cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Running virtual: The effect of virtual reality on exercise

Research has shown that exercise among college aged persons has dropped over recent years (Lindahl, 2015; Sheppard, 2016). Many factors could be contributing to this reduction in exercise including: large workloads, the need to work during school, or perhaps technology use. A number of recent studies are showing the benefits of using virtual reality systems in exercise and are demonstrating that the use of such technology can lead to an increase in the number of young adults engaging in exercise. This study focuses on the effects that virtual reality has on heart rate and other bodily sensations during a typical work out. This study also analyses the participants ability to pay less attention to their bodily sensations during exercise when using a virtual reality system. During this experiment, participants were exposed to two different conditions. Condition one being a traditional work out, riding an exercise bike at a middle tension level. Condition two was the same but the participant was wearing a virtual reality headset. The data collected led to the conclusion that working out while wearing a virtual reality headset will lead to a higher heart rate, and in turn can lead to burning more calories during a workout. The study also found participants who wore the virtual reality headset were able to remove themselves from their bodily sensations allowing them to workout longer.
Treatment of COVID-19 Patients with Convalescent Plasma in Houston, Texas

Background: COVID-19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread globally, and no proven treatments are available. Convalescent plasma therapy has been used with varying degrees of success to treat severe microbial infections for more than 100 years. Methods: Patients (n=25) with severe and/or life-threatening COVID-19 disease were enrolled at the Houston Methodist hospitals from March 28 to April 14, 2020. Patients were transfused with convalescent plasma obtained from donors with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and had been symptom free for 14 days. The primary study outcome was safety, and the secondary outcome was clinical status at day 14 post-transfusion. Clinical improvement was assessed based on a modified World Health Organization 6-point ordinal scale and laboratory parameters. Viral genome sequencing was performed on donor and recipient strains. Results: At baseline, all patients were receiving supportive care, including anti-inflammatory and anti-viral treatments, and all patients were on oxygen support. At day 7 post-transfusion with convalescent plasma, nine patients had at least a 1-point improvement in clinical scale, and seven of those were discharged. By day 14 post-transfusion, 19 (76%) patients had at least a 1-point improvement in clinical status and 11 were discharged. No adverse events as a result of plasma transfusion were observed. The whole genome sequencing data did not identify a strain genotype-disease severity correlation. Conclusions: The data indicate that administration of convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for those with severe COVID-19 disease. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine its efficacy.
Reducing post-operative opioids in children undergoing outpatient urologic surgery: A quality improvement initiative.

Summary Introduction Opioid prescriptions have been implicated as one of the proximate causes of the national opioid epidemic. Children and adolescents and their families are at risk for increased opioid exposure through prescriptions after surgery. In pediatric urologic surgery, indications for postoperative opioids can vary widely and a focus on opioid stewardship is important to reduce potential harms. Objective To measure the efficacy of a quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce post-operative opioids for pain management in a large pediatric surgical cohort. Study design Patients undergoing ambulatory pediatric urologic surgery at a tertiary children's hospital between July 2016 to June 2019 were analyzed. Structured physician peer-to-peer comparisons, electronic health record redesign and a standardized pain management protocol were implemented. Rate of opioid prescriptions per month, utilization of non-opioid analgesia, unplanned encounters in the emergency department and/or office during implementation were aggregated. Opioid doses and prescribed opioid days before and after protocol implementation were analyzed. A subcohort, from October–December 2018 was administered a patient-reported outcome questionnaire focused on pain management and return to baseline activity. Results A total of 6684 consecutive outpatient urologic cases were included (median age = 3.3 years old (IQR 0.9–9.2) and 92.3% male). Comparing 6 months pre-intervention and the post-intervention latest 6 month intervals, opioid prescription rate decreased from 43.9% to 2.3% (p Conclusion Opioid prescriptions and utilization may be minimized without increasing unplanned encounters or adversely affecting quality of life. The QI framework utilized in this process can be implemented to reduce opioid exposure in other surgical patient populations. Download : Download high-res image (352KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Fig. . Proportion of cases per month with opioids prescribed (red), ketorolac administered (blue), ED visits within 30 days (purple) and office visits within 5 days (green).
Impact of Pulmonary Hypertension on in-hospital outcomes amongst Sickle Cell Disease hospitalizations

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common and severe complication of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and an independent risk factor for mortality. While there is a clear association between SCD and PH, the predictors of PH in SCD and the impact of PH on in-hospital outcomes of SCD hospitalizations remains unknown. In our study, we sought to assess the in-hospital prevalence, predictors, and the impact of PH in SCD hospitalizations. Methods: We used the 2016 and 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify all adult hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of SCD. The sample was then stratified based on the presence or absence of PH. We used the Pearson chi-square test and weighted Student’s t-test to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio for various clinical outcomes. SAS was used for the analysis, and the p-value was defined as Results: We identified n=191,080 weighted hospitalizations for SCD, of which, 5.54% (n=10590) had concomitant PH. Female gender and comorbidities including hypertension, obesity, illicit drug use, hepatic cirrhosis, renal failure, prior venous-thromboembolism, valvular, and congenital heart disease were identified as significant predictors of PH in SCD. PH was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (1.04% vs 0.22%, AOR=2.14, 95% CI 1.15-3.98, p=0.0158). PH in SCD hospitalizations also increased the odds of - acute kidney injury (AKI), need for dialysis, acute respiratory failure (ARF), and need for mechanical ventilation for > 96 hours. The adjusted odds ratio for venous thromboembolism, shock-state, and the need for cardiac catheterization (both right and bilateral) were also higher in patients with PH. Overall hospitalization cost and length of stay increased (7.06±0.16 vs 1.82±0.02 days) in patients with SCD and PH (see table 1). Conclusion: In sickle cell disease hospitalizations, PH is independently associated with increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality, with an increased need for in-hospital catheterizations thereby, prolonging the length of stay and overall health care costs. Identifying and treating PH in the SCD population would improve in-hospital outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (398KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The effects of additive solutions on the development of storage lesions in stored canine platelet concentrates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if platelet additive solutions (PAS) decrease the occurrence and degree of platelet storage lesions, maintain platelet function, and extend storage time in vitro beyond 5 days at 22°C when compared to platelets stored in plasma only. DESIGN: Prospective, ex vivo experimental controlled study. SETTING: Research laboratory in a school of veterinary medicine. ANIMALS: Twelve units of canine platelet concentrate prepared from fresh whole blood donations. INTERVENTIONS: Platelet concentrates were aliquoted into 4 units and stored at room temperature (22°C) under constant agitation in either 100% plasma (control) or 35% plasma and 65% of 1 of 3 different PAS (Plasma-Lyte A, Isoplate, and InterSol) for 7 days. At days 0, 3, 5, and 7, samples were analyzed for presence of swirling, degree of aggregate formation, platelet count, platelet indices, glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, Pvo2 , and Pvco2 concentrations, aggregation via light aggregometry, and activation percentage based on flow cytometric measurement of surface P-selectin. Bacterial cultures were performed on days 0, 5, and 7. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Isoplate had a higher incidence of aggregate formation on day 0 (n = 2), and Plasma-Lyte A had a higher incidence of loss of swirl on day 7 (n = 5). Plasma-stored samples had significantly higher platelet counts (P < 0.001), pH (P < 0.05), Pvco2 (P < 0.001), and lactate (P < 0.001), and significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05) as compared to all PAS. The mean pH remained above 7.2 in PAS and plasma. There was no difference in platelet activation between plasma and PAS. Changes in platelet indices, glucose consumption, and maximum aggregation varied by storage solution. There was no bacterial growth seen in any samples. CONCLUSIONS: The 3 PAS performed similarly and could all be considered as potential replacements for plasma during the room temperature storage of canine platelet concentrate for up to 7 days.
Automated and customizable quantitative image analysis of whole Caenorhabditis elegans germlines

Arranged in a spatial-temporal gradient for germ cell development, the adult germline of Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent system for understanding the generation, differentiation, function, and maintenance of germ cells. Imaging whole C. elegans germlines along the distal-proximal axis enables powerful cytological analyses of germ cell nuclei as they progress from the pre-meiotic tip through all the stages of meiotic prophase I. To enable high-content image analysis of whole C. elegans gonads, we developed a custom algorithm and pipelines to function with image processing software that enables: (1) quantification of cytological features at single nucleus resolution from immunofluorescence images; and (2) assessment of these individual nuclei based on their position within the germline. We show the capability of our quantitative image analysis approach by analyzing multiple cytological features of meiotic nuclei in whole C. elegans germlines. First, we quantify double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) per nucleus by analyzing DNA-associated foci of the recombinase RAD-51 at single-nucleus resolution in the context of whole germline progression. Second, we quantify the DSBs that are licensed for crossover repair by analyzing foci of MSH-5 and COSA-1 when they associate with the synaptonemal complex during meiotic prophase progression. Finally, we quantify P-granule composition across the whole germline by analyzing the colocalization of PGL-1 and ZNFX-1 foci. Our image analysis pipeline is an adaptable and useful method for researchers spanning multiple fields using the C. elegans germline as a model system.
IgM+ and IgG+ memory B cells represent heterogeneous populations capable of producing class-switched antibodies and germinal center B cells upon re-challenge with P. yoelii

Abstract Memory B cells (MBCs) are essential for maintaining long-term humoral immunity to infectious organisms, including Plasmodium. MBCs are a heterogeneous population whose function can be dictated by isotype or expression of particular surface proteins. Here, aided by antigen-specific B-cell tetramers, MBC populations were evaluated to discern their phenotype and function in response to infection with a non-lethal strain of P. yoelii. Infection of mice with P. yoelii 17X resulted in the production of two predominant MBC populations: somatically hypermutated isotype-switched (IgM-) and IgM+ MBCs that co-expressed CD73 and CD80 that produced antigen-specific antibodies in response to secondary infection. Re-challenge experiments indicated that IgG-producing cells dominated the recall response over the induction of IgM-secreting cells, with both populations expanding with similar timing during the secondary response. Furthermore, using ZsGreen1 expression as a surrogate for activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression alongside CD73 and CD80 co-expression, ZsGreen1+CD73+CD80+IgM+ MBCs gave rise to class-switched IgG-producing plasmablasts that induced comparable titers of Ag-specific Abs as their IgM- counterparts after adoptive transfer and infection with P. yoelii. Moreover, ZsGreen1+CD73+CD80+ IgM+ and IgM- MBCs differentiated into B cells with a germinal center phenotype after adoptive transfer. A third population of B cells (ZsGreen1-CD73-CD80-IgM-) that emerges after infection responded poorly to reactivation in vitro and in vivo, indicating that these cells do not represent a population of MBCs. Together these data indicated that MBC function is not defined by immunoglobulin isotype, nor does co-expression of key surface markers limit the potential fate of MBCs after recall. Summary IgM+ and IgM- MBCs that co-express CD73 and CD80 can differentiate into plasmablasts and GC B cells after re-challenge with P. yoelii.
Aboard the ISS: intersubunit signaling revealed in the p97 ATPase.

A new cryo-EM study reveals how ATP hydrolysis in the p97 ATPase is coordinated to unfold the protein’s substrates and provides new foundations for the design of small molecule therapeutics targeting p97 in cancer, neurodegeneration and viral infection.
Transcriptome analysis discloses dysregulated genes in normal appearing tumor-adjacent thyroid tissues from patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. The molecular characteristics of histologically normal appearing tissue adjacent to the tumor (NAT) from PTC patients are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize the global gene expression profile of NAT and compare it with those of normal and tumor thyroid tissues. We performed total RNA sequencing with fresh frozen thyroid tissues from a cohort of three categories of samples including NAT, normal thyroid (N), and PTC tumor (T). Transcriptome analysis shows that NAT presents a unique gene expression profile, which was not associated with sex or the presence of lymphocytic thyroiditis. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of NAT vs N, 256 coding genes and 5 noncoding genes have been reported as cancer genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and/or tumorigenesis. Bioinformatics analysis with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software revealed that "Cancer, Organismal Injury and Abnormalities, Cellular Response to Therapeutics, and Cellular Movement" were major dysregulated pathways in the NAT tissues. This study provides improved insight into the complexity of gene expression changes in the thyroid glands of patients with PTC.
The Impact of Medicaid Expansion, Diversity, and the ACA Primary Care Fee Bump on the Performance of Medicaid Managed Care

In response to the policy changes to Medicaid, this research examines the impact of Medicaid expansion, diversity, and Medicaid “fee bump” on Medicaid managed care, aiming to provide insights to health insurers, consumers, regulators and policymakers regarding profitability, better services, reducing expenses, and improving efficiency. The results indicate Medicaid expansion increases profit efficiency of Medicaid managed care, but has no significant effect on medical services efficiency or composite efficiency. The diversity of business lines, product types, or payment methods does not create economies of scope for Medicaid profitability, medical services efficiency or composite efficiency. However, the diversity of product types is associated with more ambulatory encounters while the diversity of payment methods reduces medical and administrative expenses. The Medicaid fee bump does not increase medical expenses or the utilization of medical services, and has no significant effect on profitability or composite efficiency. “Medicaid lower reimbursement” should not be a big concern for Medicaid managed care for profitability, medical services, expenses, or overall efficiency. Another finding is that offering more PPO plans improves the performance in profits, services, and expenses, and MCOs also serving Medicare beneficiaries perform better in Medicaid managed care. In addition, capitation and contractual fee payments both enhance composite efficiency. The value-based payments do not have a significant effect on expenses or efficiency but are associated with more ambulatory encounters.
Cardiac Amyloid for the Internist.

Cardiac amyloid is an uncommon cause of diastolic dysfunction the recognition of which requires the internist to have clinical suspicion to guide diagnosis and treatment. Cardiac amyloid is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy with significant morbidity and mortality. Appropriate diagnosis is important because management of cardiac amyloid differs from typical heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. An astute internist must be able to recognize common findings of cardiac amyloidosis. Here we present a case of a patient presenting with diastolic heart failure and the steps leading towards diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Brain region-specific up-regulation of mouse apolipoprotein E by pharmacological estrogen treatments.

Cerebral apolipoprotein E (apoE) has been implicated in neuronal protection and repair. Due to the variable levels and types of estrogen receptors within different brain regions, the effect of estrogen on apoE and the mechanism of this effect may vary within different regions. Ovariectomized female C57BL/6 mice were treated with pharmacological levels of 17β-estradiol or placebo for 5 days, resulting in supraphysiological plasma levels of estradiol in the treated mice. ApoE and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and diencephalon. 17β-Estradiol up-regulated apoE but not GFAP in the cortex and diencephalon, whereas in the hippocampus, GFAP and apoE were equally up-regulated. Treatment of estrogen receptor (ER) α knockout mice with 17β-estradiol or treatment of C57BL/6 mice with 17α-estradiol, a poor estrogen receptor agonist, specifically induced apoE in the cortex, but not in the diencephalon. These results indicate that 17β-estradiol effects on apoE are either directly or indirectly mediated by ERα in the diencephalon, while the effects in the cortex may be mediated by a non-classical mechanism or by ERβ. Measurement of mRNA levels in estrogen versus placebo-treated wild-type mice indicated that the effect of 17β-estradiol on apoE was not associated with changes in apoE mRNA levels.
Osmotic regulation in juvenile oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum)-I

An experiment was conducted over a 48-hour period to test the ability of yearling coho salmon to dispose of the absorbed chloride when abruptly transferred from fresh water to sea-water. The Schale micromethod was used to titrate chloride in the plasma and the samples after 0-, 24- and 48hour exposure in fresh-, 15 p.p.th. and 30 p.p.th. salt water. Results showed that one-year old fish, averaging 11.5 cm in length and 13.5 g in weight were able to osmoregulate in 7.35 p.p.th. Cl− sea-water. In 12.5 p.p.th. Cl− concentrations, their body fluids showed an increasing chloride content. No mortality however was recorded within the 48 hours of the experiment. Fish exposed for one month to estuarine sea-water succeeded in bringing their body fluid chloride level back to normal (5.4 p.p.th). Size is suggested as an important limiting factor for the development of an efficient osmoregulatory mechanism termed secreting cells and localised near the gills.
Drones: Designed for Product Delivery

Talk about a disruptive technology: Drones are on the verge of blowing a big hole in the supply-chain process. Big players are already skirmishing to get out in front. Don't think of them as science fiction—Amazon, Google, UPS, and Domino's Pizza have big plans for drones.
Standoff Acoustic Modulation of Radio Frequency Signals in a Log-Periodic Dipole Array Antenna

An acoustic tone isonifying an antenna is shown to produce radio frequency (RF) distortion in a log-periodic dipole array. This distortion is capable of interfering with a sensitive receiver. The passive distortion produces two sidebands, the powers of which have a 1:1 relationship with both the RF and acoustic tone, but have nonmonotonic behavior with respect to RF and acoustic frequency.
Genetic Control of High Temperature Tolerance in Wheat as Measured by Membrane Thermal Stability

Heat stress is an important production constraint of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) affecting many plant biological activities in the cell membrane. This study determined the genetic control of heat tolerance through diallel analysis of selected wheat germplasm. Heat-induced damage of plant membranes was assayed by the membrane thermal stability (MTS) assay, which measures electrolyte leakage from leaf tissue after exposure to high temperature. Six wheat genotypes ('TAM 107', 'TAM 108', 'Arlin',' Kauz', 'Glennson 82', and 'Siete Cerros') were hybridized in a complete diallel, and MTS was measured on 12 d old F1 seedlings. The mean square for general combining ability (GCA) was four times that of specific combining ability (SCA), indicating the importance of additive gene effects in acquired thermal tolerance. Maternal effects accounted for 67% of reciprocal variation, suggesting that maternal seed-source effects may be important in hybrid seed. These results suggest that heat tolerance based on MTS can be improved using the existing genetic variability available within the germplasm evaluated in this study.
Linear prediction based multiuser detection for multicarrier CDMA communications systems

Multicarrier (MC) CDMA systems have been developed and rapidly gained popularity as they capitalize on both MCM (multicarrier modulation)'s resilience to multi-path fading and direct-sequence (DS) CDMA's simplicity in multi-access and synchronization design to mitigate both multiple access interference (MAI) and the inter-symbol interference (ISI) caused by time dispersive channels with the aid of cyclic prefix (CP). Nevertheless, the elimination of ISI in the MC-CDMA communications systems is at the cost of significant loss in bandwidth efficiency. Additionally, due to the time varying nature of the multipath channel, the training sequence needs to be transmitted periodically, causing further loss of channel throughput. Therefore, blind channel estimation methods which avoid the use of training sequence or even the CP are more attractive due to the increasing demand for high-bit-rate transmission. In this paper, a blind linear prediction based multiuser detection method which avoids the use of CP is proposed for MC-CDMA communications systems. Compared with some existing blind methods, our newly proposed method has better performance. Computer simulations are presented to verify its effectiveness.
Different Red Light Requirements for Phytochrome-Induced Accumulation of cab RNA and rbcS RNA

For several species of plants the abundance of those transcripts encoding the chlorophyll a/b binding protein (cab RNA) and the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (rbcS RNA) has been established as being under the control of phytochrome. However, this conclusion does not take into account the various types of phytochrome control based on both the fluence of red light necessary to induce the response and the ability of far red light either to induce or to reverse the response. The fluence of red light necessary to induce the accumulation of rbcS RNA was found to be 10,000 times greater than that necessary to induce the accumulation of cab RNA. Furthermore, far red light alone was capable of inducing the accumulation of cab RNA. It is possible, therefore, that developing pea buds accumulate cab RNA before rbcS and that cab RNA is not subject to the normal end-of-day signals affecting many phytochrome responses.
Computer aided self-monitoring to increase academic production and reduce self-injurious behavior in a child with autism

Self-monitoring to increase the on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities has been the focus of numerous studies in the literature. This study examined the effectiveness of computer aided self-monitoring of academic task completion to reduce self-injurious behavior in a 13-year-old male student with autism. Using an ABAB design, data were collected over 22 sessions in a resource-reading classroom. Visual and statistical analyses indicated that when self-monitoring of activity completion was implemented, rates of completion increased and maladaptive behaviors such as self-injurious behavior and tantruming decreased. Discussion follows for implications for self-monitoring with students with autism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ELECTRON-CAPTURE FOR FAST HIGHLY CHARGED IONS IN GAS TARGETS - AN EMPIRICAL SCALING RULE

A universal empirical scaling rule for electron-capture cross sections is reported for fast, highly charged ions in atomic and molecular targets. Projectiles range in energy from 0.3 to 8.5 MeV/amu, with charge states as high as 59+. This rule permits prediction of electron-capture cross sections for a wide variety of projectile-target combinations.
Characterizing canopy biochemistry from imaging spectroscopy and its application to ecosystem studies

For two decades, remotely sensed data from imaging spectrometers have been used to estimate non-pigment biochemical constituents of vegetation, including water, nitrogen, cellulose, and lignin. This interest has been motivated by the important role that these substances play in physiological processes such as photosynthesis, their relationships with ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, and their use in identifying key plant species and functional groups. This paper reviews three areas of research to improve the application of imaging spectrometers to quantify non-pigment biochemical constituents of plants. First, we examine recent empirical and modeling studies that have advanced our understanding of leaf and canopy reflectance spectra in relation to plant biochemistry. Next, we present recent examples of how spectroscopic remote sensing methods are applied to characterize vegetation canopies, communities and ecosystems. Third, we highlight the latest developments in using imaging spectrometer data to quantify net primary production (NPP) over large geographic areas. Finally, we discuss the major challenges in quantifying non-pigment biochemical constituents of plant canopies from remotely sensed spectra.
Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein in acute appendicitis

Serum C-reactive protein was measured in 56 patients hospitalized with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Based on these determinations, four groups of patients were defined: Group A = 26 patients with acute appendicitis who had a C-reactive protein level higher than 2.5 mg/dl. Group B = 4 patients with a C-reactive protein level lower than 2.5 mg/dl who, after surgery based on a presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis, were found to have a normal appendix. Group C = 22 patients with nonspecific abdominal pain, 18 (72 percent) of whom had an elevated C-reactive protein level, although in only 4 (7.1 percent) were these levels higher than 2.5 percent mg/dl. Group D = 4 patients who had diseases other than acute appendicitis. It is concluded that an increase in C-reactive protein levels to more than 2.5 mg/dl is not a definite indicator of acute appendicitis. However, if the C-reactive protein level in blood drawn 12 hours after the onset of symptoms is less than 2.5 mg/dl, acute appendicitis can be excluded.
Spatial statistics of particles and corrosion pits in 2024-T3 aluminium alloy

Corrosion pits in aluminium alloys nucleate and grow in the proximity of constituent particles. Descriptions of the spatial statistics of the particles and pits are critical for stochastic modelling of corrosion. Statistical models, which are generalizations of a hard-core sequential inhibition process, are proposed. The models include the effects of randomness in the number, the locations, and the sizes of the features. The applicability of the models are based on experimental data taken from 2024-T3 aluminium alloy specimens subjected to a 0.5 m NaCl environment. The observed constituent particles tend to be clustered, whereas the subsequent corrosion pits tend towards regularity as measured by nearest neighbour spacing.
Masseter inhibitory periods and sensations evoked by electrical tooth pulp stimulation.

Abstract The masseter inhibitory period and sensations evoked by electrical tooth pulp stimulation were assessed in 30 human subjects. Five intensities of electrical stimuli, producing sensations varying from below sensory detection threshold to suprathreshold pain, were applied to upper central incisors. At each stimulus intensity a train of 30, 1-msec, cathodal pulses with an interpulse interval of 2 sec was applied. The averaged masseter activity evoked by the 30 pulses at a fixed stimulus intensity was compared to the quality of the sensation elicited. The threshold for the masseter inhibitory period coincided approximately with an individual's detection threshold for the tooth pulp stimulation. Three configurations of masseter inhibitory periods (single, double and merged) were produced by different stimulus intensities. However, no particular configuration was associated unequivocally with pain sensation. Increases in stimulus intensity evoked changes both in the configuration of the masseter inhibitory period and in the quality of the sensation produced. Chi square analyses showed significant, but progressively weaker, associations between: (1) masseter inhibitory period configuration and stimulus intensity; (2) quality of sensation and stimulus intensity; and (3) quality of sensation and masseter inhibitory period configuration. The weakness of the association between the quality of sensation and masseter inhibitory period configuration also was demonstrated in a double-blind study of the effects of a narcotic analgesic, fentanyl. Although the strengths of non-pain and pain sensations were reduced significantly after fentanyl, there were no changes in the masseter inhibitory periods.
A computer interview for emergency room patients

Abstract A patient-conducted computer interview for emergency room use has been developed and its feasibility tested. The history of present illness and brief medical history data is collected directly from patients. Average interview time is 13 minutes and patients found the experience interesting and not difficult. Comparisons of the computer-generated summary and the emergency room record showed the computer summary to be more standardized, complete and as accurate as the emergency room record. Less than one minute of staff time is required per interview and a legible and organized summary is available for clinical use within two minutes after the patient completes the interview.
Fluorescence ratio of the two D sodium lines in flames for D1 and D2 excitation

Abstract The ratio of the fluorescence intensities from the two lines of the yellow sodium doublet has been investigated in several hydrogen-based and acetylene-based flames and with various types of lasers as excitation sources. The systematic deviation from 2 for the ratio D 2 / D 1 when either D 1 or D 2 are used as exciting transitions can be simply explained by the relative difference in the values of the collisional mixing constants between the excited P -levels and the collisional quenching constants transferring atoms from both P -levels to the ground S -level. Results obtained in flames characterized by different values of the quantum efficiency follow the behavior predicted by the fluorescence expressions obtained by a simple, steady-state theoretical approach.
Effect of aerosolized milrinone during drug-induced pulmonary hypertension in lambs

We tested whether aerosolized milrinone in lambs selectively reduces drug-induced acute pulmonary hypertension without reducing the mean systemic blood pressure (MSBP). Seven, 2-3-week-old lambs were anesthetized (50 mg/kg ketamine), paralyzed (0.1 mg/kg vecuronium bromide) and mechanically ventilated. A femoral artery, pulmonary artery, and jugular vein were catheterized for continuous monitoring of MSBP, mean pulmonary artery pressure, periodic gas-exchange analyses, and determination of cardiac output by thermodilution technique. An Airlife Misty nebulizer was used in a dry state to establish a stable baseline of an inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO(2)) at 0.21. Acute pulmonary hypertension with hypoxemia was then induced by increasing the mean pulmonary artery pressure up to 30-35% of the MSBP using 2-6 microg/kg/min of Thromboxane A(2) mimetic (U-46619), intravenously. The lambs were then subjected to 15 min of saline nebulization without milrinone followed by 30 min saline nebulization with a relatively high concentration of milrinone (10 mg/ml, total dose of 40 mg). Aerosolized milrinone had no effect on systemic or pulmonary artery pressure during combined acute pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia. We speculate that our nebulization procedures failed to deliver sufficient amount of milrinone for producing a detectable hemodynamic effect.
Independent effects of achievement motivation and overt attribution on achievement behavior

The cognitive attribution theory of achievement motivation was examined in a series of three studies. The persistence of performance under failure feedback was investigated, with improvement over trials on a digit-symbol substitution task constituting the measure of persistence. Although evidence was obtained relating overt causal attributions of failure to persistence, partial correlation statistics indicated that this relationship was independent of achievement motivation. Partial correlation statistics also revealed that the relationship between achievement motivation and persistence was independent of attributional variables. In addition, greater persistence was exhibited by high- than by low-achievement subjects in the absence of attribution differences between these groups. Additional evidence was collected suggesting that the act of overt attribution was an ego-involving operation that led to these achievement differences in improvement. In general, achievement classification and overt causal attributions had separate effects on persistence, precluding the interpretation of achievement-related behavior in terms of attribution theory. Overt causal attributions were found to be, in part, a function of the ego-involving character of the task instructions, as was improvement.
1148 HYPONATREMIA AS A POSSIBLE SIGN OF IMPENDING HYDROCEPHALUS IN INFANTS ≥2000 GMS. AT BIRTH

Early diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus are necessary for successful outcome. The advent of computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans has facilitated diagnosis. Unless CAT scan is performed routinely, however, diagnosis at the earliest operable stage may be missed. The charts were reviewed of 35 neonates weighing ≤2000 gms. at birth who received CAT scan evaluations for detection of hydrocephalus. Serum Na levels were measured as part of their routine care. Infants with meningitis or meningomyelocele were excluded from the review as were infants who died prior to 28 days of age. Nine infants had hydrocephalus. Five of these infants had verified (repeated) serum Na levels of ≤125 meq/L which occurred 1 to 62 days prior to diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Of the 26 infants whose CAT scan did not reveal hydrocephalus, only 4 had verified hyponatremia. (X2=5.6; p<0.05). The etiology of the low serum Na levels in the infants who later developed hydrocephalus is unclear. Low Na intake by itself appears to be an unlikely etiology. Spot urine Na levels, urine and serum osmolalities, and increments in infants' weights were not totally consistent with inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion. Presence of hyponatremia may be a high risk marker which identifies the infant at greater risk of subsequent development of hydrocephalus.
Pure β -adrenergic receptor: the single polypeptide confers catecholamine responsiveness to adenylate cyclase

The β-adrenergic receptor binding subunits from frog erythrocytes, hamster lung and guinea pig lung have been purified to apparent homogeneity and in all cases reside on a single polypeptide. Insertion of the pure receptors into phospholipid vesicles and subsequent fusion of these vesicles with a receptor-deficient cell conveys β-adrenergic responsiveness to the adenylate cyclase system of the acceptor cell. Such responsiveness is linearly dependent on the amount of receptor used in the fusion experiments and is independent of the receptor source. Moreover, this responsiveness displays appropriate β-adrenergic specificity. These results indicate that the β-adrenergic receptor polypeptide contains both the ligand binding site and the site responsible for mediating stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, presumably via interaction with the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.
Formation of complex organic molecules in methanol and methanol–carbon monoxide ices exposed to ionizing radiation – a combined FTIR and reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry study

The radiation induced chemical processing of methanol and methanol–carbon monoxide ices at 5.5 K exposed to ionizing radiation in the form of energetic electrons and subsequent temperature programmed desorption is reported in this study. The endogenous formation of complex organic molecules was monitored online and in situ via infrared spectroscopy in the solid state and post irradiation with temperature programmed desorption (TPD) using highly sensitive reflectron time-of-flight (ReTOF) mass spectrometry coupled with single photoionization at 10.49 eV. Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the processed ice systems resulted in the identification of simple molecules including the hydroxymethyl radical (CH2OH), formyl radical (HCO), methane (CH4), formaldehyde (H2CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO), methyl formate (HCOOCH3), and ketene (H2CCO). In addition, ReTOF mass spectrometry of subliming molecules following temperature programmed desorption definitely identified several closed shell C/H/O bearing organics including ketene (H2CCO), acetaldehyde (CH3COH), ethanol (C2H5OH), dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3), glyoxal (HCOCOH), glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO), ethene-1,2-diol (HOCHCHOH), ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), methoxy methanol (CH3OCH2OH) and glycerol (CH2OHCHOHCH2OH) in the processed ice systems. Additionally, an abundant amount of molecules yet to be specifically identified were observed sublimating from the irradiated ices including isomers with the formula C3H(x=4,6,8)O, C4H(x=8,10)O, C3H(x=4,6,8)O2, C4H(x=6,8)O2, C3H(x=4,6)O3, C4H8O3, C4H(x=4,6,8)O4, C5H(x=6,8)O4 and C5H(x=6,8)O5. The last group of molecules containing four to five oxygen atoms observed sublimating from the processed ice samples include an astrobiologically important class of sugars relevant to RNA, phospholipids and energy storage. Experiments are currently being designed to elucidate their chemical structure. In addition, several reaction pathways were identified in the irradiated ices of mixed isotopes based upon the results of both in situ FTIR analysis and TPD ReTOF gas phase analysis. In general, the results of this study provide crucial information on the formation of a variety of classes of organics including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, esters, ethers, and sugars within the bulk ices upon exposure to ionizing radiation that are relevant to the molecular clouds within the interstellar medium.
The Other Davos? [Microwave Surfing]

There is no fruitful science without interdisciplinarity. When you want to be a narrow-minded nerd, leave science and seek employment in a post office! Richard Ernst, recipient of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Chemistry [1].
Phase Space Ellipse Transport Using Two Ray Vectors

The method described by Lobb for calculating beam envelopes using selected initial ray vectors may be extended by applying the formalism of Norman and Moore to include a generalized description of the entire phase space ellipse (or ellipsoid) using two (or three) initial rays. All relevant information describing the ellipse is contained in a simple matrix and is accessible anywhere in the course of calculation. Existing computer codes as well as other linear ray tracing methods which do not presently exploit the power and conciseness of phase space ellipse transport may easily be adapted to this technique.
Characterization of Regularity for Single Replicate Factorial Designs

Abstract Single replicate designs are shown to be regular if and only if for each subset of factors there exists a partition of the corresponding treatment subcombinations such that, for each block, the treatment subcombinations in the block consist of the elements of one set of the partition equireplicated. Limitations of existing methods of confounding for single replicate designs are briefly discussed.
Pond Production and Poststocking Survival of Large Fingerling Black Crappies in Florida

Abstract We cultured fingerling black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus in 0.4-ha hatchery ponds in Florida to evaluate the level of production and estimated short-term (24-h) poststocking survival of fish stocked in Lake Lochloosa, Florida. Production of fingerling black crappies averaged 52,681 fish/ha but was highly variable across ponds (0–168,439 fish/ha). Mean total length (TL) of cultured fish varied across ponds (76–219 mm), averaged 105 (±41) mm, and was inversely related (P = 0.005) to numbers of fish harvested. At the production level that we estimated (52,681 fish/ha), an average of 2 ha of hatchery pond space would be needed to culture a sufficient number of large fingerling black crappies (>76 mm TL) to stock a Florida lake of moderate size (2,000 ha) at 50 fish/ha. Short-term survival of fingerling black crappies was estimated to range from 70% to 100%.
Metabolism of Nucleic Acids and Proteins of Normal and Chemosterilized House Flies during Oögenesis and Embryogenesis

Adult Musca domestica L. were chemosterilized by oral administration of 5 μg/fly of p,p• -bis (1-aziridinyl) -N- (3-methoxypropyl) phosphinothioic acid after emergence. Nucleic acid and protein syntheses during oogenesis and embryogenesis were compared with that of normal flies. Unfertilized eggs of normal flies were also subjected to analysis. In the ovaries during oogenesis protein synthesis in both normal and chemosterilized females was similar quantitatively, with a 6-fold increase during maturation of the ovaries and 1st egg cycle. After egg deposition of the 1st chamber was completed, there was a cyclic decrease and increase in protein during the development of the 2nd chamber. There was less deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), especially low-molecular-weight DNA intermediates, in the ovaries from chemosterilized females. Although the amount of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and RNA intermediates in the ovaries from the treated flies appeared to be normal, the purine/pyramidine ratio of the RNA nucleotides of the treated ovaries was consistently higher than that from normal ovaries. In the nonviable eggs from chemosterilized flies, protein synthesis proceeded at a normal rate even though there was no measurable synthesis of DNA. RNA synthesis continued but at a lower rate than that in normal fertile eggs. The purine/pyramidine ratio of the egg RNA nucleotides from normal and chemosterilized eggs was similar in the newly oviposited eggs, but the ratio was considerably higher in the RNA from chemosterilized eggs after 6 hr of incubation at 37°C. In unfertilized nonviable eggs horn normal flies, protein synthesis and a small quantity of DNA synthesis occurred after oviposition.
Non‐random chromosomal aberrations associated with multiple myeloma

Myelomatous tissue from 30 patients was assessed for cytogenetic abnormalities and one-third showed chromosomal deletions, additions, and/or rearrangements. Evidence is presented that those cases with only normal cytogenetics represent metaphase cells of nonmyelomatous tissue. The findings of our abnormal cases when added to the 18 reported in two series by others show unique cytogenetic patterns are present in this disease. From analysis of these 27 banded cases of myeloma, we conclude: (1) cytogenetic abnormalities of myeloma are not random; (2) clonal evolution may be associated with disease progression, however the abnormalities identified late in the disease are similar to those found in early myeloma; (3) cytogenetic aberrations of multiple myeloma differ considerably from those of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and acute lymphocytic and nonlymphocytic leukemia; and (4) the myeloma karyotype often exhibits one or more of the following: rearrangements involving chromosome 1 and 14, trisomy 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and monosomy 8 and 13. These findings have great importance for molecular biologic studies of multiple myeloma.
No statistical support for sudden (or gradual) extinction of dinosaurs

Did dinosaurs decline gradually or abruptly at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary? An analysis of familial diversity patterns in dinosaur fossils from the Hell Creek Formation of central North America has claimed to present strong statistical evidence against the idea that dinosaurs declined gradually near the end of the Cretaceous. Examination of the quantitative methodologies used shows that these provide no basis for choosing between scenarios of abrupt extinction and gradual decline.
Phase II clinical trial of ixabepilone in patients with recurrent or persistent platinum- and taxane-resistant ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study

PURPOSE Ixabepilone (BMS-247550) is a microtubule-stabilizing epothilone B analog with activity in taxane-resistant metastatic breast cancer. The Gynecologic Oncology Group conducted a phase II evaluation of the efficacy and safety of ixabepilone in patients with recurrent or persistent platinum- and taxane-resistant primary ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with measurable platinum- and taxane-resistant ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma, defined as progression during or within 6 months of one prior course of treatment with each agent, received intravenous ixabepilone 20 mg/m(2) administered over 1 hour on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Results Of 51 patients entered, 49 were eligible. The objective response rate was 14.3% (95% CI, 5.9% to 27.2%), with three complete and four partial responses. Twenty patients (40.8%) had stable disease, whereas sixteen (32.7%) had increasing disease. The median time to progression was 4.4 months (95% CI, 0.8 to 32.6+ months); median survival was 14.8 months (95% CI, 0.8 to 50.0) months. Patients received a median of two treatment cycles (range, 1 to 29 cycles), and 18.4% of patients received > or = six cycles. Adverse effects included peripheral grade 2 (28.5%) and grade 3 (6.1%) neuropathy, grades 3 to 4 neutropenia (20.4%), grade 3 fatigue (14.3%), grade 3 nausea/emesis (22%), grade 3 diarrhea (10%), and grade 3 mucositis (4%). CONCLUSION Ixabepilone 20 mg/m(2) over 1 hour on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle demonstrates antitumor activity and acceptable safety in patients with platinum- and taxane-resistant recurrent or persistent ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma.