cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse Outcome Pathway on binding to the picrotoxin site of ionotropic GABA receptors leading to epileptic seizures in adult brain

This AOP begins with the interaction of chemicals to the picrotoxin binding site of the ionotropic GABA receptor complex causing blockage of the ion channel. As a result, decrease in inward chloride conductance occurs, followed by a reduction in postsynaptic inhibition, reflected as reduced frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current or abolishment of GABA-induced firing action. Consequently, the resistance of excitatory neurons to fire is decreased, resulting in the generation of a large excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) that causes voltage-gated Na+ to open, which results in action potentials. The depolarisation is followed by a period of hyper-polarisation mediated by Ca2+-dependent K+ channels or GABA-activated Cl− influx, which becomes smaller, gradually disappears, and is replaced by a depolarisation known as “paroxysmal depolarizing shift” (PDS). A PDS is an indication of epilepsy at the cellular level and initiates the adverse outcome at the organismal level of epileptic seizure.
The Role of the Japanese General Trading Companies (Sogo Shosha) in Globalization of Business

The general trading companies of Japan, the sogo shosha, have greatly contributed to the globalization of business through their extensive range of international business activities. They have developed the standards, played a significant role in world trade, and led, stimulated, and set the stage for further growth of international business. The major factor underlying their success seems to be their ability to successfully modify their strategies to meet the challenges of changing conditions around the world. This paper is an examination of the changing strategies of the sogo shosha and the significant role they play in international business.
Feasibility Study of InAlN/GaN HEMT for sub-6 GHz Band Applications

This paper describes the high breakdown voltage InAlN HEMT development and the possibility of InAlN HEMT to lower frequency range, including 5G sub-6 GHz band applications. The developed InAlN barrier HEMT with GaN cap layer was successfully suppressed the gate leakage current of 1 x 10-4A/mm at the gate to drain bias of -100 V. The load-pull measurement clarified the superior efficiency of the developed InAlN HEMT by 3 points, which is attributed to the sharper knee profile by utilizing higher sheet electron density of InAlN/GaN interface.
Ketamine as adjunct to midazolam treatment following soman-induced status epilepticus reduces seizure severity, epileptogenesis, and brain pathology in plasma carboxylesterase knockout mice.

Abstract Delayed treatment of cholinergic seizure results in benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus (SE) that is thought, at least in part, to result from maladaptive trafficking of N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors, the effects of which may be ameliorated by combination therapy with the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine. Our objective was to establish whether ketamine and midazolam dual therapy would improve outcome over midazolam monotherapy following soman (GD) exposure when evaluated in a mouse model that, similar to humans, lacks plasma carboxylesterase, greatly reducing endogenous scavenging of GD. In the current study, continuous cortical electroencephalographic activity was evaluated in male and female plasma carboxylesterase knockout mice exposed to a seizure-inducing dose of GD and treated with midazolam or with midazolam and ketamine combination at 40 min after seizure onset. Ketamine and midazolam combination reduced GD-induced lethality, seizure severity, and the number of mice that developed spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) compared with midazolam monotherapy. In addition, ketamine–midazolam combination treatment reduced GD-induced neuronal degeneration and microgliosis. These results support that combination of antiepileptic drug therapies aimed at correcting the maladaptive GABAA and NMDA receptor trafficking reduces the detrimental effects of GD exposure. Ketamine may be a beneficial adjunct to midazolam in reducing the epileptogenesis and neuroanatomical damage that follows nerve agent exposure and pharmacoresistant SE.
Crystal structures of two heterotrimetallic dysprosium-manganese-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 complexes with the bridging ligands 3-hy-droxy-benzoate and 4-hy-droxy-benzoate.

The syntheses and crystal structures for the compounds tetra-μ-aqua-­tetra­kis­{2-[aza­nid­yl­ene(oxido)meth­yl]phenolato}tetra­kis­(μ2-3-hy­droxy­benzoato)dys­pro­s­ium(III)­tetra­manganese(III)sodium(I) N,N-di­methyl­acetamide deca­solvate, [DyMn4Na(C7H5O3)4(C7H4NO2)4(H2O)4]·10C4H9NO or [DyIIINa(4-OHben)4{12-MCMn(III)N(shi)-4}(H2O)4]·10DMA, 1, and tetra-μ-aqua-­tetra­kis­{2-[aza­nid­yl­ene(oxido)meth­yl]phenolato}tetra­kis­(μ2-3-hy­droxy­benzoato)dys­pros­ium(III)tetra­manganese(III)sodium(I) N,N-di­methylformamide tetra­solvate, [DyMn4Na(C7H5O3)4(C7H4NO2)4(H2O)4]·4C3H7NO or [DyIIINa(3-OHben)4{12-MCMn(III)N(shi)-4}(H2O)4]·4DMF, 2, and where MC is metallacrown, shi3− is salicyl­hydroximate, 3-OHben is 3-hy­droxy­benzoate, DMA is N,N-di­methyl­acetamide, 4-OHben is 4-hy­droxy­benzoate, and DMF is N,N-di­methyl­formamide, are reported. For both 1 and 2, the macrocyclic metallacrown consists of an [MnIII—N—O] ring repeat unit, and the domed metallacrown captures two ions in the central cavity: a DyIII ion on the convex side of the metallacrown and an Na+ ion the concave side. The MnIII ions are six-coordinate with an elongated tetra­gonally distorted octa­hedral geometry. Both the DyIII and Na+ ions are eight-coordinate. The DyIII ions possess a square-anti­prismatic geometry, while the Na+ ions have a distorted biaugmented trigonal–prismatic geometry. Four 3-hy­droxy­benzoate or 4-hy­droxy­benzoate ligands bridge each MnIII ion to the central DyIII ion. For 1, whole-mol­ecule disorder is observed for the main mol­ecule, excluding only the DyIII and Na+ ions, and the occupancy ratio refined to 0.8018 (14):0.1982 (14). Three DMA mol­ecules were refined as disordered with two in general positions by an approximate 180° rotation and the third disordered twice by general disorder as well as by an exact 180° rotation about a twofold axis that bis­ects it. The occupancy ratios refined to 0.496 (8):0.504 (8), 0.608 (9):0.392 (9), and 2×0.275 (7):2×0.225 (7), respectively. For 2, segments of the metallacrown are disordered including the DyIII ion, one of the Mn ions, two of the Mn-bound 4-hy­droxy­benzoate ligands, the Mn-bridging salicyl­hydroximate ligand, and portions of the remaining three shi3− ligands. The occupancy ratio for the metallacrown disorder refined to 0.849 (9):0.151 (9). Two DMF solvent mol­ecules are also disordered, each over two orientations. The disorder ratios refined to 0.64 (3):0.36 (3) and to 0.51 (2):0.49 (2), respectively. For 2, the crystal under investigation was refined as a non-merohedric twin by a 90° rotation around the real a axis [twin ratio 0.9182 (8):0.0818 (8)].
Multiculturalism, Afro-Descendant Activism, and Ethnoracial Law and Policy in Latin America

This essay reviews the following works: Seams of Empire: Race and Radicalism in Puerto Rico and the United States. By Carlos Alamo-Pastrana. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2016. Pp. xvi + 213. $79.95 hardcover. ISBN: 9780813062563. Civil Rights and Beyond: African American and Latino/a Activism in the Twentieth-Century United States. Edited by Brian D. Behnken. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2016. Pp. 270. $27.95 paperback. ISBN: 9780820349176. Afro-Politics and Civil Society in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. By Kwame Dixon. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2016. Pp. xiii + 174. $74.95 hardcover. ISBN: 9780813062617. Black Autonomy: Race, Gender, and Afro-Nicaraguan Activism. By Jennifer Goett. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2017. Pp. ix + 222. $26.00 paperback. ISBN: 9781503600546. The Politics of Blackness: Racial Identity and Political Behavior in Contemporary Brazil. By Gladys L. Mitchell-Walthour. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018. Pp. xvi + 266. $34.99 paperback. ISBN: 9781316637043. The Geographies of Social Movements: Afro-Colombian Mobilization and the Aquatic Space. By Ulrich Oslender. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2016. Pp. xiii + 290. $25.95 paperback. ISBN: 9780822361220. Becoming Black Political Subjects: Movements and Ethno-Racial Rights in Colombia and Brazil. By Tianna S. Paschel. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016. Pp. ix + 311. $26.95 paperback. ISBN: 9780691169385.
Factors Associated With Effective Inhaler Technique Among Children With Moderate to Severe Asthma

A Volerman, J Fierstein, K Boon. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2019;123(5):507–525.e1 To determine which individual and health care factors were associated with effective inhaler technique among urban children with persistent asthma. The study included 130 parent-child dyads, age 4–17 years, with persistent asthma on inhaled corticosteroids daily for at least a year and had received oral corticosteroids within the preceding year. They were recruited from five pediatric clinic sites (3 general, 1 allergy, and 1 pulmonary) in Chicago, Illinois. Inhaler …
Internalizing symptoms, intersectional discrimination, and social support among Asian-Pacific Islander sexual and gender minority adults.

OBJECTIVE This study examined associations of discrimination, social support, and their interaction, with internalizing symptoms among Asian-Pacific Islander (API) sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults in the U.S. METHOD Analyses included data from 544 participants who completed an online survey, including measures of three internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression, and somatization), five forms of discrimination (racism, heterosexism/cisgenderism, and three forms of intersectional discrimination), and two types of social support (acceptance for sexual/gender identity, general social support). RESULTS All forms of discrimination were positively associated with all internalizing symptoms, with the strongest associations with somatization symptoms; further, acceptance for sexual/gender identity was negatively associated with all internalizing symptoms. Overall social support did not buffer associations of discrimination with internalizing symptoms. Positive associations between discrimination and symptoms were generally stronger at higher social support levels, and social support had weaker negative associations with internalizing symptoms at higher discrimination levels. CONCLUSION Findings suggest the importance of increasing sexual/gender identity-specific social support, attending to somatization symptoms as an important manifestation of discrimination and reducing societal discrimination to address mental health needs of API SGM adults in the U.S. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Mechanism and Kinetics of Fentanyl Dissociation from the mu-Opioid Receptor

Abstract Fentanyl is a main driver of the current opioid crisis. As a powerful narcotic, fentanyl initiates biological response through binding to the μ-opioid receptor (mOR); however, the molecular details remain unknown. Here we study the mechanism and predict the kinetics of fentanyl-mOR dissociation by applying an advanced molecular dynamics (MD) technique based on the X-ray structure of the morphinan bound mOR. 144 metadynamics trajectories were performed while accounting for the protonation state of the conserved H2976.52, which has been suggested to modulate ligand-mOR affinity and binding mode. Surprisingly, in some trajectories fentanyl samples a deep pocket 5–10 A below the level of the conserved D1473.32 before escaping mOR, yielding the calculated residence times of 27 s, 6 s, and 0.6 s, in the presence of the ND-, NE-, and doubly protonated H2976.52, respectively. The former value is within one order of magnitude from the recently measured residence time of ~4 min, suggesting the biological relevance of fentanyl’s deep insertion, which is enabled through hydrogen bonding with H2976.52 as well as hydrophobic interactions with transmembrane helix 6. These data support the hypothesis that the molecular mechanism of fentanyl may be distinct from morphinan compounds. Our developed protocol may be used to predict the dissociation rates of other opioids, thereby assisting the evaluation of strategies for drug overdose reversal. Finally, the profound role of the histidine protonation state discovered in this work may shift the paradigm in computational studies of ligand-receptor kinetics.
Tunable chitosan-calcium phosphate composites as cell-instructive dental pulp capping agents.

Dental cavities are the most prevalent, preventable disease worldwide providing a need for robust treatment options to restore both the form and function of decaying teeth. Here is a presentation o...
Reconciling slow linear growth and equivocal competitive ability with rapid spread of peyssonnelid algae in the Caribbean

Within the past decade, a functional group of encrusting red macroalgae defined as peyssonnelid algal crusts (PAC) has been rapidly spreading on shallow Caribbean reefs, frequently encrusting corals and sponges. This study focused on PAC growing on the reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, to (1) expand the monitoring of PAC abundance in this location, and (2) test two mechanisms, rapid linear growth and competitive dominance, by which PAC is hypothesized to enhance its capacity to spread. In August 2019, we found that the percentage coverage of PAC reached 46.6% at Tektite (3 m depth), and 63.8% at Cabritte Horn (3 m depth). Overall, the cover of PAC at these sites in 2019 was identical to, or up to 2.4-fold higher than in August 2017, and 2.1–3.7-fold higher than in November 2017, just after two category 5 storms impacted St. John. PAC was 1.8–29.1-fold more abundant at 3 m versus 9 m depth, and 1.4–22.0-fold more abundant at sites close to the tips of headlands than sites sheltered within bays. From August 2019 to January 2020, the rate of linear extension of PAC at each site and depth ranged from 26 to 43 µm d − 1, and of 80 PAC-coral interactions that were tagged in August 2019, none involved corals that had become completely overgrown by PAC by January 2020. The slow linear growth and absence of cases in which PAC completely overgrew coral colonies in 6 months are inconsistent with the high rate at which PAC has occupied space on Caribbean reefs over the past decade. One means to reconcile these observations is the possibility that recruitment of peyssonnelid spores to benthic surfaces facilitates the rapid spread of PAC.
Early Acquisition of Plural Morphology in a Classifier Language: Data from Korean 2-4 Year Olds

Korean is a classifier language in which bare nouns are not obligatorily number-marked. Children learning other classifier languages like Japanese and Mandarin are late in learning the plural morph...
Adiponectin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and tissue plasminogen activator antigen levels among glucose-intolerant women with and without histories of gestational diabetes.

Aim To examine concentrations of biomarkers (adiponectin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and tissue plasminogen-activator antigen) associated with glucose homeostasis and diabetes risk by history of gestational diabetes (GDM). Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the Diabetes Prevention Program, a randomized trial of lifestyle intervention or metformin for diabetes prevention. At baseline, participants were overweight and had impaired glucose tolerance. Biomarkers at baseline and 1 year after enrolment were compared between parous women with (n = 350) and without histories of GDM (n = 1466). Cox proportional hazard models evaluated whether history of GDM was associated with diabetes risk, after adjustment for baseline biomarker levels as well as for change in biomarker levels, demographic factors and anthropometrics. Results At baseline, women with histories of GDM had lower adiponectin (7.5 μg/ml vs. 8.7 μg/ml; p < 0.0001) and greater log C-reactive protein (-0.90 mg/l vs. -0.78 mg/l, p = 0.04) levels than women without histories of GDM, but these associations did not persist after adjustment for demographic factors. Fibrinogen and tissue plasminogen-activator antigen were similar between women with and without histories of GDM. Women with and without histories of GDM had a similar pattern of changes in biomarkers within randomization arm. Adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, baseline weight, change in weight, baseline biomarker level and change in biomarker level did not significantly alter the association between history of GDM, and diabetes risk. Conclusions Among women with impaired glucose tolerance, biomarkers in women with and without histories of GDM are similar and respond similarly to lifestyle changes and metformin. Adjustment for biomarker levels did not explain the higher risk of diabetes observed in women with histories of GDM.
Maintenance of an unfolded polypeptide by a cognate chaperone in bacterial type III secretion

Many bacterial pathogens use a type III protein secretion system to deliver virulence effector proteins directly into the host cell cytosol, where they modulate cellular processes1,2. A requirement for the effective translocation of several such effector proteins is the binding of specific cytosolic chaperones, which typically interact with discrete domains in the virulence factors3,4,5. We report here the crystal structure at 1.9 A resolution of the chaperone-binding domain of the Salmonella effector protein SptP with its cognate chaperone SicP. The structure reveals that this domain is maintained in an extended, unfolded conformation that is wound around three successive chaperone molecules. Short segments from two different SptP molecules are juxtaposed by the chaperones, where they dimerize across a hydrophobic interface. These results imply that the chaperones associated with the type III secretion system maintain their substrates in a secretion-competent state that is capable of engaging the secretion machinery to travel through the type III apparatus in an unfolded or partially folded manner.
Correction of electronic record for weighing bucket precipitation gauge measurements

[1] Electronic sensors generate valuable streams of forcing and validation data for hydrologic models but are often subject to noise which must be removed as part of model input and testing database development. We developed an automated precipitation correction program (APCP) for weighing bucket precipitation gauge records, which are subject to several types of mechanical and electronic noise and discontinuities, including gauge maintenance, missing data, wind vibration, and sensor drift. Corrected cumulative water year precipitation from APCP did not exhibit an error bias and matched measured water year total precipitation within 2.1% for 58 station years tested. Removal of low-amplitude periodic noise was especially important for developing accurate instantaneous precipitation records at subdaily time steps. Model flexibility for use with other data types is demonstrated through application to time domain reflectometry soil moisture content data, which are also frequently subject to substantial noise.
A fast multiplierless block transform for image and video compression

In this paper, we present a family of fast biorthogonal block transforms called binDCT that can be implemented using only shift and add operations. All transforms are based on a VLSI-friendly lattice structure which robustly enforces both linear phase and perfect reconstruction properties. The lattice coefficients are parameterized as a series of dyadic lifting steps, providing fast, efficient in-place computation of the transform coefficients as well as the ability to map integers to integers. The new 8/spl times/8 transforms approximate closely the popular 8/spl times/8 DCT, attaining coding gains from 8.77 to 8.82 dB, despite requiring a modest amount of computations: as low as 14 shifts and 31 additions per 8 input samples. Application of the novel transforms in both lossy and lossless image coding yields very competitive results compared to the performance of the original heating-point DCT.
Rapid Determination of Methyl Mercury in Fish and Shellfish: Method Development

The AOAC official first action method for methyl mercury in fish and shellfish was modified to provide more rapid determination. Methyl mercury is isolated from homogenized, acetone-washed tissue by addition of HCl and extraction by toluene of the methyl mercuric chloride produced. The extract is analyzed by electron capture gas chromatography (GC) on 5% DEGS-PS treated with mercuric chloride solution. The quantitation limit of the method is 0.25 micrograms Hg/g. Swordfish, shark, tuna, shrimp, clams, oysters, and NBS Research Material-50 (tuna) were analyzed for methyl mercury by the AOAC official first action method. All products also were analyzed by the modified method and the AOAC official method for total Hg. In addition, selected extracts obtained with the modified method were analyzed by GC with Hg-selective, microwave-induced helium plasma detection. There was no significant difference between the results for the various methods. Essentially all the Hg present (determined as total Hg) was in the organic form. Coefficients of variation from analyses by the modified method ranged from 1 to 7% for fish and shellfish containing methyl mercury at levels of 0.50-2.30 micrograms Hg/g. The overall average recovery was 100.5%.
Liquid Metal Heat Transfer

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on certain fundamental aspects of forced convection heat transfer in symmetrical ducts that are of special interest when the fluid is a liquid metal. Compared to the nonmetallic liquids, the combination of large thermal conductivity, small vapor pressure, and extensive temperature range over which they remain in the liquid phase make the liquid metals desirable for certain important technological applications. The most familiar of these applications is their use as coolants in nuclear reactors. The categories of liquid metal heat transfer research are provided in a tabulated form. Some of these categories include turbulent forced convection, convection with “small” Reynolds number, and condensation. The turbulent forced convection in symmetrical ducts is discussed in detail. One of the important consequences of the difference between liquid metals and nonmetallic fluids in turbulent flow is that the temperature distributions in the latter are relatively insensitive to local changes at the duct walls and thus to boundary conditions and to duct shape. This relative sensitivity is illustrated to boundary conditions by comparing computed fully developed heat transfer coefficients for a circular tube for uniform wall flux with those for uniform wall temperature.
Feline ureteral strictures: 10 cases (2007-2009).

Background: Feline ureteral obstructions have emerged as a common problem. Ureteral strictures rarely are reported as a cause and the predisposing factors and clinical course of this condition have not been described. Objectives: Evaluate cases of feline ureteral strictures and characterize historical features, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, surgical and endoscopic findings, histopathology, treatment modalities, and short- and long-term outcomes. Animals: Ten cats diagnosed with ureteral strictures based on compatible findings from at least 2 of the following: ultrasonography, ureteropyelography, surgical exploration, or histopathology. Methods: Retrospective study. Results: Median age, serum creatinine concentration, and size of the renal pelvis were 12 years, 3.7 mg/dL, and 11.75 mm, respectively. Six of 10 cats had hyperechoic periureteral tissue on ultrasound examination at the stricture site. Four cats had evidence of a circumcaval ureter at surgery. Eight cats had an intervention including ureteral stent placement (n = 6) and traditional surgery (n = 2). Seven of 8 cats had decreases in serum creatinine concentration and renal pelvic parameters preceding discharge and 6 had persistently improved results at their last examination. All patients survived to discharge. Median survival time was >294 days (range, 14 to >858 days) with 6/10 cats still alive. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Ureteral strictures may occur in cats secondary to ureteral surgery, inflammation, a circumcaval ureter, impacted ureterolithiasis, or for unknown causes. With appropriate and timely intervention, the prognosis for long-term survival is good. In addition to ureteral reimplantation or ureteronephrectomy, ureteral stenting or SC ureteral bypass may be considered as future therapeutic options.
A fractional coverage model for gas–surface interaction in reciprocating sliding contacts

A model of fractional coverage in reciprocating sliding contact is developed. The sliding velocity profiles, the contact pressure distribution, the lengths of the slider or wear-track, and the periods of dwell where the slider is held stationary at the turn around locations are all variables. The model is evaluated for the condition of a constant fully reversing sliding speed with a uniform contact pressure and dwell. Plots are presented for surface area fractional coverage as a function of position illustrating the effects of individually varying vapor pressure, velocity, load, and dwell. The prediction of a steady state friction coefficient dependence on position is discussed, as well as the locations of maximum and minimum friction coefficient. The model predicts coverage to be enhanced by decreasing loads, decreasing sliding speeds, increasing gas pressures, and increasing periods of dwell.
Two types of prediction in Newtonian and quantum mechanics

Abstract Laplacian prediction in Newtonian mechanics, which requires the simultaneous measurement of 6N quantities for N particles, fails in quantum mechanics. We analyze single measurement prediction, which uses measurement of one present quantity to predict any one measurement at a prescribed future time, and which works in Newtonian and quantum mechanics.
Keratin 6a marks mammary bipotential progenitor cells that can give rise to a unique tumor model resembling human normal-like breast cancer

Progenitor cells are considered an important cell of origin of human malignancies. However, there has not been any single gene that can define mammary bipotential progenitor cells, and as such it has not been possible to use genetic methods to introduce oncogenic alterations into these cells in vivo to study tumorigenesis from them. Keratin 6a is expressed in a subset of mammary luminal epithelial cells and body cells of terminal end buds. By generating transgenic mice using the Keratin 6a (K6a) gene promoter to express tumor virus A (tva), which encodes the receptor for avian leukosis virus subgroup A (ALV/A), we provide direct evidence that K6a(+) cells are bipotential progenitor cells, and the first demonstration of a non-basal location for some biopotential progenitor cells. These K6a(+) cells were readily induced to form mammary tumors by intraductal injection of RCAS (an ALV/A-derived vector) carrying the gene encoding the polyoma middle T antigen. Tumors in this K6a-tva line were papillary and resembled the normal breast-like subtype of human breast cancer. This is the first model of this subtype of human tumors and thus may be useful for preclinical testing of targeted therapy for patients with normal-like breast cancer. These observations also provide direct in vivo evidence for the hypothesis that the cell of origin affects mammary tumor phenotypes.
Digital Image Correlation for Specimens with Multiple Growing Cracks

Measuring the surface displacements of specimens having multiple, growing cracks is difficult with most implementations of the digital image correlation (DIC) method. This difficulty arises from the need to exclude the cracked area from the analysis, a process that oftentimes requires significant and time-consuming user input to achieve successful results. This work presents a set of modifications to the Newton–Raphson based DIC process that allows the method to automatically analyze specimens with multiple growing cracks. The modifications combine a relatively simple crack identification process that takes advantage of the consistency of quasi-regular speckle patterns with a method to reestablish the analysis in areas segregated by the crack growth. The use of a regular dot pattern does, however, introduce a greater chance for registration error in the correlation process. A method to minimize possible registration problems is also presented. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using images of concrete specimens with a complex and growing crack pattern.
Homovanillic acid: Entry rate kinetics for transfer from plasma to cerebrospinal fluid

Because some studies have indicated that 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (homovanillic acid [HVA]) does not cross the blood-CSF barrier, it is assumed by some that CSF HVA levels, after L-DOPA administration, validly reflect central nervous system (CNS) metabolism of dopamine. These experiments were designed to test the validity of this assumption. First, it was established that DOPA, administered i.v. to dogs, causes elevations of blood HVA, indicating systemic metabolism of DOPA to the end-product of its metabolic cycle, i.e., HVA. Then, a loading dose and i.v. infusion of HVA were administered to anesthetized dogs to produce a constant blood level for 2–3 h. Serial blood and CSF samples were analyzed fluorometrically for HVA. CSF samples were withdrawn via an indwelling cisternal needle. Entry rates (%/min) were calculated according to Davson8. In 5 animals, the values were 0.44 ± 0.16 (S.D.). In 2 of these animals, [14C]mannitol was administered simultaneously with the HVA. Entry rate for mannitol was calculated in 5 animals and was 0.07 ± 0.04 (S.D.). The diffusion coefficients for HVA and [14C]mannitol in agar gel were determined. Values were similar, i.e., 0.76 and 0.41 (× 10−5) respectively. The data indicate that a significant amount enters CSF at a rate faster than that which would be expected by simple diffusion alone. Therefore, canine CSF HVA levels do not indicate CNS DOPA metabolism alone after systemic DOPA administration. Consequently, CSF HVA levels may not indicate human CNS DOPA metabolism after therapeutic administration.
Effects of interferon-α on the expression of a lupus idiotype in normal humans☆

Interferon (IFN) has extensive immunoregulatory effects but its role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains obscure. The observations that a high proportion of patients with active SLE have increased IFN levels in their sera, and that IFN injected to lupus-prone mice aggrevates their disease, led us to examine the effects of IFN on the production of 166—a high-frequency idiotype of monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies produced by human-human hybridomas derived from SLE patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors or of patients with SLE were incubated with IFN and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Seven-day supernatants were assayed for total IgM, for IgM with 166 idiotype, and for IgM anti-DNA activity. PWM-stimulated PBMC of all healthy donors examined produced the 166 idiotype (mean 2.5 ng/ml). A significant increase of 166 in normals (above the level with PWM alone) was noted with 10–100 u/ml of IFN-α but not with 500 u/ml. In 310 normals the addition of IFN-α resulted in detectable anti-DNA activity. The IFN-induced increase in 166 idiotype was significantly more than the increase in IgM (335% vs 47% above baseline, with 10 u/ml of IFN). These effects of IFN could not be demonstrated in the absence of PWM nor in T-cell-depleted preparations. Recombinant IFN-γ had no augmenting effect on 166 production. Three SLE patients in remission had elevated levels of 166 in their PBMC supernatant (15–200 ng/ml) which could not be further augmented by IFN. Thus, we have demonstrated the potential of PWM-stimulated normal lymphocytes to generate a “lupus” idiotype and shown that production of this idiotype requires T cells and is preferentially enhanced by IFN-α. Further studies of the effects of IFN on the expression of anti-DNA antibodies may clarify a postulated role of IFN in autoimmune diseases.
Influence of dietary fat on beta-adrenergic receptors and receptor-controlled metabolic function in porcine adipocytes

In order to measure the effect of dietary fat on adipocyte plasma membrane function, 5-week-old pigs were fed either a low-fat diet, a high-fat diet with tallow (saturated fat), or a high-fat diet with corn oil (unsaturated fat) for approximately 5 weeks. Pigs fed the three diets gained the same amount of weight. Adipocytes isolated from the subcutaneous fat depot were larger in pigs fed the two high-fat diets than in pigs fed the low-fat diet. The fatty acid composition of the crude adipocyte membrane fraction (ghosts) was markedly different between the dietary groups. The affinity for the beta-adrenergic receptor was the same in ghosts from pigs fed the three diets. The number of receptors per cell was less in ghosts from pigs fed the low-fat diet compared with pigs fed either high-fat diet: receptor number per unit surface area was not different, implying that receptor number was related to adipocyte size. Activity of the membrane-bound enzyme, 5′ -nucleotidase was the same in ghosts from pigs fed the three diets. Isoproterenol-stimulated adipocyte lipolytic activity tended (P
Optical fiber interferometric sensors for chemical detection

Three techniques for chemical detection are outlined which are based on the use of optical interferometric methods and permit highly sensitive detections of physical parameters. The coated-fiber interferometer concept is described in terms of an optical fiber coated with palladium that can detect hydrogen. A semitransparent metal-film sensor is then described which can be used for interferometric chemical transduction to detect chemical species. The polymer-swelling sensor is based on physical absorption such as in the use of multimode fibers with polymer films deposited on the end. Specific attention is given to the conditions for device sensitivity for the interferometric techniques presented, and the devices are shown to have selectivities that are lower than those of spectroscopic methods. The sensitivity of chemical transduction can be beneficial in a number of the measurement environments discussed.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Factors affecting oncologic outcome after radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastasis

Purpose To assess factors affecting oncologic outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the management of colorectal liver metastases. Materials and Methods One-hundred-forty-nine patients (86 men and 63 women, median age: 61 years) underwent a total of 198 RF ablation sessions for the treatment of 218 lesions from January 2003 to March 2012. Technique effectiveness per lesion was evaluated at the 4-6-week post ablation CT and local tumor progression (LTP) at the ablation site was assessed reviewing subsequent scans. The endpoints of the study were: LTP-free survival and overall survival (OS) from the time of the ablation. Clinical factors such as: tumor size, prior hepatic resection, node positivity of the primary, time interval from primary resection to liver metastasis, number of tumors, presence of extrahepatic disease, pre and post ablation systemic and intraarterial chemotherapy were analyzed for their effect on outcomes. LTP-free survival and OS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Factors affecting oncologic outcome were assessed in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Median tumor size was 1.9 cm (range 0.5 to 5.7 cm). Complete ablation was demonstrated in 209 cases (technique effectiveness rate: 96%). Median overall survival was 35.43 months. One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were: 91%, 47% and 33%, respectively. On univariate analysis, as well as multivariate analysis tumor size over 3 cm (HR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.47, 4.53; p=0.001) and not receiving systemic chemotherapy following RFA (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.98; p=0.04) were independent predictors for shorter OS. Median LTP-free survival was 25 months. Size (p=0.01), prior systemic (p=0.02) and prior intraarterial chemotherapy (p=0.03) were independent factors for LTP-free survival in the univariate model, however only size retained its significance in the multivariate model (p=0.01). Conclusion Size of ablated tumor and post-ablation chemotherapy are associated with better oncologic outcomes after RFA of colorectal liver metastases.
Determination of Free Energy Profiles for the Translocation of Polynucleotides through α-Hemolysin Nanopores using Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The translocation of polynucleotides through transmembrane protein pores is a fundamental biological process with important technological and medical relevance. The translocation process is complex, and it is influenced by a range of factors including the diameter and inner surface of the pore, the secondary structure of the polymer, and the interactions between the polymer and protein. In this paper, we perform nonequilibrium constant velocity-steered molecular dynamics simulations of nucleic acid molecule translocation through the protein nanopore α-hemolysin and use Jarzynski’s identity to determine the associated free energy profiles. With this approach we are able to explain the observed differences in experimental translocation time through the nanopore between polyadenosine and polydeoxycytidine. The translocation of polynucleotides and single nucleotides through α-hemolysin is investigated. These simulations are computationally intensive as they employ models with atomistic level resolution; in ad...
The Discrete Two-Dimensional Assortment Problem

In the two-dimensional assortment problem, a unit of product that is larger or better on two measurements or qualities may be used to substitute, at some cost, for a unit of demand that is smaller or inferior on both measurements or qualities. The problem is to determine which dimensional combinations to stock in order to minimize the combined stocking and substitution costs. Characteristics of the optimal stocking pattern are presented, and three heuristic solution procedures are compared with an optimization technique under a variety of conditions for demand and cost characteristics.
Quantitative determination of total organic nitrogen and isotope enrichment in marine phytoplankton.

Abstract The automated Dumas technique described by Barsdate and Dugdale for quantitative determination of total organic nitrogen and isotope enrichment in marine phytoplankton has been refined. The method involves manometric and mass spectrometric measurements for total nitrogen and nitrogen isotopes, respectively. Expressions for calculating isotope enrichment have been derived and include temperature, background, and ion pump corrections. The latter can be a major source of error in atom-percent enrichment calculations when ion pumps are used to maintain very low background pressures in the analyzer chamber. When such systems are adopted for 15 N tracer analysis, calibration curves should be established prior to analysis to assess the level of interference.
Effects of Preventing Periparturient Hypocalcemia in Cows by Parathyroid Hormone Administration on Hematology, Conglutinin, Immunoglobulin, and Shedding of Staphylococcus aureus in Milk

Abstract The effects of hypocalcemia at parturition on concentrations of serum immunoglobulin and conglutinin, number of bacteria shed into milk, and leukograms of dairy cows were investigated from –4 wk prepartum to 4 wk postpartum. Ten healthy multiparous Holstein cows were fed a high calcium diet to induce hypocalcemia at parturition. Five cows received intramuscular parathyroid hormone to prevent hypocalcemia at parturition. All cows experienced a leukopenia (attributable to an absolute and relative neutropenia) during the 1st wk after calving, decreased serum conglutinin activity during the first 3 wk postpartum, and decreased concentration of serum IgG 1 during the 3 wk before calving. At parturition, a large increase in organisms was found in foremilk (1000 to 10,000 times more than prepartum values). Neither the hematological changes nor the decreased immunoglobulin concentration was influenced by hypocalcemia or the development of milk fever. This implies that the degree of hypocalcemia observed did not have a large or irreversible influence on bacterial infection, hematological, or humoral immunity changes in periparturient cows.
Employee evaluation strategies for healthcare organizations--a general guide.

The art and science of management in healthcare organizations involves many components, including the identification of goals and objectives and successful implementation of the appropriate methods to achieve these goals and objectives. The goals and objectives are often more challenging in the healthcare industry than they are in traditional businesses primarily because of the type of product or service with which they are involved. For example, while not everyone may need a television, everyone needs healthcare. Therefore, when managing a healthcare organization, it is necessarily for managers to integrate the human and material resources that are a part of the institution.
Role of macropores in solute transport under ponded water condition produced by laboratory simulated intense storms.

Soil macropores are widely studied because they are known to serve as avenues for rapid contaminant transport. Currently, it is understood that a macroporous medium develops regions of mobile and immobile water during flow. Consequently, solutes in the mobile phase bypass a considerable portion of the medium, thus limiting their natural attenuation. It is, however, not adequately documented in the literature what role the macropores play during intense rain events that result in variable ponding depths. Macropore flow under ponded water conditions was studied on two undisturbed soil columns taken from the loam soils of northeastern Iowa, U.S. The columns were placed on a four-segment outflow collector system. A slug of water labeled with Br was applied to the columns followed by simulation of 58 mm of rain on column 1 and 53.6 mm on column 2, in one hour, 30 minute, and 15 minute events. During the highest intensity rain event (15 minutes), the total volume of water that exited through the bottom of segments 1,2, 3, and 4 were 21.6%, 34.5%, 28.5%, and 15.4% in column 1, and 1.3%, 15.9%, 72.2%, and 10.5% in column 2, respectively. As the intensity of rain was increased from one hour to the 15 minute event, the total bromide mass recovery increased from 45% (29.2 mg) to 57% (36.9 mg) of the total application (65 mg) for column 1, and from 51 % (33.2 mg) to 59% (38.2 mg) for column 2, respectively. Finally, an examination of dye-stained high flow regions in column 1 demonstrated that macro-porosities made approximately 20% of the total cross-sectional area of the column. These results suggest that solute transport behavior in macroporous soils can be impacted by ponding depths, and intense rain events can severely restrict contaminant degradation in soils.
Characterization of molecular cluster diffusion in AlPO4-5 using molecular dynamics

Abstract Recent studies of single-file diffusion in AlPO 4 -5 showed that diffusion of adsorbed molecules can occur by a surprising mechanism, concerted diffusion of weakly bound molecular clusters [D.S. Sholl and K.A. Fichthorn, Phys. Rev. Lett. 79 (1997) 3569]. In this Letter, molecular dynamics methods allowing metastable adsorbed clusters to be studied at arbitrary temperatures are introduced. These methods are used to give the first detailed characterization of the diffusion and dissociation kinetics of isolated SF 6 and CF 4 clusters containing up to 18 molecules adsorbed in AlPO 4 -5 pores. The evolution of these clusters is dominated by the existence of concerted mechanisms for cluster motion.
Performance of Student Nurses on the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule.

One hundred sixty-seven female nursing students in a baccalaureate program were administered the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. Comparisons were made with the original norms for college women and with recently published norms for a group of urban college women, as well as with data for a group of nursing students collected at the time of the appearance of the original norms. While nursing students reflected some of the significant changes occurring among college women between 1959 and 1973, they continued to maintain a profile of needs consistent with the traditional view of those in their profession.
Analysis of goodness-of-fit for Cox regression model

If the proportional hazards model (PHM) holds, the regression coefficients for t-year survival probability using the log-log link are equal to those of Cox's PHM with reverse sign for any time point t. In this article, the goodness-of-fit of Cox's model is checked by fitting the log-log regression models at different values of t and plotting the coefficient estimates against t.
Ionic association in poly (propylene oxide) complexed with divalent metal trifluoromethanesulfonate salts

Abstract The ionic species present in poly (propylene oxide) complexed with magnesium, calcium, zinc and cadmium trifluorometha-nesulfonate salts have been studied using infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy. Highly associated ionic species are observed in all complexes, with only small concentrations of “free” ions in the magnesium and calcium complexes. The ionic conductivities have been measured and are discussed in terms of the cation-polymer and cation-anion interactions.
The role of Hsp27 and actin in the regulation of movement in human cancer cells responding to heat shock

Human heat shock 27-kDa protein 1 (HSPB1)/heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 is a small heat shock protein which is thought to have several roles within the cell. One of these roles includes regulating actin filament dynamics in cell movement, since Hsp27 has previously been found to inhibit actin polymerization in vitro. In this study, the role of Hsp27 in regulating actin filament dynamics is further investigated. Hsp27 protein levels were reduced using siRNA in SW480 cells, a human colon cancer cell line. An in vitro wound closure assay showed that cells with knocked down Hsp27 levels were unable to close wounds, indicating that this protein is involved in regulating cell motility. Immunoprecipitation pull down assays were done, to observe if and when Hsp27 and actin are in the same complex within the cell, before and after heat shock. At all time points tested, Hsp27 and actin were present in the same cell lysate fraction. Lastly, indirect immunostaining was done before and after heat shock to evaluate Hsp27 and actin interaction in cells. Hsp27 and actin showed colocalization before heat shock, little association 3 h after heat shock, and increased association 24 h after heat shock. Cytoprotection was observed as early as 3 h after heat shock, yet cells were still able to move. These results show that Hsp27 and actin are in the same complex in cells and that Hsp27 is important for cell motility.
Outcomes after kidney donation.

Dr Muzaale and colleagues1 reported the estimated lifetime risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in donors as 0.9% compared with 0.14% in healthy nondonors and 3.26% in unscreened nondonors (general population), an 8-fold higher cumulative incidence of ESRD in donors compared with healthy nondonor controls. These data are important for discussions with prospective donors, especially donors of African American descent who have the highest relative