cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching procedural skills to medical students: one institution's experience with an emergency procedures course.

Abstract Study objective: We examine the effect of a preclinical emergency procedures course on students' clinical procedural skills and medical knowledge. Methods: This is a retrospective review of evaluation forms for a cohort of 86 students graduating from medical school at an academic center. A cross section of students (n=57) taking a clinical emergency medicine rotation over a 4-year period was also studied. Numeric scores (1 to 9 on a Likert scale) in procedural skills and medical knowledge categories were extracted from evaluations for internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine rotations. Scores of students who had taken an elective course, Essential Procedures in Emergency Medicine (EPEM), were compared with scores of students who did not take this course. US Medical Licensing Examination Step I scores for both groups were also compared. Results: Students who took EPEM scored significantly higher in the procedural skills category during the emergency medicine rotation ( P =.04) and during both months of the internal medicine rotation ( P =.02; P =.02). Students scored on average higher in the surgery and obstetrics and gynecology rotations, but these differences were not statistically significant. Students who took EPEM scored significantly higher in the medical knowledge category for emergency medicine ( P =.01; P =.002), both months of internal medicine ( P =.03; P =.006), and 1 of 2 months of surgery ( P =.01) rotations. Students in obstetrics and gynecology rotations scored higher, although not significantly. US Medical Licensing Examination Step I scores were not different between students taking or not taking EPEM. Conclusion: Students taking EPEM achieved higher procedural skill and medical knowledge scores in clinical rotations. Emergency medicine is a specialty well suited to study procedures teaching and performance. [van der Vlugt TM, Harter PM. Teaching procedural skills to medical students: one institution's experience with an emergency procedures course. Ann Emerg Med. July 2002;40:41-49.]
Cities and Citizenship

Cities and Citizenship. James Holston. ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1999. viii. 260 pp., photographs, contributors, index.
Consensus among flexible fitting approaches improves the interpretation of cryo-EM data

Cryo-elecron microscopy (Cryo-EM) can provide important structural information of large macromolecular assemblies in different conformational states. Recent years have seen an increase in structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) by fitting a high-resolution structure into its low-resolution cryo-EM map. A commonly used protocol for accommodating the conformational changes between the X-ray structure and the cryo-EM map is rigid body fitting of individual domains. With the emergence of different flexible fitting approaches, there is a need to compare and revise these different protocols for the fitting. We have applied three diverse automated flexible fitting approaches on a protein dataset for which rigid domain fitting (RDF) models have been deposited in the PDB. In general, a consensus is observed in the conformations, which indicates a convergence from these theoretically different approaches to the most probable solution corresponding to the cryo-EM map. However, the result shows that the convergence might not be observed for proteins with complex conformational changes or with missing densities in cryo-EM map. In contrast, RDF structures deposited in the PDB can represent conformations that not only differ from the consensus obtained by flexible fitting but also from X-ray crystallography. Thus, this study emphasizes that a “consensus” achieved by the use of several automated flexible fitting approaches can provide a higher level of confidence in the modeled configurations. Following this protocol not only increases the confidence level of fitting, but also highlights protein regions with uncertain fitting. Hence, this protocol can lead to better interpretation of cryo-EM data.
Flow in unsaturated random porous media, nonlinear numerical analysis and comparison to analytical stochastic models

(Received 20 May 1997; revised 15 December 1997; accepted 26 March 1998) This work presents a rigorous numerical validation of analytical stochastic models of steady state unsaturated flow in heterogeneous porous media. It also provides a crucial link between stochastic theory based on simplifying assumptions and empirical field and simulation evidence of variably saturated flow in actual or realistic hypothetical heterogeneous porous media. Statistical properties of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water tension, and soil water flux in heterogeneous soils are investigated through high resolution Monte Carlo simulations of a wide range of steady state flow problems in a quasi-unbounded domain. In agreement with assumptions in analytical stochastic models of unsaturated flow, hydraulic conductivity and soil water tension are found to be lognormally and normally distributed, respectively. In contrast, simulations indicate that in moderate to strong variable conductivity fields, longitudinal flux is highly skewed. Transverse flux distributions are leptokurtic. the moments of the probability distributions obtained from Monte Carlo simulations are compared to modified first-order analytical models. Under moderate to strong heterogeneous soil flux conditions ( j 2 $ 1), analytical solutions overestimate variability in soil water tension by up to 40% as soil heterogeneity increases, and underestimate variability of both flux components by up to a factor 5. Theoretically predicted model (cross-)covariance agree well with the numerical sample (cross-)covarianaces. Statistical moments are shown to be consistent with observed physical characteristics of unsaturated flow in heterogeneous soils. q 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved
Multiphoton double ionization of barium

The multiphoton double ionization of Ba from approximately 280 to 700 nm was investigated using laser pulses 5 ns long of peak intensity approximately 10/sup 10/ W/cm/sup 2/. The spectrum consists of a number of strong resonances, which can be assigned to Ba/sup +/ transitions. Most of the assignments have been verified by pump-probe techniques. Thus, the Ba/sup ++/ observed is due to sequential ionization. The multiphoton ionization probability is highest for lambda approximately 500 nm, which matches a series of strong Ba and Ba/sup +/ transitions leading to double ionization. >
EFFECTS OF IRRADIANCE AND SPECTRAL QUALITY ON THE GERMINATION OF VERBASCUM THAPSUS L. AND OENOTHERA BIENNIS L. SEEDS.

Summary Germination of Verbascum thapsus L. and Oenothera biennis L. seeds was investigated over a range of irradiance levels and under different canopy types in the laboratory. Both species colonize early successional and disturbed habitats, and their seedlings establish only in bare soil. In the laboratory, Verbascum seeds germinated to equivalent levels (70 to 80%) over a broad range of irradiance levels and required only brief exposure to light (5 s) to germinate subsequently in darkness. In contrast, germination of Oenothera seeds increased with irradiance to a maximum of approximately 80% at 13 W m−2. Oenothera seeds also required a longer duration of exposure (1 h) to induce germination, and percentage germination increased directly with exposure time to a maximum of 80 % after 22 h of exposure. Germination of both species was significantly reduced in light filtered through leaves, but the responses differed under different canopy types. Exposure to red and blue light had no effect on germination of Verbascum seeds but had an inhibitory effect on that of Oenothera seeds. The results are discussed in relation to the observed patterns of seedling emergence and survival of these species in the field; a possible evolutionary basis is suggested for their differences in response to light.
Anesthetic implications of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (chondroectodermal or mesoectodermal dysplasia) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Initial reports of the syndrome identified a tetrad of clinical manifestations, including chondrodysplasia, postaxial polydactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and congenital heart disease (CHD). Additional involvement may occur in organs of endodermal origin, such as the pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal (hepatic and pancreatic), hematologic, and central nervous systems. The perioperative care of a 2-year, 8-month-old girl who underwent surgical correction of CHD is presented.
Static strands: safely collapsing dependence chains for increasing embedded power efficiency

Modern embedded processors are designed to maximize execution efficiency--the amount of performance achieved per unit of energy dissipated while meeting minimum performance levels. To increase this efficiency we propose utilizing static strands, dependence chains without fan-out which are exposed by a compiler pass. These dependent instructions are resequenced to be sequential and annotated to communicate their location to the hardware. Importantly, this modified application is binary compatible and functionally identical to the original, allowing transparent execution on a baseline processor. However, these static strands can be easily collapsed and optimized by simple processor modifications, significantly reducing the workload energy. Results show that over 30% of MediaBench and Spec2000int dynamic instructions can be collapsed, reducing issue logic energy by 16 to 24%, bypass energy 17 to 20%, and register file energy 13 to 14%. Additionally, by increasing the effective capactity of pipeline resources by almost a third, average IPC can be improved up to 15%. This performance gain can then be traded in for a lower clock frequency to maintain a basline level of performance, reducing energy further.
Daidzin: a potent, selective inhibitor of human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract Human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-I) is potently, reversibly, and selectively inhibited by an isoflavone isolated from Radix puerariae and identified as daidzin, the 7-glucoside of 4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone. Kinetic analysis with formaldehyde as substrate reveals that daidzin inhibits ALDH-I competitively with respect to formaldehyde with a Ki of 40 nM, and uncompetitively with respect to the coenzyme NAD+. The human cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme (ALDH-II) is nearly 3 orders of magnitude less sensitive to daidzin inhibition. Daidzin does not inhibit human class I, II, or III alcohol dehydrogenases, nor does it have any significant effect on biological systems that are known to be affected by other isoflavones. Among more than 40 structurally related compounds surveyed, 12 inhibit ALDH-I, but only prunetin and 5-hydroxydaidzin (genistin) combine high selectivity and potency, although they are 7- to 15-fold less potent than daidzin. Structure-function relationships have established a basis for the design and synthesis of additional ALDH inhibitors that could both be yet more potent and specific.
Cardiac and respiratory patterns during sleep in cocaine-exposed neonates

Four-hour recordings of heart rate and respiration during spontaneous sleep and wakefulness were obtained from 17 cocaine-exposed and 14 control infants at 2 weeks of age. The median values for heart and respiratory rate and variability were determined for each 1-min epoch of quiet and active sleep. Overall mean rates and variabilities were determined for each state. The cocaine-exposed infants showed significantly greater sleep state effects on heart rate relative to the control infants. Recency of cocaine exposure was not a factor in the differences; even those cocaine-exposed infants who tested negative for the drug perinatally differed significantly from those who had never been exposed. Heart rate variability was increased in cocaine-exposed infants relative to controls in both sleep states. Respiratory rate and variability were not significantly different in the cocaine-exposed and control infants. These results suggest differences in cardiovascular control in infants of cocaine-abusing mothers compared to infants without cocaine exposure. The mechanism responsible for these differences is unclear and may reflect cocaine-induced changes in the autonomic physiology of developing infants or some indirect effect of maternal cocaine use.
A characterization of globally consistent databases and their correct access paths

The representative instance is proposed as a representation of the data stored in a database whose relations are not the projections of a universal instance. Database schemes are characterized for which local consistency implies global consistency. (Local consistency means that each relation satisfies its own functional dependencies; global consistency means that the representative instance satisfies all the functional dependencies.) A method of efficiently computing projections of the representative instance is given, provided that local consistency implies global consistency. Throughout, it is assumed that a cover of the functional dependencies is embodied in the database scheme in the form of keys.
PGC-1α Rescues Huntington’s Disease Proteotoxicity by Preventing Oxidative Stress and Promoting TFEB Function

Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by CAG repeat expansions in the huntingtin (htt) gene, yielding proteins containing polyglutamine repeats that become misfolded and resist degradation. Previous studies demonstrated that mutant htt interferes with transcriptional programs coordinated by the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor g (PPARg) coactivator 1a (PGC-1a), a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress. We tested whether restoration of PGC-1a could ameliorate the symptoms of HD in a mouse model. We found that PGC-1a induction virtually eliminated htt protein aggregation and ameliorated HD neurodegeneration in part by attenuating oxidative stress. PGC-1a promoted htt turnover and the elimination of protein aggregates by activating transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. TFEB alone was capable of reducing htt aggregation and neurotoxicity, placing PGC-1a upstream of TFEB and identifying these two molecules as important therapeutic targets in HD and potentially other neurodegenerative disorders caused by protein misfolding.
Aspects of worker reproduction in four social wasp species (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The question of male production by workers in social wasp colonies (Vespinae) has long concerned researchers. Its occurrence would suggest that queen control of colony reproduction is not absolute and that the evolution and maintenance of eusociality in vespines may have been promoted through direct reproductive ability of the worker caste. Dissections of over 3,300 workers from 34 Paravespula and Vespula colonies failed to reveal a significant contribution to male production by workers in most colonies. In those colonies which did contain ovary-developed workers, the wasps tended to be larger than their nestmates in two of the species. On the other hand, ovary-developed workers could not be characterized as specializing in intra- or extranidal tasks in any species. The onset of worker ovarian development was associated with increased size of nests and occurred predominantly in late-season colonies. The near-complete sterility of workers through most of the season suggests that models invoking mutualism and characterizing workers as ‘hopeful reproductives’ cannot explain the maintenance of eusociality in vespine wasps.
Conciliation with Simultaneous or Sequential Interaction Variations in Trustworthiness and Vulnerability in the Prisoner's Dilemma

A total of 96 subjects, half women and half men, opposed a simulated player who was 50% cooperative in the first block of 10 trials and 100% cooperative in the third (last) block. In the second block the latter either was 50% cooperative (control condition) or, in the GRIT condition, communicated and carried out a conciliatory strategy that included some retaliation. The subjects made their choices on each trial either before, after, or simultaneous with the simulated player. It was hypothesized that, beginning in the second block, there would be greater cooperation in the GRIT than in the control condition in all three sequences, including the condition in which the subject chose second, making the simulated player's cooperation very vulnerable to exploitation. The results supported the hypothesis; and the difference persisted in the third block, where there was no longer any retaliation for exploitation. Subjects choosing second were less cooperative in the control condition than those in other sequence...
Erratum to Dynamic Stresses, Coulomb Failure, and Remote Triggering

Figure 13h on page 84 in Hill (2008) illustrating the triggering potential of Rayleigh waves with strike-normal incidence on reverse faults at a depth of 10 km is incorrect. The corrected version of Figure 13 is reproduced here. The correction involves exchanging the stress orbits on the left-hand side of the Mohr’s circle in Figure 13h with those on the right-hand side. Figure 13. (corrected) Triggering potential for Rayleigh waves with strike-perpendicular incidence on inclined normal faults (left column) and reverse faults (right column). Top row shows depth sections for a normal fault (a) and reverse fault (e) with principal stresses and wave incidence at angle γ . Circles …
Content Server System Architecture for Providing Differentiated Levels of Service in a Digital Preservation Cloud

The growing use of digital records in organizations creates a challenge of preservation and archival of these records. The entities dealing with the care and keeping of digital records include governmental organizations at the local and national level that must retain evidence of policy and administration, history-oriented institutions that keep cultural heritage for posterity, financial, medical, legal and plethora of other organizations and businesses. Archiving and preserving digital records requires IT infrastructure and personnel to run the infrastructure. Recently, Cloud Computing has gained momentum in the IT world as one of the options for dealing with the challenges of electronic record management, thanks to the maturity of network protocol infrastructure, virtualization technology and a price-based Service Level Agreement structure. This paper discusses the characteristics and challenges of long term digital preservation that motivate the concept of a specialized Digital Preservation Cloud Service. In response to these challenges, a scalable and evolvable Content Server System Architecture is proposed here, which can constitute the core of a Digital Preservation Cloud. The proposed architecture with its SOA paradigm, layers, and open interfaces will be capable of servicing different levels of service requirements for long term archiving, preservation, search, and access.
Can renewable energy meet Africa’s development needs?

This work applies economic forecasting and energy analysis to explore the potential for Africa to meet electricity demand from its vast hydropower resources under various growth scenarios. The impacts of population growth and growth in demand for energy services are considered, as well as the effects of decreasing water levels on electricity generation. Total electricity demand under various growth scenarios is compared with total hydroelectric generating capabilities. Results show that in 24 countries, when operating at full capacity, the installed hydropower can supply more than enough electricity to meet current demand. But, under various growth scenarios, the current installation operating at full capacity would not be able to meet half of the projected electricity demand by 2030. Thus, further exploitation of hydro potential is needed.
Radioactive Counting Clocks

We report on a radioactive counting clock (RCC) based on radioactive beta emissions from nickel-63 thin films. We present a theoretical analysis of the clock that uses the radioactive source (physics package) to lock and stabilize the frequency of a voltage-to-frequency converter (local oscillator). We present frequency stability measurements of the RCC over 10 days of clock operation. We analyze the limitations on the short-term and long-term frequency stabilities of the RCCs for use in design of clocks that require good frequency stabilities over long-term operations and consume low power, thus holding promise for use in timing and frequency applications in portable systems.
Remote Job Management in the Möbius Modeling Framework

Large and complex models can often benefit from parallel execution on multiple machines. In the Mobius modeling environment, this is especially true of models for which the user wants to examine several independent configurations or parameterizations. A Remote Job Server with the capability to securely forward jobs to remote workstations or securely submit jobs via a standard batch submission system, manage these remote jobs, and collect results from the remote processes has been implemented in the tool. With the Remote Job Server, Mobius users can painlessly parallelize the execution of their models across many platforms and network topologies. This paper describes the Remote Job Server and summarizes other recent extensions to the Mobius tool.
Activation of protein-bound copper ions during early glycation: study on two proteins.

This study proposes several possible pathways by which hyperglycemia could make protein-bound metal ions more redox active. These mechanisms were tested on bovine serum albumin and calf lens protein. Proteins rich in early glycation products were less capable of competing for copper ions in the presence of other ligands (e.g., glycine and calcein), suggesting that glycated proteins might have diminished stability constants of their copper chelates compared to control counterparts. When protein-copper complexes were tested for their ability to cause the oxidation of ascorbic acid, as well as the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, glycated and control proteins differed considerably in their redox abilities. Oxidative damage on proteins documented by protein carbonyl content and amino acid analysis indicates the involvement of Fenton chemistry upon metal chelation. The possible biological consequences of the observed activation of metal ions bound to early glycated proteins are discussed.
ABCA1 and Inflammation: From Animal Models to Humans

ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) is a plasma membrane protein well known for its role in regulating cellular cholesterol efflux and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation.1 Carriers of loss-of-function mutations in ABCA1 are characterized by reduced HDL cholesterol levels, which are nearly absent in the rare homozygous state (Tangier disease), and accumulation of cholesterol in several tissues, especially those rich in macrophages and reticuloendothelial cells.2 Although patients with Tangier disease rarely manifest with premature coronary artery disease, carriers of functional mutations in ABCA1 are characterized by decreased cholesterol efflux from fibroblasts and increased carotid wall thickness when compared with control subjects.3,4 See accompanying article on page 1663 Cholesterol efflux from macrophages has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular events and their incidence.5,6 ABCA1 is generally considered atheroprotective for its ability to meditate this first step of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.7 Figure. Potential mechanisms underlying increased inflammatory status in ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1)–deficient subjects. A , ABCA1 plays a major role in nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation and cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Excess free cholesterol (FC) and phospholipid in peripheral tissues, including macrophages in the arterial wall, can be transported out of cells through active lipid efflux via transporters such as ABCA1 into HDL. Through this process ABCA1 can modulate the amount of FC present in the plasma membrane. ABCA1-mediated reduction in …
Localization and tracking under extreme and persistent sensory occlusion

We focus on a mobile robot who must keep itself localized while closely following another robot or human. This problem has many real-world applications including that of a co-bot engaged in a follow-the-leader behavior or a robot that is participating in a convoy. If the robot is expected to eventually break away and reach its own goal, then the robot must stay self-localized. A key challenge for localization while tailing another is the extreme and persistent occlusion of the robot's sensors by the dynamic obstacle in front of it that is not modeled in its map. Current Monte Carlo localization (MCL) methods use sensor models with random noise, which are inadequate under such occlusion. We utilize a particle filter that simultaneously tracks the subject robot and the leader. We introduce novel particle weighting and adaptive sampling schemes that significantly improve the follower's localization. The result is a robust and adaptive MCL for applications involving persistent occlusion.
Harvest Rates and Escape Speeds in Two Coexisting Species of Montane Ground Squirrels

I measured harvest rates and maximum running-escape speeds of two species of ground-dwelling squirrels, the least chipmunk ( Tamias minimus ) and the golden-mantled ground squirrel ( Spermophilus lateralis ). Using seed trays in which foragers experienced diminishing returns, I found that S. lateralis harvested seeds faster than did T. minimus . This difference was due to a significantly higher rate of encounter of seeds by S. lateralis . There was no significant difference in handling times between species. Higher harvest rates may reduce predation risk by decreasing the amount of time spent exposed to predators while foraging. I also measured maximum running speeds by chasing animals over short distances. I found that S. lateralis ran significantly faster than did T. minimus (3.14 and 2.13 m/s, respectively). A faster maximum running speed could enable S. lateralis to escape pursuit, but also to exploit the meadow habitat farther from the safety of the forested edge. In previous studies, I found that T. minimus perceived a greater level of predation risk than did S. lateralis in areas 20 m from protective cover and that they were competitively inferior there. The results from this study provide a possible mechanism for this difference. One generalization from this study is that, if larger body size usually confers an anti-predator advantage, larger-bodied species should more often exploit riskier (often open) habitats.
Insect Sex Attractants. VIII. Structure-Activity Relationships in Sex Attractant for Male Cabbage Loopers

The sex attractant cis -7-decen-1-ol acetate was synthesized and tested in the sized and tested in the laboratory and in the field on moths of the male cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner). Also, the parent alcohol of the compound (cis -7-decen-1-ol), and the acetates of 7-octen-1-ol, 7-octyn-1-ol, cis -and trans -7-dodecen-1-ol, 7-dodecyn-1-ol, and 1-dodecanol were tested. The synthetic sex pheromone was much more attractive than any other compound. The survey of the homologs and analogs showed that, to possess significant activity, the compound must be the acetate of a 12-carbon alcohol with cis unsaturation in the 7-position.
Efrat Eizenberg, From the Ground Up: Community Gardens in New York City and the Politics of Spatial Transformation (Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2013).

Eizenberg seeks to answer two intriguing and possibly interrelated questions: First, how did groups of poor, ethnic, and racial minorities manage to obtain land for community gardens in New York Ci...
Effects of Fluoride and Chloride on Zinc Hydrometallurgical System and Their Removal Methods

In a fully hydrometallurgical process to recover zinc from zinc sulphide concentrate,entrance of fluoride and chloride into hydrometallurgical system had concentrations of these two ions exceed standard.This problem has become a bottleneck for development of zinc hydrometallurgical process.The harmness of F-and Cl-for zinc hydrometallurgical system was analyzed.The methods to remove F-and Cl-were discussed.The methods to remove F-and Cl-with bright prospect are proposed.
Investigation on An Outbreak of Influenza A H1N1 in School of Yingkou City

[Objective] To investigate the influenza A H1N1 outbreak in a school of Yingkou City during August—September 2009, so as to control it timely.[Methods]Epidemiological investigations and laboratory test were performed.[Results]Fourteen cases were diagnosed as influenza A H1N1 cases. The incident was confirmed as a school-based aggregative outbreak of influenza A H1N1 due to direct contact, without death case.[Conclusion]The school-based aggregative outbreak of influenza A H1N1 has been controlled by the cooperation of relevant departments.
The effect of external nasal dilators as measured by acoustic rhinometry.

The effect of a commercially available external nasal dilator, Breathe Right (CNS, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) was measured with acoustic rhinometry in 11 healthy subjects. The cross-sectional areas--1, 2 and 3--and nasal volume--from 0 to 6 cm2--were obtained in four situations: 1) pre-decongested with no dilator, 2) pre-decongested with dilator, 3) post-decongested without dilator, and 4) post-decongested with dilator. The device significantly increased cross-sectional area (CSA) 1, which corresponds to the nasal valve area in both the pre-decongestant and post-decongestant states (p = .0001 for both). The appliance also significantly increased the nasal volume in the pre-decongested state (p = .0002), but was not significant for the post-decongested state (p = .0707). The appliance caused a significantly greater increase in CSA 1 as compared to that achieved with decongestion alone. The results of this study indicate that the Breathe Right nasal dilator may be used ot increase the area of the nasal valve.
Nucleus Accumbens AMPA Receptors Are Necessary for Morphine-Withdrawal-Induced Negative-Affective States in Rats.

Dependence is a hallmark feature of opiate addiction and is defined by the emergence of somatic and affective withdrawal signs. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrates dopaminergic and glutamatergic inputs to mediate rewarding and aversive properties of opiates. Evidence suggests that AMPA glutamate-receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity within the NAc underlies aspects of addiction. However, the degree to which NAc AMPA receptors (AMPARs) contribute to somatic and affective signs of opiate withdrawal is not fully understood. Here, we show that microinjection of the AMPAR antagonist NBQX into the NAc shell of morphine-dependent rats prevented naloxone-induced conditioned place aversions and decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward, but had no effect on somatic withdrawal signs. Using a protein cross-linking approach, we found that the surface/intracellular ratio of NAc GluA1, but not GluA2, increased with morphine treatment, suggesting postsynaptic insertion of GluA2-lacking AMPARs. Consistent with this, 1-naphthylacetyl spermine trihydrochloride (NASPM), an antagonist of GluA2-lacking AMPARs, attenuated naloxone-induced decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward. Naloxone decreased the surface/intracellular ratio and synaptosomal membrane levels of NAc GluA1 in morphine-dependent rats, suggesting a compensatory removal of AMPARs from synaptic zones. Together, these findings indicate that chronic morphine increases synaptic availability of GluA1-containing AMPARs in the NAc, which is necessary for triggering negative-affective states in response to naloxone. This is broadly consistent with the hypothesis that activation of NAc neurons produces acute aversive states and raises the possibility that inhibiting AMPA transmission selectively in the NAc may have therapeutic value in the treatment of addiction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Morphine dependence and withdrawal result in profound negative-affective states that play a major role in the maintenance of addiction. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood. We use a rat model of morphine dependence to show that GluA1 subunits of AMPA glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region critical for modulating affective states, are necessary for aversive effects of morphine withdrawal. Using biochemical methods in NAc tissue, we show that morphine dependence increases cell surface expression of GluA1, suggesting that neurons in this area are primed for increased AMPA receptor activation upon withdrawal. This work is important because it suggests that targeting AMPA receptor trafficking and activation could provide novel targets for addiction treatment.
Are esophagrams indicated in pediatric patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum

Abstract Background/purpose Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an infrequent condition in pediatric patients. Presenting symptoms include chest pain, dysphagia, or vomiting, without initiating event. Patients may undergo esophagram because of concern for esophageal perforation as the source for pneumomediastinum, however, abnormalities are rarely demonstrated. The objective of this study is to identify whether esophagrams performed on pediatric patients for spontaneous pneumomediastinum are warranted. Methods An IRB approved, retrospective study was performed. The radiology information system was queried for the keyword "pneumomediastinum" in reports from 2000 to 2016. 27 patients were identified with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, who underwent 28 esophagrams, and 18 patients with pneumomediastinum secondary to blunt trauma, undergoing 20 esophagrams. Imaging findings recorded included presence of pneumothorax or pleural effusion, amount of imaging performed, radiation dose and fluoroscopy time for esophagrams, and type of contrast used. Clinical data recorded included presenting symptoms, presence of fever, and length of hospital stay. Results All esophagrams in patients with both spontaneous and post traumatic pneumomediastinum were negative. Patients were exposed to radiation doses between 61 and 92 μGy m 2 during esophagrams. Contrast aspiration occurred in one patient. Conclusions Esophagrams are not indicated for pediatric patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, and may not be warranted in patients with post traumatic pneumomediastinum.
A New Method of Flame Photometry.

SummaryA new type of atomizer-burner system is described for use in flame photometry which accomplishes consistently accurate quantitative chemical analysis of sodium, potassium, and other cations.
Maternal HIV-1 RNA serum levels at delivery and vertical transmission in Uganda

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical utility of maternal HIV-1 RNA serum levels at delivery in predicting the rate of HIV-1 vertical transmission. DESIGN AND METHODS HIV-1 RNA levels were determined by the Roche Amplicor Monitor assay in serum specimens collected at the time of delivery from 94 transmitting and 107 nontransmitting infected mothers and 12 seronegative mothers in Uganda. Nonparametric Wilcoxon-Rank sum tests were used to identify significant differences in medians and RNA level distributions by transmission status. RESULTS Mean HIV-1 RNA copies/mL for transmitters was 3419 +/- 7489 copies/mL versus 2483 +/- 8954 copies/mL for nontransmitters. There was a significant difference in medians and HIV-1 RNA serum level distributions between transmitting and nontransmitting mothers (p = 0.0039). However, the predictive value for any given HIV-1 RNA level for HIV-1 vertical transmission was poor. CONCLUSION Maternal HIV-1 RNA serum levels at delivery are significantly higher in transmitting mothers versus nontransmitting mothers, but appear to be of limited value in predicting HIV-1 vertical transmission using the Roche Amplicor Monitor assay in Uganda.
A Neurological and Ideological Perspective of Ethical Leadership

A growing body of literature has considered the outcomes of ethical leadership in terms of positive effects on followers. However, little research has addressed its antecedents. We thus have insuff...
Institutional Repositories, Open Access and Copyright: What Are the Practices and Implications?

A number of factors are driving open access to full-text journals: constantly rising prices of journal and database subscriptions, granting agencies requirements for recipients to submit their research publications into open access repositories, and pressure on libraries to create Institutional Repositories (IR) to promote the institutions’ reputations. Research proves that open access promotes the dissemination and use of scholarly works and citations for authors. This article examines the interactions among open access, institutional repositories, and copyright management. The research described herein investigates how institutional repositories are managing copyright and licensing issues that can interfere with open access.
Enhancing the temporal resolution of satellite-based flood extent generation using crowdsourced data for disaster monitoring.

Remote-sensing satellite data are routinely used during disasters for damage assessment and to coordinate relief operations. Although there is a plethora of satellite sensors able to provide action...
Microcytic anemia: Differential Diagnosis and Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Microcytic anemia is defined as the presence of small, often hypochromic, red blood cells in a peripheral blood smear and is usually characterized by a low MCV (less than 83 micron 3). Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia. The absence of iron stores in the bone marrow remains the most definitive test for differentiating iron deficiency from the other microcytic states, ie, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia. However, measurement of serum ferritin, iron concentration, transferrin saturation and iron-binding capacity, and, more recently, serum transferrin receptors may obviate proceeding to bone marrow evaluation. The human body maintains iron homeostasis by recycling the majority of its stores. Disruptions in this balance are commonly seen during menstruation, pregnancy, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although the iron-absorptive capacity is able to increase upon feedback regarding total body iron stores or erythropoietic activity, this physiologic response is minimal. Significant iron loss requires replacement with iron supplements. The vast majority of patients respond effectively to inexpensive and usually well-tolerated oral iron preparations. In the rare circumstances of malabsorption, losses exceeding maximal oral replacement, or true intolerance, parenteral iron dextran is effective. In either form of treatment, it is necessary to replete iron stores in addition to correcting the anemia.
Birth and Death on a Flow

In recent years there has been much interest in the equilibrium behavior of stochastic flows; see for instance Baxendale [1], Carverhill [2], Le Jan [6], [7] and [8]. Most of the work seems to be concentrated on the limiting distribution, as t → ∞, of the random measure $${\mu _t}(\omega ,A) = {\mu _0}\{ x:F_{0,t}^\omega x \in A\} $$ for a stochastic flow F = {F s,t : 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ ∞} and a given mass distribution μ0 with total mass 1. In some applications, notably in transport of pollutant particles by groundwater flows, one is interested in similar questions but with creation and annihilation of mass over time and space.
Determinants of the relationship between investor sentiment and analysts’ private information production

We examine whether and how investor sentiment affects analysts’ private information production and the factors that moderate this influence. As expected, analysts’ private information production (measured by the information asymmetry component of analyst forecast dispersion) is significantly negatively associated with investor sentiment. Our tests also show that higher institutional holdings of stock, longer analysts’ earnings forecasting experience, and higher levels of short selling of stock mitigate this negative influence of sentiment on analysts’ private information production. Our findings are informative for researchers, financial analysts, and market participants who rely on analysts’ forecasts to form earnings expectations.
A 2.5 ppm/°C 1.05-MHz Relaxation Oscillator With Dynamic Frequency-Error Compensation and Fast Start-Up Time

This paper presents a 1.05 MHz, on-chip RC relaxation oscillator (ROSC) with a temperature coefficient (TC) of 2.5 ppm/°C and an absolute variation of 100 ppm over the body-compatible range of 0–40°C. The TC increases to 4.3 ppm/°C over the range from −15 °C to 55 °C. The high temperature stability is achieved using a PTAT current reference and a TC-tunable resistor bank for first-order frequency error compensation along with a digital frequency compensation (DFC) block using a single-bit temperature sensor for second-order compensation. A measured RMS period jitter of 160 ps is achieved with a high-speed comparator. The active power consumption of the ROSC is $69~\mu \text{W}$ with a 1-V supply, and the leakage power consumption is 110 nW, while power gated. The ROSC achieves a fast startup time of $8~\mu \text{s}$ by employing a voltage buffer to quickly stabilize the voltage reference.
Humanitarian Aid and the Failure of Peacekeeping

When a war creates hundreds of thousands of victims among the civilian population, a common response of the international community is to furnish humanitarian aid to those affected. When large numbers of refugees or internally displaced people are created, such aid can mean the difference between life and death for them. The goal of the international effort is to ensure they have the most basic human needs met—security, water, food, shelter, medical care, and sanitation—until they can return to their homes. Humanitarian assistance is considered to be unquestionably beneficial by those who are in the business of providing it because it is designed to alleviate the suffering of noncombatants. Many consider humanitarian action to be impartial, neutral, and independent from political, religious, or any other extraneous bias. Humanitarian assistance does not always have positive effects however. This is particularly true when it comes to the impact on peacekeeping. How peacekeeping affects humanitarian aid, and vice versa, depends on which of the three types of peacekeeping and conflict are being considered—classical peacekeeping in response to an interstate war, multidimensional peacekeeping after a civil war or a protection/stabilization mission in response to violent extremism.
Abstract 2396: Development of a new generation of dimeric, highly cytotoxic fusion proteins containing active GrB and VEGF targeting tumor neovasculature: Incorporating IgG heavy chain Fc fragments improves cytotoxicity, stability and pharmacokinetics

VEGF121 is a naturally-occurring splice variant that binds to VEGF receptors R-1 and R-2, which are over-expressed on the endothelium of tumor vasculature but not normal vasculature. The serine protease granzyme B (GrB) is capable of inducing intense cellular apoptosis through both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent multiple-cascade mechanisms. We have previously reported the expression of a fusion protein composed of Granzyme B and VEGF121 (GrB/VEGF121) and its subsequent in vitro and in vivo characterization. Here we report on the development and characterization of GrB-Fc-VEGF, which fuses the two domains via an IgG heavy chain Fc-fragment. We hypothesized that this modification, resulting in a relatively high molecular weight (133 kDa vs 80 kDa) would result in improved in vivo circulation and efficacy. VEGF inter-chain dimerization domains were modified such that dimerization occurred only through the Fc domain. GrB-Fc-VEGF121was expressed in HEK-293E cells under serum-free conditions and purified from the media by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (25 mg/L). Western blotting confirmed incorporation of both VEGF121 and GrB moieties into the construct. Comparison of GrB-Fc-VEGF121 with its expected molecular weight suggests significant glycosylation when produced in HEK293E cells. The enzymatic activity of GrB in GrB-Fc-VEGF121 was comparable to that of human GrB. In vitro studies of GrB-Fc-VEGF121 suggests improved cytotoxicity against cell lines expressing high levels of VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2, unlike GrB/VEGF121, which targeted VEGFR-2+ cells more efficiently. Thus, the GrB-Fc-VEGF121 produced in HEK293E cells is active and has significant potential as a targeted therapeutic. In vitro cytotoxicity against an expanded panel of cells, internalization, and in vivo pharmacokinetics and efficacy against various tumor models are currently ongoing and will be presented. Research conducted, in part, by the Clayton Foundation for Research. Citation Format: Khalid A. Mohamedali, Lawrence H. Cheung, Ana Alvarez-Cienfuegos, Michael G. Rosenblum. Development of a new generation of dimeric, highly cytotoxic fusion proteins containing active GrB and VEGF targeting tumor neovasculature: Incorporating IgG heavy chain Fc fragments improves cytotoxicity, stability and pharmacokinetics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2396.
Optimization of Ultrasound-Mediated Drug Delivery for Treatment of Onychomycosis.

Background Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disorder that does not have a successful cure due to the poor permeability of topical anti-fungal drugs through the nail. This study utilizes ultrasound to increase the permeability of the nail to the topical drugs currently used in clinic. The first aim of this study was to optimize ultrasonic parameters within the temperature increase limits set by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS). The second aim of the study was to evaluate the optimized parameters for a cause of action of either cavitation (the creation of micrometer pores in the nail barrier) or acoustic streaming (a steady fluid motion which may help push the drug through the nail). Methods Porcine and human nails are used in the five studies. PZFlex Modeling Software is used to model the temperature increase in the toe as a result of ultrasonic application and these results were used to develop the three parameters tested throughout the rest of the studies. The three parameters tested were 1 min of continuous ultrasonic application, 3 min of 50% ultrasonic application and 5 min of 50% ultrasonic application. In order to address the second aim of our research work, these three parameters were tested for the presence of streaming and cavitation. Results At the three tested parameters, the most permeation of the nail occurs with 1 min of continuous application of ultrasound to the nail. It was also found that there was limited cavitation and significant streaming at all three parameters. This suggests that streaming may be the main mechanism-of-action in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery through the nail. Conclusion The parameter of 1 min of continuous ultrasonic testing will continue to be employed as the testing is moved to a rabbit model of onychomycosis.