cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Advances in the Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a potentially blinding disease. The goal of glaucoma therapy is to reduce intraocular pressure to a predetermined target level. There are currently 5 classes of compounds used for the medical management of glaucoma. Four classes that appear promising for the long term management of glaucoma are in different phases of clinical investigation, and include the topically active carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, selective α2-adrenergic agonists, prostaglandins and ethacrynic acid. The topically active carbonic anhydrase inhibitor dorzolamide (MK-507) is effective and well tolerated in clinical trials of up to 1 year’s duration. Animal studies have demonstrated that this drug lowers intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humour formation. The selective α2-adrenergic agonists, brimonidine and apraclonidine, have been shown to be effective in reducing intraocular pressure in the short term. Long term effectiveness of these agents is under investigation. Prostaglandins (PG) of the PGF2-α isopropylester series caused marked reductions of intraocular pressure in laboratory and clinical trials. The newest prostaglandin analogue, latanoprost (PhXA41), effectively lowered intraocular pressure and was well tolerated in clinical trials of up to 4 weeks’ duration. Prostaglandins reduce intraocular pressure by enhancing uveoscleral outflow. Ethacrynic acid enhanced traditional outflow facility and lowered intraocular pressure when applied topically or intracamerally in laboratory studies and clinical trials. Corneal adverse effects of ethacrynic acid have been noted. Reformulation of ethacrynic acid ointment may resolve this problem. These 4 classes of compounds will enhance our options for the medical management of glaucoma. They may be used instead of or in combination with some of the drugs currently in use, and may be better tolerated.
Do spatially targeted redevelopment programs spillover

Abstract This paper estimates spillover effects from a spatially-targeted redevelopment program, the Federal Empowerment Zone (EZ), on neighboring and economically similar areas. EZs are a set of generous tax incentives and grants aimed at small, economically depressed areas of large U.S. cities. We find areas that border or are economically similar to EZ locations experience a decline in the number of establishments and employment compared to areas that border or are similar to rejected EZ applicants. We also demonstrate that using spillover prone areas to estimate program effects causes upward bias when the spillover is negative. We find that for many of our estimates, spillovers more than offset positive program effects, although there are instances when the net effect is small and positive.
Data structures for DNA sequence manipulation

Two data structures designated Fragment and Construct are described. The Fragment data structure defines a continuous nucleic acid sequence from a unique genetic origin. The Construct defines a continuous sequence composed of sequences from multiple genetic origins. These data structures are manipulated by a set of software tools to simulate the construction of mosaic recombinant DNA molecules. They are also used as an interface between sequence data banks and analytical programs.
Where does the brain detect hypoglycemia

in 1953, jean mayer proposed a glucostatic hypothesis for the regulation of food intake ([12][1]). A pivotal construct was the hypothesized existence of glucoreceptors in the brain that transduced extracellular glucose concentration into ion movements and ultimately action potentials. The primary
Model for the magnetomechanical behavior of NiMnGa driven with collinear field and stress

ABSTRACT This paper presents a model for NiMnGa transducers driven with collinear magnetic elds and stresses. Priorwork by the authors demonstrates the existence of reversible strains under the application of collinear mag-netic elds and stresses oriented along the [001] crystallographic axis of a cylindrical rod of single-crystalNi 50 Mn 28 .7 Ga 21 .3 . Internal bias stresses from pinning sites in the material are believed to provide the restor-ing force which allows for the reversibility of the strain. A constitutive model to describe the motion of twinboundaries in the presence of energetically strong pinning sites is presented. The eective pinning strength isrepresented by an internal bias stress oriented transversely. Stochastic homogenization is then used to accountfor variability in the bias stresses throughout the material and inhomogeneity in the interaction eld intensity.The internal rod dynamics are modeled through force balancing with boundary conditions dictated by the con-structive details of the transducer and mechanical load. The model is formulated in variational form, resultingin a second-order temporal system with magnetic eld induced strain as the driving mechanism. Model resultfor unloaded conditions is compared with experimental measurements.Keywords: Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, Ni-Mn-Ga, magnetic transducers
Reading Achievement Trajectories for Students With Learning Disabilities During the Elementary School Years

Using hierarchical linear modeling and longitudinal data from the first 6 waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten cohort, the authors examined reading achievement and growth rates by learning disability (LD) subgroup. The 2-level (time–student) growth curve model indicated that lower levels of reading achievement were already evident at kindergarten entry for all subgroups of students identified during the elementary school years as having LD. Results indicated that students with LD made smaller gains in reading achievement than students without disabilities. This finding underscores the need for frequent, multifaceted assessment of progress and responsive, targeted instruction in addition to early identification.
The nature of the activity deficit produced by inescapable shock

Two experiments investigated the nature and etiology of the reduced activity in the presence of shock produced by prior exposure to inescapable shock. Previous experiments have demonstrated this deficit in the presence of gridshock. However, gridshock hurts less if movement across the grids is reduced. It is thus unclear whether the inescapable-shock-produced deficit represents a facilitation of learning to reduce movement across the grids in order to alleviate pain or is an “unconditioned” reduction in movement in response to shock. The first experiment tested these possibilities by examining the effects of inescapable shock on subsequent movement during shock delivered via fixed tail electrodes to freely moving subjects. Inescapably shocked subjects still moved less in response to shock than did escapably shocked and restrained control subjects. Experiment 2 examined the possibility that this deficit occurs because unconditioned movement in response to shock during pretreatment diminishes after a few seconds, the reduction then being adventitiously reinforced by shortly ensuing shock termination. Activity during inescapable shock was closely monitored by ultrasonic motion detection. Although activity did decrease across trial blocks, the required within-trial patterns did not occur. Shock-elicited activity did not diminish after a few seconds of shock, but remained unchanged across the 5-sec shock presentations.
Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction as an Intrinsic Material Property Sensor for Machine Condition Transfer Function in Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth of III-V Compound Semiconductors

A new approach is introduced for identifying a relation between the growth parameters measured in two molecular beam epitaxy systems, thereby realizing transfer of optimized growth conditions transfer. Test results show that the proposed approach is promising.
Pediatric all-terrain vehicle trauma: A 5-year statewide experience

Abstract Background/Purpose: This is a retrospective review of the pediatric all-terrain vehicle trauma victims who presented to the five major trauma centers serving the state of West Virginia during the 5-year period from January 1991 to December 1995. The purpose of this research is to characterize the nature of the injuries and the individuals injured to better appreciate the magnitude of the problem of ATV-related injuries in the pediatric population. Methods: This study is a retrospective review of these 218 consecutive pediatric patients from trauma registry data and their medical records. Results: Two hundred eighteen patients between the ages of 2 years and 16 years presented during the study period. Boys outnumbered girls three to one. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 8.76, the average Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 14.4, and the average Trauma Score (TS) was 15.2. The most common injuries were orthopedic followed by head and facial injuries. The majority of the children did not were helmets, and their injuries resulted in an average hospital length of stay of 4.3 days. Thirty-eight percent of the children required surgery. There were a total of four deaths for a mortality rate of 1.8%. The estimated total hospitalization cost for the 218 patients was $1,918,400.00. Conclusions: All-terrain vehicle-related trauma remains an ongoing safety concern facing society today. Every physician who cares for children should address this important issue when talking to children and parents about safety issues and injury prevention.
Derivation of the unconditional state-covariance matrix for exact maximum-likelihood estimation of ARMA models

Abstract Analytical expressions for the unconditional state-covariance matrix are combined with an efficient scheme for computing theoretical autocovariances, to simplify the exact maximum-likelihood estimation of multivariate ARMA models. Alternative state-space representations for pure AR and pure MA processes, giving rise to straightforward expressions for their unconditional state covariance, are suggested.
Effect of heart rate on doppler indexes of systolic function in humans

Recent investigations have shown Doppler echocardiography to be useful in the noninvasive assessment of left ventricular systolic function. No data exist, however, regarding the influence of heart rate on Doppler measurements of aortic blood flow velocity and acceleration in humans. Thus, 12 normal volunteers underwent continuous wave Doppler ultrasound recording from the suprasternal notch at baseline and during progressive transesophageal atrial pacing at intervals of 10 beats/min between 90 and 140 beats/min while 100% atrial capture and 1:1 atrioventricular conduction were maintained. Subjects were studied both upright (n = 12) and supine (n = 10). With the subject upright at baseline (mean heart rate 77.8 ± 10.6 beats/min), peak acceleration averaged to 16.8 ± 3.4 m/s2, and peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral averaged 0.72 ± 0.14 m/s and 8.4 ± 2.1 cm, respectively. With pacing at 90 beats/min, peak acceleration decreased to 15.6 ± 3.6 m/s2, a significant decline from baseline values (p < 0.005). Similar declines were seen during pacing at 90 beats/min for peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral (0.64 ± 0.16 m/s and 7.1 ± 1.9 cm, respectively; both p < 0.005 versus baseline values). At the peak pacing rate of 140 beats/min, average peak acceleration decreased to 12.8 ± 3.1 m/s2, and peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral decreased to 0.52 ± 0.11 m/s and 5.02 ± 1.25 cm, respectively. A significant linear correlation (r ⩾ 0.97, p < 0.0001) was obtained for the relation between heart rate and peak acceleration, peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral. With the subject supine, pacing produced significant lowering of peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral, and a clear trend toward lower values was apparent for peak acceleration. Thus, Doppler variables of left ventricular systolic function are sensitive to alterations in heart rate. Despite the documented ability of increased heart rate to augment contractile state, all Doppler variables exhibited a decline with pacing. A significant linear correlation exists between heart rate and peak acceleration, peak modal velocity and flow velocity integral. This relation should be considered when interpreting these Doppler measurements.
Feedstock material property – process relationships in fused deposition of ceramics (FDC)

Fused deposition of ceramics (FDC) is a solid freeform fabrication technique based on extrusion of highly loaded polymer systems. The process utilizes particle loaded thermoplastic binder feedstock in the form of a filament. The filament acts as both the piston driving the extrusion and also the feedstock being deposited. Filaments can fail during FDC via buckling, when the extrusion pressure needed is higher than the critical buckling load that the filament can support. Compressive elastic modulus determines the load carrying ability of the filament and the viscosity determines the resistance to extrusion (or extrusion pressure). A methodology for characterizing the compressive mechanical properties of FDC filament feedstocks has been developed. It was found that feedstock materials with a ratio (E/ηa) greater than a critical value (3×105 to 5×105 s‐1) do not buckle during FDC while those with a ratio less than this range buckle.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSES AND LATER DEVELOPMENT IN VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS(VLBW)

The auditory brainstem response(ABR)is frequently used to assess auditory and neurologic function in the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU). Although longitudinal data on the relationship of ABR to later auditory function is available, there is no information on ABR and later development.
Similar Rates of Decrease of Persistent, Hydrophobic and Particle-Reactive Contaminants in Riverine Systems

Although it is well-known that concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides and organochlorine compounds in aquatic systems have decreased since their widespread release has stopped in the United States, the magnitude and variability of rates of decrease are not well-known. Paleolimnological studies of reservoirs provide a tool for evaluating these long-term trends in riverine systems. Rates of decrease from the 1960s to the 1990s of {sup 137}Cs, PCBs, and total DDT in dated sediment cores from 11 reservoirs in the eastern and central United States were modeled using first-order rate models. Mean half-times of 10.0 ({+-}2.5), 9.5 ({+-}2.2), and 13 ({+-}5.8) yr for decay-corrected {sup 137}Cs, PCBs, and total DDT, respectively, are surprisingly similar. Similar rates of decrease in a few reservoirs are also demonstrated for chlordane and lead. Conceptual and simple mathematical models relating two soil distributions of {sup 137}Cs to trends in the cores provide insight into differences in trends between watersheds with different land uses and suggest that trends are controlled by erosion, transport, mixing, and deposition of sediments. These results, supported by similar trends reported for other settings and environmental media, could provide an estimate of the decadal response time of riverine systems to changes in the regulationmore » of other persistent hydrophobic or particle-reactive contaminants.« less
pKa values of the 8α-imidazole substituents in selected flavoenzymes containing 8α-histidylflavins☆

Abstract Difference absorption spectroscopy as a function of pH is described as a probe to determine the pKa values of the 8α-imidazole substituent in flavoenzymes containing 8α-histidylflavin coenzymes. Reversible absorption difference spectra are observed in the pH range 5.5 to 8.5 when synthetic 8α-imidazolyl-FMN is bound to the apoflavodoxins from Azotobacter vinelandii and from Clostridium pasterianum. The observed spectral perturbations of these two flavodoxin complexes follow a single proton ionization dependence with respective pKa values of 6.7 and 6.8. No pH-induced spectral perturbations were observed when 8α-(N-CH3)-imidazolium FMN was bound to either flavodoxin. Similar approaches are described to determine the 8α-imidazolyl pKa values of the 8α-histidyl-FAD coenzyme of the cholesterol oxidases from Schizophyttum commune and from Gleocystidium chrysocreas. Previous work has shown the former enzyme contains an 8α-N1-histidyl-FAD (W. C. Kenney et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chem.254, 4689–4690) while experiments reported here show the latter enzyme also contains one 8α-N1-histidyl-FAD per mole of enzyme. The pKa value for the 8α-imidazole substituent on the flavin of S. commune cholesterol oxidase is 5.4 while that determined for the G. chrysocreas enzyme is 6.2. These results demonstrate that the pKa of the 8α-imidazole substituent can be determined in enzymes containing an 8α-histidylflavin, provided that the enzyme is stable in the pH range required to observe ionization. Furthermore it is shown this the pKa value can differ even on comparison of enzymes from different sources that catalyze the same reaction.
Investigation of Ecology Friendly Lubrication in High Speed Drawing Of SSID Tubes

Abstract Tubes used in the chemical and fluid power industry have special inner surface roughness requirements. To meet these requirements, it was decided to explore the mandrel drawing of carbon steel tubes to submicron surface finish and thereby reduce the need for machining and honing the inner diameter of the tube. An additional goal was to investigate the use of ecology friendly solid lubricant in the mandrel drawing process. First, a roughness model was developed which relates the interface parameters such as effective stress to roughness changes and lubrication parameters. This model was calibrated using industrial experiments on a draw bench. Then a design of experiment was carried out to relate the tube drawing phenomenological parameters such as die angles, reduction and drawing speed to the interface parameters. These two models were then integrated to predict the surface roughness changes at the inner surface of the tube during mandrel drawing. It was found that the new lubricant is able to provide good surface finish for typical tube drawing reductions with and without the conversion coating. However, for reductions larger than 40% it cannot prevent die pick up. At drawing speeds greater than 0.5 m/s it is effective in preventing die pick up but cannot deliver SSID surface finish in drawn tubes.
Pre- and postreinforcement delay with a small number of acquisition trials

Three groups of rats were given 5 acquisition and 13 extinction trials in a straight alley. Group treatments were: (1) immediate reward (R), (2) 20 sec. delay in goal box followed by reward (D-R), (3) immediate reward followed by 20 sec. nonreinforcement confinement in the goal box (R-D). Groups D-R and R-D were not reliably different but both were more resistant to extinction that Group R. There were no significant differences in acquisition. The data may be explained by a sequential analysis.
Neural concomitants of immunity--focus on the vagus nerve.

Inflammation and immunity have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases and disorders ranging from Alzheimer's disease to cardiovascular disease to hemorrhagic shock. As such any Special Issue devoted to Brain–Body Medicine must consider the neural concomitants of inflammation and immunity. In this editorial we will briefly consider the evidence for the neural concomitants of immunomodulation. First, we will briefly review the anatomy and physiology of neural–immune communication. Evidence for the somatotopic organization of the vagus nerve and for pain processes suggests that such an organization may be relevant for the investigation of the neural concomitants of immunity. Then we will provide an overview of what is known from both animal and human studies including neuroimaging studies. Finally, we will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities in this exciting area of investigation.
Table servers protect confidentiality in tabular data releases

Federal statistical agencies must balance concern over confidentiality of data with their obligation to report information to the public. Advances in IT threaten privacy, but new technologies can also protect confidentiality while meeting user needs in innovative ways.
Probability and Criminalistics

Abstract Probabilistic methods in the evaluation of legal evidence have not yet been employed to any large degree and there is a dearth of potentially useful probabilities that might be estimated from empirical data. The role which mathematical probability can and does play in the court room is illustrated with cases involving combinations of circumstances, forgery, criminal identification, establishment of nonpaternity, and the use of coded messages. ‘Beyond a mathematical doubt’ should be more convincing than ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ “… and where a Mathematical Reasoning can be had, it is as great Folly to make use of any other, as to grope for a Thing in the Dark, when you have a Candle standing by you. I believe the Calculation of the Quantity of Probability might be improved to a very useful and pleasant Speculation, and applied to a great many Events which are accidental, besides those of Games; only these Cases would be infinitely more confused, as depending on Chances which the most Part of Me...
Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase Pathway and 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal-Induced Oxidative Injury in the RPE

The retina has a rich content of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA).1-3 PUFAs such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid are important for visual phototransduction.4 However, under conditions of oxidative stress such as excessive light exposure,5 hyperglycemia,6 and vitamin E deficiency,7 PUFAs react with free radicals to form lipid peroxidation products.8 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is one of the major reactive aldehydes and is a product from oxidation of n-6 PUFA. Lipid peroxidation contributes to oxidative injury associated with aging and age-related diseases of the retina. A number of previous studies have demonstrated that 4-HNE can covalently modify and affect functions of proteins9,10 and DNA.11 4-HNE reacts with glutathione (GSH) and is mainly detoxified by glutathione-S-transferase.12,13 In retinal cells, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays key roles in controlling GSH synthesis and protecting against 4-HNE–induced toxicity by regulating the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes.14,15 In addition to Nrf2, other transcription factors, such as NFκB and cFOS, can be activated by 4-HNE and can exert cytoprotective effects.16 Nrf2 is a basic region-leucine zipper transcription factor and can be activated by reactive intermediates and electrophilic compounds.17 It binds to the cis-acting antioxidant response element (ARE) and controls the expression of a number of genes encoding phase 2 detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant proteins.18,19 Nrf2 is sequestered normally in the cytoplasm by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (Keap)-1.20,21 Under oxidative stress, it dissociates from Keap1 and translocates to the nucleus and controls ARE-mediated antioxidant gene expression.17 It has been shown that the Nrf2-mediated gene induction can be regulated by other signaling pathways, including extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), protein kinase C (PKC), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K).22-24 In the present study, we measured the effects of 4-HNE on the antioxidant responses in cultured ARPE-19 cells. Results showed that 4-HNE activated Nrf2 and increased GSH synthesis. Inhibition of PI3K decreased the antioxidant response and potentiated oxidative protein modification by 4-HNE. The interaction between the two pathways underlay an important regulatory mechanism of antioxidant defense against lipid peroxidation and oxidative injury in RPE cells.
Photodynamic actions of indocyanine green and trypan blue on human lens epithelial cells in vitro.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and photodynamic activity of indocyanine green (ICG) and trypan blue (TryB) on cultured human lensepithelial cells (LECs). Design Experimental study. Methods Lens epithelial cell viability was assessed after treatment with ICG and TryB concentrations ranging from 0.025 to 5.0 mg/ml, and exposure to 806 nm diode laser. Results At ICG concentrations below 0.5 mg/ml, there was ≥75% cell viability; at higher ICG concentrations there was dose-dependent cytotoxicity in addition to loss of cellular viability due to ICG photosensitization. TryB had little cytotoxicity to the LECs: >80% cells were viable irrespective of the dye concentration or laser treatment. Conclusions These data indicate that ICG may have application as a photosensitizer in the selective eradication of residual LECs after cataract surgery to reduce the incidence of posterior capsule opacification.
On macroscopic and microscopic analyses for crack initiation and crack growth toughness in ductile alloys

Relationships between crack initiation and crack growth toughness are reviewed by examining the crack tip fields and microscopic (local) and macroscopic (continuum) fracture criteria for the onset and continued quasi-static extension of cracks in ductile materials. By comparison of the micromechanisms of crack initiationvia transgranular cleavage and crack initiation and subsequent growthvia microvoid coalescence, expressions are shown for the fracture toughness of materials in terms of microstructural parameters, including those deduced from fractographic measurements. In particular the distinction between the deformation fields directly ahead of stationary and nonstationary cracks are explored and used to explain why microstructure may have a more significant role in influencing the toughness of slowly growing, as opposed to initiating, cracks. Utilizing the exact asymptotic crack tip deformation fields recently presented by Rice and his co-workers for the nonstationary plane strain Mode I crack and evoking various microscopic failure criteria for such stable crack growth, a relationship between the tearing modulusTR and the nondimensionalized crack initiation fracture toughnessJIc is described and shown to yield a good fit to experimental toughness data for a wide range of steels.
Power control based on measurements with statistical uncertainty

In wireless communication systems, power control is a popular technique that can be employed to greatly increase system performance. The general idea is to adjust the transmitted power of each user based on channel characteristics (e.g. path-loss and shadowing) so that each user is received with his/her desired signal-to-interference ratio. Traditional approaches to power control are generally derived assuming that the pertinent channel characteristic on which the power control algorithms are based can be measured accurately. However, due to the effects of the multipath fading and the additive noise inherent to the wireless channel, there can be significant errors in measurements of the average received power. In this paper, the error statistics for average power measurements are considered; in particular, the probability distribution of the value of the average received power at the time of interest conditioned on an outdated measurement is obtained. The resulting expression should have high general utility in the analysis of wireless communication systems; however, in this paper, this expression is employed in the design of optimum power control algorithms that minimize the average transmitted power required to achieve a desired outage probability for a wireless link. It is demonstrated that power control algorithms that accurately take into account uncertainty in the average power measurements can display significant gains over those that employ simple energy margins or approximate models for such purposes.
Integration of narrowband and wideband traffic at an STM multiplexer

A synchronous transfer mode (STM) system multiplexing blockable wideband (WB) and queueable narrowband (NB) traffic in a broadband integrated services digital network is considered. An analysis of the system is presented and system performance is quantified in terms of access delay for the NB traffic and blocking probability for the WB traffic. Numerical results are provided to illustrate the analytic method and demonstrate the sensitivity of system performance to system parameters. It is pointed out that, without an additional access control, this type of WB/NB multiplexer may lead to severe deterioration of WB access performance. >
Tale of a tegument transactivator: the past, present and future of human CMV pp71

Herpesviruses assemble large virions capable of delivering to a newly infected cell not only the viral genome, but also viral proteins packaged within the tegument layer between the DNA-containing capsid and the lipid envelope. In this review, we describe the tegument transactivator of the β-herpesvirus human CMV, the pp71 protein. We present the known mechanistic features through which it activates viral gene expression during a lytic infection but fails to do so when the virus establishes latency, and describe how pp71 stimulates the cell cycle and may help infected cells avoid detection by the adaptive immune system. A historical overview of pp71 is extended with current perceptions of its roles during human CMV infections and suggestions for future avenues of experimentation.
Differential induction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in primary cultures of rat and mouse hepatocytes parallels induction during hepatocarcinogenesis.

In carcinogen-treated rats, g-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is induced in preneoplastic liver lesions and liver tumors. However, in mice, GGT is rarely detected during hepatocarcinogenesis. Data in this study reveal that GGT is not induced in mouse hepatocytes when they are maintained in vitro under the same conditions that induce GGT activity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. GGT activity in rat hepatocytes increased 20-fold during the first 7 days in culture, but there was no induction of GGT in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes. Comparison of intracellular glutathione levels in rat and mouse liver cells showed that the glutathione level was higher in the mouse liver cells than the rat. Blocking glutathione synthesis with buthionine sulfoximine reduced the intracellular glutathione concentration in mouse liver cells but did not trigger an induction of GGT. Analysis of the GGT mRNA in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes showed that only GGT mRNAIII is induced. This is the same GGT mRNA species present in preneoplastic hepatic lesions and liver tumors in the rat (1‐3). Therefore activation of promoter III in the GGT gene is responsible for induction of GGT in both hepatocytes in vitro and liver tumors in vivo. These data show that primary cultures of rat and mouse hepatocytes provide a model system with which to study interspecies differences in the regulation of this enzyme and to better understand the role of GGT in normal and neoplastic processes.
A Methodology for Determining High Risk Components in Urban Environments

A method of data collection and analysis is proposed for identifying environmental indicators significant to community health. The methods were applied to a study of child mortality in the city of Cali, Colombia. Pridit analysis (principal component analysis of ridits) is described. The methods have potential usefulness for monitoring and health care planning.
Protective and pathological roles of tissue factor in the heart.

Tissue factor (TF) is expressed in the heart where it is required for haemostasis. High levels of TF are also expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and likely contribute to atherothrombosis after plaque rupture. Indeed, risk factors for atherothrombosis, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and hypertension, are associated with increased TF expression in circulating monocytes, microparticles and plasma. Several therapies that reduce atherothrombosis, such as statins, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and anti-platelet drugs, are associated with reduced TF expression. In addition to its haemostatic and pro-thrombotic functions, the TF : FVIIa complex and downstream coagulation proteases activate cells by cleavage of protease-activated receptors (PARs). In mice, deficiencies in either PAR-1 or PAR-2 reduce cardiac remodelling and heart failure after ischaemia-reperfusion injury. This suggests that inhibition of coagulation proteases and PARs may be protective in heart attack patients. In contrast, the TF/thrombin/PAR-1 pathway is beneficial in a mouse model of Coxsackievirus B3-induced viral myocarditis. We found that stimulation of PAR-1 increases the innate immune response by enhancing TLR3-dependent IFN-β expression. Therefore, inhibition of the TF/thrombin/PAR-1 pathway in patients with viral myocarditis could have detrimental effects. Conclusion: The TF : FVIIa complex has both protective and pathological roles in the heart.
Treatment of uterine artery vasospasm with transdermal nitroglycerin ointment during uterine artery embolization.

Uterine artery vasospasm can complicate uterine artery embolization (UAE) by prolonging procedure times or even causing treatment failure. Embolization must be delayed until the spasm improves and adequate antegrade flow in the vessel is restored. Vasospasm can also produce a “false endpoint” to the procedure, where stasis of flow in the vessel is falsely attributed to successful embolization but is actually the result of vasospasm, leading to undertreatment or treatment failure. Traditional treatments for uterine artery vasospasm have included transcatheter intra-arterial vasodilators and catheter withdrawal from the vessel, both of which can yield mixed results. We report a case of uterine artery vasospasm during UAE successfully treated with transdermal nitroglycerine ointment.
The relationship between timing of surgical complications and hospital readmission.

Importance Readmissions after surgery are costly and may reflect quality of care in the index hospitalization. Objectives To determine the timing of postoperative complications with respect to hospital discharge and the frequency of readmission stratified by predischarge and postdischarge occurrence of complications. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a retrospective cohort study of national Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program preoperative risk and outcome data on the Surgical Care Improvement Project cohort for operations performed from January 2005 to August 2009, including colorectal, arthroplasty, vascular, and gynecologic procedures. The association between timing of complication with respect to index hospitalization and 30-day readmission was modeled using generalized estimating equations. Main Outcome and Measure All-cause readmission within 30 days of the index surgical hospitalization discharge. Results Our study of 59 273 surgical procedures performed at 112 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals found an overall complication rate of 22.6% (predischarge complications, 71.9%; postdischarge complications, 28.1%). The proportion of postdischarge complications varied significantly, from 8.7% for respiratory complications to 55.7% for surgical site infection ( P Conclusions and Relevance More than one-quarter of assessed complications are diagnosed after hospital discharge and strongly predict readmission. Hospital discharge is an insufficient end point for quality assessment. Although readmission is associated with complications, almost half of readmissions are not associated with a complication currently assessed by the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
Toward a psychological theory of economic growth.

Abstract A theoretical framework is outlined that links variables of the physical, sociocultural, and economic environment with psychological variables and the latter with economic growth. The predictability and ease of extraction of resources, the extent to which there is planning, concern with time, for the future, willingness to defer gratification, accuracy of keeping appointments, assembling of many elements into coordinated systems, interpersonal trust, eagerness to cooperate with others, small power distance, moderate risk taking, and emphasis on self-control and hard work are linked to economic growth.
Computer aided design tool for electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

A new generation of CAD tools is introduced to provide wider range of possible solutions and cost reduction for an (hybrid) electric vehicle designer. The conventional design process starts from the performance criteria and applies them to physical vehicle dynamics. The final result would be strict characteristics of all vehicle components; this scenario gives only one option for the desired vehicle. The ability to select any arbitrary set of variables and solve for the rest, to work with variable ranges not strict values and to have both design and simulation in a single package are advantages of the new tool.
Cost-effectiveness of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for outpatient management of acute respiratory tract infections in adults.

BACKGROUND Two clinical trials suggest that procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy can safely reduce antibiotic prescribing in outpatient management of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in adults. Yet, it remains unclear whether procalcitonin testing is cost-effective in this setting.
Prospective Study of Intentional Weight Loss and Mortality in Overweight White Men Aged 40–64 Years

Although 25% of US men indicate that they are trying to lose weight, the association between intentional weight loss and longevity in men is unknown. The authors analyzed prospective data from 49,337 overweight (initial body mass index > or =27) white men aged 40-64 years who, in 1959-1960, answered questions on weight change direction, amount, time interval, and intent. Vital status was determined in 1972. Proportional hazards regression estimated mortality rate ratios for men who intentionally lost weight compared with men with no weight change. Analyses were stratified by health status and adjusted for age, initial body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, education, physical activity, health history, and physical symptoms. Among men with no reported health conditions (n = 36,280), intentional weight loss was not associated with total, cardiovascular (CVD), or cancer mortality, but diabetes-associated mortality was increased 48% (95% confidence interval (CI) -7% to +133%) among those who lost 20 pounds (9.1 kg) or more; this increase was largely related to non-CVD mortality. Among men with reported health conditions (n = 13,057), intentional weight loss had no association with total or CVD mortality, but cancer mortality increased 25% (95% confidence interval -4% to +63%) among those who lost 20 pounds or more. Diabetes-associated mortality was reduced 32% (95% confidence interval -52% to -5%) among those who lost less than 20 pounds and 36% (95% confidence interval -49% to -20%) among those who lost more than 20 pounds. These results and those from our earlier study in women (Williamson et al., Am J Epidemiol 1995;141:1128-41) suggest that intentional weight loss may reduce the risk of dying from diabetes, but not from CVD. In observational studies, however, it is difficult to separate intentional weight loss from unintentional weight loss due to undiagnosed, underlying disease. Well-designed observational studies, as well as randomized controlled trials, are needed to determine whether intentional weight loss reduces CVD mortality.
AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR REAL-TIME AND ONLINE CORROSION MONITORING USING COUPLED MULTIELECTRODE ARRAY SENSORS

Coupled multielectrode array sensors (MAS) may underestimate non-uniform corrosion rates in cases where the environment is not significantly corrosive because of possible internal electron flows on the most corroding electrode. An improved method was developed to derive the lower and upper bounding values for the non-uniform corrosion rate measured with the MAS probes. The lower boundary was measured when the electrodes of the MAS probe were at the natural coupling potential. The upper boundary was measured when the coupling potential of the MAS probe was raised to a value at which all electrodes are likely to be anodic. Under such raised coupling potential, possible internal electron flows within the most anodic electrode were stopped and their effects on the measured corrosion rate were eliminated.
P-79: Model of Freedericksz Transition and Hysteresis Effect in Polymer Stabilized Nematic Liquid Crystal Configurations for Display Applications

The critical field of the Freedericksz transition and optical hysteresis is investigated for Polymer Stabilized Nematic Liquid Crystals as a function of polymer concentration. The results are described by a simple phenomenological model, which accounts for the change in polymer network morphology as the concentration of polymer is increased.
Effects of higher-order cognitive strategy training on gist-reasoning and fact-learning in adolescents

Improving the reasoning skills of adolescents across the United States has become a major concern for educators and scientists who are dedicated to identifying evidence-based protocols to improve student outcome. This small sample randomized, control pilot study sought to determine the efficacy of higher-order cognitive training on gist-reasoning and fact-learning in an inner-city public middle school. The study compared gist-reasoning and fact-learning performances after training in a smaller sample when tested in Spanish, many of the students’ native language, versus English. The 54 eighth grade students who participated in this pilot study were enrolled in an urban middle school, predominantly from lower socio-economic status families, and were primarily of minority descent. The students were randomized into one of three groups, one that learned cognitive strategies promoting abstraction of meaning, a group that learned rote memory strategies, or a control group to ascertain the impact of each program on gist-reasoning and fact-learning from text-based information. We found that the students who had cognitive strategy instruction that entailed abstraction of meaning significantly improved their gist-reasoning and fact-learning ability. The students who learned rote memory strategies significantly improved their fact-learning scores from a text but not gist-reasoning ability. The control group showed no significant change in either gist-reasoning or fact-learning ability. A trend toward significant improvement in overall reading scores for the group that learned to abstract meaning as well as a significant correlation between gist-reasoning ability and the critical thinking on a state-mandated standardized reading test was also found. There were no significant differences between English and Spanish performance of gist reasoning and fact learning. Our findings suggest that teaching higher-order cognitive strategies facilitates gist-reasoning ability and learning.
The twilight of the middle class

Andrew Hoberek's Twilight of the Middle Class is an enormously pro vocative examination of mid-twentieth-century American fiction. Its focus is primarily on novels of the 1950s, though it makes forays into postmodern fiction of later decades (including works by DeLillo and Pynchon), and it is deeply informed by contemporary developments in class in the United States. It is, in short, a wide-ranging, knowledge able, and insightful discussion of literary manifestations of middle class consciousness at a time (both today and the 1950s) of rapid shifts in the economic foundations and class structure of America. Hoberek's book arises in response to influential readings of post war fiction such as Thomas Hill Schaub's American Fiction in the Cold
Spatial location of place-based subsidized households and uneven geography of opportunities: case of Austin, Texas in the US

AbstractAs an alternative to traditional public housing programs, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program has been the dominant federal affordable housing program in the US. However, we have empirically limited understanding as to whether the LIHTC program promotes locational options that offer better socioeconomic opportunities for low-income families. This paper examines the relationships between the spatial location of public housing and LIHTC households and sociodemographic characteristics of neighborhoods in Austin, Texas. We find that both public housing and LIHTC households are located in disadvantaged neighborhoods, especially in terms of higher minority populations, poverty, unemployment, female-headed family, welfare receipt, teenage school dropouts, and lower income. Furthermore, our study shows that the location of public housing and LIHTC households is associated with concentrated crime. However, after accounting for the geographic and sociodemographic characteristics of neighborhoo...
Self-reported incidence and age of onset of chronic comorbid medical conditions in adults aging with long-term physical disability.

Abstract Background Adults with long-term disability are living longer and may experience accelerated aging. More information is needed to understand the incidence of chronic comorbid medical conditions in this population. Objective To examine the incidence, prevalence, age of onset and predictors of five chronic conditions in a sample of adults with long-term physical disability. Methods Longitudinal self-report surveys were mailed to 1594 adults with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome or spinal cord injury twice, 3.5 years apart. Survey questions assessed demographics (date of birth, sex, income, disability type, height/weight), self-reported diagnosis of coronary heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, and health behaviors (alcohol use, smoking, physical activity). Results Over the course of the study, the most commonly reported new onset chronic comorbid medical condition was arthritis (percent incidence = 14%), followed by hypertension (9%) and cancer (7%). Report of a new condition was greatest in adults aged between 56 and 65 years, and risk factors included greater BMI, waist circumference, and the presence of another chronic comorbid medical condition at baseline. Conclusions Chronic comorbid medical conditions are prevalent in persons with long-term physical disability. Midlife appears to be the period of greatest risk for onset of a new condition, and risk for incidence increases in the presence of other chronic comorbid medical conditions. Modifiable risk factors include BMI and waist circumference. Future research should explore whether changes in modifiable factors at midlife or earlier (e.g., diet, exercise) would help prevent or delay onset of comorbid conditions in this population.
Epigenetic re-expression of HIF-2α suppresses soft tissue sarcoma growth

In soft tissue sarcomas (STS), low intratumoural O2 (hypoxia) is a poor prognostic indicator. HIF-1α mediates key transcriptional responses to hypoxia, and promotes STS metastasis; however, the role of the related HIF-2α protein is unknown. Surprisingly, here we show that HIF-2α inhibits high-grade STS cell growth in vivo, as loss of HIF-2α promotes sarcoma proliferation and increases calcium and mTORC1 signalling in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. We find that most human STS have lower levels of EPAS1 (the gene encoding HIF-2α) expression relative to normal tissue. Many cancers, including STS, contain altered epigenetics, and our findings define an epigenetic mechanism whereby EPAS1 is silenced during sarcoma progression. The clinically approved HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat specifically increases HIF-2α, but not HIF-1α, accumulation in multiple STS subtypes. Vorinostat inhibits STS tumour growth, an effect ameliorated by HIF-2α deletion, implicating HIF-2α as a biomarker for Vorinostat efficacy in STS.
Preliminary Interpretation of Acid-Base Disorders Using Polar Coordinates

A BASIC program is presented that analyzes data from arterial blood gas studies and identifies the different “zones” on an acid-base map (carbon dioxide partial pressure plotted against the hydrogen ion concentration) with the use of polar coordinates. Written in Applesoft BASIC, the program is fairly concise and should run on most microcomputers with minimal modifications.