cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade and Perioperative Outcomes in the Elderly

The aim of this review is to assess clinical investigations which have examined the use of NMBAs in the elderly, and to recommend neuromuscular management strategies that may optimize recovery in this patient population. A number of clinical studies have assessed the effect of age on NMBA duration. Recovery from cisatracurium has been compared to steroid-based NMBAs (rocuronium and vecuronium) in the elderly. Variability in the duration of action was significantly greater with the steroid-based drugs than cisatracurium. Other studies have demonstrated that the elderly not only demonstrate prolonged recovery from rocuronium and vecuronium neuromuscular blockade, but also significantly more variability in the times to achieve full neuromuscular recovery. Furthermore, reversal of neuromuscular blockade with anticholinesterase agents may require significantly more time in patients older than 70 years of age. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the elderly are at significantly increased risk for postoperative residual block. Furthermore, older patients not achieving a train-of-four ratio of greater than 0.9 at the time of tracheal extubation are at an increased risk of hypoxemic events, airway obstruction, and unpleasant signs and symptoms of muscle weakness. Reversal of neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex results in a low incidence of residual block; however, the times to achieve a train-of-four ratio of 0.9 are increased in patients over the age of 70. The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic effects of neuromuscular blocking agents are altered in the elderly. When steroid-based muscle relaxants are administered, the time required to achieve full neuromuscular recovery is increased, and significantly more variability in recovery times is observed. Patients over the age of 65 years are at an increased risk of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade and complications related to incomplete neuromuscular recovery. Increased vigilance in managing dosing, monitoring, and reversal is required in the elderly in order to improve perioperative outcomes.
Enhancing the Infrastructure of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study for Cancer Epidemiology Research: ARIC Cancer

Background: We describe the expansion of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study into a cancer cohort. In 1987 to 1989, ARIC recruited 15,792 participants 45 to 64 years old to be sex (55% female), race (27% black), and geographically diverse. ARIC has exceptional data collected during 6 clinical visits and calls every 6 months, repeated biospecimens, and linkage to Medicare claims data.Methods: We established a Cancer Coordinating Center to implement infrastructure activities, convened a Working Group for data use, leveraged ARIC staff and procedures, and developed protocols. We initiated a cancer-specific participant contact, added questions to existing contacts, obtained permission to collect medical records and tissue, abstracted records, linked with state cancer registries, and adjudicated cases and characterizing data.Results: Through 2012, we ascertained and characterized 4,743 incident invasive, first, and subsequent primary cancers among 4,107 participants and 1,660 cancer-related deaths. We generated a total cancer incidence and mortality analytic case file, and analytic case files for bladder, breast, colorectal, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and case fatality. Adjudication of multiple data sources improved case records and identified cancers not identified via registries. From 2013 onward, we ascertain cases from self-report coupled with medical records. Additional cancer registry linkages are planned.Conclusions: Compared with starting a new cohort, expanding a cardiovascular cohort into ARIC Cancer was an efficient strategy. Our efforts yielded enhanced case files with 25 years of follow-up.Impact: Now that the cancer infrastructure is established, ARIC is contributing its unique features to modern cancer epidemiology research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(3); 295-305. ©2017 AACR.
Gulliver’s Travels, Party Politics, and Empire

Why did Jonathan Swift condemn “modern” colonies in Gulliver’s Travels? Answering this question requires placing Swift’s bestseller in the context of the post-1714 imperial crisis and of British imperial partisan politics. Understood in this light, Swift condemned both the Walpoleian Whig endorsement of hierarchical empire and their Patriot opponents’ embrace of a more inclusive commercialist imperial vision. Swift condemned the latter for its rejection of agrarian political economy in favor of commercial rapaciousness and the former for failing to recognize Ireland’s proper place in the Empire. Ireland, in Swift’s view, was properly a free kingdom and not a colony.
Do lucky CEOs avoid innovation

ABSTRACTStock options are one of the most widely used equity-based compensation mechanisms to mitigate misalignment between managers’ and shareholders’ interests. And yet, it is sometimes suspiciously used as a method of extracting shareholders’ wealth to managers (Bebchuk et al., 2009). The typical ways to do so is using opportunistic timing such as backdating, spring-loading, etc. As shown in Bebchuk et al. (2010), opportunistic timing of option grants increases the incidence of lucky grants, or stock option grants that CEOs receive when the price is abnormally low. We investigate whether lucky grants to CEOs impact firm innovations and, by extension, long-term growth. Using patent citations as a proxy variable for innovation (Kogan et al., 2017), we find that innovation decreases if CEOs received lucky grant in the previous year. The results imply that lucky grants may reduce the incentive for CEOs to invest in risky, long-term projects and negatively affect fir innovation.
Review of observational results on γ-ray background ∗ : (Invited discourse)

Recent observations in the X- and )'-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum have given strong evidence for the existence of an extragalactic intensity with a slowly steepening power law spectrum in the region 103 to 108 eV. Further data from the OSO-I1I high energy )'-ray detector are in agreement with earlier published reports, and suggest that the )'-rays from high galactic latitudes have a softer spectrum than those from the galactic plane. The previous paper by Dr. Oda of the University of Tokyo has reviewed the status of measurements of the diffuse radiation in the region below 100 keV. We shall be concerned here with the region of the electromagnetic spectrum above that energy. Measurements of the diffuse radiation are difficult in this energy region. y-rays are produced in collimators, in nearby pieces of apparatus, and in the earth's atmosphere by the ever-present charged particle cosmic radiation. In the region of a few MeV, in fact, Peterson (1967, 1969) has shown that the albedo from the earth is just equal to the apparent diffuse radiation. At higher energies, as will be discussed presently, the albedo is enormously greater than the diffuse radiation. Because y-ray production in matter is such an important phenomena, the use of shutters, inactive collimators and background evaluation by viewing the earth - all important and useful devices in the lower energy region - are quite impossible in the energy region under discussion. Figure 1, taken in part from a similar figure prepared by Gorenstein et al. (1969), summarizes representative measurements of the diffuse y-radiation. Up to 1 MeV, at least, all measurements above 20 ke V fall with reasonable consistency on a straight line of slope -2, indicating a photon number spectrum of the form dE/E2. In the region 1-10 MeV, there are only measurements of Vette et al. (1970) indicated by 'Peterson et al. (1969-ERS)' on Figure 1. As with the measurement of Metzger et al. (1964) the observations were carried out far from the earth where albedo effects are small. The apparent deviation from a power law, if real, has possible cosmological indications as discussed by Stecker (1970).
Sedation in Dental Practice

For moderate sedation to be a viable and successful technique, an understanding of the nature of pain, fear, and anxiety is essential. Moderate sedation reduces anxiety and attenuates the cardiovascular response to stress. This helps stabilize physiologic parameters to the extent that vital signs remain close to baseline, even in the presence of potentially noxious stimuli. The level of sedation is tailored to the level of patient anxiety. This is known as the spectrum of pain control. Thus, moderate sedation can change a patient’s perception, turning an objectionable procedure into something acceptable. Objectives of moderate sedation include mood alteration and pain threshold elevation while maintaining consciousness. The levels of sedation are distinctly defined for the purpose of establishing training and practice guidelines.
Passive Inverted Ultra-Short Baseline (piUSBL) Localization: An Experimental Evaluation of Accuracy

The underwater environment poses significant challenges for accurate autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation. Electromagnetic (EM) waves rapidly attenuate due to absorption by water, thereby preventing the use of traditional EM-based positioning methods such as Global Positioning System (GPS) or visible-light cameras. Consequently, underwater positioning is often performed using systems that operate in the hydro-acoustic frequency range ($\leq 10$ MHz). Recent work has demonstrated the efficacy of a novel acoustic positioning approach for multi-AUV operations called passive inverted ultra-short baseline (piUSBL) localization-with each vehicle equipped with a time-synchronized USBL array, one-way travel-time (OWTT) range and angle between the AUV and a single acoustic beacon enables multi-AUV navigation relative to the beacon. In this work, a piUSBL system using a five-hydrophone pyramidal array implemented on a WAM-V autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) was used to experimentally gather acoustic measurements and to compare the accuracy of piUSBL localization against ground-truth from a differential GPS unit. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the positioning accuracy of the system in a real-world environment, both prior to and after Bayesian filtering, using two independent acoustic beacons for validation. We demonstrate that piUSBL provides acoustic range and angle measurements with errors of about $\mu\pm\sigma = 0.03\pm 1.49 \mathrm{m}$ and $\mu\pm\sigma = -0.11\pm 3.16^{\circ}$ respectively. These experimental results suggest that piUSBL localization can provide a highly accurate, inexpensive, and low-power navigation solution for the next generation of miniature, low-cost underwater vehicle.
Incidental Brain Tumors in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Reappraisal of Literature.

Objectives Management of incidental asymptomatic brain tumors in children is controversial due to lack of clear evidence-based guidelines. We present this systematic review in an attempt to highlight an optimal treatment paradigm. Methods This systematic review was conducted in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Databases were searched up to August 2019 using the keywords “incidental,” “brain tumor,” and “pediatric.” Our main focus was on brain lesions suspected for neoplasm, diagnosed incidentally on neuroimaging in an otherwise asymptomatic patient Results Fourteen studies comprising 308 patients were included. All cases were diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging. The most common indications for imaging were headache (93; 30%) and trauma (72; 23%). Lesion distribution was supratentorial (179; 58%), infratentorial (121; 40%), and intraventricular (8; 3%). Of 308 cases, 243 (79%) were managed with neuroradiological surveillance and 57 (19%) by upfront surgical excision. Of those managed conservatively, 177 (73%) remained stable within a mean follow-up of 30 months, 54 (22%) progressed, and 12 (5%) spontaneously regressed. Meanwhile, upfront excision achieved complete remission in all 57 cases over a mean follow-up of 68.3 months. Conclusion A small body of evidence has emerged, highlighting the marked heterogeneity and contradictory results between the available studies, limiting our ability to draw solid conclusions. At this point, the decision between surgery and “watchful waiting” should be tailored on an individual patient basis depending on suspicion of malignancy, clinical or radiologic progression, and parental preference.
A Multivariate Metabolomics Method for Estimating Platelet Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption Rates in Patients with Sepsis.

Background: Sepsis-induced alterations in mitochondrial function contribute to organ dysfunction and mortality. Measuring mitochondrial function in vital organs is neither feasible nor practical, highlighting the need for non-invasive approaches. Mitochondrial function may be reflected in the concentrations of metabolites found in platelets and whole blood (WB) samples. We proposed to use these as alternates to indirectly estimate platelet mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (mOCR) in sepsis patients. Methods: We determined the relationships between platelet mOCR and metabolites in both platelets and WB, as measured by quantitative 1H-NMR metabolomics. The associations were identified by building multiple linear regression models with stepwise forward-backward variable selection. We considered the models to be significant with an ANOVA test (p-value ≤ 0.05) and a positive predicted-R2. Results: The differences in adjusted-R2 and ANOVA p-values (platelet adj-R2: 0.836 (0.0003), 0.711 (0.0004) vs. WB adj-R2: 0.428 (0.0079)) from the significant models indicate the platelet models were more associated with platelet mOCR. Conclusions: Our data suggest there are groups of metabolites in WB (leucine, acetylcarnitine) and platelets (creatine, ADP, glucose, taurine) that are associated with platelet mOCR. Thus, WB and platelet metabolites could be used to estimate platelet mOCR.
Conflict of Laws

States’ and nations’ laws collide when foreign factors appear in a lawsuit. Nonresident litigants, incidents outside the forum, and judgments from other jurisdictions can create problems with personal jurisdiction, choice of law, and the recognition of foreign judgments. This Article reviews Texas conflict cases from Texas state and federal courts during the Survey period from November 1, 2011 through October 31, 2013. The Article excludes cases involving federal–state conflicts; intrastate issues, such as subject matter jurisdiction and venue; and conflicts in time, such as the applicability of prior or subsequent law within a state. State and federal cases are discussed together because conflict of laws is mostly a state-law topic, except for a few constitutional limits, resulting in the same rules applying to most issues in state and federal courts.
The Material Turn in the Study of Israelite Religions: Spaces, Things, and the Body

This study discusses how a material religions approach might be applied to the study of Israelite religions. After providing a discussion of recent theory on space and the body in the study of religion, we give several suggestions for how these ideas can apply to Israelite tomb and temple spaces. Our approach brings the study of Israelite religious texts and material culture (back) into the broader study of material religion. To this end, we prioritize the role that the body plays in shaping perceptions of these spaces and in determining the use of things in ritual practice.
Combining Clinical and Polygenic Risk Improves Stroke Prediction Among Individuals With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a five-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke. A portion of this risk is heritable; however, current risk stratification tools (CHA2DS2-VASc)...
The Role of “Grit” in Overcoming Negative Financial Situations and Increasing Consumer Well-being: An Abstract

Research of the quality of life (QOL) has been studied in various ways. One research is that various factors associated with QOL. The other researchers focus on the how to improve the QOL. It is difficult to figure out how to improve the Quality of Life in the different economic situation. However, the capability is one of the important elements of Quality of Life (Sen 1993). Many previous types of research show a result associated with capability and QOL. In this study, we focus on a capability related work. According to the capability theory, there are many different capabilities when people are in QOL. Research on individual capability, income, and QOL have a wide variety of perspectives. Therefore, understanding their relationship mechanism is a very important research problem. In marketing research, understanding this mechanism is important to understand consumer well-being. Based on these research problems, this study confirms the inconsistency between consumers’ capability and QOL to understand how to increase consumer well-being. We compare two models based on a poverty line to identify differences in happiness after achieving a certain income level reported in previous studies. This confirms the discrepancy between the capability and QOL in the two models. A new method for solving the discrepancy is presented. This study investigates the mediation effect of consumer grit level between capability and QOL. This study can suggest ways to solve income inequality and low QOL.
Gender as death threat to the family: how the “security frame” shapes anti-gender activism in Mexico

This article offers an ethnographic and frame analysis of how Mexican anti-gender campaigners have leveraged Mexico’s twin crises of corruption and security to cast “gender ideology” strategically ...
Textile-integrated metamaterials for near-field multibody area networks

Wearable and implantable sensors can be linked together to create multi-node wireless networks that could be of use in the development of advanced healthcare monitoring technologies. Such body area networks require secure, seamless and versatile communication links that can operate across the complex human body, but they typically suffer from short ranges, low power or the need for direct-connection terminals. Here we show that textile-integrated metamaterials can be used to drive long-distance near-field communication (NFC)-based magneto-inductive waves along and between multiple objects. The metamaterials are built from arrays of discrete, anisotropic magneto-inductive elements, creating a mechanically flexible system capable of battery-free communication among NFC-enabled devices that are placed anywhere close to the network. Our approach offers a secure and on-demand body area network that has the potential for straightforward expansion and can span across different pieces of clothing, objects and people. Textile-integrated metamaterials can be used to drive long-distance near-field-communication-based magneto-inductive waves along and between multiple objects, creating a secure and on-demand body area network.
Generative and accumulative recursion made fun for beginners

In a programming classroom for beginners, a delicate balance must be struck between teaching the design, implementation, and testing fundamentals of programming and the need for students to find their first programming course enjoyable. A course that focuses solely on the fundamentals is not likely to nourish the excitement a student may have for Computer Science. A course that focuses solely in making programming fun is not likely to have students walk away with a solid grasp of the fundamentals. A very successful approach to strike this balance uses functional video games to motivate the need to learn principles of program design and Computer Science in a context that is of interest and fun for most students. Such an approach has successfully engaged students to learn design and implementation principles using primitive data, finite compound data, structural recursion for compound data of arbitrary size, and abstraction. This article explores how to use a functional video game approach to engage beginning students in problem solving that employs generative and accumulative recursion while at the same time reinforcing the lessons on structural recursion and abstraction. In addition to these two new forms of recursion, beginning students are also introduced to depth-first searching, breadth-first searching, heuristic-based searching, and the use of randomness. The article uses the N-puzzle problem to illustrate how all these topics are seamlessly addressed in the beginner's classroom while keeping student enthusiasm high as evidenced by student feedback. HighlightsTeaching generative and accumulative recursion to beginners is effective and fun.Beginners learn depth-first, breadth-first, and heuristic-based searching.Functional video games motivate students to learn principles of Computer Science.Functional video games help close the Computer Science gender gap.Beginners are introduced to the perils and benefits of randomness.
Increased minimum toe clearance variability in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) report difficulty walking and experience 73% more falls than their healthy counterparts, but no studies have investigated functional mechanisms contributing to increased falls. Minimum toe clearance (MTC) is the minimum vertical distance between the toe of the swinging leg and the walking surface when the leg is swinging, and decreased values are associated with an increased risk for falls. This study is the first such analysis in patients with PAD. Eighteen individuals with PAD and eighteen healthy controls walked on a treadmill before and after the onset of claudication pain. Mean MTC and the standard deviation of MTC values across the trial were calculated. Mean MTC was not different between groups in the pain-free (P = 0.244) or pain conditions (P = 0.565). MTC variability was increased for patients with PAD in pain-free (P = 0.048) and pain conditions (P = 0.019). No significant differences existed between conditions for MTC mean (P = 0.134) or MTC variability (P = 0.123). Increased MTC variability is present before and after the onset of claudication pain, and may be a useful assessment for treatment and rehabilitation efficacy in these patients.
Comparison of Impacts of WRF Dynamic Core, Physics Package, and Initial Conditions on Warm Season Rainfall Forecasts

Abstract A series of simulations for 15 events occurring during August 2002 were performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over a domain encompassing most of the central United States to compare the sensitivity of warm season rainfall forecasts with changes in model physics, dynamics, and initial conditions. Most simulations were run with 8-km grid spacing. The Advanced Research WRF (ARW) and the nonhydrostatic mesoscale model (NMM) dynamic cores were used. One physics package (denoted NCEP) used the Betts–Miller–Janjic convective scheme with the Mellor–Yamada–Janjic planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme and GFDL radiation package; the other package (denoted NCAR) used the Kain–Fritsch convective scheme with the Yonsei University PBL scheme and the Dudhia rapid radiative transfer model radiation. Other physical schemes were the same (e.g., the Noah land surface model, Ferrier et al. microphysics) in all runs. Simulations suggest that the sensitivity of the model to changes in physic...
AVP (4-8) improves concept learning in PFC-damaged but not hippocampal-damaged rats.

A position reversal task was used to test the memory-enhancing effects of the arginine vasopressin analog [pGlu4, Cyt6] AVP (4-8) at a dose of 1.5 μg/kg. Rats received either sham operations (SHM), medial prefrontal cortex lesions (PFC), or hippocampal lesions (HIP). The peptide was administered daily, via s.c. injection, 30 min prior to training to half of the animals in each group. As expected, all animals performed equally well on the initial position habit and the first reversal. Overall, it was found that AVP (4-8)-treated animals performed significantly better across trials than saline (SAL)-treated animals. Further analysis showed that PFC animals that received AVP (4-8) (PFC+AVP) performed significantly better (at the level of controls) across trials than saline-treated PFC (PFC+SAL) animals. Sham animals that received the AVP (4-8) analog (SHM+AVP) only showed significant improvement on the last two reversals when compared to the sham saline-treated animals (SHM+SAL), which was likely due to a ceiling effect as performance reached high levels early in the reversal task. Trial 2 analysis across reversals revealed enhanced cognitive abilities in both sham groups (SHM+SAL, SHM+AVP) and the PFC+AVP group, but not in the PFC+SAL, HIP+AVP or the HIP+SAL groups. Hippocampal lesioned animals performed poorly on the task and injections of AVP (4-8) did not improve their performance. It is thus concluded that AVP (4-8) enhanced the acquisition of concept learning (win-stay/loose-shift) in this paradigm in PFC-damaged animals and ameliorated the perseverance habit that is often seen in PFC animals on this task. It is suggested that AVP (4-8) might have an enhancing effect on general cognitive abilities that is not limited to memory processes.
Toxin-induced respiratory distress.

This article describes the impact of various toxic substances on the airway and pulmonary system. Pulmonary anatomy and physiology provide the basis for understanding the response to toxin-induced injury. Simple asphyxiants displace oxygen from the inspired air. Respiratory irritants include water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds. Several inhaled agents produce direct airway injury, which may be mediated by caustic, thermal, and hydrocarbon exposures. Unique pulmonary toxins and toxicants are discussed, as well as inhaled toxin mixtures. Several inhaled toxins may also impair oxygen transport. The pulmonary system may also provide a mechanism for systemic toxin delivery on respiratory exposure. Language: en
Promotion of Fas-mediated apoptosis in Type II cells by high doses of hepatocyte growth factor bypasses the mitochondrial requirement

The death receptor pathway is coupled to the mitochondria apoptosis pathway. However, mitochondrial participation, which is stimulated by Bid but suppressed by Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, is required in certain cells (Type II), but not in others (Type I). While these differences were originally characterized in the lymphoid cell lines, the typical Type II cells are represented by hepatocytes in vivo. The molecular mechanisms that distinguish Type II from Type I cells and the regulation are not fully understood. Fas can be sequestered by the HGF receptor c-Met and high doses of HGF can promote cell death by freeing Fas from c-Met complex. We thus reasoned that treatment of the Type II cells with high doses of HGF could enhance Fas-mediated apoptosis and spare the mitochondria amplification. Indeed, such treatment led to increased apoptosis in Type II lymphoid cells, which could not be blocked by Bcl-xL. Moreover, significant hepatocyte apoptosis was induced by this scheme in the absence of Bid with increased dissociation of Fas from c-Met. These findings indicate that high doses of HGF could be used to promote apoptosis in Type II cells bypassing the requirement for mitochondria activation. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 556–563, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Surface tension of evaporating nanofluid droplets

Abstract Measurements of nanofluid surface tension were made using the pendant droplet method. Three different types of nanoparticles were used – laponite, silver and Fe2O3 – with de-ionized water (DW) as the base fluid. The reported results focus on the following categories: (1) because some nanoparticles require surfactants to form stable colloids, the individual effects of the surfactant and the particles were investigated; (2) due to evaporation of the pendant droplet, the particle concentration increases, affecting the apparent surface tension; (3) because of the evaporation process, a hysteresis was found where the evaporating droplet can only achieve lower values of surface tension than that of nanofluids at the same prepared concentrations; and (4) the Stefan equation relating the apparent surface tension and heat of evaporation was found to be inapplicable for nanofluids investigated. Comparisons with findings for sessile droplets are also discussed, pointing to additional effects of nanoparticles other than the non-equilibrium evaporation process.
PLAC1, a trophoblast-specific gene, is expressed throughout pregnancy in the human placenta and modulated by keratinocyte growth factor.

Plac1, a placenta-specific gene, is expressed exclusively by cells of trophoblastic lineage in the mouse, and maps to a region of the X chromosome known to be important in placental growth. These studies were undertaken to define the cellular location of the mRNA for the human orthologue, PLAC1, within the human placenta, and to examine its expression throughout gestation. By Northern analysis, PLAC1 mRNA was detected in term human placenta, migrating as a single 1.7 kb transcript, but in no other fetal or adult tissues tested. Expression was observed throughout gestation, whereas mouse Plac1 is significantly reduced after 12.5 dpc. Using an 35S-labeled riboprobe, PLAC1 expression was trophoblast-specific at all stages of gestation (8–41 weeks); no expression was seen in cells within the stromal compartment or decidua. Using BeWo choriocarcinoma cells as a trophoblast model, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) stimulated steady-state PLAC1 mRNA expression approximately twofold by Northern analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. Stimulation was observed only after 24 hr of exposure, suggesting that the stimulatory effect of KGF is secondary to the promotion of trophoblast growth or differentiation. No change in mRNA levels resulted from exposure to insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). Trophoblast-specific expression throughout gestation and responsiveness to KGF are consistent with a fundamental role for PLAC1 at the maternal-fetal interface. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 430–436, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oxidative and Nitrative Injury in Periventricular Leukomalacia: A Review

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is the major substrate of cerebral palsy in survivors of prematurity. Its pathogenesis is complex and likely involves ischemia/reperfusion in the critically ill premature infant, with impaired regulation of cerebral blood flow, as well as inflammatory mechanisms associated with maternal and/or fetal infection. During the peak period of vulnerability for PVL, developing oligodendrocytes (OLs) predominate in the white matter. We hypothesize that free radical injury to the developing OLs underlies, in part, the pathogenesis of PVL and the hypomyelination seen in long-term survivors. In human PVL, free radical injury is supported by evidence of oxidative and nitrative stress with markers to lipid peroxidation and nitrotyrosine, respectively. Evidence in normal human cerebral white matter suggests an underlying vulnerability of the premature infant to free radical injury resulting from a developmental mismatch of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and subsequent imbalance in oxidant metabolism. In vitro studies using rodent OLs suggest that maturational susceptibility to reactive oxygen species is dependent, not only on levels of individual AOE, but also on specific interactions between these enzymes. Rodent in vitro data further suggest 2 mechanisms of nitric oxide damage: one involving the direct effect of nitric oxide on OL mitochondrial integrity and function, and the other involving an activation of microglia and subsequent release of reactive nitrogen species. The latter mechanism, while important in rodent studies, remains to be determined in the pathogenesis of human PVL. These observations together expand our knowledge of the role that free radical injury plays in the pathogenesis of PVL, and may contribute to the eventual development of therapeutic strategies to alleviate the burden of oxidative and nitrative injury in the premature infant at risk for PVL.
Using Pulse Width Modulation for Wireless Transmission of Neural Signals in Multichannel Neural Recording Systems

We have used a well-known technique in wireless communication, pulse width modulation (PWM) of time division multiplexed (TDM) signals, within the architecture of a novel wireless integrated neural recording (WINeR) system. We have evaluated the performance of the PWM-based architecture and indicated its accuracy and potential sources of error through detailed theoretical analysis, simulations, and measurements on a setup consisting of a 15-channel WINeR prototype as the transmitter and two types of receivers; an Agilent 89600 vector signal analyzer and a custom wideband receiver, with 36 and 75 MHz of maximum bandwidth, respectively. Furthermore, we present simulation results from a realistic MATLAB-Simulink model of the entire WINeR system to observe the system behavior in response to changes in various parameters. We have concluded that the 15-ch WINeR prototype, which is fabricated in a 0.5-mum standard CMOS process and consumes 4.5 mW from plusmn1.5 V supplies, can acquire and wirelessly transmit up to 320 k-samples/s to a 75-MHz receiver with 8.4 bits of resolution, which is equivalent to a wireless data rate of ~ 2.56 Mb/s.
Cholecystokinin-8s levels in discrete hypothalamic nuclei of weanling rats exposed to maternal protein malnutrition

Abstract Perinatal malnutrition and growth retardation at birth are suggested to be important risk factors for the development of overweight and syndrome X in later life. Underlying mechanisms are unknown. Body weight and food intake are regulated, e.g. by hypothalamic neuropeptidergic systems which are thought to be highly vulnerable to persisting malorganization due to perinatal malnutrition. To investigate possible consequences for hypothalamic cholecystokinin-8S (CCK-8S) in the offspring, pregnant Wistar rats were fed an 8% protein diet during pregnancy and lactation (low-protein group; LP) while control mothers (CO) received a 17% protein isocaloric standard diet. LP offspring displayed underweight at birth ( P P P P
Mechanotransduction in Colonic Smooth Muscle Cells

We evaluated mechanisms which mediate alterations in intracellular biochemical events in response to transient mechanical stimulation of colonic smooth muscle cells. Cultured myocytes from the circular muscle layer of the rabbit distal colon responded to brief focal mechanical deformation of the plasma membrane with a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) with peak of 422.7 +/- 43.8 nm above an average resting [Ca2+]i of 104.8 +/- 10.9 nM (n = 57) followed by both rapid and prolonged recovery phases. The peak [Ca2+]i increase was reduced by 50% in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, while the prolonged [Ca2+]i recovery was either abolished or reduced to less than or = 15% of control values. In contrast, no significant effect of gadolinium chloride (100 microM) or lanthanum chloride (25 microM) on either peak transient or prolonged [Ca2+]i recovery was observed. Pretreatment of cells with thapsigargin (1 microM) resulted in a 25% reduction of the mechanically induced peak [Ca2+]i response, while the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 had no effect on the [Ca2+]i transient peak. [Ca2+]i transients were abolished when cells previously treated with thapsigargin were mechanically stimulated in Ca2+-free solution, or when Ca2+ stores were depleted by thapsigargin in Ca2+-free solution. Pretreatment with the microfilament disrupting drug cytochalasin D (10 microM) or microinjection of myocytes with an intracellular saline resulted in complete inhibition of the transient. The effect of cytochalasin D was reversible and did not prevent the [Ca2+]i increases in response to thapsigargin. These results suggest a communication, which may be mediated by direct mechanical link via actin filaments, between the plasma membrane and an internal Ca2+ store.
Creativity and the Design Process

This research examined the role of creativity in the process of designing human resource development (HRD) interventions. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to study the preferences and practices of ten experienced HRD practitioners. Results include a comparison of the subjects' creativity styles/preferences using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Kirton Adaption Innovation Inventory as well as a model derived from the data, which describes the creative process used by the subjects. The phases include: 1) diagnosis, 2) immersion, 3) percolation, 4) “aha,” and 5) checking. This model focuses on how creativity is used to make design decisions. The design process used by the subjects in this research is similar to a generic creativity model. However, it includes an extensive preliminary diagnostic phase in which the HRD practitioner explores the business need, searches for the root cause of the problem, and establishes a collaborative relationship with stakeholders in the organization.
Closing in on a “familial cholestasis gene”

It is now feasible to map disease genes by screening the genome for linkage disequilibrium between the disease and marker alleles. This report presents the first application of this approach for a previously unmapped locus. A gene for benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) was mapped to chromosome 18 by searching for chromosome segments shared by only three distantly related patients. The screening results were confirmed by identifying an extended haplotype conserved between the patients. Probability calculations indicate that such segment sharing is unlikely to arise by chance. Searching the genome for segments shared by patients is a powerful empirical method for mapping disease genes. Computer simulations suggest that, in appropriate populations, the approach may be used to localize genes for common diseases. A locus for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), also known as Byler disease, has been mapped to a 19 cM region of chromosome 18 by a search for shared segments, using patients from the Amish kindred in which the disorder was originally described. A similar liver disease, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC), recently has been mapped to the same region, suggesting that these two diseases are caused by mutations in the same gene. Although PFIC and BRIC are clinically distinct diseases, episodic attacks of jaundice and pruritus, with elevated concentrations of bile acid in serum, are seen in both disorders. In PFIC patients, these attacks result in progressive liver damage and death. The clinical and biochemical features of PFIC and BRIC are suggestive of a defect in primary bile acid secretion. The biology of bile secretion is of great interest because of its vital importance in digestion of dietary fats as well as in secretion of xenobiotics and metabolic waste products. Cloning of the gene (or genes) responsible for PFIC and BRIC will likely provide important insights into this pathway. (Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press).
The States’ Regulatory Climate: Distortion in Public Utility Underwriting Costs

This study examines the distortive effects of the states’ regulatory climate on the underwriting costs of new equity issues of public utilities. Each state has its own public utility commission (or public service commission) to regulate the natural monopolies of public utilities. The wealth‐maximizing behavior of utilities is constrained by the rate‐making process monitored by the commissions. The policies of a state’s commission collectively establish the ’regulatory climate’ in that state. Using a sample of new equity securities issued, during the period from January 1973 through September 1980, by utilities listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange, we investigate the effect of the regulatory climate on underwriting costs. Our findings are that,in general, the direct costs of flotation, namely, underwriting commissions and out‐of‐pocket expenses,are positively related to regulatory climate where as the indirect cost of flotation, namely, underpricing of the new issue, is negatively related to regulatory climate. These results are counter intuitive since they imply that as the regulatory climate becomes more unfavorable the direct costs of flotation increase and the indirect cost of flotation decreases. This is clearly a distortive effect of the regulation and we offer some explanations for it.
An analytical investigation of 24 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs) using liquid and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

We developed two independent approaches for separation and quantitation of 24 oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) using both liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-APCI/MS) and gas chromatography-electron impact/mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS). Building on previous OPAH research, we examined laboratory stability of OPAHs, improved existing method parameters, and compared quantification strategies using standard addition and an internal standard on an environmental sample. Of 24 OPAHs targeted in this research, 19 compounds are shared between methods, with 3 uniquely quantitated by GC-EI/MS and 2 by LC-APCI/MS. Using calibration standards, all GC-EI/MS OPAHs were within 15 % of the true value and had less than 15 % relative standard deviations (RSDs) for interday variability. Similarly, all LC-APCI/MS OPAHs were within 20 % of the true value and had less than 15 % RSDs for interday variability. Instrument limits of detection ranged from 0.18 to 36 ng mL−1 on the GC-EI/MS and 2.6 to 26 ng mL−1 on the LC-APCI/MS. Four standard reference materials were analyzed with each method, and we report some compounds not previously published in these materials, such as perinaphthenone and xanthone. Finally, an environmental passive sampling extract from Portland Harbor Superfund, OR was analyzed by each method using both internal standard and standard addition to compensate for potential matrix effects. Internal standard quantitation resulted in increased precision with similar accuracy to standard addition for most OPAHs using 2-fluoro-fluorenone-13C as an internal standard. Overall, this work improves upon OPAH analytical methods and provides some considerations and strategies for OPAHs as focus continues to expand on this emerging chemical class.
Kinetics of mass transport in sheared particulate beds: Markov chains

Abstract Mixing of cohesionless particulate solids is typically accompanied by various degrees of segregation. General conditions, which would result in asymmetric particle mobilities in dynamic multiparticulate systems, have been formulated and are postulated to be necessary and sufficient to produce segregation. This study examines the size segregation of binary mixtures of noncohesive spherical particles subjected to shear in a rotary cell. Particle migrations in the axial and radial directions were analyzed in terms of a stochastic model based on finite, time and space discrete, nonstationary Markov chains. Results were consistent with the proposed hypothesis and suggest that size segregation can arise from gradients in shear strain rate, simultaneously and independently from that induced by gravity. Segregation from both sources was found to be dependent principally on total shear strain, to a lesser extent on rate of shear, and to a negligible extent on pressure normal to the direction of a shear. These observations indicate that the micromechanics of particulate movements are insensitive to changes in conditions over the ranges investigated.
Hydrodynamics and Thrust Characteristics of a Water-Propelled Rocket

An undergraduate experiment has been developed to measure the performance of a pressurized water rocket and compare test data with an analytical model developed from fluid momentum. A test stand allows the net thrust of the rocket to be measured, as well the air pressure and temperature inside the rocket, as functions of time. The model compares well with test data from four conditions (combinations of two initial water heights and two initial air pressures). The air in the rocket is assumed to undergo polytropic expansion, and a value of 1.1 for the polytropic exponent is found to best fit the model to experimental conditions. Experimental observations reveal that at higher air pressures the air mixes with the expelled water, resulting in a two-phase flow that reduces the net thrust of the rocket. A pedagogical approach to the experiment is described in detail.
Atomic data and level populations of highly ionized Ti for tokamak plasmas

The paper presents calculations of electron impact collision strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates for titanium ions of the LiI through FI isoelectronic sequences for transitions between levels of the 2S(2)2p(k), 2s2p(k+1), and 2p(k+2) configurations. From these atomic data, excitation-rate coefficients are calculated along with level populations for these three configurations. The calculations of level populations include the effects of proton excitation, and are carried out at electron temperatures and densities typical of tokamak plasmas. Wavelengths of forbidden and intersystem lines are given, and a synthetic spectrum is presented for a typical temperature and density.
The Logic of Political Belief: A Philosophical Analysis of Ideology

What is ideology, and what is the scope of its influence? Are all political doctrines ideological? Is there such a thing as a non-political ideology? Can these questions be answered conclusively, and if so by what means? Different conceptions and theories of ideology offer a variety of contradictory answers, resulting in general muddle and confusion. This powerful and original book argues that philosophy alone can give clear and decisive answers to such questions. Its rigorous logical analysis reveals ideology to be a distinctive form of thought with its own particular vocabulary and structure. It is these logical features that define ideology, and not any allegedly necessary connection with social class or fanaticism or even politics. What ideology does necessarily connect with is human action and its moral justification. Understanding the nature of ideological belief goes to the heart of the relationship between theory and practice, and consequently to the way in which human beings understand themselves. The Logic of Political Belief is essential reading for those concerned with political theory, moral philosophy and the social sciences in general. Its outstanding clarity and force of argument will also commend it to all those with an interest in wider political, social and human issues. Contents: Chapter One: Ideology and Confusion; Ideology and Political Theory; Ideology and Political Science; Ideology and Philosophy; Chapter Two: Understanding, Knowledge, and Ideological Concepts; Forms of Understanding and Kinds of Knowledge; Practice and Theory; The Vocabulary of Political Belief; Chapter Three: Ideology, Science, and Theory; Ideology as Bad Science: Karl Popper; Science as Ideology: Thomas Kuhn; The Nature of Ideological Theory; Chapter Four: Ideology and Ethics; The Nature of Ordinary Morality; Morality and Ethical Belief; Ideology and Religion; Chapter Five: Human Nature and the Structure of Ideology; Ideological and Non-Ideological Conceptions of Man; The Struct
Predicting the risks of venous thromboembolism versus post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage: analysis of 13,771 NSQIP patients.

Background The fear of an early post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) may prevent surgeons from prescribing post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis. The primary hypothesis of this study was that the national post-pancreatectomy early PPH rate was lower than the rate of VTE. The secondary hypothesis was that patients at high risk for post-discharge VTE could be identified, potentially facilitating the selective use of extended chemoprophylaxis.