseases and more admissions for surgical restorative procedures. These trends were not present for the nonusers or for the comparison group. Despite extensive outreach, physician availability, and the team approach, the health center continued to have a large number of child admissions who reached the hospital without referral (the "leakers").
Contests for Space in Breeding Cichlasoma Meeki: the Role of Resource Holding Potential

1. The agonistic behaviour of Cichlasoma meeki, the firemouth cichlid, was studied to test five predictions concerning Resource Holding Potential (RHP). Game theoretic models predict that animals should settle contests on the basis of asymmetries in RHP, thereby decreasing contest costs. Breeding pairs of fish were observed to determine how they responded to intruders of different status which encroached into their territory. The defended resource was space, either for spawning or for defence of young. 2. Significant differences were found in the behavioural responses to different species, numbers and sizes of intruder. 3. The majority of contests were short, with extended contests only occurring between conspecific pairs. 4. Escalated (contact) behavioural acts were uncommon, occurring only during extended contests and mainly during contests with conspecific pairs. They were performed primarily at the ends of contests or in bouts within contests. 5. The most costly non-contact behavioural acts were usually performed towards pairs, or towards single fish of size equal to or larger than that of the focal animal. 6. In contests with conspecific pairs there were no differences in the responses towards pairs of different sizes except in the type of behavioural acts performed. In such contests relative size was apparently not a sufficient asymmetry, and factors such as resource asymmetry may have been of greater importance.
The macromolecular binding of prednisone in plasma of healthy volunteers including pregnant women and oral contraceptive users

The macromolecular binding of prednisone has been studied in the plasma of eight healthy human volunteers. The subjects included two control males, two control females, two females taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, and two females in the third trimester of pregnancy. All volunteers exhibited the expected nonlinear plasma binding of prednisolone with free fraction increasing as the total prednisolone concentration was increased. Both the oral contraceptive and pregnant subjects had increased transcortin binding capacity over the control volunteers as evidenced by their increased binding of prednisolone. Prednisone macromolecular binding, however, was not altered by either changing total prednisone concentration or transcortin binding capacity. The mean prednisone free fraction was 0.250 ± 0.027 in the eight subjects over the concentration range 0–2500 ng/ml. The addition of prednisolone in up to a 25- fold excess did not alter prednisone's free fraction. Prednisone apparently does not bind to transcortin with the same strong affinity that characterizes prednisolone's binding, and due to albumin's extensive binding capacity, prednisone macromolecular binding is not saturable over the pharmacological drug concentration range.
Private Goods and Common Property: Pottery Production in a Honduran Lenca Community

Most research on common property focuses on common-pool goods, which are characterized by difficulty of exclusion and vulnerability to depletion (subtractability). Few studies have addressed common property arrangements for "private goods," which are subtractable but characterized by ease of exclusion. In order for a private good to be managed successfully as common property, institutions must exist to guarantee the access of eligible appropriators despite its ease of exclusion and susceptibility to individual monopolization. Drawing on research in an indigenous Lenca community in western Honduras, this case study explores the communal management of scarce, spatially concentrated claybeds, sand deposits, and outcroppings of colored soils. All of these goods are necessary for artisanal pottery production, which is regarded as a cultural patrimony by the community. The study shows that socioeconomic, institutional, and spiritual dimensions interact to maintain communal management of these "private goods." T...
Scoring from Contests.

This article presents a new model for scoring alternatives from “contest” outcomes. The model is a generalization of the method of paired comparison to accommodate comparisons between arbitrarily sized sets of alternatives in which outcomes are any division of a fixed prize. Our approach is also applicable to contests between varying quantities of alternatives. We prove that under a reasonable condition on the comparability of alternatives, there exists a unique collection of scores that produces accurate estimates of the overall performance of each alternative and satisfies a well-known axiom regarding choice probabilities. We apply the method to several problems in which varying choice sets and continuous outcomes may create problems for standard scoring methods. These problems include measuring centrality in network data and the scoring of political candidates via a “feeling thermometer.” In the latter case, we also use the method to uncover and solve a potential difficulty with common methods of rescaling thermometer data to account for issues of interpersonal comparability.
Transbilayer migration (flip-flop) of 12-(4-azido-2-nitro-phenoxy)stearoyl glucosamine in large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles

Abstract The ability of the glycolipid photoprobe, 12-(4-azido-2-nitrophenoxy)-stearoyl[1- -14 C]-glucosamine (12-APS-GlcN), to undergo transbilayer flip-flop and intermembrane transfer between liposomes was examined. It was found that probe which was incorparated into membranes during the preparation of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) could be rapidly and completely extracted by incubation of these donor vesicles (in the liquid-crystalline state ) with probe-free acceptor vesicles.
Vitamin K epoxidase: dependence of epoxidase activity on substrates of the vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation reaction

Vitamin K catalyzes the post-translational carboxylation of specific glutamyl residues in precursor proteins to form ycarboxyglutamyl residues which are present in prothrombin and other vitamin K-dependent proteins. These precursors increase in the livers of vitamin K-deficient rats, and the carboxylation of both endogenous protein precursors and low molecular weight peptide substrates can be demonstrated in detergent-solubilized microsomal preparations [1,21. The same microsomal preparations which carry out this O2 dependent carboxylation reaction will also catalyze the conversion of vitamin K to its 2,3epoxide (epoxidase activity). Observations that the enzymatic formation of the vitamin K epoxide is elevated in livers of vitamin K-deficient rats, which also contain high concentrations of prothrombin precursors, led to the proposal that epoxidation of vitamin K is associated with the action of the viatamin in promoting prothrombin synthesis [3]. This hypothesis has been strengthened by studies of the effects of various anticoagulants in normal and Warfarinresistant rats [4-71 by observations that many of the requirements for the epoxidation and carboxylation reactions are similar [8], by observations of the specificity and distribution of this activity [9,10], and by evidence of a common vitamin K intermediate required for both reactions [ 111. These studies (reviewed [ 121) support the concept that the formation of vitamin K epoxide is coupled to the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation event; but they are not conclusive. This report presents additional evidence that epoxidation of vitamin K is associated with the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation reaction. A syn-
Optimal DG placement for congestion mitigation and social welfare maximization

Competitive market driven large interconnected power systems are now being operated near maximum capacity due to environmental and operational pressure. In this context, we have to consider both economy and security of the stressed power system network. Transmission congestion caused due to the stressed operation of the power systems, affects the Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP). Presently, a large amount of distributed generations (DG) are being installed near load centers due to several technical, economical and environmental benefits. One of the important issues is the optimal placement of the DG for the transmission congestion mitigation and the social welfare maximization. In this paper, we have discussed the impacts of DG on the transmission congestion and the social welfare maximization. The LMP ranking based scheme for DG placement in the grid is presented and illustrated using a Power World™ network model.
It Just Feels Good: Customers’ Affective Response to Touch and Its Influence on Persuasion:

Prior research has assumed that touch has a persuasive effect only if it provides attribute or structural information about a product. Under this view, the role of touch as a persuasive tool is limited. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the persuasive influence of touch as an affective tool in the absence of useful product-related information. The authors find that for people who are motivated to touch because it is fun or interesting, a communication that incorporates touch leads to increased affective response and increased persuasion, particularly when the touch provides neutral or positive sensory feedback. People who are not motivated to touch for fun will also be persuaded by a communication that incorporates touch when they are able to make sense of how the touch is related to the message. The authors explore the effectiveness of different types of touch in generating an affective response, and they replicate the effects on attitudes and behavior in a real-world setting. This research suggests that the marketing implications of touch are more substantial than previously believed. The authors present research implications for direct marketing, product packaging, point-of-purchase displays, and print advertising.
Encouraging the development of responsible anger management in young children

Supporting the development of responsible anger management is an important task for early childhood educators because children who do not learn responsible anger management are more likely to engage in negative peer interactions and are likely to respond to anger with socially unconstructive coping responses. Helping children learn to manage anger responsibly requires that teachers understand the nature of anger, the causes of anger in young children, how children cope with anger, and how children learn display rules or anger. Teachers can then use several develop‐mentally appropriate strategies for supporting the development of responsible anger management in young children.
Benzene and phenol metabolism by mouse and rat liver microsomes

Benzene, an important industrial solvent and constituent of unleaded gasoline, causes leukemia and aplastic anemia in humans. Mice are more sensitive than rats to benzene toxicity, though neither species has been shown to respond consistently with benzene-induced leukemia. Benzene biotransformation in liver to phenol, hydroquinone, catechol and/or muconaldehyde is thought to be necessary for its hematotoxicity and/or genotoxicity. Our goal is to develop a mathematical simulation model capable of describing the pathways and kinetics of benzene metabolism by rat and mouse liver microsomes and to assess the role of species metabolic differences in species sensitivity. Microsomes were incubated with 4 microM [U-14C]-benzene or 4 microM [U-14C]phenol. Metabolite production was quantified by extraction into ethyl acetate, HPLC separation and liquid scintillation spectroscopy. After 45 min, mouse liver microsomes converted 20% of the benzene to phenol, 31% to hydroquinone and 2% to catechol. Rat liver microsomes converted 23% of benzene to phenol, 8% to hydroquinone and 0.5% to catechol. Production of hydroquinone and catechol continued for 90 min for mouse liver microsomes, while production by rat liver microsomes had virtually ceased by 90 min. Muconic acid production by mouse liver microsomes was phenol-->catechol-->trihydroxybenzene and phenol-->hydroquinone-->trihydroxybenzene. In the model, all of the reaction steps are assumed to be catalyzed by the same enzyme(s), cytochrome(s) P450, and benzene, phenol, hydroquinone and catechol in solution are all assumed to compete, through reversible binding, for the same reaction site(s) on cytochrome(s) P450. The simulation model accurately described both the benzene and phenol kinetic data, supporting this proposed mechanism. In particular, this model suggests that the observed inhibition of benzene on phenol metabolism, and of phenol on benzene metabolism, occurs through competition for a common reaction site, which can also bind catechol and hydroquinone.
Evaluation of a Nursing Home Medical Director's Curriculum for Geriatric Medicine Fellows

Abstract Objectives To describe the evaluation of a nursing home medical directorship curriculum for geriatric medicine fellows. Design Six first-year geriatric medicine fellows from the University of Hawaii program participated in this educational intervention. Intervention A medical directorship curriculum based on the American Medical Directors Association's description of the roles and responsibilities of the medical director. Seven 1-hour sessions covering core topics were delivered in case-based format, with the opportunity to practice application. Measurements The curriculum's impact on learner's knowledge, attitudes, skills, and abilities was evaluated using pretests and posttests. The curriculum was evaluated using a structured individual feedback interview after the completion of this curriculum. Pre-post mean scores for attitudes and skills/ability items were compared using paired t tests. A summary of comments from fellows' interviews was tabulated. Results Fellows showed a significant improvement in knowledge scores after the intervention (63.33% correct before the intervention and 76.67% correct after the intervention, mean change = 13.33%, P = .03). The mean overall scores for attitudes and skills/ability items increased from 4.72 to 5.33 (change = 0.61, P = .11), and 2.67 to 3.83 (change = 1.17, P = .009), respectively. Comments from the interviews were positive and fell into 3 categories. First, fellows felt that they achieved a good knowledge base. Second, they gained a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities. Last, all participants felt the curriculum was very practical and helped them feel more prepared to become medical directors. Conclusions An innovative curriculum for nursing home medical direction provided for first-year geriatric medicine fellows had a significantly positive impact on their knowledge, ability, and skills. The curriculum was effective in helping fellows better understand and apply what they learned regarding the roles and responsibilities in medical direction.
Discharge of oilfield-produced water in nueces bay, texas: A case study

During oil and gas production, water is often extracted from geological formations along with the hydrocarbons. These “produced waters” have been discharged to Nueces Bay since the turn of the century. These effluents were found to be highly toxic, and sediments in the vicinity of the discharges were also toxic. We developed a map of wells and produced-water discharge sites in the vicinity of Nueces Bay and identified numerous unplugged wells suitable for conversion to produced water disposal wells. An economic analysis of conversion to subterranean injection of produced water indicates that most of the wells currently in production could pay out the cost of conversion to injection in one to three years. The use of one injection well for two or more water-producing wells could yield greater savings. Wells that could not support the cost of injection are small producers, and their loss would not constitute a major loss of jobs or dollars to the area. This study could serve as a useful model for evaluating the economic feasibility of conversion to injection in other areas of Texas and Louisiana.
Chemically nanopatterned surfaces using polyelectrolytes and ultraviolet-cured hard molds.

Polymer transfer printing of poly(acrylic acid) onto a polyelectrolyte multilayer platform resulted in chemically nanopatterned surfaces with well-defined structures and both positive and negative surface functionalities. A commercially available urethane-related photopolymer cured by ultraviolet light was used to make stamps for contact printing with a range of submicrometer down to 80 nm features because of its outstanding mechanical stability and inherent softening transition above 48 °C.
Inertial Stability and Tropical Cyclone Development

Abstract We consider the frictionless, axisymmetric, balanced flow occurring in a thermally forced vortex on an f-plane. Following Eliassen (1952) we derive the diagnostic equation for the forced secondary circulation. This equation contains the spatially varying coefficients A (static stability), B (baroclinity), C (inertial stability), and the thermal forcing Q. Assuming that A is a constant, B = 0, and that C and Q are piecewise constant functions of radius, we obtain analytical solutions for the forced secondary circulation. The solutions illustrate the following points. 1) For a given Q an increase in inertial stability leads to a decrease in the forced secondary circulation and a change in the radial distribution of local temperature change, with enhanced ∂θ/∂t; in the region of high inertial stability. 2) Lower tropospheric tangential wind accelerations are larger inside the radius of maximum wind, which leads to a collapse of the radius of maximum wind. 3) The fraction of Q which ends up as ∂θ/∂t;...
Clinicopathologic study of retinal and choroidal biopsies in intraocular inflammation.

Purpose We reviewed the clinical and histopathologic features of 33 intraocular tissue biopsy specimens from 32 patients and assessed the value of retinal and chorioretinal biopsies performed in patients with intraocular inflammation. Methods Twenty-four endoretinal biopsies and nine chorioretinal or choroidal biopsies were performed. On the basis of clinical indications, the specimens were processed for light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunohistochemical staining, in situ DNA hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction. Results Of the 24 endoretinal biopsy specimens, 19 were from patients with clinical signs suggestive of viral retinitis. Overall, the diagnosis of viral retinitis was suggested by electron microscopy, immunohistochemical staining, in situ DNA hybridization, or polymerase chain reaction in 53% (ten of 19) biopsies. The preoperative diagnosis was confirmed in seven of ten biopsies in cases of suspected cytomegalovirus retinitis, in one of seven biopsies in cases of suspected acute retinal necrosis, and in two of two biopsies in cases of progressive outer retinal necrosis. The remaining five endoretinal biopsies disclosed Candida in one specimen, subretinal fibrosis in one, and chronic inflammation in three. Histologic examination of the nine chorioretinal or choroidal biopsies disclosed lymphoma in two specimens, a subretinal neovascular membrane in one, uveal melanocytic proliferation in one, toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in one, viral retinitis in one, and long-standing inflammation in three. Conclusion In select cases of intraocular inflammation, intraocular tissue biopsies may provide clinically useful information.
Ultrasound increases the rate of bacterial cell growth.

Ultrasound was employed to increase the growth rate of bacterial cells attached to surfaces. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonasaeruginosa, and Escherichia coli cells adhered to and grew on a polyethylene surface in the presence of ultrasound. It was found that low-frequency ultrasound (70 kHz) of low acoustic intensity (<2 W/cm2) increased the growth rate of the cells compared to growth without ultrasound. However, at high intensity levels, cells were partially removed from the surface. Ultrasound also enhanced planktonic growth of S. epidermidis and other planktonic bacteria. It is hypothesized that ultrasound increases the rate of transport of oxygen and nutrients to the cells and increases the rate of transport of waste products away from the cells, thus enhancing their growth.
Endoscopic Transnasal Resection of an Os Odontoideum with Preservation of the Atlas: A Short Anatomic Report

We present a short anatomic report on the feasibility of an endoscopic resection of an Os odontoideum, with preservation of the anterior arch of the atlas.
Treatment of adolescent interpersonal violence: A cognitive-behavioral group approach

This article discusses a cognitive-behavioral group approach to address interpersonal violence among adolescents. While much attention has been directed toward the prevention of youth violence, there has been less attention directed toward treatment modalities for those exhibiting a propensity for resorting to violence in order to solve interpersonal conflicts. The participants in the group were identified as aggressive and violent by their families or agencies within their communities. The group's goals, objectives, and format are discussed. The theoretical framework that lead to the development of the group is also discussed.
Pulmonary blood distribution and oxygen diffusion in mitral stenosis

Abstract 1. 1. In thirteen patients with mitral stenosis, a study was made of the relative contributions of venous admixture and pulmonary oxygen diffusing capacity to the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient. 2. 2. In this group, five subjects had an increase in venous admixture, and six had an increase in respiratory dead space. Of those with increase in dead space, three had an increase in venous admixture. These abnormalities did not show good association with the clinical state of the patient, or with the height of the pulmonary vascular pressures at rest. 3. 3. Five subjects demonstrated a diminution in the oxygen diffusing capacity of the lungs. Four of these were dyspneic and had high pulmonary vascular pressures. One had a very small calculated mitral valve orifice area with little elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure at rest. 4. 4. Direct measurement of pulmonary “capillary” oxygen tension was made in seven subjects. In three there was good agreement with the calculated pulmonary capillary tension. Possible explanations for the discrepancy in the other four cases are given.
An experimental model of leptomeningeal metastases employing rat mammary carcinoma cells

Five percent of patients dying with breast cancer have leptomeningeal metastases (LM) but current therapy is of only marginal benefit. Therefore, an experimental model of LM from breast cancer was developed to facilitate the development of novel therapies. Cell suspensions of 13762 MAT BIII rat mammary carcinoma cells are injected into the cisterna magna of adult, female Fischer 344 rats under general anesthesia. 10–12 days after the injection of 2×105 viable cells, animals develop neurologic signs, including ataxia, paralysis and spontaneous rotation. Histologically, tumor cells can be seen in the subarachnoid space over the surface of the brain and spinal cord and within the ventricles. Tumor cells do not invade the brain parenchyma. Collections of tumor cells are extensively infiltrated by macrophages and CD8-positive (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells, but by few CD4-positive (helper) T cells. MAT BIII cells therefore provide a model of LM from breast cancer with a reproducible clinical course and histologic features. The tumor elicits a cellular immune response and can be useful in exploring biologic therapies for leptomeningeal metastases.
Embedded minimal surfaces with an infinite number of ends

We prove the existence of an infinite family of periodic properly embedded minimal surfaces with an infinite number of annular ends. 25 refs., 29 figs.
HPLC Determination of Physostigmine in the Presence of Degradation Products and Preservatives

AbstractA reversed phase, ion-pairing liquid chromatographic method was developed for the analyses of physostignine-containing pharmaceuticals in the presence of its decomposition products, eseroline and rubreserine, and preservatives methyl- and propylparaben. A satisfactory resolution for the peaks for these compounds was obtained with this isocratic method. All peaks were eluted in less than 12 minutes. The capacity factors of these compounds ranged from 1.50 to 9.27. The linearity and repeatability of this method were examined. The CV's of retention times of all compounds ranged from 0.87 to 1.81%, and the CV of physostignine peak areas was 2.17%.A gradient-elution, ion-pairing HPLC method was developed for the analyses of pharmaceutical preparations containing physostigmine, eseroline, rubreserine, and benzyl alcohol as an antibacterial agent. The capacity factors of these compounds ranged from 2.75 to 10.51. The CV of retention times ranged from 0.79 to 1.27%. This method is also suitable for the si...
Mechanisms of heavy-metal sequestration and detoxification in crustaceans: a review

This review is an update of information recently obtained about the physiological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms used by crustacean organ systems to regulate and detoxify environmental heavy metals. It uses the American lobster, Homarus americanus, and other decapod crustaceans as model organisms whose cellular detoxification processes may be widespread among both invertebrates and vertebrates alike. The focus of this review is the decapod hepatopancreas and its complement of metallothioneins, membrane metal transport proteins, and vacuolar sequestration mechanisms, although comparative remarks about potential detoxifying roles of gills, integument, and kidneys are included. Information is presented about the individual roles of hepatopancreatic mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticula in metal sequestration and detoxification. Current working models for the involvement of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum calcium-transport proteins in metal removal from the cytoplasm and the inhibitory interactions between the metals and calcium are included. In addition, copper transport proteins and V-ATPases associated with lysosomal membranes are suggested as possible sequestration processes in these organelles. Together with several possible cytoplasmic divalent and trivalent anions such as sulfate, oxalate, or phosphate, accumulations of metals in lysosomes and their complexation into detoxifying precipitation granules may be regulated by variations in lysosomal pH brought about by bafilomycin-sensitive proton ATPases. Efflux processes for metal transport from hepatopancreatic epithelial cells to the hemolymph are described, as are the possible roles of hemocytes as metal sinks. While some of the cellular processes for isolating heavy metals from general circulation occur in the hepatopancreas and are beginning to be understood, very little is currently known about the roles of the gills, integument, and kidneys in metal regulation. Therefore, much remains to be clarified about the organs and mechanisms involved in metal homeostasis in decapod crustaceans.
Mycobacterium kansasii empyema.

Abstract Two cases of empyema attributed to M. kansasii infection are described. Both patients died, despite chemotherapy.
Three‐dimensional numerical simulation of equatorial F region plasma irregularities with bottomside shear flow

[1] A three-dimensional numerical simulation of plasma density irregularities in the postsunset equatorial F region ionosphere leading to equatorial spread F (ESF) is described. The simulation advances the plasma number density and electrostatic potential forward in time by enforcing the constraints of quasi-neutrality and momentum conservation. The magnetic field lines are not modeled as equipotentials. Simulations are performed for cases with no background winds, with no background electric field or gravity, and with winds, a background electric field, and gravity all working in concert. The first run produced generalized Rayleigh Taylor (GRT) instability, and the second produced collisional shear instability (CSI). The combined run produced an instability which developed into an intense ESF event more quickly and with more realistic characteristics than the other two. Simulation results are compared with incoherent and coherent scatter radar data from the magnetic equator. A number of signature ESF characteristics are shown to be reproduced by the simulation.