cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive lymphatic mapping using fluorescently labeled vitamin B12.

Abstract Background. We examined the usefulness of a new agent in the mapping and dissection of inguinal lymph nodes in the pig. Cy5-cobalamin bioconjugate is blue under visible light and fluoresces brilliant red with laser stimulation. The wavelength of the emitted red light is sufficiently long that it is visible through blood, subcutaneous fat, and fascia. Currently available surgical techniques of minimally invasive dissection are well suited for using fluorescent detection in a dark operating field with minimal modification of an existing Hopkins surgical telescope. Materials and methods. We tested this concept in the live post-adolescent, female, nonlactating pig (30 kg). We insufflated the subcutaneous tissue over the groin and inserted three ports (1 x 10 mm and 2 x 5 mm) for dissection. We injected the Cy5-cobalamin bioconjugate in a dermal location on the hind limb. A HeNe laser stimulated the CobalaFluor™ in the lymphatics and the emitted fluorescence passed through a holographic notch filter to a three-chip camera. Results. Under white light, the lymphatic trunks and the sentinel node were visualized within minutes of injection. Both the lymphatic trunks and the node fluoresced bright red under stimulation with red laser light. Conclusions. These preliminary studies establish the potential usefulness of this new agent in lymphatic mapping. This novel technology might be useful in visualizing cancers that spread to regional lymph nodes. This technique has the potential to map the lymphatic drainage and to identify the presence of malignant cells in that drainage with currently available minimally invasive technology.
Syntheses of the Smallest Carbon Nanohoops and the Emergence of Unique Physical Phenomena

ConspectusThe design and construction of non-natural products have fascinated and perplexed organic chemists for years. Their assembly, akin to what has been accomplished for the total synthesis of natural products, has stretched the limits of what can be prepared in the laboratory. Unlike many natural products, however, carbon-rich structures often lack heteroatoms, further complicating their construction. Consider some of the classical molecules in this genre: cubane and dodecahedrane. While highly symmetric, their assembly is far from trivial. These fascinating hydrocarbon targets have fueled the development of carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions, as new methods are needed to access these types of compounds.Among these carbon-rich structures, polycyclic aromatics such as helicenes, fullerenes, and some fullerenes share common ground due to the distortion of one or more aromatic rings out of planarity. Recently added to this group are the [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs), “carbon nanohoops”. Here, a li...
Quantitative aspects of myocardial perfusion imaging

Myocardial perfusion measurements have traditionally been performed in a quantitative fashion using application of the Sapirstein, Fick, Kety-Schmidt, or compartmental analysis principles. Although global myocardial blood flow measurements have not proven clinically useful, regional determinations have substantially advanced our understanding of and ability to detect myocardial ischemia. With the introduction of thallium-201, such studies have become widely available, although these have generally undergone qualitative evaluation. Using computer-digitized data, several methods for the quantification of myocardial perfusion images have been introduced. These include orthogonal and polar coordinate systems and anatomically oriented region of interest segmentation. Statistical ranges of normal and time-activity analyses have been applied to these data, resulting in objective and reproducible means of data evaluation.
Black Business, Group Resources, and the Economic Detour: Contemporary Black Manufacturers in Chicago's Ethnic Beauty Aids Industry

This article examines the experiences and attitudes of contemporary Black manufacturers in the ethnic beauty aids industry. This industry produces specialized haircare products and cosmetics for Black consumers. Although this article focuses on owners of manufacturing businesses in a single industry, it is important because Black manufacturers have historically been active in the ethnic beauty aids industry. The historical embeddedness of Black manufacturers in this industry makes it an important focal point for the examination of factors contributing to continuity and change in Black entrepreneurship, particularly where medium and large, Black-owned business establishments are concerned. As a result, this article provides a framework for the examination of Black entrepreneurship in other sectors of the economy. The central argument of this article is that contemporary Black manufacturers in the ethnic beauty aids industry focus on developing markets for their products in the Black community because they believe capital constraints and racial discrimination close opportunities to them in the mainstream economy. Several dimensions of this argument are discussed in this article. Specifically, the relationship between capital constraints, growing competition from White-owned conglomerates, and the development of a group
Amphistomy as an adaptation to high light intensity in ambrosia cordifolia compositae

It was not clear from the previous study, however, whether differences in stomatal distribution were ecotypical variations among different individuals or adaptations of single leaves to different irradiances. The data presented here support the latter hypothesis and show that A. cordifolia leaves produced under high light are thick, have high photosynthetic capacities, and are amphistomatous, while those produced under low light are thinner, have lower photosynthetic capacities, and are hypostomatous
Mercurial flights of Mariner 10

Mercury: The Elusive Planet. By Robert G. Strom. Smithsonian Institution Press/ Cambridge University Press: 1987. Pp. 197, $19.95, £13.95.
Alteration of biliary ursodeoxycholic acid in guinea pig during early stages of cholestyramine feeding.

Abstract The effects of cholestyramine feeding on biliary ursodeoxycholic acid, fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols on cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase were examined in the guinea pig. In the bile there was a 57% decrease in the concentration of ursodeoxycholic acid while an increase was observed in the concentration of chenodeoxycholic acid. Cholestyramine feeding for ten days resulted in a decrease in plasma cholesterol levels and an increase in both hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities. The fecal excretion of both bile acids and neutral sterols was significantly increased.
Dynamic management of quality of service with priority for multimedia multicasting

We propose a receiver-oriented resource reservation mechanism, called dynamic management of QoS with priority (DMQP), for multimedia multicasting over the internet that provides quality of service (QoS) guarantees with service differentiation for heterogeneous users. In the DMQP protocol, a real-time application requests QoS by specifying a range of acceptable bandwidth values and tolerable delay durations as opposed to rigid QoS criteria. The network strives to reserve resources for the application within its bandwidth range. The service differentiation is achieved by classifying the realtime applications (or end-users) into normal and prioritised users. When the number of end-users increases, all nodes, including the receiver, sender and intermediate nodes, readjust their reserved resources dynamically to admit the new end-users, as long as their minimum bandwidth requirement is met. The DMQP provides the flexibility needed for operation in the dynamic internet environment. It has significant benefit of allowing more flexible sharing of available resources among applications.
Effects of Grain-Receiving System on Commingling in a Country Elevator

The shift to quality-based marketing has challenged the grain-handling industry to meet desired purity levels as part of identity-preservation programs. Very few resources are available for the development of management strategies. This study measured commingling during grain transfer as influenced by the receiving configuration of an elevator. The facility, located at Manhattan, Kansas, has three receiving pits and one bucket elevator with a handling capacity of 190 t/h (metric ton per hour). The experiments involved moving soybeans through one of the receiving pits, followed by corn through the same flow path, without special cleaning between the two operations. Corn samples, collected at specific time intervals, were used to calculate commingling, the percentage by mass of soybean kernels mixed in corn. Commingling was greater than 1% only during the first 135 s (first 2 t, 2 metric ton, received), except for the gravity-type pit configuration where commingling remained in excess of 1% for the duration of the test (840 s or 7.3 t of grain). Measured mean cumulative commingling at the end of operation was 1.25%, 0.30%, and 0.23% for the combined effect of gravity-type pit and elevator leg, combined effect of elevator leg and pit with a drag conveyor, and effect of elevator leg, respectively. ARENA simulation was used to predict commingling using different levels of initial impurities of incoming grain. The model predicted that a 10-t load through a pit with drag conveyor would result in a cumulative commingling of 0.28%, of which 0.27% would be from the effect of the elevator leg.
ENERGY SPECTRUM OF ELEMENTARY EXCITATIONS IN HELIUM II

The contribution of phonon-phonon interactlon to the energy of elementary excitations in liquid He/sub 4/ is evaluated in the approximation of the Brillouin-Wigner second order energy. The three-particle distribution function p(1,2,3) occurring in the interaction matrix elements is approximated by the Kirkwood superposition form and also by the convolution'' form. A generai criterion is developed to test the accuracy of possible approximations for p(1,2,3). The criterion has the form of a functional X in p(1,2,3) which vanishes if p(1,2,3) is generated by the correct ground state solution of the Schrodinger equation. If an approximate form is used the corresponding functional X/sub a/ does not vanish and thus provides a measure of accuracy. The power of this criterion resides in the fact that X/sub a/ is a function of three variabies, the magnitudes of two wave vectors and the cosine of the angle between them. The computed dispersion curves are compared with the experimental curve constructed by Henshaw and Woods from the inelastic single scattering of slow neutrons in liquid helium (auth)
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of small molecule Hsp90 probes

A number of compounds from different chemical classes are known to bind competitively to the ATP-pocket of Hsp90 and inhibit its chaperone function. The natural product geldanamycin was the first reported inhibitor of Hsp90 and since then synthetic inhibitors from purine, isoxazole and indazol-4-one chemical classes have been discovered and are currently or soon to be in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. In spite of a similar binding mode to Hsp90, distinct biological profiles were demonstrated among these molecules, both in vitro and in vivo. To better understand the molecular basis for these dissimilarities, we report here the synthesis of chemical tools for three Hsp90 inhibitor classes. These agents will be useful for probing tumor-by-tumor the Hsp90 complexes isolated by specific inhibitors. Such information will lead to better understanding of tumor specific molecular markers to aid in their clinical development. It will also help to elucidate the molecular basis for the biological differences observed among Hsp90 inhibitors.
Durchfürung und Ergebnisse eines Vergleichs zwischen strahlentherapeutischen Zentren der DDR mit Thermolumineszenz-Dosimetern)

Zur Sicherung der Einheitlichkeit und Richtigkeit der Energiedosismessung in der DDR wurde zwischen strahlentherapeutischen Zentren der DDR und dem ASMW ein Vergleich mit Hilfe von LiF-Thermolumineszenzdosimetern auf der Grundlage eines Programms der IAEA/WHO durchgefuhrt. Der Vergleich, an dem 12 Institutional teilnahmen, erfolgte fur 60Co-γ-Strahlung. Die TL-Dosimeter wurden in einem Wasserphantom in 5 cm Tiefe mit einem vorgegebenen Energiedosiswert bestrahlt. Innerhalb der Mesunsicherheit von 5% fur das Vergleichsverfahren lagen 88% aller Meswerte.Mit den Institutional, die eine Abweichung von mehr als 5% vom vorgegebenen Dosiswert hatten, wurde ein zweiter Vergleich durchgefuhrt. Eine Analyse der in den Kliniken verwendeten Verfahren und Mesmittel zur Energiedosisbestimmung wild ebenfalls gegeben.
Consensus-degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers (CODEHOP) for the detection of novel papillomaviruses and their application to esophageal and tonsillar carcinomas

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been identified in 99% of cervical tumors. Considerable speculation exists about the role of HPV in cancer at other sites, such as skin, esophagus, and lung. One barrier to the study of HPV in extragenital tumors may be the inability to detect novel HPV types. Our objective was to design broad-range primers for detecting papillomaviruses from any group in the HPV Sequence Database. Complete L1 protein sequences were aligned and 11 blocks of conserved protein sequences were identified. Primers were designed in the corresponding nucleotide regions of five blocks. One pair of primers, ME and MH, derived from blocks E and H, appeared promising when compared with established consensus primers. To improve the sensitivity for detection of multiple papillomavirus types, ME/MH primers were split into several primers with the 5' regions matched to individual papillomavirus supergroups. Compared with the commonly used MY09/11 primer set, our primer sets were broader in range and more sensitive against most papillomavirus types tested. Application of these primers to esophageal and tonsillar carcinomas identified no novel HPV types but confirmed a high level of sensitivity for detecting HPV from these clinical samples. These primers should facilitate the search for novel papillomaviruses.
Development of the capacity of mouse mammary glands for medium chain fatty acid synthesis during pregnancy and lactation.

Abstract The time-course for appearance of fatty acid synthetase and thioesterase II, enzymes required for the synthesis of medium chain (C 8 -C 12 ) fatty acids by the mammary gland, has been studied in the mouse and compared with that in the rat. The development of high levels of fatty acid synthetase in the mouse mammary gland during the early days of lactation coincided with an observed increase in the overall lipogenic capacity of the gland, assessed by measuring the incorporation of radioactive acetate into fat in tissue slices. Both the level of thioesterase II in the gland and the proportion of medium chain fatty acids synthesized from acetate by tissue slices began to increase in late gestation but did not reach a maximum until lactation was well established. In this regard the mouse is distinctly different from the rat, which establishes maximum levels of thioesterase II in the mammary gland prior to parturition. The significance of this difference as it relates to mammary gland development is discussed.
SEPARATION OF CsCl FROM LiCl-CsCl MOLTEN SALT BY COLD FINGER MELT CRYSTALLIZATION

This study provides a fundamental understanding of a cold finger melt crystallization technique by exploring the heat and mass transfer processes of cold finger separation. A series of experiments were performed using a simplified LiCl-CsCl system by varying initial CsCl concentrations (1, 3, 5, and 7.5 wt%), cold finger cooling rates (7.4, 9.8, 12.3, and 14.9 L/min), and separation times (5, 10, 15, and 30 min). Results showed a potential recycling rate of 0.36 g/min with a purity of 0.33 wt% CsCl in LiCl. A CsCl concentrated drip formation was found to decrease crystal purity especially for smaller crystal formations. Dimensionless heat and mass transfer correlations showed that separation production is primarily influenced by convective transfer controlled by cooling gas flow rate, where correlations are more accurate for slower cooling gas flow rates.
Tissue variations of acidic nuclear proteins and their biosyntheses during liver regeneration

Abstract 1. 1. Tissue variations of the acidic nuclear proteins and differences between normal rat liver and tumour residual proteins have been demonstrated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. 2. During liver regeneration in the rat, all the nucleolochromosomal proteins (histories, non-histone proteins, and residual proteins) showed increased synthetic activity parallel to DNA synthesis. The histones manifested the greatest increase and the residual proteins, the highest specific activity, of incorporation of labelled leucine in vivo when compared with other nuclear proteins.
Identification of gasoline contamination of groundwater by gas chromatography Renato Dell'Acqua

Abstract Individual components that make up different grades of gasoline—or gasolines of the same grade produced by different manufacturers—are resolved and
Functional activation for imitation of seen and heard speech

This study examined fMRI activation when perceivers either passively observed or observed and imitated matched or mismatched audiovisual (“McGurk”) speech stimuli. Greater activation was observed in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) overall for imitation than for perception of audiovisual speech and for imitation of the McGurk-type mismatched stimuli than matched audiovisual stimuli. This unique activation in the IFG during imitation of incongruent audiovisual speech may reflect activation associated with direct matching of incongruent auditory and visual stimuli or conflict between category responses. This study provides novel data about the underlying neurobiology of imitation and integration of AV speech.
Characterization of deformation induced changes to conductivity in an electrically triggered shape memory polymer

Abstract Transforming a shape memory polymer (SMP) based part into a new configuration is typically achieved by increasing the temperature of the material to just above the glass transition temperature (Tg). This paper describes the preparation and testing of an electrically conductive SMP based composite which can be heated beyond Tg through the passage of an electric current at low power levels and with good temperature-time response characteristics. Conductivity was achieved by impregnating the resin with conductive carbon black (CB) using two dispersion techniques. Samples were subjected to tensile deformation tests to assess the effects of strain on the carbon black based conductive networks within the matrix. A series of these tests were performed on each sample to further assess recovery behavior from repeated loading cycles and any ensuing effect on electrical properties. The SMP showed similar strain recovery in repeated loading cycles. The electrical nature of the filled materials, as measured by the resistivity, was found to change, registering an increase and/or decrease, in response to the magnitude of the strain. Three distinct regions could be identified in the resistivity versus strain plots which are explained vis-a-vis filler chain interaction and rearrangement. The data endorses the technique of using electrical actuation as a means of triggering SMPs which can then be an enabling technology in myriad applications in the aerospace, automotive and biomedical fields. Furthermore, the resistivity change data can be used in the design process to predict the response of components manufactured using reconfigurable composites.
Flow cytometric analysis of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression on brain cells from borna disease virus-infected rats without an intervening in vitro culture step

Borna disease virus (BDV) infects astrocytes in the Lewis rat brain. BDV-infected astrocytes have been shown to express MHC class II in vitro but not in vivo. Using a sensitive fluorescence-activated cytometric technique, we now report the detection of MHC class II on freshly harvested S100-positive cells from BDV-infected rat brain, without an intervening in vitro culture step. These data support the hypothesis that astrocytes from BDV-infected rats express MHC class II on their surface and, thus, are potential participants in the encephalitic response to BDV infection.
2650 – Validation of a diagnostic questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria for gambling

Introduction Different questionnaires were formulated in order to assess the severity of gambling. The most used questionnaire is the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), based on DSM-III criteria for gambling, even though it has poor specificity, because overestimates the prevalence of the disorder when used in general population. Objectives Try to overcome SOGS limits using a questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria for gambling. Aims Validate the questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria, using as gold standard the clinical interview developed through the SOGS. Methods The sample used is formed by 71 subjects, 58 men (81.7%) and 13 women (18.3%), recruited from the Psychiatric Department of Gemelli General Hospital in Rome, who were asked to fill out both questionnaires. Results The sensitivity of our questionnaire was 93% (compared to 100% in the SOGS); the specificity was 100% (97.1% in the SOGS). False negatives were 7%, while they were absent in the SOGS ; false positives were absent in the DSM-IV questionnaire, while they were 2.9% in the SOGS. We also determined the prevalence of each item of DSM-IV questionnaire in all gamblers identified (66 subjects): the most relevant item was “chasing one's losses”(item6), instead the least one was “committing illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling”(item8). Conclusions Our data confirm the greater specificity of the questionnaire of DSM-IV criteria for gambling compared to the SOGS. We suggest its use for the identification of gamblers in a sample formed by general population.
Towards Quality Aware Collaborative Video Analytic Cloud

As cloud diversifies into different application fields, understanding and characterizing the specific workloadsand application requirements play important roles in thedesign of efficient cloud infrastructure and system softwaresupport. Video analytic is a rapidly advancing field and it iswidely used in many application domains (i.e., health, medicalcare, surveillance, and defense). To support video analyticapplications efficiently in cloud, one has to overcome manychallenges such as lack of understanding of the relationship andtradeoff between analytic performance metrics and resourcerequirements. Furthermore, cloud computing has grown fromthe early model of resource sharing to data sharing andworkflow sharing. To address the challenges and to leverageemerging trends, we propose and experiment with a domainspecific cloud environment for video analytic applications. Wedesign a cloud infrastructure framework for sharing videodata, analytic software, and workflow. In addition, we create avideo analytic quality aware resource plan model to guaranteeusers QoS and optimize usage of resources based on predictiveknowledge of video analytic softwares performance metrics anda resource planning model that optimizes the overall analyticservice quality under users constraints (i.e., time and cost).The predictive knowledge is represented as input and analyticsoftware specific predictors. The experimental results show thatthe video analytic quality aware resource planning model canbalance the tradeoff between analytic quality and resourcerequirements, and achieve optimal or near-optimal planning forvideo analytic workloads with constraints in a resource sharedenvironment. Simulation studies show that resource planningresults using ground truth and video analytic performancepredictions are very similar, which indicates that our analytic quality/resource predictors are very accurate.
Preschoolers Make Fewer Errors on an Object Categorization Task in the Presence of a Dog

ABSTRACTPrevious research has shown that the presence of a dog can positively impact the speed at which preschoolers perform motor skills tasks and also their ability to adhere to instructions. The current study focused on the execution of a cognitive task—object categorization—by developmentally delayed and typical preschool children in the presence of a real dog, a stuffed dog, or a human. The real dog involved in this study was a Miniature Poodle. The children (n = 12) were asked to complete a match-to-sample task in which they had to choose a picture of an object that “goes with” another. Three categories of object exemplars were used: taxonomic, thematic, and irrelevant. The presence of the real dog resulted in significantly fewer irrelevant choices than either the stuffed dog or the human conditions. Additionally, results in this experiment were consistent with previous research, showing a developmental shift where younger children were more likely to make taxonomic than thematic choices, with the r...
Genetic variants and environmental factors associated with hormonal markers of ovarian reserve in Caucasian and African American women

background: The ovarian reserve (number and quality of oocytes) is correlated with reproductive potential as well as somatic health, and is likely to have multiple genetic and environmental determinants. Several reproductive hormones are closely linked with the oocyte pool and thus can serve as surrogate markers of ovarian reserve. However, we know little about the underlying genes or genetic variants. methods: We analyzed genetic variants across the genome associated with two hormonal markers of ovarian reserve, FSH and antiMullerian hormone, in a reproductively normal population of Caucasian (n ¼ 232) and African American (n ¼ 200) women, aged 25–45 years. We also examined the effects of environmental or lifestyle factors on ovarian reserve phenotypes. results: We identified one variant approaching genome-wide significance (rs6543833; P ¼ 8.07 × 10 28 ) and several nominal variants nearby and within the myeloid-associated differentiation marker-like (MYADML) gene, that were associated with FSH levels in African American women; these were validated in Caucasian women. We also discovered effects of smoking and oral contraceptive use on ovarian reserve phenotypes, with alterations in several reproductive hormones. conclusions: This work is the largest study on ovarian reserve in women of reproductive age and is the only genome-wide study on ovarian reserve markers. The genes containing or near the identified variants have no known roles in ovarian biology and represent interesting candidate genes for future investigations. The discovery of genetic markers may lead to better long-range predictions of declining ovarian function, with implications for reproductive and somatic health.
Distributed Simulation Using Hierarchical Rollback

As the complexity of computer and communication systems increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to construct and evaluate models of these systems which can be used to study their performance under varying conditions. A modeling technique which is once again gaining in popularity due to its generality and ability to represent systems in varying degrees of detail is discrete event simulation. Constructing a simulation model of a real or proposed system is well understood and many tools are available. The major problem which arises is model evaluation. Due to the complexity and level of detail in a simulation model, it may require an excessive amount of time and computer resources to perform the evaluation. There is an area of current research, though, which is addressing these performance problems: distributed simulation. Distributed simulation has the potential to reduce the often lengthy run-time required for complex discrete event simulation by using multiple, cooperating processors instead of a single processor for model execution. Also, the computer resource requirements can more easily be satisfied by spreading the demand across a set of processors rather than depending on a single processor to furnish the required resources. In this paper a new technique for distributed simulation called hierarchical rollback is presented. Hierarichal rollback employs multiple processors for the evaluation of a single simulation model. Synchronization and coordination of the processors is based on a unique checkpoint/rollback mechanism. It will be shown how hierarchical rollback can be used to execute a hierarchical simulation model on a distributed set of processors.
On the ambivalence-indifference problem in attitude theory and measurement: A suggested modification of the semantic differential technique.

This article explores the alternate meanings of attitudinal neutrality in the context of the bipolarity-reciprocal antagonism issue. Specifically, it proposes a modification of the semantic differential technique wherein the "liking" and "disliking" components of attitude can be separately measured. A geometrical model is developed in which three nondirectional attitude variables ("total affect," "ambivalence," and "polarization") are distinguished from the usual attitude variable. Reliability and validity data are presented, and an application of the model is discussed. In his 1935 review of the general area of attitude theory and research, Gordon Allport concluded that most investigators basically agreed that "attitude is a learned predisposition to respond to an object in a consistently favorable or unfavorable manner [p. 818J." Furthermore, he suggested that this bipolarity in the direction of an attitude (i.e., the favorable versus unfavorable) was viewed as its most distinctive feature. Thus, he felt that attitude had been conceptualized as a simple unidimensional concept—the evaluative (or affec
Attenuation of reflex pressor and ventilatory responses to static contraction by an NK-1 receptor antagonist

The chemical messengers released onto second-order dorsal horn neurons from the spinal terminals of contraction-activated group III and IV muscle afferents have not been identified. One candidate i...
Universal approximation using radial-basis-function networks

There have been several recent studies concerning feedforward networks and the problem of approximating arbitrary functionals of a finite number of real variables. Some of these studies deal with cases in which the hidden-layer nonlinearity is not a sigmoid. This was motivated by successful applications of feedforward networks with nonsigmoidal hidden-layer units. This paper reports on a related study of radial-basis-function (RBF) networks, and it is proved that RBF networks having one hidden layer are capable of universal approximation. Here the emphasis is on the case of typical RBF networks, and the results show that a certain class of RBF networks with the same smoothing factor in each kernel node is broad enough for universal approximation.
Optimization of the Expansion and Differentiation of Rabbit Chondrocytes In Vitro

Objective To develop a tissue culture expansion method for rabbit chondrocytes that promotes robust expansion while preserving chondrogenic potential. Design Rabbit chondrocytes isolated from articular or auricular chondrocytes were assessed for chondrogenic differentiation potential versus population doubling using different expansion and differentiation conditions. Expansion conditions included serum alone, serum plus basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and serum plus insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and FGF-2. Differentiation conditions consisted of defined medium with and without bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2). Results Nonsupplemented chondrocytes showed limited expandability, whereas supplementation with FGF-2 allowed articular chondrocytes to be expanded past 10 population doublings (PDs) and allowed auricular chondrocytes to expand past 15 population doublings. Differentiation, as measured by glycosaminoglycan production in aggregate cultures, was minimal in articular chondrocytes without BMP-2 supplementation and diminished to less than 50% maximal in auricular chondrocytes by PD 20. However, when FGF-2 was used during expansion and BMP-2 used during differentiation, both articular and auricular chondrocytes retained greater than 50% maximal differentiation for more than 25 PDs. The addition of IGF-1 to FGF-2 during expansion decreased chondrogenicity of auricular chondrocytes exposed to BMP-2, whereas for articular chondrocytes, chondrogenic expression increased. Conclusion These results demonstrate that FGF-2, for expansion, and BMP-2, for differentiation, dramatically increase the functional expansion of auricular and articular chondrocytes and provide a methodology to expand sufficient numbers of chondrocytes for tissue engineering applications.
Catabolic action of insulin in rat arcuate nucleus is not enhanced by exogenous "tub" expression.

The central nervous system (CNS) protein “tub” has been identified from the genetically obese “tubby” mouse. Although the native function of tub in situ is not understood, cell-based studies sugges...
The importance of first pass success when performing orotracheal intubation in the emergency department.

Objectives The goal of this study was to determine the association of first pass success with the incidence of adverse events (AEs) during emergency department (ED) intubations.
Illnesses at High Altitude

High-altitude illnesses have profound consequences on the health of many unsuspecting and otherwise healthy individuals who sojourn to high altitude for recreation and work. The clinical manifestations of high-altitude illnesses are secondary to the extravasation of fluid from the intravascular to extravascular space, especially in the brain and lungs. The most common of these illnesses, which can present as low as 2,000 m, is acute mountain sickness, which is usually self-limited but can progress to the more severe and potentially fatal entities of high-altitude cerebral edema and high-altitude pulmonary edema. This article will briefly review normal adaptation to high altitude and then more extensive reviews of the clinical presentations, prevention, and treatments of these potentially fatal conditions. Research on the mechanisms of these conditions will also be reviewed. A better understanding of these disorders by practitioners will lead to improved prevention and rational treatment for the increasing number of people visiting high-altitude areas around the globe. There will not be space for writing about high-altitude residents, medical conditions in low-altitude residents going to high altitude, or training for athletes at high altitude. These topics deserve another article.
Effects of Selenium-Vitamin E or Progestagen-PMSG Injections on Reproductive Performance of Ewes

Abstract Koyuncu, M., Kara Uzun, S., Ozis, S. and Yerlikaya, H. 2006. Effects of selenium-vitamin E or progestagen- PMSG injections on reproductive performance of ewes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 29: 137–140. The experiment was conducted on 120 Karacabey Merino ewes divided into four groups. Two groups consisted of 2-year-old ewes, before their first lambing and two groups of the 3-year-old ewes after the first lambing. Within each age category, one group of ewes was treated with 5 ml 0.1% sodium selenate and 250 mg vitamin E, the other group progestagen sponge + 500 IU PMSG. The progestagen sponge + PMSG treated groups demonstrated oestrus symptoms earlier than the Vit E + Se injected groups. The progestagen sponge + PMSG treated group significantly increased fertility (100%, P<0.01) and prolificacy (146.7%, P<0.01) in 3 year-old ewes compared to other groups. The injections Vit E + Se significantly increased lamb birth weight (4.4 kg, P<0.05) and daily weight gain for 60 days (290.0g, P<0.01) in 3-year-old ew...
Placental barrier to human insulin-I125 in insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.

Although the normal human placenta is impermeable to insulin, the effect of anti-insulin antibodies on this placental barrier in insulin-dependent diabetic mothers is not known. The placental transfer of human insulin-I125 was examined in 4 normal and 4 insulin-dependent diabetic mothers. Human insulin-I125 was infused at a constant rate for 60–90 min prior to delivery and immuno-precipitable insulin-I125 was measured in the maternal and umbilical venous plasma at delivery. In diabetic patients, insulin-I125 was separated from circulating endogenous anti-insulin antibodiesby acid alcohol extraction prior to immunoprecipita-tion. In normal mothers insulin-I125 radioactivitywas 683 ±110 cpm/ml (mean ± sem) in the maternal vein and 6 ± 2 cpm/ml in the umbilical vein. In three diabetic mothers with high plasma insulin binding capacities between 2580–8400 μU/ml, the umbilical venous insulin-I125 was 10 ± 10 cpm/ml when the maternal plasma insulin-I125 was maintained at 1388 ± 356 cpm/ml even though the antibod...
Apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death in the DBA/2 mouse model of glaucoma

The DBA/2 mouse has been used as a model for spontaneous secondary glaucoma. We attempted to determine the in vivo time course and spatial distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) undergoing apoptotic death in DBA/2 mice. Female DBA/2 mice, 3, 9-10, 12, 15, and 18 months of age, received intravitreal injections of Annexin-V conjugated to AlexaFluor 1h prior to euthanasia. Retinas were fixed and flat-mounted. Annexin-V-positive RGCs in the hemiretina opposite the site of injection were counted, and their locations were recorded. Positive controls for detection of apoptotic RGCs by Annexin-V labeling included rats subjected to optic nerve ligation, and C57BL/6 mice subjected to either optic nerve ligation or intravitreal injection of NMDA. To verify that Annexin-V-labeled cells were RGCs, intravitreal Annexin-V injections were also performed on retinas pre-labeled retrogradely with FluoroGold or with DiI. Annexin-V-positive RGC locations were analyzed to determine possible clustering and areas of preferential loss. Annexin-V labeled apoptotic RGCs in eyes after optic nerve ligation, intravitreal NMDA injection, as well as in aged DBA/2 animals. In glaucomatous DBA/2 mice 95-100% of cells labeled with Annexin-V were also FluoroGold- and DiI-positive. This confirms that Annexin-V can be used to specifically detect apoptotic RGCs in rodent retinas. In DBA/2 mice, apoptotic RGC death is maximal from the 12th to the 15th month of age (ANOVA, p<0.001, Fisher's post hoc test) and occurs in clusters. These clusters are initially located in the midperipheral retina and progressively occur closer to the optic nerve head with increasing age. Retrograde axonal transport of FluoroGold in the glaucomatous mouse retina is functional until at least 2-3days prior to initiation of apoptotic RGC death.
A multiagent multiattribute approach for conflict resolution in acid rain impact mitigation

A methodology for using multiattribute utility functions within a Nash bargaining model and an application of the model to the problem of conflict resolution in acid rain impact mitigation are given. Multiattribute utility theory provides decision makers with a framework for integrating the complex and multiple impacts of acid rain and for making policy decisions. The author examines the economic, environmental, socioeconomic, and health impact of acid rain in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He demonstrates that, even without specifying exact preference weights for the attributes, dominance relationships can be established between policies, and a Nash bargaining solution can be established among the affected parties. >
DTNBP1 genotype influences cognitive decline in schizophrenia

Objective: Intellectual decline is common in schizophrenia and predicts functional outcome. While many patients undergo intellectual decline that typically predates the onset of symptoms, few studies have investigated the underlying mechanism through which this occurs. The current study assessed the relationship between intellectual decline in schizophrenia and genetic variation in dysbindin-1 (DTNBP1). Methods: We assessed cognitive decline in 183 Caucasian patients with schizophrenia using a proxy measure of premorbid IQ with which current general cognitive ability (g) was compared. We then tested for a relationship between the risk haplotype identified in previous work (CTCTAC) and intellectual decline. Results: We found that carriers of the CTCTAC haplotype, demonstrated a significantly greater decline in IQ as compared with non-carriers (p=0.05). Conclusions: These data suggest that DTNBP1 influences the severity of intellectual decline in schizophrenia and may represent one underlying cause for heterogeneity in cognitive course.
Troglitazone: Review and Assessment of Its Role in the Treatment of Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE:To introduce troglitazone (CS-045, Rezulin), a new oral antidiabetic agent and discuss its pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, dosing guidelines, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical efficacy.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE database search was completed to identify relevant articles including reviews, recent studies and abstracts, and data from Parke-Davis.STUDY SELECTION:Due to the small number of published human studies available, some data are derived from animal studies and abstracts of human studies. Studies and abstracts chosen summarize the clinical action of troglitazone in healthy volunteers, in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, and in patients with diabetes mellitus. Three of the six published human studies used subjects in a placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized environment (type 2 diabetic patients or obese subjects with insulin resistance).DATA EXTRACTION:All clinical trials available, including unpublished reports, were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESIS:Troglitazon...
An analytical framework for quantifying and testing patterns of temporal dynamics in social networks

Change is fundamental to all social systems. Temporal dynamics are critical in understanding how relationships form and change over time but rarely are studied explicitly in animal groups. Social network approaches are useful in describing association patterns and provide promising tools for investigating the dynamics of change in social structure but have rarely been used to quantify how animal associations change over time. In this study, we describe and test a framework for temporal analysis of social structure. We propose an analytical framework of methods that integrates across social scales and comparatively analyses change in social structure across multiple types of social association. These methods enable comparisons in groups that differ in size and are flexible to allow application to weighted and unweighted networks, where ties can be directed or undirected, and relationships can be symmetric or asymmetric. We apply this analytical framework to temporal social network data from experimentally formed captive groups of monk parakeets, Myiopsitta monachus, to both evaluate our analysis methods and characterize the social structure of this species. We compared dynamics of dyadic network formation, ego network formation and global network stabilization patterns across neutral, affiliative and agonistic associations. We found that social structure of captive monk parakeets formed and stabilized over a short period, but patterns differed by social association type. We also found evidence for consistency in the temporal dynamics of formation and stabilization of social structure between replicate social groups. Our analysis methods successfully identified change in social structure that corresponded well with qualitative observations. This framework is likely to be useful in characterizing patterns of temporal dynamics in social structure in longitudinal data in wide variety of social systems and species. 2012 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Research: Impact of Pets on Cardiovascular Risk Prevention

Animals interact with humans in multiple ways, including as therapy and service animals, commercially as livestock, as wildlife, and in zoos. But the most common interaction is as companion animals in our homes, with an estimated 180 million cats and dogs living in US households. While pet ownership has been reported to have many health benefits, the findings are inconsistent. Cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids, glucose, obesity, and heart rate variability have improved, worsened, or remained the same in the limited number of studies considering companion animals. Physical activity increases have more consistently been linked with dog ownership, although whether this reflects antecedent motivation or direct benefit from the dog is unclear. Allergies and asthma also are variably linked to pet ownership and are confounded by family history of atopy and timing of exposure to pet dander. The benefits of companion animals are most likely to be through reduction in depression, anxiety, and social isolation, but these studies have been largely cross-sectional and may depend on degree of bonding of the owner with the animal. Positive relationships show measurably higher oxytocin with lower cortisol and alpha-amylase levels. Finally, pet ownership is also a marker of better socioeconomic status and family stability, and if companion animals are to provide cardiovascular risk benefit, the route should perhaps be through improved education and opportunity for ownership.
The Inefficient Efficiency Defense: St. Luke's and the Efficiency Analysis

Today, efficiencies are considered to play a critical role during the Clayton Act Section 7 analysis. However, despite the 1997 revision of the Merger Guidelines, no prima facie case has yet been rebutted with an efficiency claim. This paper looks at the importance of an efficiency story, specifically in the healthcare industry, through the lens of the recent St. Luke’s case. In St. Luke’s, the Court found that absent a decrease in price efficiencies, quality efficiencies would not offset any anticompetitiveness of the transaction. This paper examines the importance of quality efficiencies in the healthcare industry and how these efficiencies could potentially benefit consumers even more than price decreases. Additionally, this paper looks at the importance of having a sound burden-shifting framework for a Section 7 analysis. Specifically, I argue that in St. Luke’s the district court seemed to treat market shares as more than just a “convenient starting point,” ultimately causing insurmountable hurdles in presenting an efficiency defense during litigation. Finally, this paper discusses why an efficiency defense should not involve having to disprove all the potential negatives on competition.
Medication errors: a 21st-century perspective.

(2004). Medication Errors: A 21st-Century Perspective. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings: Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 464-467.