cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The clinical impact of glycobiology: targeting selectins, Siglecs and mammalian glycans

Carbohydrates - namely glycans - decorate every cell in the human body and most secreted proteins. Advances in genomics, glycoproteomics and tools from chemical biology have made glycobiology more tractable and understandable. Dysregulated glycosylation plays a major role in disease processes from immune evasion to cognition, sparking research that aims to target glycans for therapeutic benefit. The field is now poised for a boom in drug development. As a harbinger of this activity, glycobiology has already produced several drugs that have improved human health or are currently being translated to the clinic. Focusing on three areas - selectins, Siglecs and glycan-targeted antibodies - this Review aims to tell the stories behind therapies inspired by glycans and to outline how the lessons learned from these approaches are paving the way for future glycobiology-focused therapeutics.
The circadian rhythms of cortisol: Modelling their role in regulating homeostasis and personalized resilience and adaptation

Abstract The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis orchestrates the physiological response stress. Moreover, the HPA axis exhibits prominent circadian activity and synchronizes peripheral circadian clocks to daily environmental cycles, thereby promoting homeostasis. Persistent disruption of homeostatic glucocorticoid circadian rhythmicity due to chronic stress exposure is correlated with the incidence of various pathological conditions including depression, diabetes and cancer. Allostatic habituation of the HPA axis can therefore confer fitness advantages by preventing the sustained dysregulation of glucocorticoid-responsive signaling pathways. However, such allostatic adaptation results in a physiological cost (allostatic load) that might impair the homeostatic stress-responsive and synchronizing functions of the HPA axis. We use mathematical modeling to characterize specific chronic stress-induced allostatic adaptations in the HPA network. We predict the existence of multiple personalized regulatory strategies enabling the maintenance of homeostatic glucocorticoid rhythms, while allowing for flexible HPA response characteristics. We show that this regulatory variability produces a trade-off between the stress-responsive and time-keeping properties of the HPA axis. Finally, allostatic regulatory adaptations are predicted to cause a time-of-day dependent sensitization of the acute stress response and impair the entrainability of the HPA axis
Pilot assessment of occupational safety and health of workers in an aircraft maintenance facility

Abstract Aircraft maintenance workers work in a dynamic and complex environment and may face a variety of occupational hazards. This pilot study was conducted with an international airline in the Middle East to assess occupational safety and health issues at their maintenance base. In this study, volunteer workers in two hangars at an aircraft maintenance base completed a baseline questionnaire on several occupational safety and health factors (e.g., behaviors, injuries, near misses, and safety climate). They also completed two full-shift noise measurements and filled out a diary to report activities, injuries, and near misses on both measurement days. Repeated anonymous observations of workers were made to assess unsafe conditions and behaviors, and area temperature measurements were taken to evaluate potential heat stress. Sixty-four maintenance workers, sixty-three males and one female, volunteered to participate, (range 24–64 years old). Maintenance workers were comprised of engineers, mechanics, and laborers, split evenly between two teams. The overall safety climate score was 3.9 (on a scale of 0–5, with 5 indicating best climate), suggesting a relatively strong safety climate. However, participants indicated that they had not received safety or emergency response training. Observations showed that engineers faced ergonomic hazards and did not use personal protective equipment, while mechanics faced ergonomic and fall hazards, and laborers faced more chemical hazards. Mechanics and engineers had safety climate scores that were lower than laborers. Roughly 40% of 125 noise measurements exceeded the recommended 85 dBA Threshold Limit Value (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, and the recommended 28 °C TLV for Heat Stress was routinely exceeded in one of the hangars. The most common issues identified through 310 hazard observations were ergonomic and fall hazards and failure to use personal protective equipment. The 5 reported near misses and injuries were associated with ergonomic, fall, housekeeping, and communication issues, and high noise above 85 dBA was present during 80% of these events. Our results suggest that improvements in safety training, noise and heat stress management, and use of personal protective equipment are warranted at the facility.
Teaching Psychiatric Residents about Referring Inpatients for Psychological Testing

Although psychological testing can play an important role on inpatient psychiatric units in clarifying issues related to diagnosis, psychodynamics, prognosis, and treatment planning, psychiatric residents often feel frustrated and disappointed when referring a patient for psychological testing. This paper reviews the nature of problems associated with referrals for psychological testing and then presents a decision-tree approach to teaching psychiatric residents a rational method of determining when to refer a patient for testing and helping them to formulate their referral questions. The authors review their experiences utilizing this teaching tool.
Editors' awardees for 2021.

Each year, the Editors of the Journal examine papers that were nominated for The Editors’ Awards. These prestigious awards come with a cash prize (approximately $750) plus an award certificate and ...
Blended Preparation in Early Childhood and Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education: Reflecting on the Past, Paving a Path Forward:

The movement toward collaborative models of preservice early childhood preparation, those that attempt to “blend” preparation for both early childhood education (ECE) and early intervention/early c...
Microbial composition in larval water enhances Aedes aegypti development but reduces transmissibility of Zika virus

Arthropod-borne viruses comprise a significant global disease burden. Surveillance and mitigation of arboviruses like Zika virus (ZIKV) require accurate estimates of transmissibility by vector mosquitoes. Although Aedes spp.mosquitoes are established as competent ZIKV vectors, differences in experimental protocols across studies prevent direct comparisons of relative transmissibility. An understudied factor complicating these comparisons is differential environmental microbiota exposures, where most vector competence studies use mosquitoes reared in laboratory tap water, which does not represent the microbial complexity of environmental water where wild larvae develop. We simulated natural larval development by rearing Californian Aedes aegypti with microbes obtained from cemetery headstone water compared to conventional tap water. Ae. aegypti larvae reared in environmental cemetery water pupated 3 days faster and at higher rates. Female adult mosquitoes reared in environmental water were less competent vectors of ZIKV compared to laboratory water-reared Ae. aegypti, as evidenced by significantly reduced infection and transmission rates. Microbiome comparisons of laboratory- and environment-water reared mosquitoes and their rearing water showed significantly higher bacterial diversity in environment water; despite this pattern, corresponding differences in diversity were not consistently detected in adult mosquitoes reared in different water sources. We also detected more significant associations between the microbial composition of adult mosquitoes and whether they ingested a bloodmeal than larval water type. Together, these results highlight the role of transient microbes in the larval environment in modulating vector competence. Laboratory vector competence likely overestimates true transmissibility of arboviruses like ZIKV when conventional laboratory water is used for rearing.
An economic evaluation of manic-depressive illness–1991

In 1991, the costs for manic-depressive illness, which has a lifetime prevalence of 1.3% among adult Americans, totaled $45 billion. Costs were broken down into their direct and indirect components. Direct costs totaling $7 billion consist of expenditures for inpatient and outpatient care, which are treatment related, as well as nontreatment-related expenditures such as those for the criminal justice system used by individuals with manic-depressive illness. Indirect costs, which were $38 billion, include the lost productivity of both wage-earners ($17 billion) and homemakers ($3 billion), individuals who are in institutions ($3 billion) or who have committed suicide ($8 billion), and caregivers who take care of manic-depressive family members ($6 billion). The method for determining each expenditure is provided, and the implications of these staggering costs are discussed. These calculations rely heavily on methods and data bases that were developed for the accompanying paper on the costs of schizophrenia.
Effect of cobalt protoporphyrin on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes. Specificity for cytochrome P-450.

Abstract Cobaltic protoporphyrin IX (cobalt protoporphyrin) is known to cause an extensive and long-lasting depletion of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in rats, and it has been used to evaluate the role of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity. To examine the specificity of cobalt protoporphyrin for hepatic cytochrome P-450, cobalt protoporphyrin was administered to rats and hamsters, and its effects on cytochrome P-450-dependent and non-P-450-dependent phase I and phase II metabolism were determined. Cobalt protoporphyrin pretreatment depleted hepatic cytochrome P-450 in both species and lowered their Vmax values for the hepatic microsomal metabolism of ethylmorphine, aminopyrine, ethoxyresorufin and ethoxycoumarin, without change in their Km values. In the rat, cobalt protoporphyrin treatment lowered both the Vmax, and the Km for microsomal metabolism of aniline. In vivo hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism, as measured by antipyrine clearance, was decreased in both species. UDP-Glucuronyltransferase, phenolsulfotransferase and glutathione-S-transferase were unaffected, as was hepatic glutathione. Modest effects of cobalt protoporphyrin were seen on the hepatic microsomal flavoprotein mixed-function oxidase (hamster only), cytochrome P-450 reductase, cytochrome b5, (rat only), UDPGA (rat only), and glycogen, and on blood glucose (rat). In in vivo studies with hamsters given a low dose of acetaminophen, cobalt protoporphyrin suppressed the apparent rate constants for the cytochrome P-450-dependent pathways of acetaminophen metabolism but had no effect on acetaminophen glucuronidation and sulfation. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that cobalt protoporphyrin markedly reduced the levels of the cytochrome P-450 holoenzyme but did not alter either the content or profile of the cytochrome P-450 apoenzyme. Collectively, the data indicate that cobalt protoporphyrin shows relatively high selectivity for the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system, and support the use of this compound as a tool for resolution of the role of hepatic cytochrome P-450 in xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity.
Motivations for implementing e-government: an investigation of the global phenomenon

Internet communication technology has significantly affected the way information is presented, exchanged and processed. Websites, in particular are being touted as the catalyst by which organizations move away from geographic and time constraints to more immediate, customized responses to customer needs. Governments around the globe are recognizing the power of the Internet and are implementing what has been called e-government, the deployment of digitized inter-connective communication systems linking governmental organizations and its stakeholders such as the public, businesses, and other governments. It is not uncommon for governments to try and harness technological innovation to improve their operations and services. What is extraordinary about e-government is the widespread execution of these programs around the globe. Nation-states around the world from developed to developing, capitalist to communist, democracy to authoritarian are spending resources to make e-government a possibility, or acquiring support from international funding organizations, such as US Agency for International Development (USAID), when resources are not available. This paper explores scholarly literature to identify various motivations for implementing e-government. But, unlike most research on e-government adoption, this paper focuses on the citizen-centric and global legitimization pressure factors that impact the decision.
Transcellular activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat in T lymphocytes requires CD4-gp120 binding.

Abstract Cells expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tat can transactivate the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) in cocultured T lymphocytes. In this report, we describe the molecular requirements for transcellular activation of the LTR in Jurkat cells. An analysis with deletion mutants and blocking antibodies demonstrated a requirement for env expression in addition to tat expression for transcellular activation to occur. The results suggest that the transient association of CD4 and gp120 in cocultured cells is required for tat-mediated transcellular activation. The events that follow CD4-gp120 binding in transactivation, however, do not require the gp120-neutralizing domain, in contrast to HIV-mediated fusion and infection. The consequences of this interaction on cellular function are currently under investigation.
Inhibition by hydrazine of gluconeogenesis in the rat.

Abstract Administration of hydrazine to fasted rats results in a state of hypoglycemia which slowly abates over a period of several hours. Hydrazine also abolishes the increase in blood glucose normally seen after administration of hydrocortisone to fasted rats. Comparison of the concentrations of hepatic metabolites of rats treated with hydrazine with those of control rats reveals that hydrazine causes accumulations of lactate, pyruvate, citrate, malate, and oxalacetate coincident with less than normal amounts of phosphoenolpyruvate, 2- and 3-phosphoglyceric acids, and hexose monophosphates. The metabolic crossover point between oxalacetate and phosphoenolpyruvate is an indication that hydrazine in vivo inhibits the conversion of oxalacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate. Hydrazine in vitro inhibits rat liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase noncompetitively with respect to oxalacetate. Hydrazine also appears to inhibit renal gluconeogenesis. These data offer a possible explanation for the well-known hypoglycemic effect of hydrazine. Hydrocortisone is capable of increasing further the accumulations of malate and citrate in hydrazine-treated, fasted, adrenalectomized rats, whereas glucose depresses the accumulations of these same metabolites in normal rats treated with hydrazine. These observations are consistent with the known effects of hydrocortisone and glucose on gluconeogenesis and clearly demonstrate that these agents are capable of affecting reactions early in the over-all process of the synthesis of glucose.
Rapid evolution in response to introduced predators II: the contribution of adaptive plasticity

Introductions of non-native species can significantly alter the selective environment for populations of native species, which can respond through phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation. We examined phenotypic and genetic responses of Daphnia populations to recent introductions of non-native fish to assess the relative roles of phenotypic plasticity versus genetic change in causing the observed patterns. The Daphnia community in alpine lakes throughout the Sierra Nevada of California (USA) is ideally suited for investigation of rapid adaptive evolution because there are multiple lakes with and without introduced fish predators. We conducted common-garden experiments involving presence or absence of chemical cues produced by fish and measured morphological and life-history traits in Daphnia melanica populations collected from lakes with contrasting fish stocking histories. The experiment allowed us to assess the degree of population differentiation due to fish predation and examine the contribution of adaptive plasticity in the response to predator introduction. Our results show reductions in egg number and body size of D. melanica in response to introduced fish. These phenotypic changes have a genetic basis but are partly due to a direct response to chemical cues from fish via adaptive phenotypic plasticity. Body size showed the largest phenotypic change, on the order of nine phenotypic standard deviations, with approximately 11% of the change explained by adaptive plasticity. Both evolutionary and plastic changes in body size and egg number occurred but no changes in the timing of reproduction were observed. Native Daphnia populations exposed to chemical cues produced by salmonid fish predators display adaptive plasticity for body size and fecundity. The magnitude of adaptive plasticity was insufficient to explain the total phenotypic change, so the realized change in phenotypic means in populations exposed to introduced fish may be the result of a combination of initial plasticity and subsequent genetic adaptation. Our results suggest that immediately following the introduction of fish predators, adaptive plasticity may reduce the impact of selection through "Baldwin/Bogert effects" by facilitating the movement of populations toward new fitness optima. Our study of the response of a native species to an introduced predator enhances our understanding of the conditions necessary for rapid adaptive evolution and the relationship between rapid evolution and adaptive phenotypic plasticity.
Ferromagnet-semiconductor hybrid Hall effect device

We present a novel magnetoelectronic device for application as a nonvolatile memory cell, logic gate, or magnetic field sensor. It comprises a micron scale high mobility semiconducting Hall cross and a single, electrically isolated microstructured ferromagnetic film. The ferromagnetic film has in-plane magnetization and is fabricated with one edge directly over the Hall cross. Magnetic fringe fields from the edge of the film have a large component perpendicular to the plane of the semiconductor (magnitude of the order of kOe), are localized to a submicron region centered beneath the edge, and generate a Hall voltage in the sensor arms of the Hall cross. The sign of the fringe field, as well as the sign of the output Hall voltage, is switched by reversing the magnetization of the ferromagnet.
Discovery and characterization of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in steelhead/rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have several advantages over other genetic markers, including lower mutation and genotyping error rates, ease of inter-laboratory standardization, and the prospect of high-throughput, low-cost genotyping. Nevertheless, their development and use has only recently moved beyond model organisms to groups such as salmonid fishes. Oncorhynchus mykiss is a salmonid native to the North Pacific rim that has now been introduced throughout the world for fisheries and aquaculture. The anadromous form of the species is known as steelhead. Native steelhead populations on the west coast of the United States have declined and many now have protected status. The nonanadromous, or resident, form of the species is termed rainbow, redband or golden trout. Additional life history and morphological variation, and interactions between the forms, make the species challenging to study, monitor and evaluate. Here, we describe the discovery, characterization and assay development for 139 SNP loci in steelhead/rainbow trout. We used EST sequences from existing genomic databases to design primers for 480 genes. Sanger-sequencing products from these genes provided 130 KB of consensus sequence in which variation was surveyed for 22 individuals from steelhead, rainbow and redband trout groups. The resulting TaqMan assays were surveyed in five steelhead populations and three rainbow trout stocks, where they had a mean minor allele frequency of 0.15-0.26 and observed heterozygosity of 0.18-0.35. Mean F(ST) was 0.204. The development of SNPs for O. mykiss will help to provide highly informative genetic tools for individual and stock identification, pedigree reconstruction, phylogeography and ecological investigation.
Rabbit model to evaluate enterovirulence of Bacteroides fragilis.

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis elicited fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract and exfoliation of epithelial cells in the proximal colon of the 2-week-old rabbit. The rabbit model was employed to screen isolates of B. fragilis for enterovirulence and to study the pathogenesis of disease caused by enterotoxigenic B. fragilis. Images
Enteropathies of infancy

Abstract Enteropathies of infancy constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders which are difficult to diagnose and to manage. The intestinal biopsy is a cornerstone in the investigation of many of these patients, and the role of the pathologist can be pivotal in establishing the diagnosis. Many of the entities that cause severe enteropathy of infancy have been recognized only in the last several decades. Though rare, the study of these disorders has yielded important insights into enterocyte development and function, and intestinal immunity and tolerance.
Non-synonymous polymorphisms in the circadian gene NPAS2 and breast cancer risk

Three known non-synonymous polymorphisms (Ala394Thr, Ser471Leu and Pro690Ala) in the largest circadian gene, Neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (NPAS2), were genotyped in a breast cancer case-control study conducted in Connecticut, USA (431 cases and 476 controls). We found that women with the heterozygous Ala394Thr genotype were significantly associated with breast cancer risk compared to those with the common homozygous Ala394Ala (OR = 0.61, 0.46–0.81, P = 0.001). This is the first evidence demonstrating a role of the circadian gene NPAS2 in human breast cancer, suggesting that genetic variations in circadian genes might be a novel panel of biomarkers for breast cancer risk.
A transforming growth factor beta 1 receptor type II mutation in ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasms

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Numerous gastrointestinal tumors, notably sporadic and ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colorectal carcinomas and dysplasias, gastric cancers, and esophageal carcinomas, manifest microsatellite instability. Recently, a transforming growth factor beta 1 type II receptor (TGF-beta 1RII) mutation in a coding microsatellite was described in colorectal carcinomas showing instability. One hundred thirty-eight human neoplasms (61 UC-associated, 35 gastric, 26 esophageal, and 16 sporadic colorectal) were evaluated for this TGF- beta 1RII mutation. METHODS: Whether instability was present at other chromosomal loci in these lesions was determined. In lesions manifesting or lacking instability, the TGF-beta 1RII coding region polydeoxyadenine (poly A) microsatellite tract was polymerase chain reaction amplified with 32P-labeled deoxycytidine triphosphate. Polymerase chain reaction products were electrophoresed on denaturing gels and exposed to radiographic film. RESULTS: Three of 18 UC specimens with instability at other chromosomal loci (17%) showed TGF- beta 1RII poly A tract mutation, including 2 cancers and 1 dysplasia; moreover, 2% of UC specimens without instability (1 of 43) (1 cancer), 81% of unstable sporadic colorectal cancers (13 of 16), and none of the 61 stable or unstable gastric or esophageal cancers contained TGF-beta 1RII mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Mutational inactivation of the poly A microsatellite tract within TGF-beta 1RII occurs early and in a subset of unstable UC neoplasms and commonly in sporadic colorectal cancers but may be rare in unstable gastric and esophageal tumors. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jan;112(1):40-5)
PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF 3,3′‐DIALKYLTHIACARBOCYANINE DYES IN HOMOGENEOUS SOLUTION

The photophysical properties of 3,3'-dialkylthiacarbocyanine iodides and chlorides were measured in various solvents. It was found that photoisomerization and fluorescence are the major contributors to the deactivation of the excited singlet state; intersystem crossing occurs with only a very low efficiency. In ethanol, a triplet yield of 0.004 and a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.002 were determined. The photophysical parameters of these dyes are not substantially influenced by the length of the alkyl chain or the size of the halide counterion. The substitution of an ethyl with an octadecyl-chain only slightly hinders photoisomerization, and the replacement of the chloride with an iodide reduces only marginally the fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields in chloroform. A significant external heavy-atom effect is observed using dibromoethane as a solvent: triplet and singlet oxygen yields increase 7-10-fold, and the triplet lifetime decreases from 55 microseconds to 15 microseconds.
Optimizing the Use of the Criterion Response for the Pupil Light Reflex

Light flashes stimulate one eye by Maxwellian view. The change of pupil diameter of the contralateral eye is the measured response. The effects of stimulus magnitude, stimulus field size, and subject selection are examined. The stimulus is adjusted until the response is some predetermined (criterion) amount. Thus, even though the system is nonlinear, the different possible stimuli which yield this criterion response are equivalent. We show that to utilize the criterion response technique optimally it is necessary to (1) use large-field stimulation, (2) obtain complete curves of response magnitude vs retinal illuminances on potential subjects, (3) select subjects having steep slopes on these curves, (4) select the value of the criterion response to be centered in the steeply-sloped portion of the curve. Failure to observe these rules may result in data of little value.
Social Class, Social Change, and Gender: Working-Class Women at Radcliffe and After

This article explores the implications of social class background in the lives of women who attended Radcliffe College in the late 1940s and in the early 1960s. Viewing social classes as “cultures”...
Generating a Random Collection of Discrete Joint Probability Distributions Subject to Partial Information

In this paper, we develop a practical and flexible methodology for generating a random collection of discrete joint probability distributions, subject to a specified information set, which can be expressed as a set of linear constraints (e.g., marginal assessments, moments, or pairwise correlations). Our approach begins with the construction of a polytope using this set of linear constraints. This polytope defines the set of all joint distributions that match the given information; we refer to this set as the “truth set.” We then implement a Monte Carlo procedure, the Hit-and-Run algorithm, to sample points uniformly from the truth set. Each sampled point is a joint distribution that matches the specified information. We provide guidelines to determine the quality of this sampled collection. The sampled points can be used to solve optimization models and to simulate systems under different uncertainty scenarios.
Additive evolutionary trees

Abstract Metric trees are dendrograms which show the phylogenetic relationships for a set of contemporary species. These dendrograms have numerical values attached to the branches. If the sum of these values on the branches between any two contemporary species is equal to the dissimilarity between these two species, the metric tree is said to be additive and possess an additive dissimilarity matrix. Metric trees and additive matrices are discussed and the uniqueness of the metric tree for an additive dissimilarity matrix is shown. A simple algorithm is given to generate the metric tree for an additive dissimilarity matrix. This algorithm is extended to non-additive dissimilarity matrices through the use of linear programming. Finally, some results for cytochrome c sequences are presented.
The Effect of a Neurocritical Care Service without a Dedicated Neuro-ICU on Quality of Care in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction of neurocritical care services to dedicated neuro-ICUs is associated with improved quality of care. The impact of a neurocritical care service without a dedicated neuro-ICU has not been studied. We retrospectively identified all patients admitted to our institution with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in two 12-month periods: immediately before the arrival of the first neurointensivist (“before”) and after the neurocritical care service was established (“after”). There was no nursing team, ICU housestaff/physician extender team, or physical unit dedicated to the care of patients with critical neurologic illness during either period. Using an uncontrolled before-after design, we compared clinical outcomes and performance on quality metrics between groups. We included 74 patients with primary supratentorial ICH. Mortality, length of stay (LOS), proportion of patients with modified Rankin Score 0–3, and destination on discharge did not differ between groups when adjusted for confounders. Time to first two consecutive systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements <180 mmHg was shorter in the “after” cohort (mean 4.5 vs. 3.2 h, p = 0.001). Area under the curve measurement for change in SBP from baseline over the first 24 h after ED arrival demonstrated greater, sustained SBP reduction in the “after” cohort (mean −187.9 vs. −720.9, p = 0.04). A higher proportion of patients were fed without passing a dysphagia screen in the “before” group (45 vs. 0 %, p < 0.001). Introduction of a neurocritical service without a neuro-ICU at our institution was associated with a trend toward longer ICU LOS and improvement in some key metrics of quality of care for patients with ICH.
Attenuation of penicillin models of epilepsy by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Abstract Prostaglandin and thromboxane levels increase in mammalian brain during seizures, but whether a metabolite of arachidonic acid has a role in induction, or is merely a by-product, of seizures is still not clear. It has been shown that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs block arachidonic acid metabolism through inhibition of the enzyme, cyclooxygenase. In the present study, the antiepileptic action of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs was investigated utilizing penicillin-induced focal (250 IU) and primary generalized (2.5 million IU kg−1) models of epilepsy. The effects of the drugs on the electrocortical and motor manifestations of both models were examined. As a group, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs significantly affected the central nervous system excitation produced by penicillin. However, individual drugs affected different parameters of the excitation. Paracetamol, the most effective, delayed and/or blocked spikes and seizures in both models. Ibuprofen was more effective against the primary generalized model. Mefenamic acid decreased the number of seizures and indomethacin decreased the voltage output in both models. The present study, together with earlier papers, suggests that an arachidonic acid metabolite plays a role in induction of several animal models of epilepsy.
The U.S. strategic minerals stockpile: Remedy for increasing vulnerability?∗

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of how to alleviate direct U.S. dependence on other countries for strategic materials. The authors propose management and policy options for the stockpiling of strategic raw materials against possible contingencies such as shortages, withholding by exporters, or from wartime constraints on the accessibility of such resources to exporter boycotts. What is required for an effective stockpiling program are: critical assessment of strategic requirements and the legislation regarding stockpiling to set appropriate goals; resolution of the tensions between the uses of stockpiles for the manipulations of prices and for the maintenance of reserves; and coordination of industry, government and, if possible, our allies in achieving a degree of invulnerability in the area of strategic raw materials.
Recommended Collision Integrals for Transport Property Computations Part 2: Mars and Venus Entries

A review of the best-available data for calculating a complete set of binary collision integrals for the computation of the mixture transport properties (viscosity, thermal conductivity, ordinary and thermal diffusion) of 17-species weakly ionized CO 2 -N 2 mixtures is presented. The fidelity of the data varies considerably, but most of the atom-atom interactions are derived from ab initio methods that are estimated to be accurate to within 5%. The remaining important interactions between neutral species are estimated to be accurate to within about 30% over the temperature range of interest (300-20,000 K) to Mars and Venus reentry plasmas. Collision integrals for important ion-neutral interactions are computed using a modified Tang-Toennies potential and have an estimated accuracy of ±25%, whereas those between trace species are approximated via the polarization (Langevin) potential model. The accuracy and valid temperature range for electron-neutral interactions vary considerably due to scarcity of the required cross section data.
Integration of launch/impact discrimination algorithm with the UTAMS platform

An acoustic array, integrated with an algorithm to discriminate potential Launch (LA) or Impact (IM) events, was augmented by employing the Launch Impact Discrimination (LID) algorithm for mortar events. We develop an added situational awareness capability to determine whether the localized event is a mortar launch or mortar impact at safe standoff distances. The algorithm utilizes a discrete wavelet transform to exploit higher harmonic components of various sub bands of the acoustic signature. Additional features are extracted via the frequency domain exploiting harmonic components generated by the nature of event, i.e. supersonic shrapnel components at impact. The further extrapolations of these features are employed with a neural network to provide a high level of confidence for discrimination and classification. The ability to discriminate between these events is of great interest on the battlefield. Providing more information and developing a common picture of situational awareness. Algorithms exploit the acoustic sensor array to provide detection and identification of IM/LA events at extended ranges. The integration of this algorithm with the acoustic sensor array for mortar detection provides an early warning detection system giving greater battlefield information for field commanders. This paper will describe the integration of the algorithm with a candidate sensor and resulting field tests.
Novel C1 symmetric zirconocenes containing substituted fluorenyl moieties for the polymerization of olefins

Abstract The synthesis and polymerization behavior of four new asymmetric ansa-metallocenes containing a 2,7-disubstituted fluorenyl moiety and an indenyl moiety is reported. Three of the four catalysts, dichloro[η5-1-indenyl(1-methylethylidene)-[2,7-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-η5-9-fluorenyl]zirconium (11), dichloro[η5-1-indenyl(1-methylethylidene)-[2,7-bis-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-η5-9-fluorenyl]zirconium (12), and dichloro[η5-1-indenyl(1-methylethylidene)-[2,7-bis-(2-methylphenyl)-η5-9-fluorenyl] zirconium (13) were highly active for the polymerization of both ethylene and propylene when activated with excess methylaluminoxane (MAO). Dichloro[η5-1-indenyl(1-methylethylidene)-[2,7-dibenzyl-η5-9-fluorenyl]zirconium (14) was poorly active for the polymerization of ethylene and was therefore not evaluated as a propylene catalyst. The activities for propylene polymerizations with catalysts 11–13 increased as the size of the substituents around the ligand framework increased, following the trend 11>12>13. Molecular weights of the polypropylenes decreased as the temperature was increased. The molecular weight data follows the same trend (11>12>13) as the activity data, wherein the largest substituents gave rise to the highest molecular weights.
Drop Shapes and Fall Speeds in Rain: Two Contrasting Examples

AbstractTwo rain events are analyzed using two collocated 2D-video disdrometers (2DVD) and a C-band polarimetric radar at 15-km distance. Both events had moderate-to-intense rainfall rates, but the second event had an embedded convective line. For the first event, the fall speed distribution for a given drop diameter interval showed a narrow and symmetric distribution with a mode at the expected value; the second event produced a wider distribution with a significant skewness toward lower fall speeds. The “slower” drops in the second event were detected while the convective line was directly over the 2DVD site. Drop shape information from the two 2DVD instruments showed that, during the passage of the convection line, around 30%–40% of the drops did not have an axis of rotational symmetry, whereas for event 1, it was only 5%. The implications are that for event 1 the dominant mode of drop oscillation is the axisymmetric mode, and that within the convective line of event 2 other fundamental modes were freq...
In vitro glucuronidation of prednisone

Background/Aim Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed immunosuppressant agent, and its metabolites are known to undergo glucuronidation. No data exists on the glucuronidation of unchanged prednisone. We aim to investigate the role of individual UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in prednisone's direct metabolism. Methods We screened cDNA transfected 1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A5, 1A6, 1A7, 1A8, 1A9, 1A10, 2B4, 2B7, 2B15, and 2B17. A correlation study was completed with prednisone and a substrate specific for 2B7 (morphine) in human liver microsomes (HLM). Prednisone glucuronide formation was measured by HPLC. Results The Km of prednisone in HLM was 594±118 μM (mean±SE). Screening showed 2B7 to have 6-fold higher prednisone glucuronidation activity compared to both 1A3 and 2B17. No glucuronidation was detected with the other isoforms. Considerable phenotypic variability was observed in prednisone glucuronidation in HLM (CV=61%, n=82). There was a significant correlation between prednisone and morphine glucuronidation (r=0.66, P<0.0001). Conclusions Our data suggest 2B7 is the main isoform responsible for prednisone glucuronidation. Future studies in patients receiving prednisone should evaluate the inter-patient variability in prednisone glucuronidation, its clinical relevance, and the role played by 2B7 gene polymorphisms in prednisone therapy. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P36–P36; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.032
Assessing the effects of LEAA demise on criminal justice higher education

Abstract The historical growth of criminal justice education programs can be directly related to the creation of LEAA and the education incentive program, LEEP. With the demise of LEAA and federal funding, there is the natural question of what effect, if any, this lack of financial support might have on criminal justice education programs. A stratified sample of 125 colleges and universities having such programs was surveyed to determine possible effects in student enrollments, characteristics, research funding, and other perceived changes. The data illustrate that changes in student characteristics appeared to be more significant in relation to enrollment changes than did LEAA/LEEP withdrawal. Program increases have been generally related to increases in full-time, preservice students and larger numbers of minorities and females. Programs which relied heavily on part-time, in-service students declined the most in enrollments. Colleges and universities with growing graduate programs experienced growth in bachelor and associate degrees as well. The demise of LEAA funding appears to have negatively affected most dramatically technical type programs which attracted large numbers of in-service, male, part-time students. Those which broadened their student characteristics appear to have been less affected.
Evaluation of the human serum albumin column as a discovery screening tool for plasma protein binding.

Abstract A total of 69 compounds with a variety of chemical structures were assayed using a human serum albumin column in combination with UV and mass spectrometric detection. A moderate correlation, R 2 =0.661, between the plasma protein binding, determined by traditional techniques of equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration, and chromatographic retention factor ( k ′/ k ′+1) was observed. Disparity between the regression line and numerous samples was observed across the entire range of plasma protein binding. Attempts to discriminate between compounds from the data set to achieve better correlation based physico–chemical properties were unsuccessful. Good agreement was observed for retention times obtained with UV detection with mobile phase containing phosphate buffer and mass spectrometric detection with mobile phase containing acetate buffer. Essentially identical data were obtained for compounds analyzed in singlet or cassette for minimally or highly bound (>90% bound) compounds. Analysis of cassettes containing compounds with plasma protein binding greater than 90% did not cause column overload, even at analyte concentrations up to 100 μg/ml. Diverse results were obtained when chromatographic retention was used to rank order various classes of compounds. Better correlation with ordering from known binding was obtained when a compound class contained a wide range of protein binding, in contrast to when compounds within a given class were all highly bound.
Organ-Transplantation: A Societal Problem

As a new medical technology, organ-transplantation has created unanticipated adjustment problems for the government, the general public, medical organization, and the patient and his family. This paper attempts to specify some of these problems with a focus on kidney transplantation. Several mechanisms seem to prevent suitable patients dying from kidney disease from being treated at a transplant or dialysis center. Lags in communication between local and university physicians, limitation in number of transplant centers, severe national financial shortages prevent many patients from being treated. Arbitrary factors such as state of origin or socioeconomic status restrict many patients from being able to receive financial help or themselves afford these expensive therapies. Normative uncertainties related to the donorship of organs also increase the stress of this therapy for physicians, patients, and their families.
Cation Uptake by Exchange Resin in Vitro and the Colon as a Sodium-Conserving Organ

Cation-exchange resins have not fulfilled early expectations. Those in clinical use do not retain much sodium in the feces when dietary sodium is much restricted. Comparison of the sodium and potassium bound by a resin, in equilibrium with presumably normal electrolytes as found in the terminal ileum, with the amounts of those ions in the feces, permits an over-all evaluation of two major factors operating in the gastrointestinal tract. These are a decreased sodium concentration in the terminal ileal contents when sodium intake is restricted and an absorptive power of the colon sufficient to detach sodium from the resin.
Antifouling adaptations of marine shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea): Functional morphology and adaptive significance of antennular preening by the third maxillipeds

Preening (cleaning, grooming) of the antennules and other cephalothoracic appendages by the third maxillipeds was observed in several species of shrimp. Distribution and ultrastructure of serrate grooming setae on the third maxillipeds, which scrape the antennules, was studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. The motor patterns of antennular cleaning were similar for all species. Antennular preening was the most frequent grooming behavior observed, but the duration of other grooming behaviors was greater. Tidepool shrimps (Heptacarpus pictus) experimentally prevented from grooming the antennules by ablation suffered fouling of the olfactory hairs of the antennules with their subsequent breakage and loss; antennules of controls remained clean and undamaged. Antennular preening, a frequent and widespread behavior of caridean shrimps and other decapod crustaceans, is suggested as having high adaptive value in keeping sensory sites free of epizoic and sedimentary fouling which might render them inoperative.
Experimental evaluation of two field test kits for the detection of PAHs by immunoassay

Immunoassay-based field analytical methods are rapidly gaining acceptance by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in site characterization and remediation. Many analysts, accustomed to using traditional laboratory methods, are reluctant to use immunochemical technology until they are convinced of its effectiveness. Therefore, it is important that experiences with using alternative technologies be shared with the analytical community. In this study, two immunoassay-based field test kits for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated. One was used in a quantitative format, the other in a semiquantitative format. Samples spiked with a commercial PAH mixture or creosote and field samples including soil and coal-derived liquids were analyzed. For the most effective use of the method, it is important to know the relative response factors (RRFs) for test ana-lytes relative to the kit standards. RRFs for creosote-spiked soil were about 2.3 and 0.11 for the quantitative and semiquantitative tests, respectively. This 20-fold difference in RRF between the two kits held for all the different samples tested and reflects the different antibodies and reference compounds used in the two tests. Potential problems with the integrity of the kit standards, which could significantly affect the interpretation of the test results, are discussed. Recovery of the PAH mixture and creosote from soil ranged from 75 to 90%. The specificity of a third test kit for carcinogenic PAHs was verified with the coal-derived liquids. Overall, both kits gave accurate and reproducible results and were judged to be effective tests for the analysis of PAH contaminated samples. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multi-Scale Banking to 45 Degrees

In his text Visualizing Data, William Cleveland demonstrates how the aspect ratio of a line chart can affect an analyst's perception of trends in the data. Cleveland proposes an optimization technique for computing the aspect ratio such that the average absolute orientation of line segments in the chart is equal to 45 degrees. This technique, called banking to 45deg, is designed to maximize the discriminability of the orientations of the line segments in the chart. In this paper, we revisit this classic result and describe two new extensions. First, we propose alternate optimization criteria designed to further improve the visual perception of line segment orientations. Second, we develop multi-scale banking, a technique that combines spectral analysis with banking to 45deg. Our technique automatically identifies trends at various frequency scales and then generates a banked chart for each of these scales. We demonstrate the utility of our techniques in a range of visualization tools and analysis examples