cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subacute sepsis impairs vascular smooth muscle contractile machinery and alters vasoconstrictor and dilator mechanisms.

Introduction. Sepsis results in hyporesponsiveness to α-adrenergic stimulation. This is thought to be mediated by the release of vasoactive compounds from the septic endothelium or by the direct effect of sepsis on vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contractile mechanics and machinery. Previous studies have used lethal models of sepsis or endotoxemia to examine this phenomenon. The present study utilizes a clinically relevant, nonlethal model of soft tissue infection to determine the effects of sepsis on α-adrenergic mechanisms. We hypothesize that subacute sepsis causes impaired α-adrenergic vascular responsiveness by a combination of effects on adrenergic constrictor mechanisms, endogenous dilator tone, and VSM contractile function. Methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent implantation of a 2 × 2-cm 2 gauze sponge into a subcutaneous pocket created at the base of the tail. Five days after implantation, sepsis (S) was induced by inoculation of the sponge with 10 9 CFU Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. Controls (C) were inoculated with saline. Thoracic aortic harvest was performed 24 and 48 h after sponge inoculation for organ bath ring studies. Receptor-mediated (phenylephrine) and nonreceptor-mediated (KCl) maximum force of contraction (F max ) was measured. Vessel sensitivity (pD 2 ) to phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and KCl was calculated from dose-response curves. Results. At 24 h, sepsis resulted in a lower F max to phenylephrine (1.15 for C vs 0.5 for S, P < 0.05 by ANOVA), despite an increase in vessel sensitivity (pD 2 ) to α-adrenergic stimulation (6.70 for C vs 6.88 for S, P < 0.05 by ANOVA). F max to KCI was lower in septic animals at 24 h (3.50 for C vs 2.77 for S, P < 0.05 by ANOVA) and sensitivity to acetylcholine (pD 2 ) was markedly increased (6.56 for C vs 7.23 for S, P < 0.05 by ANOVA). At 48 h, the impairment in F max to α-adrenergic stimulation (2.29 for C vs 1.72 for S, P < 0.05 by ANOVA) and KCl (3.5 for C vs 3.08 for S. P < 0.05 vs 24 h C by ANOVA) persisted without any change in sensitivity to phenylephrine or acetylcholine. Conclusions. Subacute sepsis results in an early suppression of maximum contractile force despite an increase in adrenergic receptor sensitivity (pD 2 ). This may be secondary to an elevation in dilator sensitivity combined with a direct effect of sepsis on VSM contractile mechanisms. Later in the septic process, however, α-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness ( ↓ F max ) is primarily due to changes in VSM contractile machinery.
The effect of initial velocity on manually controlled remote docking of an orbital maneuvering vehicle (OMV) to a space station

Simulated docking maneuvers were performed to assess the effect of initial velocity on docking failure rate, mission duration, and total impulse (fuel consumption). The effect of the removal of the range and rate displays was also examined. Since duration and impulse decrease and increase respectively with increases in initial velocity, two parameters were created by subtracting a reference value from each. These values were termed 'reserve time' and 'radial impulse'. Naive subjects were capable of achieving a high success rate in performing simulated docking maneuvers without extensive experience, and failure rate did not significantly increase with increased velocity. The amount of time pilots reserved for final approach increased with starting velocity. Piloting of docking maneuvers was not significantly affected in any way by the removal of range and rate displays. Values for reserve time, and radial impulse were lowest for docking maneuvers begun at the lowest initial velocity.
Grain growth during the early stage of sintering of nanosized WC–Co powder

Abstract Rapid grain growth during the early stage of sintering has been found in many nano material systems including cemented tungsten carbide WC–Co. To date, however, there have been few reported studies in the literature that deal directly with the kinetics or the mechanisms of this part of grain growth. In this work, the grain growth of nanosized WC during the early stages of sintering was studied as a function of temperature and time. The effects of other influencing factors, such as the initial grain size, cobalt content, and the grain growth inhibitor VC, were investigated. The kinetics of the grain growth process was analyzed and the evolution of the morphology of WC grains during heating-up was studied using high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the grain growth process consists of an initial stage rapid growth process which typically takes place during heat-up and the normal grain growth during isothermal holding. The initial rapid grain growth is at least partially attributed to the process of coalescence of grains via elimination common grain boundary. The preferred orientation between WC grains within the aggregates is considered a favorable condition for coalescence of grains, hence rapid grain growth. The solution–reprecipitation process is considered a mechanism of coalescence.
Comparison of the chemotherapeutic activities of INH, ‘gatalone’ and glucuronolactone in tuberculous mice by the lung density technique

Summary The lung density method for assessing tuberculosis in mice shows INH and INH-G to be about equally capable chemotherapeutic agents, G to be ineffectual, mixtures of INH, INH-G and/or G to owe antituberculous effect to their INH content, and INH or INH-G to be equally effective by enteral and parenteral routes.
Reducing subjectivity in special education referrals by educators working with Latino students: using functional behavioral assessment as a pre-referral practice in student support teams

Over the past several decades, the Latino population throughout the USA has demonstrated significant growth and exceeded that of other ethnic minority groups. This influx is particularly evident in the student enrollment of US schools as the number of Latino students has increased by approximately 10 million within the past 10 years. With this dramatic increase, there are a number of critical issues that present significant barriers to a high-quality educational experience for Latino students, specifically overrepresentation of Latinos receiving disciplinary actions and the high number of referrals to special education evaluation for emotional and behavioral disorders. This paper will discuss the impact of the Latino population in US schools, the concern of overrepresentation and biased referrals, and the use of a culturally attuned functional behavioral assessment as a pragmatic solution to better serve this growing population.
Excessive antibiotic use in men with prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Prostatitis accounts for 2 million outpatient visits annually. The majority of prostatitis cases fit the definition of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, for which routine antibiotic use is not indicated. METHODS: Inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy datasets from the Veterans Health Administration were used to quantify the magnitude of antibiotic use attributable to chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Specifically, men with a diagnosis of infectious/acute prostatitis or a urinary tract infection were excluded, and the remaining men with a diagnosis of prostatitis were defined as having chronic pelvic pain syndrome. RESULTS: The annual prevalence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome was 0.5%. Prescriptions for fluoroquinolone antibiotics were filled in 49% of men with a diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome compared with 5% in men without chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome were more than 7 times more likely to receive a fluoroquinolone prescription independently of age, race/ethnicity, and comorbid conditions. Increased use of other antibiotics also was observed. High use was similar in men with either infectious/acute prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. CONCLUSION: Despite evidence that antibiotics are not effective in the majority of men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome, they were prescribed in 69% of men with this diagnosis. Some increased use is probably due to uncontrolled confounding by comorbid conditions or inaccurate diagnostic coding. However, a 7-fold higher rate of fluoroquinolone usage suggests that strategies to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in men with prostatitis are warranted.
Further evidence of construct and discriminant validities for the Malouff and Schutte Belief Scale.

Evidence for construct and discriminant validities for the Malouff and Schutte Belief Scale is presented for 83 male and 42 female students who completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Neuroticism and the Beck Depression Inventory. rs for scores on the Belief Scale were 0.60 and 0.46, respectively, with the Eysenck and Beck scales. rs were significantly different.
Co-evolving fuzzy decision trees and scenarios

A co-evolutionary data mining algorithm has been invented that automatically generates decision logic in the form of fuzzy decision trees (FDTs). The algorithm initially uses a genetic program (GP) to mine a database of scenarios to automatically create the fuzzy logic. This is followed by the application of a genetic algorithm (GA) that is used to search for pathological scenarios (PS) that result in unsatisfactory performance by the fuzzy logic found by the GP. The fuzzy logic found in the previous step by the GP along with failure criteria (FC) is used to form the fitness function for the GA. If the GA fails to find pathological scenarios then the co-evolution ends; otherwise, the new scenarios are appended to the GPpsilas database followed by GP based data mining and a GA scenario search. A detailed description of the co-evolution of a fuzzy decision tree for real-time control of unmanned air vehicles is provided. The fitness functions for the GP, terminal set, function set, and methods of accelerating convergence are included. The fitness function for the GA and a method of representing scenarios as chromosomes are given. Simulations related to validation of the fuzzy logic are discussed.
World Ocean Assessment experts needed

The United Nations (UN) is inviting interested scientists to apply to be members of an international pool of 1000–2000 experts who will be authors and reviewers of its first World Ocean Assessment (WOA) report, slated for completion in 2014. The UN anticipates that subsequent WOA reports will be generated on a 5-year cycle. The first report will include more than 50 subjects grouped within four main themes: marine environment and understanding of the ocean's role in the global integrated Earth system, food security and safety, human activities that influence the ocean or are influenced by the ocean, and marine biological diversity. A scientific and technical summary is also planned.
Best Possible Results in a Class of Inequalities, II

Abstract We give a sufficient condition on a lower triangular infinite matrix A with nonnegative entries, and a positive sequence b = (bn), for an inequality of the form ||A(b|x|)||p ≤ K||x||p, x ∈ lp, to be best possible, in the sense that there is no positive sequence d = (dn) such that (dnb−1n) is a monotone unbounded sequence, and an inequality of the form above holds with b replaced by d. This condition permits easy proofs of "best possible" theorems that generalize a previous result concerning Hardy′s inequality.
An early complement-dependent and TLR-4-independent phase in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury in mice.

The innate immune system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Although innate immunity is usually considered an early response to injury, previous work implicating innate immunity in ethanol-induced liver injury focuses primarily on long-term ethanol exposure. We investigated the early period of ethanol exposure to determine whether there were temporal associations between activation of innate immune responses and known correlates of liver injury. Female C57BL/6 mice were allowed free access to an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet or were pair-fed a control diet. Within 4 days of ethanol exposure, we observed a striking spike in expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines-including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6, and interferon-gamma-prior to hepatic triglyceride accumulation or increased plasma alanine aminotransferase activities, as well as before the induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 or oxidative stress. This early spike in inflammatory cytokines coincided with deposition of C3b-iC3b/C3c (C3b) in the liver. This deposition, resulting from the cleavage of the third component of the complement system (0), is evidence for activation of complement in response to ethanol. C3(-/-) mice were protected from the early, ethanol-induced increase in hepatic TNF-alpha expression. Ethanol increased Ob deposition in mice deficient in C3a receptor or C5a receptor, as well as in wild-type mice depleted of hepatic macrophages; however, there was no increase in hepatic TNF-alpha in the absence of C3a receptor, C5a receptor, or hepatic macrophages. In contrast, the absence of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) had no effect on the early, ethanol-induced increase in either Ob or TNF-alpha. Conclusion: We have identified a complement- and macrophage-dependent, but TLR-4 independent, phase in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;49:1326-1334.)
Cytogenetics as an adjunct in establishing a definitive diagnosis of synovial sarcoma by fine-needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND Synovial sarcomas account for up to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas and are characterized by a specific chromosomal abnormality, t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2), that is observed in both monophasic and biphasic variants. METHODS A 9-cm suprascapular mass in a 43-year-old man and a 10-cm leg mass in a 45-year-old man were aspirated. Rapid evaluation of air-dried Diff-Quick-stained smears in both cases showed a malignant spindle cell lesion. Cytogenetic material was collected in RPMI 1640 tissue culture medium. Additional alcohol-fixed slides and cell blocks were prepared on both cases. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on paraffin embedded cell block sections in both cases whereas electron microscopic examination was performed in one case. G-banded chromosome preparations from tumor cells were made after short term culture using standard cytogenetic techniques. RESULTS Evaluation of the smears showed densely cellular and tightly cohesive malignant spindle cells without discernible epithelial differentiation. A differential diagnosis of synovial sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant schwannoma, and fibrosarcoma was considered. Immunohistochemical stains and electron microscopy were noncharacteristic and noncontributory in establishing a diagnosis. However, cytogenetic results revealed a t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) translocation, thus establishing the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. Both patients were offered definitive therapy based on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis only. CONCLUSIONS FNA can be used effectively to obtain karyotypes of sarcomas. The specific cytogenetic abnormality associated with synovial sarcoma provides an opportunity to make definitive diagnoses using a combination of FNA and cytogenetics, obviating open surgical biopsy preceding therapy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1997; 81:187-92. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Multinationals FDI and uncertainty: an exposition

Abstract In search of more satisfactory explanations for the recent surges in foreign direct investment (FDI), an emerging literature has focused on the role of uncertainty and, in particular, exchange rate volatility. Existing investigations have indicated mixed results regarding multinationals' FDI reponse to changes in return uncertainty. This study constructs a stochastic model of FDI by multinationals under cost uncertainty and highlights some of the fundamental parameters of the FDI-uncertainty connection. The results provide some explanations for the existing contradictory results in the literature.
Phenotype Analysis of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Periparturient Dairy Cows

Impaired immune function during the periparturient period contributes to the increased susceptibility of the cow to infectious disease around the time of calving. Changes in subpopulations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during the immediate periparturient period can contribute to the observed immunosuppression in cows, but it is not known exactly when and what changes occur. Using a flow cytometer and monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic markers on mononuclear cells, the populations of CD3, CD4, CD8, and γδ T-cell receptor positive cells were examined in eight periparturient Jersey cows during the 2 wk before and 2 wk after parturition. The percentage of cells that were positive for CD3, CD4, and γδ T-cell receptor markers exhibited a significant decline before calving and reached a nadir at calving. These percentages did not return to precalving levels until 2 wk after calving. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that declining T-cell populations may contribute to the immunosuppression reported for dairy cows at calving.
Integrating policy-based management and SLA performance monitoring

Policy-based management system provides the configuration capability for the system administrators to focus on the requirements of customers. The service level agreement performance monitoring mechanism helps system administrators to verify the correctness of policies. However, it is difficult for a device to process the policies directly because the policies are the management concept. This paper proposes a mechanism to decompose a policy into rules that can be efficiently processed by a device. Thus, the device may process the rule and collect the performance statistics information efficiently; and the policy-based management system may collect these performance statistics information and report the service-level agreement performance monitoring information to the system administrator. The proposed policy-based management system achieves both the policy configuration and service-level agreement performance monitoring requirements. A policy consists of a condition part and an action part. The condition part is a Boolean expression of a source host IP group, a destination host IP group, etc. The action part is the parameters of services. We say that an address group is compact if it only consists of a range of IP address that can be denoted by a pair of IP address and corresponding IP mask. If the condition part of a policy only consists of the compact address group, we say that the policy is a rule. Since a device can efficiently process a compact address and a system administrator prefers to define a range of IP address, the policy-based management system has to translate policy into rules and supplements the gaps between policy and rules. The proposed policy-based management system builds the relationships between VPN and policies, policy and rules. Since the system administrator wants to monitor the system performance information of VPNs and policies, the proposed policy-based management system downloads the relationships among VPNs, policies and rules to the SNMP agents. The SNMP agents build the management information base (MIB) of all VPNs, policies and rules according to the relationships obtained from the management server. Thus, the proposed policy-based management system may get all performance monitoring information of VPNs and policies from agents. The proposed policy-based manager achieves two goals: a) provide a management environment for the system administrator to configure their network only considering the policy requirement issues and b) let the device have only to process the packet and then collect the required performance information. These two things make the proposed management system satisfy both the user and device requirements.
Physical constrints on the evolution of ctenophore size and shape

Cilia bundled into combs or ctenes are an evolutionary innovation that allow comb jellies (animals in the phylum Ctenophora) to swim faster and grow to sizes at least two orders of magnitude larger than animals that propel themselves by beating single cilia. Ctenophore size, shape and swimming behaviors, however, may be constrained by the mechanisms that coordinate comb plate oscillations. Oscillations of comb plates onPleurobrachia bachei (a cydippid comb jelly), are coupled by fluid interactions between combs. Ctenes beat metachronously (in sequence) and the flows generated byP. bachei are retarded by the amount of time it takes a wave to pass down a group of ctenes. Our model predicts thatP. bachei size is constrained by the maximum thrust that can be produced by ctenes that beat in sequence and our flow visualization studies suggest that swimming via metachronous comb oscillations may constrainP. bachei to spherical shapes. In contrast, comb plate oscillations onMnemiopsis leidyi, a lobate comb jelly, are neurally coordinated and groups of ctenes beat in synchrony. As a result, fluid flows generated byM. leidyi are not retarded by the passage of metachronal waves down each comb row.M. leidyi reach sizes 15 times larger, but swim relatively slower (body lengths per second) thanP. bachei. We propose that propulsion via metachronous or synchronous comb plate oscillations has played an important role in the evolution of ctenophore shape and size and may have divided comb jellies into two evolutionary lineages.
Multidiscipline topology optimization

Abstract Topology optimization is used for determining the best layout of structural components to achieve predetermined performance goals. The density method which uses material density of each finite element as the design variable, is employed. Unlike the most common approach which uses the optimality criteria methods, the topology design problem is formulated as a general optimization problem and is solved by the mathematical programming method. One of the major advantages of this approach is its generality; thus it can solve various problems, e.g. multi-objective and multi-constraint problems. In this study, the structural weight is chosen as the objective function and structural responses such as the compliances, displacements and the natural frequencies, are treated as the constraints. The MSC/NASTRAN finite element code is employed for response analyses. One example with four different optimization formulations was used to demonstrate this approach.
Stormwater Runoff Quality and Quantity From Traditional and Low Impact Development Watersheds

The quality and quantity of residential stormwater runoff from a control, traditional, and low impact development (LID) watershed were compared in a paired watershed study. A traditional neighborhood was built using typical subdivision standards while a LID design was constructed with best management practices including grass swales, cluster housing, shared driveways, rain gardens, and a narrower pervious concretepaver road. Weekly, flow-weighted, composite samples of stormwater were analyzed for nitrate + nitrite-nitrogen (NO 3 + NO 2 -N), ammonia-nitrogen (NH 3 -N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), and total suspended solids (TSS). Monthly composite samples were analyzed for total copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Mean weekly storm flow increased (600x) from the traditional watershed in the postconstruction period. Increased exports of TKN, NO 3 + NO 2 -N, NH 3 -N, TP, Cu, Zn, and TSS in runoff were associated with the increased storm flow. Postconstruction storm flow in the LID watershed was reduced by 42% while peak discharge did not change from preconstruction conditions. Exports were reduced from the LID watershed for NH 3 -N, TKN, Pb, and Zn, while TSS and TP exports increased.
Biochemical correlates of schizophrenia

Abstract Schizophrenia is an ailment of the complex and diverse manifestations springing from evolution's most complicated product—the human mind. Despite the splendid formulation of schizophrenia by Bleuler in 1911, this disease has remained poorly defined. Szasz 1 is of the opinion that the term “schizophrenia” is a “panchreston.” In other words, schizophrenia is supposed to explain abnormal behavior in much the same way as “protoplasm” explains the nature of life. The term schizophrenia, he points out, interferes with better understanding of psychiatric entities, and without modifying psychiatric nosology, all these entities are no more than panchrestons. Along this line, Laing 2 views schizophrenia as a label which imposes consequences on the individual labeled schizophrenic. He points out that some individuals undergo unusual experiences and manifest unusual behavior which appears to be a natural sequence of their experiences. From laing's point of view, what we observe in some individuals whom we label schizophrenic is the behavioral expression of an experiential drama, and schizophrenia is an “abnormal way of dealing with an abnormal situation.” The American Psychiatric Association 3 describes schizophrenia as “a group of disorders manifested by characteristic disturbances of thinking, mood and behavior. Disturbances in thinking are marked by alterations of concept formation which may lead to misinterpretation of reality and sometimes to delusions and hallucinations which frequently appear psychologically self-protective. Corollary mood changes include ambivalent, constricted and inappropriate emotional responsiveness and loss of empathy with others. Behavior may be withdrawn, regressive, and bizarre.” As an outcome of the National Conference on Schizophrenia held at the Menninger Foundation in 1969, it was suggested that one refer to a “schizophrenic syndrome” rather than “schizophrenia” with connotations of a disease state.
Who are the people in your neighborhood? The effects of community notification on the community

In 1990 Washington became the first state to authorize the use of community notification by local law enforcement agencies as a means of managing released sex offenders in the community. Although community notification is currently being practiced in all fifty states, surprisingly little research has been done on its effectiveness in preventing further crime or other effects it may have on sex offenders, their families, and the community This research examined the possible effects of community notification on community members in terms of increased anxiety and fear based upon their reactions to different versions of a mock notification flyer. The results indicate that the quality of a notification flyer has little effect on anxiety in the general population.
Predictive multi-channel Feedback active noise control for HVAC systems

An important application of active noise control (ANC) system is to eliminate the acoustic (sound) noise pollution in modern living environments. In this paper, we present an ANC method and its implementation for reducing the acoustic noise generated mainly by the compressor of an actual HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning) system used in a commercial or residential environment. To achieve cost effectiveness and robustness of the ANC system, we propose a “Feedback” ANC method which avoids the use of reference signals thereby removing additional (source or reference) microphones. Furthermore, using the periodic property that is inherent in the compressor's noise, a “Period Aware Linear Prediction” filter is proposed and implemented in the Feedback ANC. The proposed technique is used to form a multi-channel Feedback ANC having Multiple Input and Multiple Output (MIMO). We refer to this new architecture as the MIMO-PALP ANC system. The MIMO structure enables us to achieve larger effective canceling zone around the surface of the compressor. Because of the fact that additional information has been used in the prediction part, MIMO-PALP gives higher noise attenuation level compared to the conventional Feedback ANC in MIMO ANC system designs.
Molecular basis of hexavalent chromium carcinogenicity: Effect on gene expression

Abstract The carcinogenicity of chromium(VI) compounds is explained in terms of the “uptake-reduction” model. According to this model, chromium(VI) enters cells as the anionic tetrahedral species chromate, CrO42−, using normal cellular anion transport systems, such as the sulfate transport system. Redox-active enzymes and small molecules reduce chromium(VI) intracellularly and produce “reactive intermediates” capable of damaging cellular constituents. DNA is presumed to be a critical target within the cell; however, chromium(VI) itself is unreactive toward DNA under physiological conditions in vitro. Thus, the ability of chromium(VI) to damage DNA depends on the presence of cellular components capable of producing putative DNA-damaging agents, such as chromium(VI) thioester, chromium(V), chromium(IV), chromium(III), thiyl radical and hydroxyl radical, upon reaction with the chromium(VI). The exact nature of the DNA damage will be strongly dependent on the reactive intermediates produced by cellular components and systems active in chromium(VI) metabolism. The chromium(VI)-induced DNA damage disrupts the normal functioning of DNA in critical cellular processes, including transcription and replication. The effect of chromium(VI)-induced DNA damage on the function of DNA as a template for transcription has been examined in chick embryo liver in vivo. Chromium(VI) induced DNA-protein and DNA interstrand cross-links and suppressed the induction of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase and cytochrome P-450 mRNA by porphyrinogenic drugs. In contrast, chromium(VI) increased the basal steady-state mRNA levels of these two inducible genes, but had no effect on the steady-state mRNA levels of the constitutive genes, β-actin, conalbumin and albumin. Nuclear “run-off” transcription experiments showed that the effect of chromium(VI) on the steady-state levels of basal and drug-inducible 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase mRNA was principally the result of changes in the transcription rate of the 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase gene. Chromium(VI)-induced changes in gene expression correlated with the presence of DNA interstrand and DNA-protein cross-links, suggesting that chromium(VI)-induced DNA lesions lead to changes in expression of the targeted genes.
A model for choosing an electronic reserves system: A pre-implementation study at the Library of Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus

ABSTRACT This study explores the nature of electronic reserves (E-Re-serves) and investigates the possibilities of implementing the E-Reserves at the Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus Library (LIU/BCL).
Cognitive evaluations of young adults by means of human figure drawings: An empirical investigation of two methods

This study evaluated Buck's (1948) House-Tree-Person and Goodenough and Harris's (1963) Draw-A-Person scoring systems for assessing the cognitive abilities of young adults. IQ scores based on these scoring systems and, in the case of the H-T-P, using only the first person drawn, were correlated with WAIS-R Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQs. Both figure scoring systems correlated significantly with WAIS-R Performance and Full Scale IQs, but were underestimates of WAIS-R IQs. H-T-P scoring of the house, tree, and second person drawn then was added to the scoring of the first person drawn to see whether such additions would enhance validity. They did not. Results are discussed in terms of characteristics of the scoring systems' standardization samples and limitations of these systems.
Using Photoshop Filters to Create Anatomic Line-Art Medical Images

There are multiple ways to obtain anatomic drawings suitable for publication or presentations. This article demonstrates how to use Photoshop to alter digital radiologic images to create line-art illustrations in a quick and easy way. We present two simple to use methods; however, not every image can adequately be transformed and personal preferences and specific changes need to be applied to each image to obtain the desired result. There are multiple ways to obtain anatomic drawings suitable for publication or to prepare presentations. Medical illustrators have always played a major role in the radiology and medical education process. Whether used to teach a complex surgical or radiologic procedure, to define typical or atypical patterns of the spread of disease, or to illustrate normal or aberrant anatomy, medical illustration significantly affects learning (). However, if you are not an accomplished illustrator, the alternatives can be expensive (contacting a professional medical illustrator or buying an already existing stock of digital images) or simply not necessarily applicable to what you are trying to communicate. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how using Photoshop (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA) to alter digital radiologic images we can create line-art illustrations in a quick, inexpensive, and easy way in preparation for electronic presentations and publication.
Temporal Bone Histopathology in Connexin 26–Related Hearing Loss†

Objective: Mutations in GJB2, a gene that encodes a gap junction protein, Connexin 26 (Cx26), are responsible for approximately one third of sporadic severe-to-profound or profound congenital deafness and half of severe-to-profound or profound autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). Mouse mutants homozygous for knockouts of this gene are nonviable, precluding histopathologic studies of the associated inner ear pathology in this animal model. Therefore, we studied archival temporal bone sections to identify temporal bone donors with Cx26-related deafness. Study Design: Temporal bone donors with a history of congenital severe-to-profound or profound deafness were identified in the registry of the Temporal Bone Library at the University of Iowa. Histological findings were interpreted in a blinded fashion. DNA extracted from two celloidin-embedded mid-modiolar sections from each temporal bone was screened for the 35delG Cx26 mutation. The entire coding region of Cx26 was screened for other deafness-causing mutations if the 35delG mutation was detected. Results: Of five temporal bone donors with congenital severe-to-profound deafness, one donor was found to have Cx26-related deafness. This individual was a Cx26 compound heterozygote, carrying the 35delG mutation and a noncomplementary Cx26 missense mutation on the opposing allele. Microscopic evaluation of this temporal bone showed no neural degeneration, a good population of spiral ganglion cells, near-total degeneration of hair cells in the organ of Corti, a detached and rolled-up tectorial membrane, agenesis of the stria vascularis, and a large cyst in the scala media in the region of the stria vascularis. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the temporal bone histopathology associated with Cx26-related deafness. Preservation of neurons in the spiral ganglion suggests that long-term successful habilitation with cochlear implants may be possible in persons with severe-to-profound or profound Cx26-related deafness.
Activation of SoxR-dependent Transcription in Vitro by Noncatalytic or NifS-mediated Assembly of 2Fe-2S Clusters into Apo-SoxR

SoxR is a transcriptional activator that senses superoxide and nitric oxide stress in Escherichia coli. The active protein isolated from E. coli contains a pair of [2Fe-2S] clusters per SoxR dimer. We previously demonstrated that the iron-free protein (apo-SoxR), isolated during purification in thiol-containing buffers, binds soxS promoter DNA with an affinity equal to that of the metalloprotein (Fe-SoxR), but lacks significant ability to activate transcription in vitro. Here we demonstrate the reversibility of this process: the full transcriptional activity of SoxR can be restored by in vitro assembly of iron-sulfur clusters into the apoprotein. Two methods were used to synthesize the metallocenters of SoxR: (i) nonenzymatic, in which apo-SoxR, incubated in the presence of iron, inorganic sulfide, and a reducing agent, regained full transcriptional activity in 5-6 h; (ii) enzymatic, in which NifS protein of Azotobacter vinelandii regenerated active Fe-SoxR in as little as 2 min. Analysis by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that binuclear [2Fe-2S] clusters were restored by both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic reconstitutions. A mutant SoxR protein missing one of its four cysteine residues failed to undergo either transcriptional activation or the formation of [2Fe-2S] centers, even in the presence of NifS. Thus, only the presence of an iron-sulfur center is required to restore transcriptional activity to apo-SoxR. Moreover, the catalytic generation of [2Fe-2S] centers extends the known specificity of this enzyme beyond that already shown for [4Fe-4S] centers. Catalytic generation of [2Fe-2S]-containing SoxR could allow for rapid activation of this transcription factor in vivo.
Practical strategies for the management of anticoagulation therapy: unsolved issues in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Purpose Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy in the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and higher-risk patients with unstable angina/non-STEMI (UA/NSTEMI). Recent updates have been issued for guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association delineating the appropriate use of anticoagulants as ancillary therapies to PCI. This manuscript reviews the recent clinical trial data supporting the updated guidelines and highlights remaining areas of uncertainty. Methods SCOPUS and Pubmed were searched for relevant English-language reports of clinical trials, registries, articles and case reports. Search terms included but were not limited to: PCI, anticoagulation, ancillary, STEMI, NSTEMI, angina, acute coronary syndrome. The reference lists of identified articles were searched for additional relevant publications. Results Unfractionated heparin (UFH), the historical standard of care for anticoagulation in STEMI and NSTEMI patients undergoing PCI, is sub-optimal and the list of anticoagulants recommended for alternatives in the current guidelines has expanded to include superior anticoagulants, including the low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin and the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin. Additionally, fondaparinux is recommended if supplemented during PCI by an additional agent with anti-IIa activity. However, uncertainties in the guidelines remain. Clinical discretion is still required when deciding which anticoagulant to use, ensuring seamless transitions throughout the care pathway, and how to correctly identify the risk status of a patient and modify anticoagulant regimens accordingly, such as in special patient populations. Conclusions The published evidence supports the updates to the guidelines. Updated guidelines still have knowledge gaps which require the application of clinical discretion by the cardiologist.
Helping Teachers Grow: Toward Theory and Practice of an 'Emergent Curriculum' Model of Staff Development

A model of developmentally appropriate practice in helping teachers grow is described. The model derives from a consideration of the psychological processes by which adults learn, and our desire to teach adults by the same methods we hope they will use in teaching children. The model includes a sequence of six kinds of interactions that the teacher trainer engages in with the teacher, from building trust to eliciting self-exploration. The concrete actions we take to create these kinds of interactions are described. This model of professional development was applied by a statewide project to increase the quality of child care in 150 classrooms serving primarily children from low-income families. Initial evaluations suggest it is working as hoped.
Sprouting adult CNS cholinergic axons express NILE and associate with astrocytic surfaces expressing neural cell adhesion molecule.

To assess the cellular and molecular substrates for cholinergic axon growth in the adult central nervous system (CNS), we implanted grafts of control and nerve growth factor (NGF)-producing genetically modified fibroblasts within the striatum of rats. Sprouting cholinergic axonal processes that grew into grafts of NGF-producing fibroblasts were fasciculated and followed the surface of astrocytic processes for long distances within the grafts. The close and long distance anatomical relationship between the sprouted axons and the astrocytes supported previous ultrastructural evidence that astrocytes may serve as a cellular substrate for sprouting cholinergic axons in vivo. The sprouted axon processes were associated with the expression of nerve growth factor-inducible large external (NILE) glycoprotein on their surfaces. NILE expression was not seen in control grafts where there was an absence of cholinergic ingrowth. NILE has been demonstrated to play a role in axon fasciculation in a number of other neural systems. The astrocytic processes in both control and NGF-producing fibroblast grafts expressed neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), suggesting that NCAM-mediated adhesion may be responsible for the close relationship between the axons and astrocytes within the grafts. NGF-induced heterotypic interactions between neuronal NILE and astroglial NCAM may also be required for adult cholinergic axonal sprouting. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A KINEMATICAL THEORY OF TURBULENT HYDROMAGNETIC FIELDS

Kinematical theory for magnetic fields produced by interaction of turbulent eddies with large-scale weak magnetic field in photosphere
A novel synthesis of zeolite W using organometallic precursors

Abstract Zeolite W has been synthesized hydrothermally using organometallic silicon and aluminum precursors both with and without an organocation. The reaction using the organocation yielded a fully crystalline, relatively uniform crystal size product, with no organic molecules occluded in the pores. In contrast, the product obtained from an identical reaction, except for the absence of the organocation reactant, contained amorphous as well as crystalline material and the crystalline phase showed a large diversity in both crystal size and morphology. The use of organometallic precursors, either with or without an organocation, allows for the crystallization of the MER framework at much lower OH/SiO 2 and (K+Na–Al)/Si ratios than is typical of inorganic systems. The reaction products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and thermal analyses.
Maintenance of amphetamine-induced stereotypy and locomotion requires ongoing dopamine receptor activation.

Amphetamine-induced locomotion and stereotypy depend on dopamine (DA), yet, while extracellular DA concentrations peak early, and then begin to decline, intense stereotyped behaviors continue for relatively prolonged periods. These observations suggest that DA may act as a “trigger” for the entire multi-phasic behavioral response. To test this hypothesis in rats, haloperidol (HAL) was injected at different times with respect to (AMPH), and automated and videotaped measures of the behavior were recorded. HAL (0.1 mg/kg, IP) or saline was administered either 15 min prior to AMPH (4.0 mg/kg, SC); 60 min following AMPH (during the phase of intense oral stereotypy); or 140 min after AMPH (during post-stereotypy locomotion). When administered prior to AMPH, HAL prevented the development of stereotypy, and an increase in locomotion was displayed in place of stereotypy. Haloperidol administration during stereotypy interrupted the response, and resulted in an increase in locomotion for the remainder of the stereotypy phase. In neither of these cases did HAL affect post-stereotypy locomotion. However, when injected during the post-stereotypy phase, HAL caused a decrease in the magnitude of the locomotor response, suggesting that both the stereotypy and locomotor components of the response remain sensitive to HAL at times when DA levels have significantly declined. These results do not support the hypothesis that the early increase in extracellular DA produced by AMPH, acts as a “trigger” for a non-dopaminergic receptor-mediated expression of the later phases of the AMPH response. Instead, it appears that both stereotypy and post-stereotypy locomotion remain sensitive to DA receptor blockade when extracellular DA levels are below the levels produced by non-stereotypy-inducing doses of AMPH.
Linguistic Predictors of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Following 11 September 2001

Summary Prior research has linked content analysis drawn from text narratives to psychopathology in trauma survivors. This study used a longitudinal design to determine whether linguistic elements of narrative memories of first hearing about the events of 11 September 2001 predict later post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Narratives and self-report PTSD symptoms were collected within 1 week and again 5 months after 9/11 in 40 undergraduates. People who used more “we” words at Time 1 had fewer acute PTSD symptoms. Use of more cognitive mechanism words, more religion words, more first-person singular pronouns, and fewer anxiety words at Time 1 were related to more chronic PTSD symptoms. Linguistic characteristics accounted for variance in chronic PTSD symptoms above and beyond acute PTSD symptoms. This study provides evidence that lasting PTSD symptoms can be predicted through language in the immediate aftermath of the trauma. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explosive motor behavior, rigidity and periaqueductal gray lesions

Abstract Rats lesioned in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) manifested explosive motor behavior (EMB) shortly after surgery. When tested 24 hours postsurgery, these animals failed to exhibit the usually observed EMB in response to an intraventricular infusion of morphine. In contrast, the lesions did not interfere with the ability of intraventricularly infused etonitazene to produce rigidity. The results suggest that the site of action for morphine-produced EMB is in the PAG and that the neural substrates for EMB and rigidity are, at least in part, anatomically distinct.
The scattering of alpha particles from C12

The elastic scattering of alpha particles from C12 is experimentally studied in the energy range 2.5 to 4.8 Mev using a precision, small-volume, gas scattering chamber. Excitation functions are measured at the center-of-mass (c.m.s.) angles 70 deg 7 , 90 deg 0 , 99 deg 15 , 109 deg 54 , 125 deg 16 , 140 deg 16 , 149 deg 27 , and 166 deg 35 , and angular distributions are measured at 2.820, 3.377, 3.989, and 4.640 Mev. These data are parameterized in terms of nuclear scattering phase shifts and the phase shifts have been analyzed using the single level dispersion theory. Three states in O16 are observed: a 1- state at 9.552 Mev, a 2+ state at 9.815 Mev, and a 4+ state at 10.329 Mev. These states are found to have c.m.s. reduced widths of 608, 1.07, and 195 kev respectively, with corresponding ratios to the Wigner limit of 85, 0.15, and 27%.