cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Hospital Volume on Racial Disparities in Cardiovascular Procedure Mortality

Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to receive cardiovascular procedures in low-volume hospitals, but hospital volume did not explain a large proportion of racial differences in post-procedure mortality. Additional research is needed to determine why black patients have increased mortality after cardiovascular procedures and how these mortality rates can be reduced.
Is early fascial closure necessary for omphalocele and gastroschisis

Before the introduction of the "silo" for gastroschisis, the main goal of surgery was to cover the defect with skin. Since the silo has been used, the goals have been (1) to cover the defect with SILASTIC sheets and return the extraabdominal contents to the abdominal cavity by progressive plication of the silo and (2) to eventually close the defect by fascia-to-fascia approximation, before 1 month of age. In many series, early definitive abdominal wall closure resulted in mortality rates of 10% to 30%, usually because of bowel necrosis and resulting sepsis. At the author's institution, 20 newborns with large omphaloceles or gastroschisis have been treated, and fascial closure was obtained by the second week in 10 infants. In ten babies it was impossible to obtain early fascial closure without tension, and these children were managed differently. A nonaggressive two-stage approach was used, in which the goals were (1) early return of contents to the abdominal cavity and (2) only skin and granulation coverage of the defect (without aiming for early fascial closure or partial fascial closure) with a small central SILASTIC patch. Stage 1 is reduction of abdominal contents to the abdomen, through plication of the silo, over a 9 to 14 day period. Stage 2 is removal of the silo and closure of the ventral abdominal wall defect using a SILASTIC patch to close most of the defect, after approximating fascia in the superior and inferior portions. If the skin cannot be closed, the patch usually separates in 14 to 21 days, the pellicle remaining becomes completely epithelialized in 1 to 2 months, and further surgery has not been necessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of Contaminants on Reproductive Success of Aquatic Birds Nesting at Edwards Air Force Base, California

Contamination by organochlorine pesticides (OCs), polychlorinated biphenyls, metals, and trace elements at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), located in the Mojave Desert, could adversely affect nesting aquatic birds, especially at the sewage lagoons that comprise Piute Ponds. Estimates of avian reproduction, in conjunction with analyses of eggs and avian foods for contaminant residues, may indicate the potential for negative effects on avian populations. From 1996 to 1999, we conducted studies at the Piute Ponds area of EAFB to evaluate the impacts of contaminants on nesting birds. Avian reproduction was evaluated in 1999. Eggs were collected for chemical analyses in 1996 and 1999, and African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis), a likely food source, were collected for chemical analyses in 1998. Avian species occupying the higher trophic levels—black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi), and American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)—generally bioaccumulated higher concentrations of contaminants in their eggs. Reproductive success and egg hatchability of night-herons and white-faced ibises in the Piute Ponds were similar to results observed at other western colonies. Deformities were observed in only one embryo in this study, but concentrations of contaminants evaluated in this ibis embryo were considered insufficient to have caused the deformities. Because clawed frogs, a primary prey item for night-herons at Piute Ponds, had no detectable levels of any OCs, it is likely that OCs found in night-heron eggs were acquired from the wintering grounds rather than from EAFB. The presence of isomers of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in ibis eggs indicated recent exposure, but invertebrates used for food by ibises were not sampled at Piute Ponds, and conclusions about the source of OCs in ibis eggs could not be made. Concentrations of contaminants in random and failed eggs of individual species were not different, and we concluded that contaminants did not cause the observed egg failures.
Evolution of Active Neurohypophysial Principles Among the Vertebrates

Nine active neurohypophysial peptides have been identified among the vertebrates. Arginine-vasotocin appears to be the most primitive. It occurs in cyclostomes and among representative species from all major branches of vertebrate phylogeny. The eight other neurohypophysial principles are presumed to have evolved from arginine-vasotocin after one or more reduplications of the primitive arginine-vasotocin gene. Argininevasotocin cannot be detected in the adult mammalian neurohypophysis but it has been found in the pineal and subcommissural organs of adult mammals. Arginine-vasotocin may be released into the cerebrospinal fluid and influence functions mediated by hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors. The primitive functions of arginine-vasotocin are not clear. They may relate to cardiovascular regulation since vascular responses to arginine-vasotocin can be demonstrated in species representing all major branches of vertebrate evolution.
TRANSFUSION AND STEM CELL SUPPORT IN CANCER TREATMENT

Intensification of therapeutic regimens, improved patient survival, and advances in cytokine and cellular therapies have led to increasingly complex requirements for transfusion and stem cell support in cancer treatment. This article focuses on current and evolving issues in red blood cell, platelet, and granulocyte transfusion support, as well as measures to avoid increasingly important complications of transfusion therapy, such as alloimmunization, graft-versus-host disease, cytomegalovirus infection, and immunomodulation. Issues concerning current applications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and future prospects also are discussed.
EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DESCENT OF THE TESTIS IN THE MACACUS MONKEY BY HORMONES FROM THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY AND PREGNANCY URINE

The response of the testes of immature rats and monkeys to injections of pregnancy urine and anterior pituitary have been discussed in the preceding paper. The present report emphasizes one phase of the response in the Macacus monkey, together with an interpretation of its relation to human biology. Little is known about the size or age of the male Macacus monkey at sexual maturity, but the animals used in this study were still very considerably below the advent of puberty. Littermate or age-weight controls cannot be obtained with monkeys. Therefore, unilateral organ controls were obtained in several animals by operative removal of one testis and a portion of one seminal vesicle. After a post-operative interval of several days, treatment with either pyridine extract of anterior pituitary or the water soluble fraction from pregnancy urine was begun,† In these immature males, whether the animal weighs 2500 grams or 4400 grams, the testes are located in the upper portion of the inguinal ring (Fig. 1). The in...
Feminist Perspectives on 12-Step Recovery: A Comparative Descriptive Analysis of Women in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

This article provides a comparative feminist analysis of women in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). A second-wave and third-wave theoretical lens is applied to women in these two different recovery programs. Although notable differences are found between women in AA and NA, the common thread that links the second-wave feminist to third-wave feminist analysis is the shared persistent stigma and shame that addicted women from 12-Step programs experience.
Caring for our own:: Health care experiences of rural hispanic elders

Abstract Many rural elders find access to health care a serious problem, and for ethnic minority rural populations such as Hispanics, language, cultural, and economic barriers further compound the problem. Based on one large longitudinal and three companion enthnographic studies of rural aging ang health care in which a large percentage of the participants were Hispanic, this article describes results of analysis and interpretation of findings across the four studies related to Hispanic families' experiences with health care. Three themes were identified: (1) taking care of our own: Hispanic families struggling to meet obligations; (2) spirituality as integral to life and health; and (3) acceptance or prejudice: understanding cultural differences. A description of observed patterns of utilization of specific health care services by older Hispanics and their families is included, and implications for health care delivery and research are addressed.
Effects of Resolution on Quantification in Open-Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry under Conditions of Low Detector Noise. 2. Partial Least Squares Regression

The effects of resolution, spectral window, and background type on the predictive ability of classical least squares regression (CLS) on spectra measured by an open-path Fourier transform (OP/FT-IR) spectrometer were tested in some detail. It is shown that the most accurate quantitative results are obtained by using equidistant backgrounds, reduced spectral windows, and low resolution. The effect of interfering compounds is shown to be particularly serious when CLS regression is used to process OP/FT-IR spectra.
Single-tracer technique to evaluate pulmonary edema and its application to detect the effect of hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer aerosol exposures

Two hours after a four-hour exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (HDIt) aerosol between 2.5 and 39 mg/m3, mice were injected iv with 51Cr-EDTA (chromium ethylenediaminetetraacetate). Ten minutes later the lung was lavaged. A larger amount of 51Cr-EDTA was detected in the lung lavage of HDIt mice than of controls in a concentration-related fashion. The concentration-response curve was shifted to the left compared with that constructed using lung weight increase as response. Kinetic studies of the plasma level of 51Cr-EDTA revealed a three-exponential profile in normal mice, and similar plasma levels were obtained with mice exposed to 18-24 mg/m3 HDIt. However, both the amount of 51Cr-EDTA in the alveolar space and concentration in the pulmonary extravascular compartment were higher in HDIt-exposed mice than in controls. The data of 51Cr-EDTA distribution in the lung were fitted with a three-compartment model. According to the model, HDIt exposures increase the permeability constants of 51Cr-EDTA transport into the alveolar space from blood which accounts for the larger amount of 51Cr-EDTA in lung lavage of HDIt-exposed mice. This 51Cr-EDTA injection and lung lavage technique is a sensitive method for detecting pulmonary edema.
Prenatal nicotine exposure and cognitive performance in rats

In humans and animal models there is evidence that prenatal nicotine exposure causes lasting deficits in cognitive performance. The current study examined the cognitive effects of prenatal exposure of rats to 2 mg/kg/day of nicotine. This dose did not cause significant deficits in maternal weight gain, offspring litter size, or pup weight. The control offspring showed the normal ontogeny of spontaneous alternation from near chance (50%) performance to 80%-85% alternation. In contrast, the nicotine-exposed rats had the opposite progression with abnormally high alternation on days 22-30 and abnormally low alternation on days 35-52. Acquisition of choice accuracy performance on the radial-arm maze (RAM) was not altered in a major way by nicotine exposure. Minor nicotine-induced changes in choice accuracy were seen during the initial trials of acquisition. The nicotine exposed female offspring had a significantly longer response duration. Prenatal nicotine exposure did significantly alter the effects of subsequent drug challenges on choice accuracy performance. The nicotine-exposed male offspring were significantly more responsive to the amnestic effects of the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine. In a subsequent challenge, the effects of the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol were examined. A significant dose-related impairment in choice accuracy was seen in the control rats. In contrast, the nicotine-exposed rats did not show any significant response to propranolol. This decreased responsiveness to adrenergic challenge parallels the reduction in adrenergic response to nicotine challenge we previously found in littermates to the rats of the current study. Prenatal nicotine exposure causes subtle alterations in cognitive performance that can be magnified by challenges of nicotinic and adrenergic systems.
The influence of anticholinergic agents on treatment for bronchitis and emphysema

Abstract Recent studies have shown that anticholinergic therapy is more effective than the most potent β-adrenergic agents for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the 3 years since it has been available to physicians in the United States, the quaternary anticholinergic drug ipratropium bromide (Atrovent®) has had a considerable influence on clinical practice and the management of patients who have this disease. However, knowledge in this area is still incomplete. Questions remain as to the longterm effects of anticholinergic agents on the airways and, perhaps more important, on the natural progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Studies currently in progress will help determine the effect of prolonged therapy with anticholinergic agents on the progression and morbidity of lung disease.
Water Vapor Absorption on Nanostructured Carbide Derived Carbon (CDC)

In this work, carbide derived carbon (CDC) layers were synthesized on SiC and kept isolated from the environment until exposed to controlled water vapor atmospheres, so that the effects of water vapor pressure on the absorption could be quantified. The effects of high temperature hydrogen treatment are also described. CDC samples after chlorination are very hygroscopic, absorbing up to 35% of their weight in water in low humidity environments.
Regulation of the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin by strains of HeLa cells in culture

Thirty-seven strains of HeLa cells were examined for their ability to synthesize human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its alpha subunit (hCG-alpha) in culture. Synthesis of hCG-alpha and hCG also was investigated in the presence of sodium butyrate and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd). All HeLa strains synthetized hCG-alpha in culture. Sodium butyrate increased the synthesis of hCG-alpha in all HeLa cells; BrdUrd increased synthesis in 32 of the 37 strains examined. Although few HeLa strains synthesized hCG in the absence of inducers, hCG was detected in most strains in the presence of sodium butyrate. The synthesis of hCG and its alpha subunit is, therefore, a stable genetic characteristic of HeLa cells.
Charles Adrian and the Study of Nonpartisan Elections

The Progressives believed that political parties, especially those in the cities during the first part of the past century, undermined the quality of democracy in the country. The patronage that held the parties together led to corruption and inefficiencies. While some of the reforms from the Progressive Era, such as the secret ballot and direct primary, have been adopted almost universally, Charles Adrian wrote about one, the nonpartisan ballot, that was adopted in many places, but not all. More than three fourths of municipal elections and about half of all U.S. elections use the nonpartisan ballot. This constitutes a huge quasi-experiment in the impact of political parties on governance and representation. As most political scientists agree that competitive political parties are necessary for healthy representative democracy and the centrality of political parties for voter decision making, this experiment is interesting and potentially significant for understanding the role parties play in elections a...
A small-animal imaging system capable of multipinhole circular/helical SPECT and parallel-hole SPECT.

Abstract We have designed and built a small-animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system equipped with parallel-hole and multipinhole collimators and capable of circular or helical SPECT. Copper–beryllium parallel-hole collimators suitable for imaging the ∼35 keV photons from the decay of 125 I have been built and installed to achieve useful spatial resolution over a range of object–detector distances and to reduce imaging time on our dual-detector array. To address the resolution limitations in the parallel-hole SPECT and the sensitivity and limited field of view of single-pinhole SPECT, we have incorporated multipinhole circular and helical SPECT in addition to expanding the parallel-hole SPECT capabilities. The pinhole SPECT system is based on a 110 mm diameter circular detector equipped with a pixellated NaI(Tl) scintillator array (1×1×5 mm 3 /pixel). The helical trajectory is accomplished by two stepping motors controlling the rotation of the detector-support gantry and displacement of the animal bed along the axis of rotation of the gantry. Results obtained in SPECT studies of various phantoms show an enlarged field of view, very good resolution and improved sensitivity using multipinhole circular or helical SPECT. Collimators with one, three and five, 1-mm-diameter pinholes have been implemented and compared in these tests. Our objective is to develop a system on which one may readily select a suitable mode of either parallel-hole SPECT or pinhole circular or helical SPECT for a variety of small animal imaging applications.
Toward transforming freely available source code into usable learning materials for end-users

The availability of example source code on the web presents an array of potential learning resources for any code consumer. However not all code consumers may find these resources usable. With end-user programmers increasingly relying on example code on the web, any difficulty can prevent these code resources from reaching their potential as learning materials for users who may see the greatest benefits: inexperienced end-users. In this paper, we discuss freely available source code's usability for end-users. We focus on one problem area: supporting inexperienced end-users in selecting relevant code sections from examples they find interesting. We discuss a user study to evaluate the adequacy of two tools that can support non-programmers in this code selection task, and highlight design guidelines for future tools. Finally, we identify further challenges in transforming example code into usable learning materials for all end-users.
Oligosaccharidases from Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Acanthocephala) from swine

Abstract 1. 1. Enzymatic activities of cell-free extracts of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus indicates that maltose, turanose and trehalose are hydrolyzed but with maltose being broken down four times as fast as any other disaccharide tested. 2. 2. M. hirudinaceus cell-free extracts readily hydrolyze dextrin but not: (1) the polysaccharide, inulin (2) the trisaccharides, raffinose and melizitose (3) disaccharides, sucrose, lactose and melibiose (4) methyl substituted aldohexoses, α- D -methyl glucopyranoside and α- D -methyl mannoside. 3. 3. One isozyme of maltase was observed using para-nitrophenyl-α- D glucopyranoside in starch gel electrophoresis. 4. 4. The pH optimum for maltase was 4·5 using 0·2 M Tris malate buffer, but with 0·2 M acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer, the pH optimum was 5·0. The optimum temperature in either case was 50°C. 5. 5. Trehalase had a pH optimum of 5·8 and an optimum temperature of 45°C using 0·2 M phosphate buffer.
Stiffness Comparison of Coracoclavicular Ligament and Anatomic Reconstruction Complexes: Overall and Individual Complex Components

The stiffness of the coracoclavicular ligaments and their surgical replacments have previously been reported; however, the mechanism of failure and procedures for repair include both the clavicle and coracoid process which have not been investigated. Therfore, this study utilized a physiolgogic mechanism of injury to compare the stiffness of the coracoclavicluar ligament and anatomic reconstruction complexes, both overall and individual complex components. After dislocation of the coracoclavicular ligament complex, a 40% decrease of the clavicle stiffness was observed along with a more comparable stiffness of the reconstruction tendon graft to the intact coracoclavicular ligaments compared to current repair materials. These findings suggest all components of the coracoclavicluar complex following dislocation should be considered in selection of rehablilation protocols or surgical procedures.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Activities of Nitrogen-Mineralization Enzymes Associated with Soil Aggregate Size Fractions of Three Tillage Systems

Nitrogen mineralization occurring near the soil surface of agroecosystems determines the quantity of plant-available N, and soil enzymes produced by microorganisms play signifi cant roles in the N mineralization process. Tillage systems may infl uence soil microbial communities and N mineralization enzymes through alterations in total soil C and N. Soil aggregates of different sizes provide diverse microhabitats for microorganisms and therefore infl uence soil enzyme activities. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that activities of N mineralization enzymes increase with aggregate size and in no-till compared with tilled systems. Potential activities of N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG), arylamidase, l-glutaminase, and l-asparaginase were measured in fi ve aggregate size fractions (<0.25, 0.25–0.5, 0.5–1, 1–2, and 2–4 mm) obtained from soils of three long-term (22-yr) tillage systems (no-till, chisel plow, and moldboard plow). All enzyme activities were signifi cantly (P < 0.05) greater in notill than in tilled systems and positively correlated (P < 0.005) with potential N mineralization. Potential activities of NAG, l-glutaminase, and arylamidase were signifi cantly greater (P < 0.05) in the intermediate (0.5–1-mm) aggregate size than in other size fractions. All enzyme activities were positively correlated with total soil C (P < 0.0001), N (P < 0.05), and microbial biomass C (P < 0.05). Aggregate size had signifi cant effects on NAG, arylamidase, and l-glutaminase activities but the magnitudes were small. Fungal biomarkers (18:2ω6c and 16:1ω5c) determined by the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method were signifi cantly greater in the no-till than in tilled systems and positively correlated with all enzyme activities. This suggests that no-till management enhances activities of N mineralization enzymes by enhancing the proportion of fungal organisms in the soil microbial community.
Nicotine-induced release of catecholamines from rat hippocampus and striatum

Abstract The present report is a comparative study of [ 3 H]catecholamine release from noradrenergic and dopaminergic neuron terminals of the central nervous system, induced by nicotine and potassium depolarization. Striatal and hippocampal slices of rat brain that had incorporated [ 3 H]catecholamines in previous incubations with the radioamines were superfused and stimulated by nicotine and high potassium. Nicotine produced a marked [ 3 H]catecholamine release from these two brain areas, this effect being much greater in the striatum. The time course of radioactive efflux released by nicotine was different from that induced by high potassium and similar to that evoked by tyramine. Nicotine induced released was dose dependent, inhibited by low temperature, independent of extracellular calcium and not inhibited by an excess of magnesium. Studies with newly synthesized [ 3 H]dopamine and [ 14 C]urea suggested that nicotine acted on the storage vesicles. [ 3 H]catecholamine release was continuous during prolonged nicotine stimulation, in contrast to the transient efflux induced by prolonged stimulation by potassium, and additive when the slices were superfused simultaneously with nicotine plus potassium. Previous nicotine superfusion did not modify the typical potassium release, and the response to nicotine was also not altered when the slices were exposed previously to high potassium. Based on these results, the mechanism of nicotine release of catecholamines from central catecholaminergic neuron terminals is discussed.
Histone Acetyl Transferase (HAT) HBO1 and JADE1 in Epithelial Cell Regeneration

HBO1 acetylates lysine residues of histones and is involved in DNA replication and gene transcription. Two isoforms of JADE1, JADE1S and JADE1L, bind HBO1 and promote acetylation of histones in chromatin context. We characterized the role of JADE1-HBO1 complexes in vitro and in vivo during epithelial cell replication. Down-regulation of JADE1 by siRNA diminished the rate of DNA synthesis in cultured cells, decreased endogenous HBO1 protein expression, and prevented chromatin recruitment of replication factor Mcm7, demonstrating that JADE1 is required for cell proliferation. We used a murine model of acute kidney injury to examine expression of HBO1-JADE1S/L in injured and regenerating epithelial tissue. In control kidneys, JADE1S, JADE1L, and HBO1 were expressed in nuclei of proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells. Ischemia and reperfusion injury resulted in an initial decrease in JADE1S, JADE1L, and HBO1 protein levels, which returned to baseline during renal recovery. HBO1 and JADE1S recovered as cell proliferation reached its maximum, whereas JADE1L recovered after bulk proliferation had ceased. The temporal expression of JADE1S correlated with the acetylation of histone H4 on lysines 5 and 12, but not with acetylation of histone H3 on lysine 14, demonstrating that the JADE1S-HBO1 complex specifically marks H4 during epithelial cell proliferation. These data implicate JADE1-HBO1 complex in acute kidney injury and suggest distinct roles for JADE1 isoforms during epithelial cell recovery.
Indirect Upstream Effects Of Dams: Consequences Of Migratory Consumer Extirpation In Puerto Rico

Large dams degrade the integrity of a wide variety of ecosystems, yet direct downstream effects of dams have received the most attention from ecosystem managers and researchers. We investigated indirect upstream effects of dams resulting from deci- mation of migratory freshwater shrimp and fish populations in Puerto Rico, USA, in both high- and low-gradient streams. In high-gradient streams above large dams, native shrimps and fishes were extremely rare, whereas similar sites without large dams had high abun- dances of native consumers. Losses of native fauna above dams dramatically altered their basal food resources and assemblages of invertebrate competitors and prey. Compared to pools in high-gradient streams with no large dams, pool epilithon above dams had nine times more algal biomass, 20 times more fine benthic organic matter (FBOM), 65 times more fine benthic inorganic matter (FBIM), 28 times more carbon, 19 times more nitrogen, and four times more non-decapod invertebrate biomass. High-gradient riffles upstream from large dams had five times more FBIM than did undammed riffles but showed no difference in algal abundance, FBOM, or non-decapod invertebrate biomass. For epilithon of low- gradient streams, differences in basal resources between pools above large dams vs. without large dams were considerably smaller in magnitude than those observed for pools in high- gradient sites. These results match previous stream experiments in which the strength of native shrimp and fish effects increased with stream gradient. Our results demonstrate that dams can indirectly affect upstream free-flowing reaches by eliminating strong top-down effects of consumers. Migratory omnivorous shrimps and fishes occur throughout the trop- ics, and the consequences of their declines upstream from many tropical dams are likely to be similar to those in Puerto Rico. Thus, ecological effects of migratory fauna loss upstream from dams encompass a wider variety of species interactions and biomes than the bottom-up effects (i.e., elimination of salmonid nutrient subsidies) recognized for north- ern temperate systems.
Atomistic Simulations of Effect of Coulombic Interactions on Carrier Fluctuations in Doped Silicon

Carrier distributions associated with point charges in silicon solved with quantum perturbation theory are used to determine Coulombic interactions between charged defects in the presence of carrier screening. The resulting interactions are used in kinetic lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) simulations of point defect-mediated diffusion to study dopant redistribution and associated variations in carrier concentration. Over a broad range of doping concentrations and temperatures, Coulombic repulsion between like dopants leads to ordering, resulting in a more uniform electrical potential distribution and therefore reduced variations in device performance compared with random doping, the standard condition assumed in previous doping fluctuation analyses.
THE USE OF SILVER NITRATE AS A VITAL STAIN, AND ITS DISTRIBUTION IN SEVERAL MAMMALIAN TISSUES AS STUDIED WITH THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

After chronic administration of a dilute solution of silver nitrate in drinking water to rats, mice, and guinea pigs, granular deposits of metallic silver were detected in electron micrographs of the kidney, liver, thyroid, and pancreas. The silver deposits were in the form of extremely dense, angular particles with sharp outlines. They varied from aggregates a few microns in diameter down to granules at the limit of resolution of the electron microscope. The principal sites of deposition were (1) basement membranes, especially those of the renal glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules, and various glands, and those associated with vascular endothelium, and (2) the cytoplasm of fixed and free macrophages. Both in Kupffer cells lining hepatic sinusoids and in the wandering macrophages of other tissues, the silver was segregated in discrete vacuoles. In addition, granular deposits were observed in occasional vesicular structures in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney, the hepatic cells, and the pancreatic acinar cell. These structures, in favorable preparations, contained an outer double layered membrane and internal folds similar to those of mitochondria, from which they appear to have been derived. The significance of these findings in heavy metal poisoning and in cellular physiology is briefly discussed.
Differentiation of human trophoblast cells in vitro is inhibited by dimethylsulfoxide

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) exerts a number of biological effects, the most frequently cited being induction of cell differentiation. The compound also increases invasiveness and metastatic potential. In contrast to the many reports of DMSO-induced cell differentiation, we report here that DMSO inhibits the morphological differentiation of human cytotrophoblast cells to syncytiotrophoblast, as revealed by immunofluorescence staining for desmosomal protein and nuclei. Cytotrophoblast cells treated with DMSO under differentiation-inducing conditions remained mononucleated with intense desmosomals staining. The effect was dose dependent, with a maximal effect seen at 1.5% DMSO. Concentrations of 2% were cytotoxic. In addition to these morphological changes, DMSO inhibited secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 1.5%, DMSO inhibited secretion by 70%. If cytotrophoblast cells were cultured in the presence of DMSO and then switched to DMSO-free medium, they proceeded to differentiate normally. While the precise mechanism of action remains unknown, judicious use of DMSO may be a useful tool for studying and manipulating the differentiation of human trophoblast cells in vitro. The findings also indicate that care should be used in interpreting results obtained using DMSO as a carrier in drug and inhibitor studies.
Genetic algorithm to maximize a lower-bound for system time-to-failure with uncertain component Weibull parameters

A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to solve the redundancy allocation problem when the objective is to maximize a lower percentile of the system time-to-failure distribution and the available components have random Weibull scale parameters. The GA searches the prospective solution space using an adaptive penalty to consider both feasible and infeasible solutions until converging to a feasible recommended system design. The objective function is intractable and a bi-section search is required as a function evaluator. Previously, this problem has most often been formulated to maximize system reliability instead of a lower-bound on system time-to-failure. Most system designers and users are risk-averse, and maximization of a lower percentile of the system time-to-failure distribution is a more conservative strategy (i.e. less risky) compared to maximization of the mean or median of the time-to-failure distribution. The only previous research to consider a lower percentile of system time-to-failure, also required that all component Weibull parameters are known. Those findings have been extended to address problems where the Weibull shape parameter is known, or can be accurately estimated, but the scale parameter is a random variable. Results from over 90 examples indicate that the preferred system design is sensitive to the user's perceived risk.
Autologous and allogeneic stimulation of peripheral human leukocytes

Abstract Lymphoid cell lines have been established from four normal donors. When irradiated cells from these lines were mixed with either allogeneic or autologous peripheral leukocytes, marked increases in thymidine incorporation by the peripheral leukocytes were noted. This marked stimulatory capacity was not the result of the presence of soluble mitogens.
Rate and mechanism of thermal decomposition of 4-methyl-l-pentyne in a single-pulse shock tube

Dilute mixtures of 4-methyl-l-pentyne have been pyrolyzed in a single-pulse shock tube. The decomposition process involves bond breaking: as well as a molecular reaction: The rate parameters are: The heat of formation of propynyl radical is thus ΔHf300 = 338 kJ mol−1 (80.7 kcal mol−1)˙ This leads to a propynyl resonance energy of 40 kJ mol−1 (9.6 kcal mol−1).
RECENT RESULTS ON SEMIMUONIC DECAYS OF CHARM MESONS FROM FERMILAB EXPERIMENT E653

Fermilab experiment E653 has recently reported several results on the semimuonic decays of charm mesons. In this paper we review these results, which include the measurement of form factor ratios in , the first measurement of form factor ratios in , the first observations of , and of the Cabibbo disfavored channel D+ → ρ0μ+ν, and an upper limit for rare D0 decays.
Antigen levels and antibody titers after DNA vaccination

DNA vaccination generates strong cellular and humoral immunity in animal models. The mechanisms by which plasmid DNA uptake and expression after intramuscular injection lead to immune responses are not well understood. In particular, the importance of antigen expression levels on subsequent antibody immune responses has not been established. We found that a chemiluminescent assay for alkaline phosphatase allows measurement of antigen levels of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in vivo after intramuscular injection of a wide range of plasmid doses. The mice produced antibodies to the alkaline phosphatase reporter gene and both antigen levels and antibody titers were measured over time. We found that the correlation between initial antigen level and antibody response was high (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and remained high even after accounting for the dose of plasmid injected (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). The correlation between DNA dose and antibody titer was statistically significant (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) but was reduced to almost zero after we accounted for initial antigen levels.
Evidence for selection on a CONSTANS-like gene between two red oak species.

† Background and Aims Hybridizing species such as oaks may provide a model to study the role of selection in speciation with gene flow. Discrete species’ identities and different adaptations are maintained among closely related oak species despite recurrent gene flow. This is probably due to ecologically mediated selection at a few key genes or genomic regions. Neutrality tests can be applied to identify so-called outlier loci, which demonstrate locus-specific signatures of divergent selection and are candidate genes for further study. † Methods Thirty-six genic microsatellite markers, some with putative functions in flowering time and drought tolerance, and eight non-genic microsatellite markers were screened in two population pairs (n ¼ 160) of the interfertile species Quercus rubra and Q. ellipsoidalis, which are characterized by contrasting adaptations to drought. Putative outliers were then tested in additional population pairs from two different geographic regions (n ¼ 159) to support further their potential role in adaptive divergence. † Key Results A marker located in the coding sequence of a putative CONSTANS-like (COL) gene was repeatedly identified as under strong divergent selection across all three geographically disjunct population pairs. COL genes are involved in the photoperiodic control of growth and development and are implicated in the regulation of flowering time. † Conclusions The location of the polymorphism in the Quercus COL gene and given the potential role of COL genes in adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation makes this a promising candidate speciation gene. Further investigation of the phenological characteristics of both species and flowering time pathway genes is suggested in order to elucidate the importance of phenology genes for the maintenance of species integrity. Next-generation sequencing in multiple population pairs in combination with high-density genetic linkage maps could reveal the genome-wide distribution of outlier genes and their potential role in reproductive isolation between these species.
The Kinetics of Intramolecular Reactions from Relaxation Time Measurements

Analysis of spin-lattice relaxation (T1) provides alternatives to the standard line shape procedures for the investigation of intramolecular reactions; furthermore it expands the NMR range at both the high and the low energy barrier limits. Dipole-dipole- and quadrupole-relaxation times are sensitive to very rapid processes such as methyl rotation. Analysis of relaxation in the rotating frame(T1ρ) provides kinetics for many sorts of processes, particularly those in the dynamic range that is too rapid for line shape methods. Saturation transfer and the coalescence of relaxation times at high temperatures can be used to measure high energy barriers. The scope and limitations of these methods are described.
Synergistic Combination of Chitosan Acetate with Nanoparticle Silver as a Topical Antimicrobial: Efficacy against Bacterial Burn Infections

Chitosan and nanoparticle silver are both materials with demonstrated antimicrobial properties and have been proposed singly or in combination as constituents of antimicrobial burn dressings. Here, we show that they combine synergistically to inhibit the in vitro growth of Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Acinetobacter baumannii), as judged by bioluminescence monitoring and isobolographic analysis, and also produce synergistic killing after 30 min of incubation, as measured by a CFU assay. The hypothesized explanation involves chitosan-mediated permeabilization of bacterial cells, allowing better penetration of silver ions into the cell. A dressing composed of freeze-dried chitosan acetate incorporating nanoparticle silver was compared with a dressing of chitosan acetate alone in an in vivo burn model infected with bioluminescent P. aeruginosa. The survival rates of mice treated with silver-chitosan or regular chitosan or left untreated were 64.3% (P = 0.0082 versus regular chitosan and P = 0.0003 versus the control), 21.4%, and 0%, respectively. Most of the fatalities occurred between 2 and 5 days postinfection. Silver-chitosan dressings effectively controlled the development of systemic sepsis, as shown by blood culture. These data suggest that a dressing combining chitosan acetate with silver leads to improved antimicrobial efficacy against fatal burn infections.
Analysis of blended rolled edge reflectors using numerical UTD

The uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD) concept is used to predict the scattered fields in the target zones of compact-range reflectors. Since the necessary diffraction coefficients are not known in a closed form, a numerical method to calculate the diffraction coefficients is described. In the numerical method, the problem is reduced to two dimensions, and physical optics line integration is used to compute the diffraction coefficients. Thus, the method is computationally efficient. The method is used to analyze two compact-range reflectors. The results obtained using the numerical UTD show good agreement with the scattered fields obtained using a corrected physical optics surface integration. >
Integrin signalling at a glance

Integrins are a major family of cell-surface-adhesion receptors that are expressed in all metazoans. They are heterodimers of noncovalently associated α and β subunits, each of which is a single-pass type I transmembrane protein ([Humphries et al., 2006][1]; [Hynes, 2002][2]). The specific binding
Bosentan for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

OBJECTIVE:To describe the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of bosentan in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE and Current Contents search (1966–June 2002) of the English-language literature was conducted to identify published dose-ranging, pharmacokinetic, pivotal efficacy trials and review articles of bosentan and endothelin antagonists. Additional references were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles.DATA SYNTHESIS:Bosentan is the first orally active, nonpeptide endothelin receptor antagonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III and IV PAH. Titrated to a dose of 125 mg twice daily, bosentan produces pulmonary vasodilation, improving cardiopulmonary hemodynamics leading to better outcomes for patients. It is metabolized primarily by the hepatic system via the cytochrome P450 enzyme pathway and eliminated by biliary excretion. Bosentan i...
Local and Effective Elastic Properties of Grain Boundaries in Silicon

When considering the mechanical behaviour of materials an important property is the tensor of elastic moduli. Recently, local elastic moduli of interfaces have been defined and studied for metallic materials [1 to 3]. In these works grain boundaries are regarded as heterogeneous continua composed of ‘phases’ associated with individual atoms which possess elastic moduli identified with the atomic-level moduli evaluated at corresponding atomic positions. From this representation it is possible to define the ‘effective’ moduli of the grain boundary region. In this paper this concept is developed for materials with covalent character of bonding, specifically silicon. Using the Tersoff's potential [4, 5], the atomic-level and effective elastic moduli of the interfacial region have been evaluated for three alternate structures of the Σ = 3 (112-)/[11-0] tilt boundary. These calculations are then compared with the continuum bounds on the effective moduli evaluated using the classical minimum-energy principles of elasticity. The effective moduli calculated in the atomistic framework are generally within the continuum bounds and thus the present study demonstrates that the heterogeneous continuum model of the interfaces is appropriate for the description of the elastic properties of grain boundaries in silicon. An important aspect addressed in this study is the uniqueness of interfacial elastic moduli since their evaluation involves the energy associated with an atom which cannot be defined uniquely. The calculations have been made for two different partitions of the total energy into energies associated with individual atoms. These two partitions lead to almost identical results for the effective moduli and continuum bounds when the tensor of the atomic-level moduli is positive definite. When some atomic-level moduli are not positive definite the results may depend on the chosen energy partition.
Transformation of relational model to RDF model

The vision of the semantic Web is to give data on the Web a well-defined meaning by representing it in RDF and linking it to commonly accepted ontologies. Today, most data are stored in relational databases. To be able to use these data on the semantic Web we need a flexible but easy to use mechanism to convert relational data to RDF data. In this paper, we present an approach on transformation of relational model to RDF model. It goes through two steps including extracting the semantics of relational model and mapping to RDF model. Finally, we consider the quality of transformation and give the implementation results.
Final Version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System for Cutaneous Melanoma

PURPOSE: To revise the staging system for cutaneous melanoma under the auspices of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prognostic factors analysis described in the companion publication (this issue), as well as evidence from the published literature, was used to assemble the tumor-node-metastasis criteria and stage grouping for the melanoma staging system. RESULTS: Major changes include (1) melanoma thickness and ulceration but not level of invasion to be used in the T category (except for T1 melanomas); (2) the number of metastatic lymph nodes rather than their gross dimensions and the delineation of clinically occult (ie, microscopic) versus clinically apparent (ie, macroscopic) nodal metastases to be used in the N category; (3) the site of distant metastases and the presence of elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase to be used in the M category; (4) an upstaging of all patients with stage I, II, and III disease when a primary melanoma is ulcerated; (5) a merging of sa...
Extracellular Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Induces T Cell Apoptosis In Vivo and In Vitro

Incubation of mouse T cells expressing the cell surface enzyme ADP ribosyltransferase with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) had been reported to cause ADP ribosylation of cell surface molecules, inhibition of transmembrane signaling, and suppression of immune responses. In this study, we analyze the reasons for these effects and report that contact of T cells with NAD causes cell death. Naive T cells when incubated with NAD and adoptively transferred into semiallogeneic mice fail to cause graft-vs-host disease, and when injected into syngeneic, T cell-deficient recipients do not reconstitute these mice. Rather, they accumulate in the liver, leading to an increase of apoptotic lymphocytes in this organ. Similar effects are induced by injection of NAD, shown to cause a dramatic increase of apoptotic CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD8 + cells in the liver. Consistent with this, in vitro incubation of naive T cells with NAD is shown to induce apoptosis. In contrast, no cell death is demonstrable when T cells are activated before incubation with NAD. It is concluded that ecto-NAD, as substrate of ADP ribosyltransferase, acts on naive, but not on activated CD69 + T cells.
Teacher vs. Learner Responsibility in Management Education

A literature review suggested that behavioral changes occur more rapidly when the learner assumed responsibility. Natural learning, an approach to help learners assume responsibility, was compared with the traditional strategy in seven field experiments. It produced more than twice as many long-term behavioral changes. It was superior also for attitude change, but not for gains in knowledge. This paper describes two strategies for management education: The "traditional" strategy, which places responsibility for learning upon the teacher, and "natural learning," which places responsibility upon the learner. Empirical literature was reviewed to compare these strategies. Further comparisons were made in seven field experiments.