cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Barriers to vision care for nursing home residents.

Objective To describe the prevalence of periodic eye examinations by eye professionals and to examine nursing facility resident characteristics associated with lack of periodic screening. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Two Midwestern nursing facilities. Participants Between 1995 and 1997, 134 subjects aged 60 and older were recruited from two metropolitan nursing facilities. Measurements Nursing home charts were reviewed for: demographics, length of stay, date of eye examination, eye diagnosis, and visual acuity. Nursing assessments were used to obtain information about cognition, function, behavior, and the presence of Do Not Resuscitate or Do Not Hospitalize orders. The chart was reviewed for visual acuity, intraocular pressures, and the presence of eye pathology. Individuals who had not had eye examinations in the previous 2 years were screened by an ophthalmologist. This examination included external examination of the eye, fundoscopic examination, tonometry, and visual acuity with correction. Results Only 62 (46%) of the subjects had been seen by an eye care professional in the previous 2 years. Visual acuity information was available for 37/64 previously examined subjects. Of those with no eye examination in the previous 2 years (n = 72), visual acuity was obtained in 32 (44%) of subjects. New eye diagnoses were made in 64% (41/64). Logistic regression models with “eye examination within the past 2 years” as the dependent variable show that residents who do not desire hospital transfer are 80% less likely to have had an eye examination than those without this designation. Sex, age, length of stay, functional status, presence of severe dementia, behavior problems, or DNR orders do not change the likelihood that a resident would have been examined. Logistic regression models with “visual acuity measured” as the dependent variable show that residents with severe dementia are 12.6 times less likely to have acuity measured than those without dementia. Those with a length of stay in the facility less than 6 months are 10% less likely to have visual acuity measured. Conclusions This study does not confirm that barriers still exist in the provision of eye care to all nursing home residents, but the prevalence of such assessments remains low. Additional screening results in a substantial increase in the identification of treatable eye diseases. Contrary to the original hypotheses that patient characteristics that make testing difficult would provide a barrier or disincentive to vision testing, this study did not show statistical differences in the rates of vision screening for those with dementia, behavior problems, or severe functional impairment. Severe dementia does seem to affect the ability of the eye care specialist to gather subjective data such as visual acuity. It also demonstrates that vision screening does take place on nursing home residents with a broad range of cognitive and functional abilities, and this screening results in the diagnosis of many treatable eye conditions. Future efforts should be made to increase vision screening and treatment in the nursing home.
Inhibitors of human placental C19 and C21 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases

The effect of several natural and synthetic steroids on the activity of Δ5,3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in homogenates of human placenta has been measured by a method which determines the conversion of labelled dehydroepiandrosterone to androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol-17β, and estrone and of labelled pregnenolone to progesterone and 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione. The method utilizes thin-layer chromatography systems and radio-gas-liquid chromatography which separate each steroidal product from each substrate. Enzymatic activity can be determined rapidly and efficiently in multiple samples of very small amounts of tissue. The present report demonstrates that nucleophilic substituents on, adjacent to, or at some distance from the site on the steroid molecule catalyzed by the enzyme may increase the inhibitory capacity of the parent steroid or confer inhibitory capacity to an inactive parent steroid. Selective inhibition of the conversion of pregnenolone by several steroids demonstrates substrate specificity of the C19- and C21-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The most potent of these selective inhibitors are, in descending order of inhibitory potency: 2α-bromo-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstane-3-one-17β-acetate; 3β,17α-dihydroxy-5-pregnene-3,20-dione-16α-nitrile; 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-20-one-16α-nitrile; and 2α-bromo-5a-androstane-3,17-dione. The most potent inhibitors of both enzymes are 2α-cyano-4,4-dimethyl-2,3α-tetrahydrofuran-2-spiro-17,5-androstene-3-one and 6,16β-dimethyl-3β-hydroxy-5-pregnene-16α-nitrile. The usual form of cyanoketone (2α-cyano-17β-hydroxy-4,4,17α-trimethyl-5-androstene-3-one) does not inhibit either enzyme.
Functional models for the oxygen binding/activating hemeproteins, myoglobin and cytochrome c oxidase

Abstract Hemoproteins (hemoglobin and myoglobin) reversibly bind O 2 for transport and storage; other heme proteins (cytochrome c oxidase) reduce O 2 to water and couple the energy from that reaction to create a proton gradient for the eventual synthesis of ATP. This paper will describe the design and synthesis of iron porphyrins which are functional models for these oxygen binding and activating heme proteins.
Genetic association of giftedness and creativity with schizophrenia

This comparative study of Icelanders, born during the period 1881–1910, indicates that close relatives of psychotic individuals have a significantly increased probability of being considered persons of eminence. Their rate of listing in Who Is Who is doubled, both in regard to general listings and those based on artistic or scholastic endeavors. Review of relevant literature supports the view that the dominant principal gene proposed for schizophrenia may in a heterozygous state lead to cerebral stimulation, with improved performance in areas of giftedness and creativity.
Synthesis of novel carboranylchlorins with dual application in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Abstract Total synthesis of carboranylchlorins 3 and 4, from readily available starting materials, are described and the molecular structures of two key intermediates are presented. Chlorins 3 and 4 show similar spectroscopic behavior but differ considerably in their solubility properties; whereas closo-carboranylchlorin 3 is completely insoluble in water, its nido derivative 4 has good water-solubility. Carboranylchlorin 3 absorbs in the red region of the optical spectrum (at λmax=642 nm) six times more strongly than porphyrin 1, and displays a fluorescence emission band at λmax=651 nm, upon excitation at 642 nm. The water-soluble carboranylchlorin 4 also displays intense absorption and emission bands at λmax=642 and 651 nm, respectively, in ethanol solution. It is concluded that carboranylchlorins 3 and 4 have higher promise for the dual application in PDT and BNCT than do comparable porphyrins.
Toroda Creek half graben, northeast Washington: Late-stage sedimentary infilling of a synextensional basin

The Toroda Creek half graben is one of several north-northeast–trending Eocene extensional basins associated in time and space with the Okanogan and Kettle metamorphic core complexes in the southern Omineca crystalline belt of Washington and British Columbia. Sedimentary rocks of the middle Eocene Klondike Mountain Formation are the youngest stratified, nonvolcanic rocks in the Toroda Creek half graben. These sedimentary rocks preserve details of the character of Toroda Creek half-graben basin development in a humid temperate setting, help constrain the timing of brittle faulting in the basin, and provide insight into approximate rates of Okanogan core-complex uplift. Facies distributions and provenance determinations indicate that the Klondike Mountain Formation accumulated in a localized basin. There is no evidence that the Klondike Mountain Formation strata in the Toroda Creek half graben were once part of a more widespread deposit that later was segmented by faulting into its present configuration. Klondike Mountain sedimentary strata consist of sedimentary, gravity-dominated rock-avalanche, slide, and debris-flow deposits that accumulated on alluvial fans that delivered their sediments into either a single elongate lake or a series of possibly interconnected lakes. Provenance determinations and facies distribution patterns suggest that Klondike Mountain detritus primarily was derived from steep, unstable highlands exposed in the footwall of the Bodie Mountain fault on the east side of the basin. Sediments at the southern end of the basin were shed from an upland created by a west-northwest–trending transfer fault (Granite Creek fault). Rates of footwall uplift (and/or basin subsidence) estimated from unroofing of plutonic and presumed mylonitic rocks suggest rapid and significant basin margin uplift.
Presumed Toxoplasmic Papillitis

Six patients with ocular toxoplasmosis are described whose only active site of inflammation was at the optic nervehead. These patients presented with severe papillitis, vitreous inflammation, and sector or nerve fiber bundle field defects. Because of the papillitis and the absence of other typical foci of retinitis to suggest toxoplasmosis in these patients, the initial diagnoses were usually incorrect. These cases are presented to familiarize ophthalmologists with this unusual cause of papillitis.
Mutagenicity and sequence specificity of acrolein-DNA adducts.

Acrolein (Acr) is a major toxicant in cigarette smoke (CS); it can interact with DNA forming two major adduct isomers: α-OH-Acr-dG and γ-OH-Acr-dG. Previously, we found that the Acr-DNA binding pattern in the human p53 gene coincides with the p53 mutational pattern in CS-related lung cancer; hence, we proposed that Acr is a major lung cancer etiological agent [Feng, Z., Hu, W., Hu, Y., and Tang, M.-s. (2006) Acrolein is a major cigarette-related lung cancer agent: Preferential binding at p53 mutational hotspots and inhibition of DNA repair. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103, 15404−15409]. This hypothesis has been brought into question with recent work that failed to detect Acr-induced mutations in the pSP189 system [Kim, S. I., Pfeifer, G. P., and Besaratinia, A. (2007) Lack of mutagenicity of acrolein-induced DNA adducts in mouse and human cells. Cancer Res. 67, 11640−116472]. To resolve this controversy, we determined the level and the type of Acr-dG formation, and the mutagenicity of Acr-dG adducts in ...
Oxidative Protein Folding in vitro: a Study of the Cooperation between Quiescin-sulfhydryl Oxidase and Protein Disulfide Isomerase

The flavin-dependent quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) inserts disulfide bridges into unfolded reduced proteins with the reduction of molecular oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide. This work investigates how QSOX and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) cooperate in vitro to generate native pairings in two unfolded reduced proteins: ribonuclease A (RNase, four disulfide bonds and 105 disulfide isomers of the fully oxidized protein) and avian riboflavin binding protein (RfBP, nine disulfide bonds and more than 34 million corresponding disulfide pairings). Experiments combining avian or human QSOX with up to 200 μM avian or human reduced PDI show that the isomerase is not a significant substrate of QSOX. Both reduced RNase and RfBP can be efficiently refolded in an aerobic solution containing micromolar concentrations of reduced PDI and nanomolar levels of QSOX without any added oxidized PDI or glutathione redox buffer. Refolding of RfBP is followed continuously using the complete quenching of the fluorescence o...
Analysis of the inhibitory effect of inorganic phosphate on development of four-cell hamster embryos in vitro

Hamster 4-cell stage embryos were cultured in a protein-free, glucose-free medium to study the nature of developmental inhibition by inorganic phosphate (Pi). In the absence of Pi, between 40 and 55% of embryos were able to develop to the blastocyst stage but addition of Pi to the medium reduced this proportion to 5-20%. The inhibition did not appear to be due to contamination of the Pi salt with heavy metals because EDTA did not relieve the effect. Inhibition by Pi showed no dose-response relationship over the range tested (1-350 microM). In contrast, another divalent anion (sulphate) produced no inhibition of 4-cell embryo development at concentrations as high as 5.6 mM. Embryos were less sensitive to inhibition by Pi after the third cleavage division had occurred, and development of mid or late 8-cell embryos was unaffected by Pi. After exposure to Pi for 1 h, embryos could recover and continue development but longer exposure was detrimental to subsequent development. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect is specific to phosphate ions, is not due to contaminants in the Pi salt, is evoked by very low concentrations of Pi, is stage-specific, and is reversible following brief exposure of embryos to Pi. These effects may be artifacts of the culture milieu, or they may reflect some unknown characteristic of the early cleavage stage hamster embryo.
Crystal Structure of a Viral FLIP INSIGHTS INTO FLIP-MEDIATED INHIBITION OF DEATH RECEPTOR SIGNALING

Death receptor signaling is initiated by the assembly of the deathinducing signaling complex, which culminates in the activation of the initiator caspase, either caspase-8 or caspase-10. A family of viral and cellular proteins, known as FLIP, plays an essential role in the regulation of death receptor signaling. Viral FLIP (v-FLIP) and short cellular FLIP (c-FLIPS) inhibit apoptosis by interfering with death receptor signaling. The structure and mechanisms of v-FLIP and c-FLIPS remain largely unknown. Here we report a high resolution crystal structure of MC159, a v-FLIP derived from the molluscum contagiosum virus, which is a member of the human poxvirus family. Unexpectedly, the two tandem death effector domains (DEDs) of MC159 rigidly associate with each other through a hydrophobic interface. Structure-based sequence analysis suggests that this interface is conserved in the tandem DEDs from other v-FLIP, c-FLIPS, and caspase-8 and -10. Strikingly, the overall packing arrangement between the two DEDs of MC159 resembles that between the caspase recruitment domains of Apaf-1 and caspase-9. In addition, each DED of MC159 contains a highly conserved binding motif on the surface, to which loss-of-function mutations in MC159 map. These observations, in conjunction with published evidence, reveal significant insights into the function of v-FLIP and suggest a mechanism by which v-FLIP and c-FLIPS inhibit death receptor signaling.
Correlation of Eye Color with Performance on Two Motor Skill Tasks

Prior research investigating the performance differences between dark- and light-eyed individuals has indicated that light-eyed individuals perform better at self-paced activities than dark-eyed in...
Ascorbic acid, capsaicinoid, and flavonoid aglycone concentrations as a function of fruit maturity stage in greenhouse-grown peppers

Abstract Bioactive compounds in plant-derived foods provide essential human health benefits. However, the content and types of bioactive compounds may vary based on genetic and environmental factors. The present study examined the impacts of cultivar, fruit maturity stage (mature versus immature), and growing season (2008, 2009) on the concentration of bioactive compounds in diverse pungent and non-pungent peppers. Significant interactions were observed among cultivars, maturity stages, and growing seasons. Mature peppers generally had the highest content of ascorbic acid (782.0–2305.3 μg/g FW in 2008 and 693.5–2817.2 μg/g FW in 2009), and capsaicinoids (115.5–338.9 μg/g FW in 2008 and 93.8–326.3 μg/g FW in 2009) compared to immature peppers. Paprika-type peppers generally had the highest contents of ascorbic acid and flavonoids especially in mature fruits, while capsaicinoids were higher in all mature stage peppers. Flavonoid concentrations varied considerably depending on cultivar and maturity stage. Total phenolics were also significantly higher in mature fruits compared to immature peppers in both years. A positive correlation between total phenolics and DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed. This indicates that the health beneficial components in peppers could also vary as a function of cultivar, fruit developmental stage and production season. The genetic variability in bioactive compounds found in this study constitutes a useful genetic base for improving the nutrient quality of peppers.
NITROSAMINE FORMATION IN HOME‐COOKED BACON

Randomized slices of bacon were cooked at home by 25 consumers by their usual method of preparation and the edible portions were analyzed for nitrosamines. N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMNA) and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPyr) were found in all samples. Of the 25 preparations, five contained DMNA and five contained NPyr in concentrations greater than 10 μg/kg; only one sample contained both nitrosamines in concentrations greater than 10 μg/kg. Although the association between nitrosamine concentration, time and amount of heat is not strong, it appears that frying bacon at low or medium heat for less than 10 min can result in less than 10 μg/kg DMNA or NPyr.
Alcoholics' perceptions of cues to intoxication

Abstract This study examined whether alcoholic participants perceive cues to self-judment of intoxication along the internal-external dichotomy used in the research literature on blood alcohol level discrimination. Twenty-eight participants diagnosed as alcohol dependent participated. Participants rated the perceived similarity of pairs of 18 cues to intoxication. Cluster analysis indicated that participants' ratings formed four clusters: disinhibition, relaxation, impairment, and external cues. These clusters provide some support for the internal-external dichotomy used in previous research.
The myopia of learning

Organizational learning has many virtues, virtues which recent writings in strategic management have highlighted. Learning processes, however, are subject to some important limitations. As is well-known, learning has to cope with confusing experience and the complicated problem of balancing the competing goals of developing new knowledge (i.e., exploring) and exploiting current competencies in the face of dynamic tendencies to emphasize one or the other. We examine the ways organizations approach these problems through simplification and specialization and how those approaches contribute to three forms of learning myopia, the tendency to overlook distant times, distant places, and failures, and we identify some ways in which organizations sustain exploration in the face of a tendency to overinvest in exploitation. We conclude that the imperfections of learning are not so great as to require abandoning attempts to improve the learning capabilities of organizations, but that those imperfections suggest a certain conservatism in expectations.
Streaming extensibility in the modify-on-access file system

This paper presents the Modify-on-Access (Mona) file system that provides extensibility through transformations applied to streams of data. Mona overcomes two limitations of prior extensible file systems. First, the Mona file system offers two levels of extensions (kernel and user) that share a common interface. It allows performance-critical operations to execute with modest overhead in the kernel and untrusted or more complex operations to safely execute in user space. Second, Mona enables fine-grained extensions which allow an application to customize the file system at runtime. This paper discusses the implementation of the Mona file system. Our implementation adds modest overhead of 0-3 ° (0.01-0.21 µs) to file system operations. This overhead has even less effect on net system performance for several benchmarks. Moreover, this paper describes applications that achieve 4-5 times speedup using custom transformations. This paper also describes several transformations that increase functionality. Among these are the ftp transformation that allows a user to browse a remote file as though it were local and the command transformation which invokes an arbitrary executable (even a shell script) on a data stream.
A Mechanistic Explanation for the ln(LC50) vs ln(Hardness) Adjustment Equation for Metals

I demonstrate that a combination of (a) competitive binding of transition-metal cations, hardness cations, and protons to transition-metal-binding sites on fish gills and (b) aqueous complexation of transition-metal cations by HCO3- and CO32- explains why the regression slopes of ln(LC50) vs ln(hardness) for five divalent transition metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are ∼1, where LC50 is the median lethal concentration. For these calculations, I assumed the amount of the transition metal bound to the fish gill at 50% mortality is constant (i.e., independent of water quality). Although the slopes theoretically should vary between 0 and 2 (at extremely low and high hardness, respectively), a slope of ∼1 is expected at midrange hardness (∼20−200 mg·L-1 as CaCO3) if alkalinity covaries with hardnessa common condition in most laboratory toxicity tests. But if alkalinity is held constant while hardness is varied, a slope of ∼0.5 is expected at midrange hardness. Although predictions of LC50s using regressions of ...
The absence of low-molecular-weight guanido compounds in castor bean seeds☆

Abstract In contrast to a previous report no free arginine, agmatine, or other low-molecular-weight guanido compound could be detected in seeds of Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae). A heat-stable, arginine-containing protein was isolated and identified with a previously known allergen.
Distribution of Copper in Sediments from Fluvial Reservoirs Treated with Copper Triethanolamine Complex Algicide

The control of algal growth in water reservoirs with copper-based algicides leads to elevated sediment Cu concentration and thus could affect long-term water quality. To assess the potential mobility of sediment-associated Cu, a study was conducted using samples from three drinking water reservoirs treated with Cutrine®, a copper triethanolamine complex algicide. Total Cu (CuT) in treated reservoir sediment ranged from 13.3 to 139.9 mg Cu kg−1 and was on average 1.5 times the level in streams (48 mg Cu kg−1) flowing into the reservoirs. Sediment CuT and algicide application history indicated the retention of 82–93% of the algicide Cu applied. Sequential extraction showed that Cu primarily accumulated in the residual fraction (60%), whereas the potentially mobile pools (water extractable: CuH2O, exchangeable: CuEX, organic bound) accounted for <10% of CuT. The leachable Cu fraction (extracted with 1 M acetic acid) also amounted to <9% of CuT and was related negatively to C/N and positively to H/C ratios of organic matter. In addition, these potentially mobile fractions were found to be related, not to total organic C, but to sediment respiration suggesting that the potentially mobile Cu fractions were primarily associated with aliphatic and readily biodegradable C (more so than total organic C). During a 2-year period without algicide treatment (that followed 4 years of repeated algicide applications to one of the studied reservoirs), mean dissolved Cu (micrograms per liter) in the reservoir (39.2) was similar to levels measured at locations upstream (43.3) and downstream (47.2) from the reservoir. These results indicate that the bulk of sediment Cu is associated with geochemically stable solid phases and thus should alleviate concerns about Cu transfer into the water column.
Extending post-classification change detection using semantic similarity metrics to overcome class heterogeneity: A study of 1992 and 2001 U.S. National Land Cover Database changes

The use of post-classification change methods for the analysis of land cover change provides intuitive and potentially reliable results. A recurring problem is the difference in land cover nomenclature that can occur over time or across space when multiple data sources are required. Building on work that uses category semantics as a foundation for reasoning with land cover classes, this paper uses a fuzzy sets based approach to develop attribute based prototype definitions of land cover classes. These formalized category descriptions are used to look at land cover changes as a semantic change evaluated through semantic similarity metrics. The methodology is illustrated on the U.S. National Land Cover Data from 1992 to 2001 over Chester County, PA. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is more versatile than the standard post-classification method in that it can both provide an overall, spatially explicit evaluation of land cover change, as well as nuanced assessments of graded changes for heterogeneous land cover types.
Development of a Neonatal Intensive Care Multidisciplinary Crisis Resource Training Program

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children's Hospital Boston has established a multidisciplinary crisis resource management program using high-fidelity simulation and debriefing. The course was developed in response to identified patient safety goals for improved multidisciplinary communication and team training in the NICU. The article focuses on the identified need and development of the NICU course.
Periodic separating reactors: Experiments and theory

The novel combination of a pressure swing adsorber (PSA) with a periodic flow-forced packed-bed reactor is explored. The device provides integral component separation and reaction. Feed sequences studied for the periodic separating reactor (PSR) were those of rapid, single-bed pressure swing adsorption (RPSA). The experimental investigation employed CO oxidation over a packed bed of supported platinum catalyst and molecular sieve adsorbent. A reaction rate limited model is formulated and solved for a variety of irreversible and reversible reactions. The presence of irreversible chemical reaction is shown to greatly enhance the separation achievable by RPSA alone. For a wide range of inlet CO/O, ratios, CO, production could be increased up to two times over steady-state plug-flow reactor operation, while providing a recycle stream without phase change or extractive procedures. Selectivity and conversion improvements were predicted for multiple reaction systems. Other unusual features of operation, such as separation reversals, were also predicted and observed.
Pregnancy in women after coronary revascularization

Pregnancy after coronary revascularization presents unique challenges to the management of antiplatelet therapy, anesthesia and mode of delivery. We present two cases where women of reproductive age required coronary revascularization with drug eluting stents after a myocardial infarction, and discuss key aspects of pregnancy and labor management.
Vaccinia virus directs the synthesis of early mRNAs containing 5' poly(A) sequences.

Abstract mRNAs transcribed from late promoters of several poxvirus genes contain 5' poly(A) sequences that are not complementary to the viral DNA. In contrast, early mRNAs containing 5' poly(A) sequences have not previously been identified. Modifications to the sequence of the promoter of an early gene of cowpox virus enable this promoter to direct the synthesis of RNAs containing 5' poly(A) sequences. When the sequence 3'-ATTTA-5', which is present at the RNA start-sites of several late promoters, is positioned such that the RNA start-site of the early promoter is at the first thymidylate in this sequence, this early promoter directs the synthesis of early RNAs containing 4-11 adenylates at their 5' ends. When two of the thymidylates in the sequence 3'-ATTTA-5' are removed, the promoter directs the synthesis of early RNAs lacking 5' poly(A) sequences. These results are consistent with the proposal that 5' polyadenylylation of poxvirus RNAs occurs by repetitive transcription of thymidylates in the sequence 3'-ATTTA-5' often present at the sites of transcriptional initiation. In addition, these results demonstrate that 5' polyadenylylation of viral RNAs is not exclusively a late function. The promoter regions of a few early genes of vaccinia virus contain the sequence 3'-ATTTA-5'. Analyses of the transcripts of one of these genes, the D5 gene, indicated that these mRNAs contain 5' poly(A) sequences, suggesting that early mRNAs of a subset of viral genes contain 5' poly(A) sequences.
Does the Use of Atro pine Provide Additional Ischemlic Stimulus to Myocardiumi During Dobutamline Stress Echocardiography

The diagnostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography has been widely reported, but the value of adding atropine to achieve a target heart rate has not been widely studied. The authors tested the hypothesis that atropine does not provide additional diagnostic accuracy to a dobutamine stress echocardiography test. The inotropic effect of dobutamine in large doses has been shown to induce ischemic changes in the myocardium. Because atropine mainly increases heart rate (chronotropic stimulus), there is controversy as to whether its effects produce an additional ischemic response during dobutamine stress echocardiography. The results of the present study suggest that the ischemic response during dobutamine stress echocardiography is related primarily to an inotropic stimulus and not a chronotropic stimulus, and therefore, the authors concluded it may not be necessary to add atropine routinely to dobutamine stress echocardiography tests.
Interfacial effects on fracture nucleation and propagation in crystalline–amorphous energetic material systems

Abstract Local failure modes, such as the nucleation and propagation of a pre-existing crack, have been investigated for energetic materials with a viscoelastic binder and crystalline grains subjected to dynamic thermal and mechanical loading conditions. A crystalline plasticity with dislocation density, finite viscoelasticity, dynamic fracture nucleation and propagation methods, and finite element methods were used to study crack nucleation and propagation due to dynamic thermal and mechanical loading conditions. The interrelated effects of dislocation densities, grain boundary (GB) misorientations, polymer binder relaxation, and interactions between crystal and binder were coupled to material thermal decomposition, adiabatic inelastic heating, viscous dissipation heating, and thermal conduction to analyze interfacial fracture behavior in RDX–estane systems. The predictions indicate that cracks propagated toward the binder and were arrested due to the viscous nature of the polymer binder and plasticity buildup. For low angle misorientations, the pre-existing crack propagated toward the binder with increasing crack tip speed until it reaches the binder, at which point the crack was arrested. For high angle misorientations, the crack propagated toward the binder and was arrested, adjacent to the binder, due to plastic deformation and lattice rotations. A secondary crack eventually nucleated and propagated to the interface, where it was arrested.
Adenosine receptor blockade augments interstitial fluid levels of excitatory amino acids during cerebral ischemia.

The excitotoxic hypothesis suggests that cerebral ischemic damage results in part from the accumulation of the excitatory and potentially toxic neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate. Adenosine,...
The Farm Family Exposure Study: Acquavella et al. Respond

We thank Mage for his comments. In our article on glyphosate in the Farm Family Exposure Study (FFES) (Acquavella et al. 2004), we used 24-hr urinary creatinine to assess the completeness of daily samples over 5 days for the 48 participating farmers. We erred by summarizing the results as micrograms per deciliter instead of micrograms per day. Using an expected daily excretion of 566 μg/day as the lower end of the normal range (Bingham et al. 1988; Forman 2003), only four 24-hr urine samples over 5 days were below that lower limit. Therefore, the completeness of urine collection for the applicators was exceptional. Further details of the urine collection and our assessment of completeness can be found in a related article (Baker et al. 2005). Mage criticizes us for not subtracting preapplication urine values in our assessment of systemic dose related to on-study applications. Indeed, seven of the applicators had detectable glyphosate in their urine on the day before their on-study application (Acquavella et al. 2004). Values were 1.1, 2.6, 3.9, 5.3, 8.3, 9.8, and 15.4 ppb. We intentionally did not correct for these initial values for two reasons. First, from an epidemiologic and public health standpoint, it is instructive to know the total dose for farmers during and after an application, which, for example, could then be compared to levels of toxicologic significance. Second, the overestimate caused by this practice is trivial for glyphosate in both an absolute and relative sense. Consider that glyphosate has a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reference dose of 2 mg/kg/day (U.S. EPA 1999), and the highest systemic dose we estimated in our study was 0.004 mg/kg/day. The requested corrections would be to the ten thousandths of a milligram per kilogram per day or less. Last, Mage calls the fact that we only evaluated one application per farm family a limitation that may vitiate our study. That is a strong indictment for a study that comprehensively assessed exposure for farm families related to a single application of three pesticides to an extent not seen before. We agree that characterizing intraperson variation in absorbed pesticide dose over several seasons would provide valuable information, but that was not the objective of the FFES. Nevertheless, Mage’s claim that we cannot reject the possibility that all 47 applicators have the same exposure distribution is refuted by our observations that absorbed dose was related to specific practices (e.g., not wearing gloves) and by similar findings in the literature that practices dictate absorbed dose (e.g., Arbuckle et al. 2002).
X-ray absorption lines: Signature for preheat level in non-explosive laser implosions

Abstract The measured X-ray spectrum from thick glass shells imploded with two TW six-beam laser pulses displayed absorption by transitions of Si ions. This indicates the existence around the time of peak compression of a cooler (≲ 200 eV) layer surrounding the hot innermost glass layer, of density times thickness ϱΔ R ∼ 0.6 × 10 -3 g/cm 2 . This temperature is indicative of the preheat level earlier in the implosion.
A Kinetic Study of the Solvolyses of Methyl and Ethyl Chloroglyoxalates

[reaction: see text] Solvolyses of methyl and ethyl chloroglyoxylates proceed about 10(6) times faster than the identical solvolyses of the corresponding chloroformates. The correlation parameters obtained from application of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation are consistent with an addition-elimination (association-dissociation) mechanism over the full range of solvents, with the addition step being rate determining.
Differential delay-of-reward training and subsequent discrimination learning in children☆

Abstract Four groups of 16 first-grade children were given 40 single-stimulus training trials and then 100 trials on a subsequent two-choice visual discrimination test which employed the previous stimuli as discriminanda. Two groups (D-0; D-10) experienced differential delays (either zero or 10 seconds) of reward following a response to each stimulus during the training trials. One Group (N-0) of nondifferentially trained Ss experienced a zero-second delay of reward, while Ss in the other nondifferential Group (N-10) experienced a 10-second delay, following a response to both stimuli. During the discrimination test the stimuli associated with zero delay in the differential conditions became positive for one group of subjects (D-0) and negative for the other (D-10). The positive discriminative stimuli in the nondifferential conditions were assigned randomly. Response speeds to the stimuli during training were inversely related to the delay of reward associated with that stimulus. Ss in Group D-10 began the discrimination with a significant number of incorrect responses. Their performance over trials, however, increased rapidly, and the overall level of discriminative performance for the differential Groups (D-0 and D-10) was superior to that following non-differential training (N-0 and N-10). Results were interpreted in terms of a mediating response model.
On-chip microelectrode impedance analysis of mammalian cell viability during biomanufacturing

The characterization of cell viability is a challenging task in applied biotechnology, as no clear definition of cell death exists. Cell death is accompanied with a change in the electrical properties of the membrane as well as the cell interior. Therefore, changes in the physiology of cells can be characterized by monitoring of their dielectric properties. We correlated the dielectric properties of industrially used mammalian cells, sedimented over interdigitated microelectrodes, to the AC signal response across the chip. The voltage waveforms across the electrodes were processed to obtain the circuit impedance, which was used to quantify the changes in cell viability. We observed an initial decrease in impedance, after which it remained nearly constant. The results were compared with data from the dye exclusion viability test, the cell specific oxygen uptake rate, and the online viable cell density data from capacitance probes. The microelectrode technique was found to be sensitive to physiological changes taking place inside the cells before their membrane integrity is compromised. Such accurate determination of the metabolic status during this initial period, which turned out to be less well captured in the dye exclusion tests, may be essential for several biotechnology operations.
The use of nonorganic signs and symptoms as a screening tool for return-to-work in patients with acute low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN A longitudinal cohort study of patients with acute, work-related low back pain undergoing physical therapy treatment. OBJECTIVE To determine cut-off values maximizing the predictive ability of the nonorganic signs and symptoms in patients with acute, work-related low back pain and to calculate the predictive validity of the signs and symptoms, alone and in combination, using an outcome of return to work within 4 weeks of initiating treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Waddell et al have proposed nonorganic signs and symptoms as screening tools in patients with chronic low back pain for detecting the presence of abnormal illness behavior and identifying patients in need of further evaluation to improve the likelihood of a successful treatment outcome. METHODS Consecutive patients referred to physical therapy with work-related low back pain of less than 2 weeks' duration were examined for the presence of nonorganic signs and symptoms before initiating physical therapy treatment. The outcome measure used was the ability to return to work without restrictions within 4 weeks of the initial evaluation. RESULTS Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were calculated for all possible cut-off values for the nonorganic signs, symptoms, and the nonorganic index (signs and symptoms). The best cut-off values were two or more signs (negative likelihood ratio = 0.75), three or more symptoms (negative likelihood ratio = 0.62), and an index score of three or more (negative likelihood ratio = 0.59). Area under a receiver operator characteristic curve for the signs, symptoms, and index were 0.60, 0.63, and 0.63, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Because the nonorganic tests are purported to serve as screening tests, cut-off values were selected that minimized false-negative results. Even with optimal cut-off values, none of the nonorganic tests served as effective screening tools. Other screening tools may prove more effective for the early identification of patients at increased risk for delay in returning to work after an episode of acute low back pain.
Video gameplay, personality and academic performance

The relationship between video gameplay, video game genre preference, personality, and GPA was investigated in an online correlational study with university students. In addition to administering self-report measures of GPA and personality, we asked three different questions regarding styles of video gameplay. The first asked the average time spent playing video games per week (habitual players), the second asked the total time spent playing favorite video games (selective players), and the third asked the number of different video games played in a year (diverse players). Students who were medium in selective player style (spent 11-50h) had significantly higher GPAs than students low on selective player style (spent 0-10h). Students high on habitual playing style (7 or more hours a week) showed significantly lower levels of Conscientiousness compared to students low on habitual playing style (0-1h a week). Students who were high on the diverse style (i.e., 7 or more games played a year) showed significantly higher Openness scores than students low on the diverse style (0-3 games a year). Finally, several notable relations were found between video game genre preference, GPA, and personality. Results are discussed in terms of the positive implications of video gameplay on academic performance.
Cyclic nucleotides and protein phosphorylation in mouse mammary glands: effects of estrogen and progesterone administered in vivo.

Ovariectomized mice were injected daily for 20 days with saline, 17P-estradiol( 1 pg/ day), progesterone (1 mg/day), or estrogen + progesterone. Mammary glands were removed, homogenized, and analyzed for DNA, CAMP, cGMP, CAMP-dependent protein kinase (kinase A), cGMP-dependent protein kinase (kinase G), tyrosyl kinase (kinase T), and epidermal growth factor-stimulated tyrosyl kinase (EGF-T). Estrogen and progesterone, administered singly, increased DNA, CAMP, kinase A, kinase T, and EGF-T. In addition, progesterone, administered alone or with estrogen, decreased kinase G activity. cGMP concentrations were not altered by estrogen or progesterone. No evidence of a synergism between estrogen and progesterone on the levels of the cyclic nucleotides and the activities of kinase enzyme was observed, although an additive effect of these steroids was seen. These data indicate that ovarian steroid-induced growth of mouse mammary glands is accompanied by significant changes in protein phosphorylation, i.e., increased CAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation and tyrosyl phosphorylation and decreased cGMP- dependent protein phosphorylation. 0 1987 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Examining the course and outcome of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and comorbid borderline personality disorder

This research examined the prevalence of comorbid borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a sample of schizophrenia inpatients, and then investigated the degree to which BPD comorbidity impacted symptom and functional outcomes after 1-year post-hospital discharge. A sample of 142 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 100) or schizoaffective disorder (n = 42) from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study were administered the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personality (SIDP-R). Symptom and functional outcome data were gathered during hospitalization and at 1-year follow-up to analyze differences in symptom and functioning characteristics between those diagnosed with and without BPD. Results indicated that comorbid BPD was present in a non-trivial proportion (17.6%, n = 25) of the sample, based on SIDP-R assessment. Baseline analyses indicated that patients with BPD presented with modest elevations in the severity of overall psychiatric symptomatology, and higher levels of anxiety and depression, at hospitalization compared to non-BPD patients. At 1-year follow-up, results revealed that after adjusting for baseline differences, patients with schizophrenia and comorbid BPD showed significantly less improvement in psychiatric symptomatology, particularly hostility and suspiciousness, as well as global functioning, and were re-hospitalized at significantly higher rates than patients without BPD. Our findings indicate that the co-occurrence of schizophrenia and BPD is not infrequent and that BPD has a significant negative longitudinal impact on the course and outcome of patients with schizophrenia.
Parametric amplification in a resonant sensing array

We demonstrate parametric amplification of a multidegree of freedom resonant mass sensing array via an applied base motion containing the appropriate frequency content and phases. Applying parametric forcing in this manner is simple and aligns naturally with the vibrational properties of the sensing structure. Using this technique, we observe an increase in the quality factors of the coupled array resonances, which provides an effective means of improving device sensitivity.
Studies related to the origin of C18 neutral steroids isolated from extracts of urine from the male horse: The identification of urinary 19-oic acids and their decarboxylation to produce estr-4-en-17β-ol-3-one (19-nortestosterone) and estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) during sample processing

Abstract For almost two decades we have known that enzymatic hydrolysis of “normal” urine samples from the entire male horse using Escherichia coli (E. coli) followed by solvolysis (ethyl acetate:methanol:sulphuric acid) results in the detection of significant amounts of estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) along with estr-4-en-17β-ol-3-one (19-nortestosterone, nandrolone) in extracts of the hydrolysed urine and that both steroids are isolated from the solvolysis fraction. This solvolysis process is targeted at the steroid sulphates. Also we have shown that 19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and 19-nortestosterone are isolated from testicular tissue extracts. Subsequently, evidence was obtained that 19-nortestosterone detected in extracts of “normal” urine from male horses may not be derived from the 17β-sulphate conjugate. However, following administration of 19-nortestosterone based proprietary anabolic steroids to all horses (males, females and castrates), the urinary 19-nortestosterone arising from the administration is excreted primarily as the 17β-sulphate conjugate. Thus, if the 19-nortestosterone-17β-sulphate conjugate arises only following administration this has interesting implications for drug surveillance programmes to control administration of 19-nortestosterone based anabolic preparations to male horses. These results have led us to consider that the precursors to 19-nortestosterone and 19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, present in the urine prior to the hydrolysis steps, have the same basic structure except for the functionality at the 17-position. We have used preparative high pressure liquid chromatography (LC) and LC fractionation to separate these precursors from the high amounts of oestrogenic sulphates present in “normal” urine from the entire male horse. Purified fractions have then been studied by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify the precursors.