cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
nor-BNI Antagonism of Kappa Opioid Agonist-Induced Reinstatement of Ethanol-Seeking Behavior

Recent work suggests that the dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system may be a key mediator in the behavioral effects of alcohol. The objective of the present study was to examine the ability of the KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (nor-BNI) to attenuate relapse to ethanol seeking due to priming injections of the KOR agonist U50,488 at time points consistent with KOR selectivity. Male Wistar rats were trained to self-administer a 10% ethanol solution, and then responding was extinguished. Following extinction, rats were injected with U50,488 (0.1–10 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline and were tested for the reinstatement of ethanol seeking. Next, the ability of the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (0 or 3.0 mg/kg, s.c.) and nor-BNI (0 or 20.0 mg/kg, i.p.) to block U50,488-induced reinstatement was examined. Priming injections U50,488 reinstated responding on the previously ethanol-associated lever. Pretreatment with naltrexone reduced the reinstatement of ethanol-seeking behavior. nor-BNI also attenuated KOR agonist-induced reinstatement, but to a lesser extent than naltrexone, when injected 24 hours prior to injections of U50,488, a time point that is consistent with KOR selectivity. While these results suggest that activation of KORs is a key mechanism in the regulation of ethanol-seeking behavior, U50,488-induced reinstatement may not be fully selective for KORs.
Coming Out and Being Out In the Executive Suite: The Experiences of Senior Gay and Lesbian Leaders

Research on experiences of gays and lesbians in the executive suite is almost non-existent. We conducted, to our knowledge, the first empirical study specifically focused on gay and lesbian senior ...
Avoiding False Positives and Optimizing Identification of True Negatives in Estrogen Receptor Binding and Agonist/Antagonist Assays

The potential for chemicals to affect endocrine signaling is commonly evaluated via in vitro receptor binding and gene activation, but these assays, especially antagonism assays, have potential artifacts that must be addressed for accurate interpretation. Results are presented from screening 94 chemicals from 54 chemical groups for estrogen receptor (ER) activation in a competitive rainbow trout ER (rtER) binding assay and a trout liver slice vitellogenin mRNA expression assay. Results from true competitive agonists and antagonists, and inactive chemicals with little or no indication of ER binding or gene activation were easily interpreted. However, results for numerous industrial chemicals were more challenging to interpret, including chemicals with: (1) apparent competitive binding curves but no gene activation, (2) apparent binding and gene inhibition with evidence of either cytotoxicity or changes in assay media pH, (3) apparent binding but non-competitive gene inhibition of unknown cause, or (4) no rtER binding and gene inhibition not due to competitive ER interaction but due to toxicity, pH change, or some unknown cause. The use of endpoints such as toxicity, pH, precipitate formation, and determination of inhibitor dissociation constants (Ki) for interpreting the results of antagonism and binding assays for diverse chemicals is presented. Of the 94 chemicals tested for antagonism only two, tamoxifen and ICI-182780, were found to be true competitive antagonists. This report highlights the use of two different concentrations of estradiol tested in combination with graded concentrations of test chemical to provide the confirmatory evidence to distinguish true competitive antagonism from apparent antagonism.
Invasive characterization of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease using near-infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound.

Objectives We describe the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) Background Imaging and autopsy studies have described atherosclerotic plaque in different vascular beds, including varying degrees of lipid, fibrosis, and calcification. Recently, NIRS has been validated as an accurate method for detecting lipid-core plaque (LCP) in the coronary circulation. Invasive evaluation of plaque composition using NIRS-IVUS has not been reported in different peripheral arterial circulations. Methods We performed invasive angiography and NIRS-IVUS in consecutive PAD patients prior to percutaneous revascularization. Imaging evaluation included parameters from angiography, IVUS, and NIRS. NIRS-IVUS findings were compared among different vascular beds with regard to the presence and extent of calcification and LCP. Results One hundred and forty-nine lesions in 126 PAD patients were enrolled, including the internal carotid (n = 10), subclavian/axillary (n = 9), renal (n = 14), iliac (n = 35), femoropopliteal (n = 69), and infrapopliteal (n = 12) arteries. Plaque morphology was calcified in 132 lesions (89%) and fibrous in 17 lesions (11%). Calcification varied from 100% of renal artery stenoses to 55% of subclavian/axillary artery stenoses. LCP was present in 48 lesions (32%) and prevalence varied from 60% in carotid artery stenoses to 0% in renal artery stenoses (P < 0.005). LCP was only observed in fibrocalcific plaque, and was longitudinally and circumferentially surrounded by a more extensive degree of calcium. Conclusions NIRS-IVUS in stable PAD patients demonstrates a high frequency of calcific plaque and statistically significant differences in the frequency of LCP in different arterial beds. LCP, when present in the peripheral circulation, is always associated with calcified plaque. The strong co-localization of calcified plaque and LCP in severe PAD lesions may provide plaque-stabilizing effects; further studies are needed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Effects of Model Aromatic Lignin Compounds On Growth and Lipid Accumulation of Rhodococcus rhodochrous

Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the most abundant and renewable organic materials in the world. The lignocellulosic complex is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can be pretreated to release sugars that can be utilized for microbial production of valued metabolites. Oleaginous microbes can accumulate over 20% of their cell dry weight as lipids, which are stored as intracellular energy reserves. The characterization of oleaginous bacteria creates opportunities for the development of alternative feedstocks and technologies. Rhodococcus rhodochrous is a bacterium recently determined to be oleaginous when grown in glucose-supplemented media. The purpose of this study was to evaluate model lignin phenolic compounds as substrates for lipid accumulation. Lipid accumulation in R. rhodochrous was evaluated using phenol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and vanillic acid (VA) as model lignin compounds with and without glucose as a co-substrate. Cell dry weight increased in all treatments, indicating that growth was not impaired in these conditions. However, alterations were observed in the amount of lipids produced. Dry cell weight and lipids were analyzed daily. R. rhodochrous accumulated over 40% of its cell dry weight as lipids when grown in glucose with HBA and VA, but less than 20% when grown in HBA and VA alone. When grown in phenol and glucose, R. rhodochrous accumulated 35% of its dry weight at lipids, but did not accumulate lipids when grown in phenol alone. These data indicate that R. rhodochrous may have the capability to tolerate and utilize lignin-like aromatic compounds for lipid accumulation.
Mitochondrial Disease and Anesthesia

It is increasingly common for children with mitochondrial disease to undergo surgery and anesthesia. Although many different anesthetics have been used successfully for these patients, serious, une...
Trends in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Adjuvant Therapy in Endometrial Carcinoma

ABSTRACTWe analyzed 54,039 women with uterine cancer in the National Cancer Database from 2013 to 2014 including 38,453 (71.2%) who underwent lymphadenectomy, 1929 (3.6%) who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, and 13,657 (25.3%) who did not undergo nodal assessment. SLN mapping increased from 2.8% in 2013 to 4.3% in 2014 (P < 0.001). Patients treated in 2014 and those at community centers were more likely to undergo SLN biopsy, while women with advanced-stage disease, sarcomas, and grade 3 tumors were less likely to undergo SLN mapping (P < 0.05). There was no association between use of SLN biopsy and use of radiation (aRR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.82–1.05).
The Photochemistry and Photobiology of Vitamin D 3

Some historians state that the disease rickets was reported to occur in humans as early as the second century A. D. (1, 2), but the disease was not considered a significant health problem until people began to congregate in the cities of Northern Europe during the Renaissance (1–4). In the mid-17th century, Whistler, DeBoot, and Glisson each independently recognized many of the major diagnostic signs of this disease and established rickets as a clinical entity. They noted that it was associated with deformities of the skeleton, particularly enlargement of the epiphyses at the joints of the long bones and the rib cage (rachitic rosary), enlargement of the head, bending of the spine, curvature of the thighs, and flabby and toneless legs that were usually unable to sustain the weight of the body (1, 3, 4). The incidence of this debilitating bone disease increased dramatically during the industrial revolution, especially in Northern Europe and North America, and, by the latter part of the 19th century, autopsy studies suggested that approximately 90% of the children raised in the crowded cities of these areas had the disease.
Human red blood cell hemolysis in a turbulent shear flow: Contribution of Reynolds shear stresses

Various previous models used in studying red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis in turbulent shear flows are reviewed from a fluid dynamic point of view. The effect of turbulent shear stress (Reynolds shear stress, tau R) on RBC hemolysis is investigated utilizing a submerged axisymmetric jet flow field. A detailed survey of the flow field is made with a laser Doppler anemometer system to obtain contour maps of the mean velocity distributions, relative turbulence intensities, and tau R distributions in the field prior to conducting the experiment of sampling and analyzing the cells free-hemoglobin in the field. A new two-point sampling technique, developed in this laboratory, allows collections of RBC samples from selected locations in the flow field so that a relationship between the local shear stress level and the cell damage may be established. The threshold level of tau R responsible for incipient hemolysis is found to be approximately 400 Newtons per square meter (N/m2), below which a sublethal region of zero hemolysis is observed.
Physical Inactivity: A Major Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease

Physical inactivity, as manifested by a sedentary lifestyle, is considered to be one of the major risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). In this article, the impact of inactivity as a risk factor on CHD and as a cause of cardiovascular and systemic dysfunction is described. Epidemiologic studies indicate that inactivity can be as harmful to the cardiovascular system as cigarette smoking and other risk factors. The effect of inactivity on mortality from CHD and on the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system is presented along with the effects of activity and exercise on the other major risk factors, stressing the negative effects of inactivity.
Value of Axillary Ultrasound after Negative Axillary MRI for Evaluating Nodal Status in High-Risk Breast Cancer

Background It is assumed that axillary ultrasound (AxUS) is the best method for axillary nodal evaluation in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. However, few have evaluated the efficacy of preoperative axillary MRI. We compared the statistical accuracy of AxUS and MRI in detecting nodal metastases among breast cancer patients who were selected for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Study Design We retrospectively analyzed 219 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2007 to 2015, all of whom had AxUS and breast MRI before chemotherapy. Two breast radiologists, blinded to clinical, pathologic, and AxUS findings, re-reviewed all breast MRIs, specifically focusing on axillary nodal characteristics. We correlated clinico-pathologic characteristics, AxUS, and MRI findings, and quantified predictive values of both imaging modalities. Results Overall, 101 of 219 (47%) patients had T2 tumors. The most common abnormal nodal finding was size >10 mm. Axillary ultrasound and MRI agreed on nodal status in 192 of 219 patients (87.6%). When correlated with pre-chemotherapy needle biopsy in 129 patients, AxUS and axillary MRI performed similarly (sensitivity of 99.1% vs 97.4% and specificity 15.4% vs 15.4%, respectively). Only 4 of 129 (3.1%) patients had a negative MRI and positive AxUS; 3 of 4 of these patients (75%) had a positive biopsy and 2 of 3 had positive lymph nodes on final pathology, therefore suggesting MRI missed clinically significant disease in only 2 of 129 (1.5%) patients. Conclusions In a high-risk patient population, AxUS and MRI have similar statistical profiles in evaluating axillary nodal status. Routine use of AxUS after a normal axillary MRI is not warranted.
Ebstein’s Anomaly

Ebstein’s malformation of the tricuspid valve includes a spectrum of abnormalities involving the tricuspid valve and right ventricle, which results in a smaller functional right ventricle. This section will review the variable presentation, physiology, and anesthetic considerations when taking care of a parturient with this congenital heart anomaly.
Delaware Bay Oyster Populations: Effects of Seed Movement, Harvesting, and Diseases

Oysters are not directly harvested for market from Delaware Bay natural beds. They have been moved from upper Delaware Bay seed beds to planting grounds, located in lower Delaware Bay, since the mid 1800’s. The States of Delaware and New Jersey have retained control of the seed beds, but lease bottom to private individuals in the planting grounds. Oysters placed on leased areas become the property of the lease holder and may be harvested at any time. Depending on the size of the oyster moved to the planting grounds (oysters from the uppermost seed beds are smaller on average than those from lower bay seed beds), one to three or more years are required for the oysters to reach market size. This mixture of direct harvest from the seed beds and subsequent grow-out on the planting grounds prior to final harvest has, in the presence of. oyster disease and predation, changed the patterns of oyster abundance in Delaware Bay.
Correlation of mitochondrial haplotypes with cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes of sympatric Reticulitermes species from the southeastern United States.

Three sympatric Reticulitermes species have been identified in Georgia, USA, based on morphological characters from alates and soldiers: R. flavipes, R. virginicus, and R. hageni, but species identification at individual collection sites is often difficult because alate production is seasonal and soldiers comprise 1–3% of the colony. We therefore set up an experiment to determine if chemical phenotypes and mtDNA haplotypes can be used together to separate species of subterranean termites. Subterranean termites of the order Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) were collected from 20 inspection ports across four soil provinces in Georgia. Each collection was identified to species using dichotomous keys. Two collections, HH11 and BH25, however, could not be unequivocally keyed to species and were classified as unknown. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene was sequenced from individual members of each collection and the variation in cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes from these same collections was characterized. The cuticular hydrocarbon and mtDNA phylogenetic analyses show agreement with both unknown collections falling out in a separate clade. Specimens from HH11 nad BH25 are different morphologically, chemically, and genetically from the three known sympatric species in Georgia. Our results suggest that these two collections may represent at least one new taxon in Reticulitermes. Furthermore, the association of cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes and mtDNA haplotypes demonstrates that, when combined with morphological characters, they are useful in separating known species, determining new species, and understanding termite evolution.
EEG Predictors of Post-Stroke Seizure (P3.274)

Objective: To determine the significance of EEG patterns after acute ischemic stroke. Background: 1 in 6 people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime, and stroke is estimated to be the cause of up to 45% of epilepsy cases over the age of 60. EEGs ordered in the acute stroke setting may offer valuable information on a patient’s risk of developing epilepsy. Design/Methods: A retrospective EMR query was performed for patients admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of ischemic stroke between 6/2011 and 5/2017. Patients were divided into groups based on subsequent development of seizures. Continuous variables were displayed as means and standard deviations, and categorical variables as counts and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions with a Fisher correction when appropriate. Means were compared with independent samples T test. A p value of 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Results: 154 reviewed charts demonstrated 8 patients developed late seizures and 88 remained seizure-free (58 were excluded due to insufficient follow-up). Lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs) were seen in 3/8 (37.5%) with seizure vs 0/88 (0%) without seizures (p Conclusions: In patients with acute ischemic stroke, those with GPDs and LPDs on EEG during hospitalization demonstrated significantly higher rate of post-stroke late seizure. Sharp or spike waves did not correlate to development of post-stroke seizure. Clinical applicability of EEG patterns in the decision to initiate antiepileptic drugs should be further studied in future larger prospective studies. Disclosure: Dr. Kaye has nothing to disclose. Dr. Newcomer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Almeida has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khanna has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hella has nothing to disclose. Dr. Eisenschenk has nothing to disclose.
Waiting for the Courts: Effects of Policy Uncertainty on Pollution and Investment

Legal challenges and transitions of political power cause the future of regulatory policies to be uncertain. In this article, I investigate how uncertainty about environmental policy affects investment and emissions at coal-fired power plants. I exploit a legal challenge to the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) that created variation in the probability that individual plants would need to comply with the new policy. I use a difference-in-differences approach to compare pollution reductions at power plants located in states subject to more uncertainty to plants in states that that were not. I find that plants with a lower probability of being regulated invested in fewer capital-intensive pollution controls and reduced pollution by 13% less on average. Many of these plants did switch to capital-intensive pollution controls after the court upheld CAIR. Policy uncertainty increased compliance costs by $124 million by delaying efficient investments.
Action recognition using volumetric motion representations

Traditional action recognition models are constructed around the paradigm of 2D perspective imagery. Though sophisticated time-series models have pushed the field forward, much of the information is still not exploited by confining the domain to 2D. In this work, we introduce a novel representation of motion as a voxelized 3D vector field and demonstrate how it can be used to improve performance of action recognition networks. This volumetric representation is a natural fit for 3D CNNs, and allows out-of-plane data augmentation techniques during training of these networks. Both the construction of this representation from RGB-D video and inference can be run in real time. We demonstrate superior results using this representation with our network design on the open-source NTU RGB+D dataset where it outperforms state-of-the-art on both of the defined evaluation metrics. Furthermore, we experimentally show how the out-of-plane augmentation techniques create viewpoint invariance and allow the model trained using this representation to generalize to unseen camera angles. Code is available here: this https URL.
Racial disparities in analgesic use amongst patients presenting to the emergency department for kidney stones in the United States.

Abstract Introduction We sought quantify racial disparities in use of analgesia amongst patients seen in Emergency Departments for renal colic. Methods We identified all individuals presenting to the Emergency Department with urolithiasis from 2003 to 2015 in the nationally representative Premier Hospital Database. We included patients discharged in ≤1 day and excluded those with chronic pain or renal insufficiency. We assessed the relationship between race/ethnicity and opioid dosage in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), and ketorolac, through multivariable regression models adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. Results The cohort was 266,210 patients, comprised of White (84%), Black (6%) and Hispanic (10%) individuals. Median opioid dosage was 20 MME and 55.5% received ketorolac. Our adjusted model showed Whites had highest median MME (20 mg) with Blacks (−3.3 mg [95% CI: −4.6 mg to −2.1 mg]) and Hispanics (−6.0 mg [95% CI: −6.9 mg to −5.1 mg]) receiving less. Blacks were less likely to receive ketorolac (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62–0.84) while there was no difference between Whites and Hispanics. Conclusions Black and Hispanic patients in American Emergency Departments with acute renal colic receive less opioid medication than White patients; Black patients are also less likely to receive ketorolac.
Increased Incidence of Cholecystitis with Total Artificial Heart versus Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Cholecystitis after mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation is possibly related to hemodynamic changes related to continuous peripheral blood flow. Visceral hypoperfusion is also a reported risk factor. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of cholecystitis in non-pulsatile LVAD vs pulsatile TAH devices. Methods We reviewed data from all durable MCS patients at a single large center from 2011 through 2019. The primary endpoint was cholecystitis requiring surgery. We reviewed explanted gallbladder pathology, the length of time between implantation and cholecystectomy, as well as INTERMACS profile at time of MCS. Results 11 out of 151 (7.3%) LVAD patients required cholecystectomy versus 18 out of 93 (19.4%) TAH patients, p-value 0.004. While cholecystectomies occurred earlier in patients with TAH vs LVAD, it was not statistically significant p 0.251. Wilcoxon Ranked Sum Test showed that surgical interventions occurred earlier in acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) than in calculous cholecystitis (CC) Z=151, p Conclusion There was a significantly higher incidence of cholecystitis requiring surgery in the pulsatile (TAH) vs non-pulsatile (LVAD) MCS devices. Surgical intervention occurred earlier in patients with ACC versus CC. This may be related to both biventricular failure and higher acuity at time of implant in TAH patients.
Mind, body, spirit, and sport: A systematic review examining the effectiveness of interventions targeting the biopsychosocial-spiritual health of NCAA student-athletes

NCAA student-athletes are at risk for various physical (e.g. injury), psychosocial (e.g. depression), and spiritual (e.g. identity development) health concerns. Consequently, researchers and NCAA a...
The Minimal Directed Information Needed to Improve the LQG Cost

We study a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control problem, in which a noisy observation of the system state is available to the controller. To lower the achievable LQG cost, we introduce an extra communication link from the system to the controller. We investigate the trade-off between the improved LQG cost and the consumed communication (information) resources that are measured with the conditional directed information. The objective is to minimize the directed information over all encoding-decoding policies subject to a constraint on the LQG cost. The main result is a semidefinite programming formulation for the optimization problem in the finite-horizion scenario where the dynamical system may have time-varying parameters. This result extends the seminal work by Tanaka et al., where the direct noisy measurement of the system state at the controller is assumed to be absent. As part of our derivation to show the optimality of an encoder that transmits a Gaussian measurement of the state, we show that the presence of the noisy measurements at the encoder can not reduce the minimal directed information, extending a prior result of Kostina and Hassibi to the vector case. Finally, we show that the results in the finite-horizon case can be extended to the infinite-horizon scenario when assuming a time-invariant system, but possibly a time-varying policy. We show that the solution for this optimization problem can be realized by a time-invariant policy whose parameters can be computed explicitly from a finite-dimensional semidefinite program.
The Pricing of Mismeasured EPS

This study examines whether and under what conditions common stock prices reflect the accounting mismeasurement of diluted EPS related to convertible instruments. As the costs and benefits of information processing related to the accounting mismeasurement are high, it is unclear under what conditions stock prices reflect the accounting mismeasurement. On average results are consistent with stock prices reflecting dilution based on an economic prediction of future conversion. When the net benefits of information processing are high, I find an association between accounting mismeasurement and prices ninety days after year-end consistent with investors incurring the costs necessary to impound the mismeasurement into prices when accounting information is available. In contrast, I find positive market-adjusted returns around settlement for firms with low net benefits consistent with investors adjusting prices when the costs of information processing are lower. Overall, results suggest that information processing acts as a constraint on investors’ unwinding accounting mismeasurement.
Nasal endoscopy, room filtration, and aerosol concentrations during live outpatient encounters: a prospective, case-control study.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted safety concerns surrounding possible aerosol-generating procedures, but comparative data on the smallest particles capable of transmitting this virus remain limited. We evaluated the effect of nasal endoscopy on aerosol concentration and the role of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in reducing aerosol concentration. Methods Otolaryngology patients were prospectively enrolled in an outpatient, cross-sectional study. Demographic information and clinic room characteristics were recorded. A scanning mobility particle sizer and GRIMM aerosol monitor measured aerosols 14.3 nm to 34 μm in diameter (i.e., particles smaller than those currently examined in the literature) during (1) nasal endoscopy (± debridement) and (2) no nasal endoscopy encounters. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test were performed to compare aerosol concentrations and impact of HEPA filtration. Results Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria (25 nasal endoscopy without debridement; 18 nasal endoscopy with debridement; 19 no nasal endoscopy). There was no significant difference in age or gender across cohorts. Aerosol concentration in the nasal endoscopy cohort (± debridement) was not greater than the no nasal endoscopy cohort (p = 0.36; confidence interval [95% CI], -1.76 to 0.17 μg/m3 ; and p = 0.12; 95% CI, -0.11 to 2.14 μg/m3 , respectively). Aerosol concentrations returned to baseline after 8.76 min without a HEPA filter versus 4.75 min with a HEPA filter (p = 0.001; 95% CI, 1.73-6.3 min). Conclusion Using advanced instrumentation and a comparative study design, aerosol concentration was shown to be no greater during nasal endoscopy versus no endoscopy encounters. HEPA filter utilization reduced aerosol concentrations significantly faster than no HEPA filter.
Pediatric Critical Care

Each classic paper in this chapter reports a novel development that has had a major impact on the field of pediatric critical care. In the area of respiratory support, pediatric critical care has been a fertile source of ideas that have had applications in adults. Gregory et al. introduced ‘continuous positive airway pressure’ to meet the specific need for lung recruitment of surfactant-deficient premature infants, babies below the size limit for safe and atraumatic mechanical ventilation at that time. This technology led to the development of ventilator weaning modes for patients of all ages. Bartlett et al. modified operating room technology to introduce extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) into the ICU. It has now been shown that ECMO reduces mortality in neonates. A limited number of centers offer such support to adults. Surfactant deficiency ultimately proved treatable by exogenous surfactant administration – Fujiwara et al. pioneered that approach in 1980. Surfactant therapy has not yet been shown to be effective in the surfactant dysfunction state of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but there are enthusiasts who believe it will play a role in adult intensive care. Halothane anesthesia was borrowed from the operating room for the treatment of asthma in the pediatric ICU by Crone et al. in 1982. Other inhalational anesthetics have followed. In 1988, McCulloch et al. presented the first convincing evidence that lung recruitment protects the atelectasis-prone lung from trauma during mechanical ventilation. Their report focused on high frequency oscillatory ventilation, but the principle they espoused is relevant to all lung protective strategies. Kinsella et al. introduced inhaled nitric oxide into critical care for the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Although not yet approved for use in adults, NO has potential adult applications. It is noteworthy that FDA approval of new drugs usually bypasses pediatric efficacy testing. Surfactant, NO, and HFOV earned pediatric approval at the outset. So did prostaglandin E-1 (PGE-1) for dilation of the ductus arteriosus (Heymann et al.), a drug that has changed the nature of pediatric cardiology and infant heart surgery.
On resizing images in the DCT domain

This paper presents a general method for producing a mapping from the DCT domain to another DCT domain that results in an image that has been resized in the spatial dimension. Although the mapping is implemented entirely in the DCT domain, it can be thought of as a transformation into the spatial domain using a combined inverse DCT and resizing operator followed by a combined forward DCT and another resizing operator. Final image quality can be traded off for lower implementation complexity and a wide range of complexity versus final quality operation points can be chosen for each scale factor. Current existing methods often suffer from a lack of flexibility (i.e. work for only one or at most a few resizing factors, have only one or two levels of complexity) or require more operations to achieve similar levels of final image quality. When constructing the mapping, a multiplierless DCT approximation can be used for fast implementation with excellent results. The use of the DCT approximation confers several benefits upon the proposed mapping including multiplierless implementation or at most integer rather than floating point operations.
Changes in the specific activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in the rat epididymis with age.

Abstract The specific activity of the lysosomal enzyme N- acetyl-β- d -hexosaminidase was determined in the caput and cauda of the epididymis of rats as a function of age. The activity peaks at six weeks of age in both parts of the epididymis but is higher in the cauda. The results indicate a relationship between changes occurring in sperm in the epididymis and the lysosomal enzymes.
Analysis of a neural network lateral controller for an autonomous road vehicle

This paper explores lateral control of a simulated vehicle in a simulated highway driving environment. Three modules are used: a driving simulator, a visual preprocessor, and a neural network. The paper presents the development of the three system modules, the creation of training sets, and computational results. Neural network performances are gauged by a number of procedures. Excellent results are achieved for straight roads and curved roads under a variety of initial conditions on the vehicle.
ENDEMICS AND IMMIGRANTS: NORTH AMERICAN TERRESTRIAL ISOPODS (ISOPODA, ONISCIDEA) NORTH OF MEXICO

[Terrestrial isopod species recorded from Canada and the continental United States are listed with the original literature citation for each province and state record. The major habitat preference of each species is given. Marine littoral and cave dwelling species are generally endemics and the majority of isopods from other habitat types are assumed immigrants. Distribution and habitat data are analysed for implications regarding the origins of various elements of the North American fauna and conservation concerns. La liste des especes d'isopodes terrestres du Canada et des Etats-Unis continentaux est fournie, ainsi que la citation originale dans la litterature pour chaque signalement de province et d'etat. La preference dominante pour l'habitat est indiquee pour chaque espece. Les especes marines littorales et souterraines sont generalement endemiques et la majorite des isopodes des autres types d'habitat sont consideres comme immigrants. Les donnees sur la repartition et l'habitat sont analysees pour determiner les implications en ce qui concerne les origines des divers elements de la faune d'Amerique du Nord et leur prise en compte en vue de leur conservation., Terrestrial isopod species recorded from Canada and the continental United States are listed with the original literature citation for each province and state record. The major habitat preference of each species is given. Marine littoral and cave dwelling species are generally endemics and the majority of isopods from other habitat types are assumed immigrants. Distribution and habitat data are analysed for implications regarding the origins of various elements of the North American fauna and conservation concerns. La liste des especes d'isopodes terrestres du Canada et des Etats-Unis continentaux est fournie, ainsi que la citation originale dans la litterature pour chaque signalement de province et d'etat. La preference dominante pour l'habitat est indiquee pour chaque espece. Les especes marines littorales et souterraines sont generalement endemiques et la majorite des isopodes des autres types d'habitat sont consideres comme immigrants. Les donnees sur la repartition et l'habitat sont analysees pour determiner les implications en ce qui concerne les origines des divers elements de la faune d'Amerique du Nord et leur prise en compte en vue de leur conservation.]
Design of totally self-checking checkers for Bose-Lin, Bose and Blaum codes

Some efficient systematic codes have recently been developed for detecting t unidirectional errors (Bose-Lin code) and burst unidirectional errors (Bose, Blaum codes). Since unidirectional errors are the most common errors in VLSI circuits, such codes should find widespread use. Totally self-checking (TSC) checker designs have been found for the three codes mentioned above. The designs are easily testable, economical, and have a modular structure. The design for the Bose-Lin code requires at most only 8r-4 codeword tests, where r is the number of checkbits. The number of codeword tests for the TSC checkers for the Bose code and the Blaum code is at most 8r+4 and 2'+8r, respectively. >
Discovering the first tyrosine kinase.

In the middle of the 20th century, animal tumor viruses were heralded as possible models for understanding human cancer. By the mid-1970s, the molecular basis by which tumor viruses transform cells into a malignant state was beginning to emerge as the first viral genomic sequences were reported and the proteins encoded by their transforming genes were identified and characterized. This was a time of great excitement and rapid progress. In 1978, prompted by the discovery from Ray Erikson’s group that the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) v-Src–transforming protein had an associated protein kinase activity specific for threonine, my group at the Salk Institute set out to determine whether the polyomavirus middle T-transforming protein had a similar kinase activity. Here, I describe the experiments that led to the identification of a kinase activity associated with middle T antigen and our serendipitous discovery that this activity was specific for tyrosine in vitro, and how this in turn led to the fortuitous observation that the v-Src–associated kinase activity was also specific for tyrosine. Our finding that v-Src increased the level of phosphotyrosine in cellular proteins in RSV-transformed cells confirmed that v-Src is a tyrosine kinase and transforms cells by phosphorylating proteins on tyrosine. My colleague Bart Sefton and I reported these findings in the March issue of PNAS in 1980. Remarkably, all of the experiments in this paper were accomplished in less than one month.
Fractional changes in lung capillary blood volume and oxygen saturation during the cardiac cycle in rabbits.

Topulos, George P., Nina R. Lipsky, John L. Lehr, Rick A. Rogers, and James P. Butler. Fractional changes in lung capillary blood volume and oxygen saturation during the cardiac cycle in rabbits.J....
Reducing Channel Density in Standard Cell Layout

The problem of global routing in standard cell layouts so as to minimize total channel density is considered. A sub-problem of this, called the linear net routing problem (LNRP), is defined and is argued to be the key to a successful solution to the general problem. A polynomial-time heuristic for LNRP is presented and its behavior analyzed. In particular, it is proven that the heuristic can produce results as bad as, but no worse than, 50% over the optimal.
Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant mitochondrial topoisomerase II of kinetoplastid Crithidia fasciculata in High-five insect cells

Topoisomerase II of kinetoplastid parasites plays an important role in the replication of unusual networks of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and is a very useful target for antiparasitic drugs. In this study, we cloned full-length Crithidia fasciculata mitochondrial topoisomerase II gene into pFastBac-HTc vector and successfully expressed an active recombinant full-length mitochondrial topoisomerase II in Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. A rapid and simple purification strategy was established by incorporating a FLAG-tag at the C-terminus of the protein. The purified recombinant topoisomerase II showed a major single band on SDS-PAGE (>96% purity) and was verified through Western blot analysis. The recombinant full-length mitochondrial topoisomerase II exhibited decatenation, catenation and relaxation activity of type II topoisomerase as well as various sensitivities to a series of known topoisomerase inhibitors. These studies explore new way and lay groundwork to express all other similar full-length kinetoplastid topoisomerases, it will also facilitate further elucidation of X-ray structure, catalysis mechanism of kinetoplastid topoisomerases and design of new antiparasitic drugs targeting kinetoplastid topoisomerases.
A Model for Supporting At-Risk Couples During the Transition to Parenthood

Record numbers of children born outside of marriage reflect a dramatic change in U.S. families; this demographic trend concerns policymakers and service providers because of the fragility of parental relationships. Dissolution of these relationships and growing up in a single-parent household leaves many children at higher risk of living in poverty— initiating a risk chain associated with less favorable academic, social, and cognitive outcomes. This article introduces Strong Couples–Strong Children, an innovative and replicable program designed to support expectant and new parents while their relationships are formative. Lessons learned from program implementation suggest that (a) face-to-face interaction served as the most effective form of recruitment; (b) partnerships with community organizations enabled the program to reach underserved populations; and (c) the family-centered model, working with both parents, required flexibility in programming.
Electrons in extended systems

We have carried out a series of order-{ital N} calculations on disordered and ordered alloys using the local-density approximation. We have observed a linear relation between the self-consistent charges associated with a site and the long-range electrostatic potential at the site that has some interesting implications in the context of density-functional theory. It may be described as a locality principle, although it is not the usual one.
Link between free radicals and protein kinase C in glucose-induced alteration of vascular dilation.

Abstract Development of vascular complications in diabetes has been linked to the quality of glucose regulation and characterized by endothelial dysfunction. The exact mechanism behind vascular complications in diabetes is poorly understood. However, alteration of nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis or bioactivity is strongly implicated and the mechanism behind such alterations is still a subject for research investigations. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that glucose-induced attenuation of vascular relaxation involves protein kinase C (PKC)-linked generation of free radicals. Vascular relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh; 10 −9 –10 −5 M), isoproterenol (10 −9 –10 −5 M), or NO donor, sodium nitropruside (SNP; 10 −9 –10 −6 M) was determined in phenylephrine (PE, 10 −7 M) pre-constricted aortic rings from Sprague-Dawley rats in the presence or absence of 30 mM glucose (30 min), L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 −4 M for 15 min), a NO synthase inhibitor, or xanthine (10 −5 M), a free radical generator. ACh dose-dependently caused relaxation that was attenuated by L-NAME, glucose, or xanthine. Pre-incubation (15 min) of the rings with vitamin C (10 −4 M), an antioxidant or calphostin C (10 −6 M), a PKC inhibitor, restored the ACh responses. However, high glucose had no significant effects on SNP or isoproterenol-induced relaxation. ACh-induced NO production by aortic ring was significantly reduced by glucose or xanthine. The reduced NO production was restored by pretreatment with vitamin C or calphostin C in the presence of glucose, but not xanthine. These data demonstrate that oxidants or PKC contribute to glucose-induced attenuation of vasorelaxation which could be mediated via impaired endothelial NO production and bioavailability. Thus, pathogenesis of glucose-induced vasculopathy involves PKC-coupled generation of oxygen free radicals which inhibit NO production and selectively inhibit NO-dependent relaxation.
Effects of chronic administration of doxorubicin on plasma levels of prostaglandins, thromboxane B2, and fatty acids in rats.

The effects of multiple doses of doxorubicin (DXR) on hematocrit and plasma levels of prostaglandins (PG), thromboxane B2 (TxB2) total lipid, esterfied and free fatty acids, and proteins were investigated in male rats. The rats received DXR (2mg/kg) or vehicle weekly by the subcutaneous route for 2, 4, 8, and 13 weeks and were killed 1 week after their last dose. Another group of rats treated for 13 weeks was sacrificed at 19 weeks, 6 weeks after the last dose. No changes in hematocrit or plasma after the last dose. No changes in hematocrit or plasma PG, TxB2, or total levels of fatty acids were noted between control and DXR-treated rats at either 3, 5, or 9 weeks. The hematocrit was slightly depressed from control levels at 14 and 19 weeks. Plasma PGE, PGF2α, and TxB2 were elevated over control levels at 14 and 19 weeks. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1α was increased over the control level only at 19 weeks. Total plasma lipid and esterified fatty acids were highly elevated over control levels at 14 and 19 weeks. Plasma free arachidonic acid was elevated over control levels at 14 and 19 weeks, while levels of other free fatty acids were unchanged. Plasma protein levels were slightly depressed from control levels at 3, 9, and 14 weeks. Elevations of plasma free arachidonic acid, PG, TxB2, esterified fatty acids, and total lipid might be involved in cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity found with chronic administration of DXR.
Serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in Huntington's chorea

Abstract The response to elevated systemic levels of 5-HT was studied in a group of patients with Huntington's chorea. Six of 7 Huntington's chorea patients demonstrated clinical deterioration in response to the administration of 5-HTP and phenelzine sulfate. There was no change when 3 parkinsonian patients were similarly treated. The results of this study suggest a role of 5-HT metabolism in the pathogenesis of Huntington's chorea.
Biosystematics of the Phacelia ranunculacea Complex (Hydrophyllaceae)

Phacelia ranunculacea sensu lato (subgenus Cosmanthus, Hydrophyllaceae) occurs on floodplains and in alluvial hardwood forests throughout eastern North America. It is comprised of herbaceous annuals with alternate, pinnate leaves and white to lavender, tubular-campanulate flowers in terminal scorpioid-like cymes. The distribution of populations displays a disjunct between the Midwest and Atlantic coastal plain, with a chromosome number of n = 6 associated with the former and n = 14 allied with the latter. A phenetic analysis of morphological characters was conducted using 350 herbarium specimens examined from 21 herbaria. The resulting phenogram revealed two distinct clusters of specimens that correspond to the haploid chromosome numbers. Correlation of the clusters and chromosome counts with type specimens resulted in recognition of two taxa: Phacelia ranunculacea sensu stricto and Phacelia covillei. Results of morphological analyses, a diagnostic key, species descriptions, and lists of representative specimens are provided for these two closely related species.
Ring Systems Containing Anionic and Cationic Gallium Centers: Structural and Bonding Considerations.

The metathetical reaction of 2-(dimethylamino)benzyllithium (Bz(N)Li) with GaCl(3) afforded the salt [Bz(N)(2)Ga][GaCl(4)] (4), the X-ray crystal structure of which revealed a four-coordinate cationic gallium center featuring two Ga-C sigma-bonds and two N-->Ga dative bonds. (Crystal data for 4: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.519(2) A, b = 18.254(4) A, c = 12.506(3) A, beta = 117.40(3) degrees, V = 2334.6(9) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.545). Two Ga.Cl interionic contacts, while somewhat long, are sufficiently strong to render the geometry of 4(+)() roughly midway between tetrahedral and octahedral. Treatment of 1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,4-diazabutadiene (DAB) with 2 equiv of GaCl(3) afforded [(DAB)GaCl(2)][GaCl(4)] (7), which, by means of X-ray analysis, was shown to possess a cation (7(+)()) with localized C=N bonds and N-->Ga dative interactions with a [GaCl(2)](+) moiety. (Crystal data for 7: orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 11.882(2) A, b = 17.289(3) A, c = 20.424(4) A, V = 4195.5(11) A(3), Z = 8, R = 0.460). The structure of 7(+)() is relevant to discussions of the bonding in both neutral DAB complexes of the group 13 elements and the skeletally isoelectronic anion [Me(4)C(4)GaCl(2)](-) (9(-)()). The structure of the [NEt(4)](+) salt of the latter (9) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. (Crystal data for 9: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 9.967(1) A, b = 13.073(2) A, c = 15.345(2) A, beta = 96.76(1) degrees, V = 1985.5(4) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.721).