cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doubled Haploid Transgenic Wheat Lines by Microspore Transformation

Microspores are preferred explant choice for genetic transformation, as their use shortens the duration of obtaining homozygous transformants. All established gene-delivery methods of particle bombardment, electroporation, and cocultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens were optimized on androgenic microspores or derived tissues. In the biolistic gene delivery method 35-40 days old haploid microspore embryoids were used for genetic transformation, whereas freshly isolated androgenic microspores were used for genetic transformation in the electroporation and Agrobacterium cocultivation-based methods. The genetic transformation methods of biolistic gene-delivery and electroporation gave rise to the chimeric plants, whereas the method involving cocultivation with Agrobacterium yielded homozygous transformants. These methods were tested on a large number of cultivars belonging to different market classes of wheat, and found to be fairly independent of the explant genotype. Other benefits of using microspores or derived tissues for transformation are: (1) a few explant donors are required to obtain desired transformants and (2) the time required for obtaining homozygous transformants is about 8 months in case of spring wheat genotypes and about a year in case of winter wheat genotypes.
Robotic-Assisted Distal Pancreatectomy

Robotic distal pancreatectomy is a natural evolution of minimally invasive approaches now increasingly used for the most complex oncologic abdominal operations. In this chapter, we review our standardized operative approach to a robotic distal pancreatectomy. We also review outcome data published to date, verifying the procedure’s safety and feasibility. We also discuss the learning curve data for the robotic approach and compare the outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic, and open distal pancreatic resections. Although no randomized trials exist comparing these approaches, the current data suggest noninferiority with respect to pancreatic cancer outcomes, but and in some instances superiority of the robotic distal pancreatectomy to the other approaches for benign disease
Peripheral vascular disease risk in diabetic individuals without coronary heart disease.

Abstract Background and aims Diabetes mellitus is a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk-equivalent for the outcome of peripheral vascular disease. The impact of diabetes with comorbid risk factors on the outcome of peripheral vascular disease remains unexplored. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of participants in Lifeline Vascular Screening Inc. age 40–90 who were screened for peripheral vascular disease, defined as lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD, ABI Results Among 3,517,804 participants, PAD and CAS was identified in 4.4% and 3.7%, respectively. Diabetes was identified in 376,528 participants, 324,680 (86%) of whom did not have CHD. Among diabetic participants without CHD, prevalence of PAD increased with 1–2 (4.3%), 3–4 (7.3%), and ≥5 (12.0%) comorbid risk factors (p trend Conclusions Diabetes, particularly with comorbid risk factors, confers increased odds of PAD and CAS, even in the absence of CHD. Counseling regarding screening and prevention for peripheral vascular disease among individuals with diabetes and multiple risk factors may be useful.
Dissection and function of autoimmunity-associated TNFAIP3 (A20) gene enhancers in humanized mouse models

Enhancers regulate gene expression and have been linked with disease pathogenesis. Little is known about enhancers that regulate human disease-associated genes in primary cells relevant for pathogenesis. Here we use BAC transgenics and genome editing to dissect, in vivo and in primary immune cells, enhancers that regulate human TNFAIP3, which encodes A20 and is linked with autoimmune diseases. A20 expression is dependent on a topologically associating subdomain (sub-TAD) that harbors four enhancers, while another >20 enhancers in the A20 locus are redundant. This sub-TAD contains cell- and activation-specific enhancers, including an enhancer (termed TT>A) harboring a proposed causal SLE-associated SNV. Deletion of the sub-TAD or the TT>A enhancer results in enhanced inflammatory responses, autoantibody production, and inflammatory arthritis, thus establishing functional importance in vivo and linking enhancers with a specific disease phenotype. These findings provide insights into enhancers that regulate human A20 expression to prevent inflammatory pathology and autoimmunity.
Characterization of Storage-Induced Red Blood Cell Hemolysis Using Raman Spectroscopy

Background The therapeutic efficacy and safety of stored red blood cells (RBCs) relies on minimal in-bag hemolysis. The accuracy of current methods of measuring hemolysis can suffer as a result of specimen collection and processing artefacts. Objective To test whether Raman spectroscopy could be used to assess hemolysis. Methods RBCs were stored for as long as 42 days. Raman spectra of RBCs were measured before and after washing, and hemolysis was measured in supernatant by visible spectroscopy. Results Raman spectra indicated increased concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) and methemoglobin (metHb), and decreased membrane fluidity with storage age. Changes in oxyHb and metHb were associated with the intraerythrocytic and extracellular fractions, respectively. Hemolysis increased in a storage age-dependent manner. Changes in Raman bands reflective of oxyHb, metHb, and RBC membranes correlated with hemolysis; the most statistically significant change was an increased intensity of metHb and decreased membrane fluidity. Conclusions These data suggest that Raman spectroscopy may offer a new label-free modality to assess RBC hemolysis during cold storage.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Erectile Impotence

Solid scientific information on the psychophysiological mechanisms of human erection and impotence is meager, so the clinician has little but clinical experience and largely anecdotal literature to guide his diagnostic investigations and treatment decision. Several recent advances have eliminated some of the problems associated with diagnosis and treatment. Laboratory monitoring of nocturnal penile tumescence adds objectivity to the diagnostic process, and surgical implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis is appropriate for certain carefully selected patients.
Automated real-time measurement of chemotactic cell motility

We have developed a novel method, (ECIS/taxis), for monitoring cell movement in response to chemotactic and chemokinetic factors. In this system, cells migrate in an under-agarose environment, and their positions are monitored using the electric cell-substrate impedance sensor technology to measure the impedance change at a target electrode, that is lithographed onto the substrate, as the cells arrive at the target. In the studies reported here, Dictyostelium discoideum was used as a prototypical, motile eukaryotic cell. Using the ECIS/taxis system, the arrival of cells at the target electrode was proportional to the dose of folate used to stimulate the cells and could be assessed by changes in resistance at the electrode. ECIS/taxis was readily able to distinguish between wild-type cells and a mutant that is deficient in its chemotactic response. Finally, we have shown that an agent that interferes with chemotactic motility leads to the delayed arrival of cells at the target electrode. The multi-well ass...
Mexico: An Overview

Mexico, as the chair of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in 2011, provided the opportunity for think tanks to interact with the G20 presidency. During the conference, topics such as economic development, green growth, and the mechanism of the G20 Summit itself were all discussed. The Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI) and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs created Think 20, a think tank meeting, which initiated a forum for think tanks to debate the leaders’ agenda and make proposals. It was suggested that the role of the G20 should be shifted towards being a global steering group instead of a pure crisis committee. The creation of the G20 and the T20 to support it exemplifies how think tanks can be involved in foreign policy-making procedures. For Mexico, it has more say in the international distribution of power.
Peers and the Prevention of Adolescent Drug Use

Adolescent drug use has changed dramatically over the past 50 years, but the strong relationship between drug use and drug use by one's friends has remained a constant. In 1950, only a few adolescents used marijuana; but even then, Becker (1953) pointed out that teenagers who did use marijuana had friends who used marijuana; that friends taught them how and when to smoke it and even how they were supposed to react to the drug. Twenty years later, in the early 1970s, adolescent use of marijuana was increasing rapidly. It became a form of recreation for college students and moved from the realm of jazz musicians and artists to the affluent suburbs, high schools, and to the nation's servicemen in Vietnam. Newspaper reports of the ultimate "pot party" at Woodstock in August 1969 brought national attention to the increasingly widespread use of drugs (Anonymous, 1997); and marijuana became, for many adults, a primary symbol of youthful protest. As drug use among adolescents and young adults increased during the 1970s, scientists continued to point out that drug-using youth had drug-using friends (Adler & Lotecka, 1973; Huba, Wingard, & Bentler, 1979; Lawrence & Velleman, 1974; Tolone & Dermott, 1975; Wechsler & Thum, 1973). In the early 1980s, when drug use was at its peak, there were major changes in the drugs used. There were new drugs, such as ecstasy, and new forms of older drugs, such as crack cocaine. Public TV ads were increasingly directed towards the evils of drugs. The famous fried-egg ad, "This is your brain on drugs," was but one dramatic example of a national media campaign that may
Metabolic Fates of Bradykinin, Angiotensin I, Adenine Nucleotides and Prostaglandins E1 and F1α in the Pulmonary Circulation

The lung appears to have a variety of means of eliminating circulating pharmacologic agents. Ether, paraldehyde and volatile sulfhydryl agents (e.g. BAL and 2-mercaptoethanol) pass from blood to the alveolar space. Agents such as acetylcholine can be metabolized by enzymes of the blood circulating through the pulmonary vascular bed. Amines such as norepinephrine and serotonin appear to be taken up by cells and stored for reuse or degradation. Recently, we have postulated the existence of yet another mechanism: degradation of pharmacologic agents by enzymes on or close to the luminal surface of pulmonary endothelial cells (1–8).
Cold Hardiness Potential of Ten Hydrangea Taxa

Abstract Nine Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. and one H. serrata (Thunb. ex J.A. Murr.) Ser. cultivars were evaluated for midwinter cold hardiness, acclimation, and deacclimation to identify cu...
High Glucose Intake Exacerbates Autoimmunity through Reactive-Oxygen-Species-Mediated TGF-β Cytokine Activation

Summary Diet has been suggested to be a potential environmental risk factor for the increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that high glucose intake exacerbated autoimmunity in mouse models of colitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We elucidated that high amounts of glucose specifically promoted T helper-17 (Th17) cell differentiation by activating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) from its latent form through upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in T cells. We further determined that mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) are key for high glucose-induced TGF-β activation and Th17 cell generation. We have thus revealed a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying the adverse effects of high glucose intake in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and inflammation.
Alternative Grazing Management Strategies Combat Invasive Grass Dominance

Changes in historical disturbance regimes have increased the susceptibility of Great Plains ecosystems to various threats, including invasive species. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis; hereafter bluegrass) invasion in the northern Great Plains is displacing native species and has created novel ecosystems with no historical precedent to guide management. Traditional season-long (SL) grazing management increases bluegrass abundance, so we conducted a field experiment to determine if alternative early-intensive (EI) and patch-burn (PB) grazing management strategies can elicit more desirable outcomes in bluegrass-invaded pastures. Alternative EI grazing involved a triple of the stock density, compared to SL and PB stock density, for the first third of the grazing season while PB grazing incorporated SL grazing with prescribed burns. We randomly assigned treatments to 16-ha pastures with three replicates per treatment (n = 3). We conducted vegetation cover surveys and collected aboveground biomass samples to analyze plant community dynamics and production at study initiation and after 4 y of treatment. The SL grazing treatment increased bluegrass abundance by approximately 20% after 4 y of treatment while the alternative EI and PB grazing maintained its abundance at study initiation levels. Compositional differences also indicated increased native plant species cover with alternative management. Annual aboveground biomass production was not affected by management, but has the potential to become less variable with PB grazing in bluegrass-dominated pastures. Our results provide promising evidence that alternative grazing management may help combat bluegrass invasion by preventing additional increases in its abundance in the northern Great Plains.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Significant Increase in Survival in the Post-Targeted Immunotherapy Era

Background The management of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has evolved over the last five years with the FDA approval of targeted immunotherapies, routine incorporation of minimal residual disease, and uptake of the pediatric regimen in young adults. However, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains an important treatment modality for this population and progress has concomitantly occurred in the field of HCT. We hypothesized that a combination of these advancements would translate into significant improvements in post-HCT survival in adult ALL. Methods Successive patients >= 18 years who had undergone first allogeneic HCT for ALL at Stanford University between January 1, 2005 and January 30, 2019 were included and were categorized as Cohort 1 or Cohort 2 based upon time period of HCT: 2005-2013 vs 2014-2019, respectively. For survival analyses, patient post-HCT follow-up times in Cohort 1 were truncated to the maximum follow-up time in Cohort 2 (approximately 5 years) in order to account for differences in long-term follow-up between the cohorts. Results 308 adults (163 in Cohort 1; 145 in Cohort 2) with ALL underwent HCT. The median follow-up from HCT was 738 and 588 days in Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. Median age was 39 years (range, 19-70) and did not differ between groups; 50-55% were men and 30-35% were Hispanic across time periods. Most patients (79-85% across time periods) received myeloablative conditioning (MAC) with a TBI-based regimen; a slight increase in non-TBI based MAC was observed in Cohort 2. Relative to Cohort 1, patients transplanted in Cohort 2 received cord blood units more frequently and were also more likely to enter HCT in CR1. The estimated six month, one, and two-year HCT outcomes are depicted in Table 1. The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse (31% vs 25%) and TRM (23% vs 17%) were not significantly different between the two time cohorts but trended in favor of Cohort 2. Significant improvement in OS following HCT was observed in Cohort 2 (Figure 1) with estimated 2-year OS of 51% vs 70% in Cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions In this large single center analysis of adult ALL outcomes following HCT over time, we demonstrate that OS following HCT has substantially improved since 2014, coinciding with a number of advancements in the fields of ALL and HCT. These data, if confirmed in a multi-center analysis, should provide new benchmarks for outcomes following HCT in adult ALL.
Benefits of Mixed Reality Simulations in Online Courses

Online learning has become an important component of higher education. Incorporating technology necessitates the consideration of additional factors related to choosing appropriate teaching pedagogy and experiences for knowledge construction. Despite these challenges, it is “often taken for granted that technologies can ‘enhance learning’” (Kirkwood & Price, 2014) based on increased student engagement in online instruction. It is important that faculty learn how to employ enhanced instructional strategies and gain an understanding of why it is so important. This study focuses on gaining an understanding of the perceptions held by students and instructors after the use of a mixed reality simulation. Qualitative data were collected through the use of semi-structure interviews with the instructors and journal reflections from the students. The interview responses and journal entries were analyzed for emerging themes and then axial coding methodology was used to identify the relationships among the themes and frequency. Findings indicate that mixed reality simulations do have a positive impact on students.
Associations Between Career Satisfaction, Personal Life Factors, and Work-Life Integration Practices Among US Surgeons by Gender.

Importance Burnout among US surgeons is alarmingly high, particularly among women, and work-life integration conflicts contribute to career dissatisfaction. Objective To evaluate associations between surgical career satisfaction and personal life factors such as time requirements for outside interests, household chores, and parenting responsibilities and to explore similarities and differences between men and women. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional survey study of practicing US surgeons was conducted between June 4 and August 1, 2018. The 257-item online survey was sent to 25 748 fellows of the American College of Surgeons. A 31-item subanalysis was performed from August 13 to November 4, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Degree of career satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Professional and personal life factors associated with career satisfaction were evaluated with gender-stratified multivariable proportional odds models. Results Among 3807 respondents, 3166 self-identified as male (83%) and 639 (17%) as female. Fewer women reported career satisfaction (483 [77%] vs 2514 [82%]) and relatively more women reported problematic interruption of personal life owing to work (315 [50%] vs 1381 [45%]). A higher proportion of women reported being primarily responsible for meal preparation (282 [46%] vs 355 [12%]) and housekeeping (149 [24%] vs 161 [5%]). On multivariable analyses, factors independently associated with career satisfaction were generally similar between genders. Stronger collegial support of work-life integration efforts was significantly associated with higher career satisfaction for both genders (P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, although women had relatively lower surgical career satisfaction than men, the associations between career satisfaction and personal life factors were largely similar. Collegial support of work-life integration efforts appeared to be the most influential factor, particularly for women. Optimization of work-life integration may not only decrease physician burnout but also promote gender equity in surgery.
Infection Control Citations in Nursing Homes: Compliance and Geographic Variability.

Abstract Objectives To report the initial compliance with new infection control regulations and geographic disparities in nursing homes (NHs) in the United States. Design Retrospective cohort study from November 27, 2017 to November 27, 2019. Setting and Participants In total, 14,894 NHs in the continental United States comprising 26,201 inspections and 176,841 deficiencies. Methods We measured the cumulative incidence of receiving F880: Infection Prevention and Control deficiencies, geographic variability of F880 citations across the United States, and the scope and severity of the infection control deficiencies. Results A total of 6164 NHs (41%) in the continental United States received 1 deficiency for F880, and 2300 NHs (15%) were cited more than once during the 2-year period. Geographic variation was evident for F880 deficiencies, ranging from 20% of NHs in North Carolina to 79% of NHs in West Virginia. Between 0% (Vermont) and 33% (Michigan) of states’ NHs were cited multiple times over 2 years. Facilities receiving 2 or more F880 deficiencies were more reliant on Medicaid, for-profit, and served more acute residents. Infection Prevention and Control deficiencies were of similar severity but of greater scope in NHs that were cited multiple times. Conclusions and Implications As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic challenges hospitals with an increased surge of patients from the community, NHs will be asked to accept convalescing patients who were previously infected with the virus. NHs will need to rely on infection control practices to mitigate the effects of the virus in their facilities. Particular attention to NHs that have fared poorly with repeat infection control practices deficiencies might be a good first step to improving care overall and preventing downstream morbidity and mortality among the highest-risk patients.
Organizational Climates in Non-Big 4 vis-à-vis Big 4 Accounting Firms

Non-Big 4 firms represent important participants in the audit market and are often compared to Big 4 firms, yet details on how and why they are different from and yet similar to the more widely studied Big 4 firms remain largely unexplored. We use a multi-method approach and a theoretical framework drawn from institutional theory to investigate the organizational climates of Non-Big 4 firms vis-a-vis Big 4 firms. First, we administer an experiential questionnaire to Non-Big 4 partners with and without former Big 4 experience about their perceptions of various organizational aspects of how these firms operate. Second, we probe deeper on the organizational climates of these firms by conducting semi-structured interviews of Non-Big 4 firm partners with former Big 4 experience given their unique insights into the operations of both types of firms. Finally, we triangulate our data by gathering the perspectives of Big 4 firm partners. Our findings shed light on how and why internal and external institutional forces have shaped Non-Big 4 firms, thereby contributing to a deeper overall understanding of Non-Big 4 firms vis-a-vis Big 4 firms. Based on our findings, we provide suggestions for future research.
Quality improvement education innovation: evaluation of Coursera MOOC ‘Take the Lead on Healthcare Quality Improvement’:

BackgroundMassive open online courses have the potential to enable dissemination of essential components of quality improvement learning. Subsequent to conducting the massive open online course ‘Ta...
Decreasing Older Adult COVID-19 Risk Factors Using Digital Technology to Implement a Plant-Based-Diet: An Opinion Paper.

A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases affect older, minority populations. Obese older adults are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications and lower survival rates, and minority older adults often experience higher rates of obesity. A plant-based diet intervention may improve COVID-19-related modifiable risk factors for obesity. Encouraging the consumption of plant-based diets comprising vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts by utilizing community outreach strategies and digital technology can contribute to improving COVID-19 risk factors among this population.
Dependence of HAMR Transition Curvature on Bit Length

Transition curvature is a major contributor to transition broadening in current HAMR devices. In this paper, in order to clarify HAMR performance versus bit length, a detailed study of the dependence of HAMR transition curvature on bit length is presented. With the help of micromagnetic simulations, HAMR bits with three different bit lengths (10.5, 15, 21nm) are written and transition curvatures are calculated. Both thermal ECC media and pure FePt media are tested. By tracking the change of transition curvature during the HAMR cooling process, an erase-after-write effect is observed. DC-erased media, intergranular exchange and removal of dipole interactions are also examined for potential optimization of the HAMR system.
Hyperexcitable Phenotypes in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Neurons From Patients With 15q11-q13 Duplication Syndrome, a Genetic Form of Autism

Abstract Background Chromosome 15q11-q13 duplication syndrome (Dup15q) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by duplications of the maternal copy of this region. In addition to hypotonia, motor deficits, and language impairments, patients with Dup15q commonly meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder and have a high prevalence of seizures. It is known from mouse models that synaptic impairments are a strong component of Dup15q pathophysiology; however, cellular phenotypes that relate to seizures are less clear. The development of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells provides a unique opportunity to study human neurons with the exact genetic disruptions that cause Dup15q. Methods Here, we explored electrophysiological phenotypes in induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neurons from 4 patients with Dup15q compared with 6 unaffected control subjects, 1 patient with a 15q11-q13 paternal duplication, and 3 patients with Angelman syndrome. Results We identified several properties of Dup15q neurons that could contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and seizure susceptibility. Compared with control neurons, Dup15q neurons had increased excitatory synaptic event frequency and amplitude, increased density of dendritic protrusions, increased action potential firing, and decreased inhibitory synaptic transmission. Dup15q neurons also showed impairments in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and homeostatic synaptic scaling. Finally, Dup15q neurons showed an increased frequency of spontaneous action potential firing compared with control neurons, in part due to disruption of KCNQ2 potassium channels. Conclusions Together, these data point to multiple electrophysiological mechanisms of hyperexcitability that may provide new targets for the treatment of seizures and other phenotypes associated with Dup15q.
Evolutionary perspectives on African North American genetic diversity: Origins and prospects for future investigations

African-descended peoples of the Americas represent an amalgamation of West, Central, and Southeast African regional and ethnic groups with modest gene flow from specific non-African populations. Despite 16+ generations of residence in the Americas, there is a deficit of evolutionary knowledge about these populations. Focusing on Legacy African American, the African North American descendants of survivors of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, we report on emic evolutionary perspectives of their self-identity gleaned from our interviews of 600 individuals collected over 2 years. Gullah-Geechee peoples of Carolina Coastal regions are a model case study due to their historical antiquity, substantial African retentions, relative geospatial isolation, and proposed progenitor status to other Legacy African American microethnic groups. We identify salient research questions for future studies that will begin to bridge the evolutionary gaps in our knowledge of these diverse peoples and the historical evidence for specific evolutionary processes.
Semantic Rule-Based Construction Procedural Information Extraction to Guide Jobsite Sensing and Monitoring

AbstractExisting construction monitoring systems rely on designated personnel to compare a planned procedure in the instructional documents with an execution procedure on the jobsite. It requires m...
Simplicity in Theory-Construction and Evaluation: The Case of the Chromosome Theory of Mendalian Inheritance

This paper analyzes the role played by the criterion of simplicity in the construction and evaluation of the Chromosome Theory of Mendelian Inheritance. First, I briefly discuss some views on simplicity held by philosophers. We can see that despite their different views on scientific methodology and epistemology, most of them consider simplicity as a substantive value that is used in science to choose between theories. Then I analyze the arguments used by scientists to evaluate the hypothesis that genes are pieces of chromosomes to see whether simplicity played any role in their decisions. My conclusion is that the simplicity of the hypothesis that identified the genes with the chromosomes was not taken as a reason to accept it. Finally, I argue that the unifying character of a hypothesis and the ontological and descriptive simplicity achieved by it, should not be taken as reasons for its plausibility.
Studying Parole in the “Spotlight”: Lessons from a Large American Jurisdiction

In September 2008 the Governor of Pennsylvania, USA, imposed a moratorium on all parole (early conditional) releases from the state prisons, which lasted until March 2009. As a political measure, the moratorium was triggered by a series of violent incidents involving recently released parolees culminating with the killings of several police officers. This paper documents the impact of the moratorium on the parole and correctional processes in the state and discusses its implications for the legitimacy of the two justice agencies affected, the Board of Parole and the Department of Corrections. The paper also describes the research undertaking of the team tasked with conducting the comprehensive review of parole and corrections at the Governor’s request, which circumscribed the lifting of the moratorium on the results of the investigation. In addition to qualitative data, the study employed quantitative methods to investigate through predictive analyses both parole decisions and parolee performance upon release. The challenges of conducting action research in the “spotlight” are also highlighted. The nature of the study and its setting in a large state in the United States should provide a useful illustration of problems and potential approaches to dealing with them that similar crime prevention tasks may face in other jurisdictions around the world relying on conditional release as a means of prison release.
Isolation of uroporphyrin III from Clostridium thermoaceticum

Abstract Clostridium thermoaceticum contains a porphyrin which, based on visible absorption and 1H nmr spectra as well as on chromatographic behavior, has been identified as uroporphyrin III.
Carcinogenesis by RNA sarcoma viruses: XII. A quantitative study of infection of rat cells in vitro by avian sarcoma viruses

Abstract A quantitative in vitro assay has been developed for avian sarcoma viruses capable of converting rat embryo fibroblasts. The physical properties of the agent capable of converting rat cells are the same as those of the virion of avian sarcoma virus. Avian sarcoma virus recovered after passage through converted rat cells is genetically altered having increased plating efficiency on rat cells and altered antigenicity. The plating efficiency on rat cells is not correlated with the type-specific antigen of the virus. Phenotypically mixed virus has plating efficiencies on duck and rat cells like virus with the same genome, not like virus with the same envelope. Treatment of rat cells with inactivated Sendai virus does not greatly increase the plating efficiency of avian sarcoma viruses on these cells. Therefore, passage of avian sarcoma virus through rat cells results in virus that is genetically altered in two separate phenotypic properties. A model to explain these results involving recombination between the avian sarcoma virus and the host genome is proposed.
Tritiated digoxin. XV. Serum protein binding in human subjects

Abstract The methods of dextran gel filtration and membrane dialysis were utilized to demonstrate the small amount of in vivo human serum protein binding of tritiated digoxin. The biologic and radioactive serum half-time, metabolism, low serum level, short duration of action, and excretion of the glycoside correlate with the lack of significant serum protein binding shown in these experiments with tritiated digoxin. Protein binding of digoxin also is important in the enterohepatic recycling of digoxin since lack of protein binding (1 to 10 percent) and lack of recycling (6.8 percent) appear to be related to the polar structure of the glycoside.
Photodynamic effects of dyes on bacteria: IV. Lethal effects of acridine orange and 460- or 500-nm monochromatic light in strain of Escherichia coli that differ in repair capability

Abstract • Lethal effects of acridine orange (AO) and monochromatic 460- or 500-nm light were measured in strains of Escherichia coli that differ in repair capability. Strains WP10 ( recA ) and B s-1 ( lexA uvrB ) were more sensitive by factors of 17 to 281 (based on F 37 values) than the strian which tested the most resistant in the presence of AO at both wavelengths, WP2s ( uvrA ). The difference in sensitivity between the reA and WP2s strains was greater with AO and 500-nm light (281-fold) than with 460-nm light (115-fold) suggesting that although DNA lesions produced by either 460-nm or 500-nm light in the presence of AO are rendered non-lethal by rec + lex + -dependent repair processes, such repair is more efficient for the lesions produced by 500-nm light. • Survival curves with AO and 460-nm light were either of the simple exponential type (WP2 and B s−1 ) or were exponential with a small (WP10) or moderate (WP2s) shoulder. In contrast, the survival curves with AO and 500-nm light were of the 2-component typ for the 4 strains tested. The resistant component made up 7–75% of the population. The distinctly different survival-curve shapes obtained at the 2 wavelenghts indicate that difference DNA lesions are produced by AO and 460- and 500-nm light. The data obtained for lethality with AO and 500-nm and light are consistent with result previously reported, which indicate that the very high mutation rates obtained with recA strains are the consequence of the absence of rec + and lex + repair of DNA lesions.
Temporal ROC curves and the psychological moment

Subjects were asked to tell which of two points on a visual display moved first, and to indicate their confidence according to a six-category scale. One of the two points moved 32 msec before the other in all cases, but the order varied at random. ROC curves were straight lines on normal-normal paper. The results are inconsistent with the theory of a “psychological moment” but are consistent with the idea of “temporal noise” in perception.
Infrared absorption spectrum of liquid cryogen R-134a

Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is an effective method to minimize epidermal damage during laser treatment of various cutaneous anomalies such as port wine stains, excess hair, and facial rhytides. Radiometric temperature measurements provide a noninvasive method to estimate the skin surface temperature. Since the infrared absorption spectrum of the cryogen film has remained unknown, assumptions for those values may lead to inaccurate temperature estimations. We have constructed several high-pressure infrared transparent cuvettes to determine the absorption coefficient of room temperature R-134a in liquid phase using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in the 2.5 - 14 μm spectral bandwidth. Results demonstrate that liquid R-134a has several absorption bands in the infrared, with those between 7 - 10.5 and 11.5 - 12.5 μm being the most prominent. Additionally, the absorption coefficient at two common radiometric bands, 3 - 5 and 7 - 11 μm differ by four orders of magnitude. Results of this study will lead to further improvements in interpreting radiometric temperature measurements when using CSC.
Notes on the Natural History of the Bog Turtle, Clemmys muhlenbergi (Schoepff), in Delaware

Field work on the bog turtle,Clemmys muhlenbergi (Schoepff), was carried out in Delaware from June 1971 to February 1974. It is now known in this state from more than 44 specimens from 11 localities in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Populations are known to occur at 4 localities and extensive field work was carried out at 3 of these. Data on size, sex, habitat, activity, behavior, reproduction, mortality, and distribution and abundance were collected and compared with data in the literature. These comparisons indicate that its biology in Delaware is similar to that in other states. Field data on cloacal temperature are presented for the first time, and this turtle was found to be active at a body temperature ranging from 17 to 35 C. This study and the recent great interest in the bog turtle reveal it to be more widely distributed and common than was previously thought. Although probably not as numerous as other turtles in its range, it is more secretive than rare.
Regulation of Caenorhabditis elegans degenerin proteins by a putative extracellular domain

Abstract Background: Rare, dominant mutations in the degenerin genes of Caenorhabditis elegans (deg-1, mec-4 and mec-10) cause neuronal degeneration. The extensive sequence similarity between degenerins and mammalian genes that encode subunits of the amiloride-sensitive sodium channel from kidney, colon and lung suggests that the C. elegans degenerins form ion channels. As mec-4 and mec-10 are needed for the reception of gentle touch stimuli, they may contribute to a mechanosensory ion channel. All the dominant degeneration-causing mutations in the C. elegans degenerin genes affect equivalent residues in a hydrophobic region that is structurally similar to the H5 domain of several ion channels, and so could form the channel lining. Increased channel activity may underlie the resulting degeneration, in which the affected cells vacuolate and swell. Results We now demonstrate that a missense change in a predicted extracellular region of the proteins encoded by deg-1 and mec-4 causes cell death similar to that caused by the dominant mutations. The missense mutation lies within a 22 amino-acid region found in all the C. elegans degenerins for which the sequences have been published, but not in the similar mammalian proteins. Deletion of nine amino acids surrounding the mutation site in mec-4 also causes neuronal degeneration. The degeneration-causing mutations in either the predicted pore-lining or the predicted extracellular regions of deg-1 are suppressed by additional, dominantly acting mutations that substitute larger for smaller residues within the channel lining. Conclusion Our data suggest that the putative extracellular domain negatively regulates degenerin activity, perhaps by gating the channel. As this region is only found in the C. elegans proteins, it may allow more rapid regulation of the nematode channels, which may be needed for them to function in mechanosensation. The suppressor mutations, by adding larger amino acids to the putative pore lining, could prevent degeneration by blocking the pore of a multisubunit channel.
Stability and error estimation for component adaptive grid methods

Component adaptive grid (CAG) methods for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDE's) are discussed in this paper. Applying recent stability results for a class of numerical methods on uniform grids. The convergence of these methods for linear problems on component adaptive grids is established here. Furthermore, the computational error can be estimated on CAG's using the stability results. Using these estimates, the error can be controlled on CAG's. Thus, the solution can be computed efficiently on CAG's within a given error tolerance. Computational results for time dependent linear problems in one and two space dimensions are presented.
LIVER PARENCHYMAL CELL INJURY : III. The Nature of Calcium-Associated Electron-Opaque Masses in Rat Liver Mitochondria Following Poisoning with Carbon Tetrachloride

Accumulation of calcium in the mitochondria of rat liver parenchymal cells at 16 and 24 hours after poisoning with carbon tetrachloride is associated with an increase in amount of liver inorganic phosphate, the persistence of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase activity, and the formation of electron-opaque intramitochondrial masses in cells with increased calcium contents. These masses, which form within the mitochondrial matrix adjacent to internal mitochondrial membranes, resemble those observed in isolated mitochondria which accumulate calcium and inorganic phosphate; are present in a locus similar to that of electron opacities which result from electron-histochemical determination of mitochondrial ATPase activity; and differ in both appearance and position from matrix granules of normal mitochondria. After poisoning, normal matrix granules disappear from mitochondria prior to their accumulation of calcium. As calcium-associated electron-opaque intramitochondrial masses increase in size, mitochondria degenerate in appearance. At the same time, cytoplasmic membrane systems of mid-zonal and centrilobular cells are disrupted by degranulation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the formation of labyrinthine tubular aggregates. The increase in amount of inorganic phosphate in rat liver following poisoning is balanced by a decreased amount of phosphoprotein. These chemical events do not appear to be related, however, as the inorganic phosphate accumulated is derived from serum inorganic phosphate.
Chemokines Promote Quiescence and Survival of Human Neural Progenitor Cells

Many cell types in the brain express chemokines and chemokine receptors under homeostatic conditions, arguing for a role of these proteins in normal brain processes. Because chemokines have been shown to regulate hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation, we hypothesized that chemokines would regulate neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation as well. Here we show that chemokines activating CXCR4 or CCR3 reversibly inhibit NPC proliferation in isolated cells, neurospheres, and in hippocampal slice cultures. Cells induced into quiescence by chemokines maintain their multipotential ability to form both neurons and astrocytes. The mechanism of chemokine action appears to be a reduction of extracellular signal-related kinase phosphorylation as well as an increase in Reelin expression. The inhibitory effects of chemokines are blocked by heparan sulfate and apolipoprotein E3 but not apolipoprotein E4, suggesting a regulatory role of these molecules on the effects of chemokines. Additionally, we found that the chemokine fractalkine promotes survival of NPCs. In addition to their role in chemotaxis, chemokines affect both the survival and proliferation of human NPCs in vitro. The presence of constitutively expressed chemokines in the brain argues that under homeostatic conditions, chemokines promote survival but maintain NPCs in a quiescent state. Our studies also suggest a link between inflammatory chemokine production and the inhibition of neurogenesis.
Paroxysmal dyskinesias: Clinical features and classification

We studied 46 patients with paroxysmal dyskinesia and classified them according to phenomenology, duration of attacks, and etiology. There were 13 patients, 7 females, who had paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), 10 with attacks lasting 5 minutes or less (short lasting) and 3 with attacks lasting longer than 5 minutes (long lasting). Twentysix patients, 18 females, had paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD), 9 with short-lasting and 17 with longlasting PNKD. Five patients, 3 females, had paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia (PED), 3 with short-lasting PED and the other 2 with long-lasting PED. In addition, there was 1 patient with paroxysmal hypnogenic dyskinesia (PhD) and 1 with paroxysmal superior oblique myokymia. Only 2 patients, 1 with PKD and 1 with PhD, had family history of paroxysmal dyskinesias. No specific cause could be identified in 21 patients; in the other 23 patients the etiologies included the following: psychogenic (9 patients), cerebrovascular diseases (4), multiple sclerosis (2), encephalitis (2), cerebral trauma (2), peripheral trauma (2), migraine (1), and kernicterus (1). Nine of 10 (90%) patients with PKD improved with medications, mostly anticonvulsants, compared with only 7 of 19 (37%) with PNKD. This new classification, based chiefly on precipitating events, allowed appropriate categorization of the attacks in all our patients with paroxysmal dyskinesias.
Management of hypotension associated with angiotensin-axis blockade and general anesthesia administration.

YPOTENSION, SOMETIMES REFRACTORY, is a well-recognized phenomenon associated with the administration of general anesthesia in patients who have angiotensin-axis blockade (AAB) because of the administration of either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs). 1 Hypotension in such patients usually occurs within 30 minutes of the induction of anesthesia2,3 and is more frequent in patients also receiving diuretics. 4 There is an ongoing debate as to whether ACEIs and ARBs should be discontinued before surgery. 2,3,5-9 Although omitting these agents before general anesthesia may avoid hypotension,3,8,10 some argue that their discontinuation is not required because the associated hypotension is easily treatable 6,11 and subsequent hypertension may occur perioperatively requiring antihypertensive therapy. 9 Furthermore, the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs might remove the potential beneficial effect of AAB on myocardial protection 9,12-14 Adding to this debate, preoperative therapy with ACEIs in cardiac surgery 5 and ACEIs and ARBs in vascular surgery 15 have been found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality. In contrast, in cardiac surgery, ACEIs may confer renal protection16 ; and in
Tutte's 3-flow conjecture and short cycle covers

In this paper we prove: (i) If a graph G has a nowhere-zero 6-flow φ such that | Eodd (φ)| ≥ 23 |E(G)|, then G has a cycle cover in which the sum of the lengths of the cycles in the cycle cover is at most 4427 |E(G)|, where Eodd (φ) = {e ∈ E(G) : is odd}; (ii) if Tutte′s 3-Flow Conjecture is true, then every bridgeless graph G has a nowhere-zero 6-flow φ such that | Eodd (φ)| ≥ 23 | E(G)|.
EXPERIMENTAL PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN THE NEWBORN CALF.

1. The left pulmonary artery was ligated in day-old calves. All animals developed pulmonary arterial hypertension with resting mean pressures as high as 114 mm Hg. This was associated with a reduction in the pulmonary arterial vascular bed of the right lung and right ventricular hypertrophy. The longest survival has been five months; death being associated with congestive heart failure. 2. Pulmonary hypertension developed without concomitant rise of pulmonary arterial wedge pressure. 3. Inhalation of 13% O2 caused an average rise of 45 mm Hg in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, as compared with 21 mm Hg in normal calves and nine in yearling steers. 4. Inhalation of 41% or 100% O2 caused an average decrease of 29 mm Hg in pulmonary arterial pressure, as compared with 14 mm Hg in normal calves. 5. Acetylcholine reduced the elevated pulmonary arterial pressure suggesting that vaso-constriction played an important role in the development of the pulmonary hypertension. Tolazoline was ineffective. 6. The spectr...