cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Student-Developed, Service-Based Internship for Pharmacy Students.

Purpose: This article describes the development, implementation, and impact of a student-created pharmacy internship program with aspects of service-learning, professional development, and ambulatory care pharmacy practice. Program Description: As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve, pharmacy internships present valuable opportunities for student pharmacists to explore career pathways and develop personal and professional skills. While internships in clinical and industry settings support interns’ professional development, service-based internships provide additional benefits to student pharmacists by promoting cultural awareness, community engagement, and commitment to serving underserved patients. Student leaders from the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy created a service-learning, ambulatory care-focused pharmacy internship for fellow student pharmacists. Two rising third-year students were selected to participate in the internship in the summer of 2018. Over the two-month program, the interns participated in various program components including direct patient care activities, faculty-led workshops and topic discussions, and quality improvement projects. In addition to supporting the interns’ academic and professional growth, this program also furthered the mission of SHAC to promote positive health outcomes for underserved populations. Summary: The SHAC Ambulatory Care in Underserved Populations Internship represents an innovative initiative by pharmacy student leaders to develop a service-focused internship for fellow student pharmacists. Participation in the internship provides unique opportunities not often available in conventional pharmacy curricula, including engagement with underserved patient populations and exploration of strategies to mitigate health disparities. Crafted by students for fellow students, this internship provides opportunities for personal and professional growth for both student developers and interns to carry into their future pharmacy careers. Article Type: Student Project
Syntheses and structural characterization of zirconium-tin and zirconium-lead binary and ternary systems

23 INTRODUCTION 24 EXPERIMENTAL 27 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 34 CONCLUSION 51 REFERENCES 53 PART II. THE Al5 PHASES IN THE ZIRCONIUM-TIN AND ZIRCONIUM-LEAD SYSTEMS 56 INTRODUCTION 57 EXP BRIMENTAL 5 9 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 61 REFERENCES 74 PART III. INTERSTITIAL PHASES OF ZrgSng AND ZrgPb^ HOSTS 76 INTRODUCTION 77 EXPERIMNETAL 81 RESULTS 85 DISCUSSION 153 REFERENCES 174
Regenerative Medicine for the Knee

Knee pathologies range from intra-articular loss of cartilage and degenerative osteoarthritis to ligamentous injury as well as tendinopathies. With the current movement to stay active and with the growing elderly population, there is a unique interest in treating knee pathologies and finding ways in keeping the elderly active and the athlete participating in sport. Many modalities have been used to treat knee pathologies nonoperatively, and now with the demand for return of function sooner, biologic agents have been employed as feasible options for treatment. Though many reviews exist to direct care and use of these agents, there continues to be conflicting results and a lack of clear evidence of efficacy. However, literature does lean toward a promising future in the use of regenerative medicine in the knee. This chapter will present the current standards of care as well as review the available literature in regard to the role of regenerative medicine in the treatment of knee pathology.
Are GINA guidelines used correctly to assess asthma severity? – a retrospective study

Introduction: The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) is a medical organisation that releases evidence-based guidelines for asthma management that are globally used by caregivers. Aims and Objectives: To check how accurately clinicians labelled patients with Severe Asthma based on the GINA guidelines. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients given a diagnosis of Severe Asthma or Moderate Asthma at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, from June 2015 to December 2019, using the GINA guidelines. Results: A detailed breakdown of all patients analysed in this study is presented in the flowchart below. The ‘future’ group refers to patients that did not fulfil our inclusion criteria. They will be checked in the future and distributed into the GINA classifications accordingly. Conclusion: We assume that a 65.3% inaccuracy must have been financially detrimental to the hospital. We also concluded that data being put into the electronic records system is largely inaccurate, and therefore cannot be depended on when conducting studies or analyses. As corrective measures, GINA guidelines will be revised with all clinicians, and a change to the electronic records system will be implemented.
Sensor Data Integrity Verification for Autonomous Vehicles Using Spread 3D Dither QIM

An autonomous vehicle is a modern-day cyber-physical system with multiple sensors connected over its internal network. Many crucial features of the autonomy depend on the data from these sensors that get transmitted over the vehicle network to reach the data processing central modules. Protecting and verifying the sensor data integrity as it traverses the vehicle network is essential for the proper functioning of the autonomous vehicle. We propose a novel approach called spread dither 3D quantization index modulation (QIM) to verify the integrity of LiDAR sensor data used in autonomous vehicle applications. We propose a framework to verify the sensor data integrity in time-critical autonomous vehicle applications based on a data hiding technique called dither modulation. The sensor data is embedded with a watermark using the proposed spread 3D dither modulation at the sensor domain. The embedded sensor data can be directly used by the data processing algorithms due to very low embedded induced distortion. The sensor data integrity can be verified by a parallel process that can decode the embedded sensor data to detect and localize the tampering. Our proposed countermeasure framework is verified with real-life LiDAR data frames against the simulated transmission layer insider attacks on sensor data such as object insertion and deletion. The dither QIM method’s optimum parameter values are also deduced through multiple experiments.
Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: Role for Tumor Suppressor Gene Liver Kinase B1

Purpose Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) has been proposed to play a role in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a tumor suppressor gene, can regulate EMT. However, its role in CLAD development following lung transplantation remains unknown. Goal of this study is to determine the role of LKB1 on Rab27 mediated exosome release and immune-pathogenesis of CLAD. Methods We first analyzed EMT on airway epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) with exosomes from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and stable. Role for LKB1 using SiRNA mediated transfection of BEAS-2B and in a hypoxia/reperfusion model were determined. Using qRT-PCR, we analyzed LKB1 and miR-155 levels in biopsies from lung transplant recipients with BOS and stable and fibrosis in a murine lung transplant model of chronic rejection. Results In BEAS-2B, knockdown of LKB1 increased exosome release (p=0.0001). Co-culture of BEAS-2B with exosomes from BOS increased vimentin (p=0.001) and α-SMA (p=0.001). LKB1 knockdown increased Rab27A (p=0.01), α-SMA (p=0.01), and vimentin (p=0.01) following hypoxia/reperfusion. qRT-PCR of biopsies from lung transplant recipients with BOS demonstrated downregulation of LKB1 (p=0.002), upregulation of Rab27A (p=0.006) and miR-155 (p=0.03) compared to stable biopsies. Using a murine lung transplant model of chronic rejection, we demonstrated correlation between development of lung fibrosis to downregulation of LKB1 (p=0.01), upregulation of vimentin (p=0.01) and α-SMA (p=0.01. Conclusion We identified a novel molecular mechanism in which exosomes released from transplanted lungs undergoing chronic rejection with inactivated tumor suppressor gene LKB1 results in EMT leading to the pathogenesis of CLAD following human lung transplantation.
EFFECTS OF Al-Al_4C_3 REFINER AND ULTRASONIC FIELD ON MICROSTRUCTURES OF PURE Mg

The melt of pure Mg was inoculated at the conditions of different addition amounts of Al-Al_4C_3 refiner.When adding 1.0%Al-Al_4C_3 refiner,the refining effect is the best and the average grain size ofα-Mg is reduced from millimeter level to 106μm.Ultrasound fields with different power levels were applied on the melt of pure magnesium and the best refining effect was obtained when the power was 600 W.The results show that the undercooling formed by breakdown of cavitation bubbles may have a promoting effect to nucleate.The breakdown of cavitation bubbles and the agitations of acoustic stream on the melt cause the fragmentation of fine dendritic crystal which could form new crystallization nuclei,this process plays the main role for nucleating in the melt.The combined application of ultrasound and Al-Al_4C_3 refiner to the melt of pure Mg could significantly refine its grain.The mechanism would be an the activation effect of ultrasound on the impurities in the melt.
Pre-intervention SNOT-22 scores predict outcomes in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease.

Abstract Purpose This study evaluated whether stratified preoperative, pre- aspirin desensitization (AD) sinonasal symptom scores predict postoperative, post-AD outcomes in Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). Materials and methods Retrospective chart review of patients with aspirin challenge-proven AERD who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery followed by AD was performed. Preoperative, postoperative/pre-AD, and postoperative/post-AD sinonasal symptom scores were collected (22-item Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test, SNOT-22). A longitudinal linear mixed-effects model was used for data analysis. Results Forty-seven patients (59.6% female) aged 48.0 ± 13.2 were included. Average time from surgery to AD was 70.0 ± 52.8 days. Preoperative SNOT-22 scores (n = 47) were divided into tertiles (cutoffs of 36 and 54 indicating mild [22.5 ± 13.7], moderate [44.3 ± 12.2], and severe [72.9 ± 19.7] disease). This corresponded to 12 (25.5%), 18 (38.3%), and 17 (36.2%) subjects being categorized into mild, moderate, and severe tertiles, respectively. Postoperative, pre-AD SNOT-22 in all disease groups decreased and were not significantly different (12.3 ± 13.7, 11.1 ± 12.2, 22.7 ± 19.7; p = 0.074). At short-term post-AD, only the severe group worsened (35.0 ± 20.3, p Conclusion Preoperative SNOT-22 scores may be used as a predictor of postoperative, post-AD patient-reported outcomes in AERD. Patients with mild and moderate disease may derive benefit from surgery and AD alone, while those with severe disease may require additional interventions (e.g., biologics).
THE BEHAVIOR OF ADULT MAMMALIAN BRAIN CELLS IN CULTURE.

Publisher Summary Under suitable conditions, it has been possible to subculture adult mammalian brain tissue, and from migration of the cells of the subcultured explant, to obtain more uniform subcultures consisting mainly of the migrated brain cells, which were originally present. Neurons retained their structural polarity, making it possible to identify perikarya, dendrites, axon hillock, axon, Nissl substance, neurofibrils, and acetylcholinesterase. Neurons formed associations among themselves with structures, which morphologically resembled very closely synapses observed in brain tissue, including synaptic knobs and rings, and specialized postsynaptic areas in the cell. Such synapses may be axodendritic or axe-somatic. Giant astrocytes are seen in cultures and subcultures of normal adult mammalian brain. These had morphological and staining properties, which made it possible to distinguish them from neurons. They did not show the polarity of neurons, and their giant processes could readily be distinguished from neuronal processes such as axons or dendrites. The free, unattached endings of astrocyte processes sometimes showed undulating membranes and pinocytosis.
Maternal ethanol ingestion and the occurrence of human fetal breathing movements

Abstract The study of the development of fetal breathing movements in human gestation may provide an increased understanding of maturation of the functional central nervous system (CNS). In seven term pregnancies low maternal blood alcohol levels suppressed fetal breathing movements. No effects on fetal oxygenation or acid-base status were demonstrated at the low blood alcohol level. The suppression is therefore most consistent with a direct effect of alcohol on the fetal CNS. This investigation provides further support of the thesis that fetal breathing movements reffect some components of fetal CNS activity.
Alpha-lipoic acid reduces LDL-particle number and PCSK9 concentrations in high-fat fed obese Zucker rats (829.14)

Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) possesses hypocholesterolemic properties; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We examined the effects of LA supplementation on blood cholesterol, lipoprotein distribution, and hepatic cholesterol homeostasis in a high fat fed Zucker rat model driven by both a genetic predisposition and diet induction toward obesity and dyslipidemia. Rats (n=8) were assigned to a high fat (HF) diet or the HF diet with 0.25% LA (HF-LA) for 30 days. LA-supplementation protected against diet-induced obesity (102.5±3.1 vs. 121.5± 3.6, % change BW), reduced plasma total-C (11%), non-HDL-C (25%) and LDL particle number (46%) and increased HDL particle number (22%) compared with the HF group. Hepatic cholesterol concentration did not differ between the HF and HF-LA groups. LA supplementation reduced the mRNA expression of HMG-CoAr (0.7 fold of HF) and enhanced the protein abundance of LDLr (2 fold of HF) and nuclear SREBP2 (3 fold of HF). LA supplementation was also ...
Diffusion of General Data on Non-Flat Manifolds viaHarmonic Maps Theory: The Direction Diffusion Case

In a number of disciplines, directional data provides a fundamental source of information. A novel framework for isotropic and anisotropic diffusion of directions is presented in this paper. The framework can be applied both to denoise directional data and to obtain multiscale representations of it. The basic idea is to apply and extend results from the theory of harmonic maps, and in particular, harmonic maps in liquid crystals. This theory deals with the regularization of vectorial data, while satisfying the intrinsic unit norm constraint of directional data. We show the corresponding variational and partial differential equations formulations for isotropic diffusion, obtained from an L_2 norm, and edge preserving diffusion, obtained from an L norm in general and an L_1 norm in particular. In contrast with previous approaches, the framework is valid for directions in any dimensions, supports non-smooth data, and gives both isotropic and anisotropic formulations. In addition, the framework of harmonic maps here described can be used to diffuse and analyze general image data defined on general non-flat manifolds, that is, functions between two general manifolds. We present a number of theoretical results, open questions, and examples for gradient vectors, optical flow, and color images.
Characterization of murine macrophages.

This unit describes the phenotypic characterization of macrophages through the use of fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that have specificity for certain extracellular membrane proteins expressed by macrophages. Although macrophages have no distinctive cell-surface antigen that allows for their enrichment, a specific set of markers can be used to distinguish macrophages from other cell types in a heterogeneous population of cells. The method can also be easily applied to cells from other sources, e.g., peritoneal exudates or spleen. Through the use of image or flow cytometry, these cells can be identified and (with flow cytometry) sorted out from a heterogeneous population for further culture or analysis.
Concluding remarks: where do we stand and where are we going? Lignin biodegradation and practical utilization.

The progress made in the efforts to develop biotechnology based on lignocellulosic materials is discussed in some detail. It is appreciated that biotechnical conversion of lignocellulosics means production of inexpensive products on a large scale and is therefore a more difficult task than development of biotechnology in medicine and pharmacology, i.e. production of expensive products on a small scale. However, the massive efforts devoted over the past few decades to a better understanding of the enzyme mechanisms involved in degradation of wood components have not been in vain. The literature base so essential for successful application of biotechnology to conversion of lignocellulosic materials is now in place. The article presents a summary of our knowledge of the enzyme mechanisms involved in the degradation of the three main lignocellulosic components. It also tries to evaluate in which important areas we lack the necessary information to apply biotechnology, particularly in the pulp and paper industry.
Real time measurements of cell suspension conductivity changes due to pulsed electric fields

Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) may interact with the cell and/or intracellular membranes depending upon the pulse duration and rise time. The resulting modifications in cell structure and function may be observed through changes in the electrical properties of the cell suspension or of the individual components of the cell, such as the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nuclear envelope, and nucleoplasm. Some past experiments have used time domain dielectric spectroscopy (TDDS) to measure the changes induced by PEFs; however, TDDS cannot be used to measure real time changes since the PEF's high voltage would damage the sensitive measurement electronics. Thus, we extend previous cell suspension conductivity measurements by measuring the voltage and current across a cuvette during single or multiple pulses and calculating the resulting cell suspension conductivity. Additionally, this approach will enable the use of standard electroporation buffers (e.g. Hank's Balanced Salt Solution) that have higher conductivities than can be used in TDDS due to electrode polarization. Implications of membrane permeabilization, buffer conductivity, and pulse parameters on PEF induced cell suspension conductivity changes will be discussed.
Analysis of the transcriptional promoter which regulates the latency-related transcript of bovine herpesvirus 1

As a transcriptional promoter in primary cultures of sensory ganglionic neurons, DNA sequences near the 5' terminus of the latency-related (LR) gene of bovine herpesvirus 1 were at least 10 times more efficient than the simian virus 40 early promoter-enhancer. In contrast, as a promoter in bovine, rodent, or monkey cells, the LR promoter was approximately six times less efficient than the simian virus 40 early promoter-enhancer. The LR promoter had strict orientation preferences in neurons and all other mammalian cell lines tested. Removal of a 146-base-pair XhoI fragment from the LR promoter resulted in stimulation of LR promoter activity in bovine cells but not rabbit neurons, monkey fibroblasts, or rodent cells. LR promoter activity in bovine cells is stimulated by bovine herpesvirus 1 lytic infection, suggesting that viral gene products or virus-induced factors positively regulate the expression of the LR gene. A synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, repressed LR promoter activity in bovine cells. These results imply that a variety of factors can influence the expression of the LR gene during latent infections of neurons as well as during the lytic infection cycle.
SU-E-J-161: Inverse Problems for Optical Parameters in Laser Induced Thermal Therapy

Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is investigated as a neurosurgical intervention for oncological applications throughout the body by active post market studies. Real-time MR temperature imaging is used to monitor ablative thermal delivery in the clinic. Additionally, brain MRgLITT could improve through effective planning for laser fiber's placement. Mathematical bioheat models have been extensively investigated but require reliable patient specific physical parameter data, e.g. optical parameters. This abstract applies an inverse problem algorithm to characterize optical parameter data obtained from previous MRgLITT interventions. Methods: The implemented inverse problem has three primary components: a parameter-space search algorithm, a physics model, and training data. First, the parameter-space search algorithm uses a gradient-based quasi-Newton method to optimize the effective optical attenuation coefficient, μ_eff. A parameter reduction reduces the amount of optical parameter-space the algorithm must search. Second, the physics model is a simplified bioheat model for homogeneous tissue where closed-form Green's functions represent the exact solution. Third, the training data was temperature imaging data from 23 MRgLITT oncological brain ablations (980 nm wavelength) from seven different patients. Results: To three significant figures, the descriptive statistics for μ_eff were 1470 m−1 mean, 1360 m−1 median, 369 m−1 standard deviation, 933 m−1 minimum and 2260 m−1 maximum. The standard deviation normalized by the mean was 25.0%. The inverse problem took <30 minutes to optimize all 23 datasets. Conclusion: As expected, the inferred average is biased by underlying physics model. However, the standard deviation normalized by the mean is smaller than literature values and indicates an increased precision in the characterization of the optical parameters needed to plan MRgLITT procedures. This investigation demonstrates the potential for the optimization and validation of more sophisticated bioheat models that incorporate the uncertainty of the data into the predictions, e.g. stochastic finite element methods.
Cue competition in causality judgments: The role of manner of information presentation

College students rated the causal efficacy of elements X, A, and B of food compounds AX and BX in producing the allergic reaction of a hypothetical patient. Causal ratings were made for each food after subjects received all of the results of a 16-day allergy test. With both serial and simultaneous presentation of information, ratings of distinctive elements A and B diverged and ratings of common element X decreased as the difference between the correlation of AX and BX with the allergic reaction increased. These human diagnostic judgments closely correspond with stimulus selection effects observed in the conditioned responses of animals in associative learning studies.
Partisan Bias in Japan's Single Member Districts

The delineation of constituency boundaries and variations in vote distribution across districts often favor certain parties at the expense of others. Applying a hitherto under-utilized formula (Brookes, 1959; Johnston et al., 1999), this study investigates whether the mechanism translating votes into seats in Japan's single-member districts results in systematic partisan advantage that may influence election outcomes. Simulations are conducted for the 2003 and 2005 general elections under two scenarios: where the governing coalition and the main opposition party receive equal vote shares, and where their vote shares are reversed from the actual results. Components of electoral bias are then disaggregated into size and distribution effects, and the impact of malapportionment, electorate size, turnout, and the role of third party/independent candidates on overall electoral bias is examined. Results show that while partisan bias exists, disadvantages toward one party in some components are likely to cancel out benefits derived from others, producing a relatively small net effect. Furthermore, electoral bias in Japan is found to award sectoral rather than partisan seat bonuses.
HBO suppresses Nogo-A, Ng-R, or RhoA expression in the cerebral cortex after global ischemia.

Abstract Nogo-A, a myelin-associated neurite outgrowth inhibitory protein, binds with the Ng-R receptor to activate RhoA intracellular signals and inhibit the plasticity after CNS injury. We evaluated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the expression of Nogo-A, Ng-R, and RhoA after transient global ischemia in a rat 2 vessel occlusion global ischemic model. Male SD rats (n=78) were randomly divided into 13 groups: 1 sham group, 6 groups of global ischemia, and 6 groups of HBO treatment after global ischemia. HBO (3ATA) was applied for 2 hr at 1 hr after global ischemia. Rats were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hr and 7days. Global ischemia (10 min) produced a marked increase of Nogo-A/B, Nogo-A, Ng-R, and RhoA expression. Immunohistochemistry showed increased Nogo-A/B and Nogo-A located in the myelin sheath of ischemic brain cortex. Ng-R expressed on the surface of neurons and their processes, and RhoA expressed inside the cytoplasm of neurons in ischemic brain. HBO significantly reduced neurological injury, decreased the levels of Nogo-A, Ng-R, and RhoA in ischemic injured cortex (p
Universal deformation rings and cyclic blocks

In this paper we determine the universal deformation rings of certain modular representations of finite groups which belong to cyclic blocks. The representations we consider are those for which every endomorphism is stably equivalent to multiplication by a scalar. We then apply our results to study the counterparts for universal deformation rings of conjectures about embedding problems in Galois theory.
Presettlement analogs for Quaternary fire regimes in eastern North America

We present a method for identifying analogs for past fire regimes and use it to assess similarity between late Quaternary fire regimes in northern Wisconsin and central New York and a reference set of charcoal series from just prior to presettlement time. The analog method is based on comparisons of distributions of charcoal accumulation rates from annually laminated sediments using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-sample D statistic (D). D is a nonparametric statistic expressing the difference between distributions that does not require assumptions concerning the shape of the distributions (e.g. normality, homoscedasticity) and it summarizes differences in a single index. Our study consists of (i) mapping D values obtained by comparisons between pairs of ‘reference’ charcoal series from the immediate presettlement (calibration) and (ii) identifying possible presettlement analogs from this reference set for Late Quaternary charcoal distributions. Our calibration analysis identified geographic transitions in charcoal transition that were much steeper than apparent from pollen data. Otherwise, geographic patterns in presettlement charcoal and pollen are comparable, including a group of oak/hardwood forest sites in Wisconsin, central Ontario, and New York having similar values, and another group of mostly northern hardwood/hemlock sites in Pennsylvania and Maine. Application to charcoal series dated after 11 000 yr BP at Wisconsin and New York suggests that fire regimes may have been different from those occurring at any of our reference sites. Differences in seasonality of climates and different fuel structures are a possible explanation.
Relationship between intracortical electrode design and chronic recording function

Intracortical electrodes record neural signals directly from local populations of neurons in the brain, and conduct them to external electronics that control prosthetics. However, the relationship between electrode design, defined by shape, size and tethering; and long-term (chronic) stability of the neuron–electrode interface is poorly understood. Here, we studied the effects of various commercially available intracortical electrode designs that vary in shape (cylindrical, planar), size (15 μm, 50 μm and 75 μm), and tethering [electrode connections to connector with (tethered) and without tethering cable (untethered)] using histological, transcriptomic, and electrophysiological analyses over acute (3 day) and chronic (12 week) timepoints. Quantitative analysis of histological sections indicated that Michigan 50 μm (M50) and Michigan tethered (MT) electrodes induced significantly (p < 0.01) higher glial scarring, and lesser survival of neurons in regions of blood–brain barrier (BBB) breach when compared to microwire (MW) and Michigan 15 μm (M15) electrodes acutely and chronically. Gene expression analysis of the neurotoxic cytokines interleukin (Il)1 (Il1α, Il1β), Il6, Il17 (Il17a, Il17b, Il17f), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnf) indicated that MW electrodes induced significantly (p < 0.05) reduced expression of these transcripts when compared to M15, M50 and FMAA electrodes chronically. Finally, electrophysiological assessment of electrode function indicated that MW electrodes performed significantly (p < 0.05) better than all other electrodes over a period of 12 weeks. These studies reveal that intracortical electrodes with smaller size, cylindrical shape, and without tethering cables produce significantly diminished inflammatory responses when compared to large, planar and tethered electrodes. These studies provide a platform for the rational design and assessment of chronically functional intracortical electrode implants in the future.
Parthenolide prevents the expression of cocaine-induced withdrawal behavior in planarians.

Abstract We recently reported that parthenolide and related sesquiterpene lactones are able to prevent and reverse behavioral responses in planarian worms induced by acute cocaine exposure. Previous reports indicate that when planarians are chronically exposed to µM concentrations of cocaine, they display stereotypical withdrawal-like behaviors when the cocaine is removed. Here we report that parthenolide prevents this cocaine-induced expression of planarian withdrawal-like behaviors.
Genioglossal hypoglossal muscle motoneurons are contacted by nerve terminals containing delta opioid receptor but not mu opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity in the cat: a dual labeling electron microscopic study

This study has investigated (1) the distribution of delta opioid receptor (DOR) or mu opioid receptor (MOR) containing elements in the hypoglossal nucleus of the adult cat; and (2) the association of these processes with retrogradely labeled genioglossus muscle motoneurons. Cholera toxin B conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (CTB-HRP) was injected into the genioglossus muscle on the right side of four isoflurane-anesthetized cats. Forty-four to 52 h later, the animals were sacrificed. Motoneurons containing HRP were labeled with a histochemical reaction utilizing tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the chromogen. The tissues were then processed for immunocytochemistry, using an antiserum raised against DOR or MOR using diaminobenzidine (DAB) as the chromogen. At the light microscopic level, retrogradely labeled cells were observed primarily ipsilaterally in ventral and ventrolateral subdivisions of the hypoglossal nucleus. The majority of these labeled cells were observed immediately caudal to obex. DOR-like immunoreactive processes were apparent at the light microscopic level in the hypoglossal nucleus, but MOR-like immunoreactive processes were not. Both DOR and MOR-like immunoreactive processes were observed in other brainstem areas such as the spinal trigeminal nucleus. At the electron microscopic level, DOR-like immunoreactive nerve terminals formed synaptic contacts with retrogradely labeled genioglossus muscle motoneuronal dendrites and perikarya in the hypoglossal nucleus. Nineteen (19) percent of the DOR terminals contacted retrogradely labeled genioglossus muscle motoneurons. DOR-immunoreactive terminals also synapsed on unlabeled dendrites and somata. Few MOR-like immunoreactive terminals were found at the EM level in the hypoglossal nucleus, and none of these terminals contacted retrogradely labeled neuronal profiles from the GG muscle. These are the first ultrastructural studies demonstrating synaptic interactions between functionally identified hypoglossal motoneurons and DOR terminals, and that enkephalins most likely act presynaptically to modulate the release of other neurotransmitters that affect GG motoneuron activity. These studies demonstrate that hypoglossal motoneurons which innervate the major protruder muscle of the tongue, the genioglossus muscle, are modulated by terminals containing DOR, and that enkephalins acting on DOR but not MOR in the hypoglossal nucleus may play a role in the control of tongue protrusion.
Sequential Estimation in the Uniform Density

Abstract The main problem to be solved here may be described as follows: Let X1, X2, ··· be independent random variables, each with density fθ(x) = 1/θ over (0, θ) and zero elsewhere. It is desired to estimate the unknown parameter θ by an interval of length at most d units and with confidence at least 1 −α, for some specified d>0 and α in (0, 1). An exact solution and an asymptotic theory for a sequential procedure are given in Sections 1 and 2, respectively. The procedure proposed in this article satisfies an admissibility criterion which may be stated in terms of the maximum possible number of observations or, alternatively, the expected number of observations.
Multiple forms of porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2: isolation and specificity.

Porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 was purified from commercial pancreatin by a method involving heat denaturation, trichloroacetic acid precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Assaying the eluate of the chromatography step by a new titrimetric method using vegetable lecithin-albumin emulsion as the substrate, several species of phospholipase A were found. Some of these went undetected when the conventional egg yolk emulsion assay was used. Two phospholipases A2 were isolated in a homogeneous form and shown to have similar chemical and physical properties. Catalytic specificity of the two enzymes differs remarkably toward lecithins in different emulsified states.
Monoallelic deletion of NFKBIA in glioblastoma: when less is more.

Bredel et al. (2010) recently identified a subset of glioblastomas that harbor monoallelic loss of NFKBIA, which negatively affects patient prognosis. This finding raises new questions as to the role of IκBα and NF-κB in glioblastoma, the relationship between EGFR and NF-κB signaling, and potential therapeutic targets.
Estuarine cycling of carbonyl sulfide : production and sea-air flux

Abstract A 3 year field and laboratory study of estuarine carbonyl sulfide (OCS) was undertaken during 1991–1994 to more accurately quantify the variability of coastal OCS fluxes and to investigate mechanisms that lead to elevated OCS concentrations in coastal waters. Results from the water column of the Chesapeake Bay show no definitive seasonal trends in the sea–air flux of OCS, although these fluxes are over 50 times more than those from the open ocean. In contrast, fluxes of OCS from estuarine sediments were found to be highest in the summer, and contribute up to 75% of the total sources of OCS in this estuary. Laboratory incubations of Chesapeake Bay sediments using different carbon substrates, inhibitors, and temperature show that OCS production is coupled to microbial sulfate reduction. These results explain the high sediment porewater concentrations and high sediment–water fluxes in the summer, and combined with the field data, provide evidence that anoxic sediments can be an important component of the OCS budget in coastal waters.
COMPLEMENTATION GROUPS IN PHAGE S13.

Abstract Four complementation groups have been found for phage S13 using two types of conditional lethal mutants, temperature-sensitive ( t ) and suppressible ( su ) mutants. Each complementation group contains both t and su mutants. Genetic crosses show that the mutants of each group are located in a separate region of the genetic map. Many group I t mutants are affected in their host range and adsorption properties and are therefore believed to lie in a genetic region determining the structure of the phage protein coat. su mutants of group IV are unable to lyse the restrictive host, E. coli C, while su mutants of groups I, II, and III lyse E. coli C completely. su mutants of all four groups produce little or no phage coat antigen in E. coli C. su mutants of groups I, II, and III are completely rescued by an su + phage in mixed infection of the restrictive host, but group IV su mutants are very poorly rescued. An su mutant has been isolated which appears to be an O 0 or polar mutant, since it is defective in the functions of both groups III and IV, yet does not seem to be a double mutant. Mapping experiments show that map distances are roughly additive for groups I, III, and IV.
Interaction between civilizations

In this chapter, we apply the general thinking logic and methodology of the systemic yoyo model to provide novel resolutions for some of the very important questions studied in the research of history and civilizations regarding the interactions between civilizations. What can be concluded, as shown in the rest of this chapter surely proves the merit of this approach.
Three-dimensional Structure of Coronal Mass Ejections from LASCO Polarization Measurements

The three-dimensional structure of a coronal mass ejection (CME) is essential information for understanding the process by which they are ejected from the Sun. Coronagraphic measurements readily provide information on the structure of CMEs in the plane of the sky. It has been known for some time that polarization measurements can provide information on the position of coronal plasmas out of the plane of the sky. Recently, T. G. Moran & J. M. Davila have shown that polarimetric measurements with the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) can be used to determine the three-dimensional structure of a CME with considerable definition. We have examined a series of high-cadence (1 hr) LASCO polarization measurements obtained during 2002 and discuss the analysis of two particularly well observed events. One event indicates that the CME structure is that of a rising arcade of loops, while the other appears to consist of a flux-rope type of structure. Because we have examined a large, relatively high cadence set of LASCO observations, we have been able to select events that provide significantly greater definition of CME structure than previously possible.
ROSAT Observations of the Sombrero Galaxy: Discovery of an X-Ray Active Nucleus

The analysis of a high-resolution X-ray image of NGC 4594, obtained with the ROSAT HRI, shows at least three components of the X-ray emission. The most striking one is a pointlike source associated with the LINER nucleus, with (0.1-2.4) keV LX ~ 3.5 × 1040 ergs s-1. Comparison of the X-ray, Hα, and radio emission of this source with those of active galactic nuclei suggests that it may be a low-luminosity version of the latter. If the X-ray emission is due to accretion onto the 5 × 108 M☉ black hole that may be present at the nucleus of NGC 4594, the accretion rates must be very low, since the luminosity is extremely sub-Eddington. Alternatively, the source may be heavily obscured and only reprocessed photons are detected in the ROSAT range. We also detect clumpy emission associated with the disk of NGC 4594, and diffuse (or not resolved) emission from the bulge. With the present data, including a reanalysis of the archival ROSAT PSPC observation of this galaxy, we cannot determine how much of this diffuse emission is due to a hot interstellar medium, and how much is instead due to the integrated emission of a population of evolved stellar sources.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma: Epidemiology and common pathophysiology

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common diseases that frequently occur together. This concept has been referred to in the literature as united airway disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that the majority of patients with asthma have concomitant rhinitis and the presence of rhinitis is an increased risk factor for development of asthma. Patients with asthma and rhinitis share common physiology including heightened bronchial hyperresponsiveness and heightened reactivity to a variety of stimuli. Immunopathology of allergic rhinitis is also similar with the predominance of T-helper type 2 inflammation and tissue eosinophilia. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the united airway theory, some of the best lines of evidence suggest that local airway inflammation can result in a systemic inflammatory response. Pharmacotherapeutic studies have shown that the treatment of rhinitis can improve asthma and vice versa. Nevertheless, systemic approaches such as immunotherapy lead to better outcomes for treating both disease states simultaneously. This article will focus on the data supporting the common epidemiology, shared pathophysiology, and therapeutic interventions aimed at allergic rhinitis and asthma as united airway diseases.
The effects of passive and active learning on student preference and performance in an undergraduate basic science course

Active learning is based on self-directed and autonomous teaching methods, whereas passive learning is grounded in instructor taught lectures. An animal physiology course was studied over a two-year period (Year 1, n = 42 students; Year 2, n = 30 students) to determine the effects of student-led seminar (andragogical) and lecture (pedagogical) teaching methods on students' retention of information and performance. For each year of the study, the course was divided into two time periods. The first half was dedicated to instructor-led lectures, followed by a control survey in which the students rated the efficiency of pedagogical learning on a five-point Likert scale from one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree). During the second period, students engaged in andragogical learning via peer-led seminars. An experimental survey was then administered to students using the same scale as above to determine students' preferred teaching method. Raw examination scores and survey results from both halves of the course were statistically analyzed by ANOVA with Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test. By the end of the study, student preference for peer-led seminars increased [mean ± SD: (2.47 ± 0.94)/(4.03 ± 1.36), P < 0.04], and examination scores significantly increased [mean ± SD: (73.91% ± 13.18)/(85.77 ± 5.22), P < 0.001]. A majority of students (68.8%) preferred a method that contained peer-led seminars and instructor-led lectures. These results may indicate that integration of active and passive learning into undergraduate courses may have greater benefit in terms of student preference and performance than either method alone.
Postnatal development of somatotrophs and mammotrophs in the pars distalis of the C57BL mouse

The pars distalis of the pituitary gland of the C57BL mouse was studied by means of electron microscopy during postnatal stages of males ranging in age from newborn through 24 days, with particular emphasis on the somatotrophs and mammotrophs. During this period, growth curves were plotted in order to correlate postnatal growth patterns with the state of differentiation of the somatotrophs in the pars distalis. In the newborn, the somatotrophs show well developed organelles, including rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. These cells are not as densely packed with granules as the adult somatotrophs; however, from days 5 through 24, they show a progressive accumulation of granules. Although mammotrophs are scarce in the newborn, they are readily distinguishable in the pars distalis at 5 days. Male mice in small litters show a progressive increase in body weight between birth and 11–12 days, at which time the rate slackens until 18–19 days when the rate again increases. Growth curves for mice from large litters are similar to those from smaller litters, except that the transitory decrease in rate is more prominent.
Sources of measurement error in an ECG examination: implications for performance-based assessments.

Objective: To assess the sources of measurement error in an electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation examination given in a third-year internal medicine clerkship. Design: Three successive generalizability studies were conducted. 1) Multiple faculty rated student responses to a previously administered exam. 2) The rating criteria were revised and study 1 was repeated. 3) The examination was converted into an extended matching format including multiple cases with the same underlying cardiac problem. Results: The discrepancies among raters (main effects and interactions) were dwarfed by the error associated with case specificity. The largest source of the differences among raters was in rating student errors of commission rather than student errors of omission. Revisions in the rating criteria may have helped increase inter-rater reliability slightly however, due to case specificity, it had little impact on the overall reliability of the exam. The third study indicated the majority of the variability in student performance across cases was in performance across cases within the same type of cardiac problem rather than between different types of cardiac problems. Conclusions: Case specificity was the overwhelming source of measurement error. The variation among cases came mainly from discrepancies in performance between examples of the same cardiac problem rather than from differences in performance across different types of cardiac problems. This suggests it is necessary to include a large number of cases even if the goal is to assess performance on only a few types of cardiac problems.
Proton as a Dual Regulator for TRPV1

TRPV1 is a pain-sensing polymodal receptor. In the body core where temperature is stable and capsaicin is normally absent, extracellular H+ (from tissue injury, inflammation, ischemia, etc.) serves as the best-known endogenous ligand. While H+ is known to strongly activate TRPV1, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We observe two opposing effects of H+: it strongly potentiates activation gating but inhibits ion permeation. The combination of these two effects produces a smaller current upon acidification and a prominent OFF response when H+ is removed. The permeation effect is voltage-dependent, indicating that H+ binds in the conducting pore to cause block. Correlations between TRPV1 cryo-EM structures and functional effects of point mutations allow us to investigate the mechanism underlying H+-mediated permeation block. Inhibition of ion permeation substantially shifts the macroscopic dose-response relationship for H+ activation, which needs to be corrected for the study of gating effects.
Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the Crystalline Phases of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Four hydrate forms of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the 1/8 hydrate, the hemihydrate, the monohydrate, and the dihydrate, and the Rb+ and Mg2+ salts of dodecyl sulfate (RbDS and MgDS) were synthesized under conditions previously used to form crystals for X-ray crystallography. Correlations were made between the IR transmission spectra and crystal structures. IR spectra of 10−75 wt % slurries of DS salts in water were examined at the same concentration and after the same thermal treatments as previously described for “coagel phases” of SDS. The “coagels” of SDS were shown to consist of suspensions of well-characterized crystalline hydrate phases or of metastable solids in the process of conversion to one of the hydrates described; the term “coagel” should be rejected in favor of “crystalline phase”. The crystalline phases of SDS formed under “coagelization” included the hemihydrate, the monohydrate, and the dihydrate. Only the dihydrate was stable (two different forms, interconverted at 19.6 °C) in contact...