cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of carnitine in myocardial dysfunction

L-Carnitine (carnitine) may have a role in the treatment of various cardiac disorders because of its actions on cardioprotection from hypoxia and oxidative stress. Studies on the role of carnitine administration to patients with myocardial infarction (MI), angina, and congestive heart failure generally have been positive. In general, treatment with carnitine (1.5 to 6 g/d for up to 1 year) results in a beneficial effect of fewer deaths and less heart failure when administered to patients after MI. Compared with placebo, carnitine use resulted in smaller increases in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes over time. In shorter term studies (1 to 3 months), carnitine therapy may have positive effects on symptoms of heart failure and angina in the post-MI period. Carnitine also seems to improve exercise tolerance and oxygen consumption in moderate to severe heart failure. Only preliminary results are available; results of a long-term (3-year) study should be reported soon. Studies specific to the dialysis population have generally shown that carnitine may have a beneficial effect on a number of cardiac parameters. Because cardiac disease is the most common form of death in patients with end-stage renal disease, these findings may be particularly important for this population. Moreover, because the relationship between conventional cardiac risk factors and cardiac disease is less clear in this population, the role of therapies that address pathological states specific to the dialysis population is worthy of study. Because a dialysis-related carnitine disorder is common among these patients, L-carnitine supplementation would be among these specific therapies.
Advancing the health of our aging population: a lead role for nursing science.

Today, people are living longer than ever before, and as the baby boomers age, the number of older adults is expected to increase exponentially over the coming decades. Combined, these 2 demographic shifts will lead to enormous challenges for society. They will require us to identify strategies to allow older adults to live independently for as a long as possible; provide health care and education for older adults who are selfmanaging multiple chronic illnesses; ensure that older adults in long-term care settings receive high-quality care; and support family members and friends who are caring for an older loved one with dementia and/or a disability.
The Diffraction Grating at Grazing Incidence

An experimental test of the grating law has been made by using a coarse, plane grating at grazing incidence, in a spectrograph similar to that used in the x-ray case. No deviations from the grating law were found which were as large as the experimental error of 0.02 percent.
Topical Fat Reduction

The fat on women's thighs is more difficult to mobilize due to increased alpha-2 adrenergic receptor activity induced by estrogen. Lipolysis can be initiated through adipocyte receptor stimulation (beta adrenergic) or inhibition (adenosine or alpha-2 adrenergic) or by inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Since many women desire regional thigh fat loss, a series of clinical trials were initiated using one thigh as a double-blinded control. Trial #1: Five overweight women had injections of isoproterenol at intervals around the thigh three times a week for 4 weeks with diet and walking. Trial #2: Five overweight woman had ointment containing forskolin, yohimbine and aminophylline applied to the thigh five times a week for 4 weeks after hypertonic warm soaks with a diet and walking. Trial #3: Eighteen overweight women were divided into three groups of six and trial #2 was repeated with each agent alone vs. placebo using forskolin, yohimbine or aminophylline in separate ointments. Trial #4: Thirty overweight women had 10% aminophylline ointment applied to the thigh five times a week for 6 weeks with diet and walking. Chemistry panel, theophylline level and patch testing were performed. Trial #5: Twelve women had trial #4 repeated with 2% aminophylline cream without a diet or walking. Trial #6: Trial #5 was repeated with 0.5% aminophylline cream. All trials except yohimbine ointment gave significantly more girth loss from the treated thigh (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Chemistry panel showed no toxicity. Theophylline was undetectable and patch testing was negative. We conclude that topical fat reduction for women's thighs can be achieved without diet or exercise.
Medical oncology: its origin, evolution, current status, and future.

BACKGROUND. Over the last 26 years, the subspecialty of medical oncology has been evolving, and in the process bringing to the community improved oncologic management. During this evolution, guidelines for training new members of the subspecialty have been developed, and these have been heralded as important strides forward in medical education. Continual adjustment to new technology and changing population needs represent challenges for the future. METHODS. The steps in the development of this subspecialty, which are documented in educational publications, are reviewed in this article. RESULTS. Medical oncology evolved because of the introduction of multiple new cancer therapies and an awareness of the need of patients with cancer for continual care, from diagnosis to the end-of-life phase. Together, certified medical oncologists represent the third largest of the current subspecialties of internal medicine. Training guidelines and the needs of the work force are being continually assessed in an effort to maintain an important future for these specialists. CONCLUSIONS. Medical oncologists are cancer specialists who are not in competition with primary care physicians, but are instead supportive. By serving as principal caregivers (those subspecialists who provide most of a patient's health care needs), and by paying increasing attention to older patients with cancer, medical oncologists will remain in demand.
Developmental regulation of fatty acid binding protein in neural tissue

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) constitute a family of small, cytosolic carriers of hydrophobic ligands. These proteins are thought to be important for lipid trafficking toward specific metabolic pathways, and are potentially important for the establishment of characteristic lipid compositions of neural tissue. In the embryonic chick retina and brain, FABP resembles the heart subtype, as determined by protein characterization and immunoblot studies. In this paper, the developmental expression and cellular localization of chick retinal FABP were examined. Results of immunoblot analysis suggest that FABP is maximally expressed around embryonic day 9 (E9) and declines thereafter. In adult retinas, FABP is barely detectable on a Western blot. Immunohistochemical staining of the retina shows light labeling on day E6 and a more intense staining throughout the retina on day E9. As the retina differentiates, labeling becomes increasingly localized. By day E18 subpopulations of ganglion cells and photoreceptor inner segments are stained, as are all photoreceptor cell bodies, most of the inner nuclear layer, and the nerve fiber layer. Staining is decreased in older retinas such that in adult animals, only light staining of the photoreceptor cell bodies is visible. The decrease in relative amount of FABP in the retina after day E9 suggests a role for FABP in the early stages of retinal differentiation. Localization in the retina is consistent with this hypothesis, as label becomes more restricted to those cells undergoing maturation at a particular developmental age. Thus, in young embryos (E6-E9), FABP immunolabeling is apparent throughout the retina, and transiently localizes at different ages (E12-E15) to plexiform and nuclear layers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tertiary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: an updated series.

Abstract Objective Surgical cytoreduction is an integral therapeutic modality for patients with epithelial ovarian (EOC), fallopian tube (FTC), or primary peritoneal (PPC) cancer in the primary setting. The role of surgical cytoreduction in the recurrent setting is not clearly defined and remains controversial. The objective of this study was to assess this potential survival benefit in a large cohort of patients with a long follow-up period. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC who underwent tertiary cytoreduction at our institution from 2/98 to 2/08. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated from the time of tertiary cytoreduction to death or last follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze outcomes and to identify potential prognostic factors. Results A total of 77 patients were identified, of which 38 (49%) have died of disease. The median time from secondary to tertiary cytoreduction was 25.7months (range, 4.1–99.4months). The median follow-up after tertiary cytoreduction was 28.9months (range, 0.7–123.7months), with a median DSS for the entire cohort of 47.7months (95% CI, 25.5–69.9months). On univariate analysis, residual disease after tertiary cytoreduction and TFI were found to be significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, only residual disease after tertiary cytoreduction retained prognostic significance ( P Conclusion Tertiary surgical cytoreduction may offer a survival benefit in a highly select group of patients with recurrent EOC, FTC, or PPC. This benefit appears to be greatest in patients in whom a complete gross resection can be achieved.
Histopathologic grading of medulloblastomas: a Pediatric Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND Medulloblastomas are small cell embryonal tumors of the cerebellum found predominantly in children, only slightly more than half of whom survive. Predicting favorable outcome has been difficult, and improved stratification clearly is required to avoid both undertreatment and overtreatment. Patients currently are staged clinically, but no pathologic staging system is in use. Two rare subtypes at extreme ends of the histologic spectrum, i.e., medulloblastomas with extensive nodularity and large cell/anaplastic medulloblastomas, are associated with better and worse clinical outcomes, respectively. However, there is little data about correlations between histologic features and clinical outcome for most patients with medulloblastomas that fall between these histologic extremes of nodularity and anaplasia. Therefore, the authors evaluated the clinical effects of increasing anaplasia and nodularity in a large group of children with medulloblastomas, hypothesizing that increasing nodularity would predict better clinical outcomes and that increasing anaplasia would presage less favorable results. METHODS Medulloblastomas from 330 Pediatric Oncology Group patients were evaluated histologically with respect to extent of nodularity, presence of desmoplasia, grade of anaplasia, and extent of anaplasia. Pathologic and clinical data were then compared using Kaplan–Meier and log-rank analyses. RESULTS Increasing grade of anaplasia and extent of anaplasia were associated strongly with progressively worse clinical outcomes (P < 0.0001 for both). Significant anaplasia (moderate or severe) was identified in 24% of medulloblastoma specimens. Neither increasing degrees of nodularity nor desmoplasia were associated significantly with longer survival. CONCLUSIONS Moderate anaplasia and severe anaplasia were associated with aggressive clinical behavior in patients with medulloblastomas and were detected in a significant number of specimens (24%). Pathologic grading of medulloblastomas with respect to anaplasia may be of clinical utility. Cancer 2002;94:552–60. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
Disinfection and sterilization of patient-care items.

This article provides recommendations on the preferred method for disinfection and sterilization of patient-care items based on the intended use of the item (i.e., critical, semicritical, noncritical). The chemical disinfectants recommended for patient-care items and instruments include glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, alcohol, iodophors, phenolics, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The choice of disinfectant, concentration, and exposure time is based on the risk of infection associated with the use of the item. The sterilization methods briefly discussed include steam sterilization, ethylene oxide, dry heat, and the new low-temperature sterilization technologies. When properly used, these disinfection and sterilization processes can ensure the safe use of invasive and noninvasive medical devices. However, this requires strict adherence to current cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization guidelines.
The Political Philosophy of Biological Endowments: Some Considerations

Is a government required or permitted to redistribute the gains and losses that differences in biological endowments generate? In particular, does the fact that individuals possess different biological endowments lead to unfair advantages within a market economy? These are questions on which some people are apt to have strong intuitions and ready arguments. Egalitarians may say yes and argue that as unearned, undeserved advantages and disadvantages, biological endowments are never fair, and that the market simply exacerbates these inequities. Libertarians may say no, holding that the possession of such endowments deprives no one of an entitlement and that any system but a market would deprive agents of the rights to their endowments. Biological endowments may well lead to advantages or disadvantages on their view, but not to unfair ones.I do not have strong intuitions about answers to these questions, in part because I believe that they are questions of great difficulty. To begin, alternative answers rest on substantial assumptions in moral philosophy that seem insufficiently grounded. Moreover, the questions involve several problematical assumptions about the nature of biological endowments. Finally, I find the questions to be academic, in the pejorative sense of this term. For aside from a number of highly debilitating endowments, the overall moral significance of differences between people seems so small, so I interdependent and so hard to measure, that these differences really will 1 not enter into practical redistributive calculations, even if it is theoretically i permissible that they do so.Before turning to a detailed discussion of biological endowments and their moral significance, I sketch my doubts about the fundamental moral theories that dictate either the impermissibility or the obligation to compensate for different biological endowments.
ECTOPIC FETUSES IN TWO COTTONTAIL RABBITS

Mummified fetuses were discovered in the abdominal cavities of two cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) collected during separate years from the same geographical location in Virginia. One of these rabbits had a patent opening through the vaginal wall to the abdominal cavity. The uterus and vagina of the second rabbit appeared normal.
Cognition and aphasia: a discussion and a study.

Abstract The relation between other aspects of cognition and language status of individuals with aphasia is not well-established, although there is some evidence that integrity of nonlinguistic skills of attention, memory, executive function and visuospatial skills can not be predicted on the basis of aphasia severity. At the same time, there is a growing realization among rehabilitation specialists, based on clinical experience and preliminary studies, that all domains of cognition are important to aphasia therapy outcomes. This paper describes a new study of the relation between linguistic and nonlinguistic skill in a group of individuals with aphasia. No significant relationship was found between linguistic and nonlinguistic skills, and between nonlinguistic skills and age, education or time post onset. Instead, individual profiles of strengths and weaknesses were found. The implications of these findings for management of aphasia patients is discussed. Learning outcomes Readers of this papers will be able to: list five primary domains of cognition and relate each to an aspect of aphasia therapy; describe at least three studies that examined the relation between cognition and aphasia; describe four nonlinguistic tasks of cognition that can be used with a wide range of aphasia patients.
Evaluation of the potential use of a combined micro-turbine organic Rankine cycle for different geographic locations

Abstract This paper presents an analysis to determine the economic, energetic, and environmental potential benefits that can be obtained from the implementation of a combined micro-turbine organic Rankine cycle (MT-ORC) versus a simple micro-turbine or a topping-cycle combined heat and power (CHP) system. The analysis was performed for sixteen different geographic locations using micro-turbines of sizes 30, 65, and 200 kW. It is found that for some cities where the use of a micro-turbine is not cost effective, the combination of MT-ORC is a viable alternative to grid power. Results also show that, for the micro-turbines considered, in terms of the total electric power, the ones with smaller power levels benefit the most (percentagewise) when combining them with an ORC. Finally, a minimum bound for the power-to-heat ratio of a building that results in MT-ORC operation being superior to that of CHP operation, is obtained.
Differences in womenapos;s and menapos;s thinking about parent-child interactions

To determine if young women and men think differently about parenting when presented with the same information, a factorial between-subjects experiment was conducted. Two case studies (one successful, one unsuccessful) were evaluated; they varied only in terms of parent sex and child sex. Respondents explained parenting performance and rated both the parent and the child on the same personality items. The 136 women in the study were especially sensitive to the possibility of a child being troubled. Compared with the 136 men, they were less inclined to explain failure as the childapos;s fault and to describe a child as mean.
Separation logics and modalities: a survey

Like modal logic, temporal logic, and description logic, separation logic has become a popular class of logical formalisms in computer science, conceived as assertion languages for Hoare-style proof systems with the goal to perform automatic program analysis. In a broad sense, separation logic is often understood as a programming language, an assertion language and a family of rules involving Hoare triples. In this survey, we present similarities between separation logic as an assertion language and modal and temporal logics. Moreover, we propose a selection of landmark results about decidability, complexity and expressive power.
Subharmonic destabilization of Taylor vortices near an oscillating cylinder

Abstract The shear layer near a cylinder oscillating about its axis of symmetry is centrifugally unstable to the appearance of Taylor vortices. We present experimental results which show that the Taylor vortices in turn become unstable to a mode in which two or more vortices combine to form larger vortex structures. No equilibrium form of this second instability is observed.
A complex for the cohomology of restricted Lie algebras

Let $$\mathfrak{g} = (\mathfrak{g}, [p])$$ be a restricted Lie algebra of characteristic p and M a $$\mathfrak{g}$$ -module. If $$\mathfrak{g}$$ is abelian, we give an explicit description of the cochain spaces $$C^k(\mathfrak{g}; M)$$ and differentials for the computation of the restricted Lie algebra cohomology $$H^k(\mathfrak{g}; M)$$ for k < p. If $$\mathfrak{g}$$ is an arbitrary (non-abelian) restricted Lie algebra, we give explicit descriptions of $$C^k(\mathfrak{g}; M)$$ for k ≤ 3. We use our results to classify extensions of restricted modules and infinitesimal deformations of restricted Lie algebras.
Estimation of wind speed: A data-driven approach

Abstract A method for prediction of wind speed at a selected location based on the data collected at neighborhood locations is presented. The affinity of wind speeds measured at different locations is defined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Five turbines with similar wind conditions are selected among 30 wind turbines for in-depth analysis. The wind data from these turbines are used to predict wind speed at a selected location. A neural network ensemble is used to predict the value of wind speed at the turbine of interest. The models have been tested and the computational results are discussed. The results demonstrate that a higher Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the wind speeds measured at different turbines has produced better prediction accuracy for the same training and test scenario.
Application of the extended DLVO theory—the stability of alatrofloxacin mesylate solutions

Electrophoretic mobility and contact angle measurements have been made on alatrofloxacin mesylate and its formulations which were protected from or exposed to light, and its degradation product compound (F). In aqueous solution, the light-protected alatrofloxacin mesylate had a zeta-potential of +19 mV, a negligible electron-acceptor (γi+) surface tension parameter and an electron-donor surface tension parameter γi−=32.5 mJ m−2, which was higher than that of water. This caused the particles to be very hydrophilic and to form very stable suspensions in aqueous solution due, mainly, to a net Lewis acid–base (polar) repulsion. After the suspensions were exposed to light, the zeta-potential of the degradation product increassed to +37.8 mV, but the electron-donor surface tension parameter decreased to γi−=8 mJ m−2, making the molecules or particles very hydrophobic and causing them to flocculate. The energies of attraction in the latter case were mainly hydrophobic (90%) with about 10% resulting from van der Waals forces.
A Common Catalytic Mechanism for Proteins of the HutI Family

Imidazolonepropionase (HutI) (imidazolone-5-propanote hydrolase, EC 3.5.2.7) is a member of the amidohydrolase superfamily and catalyzes the conversion of imidazolone-5-propanoate to N-formimino-l-glutamate in the histidine degradation pathway. We have determined the three-dimensional crystal structures of HutI from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (At-HutI) and an environmental sample from the Sargasso Sea Ocean Going Survey (Es-HutI) bound to the product [N-formimino-l-glutamate (NIG)] and an inhibitor [3-(2, 5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)propionic acid (DIP)], respectively. In both structures, the active site is contained within each monomer, and its organization displays the landmark feature of the amidohydrolase superfamily, showing a metal ligand (iron), four histidines, and one aspartic acid. A catalytic mechanism involving His265 is proposed on the basis of the inhibitor-bound structure. This mechanism is applicable to all HutI forms.
Investigation of the scaling of roughness and blowing effects on turbulent channel flow

A turbulent channel flow facility was used to study the scaling of the combined effects of roughness and flow injection on the mean flow and turbulence characteristics of turbulent plane Poiseuille flow. It was found that the additional momentum injection through the surface enhanced the roughness effects and, for the mean flow, the effect of blowing was indistinguishable from that of increased roughness. This analogy broke down for the turbulence statistics in that the addition of blowing resulted in behavior which did not follow that predicted by Townsend’s hypothesis. Instead, the outer-scaled Reynolds stress was found to deviate from that for the rough-walled boundary condition without blowing well into the outer layer. It was found that this deviation from the expected Reynolds stress scaling behavior was caused by the suppression of kinetic energy content associated with large-scale motions.
Assessing the challenges to a geosynchronous space tug system

A space tug vehicle is designed to rendezvous and dock with a space object; make an assessment of its current position, orientation, and operational status; and then either stabilize the object in its current orbit or move the object to a new location with subsequent release. A subset of on-orbit servicing, space tug missions in the geosynchronous belt include stationkeeping of satellites which have lost attitude control and repositioning of satellites. Repositioning of spacecraft may be desirable as a means to rescue satellites launched into incorrect orbits, for the retirement of satellites into “graveyard” orbits, and for on-demand maneuvers that support flexible mission requirements. This paper aims to unify the political, legal, operational, and financial aspects of the space tug concept and highlight the challenges that stand in the way of an operational space tug vehicle. U.S. Space Transportation Policy is reviewed, and a space tug operation is recognized as an enabler of emerging national space transportation requirements. Customary international and United States laws are explored as potential constraining forces on future tug missions. A concept of operations in geosynchronous orbit, including parking orbit selection and approach strategies, is analyzed with emphasis placed on safety and reliability. Potential financing models and the issue of insurance for space tugs are discussed and identified as the principal challenges facing implementation of a space tug system. This paper offers a positive forecast for the future of on-orbit servicing and endorses continued government support for proof-of-concept missions.
Absence of masking in the path of apparent movement

Alternation of diagonal pairs of lights produced apparent movement which S could organize in either of two distinctly different ways, as instructed. The task was to detect movement of a weak probe light that either was or was not located in the path of the apparent movement, depending on the organization, stimulation being identical in the two cases. Results showed no evidence of path-specific masking.
The determination of iron with 1,10-phenanthroline

Abstract The extent of interference of 68 elements in 10-mg amounts in the spectrophotometric determination of iron with 1,10-phenanthroline, was studied at pH 4. Using the procedure described, which uses 1 g of citric acid and 15 ml of 0.3 % 1,10-phenanthroline, and allowing the coloured solutions to stand overnight before the absorbance is measured, only Cr III , Cr VI , Co, Ni, Rh and Pd interfere. None of the elements studied interferes in 1-mg amount.
F-actin binding site masked by the intramolecular association of vinculin head and tail domains

ALTHOUGH vinculin is present at all sites of F-actin attachment to plasma membranes1 and is required for linkage of myofibrils to sarcolemma2, it is unclear how it promotes attachment of actin to membranes. Because biochemical evidence for a direct interaction of vinculin with F-actin is controversial3–9, current models of actin-membrane linkages depict only an indirect role for vinculin, as a tether for α-actinin10. We demonstrate here that an intramolecular association between the 95K head and 30K tail domains of vinculin11 masks an F-actin binding site present in the carboxy-terminal tail domain. Cosedimentation and crosslinking assays, and direct visualization by transmission electron microscopy, reveal an interaction between F-actin and a bacterially expressed fusion protein containing amino acids 811–1066 of vinculin, and between F-actin and a proteolytic fragment of vinculin containing amino acids 858-1066. Vinculin itself neither cosediments with nor crosslinks F-actin. The amino-terminal 95K head fragment of vinculin, but not intact vinculin, inhibits both cosedimentation and crosslinking. We propose that assembly of vinculin into an adherens junction involves disruption of the head-tail interaction, revealing a site that mediates microfilament attachment.
Functional reconstitution of rat liver cytochrome P-450 with mesohemin

After allylisopropylacetamide-mediated "suicide" destruction of their prosthetic heme moieties, certain rat liver cytochrome P-450 isozymes can be effectively reconstituted by addition of exogenous hemin in vitro. We now report that two of these isozymes will equally accept mesohemin , a 2,4-diethyl heme-analog and result in a "meso-hemoprotein" with altered spectral but not functional characteristics.
Précis of principles of brain evolution

Brain evolution is a complex weave of species similarities and differences, bound by diverse rules and principles. This book is a detailed examination of these principles, using data from a wide array of vertebrates but minimizing technical details and terminology. It is written for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and more senior scientists who already know something about "the brain," but want a deeper understanding of how diverse brains evolved. The book's central theme is that evolutionary changes in absolute brain size tend to correlate with many other aspects of brain structure and function, including the proportional size of individual brain regions, their complexity, and their neuronal connections. To explain these correlations, the book delves into rules of brain development and asks how changes in brain structure impact function and behavior. Two chapters focus specifically on how mammal brains diverged from other brains and how Homo sapiens evolved a very large and "special" brain.
Shapes and structures of exotic nuclei

Abstract New results on the shapes and structures of exotic nuclei are reviewed. Recent discoveries of shape coexistence in 180,190Hg both confirm and challenge current theories. Coexisting superdeformed bands are now predicted at low energy in 184–194Hg. Four different shape coexisting bands are seen in 185Au. New islands of superdeformed ground states and new deformed magic numbers are now found for N = Z = 38 and N = 60, 62, with searches for new deformed magic numbers under way.
Clinical Applications of Biomarkers for Acute Kidney Injury

Research into novel therapies for acute kidney injury (AKI) has been hampered by reliance on a diagnosis predicated on changes in serum creatinine level. As a marker for changing kidney function rather than frank kidney injury, creatinine level lacks sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AKI and shows significant lag time before increasing after injury. It has been unclear whether the failure to translate promising results from animal studies in AKI into successful human trials has been caused by lack of therapeutic efficacy or inappropriately delayed application of the intervention. Multiple novel biomarkers with the potential to revolutionize the timing and accuracy of the diagnosis of AKI currently are under investigation. We have chosen to use one of these biomarkers, interleukin 18 (IL-18), to show the ways in which biomarkers at present can supplement the conventional management of AKI. IL-18 is well suited for this analysis because it is both a mediator of and marker for AKI. We describe 2 cases in which reliance on serum creatinine level for the diagnosis of AKI led to diagnostic and management uncertainty. In the context of these cases, we discuss how IL-18 and other biomarkers can facilitate earlier detection, enhance the differential diagnosis, and allow more prescient prognosis. Additionally, we describe the potential role for biomarkers in prospective trial design and discuss the utility of biomarkers in facilitating adequate powering of trials through more accurate characterization of cases and controls.
Diurnal Variation of Cosmic Rays

The intensity of cosmic rays at an altitude of 3900 meters was measured hourly over a consecutive period of 240 hours. The procedure eliminated the effects due to the variations of the temperature and possible variations of pressure of the gas in the chamber. The ionization was about 1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.25 percent more between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. than between 8 P.M. and 4 A.M. If the variation is due to the soft component of the cosmic rays, these results are in satisfactory agreement with the results of other observers. Analysis of the data suggests that the portion of the space in the neighborhood of the sun may emit cosmic rays more copiously than the remote regions. This makes doubtful the inference that the energy in the universe in the form of cosmic rays is comparable with that in the form of light.
Hepatic vagotomy disrupts somatotropin-induced protein selection.

Abstract Rats treated with somatotropin (STH) and allowed to self-select between diets varying in protein content will consume more of the high-protein diet. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the hepatic vagus nerve in this ability to select protein. Female Sprague–Dawley rats ( n =40) received a hepatic vagotomy (HVAGX) or a sham surgery. Postsurgery, the rats were maintained on pelleted diets for 2 weeks, after which the rats were adapted to selecting between powdered diets with 5% casein and 30% casein. After a 7-day adaptation to diet selection, rats in each surgical treatment group were treated with STH (4 mg/day) or physiological saline for 14 days. Body weight and intake were recorded daily. STH treatment increased growth rate to a similar degree in both sham and HVAGX groups. Despite causing an increase in total food intake, there was no effect of HVAGX alone on body weight. Relative to the sham–saline group, sham–STH in treated rats had greater total food intake that was accounted for entirely by increased consumption of the 30% protein diet and no change in intake of the 5% diet. In contrast, HVAGX+STH rats exhibited 20–30% increases in consumption of both the 5% and 30% protein diets. Thus, the HVAGX+STH rats recognized an increased need for protein, but were unable to distinguish between the high- and low-protein diets and selected more of both. The data suggest that the ability to alter diet selection in response to a stimulation of protein accretion is at least partially mediated through the liver and hepatic branch of the vagus nerve.
In search of the gerontological self

Abstract The concept of self has a long history stretching back to antiquity. The meanings of self explored and debated in 19th and 20th century philosophy are intertwined in contemporary gerontological discourse. This review of diverse theories of the gerontological self is evoked by a personal encounter with a frail, aging friend whose fragmented conversation is framed by the clear persistence of her personality. Four approaches to the concept of self are examined: the humanists' “narrative” self, the behavioral self found in textbooks and handbooks of gerontology, post-modernists' views of the aging self, and the phenomenological self. While significant philosophical and methodological differences are uncovered, the question is asked as to what distinct contribution each approach offers when used to interpret meaning and responsibility in an actual relationship with an aged person.
Electrochemical oxidation of formate in dimethylsulfoxide at gold and platinum electrodes

Summary The electrochemical oxidation of formate in dimethylsulfoxide has been studied by chronopotentiometry, controlled-potential coulometry, and cyclic voltammetry at gold electrodes. The oxidation products are carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions, which react with formate ion. Thus, the overall reaction is a one-electron oxidation in which one-half mole of carbon dioxide and one-half mole of formic acid are formed for each mole of formate ion electrolyzed. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that adsorbed free radical intermediates are involved in the oxidation process and that these are coupled between two irreversible charge transfers. Oxidation mechanisms are proposed which are consistent with the data.
The use of fish as sensors in industrial waste lines to prevent fish kills

The report of the Council on Environmental Quality (1970) repeatedly stresses the need for the development of predictive, simulative, and managerial capabilities to combat air and water pollution. The last capability depends on the first two . For example, the effects of every waste put into a river will have to be predicted if the river is to be managed as a system wherein industrial use of the water does not preclude other uses such as recreation and municipal water supply . In addition, the effects of alternative river management schemes should be simulated first, and then carefully monitored when the schemes are put into practice . In short, the capability of successfully managing a river for many uses depends on the capability to predict effects . The capability of predicting biological effects is particularly important, because desirable functions of aquatic ecosystems, such as waste assimilation and game fish production, depend on living organisms . The standard fish bioassay, which uses death as a response, enables one to predict the toxicity of a particular waste to fish . One limitation of the standard bioassay is that it uses a grab sample which represents the quality of the waste at one point in time . The water used to make the dilutions is also taken at one point in time . At the actual industrial site, the quality of the waste and the river water vary through time. A composite waste sample partially overcomes this limitation, but may mask variations that are biologically important . For example, the toxicity of zinc to fish is affected by the calcium concentration and temperature of the water
The influence of family and work characteristics on the sustained employment of college-educated wives.

Abstract Three categories of work characteristics — employment expectations, job satisfaction, and job experiences — in addition to commonly considered family variables, are examined as influences on sustained employment between 1964 through 1968 for a national sample of college-educated wives, class of 1961. Number of children and husband's income have the strongest, and negative, effects on sustained employment. Additionally, two work characteristics, one work orientation measure (expectation of being employed during the preschool child stage), and one job satisfaction measure (overall job satisfaction) are significant, and positive, influences. No other variable pertaining to wives' work characteristics is significantly related to sustained employment Because the responses in the data set were collected in the 1960s, the data in this article can serve as a comparison point for subsequent studies.
Heart rate, pacing, and outcome in the Dual Chamber and VVI Implantable Defibrillator (DAVID) trials

Background Slower heart rates are believed to confer a better prognosis in heart disease. The Dual Chamber and VVI Implantable Defibrillator (DAVID) Trial found that patients with ventricular dysfunction and isolated sinus bradycardia (rate Objectives The purpose of this study was to prospectively test our hypotheses that a similar benefit from bradycardia would be conferred in DAVID II as in DAVID but that this would be nullified by the faster heart rate achieved during atrial pacing in DAVID II. Methods Effects of atrial versus minimal ventricular pacing on outcome in defibrillator recipients with isolated bradycardia in DAVID II were prospectively evaluated. Results Ninety-eight DAVID II patients with isolated bradycardia were similar to 502 patients without it but had less baseline HF. HF medications were used comparably in both groups at baseline and throughout the study. Overall, patients with isolated bradycardia were less likely to die or be hospitalized for HF than others (12.2% vs. 26%; P = .01). There was no evidence that atrial pacing diminished this association. Adjusted for covariates, particularly baseline HF and its treatment, isolated bradycardia patients had substantially reduced risk for HF/death ( P = .018) with or without atrial pacing (relative risk 0.47 and 0.71, respectively). Conclusions Isolated bradycardia identifies patients at lower risk for HF and mortality, an association that is not necessarily negated by accelerating heart rate with atrial pacing. This apparent conundrum challenges the use of heart rate as a therapeutic target in patients with ventricular dysfunction. Trial Registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.govNCT00187187.
Evaluation of community mental health programs a pragmatic and theoretical conceptualization

This paper presents an outline for the development of a time-based conceptualization of the evaluative process for community mental health programs. The suggestion is for three time-levels to be used for the establishment of goals, namely, immediate, intermediate and long-range or ultimate goals. At each of these three steps objectives are stated and certain assumptions made. Criteria for the measurement process are established also at each time-period. Finally an analogy is made comparing the evaluative process to scientific theory and diagnostic procedure.
Fitting of Straight Lines and Prediction When Both Variables are Subject to Error

Abstract Define the linear structural relation with parameters α, β, by μ = α +βv. This paper considers the problem of confidence region estimation of α and β based on a sample of independent pairs, (y i , x i ), i = 1, 2, ···, with Ey i = μi, Ex i = v i . The pairs (y i , x i ) are assumed to have a common (unknown) covariance matrix and to follow the bivariate normal distribution. Point estimates subject only to and that the choice of the l i be independent of the actual observations are shown to lead to an exact confidence region for (α, β). The physical size of the region and whether or not the region is closed depend strongly on the choice of the li . Using as a criterion the maximization of the probability that the region is closed, it is shown that the optimum l i require knowledge of the vi; however, the region is at the required level even if the l i are sheer guesses. Of course, if one has a priori information about the v i levels (presumably not completely accurate) it can and should be used. T...
T‐DNA insertion mutagenesis in Arabidopsis: mutational spectrum

Summary More than 8000 transformants of Arabidopsis have been generated by treating germinating seeds with cultures of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Genetic characterization of a subset of the transformants indicates that they contain an average of 1.4 inserts each, as assayed by kanamycin resistance. Molecular analysis shows that the inserts are predominantly concatamers of T-DNAs arranged as direct and inverted repeats. More recently these 8000 lines have been screened under a variety of growth conditions for visible alterations in phenotype. More than 1000 putative mutants were observed during the application of these screening procedures. These mutants fall into several general classes: seedling-lethals, size variants, pigment, embryo-defective, reduced-fertility, dramatic (morphological), and physiological. The majority of the mutants (88%) segregate in a Mendelian manner for the mutant phenotype. An analysis of approximately 50 mutants in this group shows that > 80% are tagged with a functional insert. The wide spectrum of mutants observed suggests that it may be feasible to develop a comprehensive collection of mutant lines in which each gene is tagged by a T-DNA insertion.
Event-processing network model and implementation

This paper presents a conceptual model of an event-processing network for expressing the event-based interactions and event-processing specifications among components. The model is based on event-driven architecture, a pattern promoting the production, detection, consumption, and reaction to events. The motivation is the lack of standardization in the areas of configuring and expressing the event-processing directives in event-driven systems. Some existing approaches are through Structured Query Language, script languages, and rule languages, and are executed by standalone software, messaging systems, or datastream management systems. This paper provides a step toward standardization through a conceptual model, making it possible to express event-processing intentions independent of the implementation models and executions. It is a unified model serving as a metamodel to these existing approaches.
Class of continuous level associative memory neural nets

A neural net capable of restoring continuous level library vectors from memory is considered. As with Hopfield’s neural net content addressable memory, the vectors in the memory library are used to program the neural interconnects. Given a portion of one of the library vectors, the net extrapolates the remainder. Sufficient conditions for convergence are stated. Effects of processor inexactitude and net faults are discussed. A more efficient computational technique for performing the memory extrapolation (at the cost of fault tolerance) is derived. The special case of table lookup memories is addressed specifically.
Direct and indirect effects of elevated CO2 on leaf respiration in a forest ecosystem

We measured the short-term direct and long-term indirect effects of elevated CO 2 on leaf dark respiration of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) in an intact forest ecosystem. Trees were exposed to ambient or ambient + 200 μmol mol -1 atmospheric CO 2 using free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) technology. After correcting for measurement artefacts, a short-term 200 μmol mol -1 increase in CO 2 reduced leaf respiration by 7-14% for sweetgum and had essentially no effect on loblolly pine. This direct suppression of respiration was independent of the CO 2 concentration under which the trees were grown. Growth under elevated CO 2 did not appear to have any long-term indirect effects on leaf maintenance respiration rates or the response of respiration to changes in temperature (Q 10 , R 0 ). Also, we found no relationship between mass-based respiration rates and leaf total nitrogen concentrations. Leaf construction costs were unaffected by growth CO 2 concentration, although leaf construction respiration decreased at elevated CO 2 in both species for leaves at the top of the canopy. We conclude that elevated CO 2 has little effect on leaf tissue respiration, and that the influence of elevated CO 2 on plant respiratory carbon flux is primarily through increased biomass.
Transparent Checkpoint-Restart of Distributed Applications on Commodity Clusters

We have created ZapC, a novel system for transparent coordinated checkpoint-restart of distributed network applications on commodity clusters. ZapC provides a thin visualization layer on top of the operating system that decouples a distributed application from dependencies on the cluster nodes on which it is executing. This decoupling enables ZapC to checkpoint an entire distributed application across all nodes in a coordinated manner such that it can he restarted from the checkpoint on a different set of cluster nodes at a later time. ZapC checkpoint-restart operations execute in parallel across different cluster nodes, providing faster checkpoint-restart performance. ZapC uniquely supports network state in a transport protocol independent manner, including correctly saving and restoring socket and protocol state for both TCP and UDP connections. We have implemented a ZapC Linux prototype and demonstrate that it provides low visualization overhead and fast checkpoint-restart times for distributed network applications without any application, library, kernel, or network protocol modifications