cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel opioid binding sites associated with nuclei of NG108-15 neurohybrid cells.

Nuclear opioid binding sites have been discovered in NG108-15 neurohybrid cells. Marker enzyme analyses as well as electron and fluorescence microscopy studies attested to the high degree of purity of the nuclear preparations. Immunohistochemical studies on cryostat sections of NG108-15 cells with an antibody to the opioid receptor corroborated a nuclear localization. 3H-[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (3H- DPDPE), 3H-[D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (3H-DADLE), and 3H-diprenorphine binding parameters, Kd and Bmax values, and heterologous competition binding and stereospecificity data satisfied criteria for the presence of delta-opioid sites in purified nuclear preparations. Neither mu-([D- Ala2,mephe4,gly-ol5] enkephalin), dihydromorphine, nor kappa-(U69593) specific binding was detectable in purified nuclear preparations. Rates of association and dissociation of 3H-[D-Ser2,L-Leu5]enkephalyl-Thr were comparable to values obtained previously for opioid receptors. Opioid binding was also shown in subnuclear preparations from NG108-15 cell cultures. Agonists, 3H-DADLE and 3H-DPDPE, bind with high affinity to nuclear membranes and with lower affinity to chromatin. In contrast, partial agonist 3H-diprenorphine high-affinity binding sites were predominant in chromatin, while low-affinity binding was found in the nuclear membrane. Accordingly, 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate sensitivity of 3H-DADLE binding was detected in nuclear membranes but not in chromatin. Both agonist and partial agonist opioid binding to nuclear membrane and chromatin were abolished upon cycloheximide treatment of NG108-15 cells. Taken together, the results suggest that NG108-15 cells contain newly synthesized GTP binding regulatory protein (G-protein)- coupled delta-opioid receptors in nuclear membranes and uncoupled opioid binding sites in chromatin.
Abstract 18996: Community Health Workers’ Roles in Facilitating Adoption of Heart Healthy Behaviors

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular health disparities are pervasive and disproportionately affect ethnic minority groups. An innovative approach to addressing these health issues involves the use of community health workers (CHWs) - laypeople from within their communities, who share common characteristics with their clients (e.g. ethnicity, culture, race, and language). Specifically trained in providing basic nutrition and health services, CHWs, aim to improve health outcomes and access through a set of core skills, (advocacy, outreach, and education), and function in multiple roles from bridging communication between patients and providers, to providing health education, counseling, and monitoring health status. In the context of an on-going RCT (Project AsPIRE) determining the effect of a culturally and linguistically appropriate CHW intervention upon HTN outcomes among immigrant Filipinos, the purpose of this qualitative study was to develop an explanatory model of CHWs’ roles in facilitating the adoption of heart healthy behaviors (diet, exercise, medication adherence, appointment keeping). METHODS: Recruitment letters and follow-up telephone calls to 113 past AsPIRE participants, and AsPIRE CHWs, and their trainers produced a final sample of 26 respondents. Using Corbin & Strauss’ methods for Grounded Theory, data from 26 one-on-one interviews (with clients, CHWs, and their trainers) were triangulated with document and client chart reviews to generate themes that form the basis of this model. RESULTS: CHWs influence the adoption of heart healthy behaviors through 4 key functions: (1) leveraging their cultural congruence with clients, (2) employing interpersonal communication techniques to build trust and rapport, (3) providing social support (appraisal, emotional, informational, instrumental), and (4) assisting with health behavior change. CONCLUSION: Including CHWs as part of the health care team begins to address some key challenges to hypertension control among immigrant Filipinos, an ethnic group with high CVD risk. Further testing of this model with other ethnic groups is warranted.
Pattern analysis in social networks with dynamic connections

In this paper, we explore how decentralized local interactions of autonomous agents in a network relate to collective behaviors. Most existing work in this area models social network in which agent relations are fixed; instead, we focus on dynamic social networks where agents can rationally adjust their neighborhoods based on their individual interests. We propose a new connection evaluation rule called the Highest Weighted Reward (HWR) rule, with which agents dynamically choose their neighbors in order to maximize their own utilities based on the rewards from previous interactions. Our experiments show that in the 2-action pure coordination game, our system will stabilize to a clustering state where all relationships in the network are rewarded with the optimal payoff. Our experiments also reveal additional interesting patterns in the network.
Network Coding and Its Applications in Communication Networks

The network coding technique generalizes the traditional routing approach by allowing the intermediate network nodes to create new packets by combining the packets received over their incoming edges. This technique has several important benefits such as an increase in throughput and an improvement in the reliability and robustness of the network. The goal of this chapter is to present a tutorial review of the network coding technique, the practical implementation of network coding, as well as its applications in several areas of networking. We begin by presenting the encoding model and the algebraic framework for network code construction. Next, we discuss efficient deterministic and randomized algorithms for construction of feasible network codes in multicast networks. Next, we present practical implementation schemes and discuss the applications of network coding in content distribution networks, peer-to-peer networks, and wireless networks.
The Impact of 9/11 on Driving Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism *

We find that driving fatalities increased significantly following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, an event which prompted many travelers to substitute less-safe surface transportation for safer air transportation. After controlling for time trends, weather, road conditions, and other factors, we attribute an increase of 242 driving fatalities per month to additional road travel undertaken in response to 9/11. In total, our results suggest that about 1,200 driving deaths are attributable to the effect of 9/11. We also provide evidence that is consistent with the 9/11 effect on driving fatalities weakening over time as drivers return to flying. Our results show that the public response to terrorist threats can create unintended consequences that rival the attacks themselves in severity.
Experimental simulation of a gaseous plasma collector

Hydrogen plasma with a density of 3×1014 cm−3 and electron temperature of 20 eV is injected parallel to a 0.1 T B field, into hydrogen (and helium) neutral gas at 0.1–2 Torr. This plasma is opaque to molecular hydrogen but transparent to Franck–Condon neutrals. The axial density and temperature scale length increased with decreasing gas pressure but were insensitive to plasma density and axial magnetic field strength. The plasma decay is explained by radial ion diffusion resulting from collisions with fast neutrals while the fast neutral density is determined by the radial pressure balance between fast neutrals and the cold background gas.
Donor-specific transfusion and anti-CD154 induces tracheal allograft tolerance via peripheral deletion and regulatory T cells

We, therefore, added routine annual chest CT to our follow up protocol of cardiac transplant patients with greater than 10 packyears smoking history. Lung cancer developed in 20 patients over 17 years (see figure). Under the new chest CT protocol, we identified 3 patients with lung cancer at an early enough stage to undergo surgical resection. The 1 and 5 year survival of the patients treated with surgery vs. chemotherapy/radiation was 77% and 23% vs. 27% and 0% respectively (p .0027). Therefore, survival is improved in patients able to undergo surgical resection. This new routine chest CT protocol will help clinicians diagnose lung cancer earlier and, therefore, may improve survival of patients.
Effects of Chemical Drying Agents and Preservatives on Composition and Digestibility of Alfalfa Hay

Abstract Effects of chemicals as drying agents applied at time of cutting or organic acids applied as preservatives at time of baling on composition and digestibility of alfalfa ( Medicage sativa L.) hays were studied in three experiments, two with large round bales and one with square bales. Potassium carbonate-treated hays or commercial product-treated hays dried somewhat faster than control hays. Hays moist enough to sustain heating gradually increased in percentages of CP, ADF, and NDF with concomitant deterioration in visual quality and measured estimates of digestibility. These changes appear associated with greater loss of more readily fermentable carbohydrates. Lower density of large round bales resulted in less heating, spoilage, and increased digestibility of hay baled above 25% moisture. Hay above 30% moisture made in 1 d with a combination of drying agent applied at time of cutting and application of propionic acid and acetic acid (80:20) at baling maintained high quality for nearly 2 mo, but in vitro organic matter digestibilities declined thereafter as compared with other treated hays baled at lower moisture contents. Mold spore counts in this hay, measured after 6 mo in storage, were 20 times higher, which suggested mold inhibition by acid treatment was effective only initially and waned with time.
Preparation and structural characterization of three adamantylcarboxylato diruthenium(II,II), diruthenium(II,III) and dimolybdenum(II,II) compounds

Abstract Three new compounds containing adamantylcarboxylate ligands, [Ru2(C10H15CO2)4(CH3OH)2]·2CH3OH (1), [Ru2(C10H15CO2)3(CO3)(CH3OH)2]·2CH3OH (2) and Mo2(C10H15CO2)4(C4H8O)2 (3), have been prepared by reacting K3[Ru2(CO3)4]·4H2O, K4Mo2Cl8 and Mo2(OAc)4 with C10H15CO2H. Their crystal structures have been determined. Crystals are as follows. 1: space group P21/c, a=12.966(2), b=16.541(4), c=12.573(3) A, β=118.77(2)°, V=2364(1) A3, Z=2, Ru-Ru distance = 2.2809(9) A. 2: space group P212121, a=13.062(1), b=26.375(4), c=11.943(2) A, V=4115(1) A3, Z=4. The Ru-Ru distance is 2·254(8) A. 3: space group P1, a=12.897(2), b=17.308(2), c=11.927(1) A, α=107.703(9), β=92.06(1), γ=93.01(1)°, V=2529.0(6) A3, Z=2. The average Mo-Mo distance is 2.083[2] A. The formation of 1 from the starting tetracarbonato complex appears to involve disproportionation of 2Ru25+ to Ru24+ and 2Ru3+.
Dying Alone: The Social Production of Urban Isolation

In July 1995 over 700 Chicago residents, most of them old and impoverished, died in a short but devastating heat wave. As part of a `social autopsy' of this disaster that goes beyond natural factor...
Estimation of critical points in the mixture inverse Gaussian model

The maximum likelihood estimation for the critical points of the failure rate and the mean residual life function are presented in the case of mixture inverse Gaussian model. Several important data sets are analyzed from this point of view. For each of the data sets, Bootstrapping is used to construct confidence intervals of the critical points.
DEMAIS: designing multimedia applications with interactive storyboards

To create an innovative interactive multimedia application, a multimedia designer needs to rapidly explore numerous behavioral design ideas early in the design process, as creating innovative behavior is the cornerstone of creating innovative multimedia. Current tools and techniques do not support a designer's need for early behavior exploration, limiting her ability to rapidly explore and effectively communicate behavioral design ideas. To address this need, we have developed a sketch-based, interactive multimedia storyboard tool that uses a designer's ink strokes and textual annotations as an input design vocabulary. By operationalizing this vocabulary, the tool transforms an otherwise static sketch into a working example. The behavioral sketch can be quickly edited using gestures and an expressive visual language. By enabling a designer to explore and communicate behavioral design ideas using working examples early in the design process, our tool facilitates the creation of a more effective, compelling, and entertaining multimedia application.
Sneaking women into office: Alternative access to parliament in France and Italy

This article employs the research on electoral structure and women's access to office as a context for examining alternative routes for women's access to parliamentary seats. Using the cases of France (1981) and Italy (1983), it focuses on a pre-election strategy for replacing elected male nominees who accept seats in other electoral districts or who accept cabinet positions. Possibilities for this type of strategic nomination of women exist in both political systems (through suppleant and subentrata provisions). Only in Italy have these alternative routes to parliament been used extensively. The article concludes with speculations about electoral system research and women's access to national elective office.
A Java-based application for differential diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasms using immunophenotyping by flow cytometry

We describe the implementation of a Java-based application for differential diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasms using immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. The current version of this Java applet includes the knowledge-base for 33 hematopoietic neoplasms and 43 diagnostic immunophenotyping markers. Java, a new object-oriented computing language, helps facilitate development of this applet, a platform-independent module that can be implemented on the World Wide Web. As the Web rapidly becomes more accessible to users around the world, Web-based software may eventually form the core of decision-support systems in clinical settings. Java-based applications, such as the one described in this paper, are expected to contribute significantly in this area.
Education and the Changing Metropolitan Organization of Inequality: A Multilevel Analysis of Secondary Attainment in the United States, 1940–1980

Abstract This study examines metropolitan segmentation in educational attainment during the postwar era. Employing a multilevel analytical approach with U.S. Census data drawn from IPUMS, it finds urban-suburban distinctions shifted and grew in magnitude. While students in central cities enjoyed an educational advantage in 1940, by 1980 it was suburban youth who clearly exhibited higher levels of attainment. Various explanations for these developments are considered as topics for further exploration, including the significance of suburban development in regional economic growth and the changing dynamics of racial inequality in education. Particular attention is devoted to methodological issues in conducting this sort of analysis with these data.
Interaction of electron beam with amorphous semiconductor thin films

Abstract The interaction of electron beam with amorphous semiconductor thin films has been studied with the aim of realizing an electron beam computer memory. The operational mechanism of such a memory in terms of electron beam heating for the write process and secondary electron emission for the read process are described. Some experimental verification of the write and read processes as well as the feasibility of reversible electron beam switching process are reported.
Angiofibroma. Changes in staging and treatment.

Objective: To identify specific preoperative tumor characteristics and potential surgical decisions that ultimately place a patient at a greater risk for tumor recurrence. Design: The clinical presentation, management, and prognosis of 23 consecutive cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were reviewed retrospectively from January 1, 1977, to June 30, 1993. A minimum follow-up of 12 months was necessary for study inclusion. Setting: A single, tertiary care pediatric facility. Interventions: All available preoperative imaging studies were reevaluated to ensure consistency in reporting. Preoperative computed tomography was performed in 21 patients, but only 18 scans were available for review. Preoperative angiography with embolization was performed in 21 of 23 patients. Surgical excision was the primary mode of treatment in 22 of 23 patients, and complete surgical excision was possible in 21 of 23 patients. Main Outcome Measures: The rate of recurrence was examined with respect to time of presentations, initial tumor stage, intraoperative blood loss, and surgical approach. Results: When compared with patients without a recurrent tumor, there was no difference in age at presentation, primary symptom, or duration of symptoms before diagnosis. Preoperative tumor stage was found to be the primary factor affecting tumor recurrence. A recurrence rate of 21.7% (five of 23 patients) was identified after an average 6-year follow-up. A trend toward use of the midfacial degloving approach for surgical exposure was identified and was not associated with an increased risk of recurrence. All patients were ultimately cured of their tumor without the need for open craniotomy despite a 32% incidence of stage IIIA and IIIB tumors. No deaths were reported during the study. Conclusions: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are benign tumors occurring almost exclusively in adolescent males. Recent advances in radiographic imaging techniques allow for more accurate preoperative staging, especially in regard to skull base involvement. Recognition of the extent of the tumor before surgical extirpation reduces the risk of recurrence. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122:122-129)
Preferential binding of tumor suppressor p53 to positively or negatively supercoiled DNA involves the C-terminal domain.

Abstract The C-terminal domain of the tumor suppressor protein p53 is the site of non-specific DNA binding. Purified p53 produced from baculovirus-infected insect cells binds preferentially to supercoiled DNA, forming bands with lower electrophoretic mobility. This non-covalent binding does not change the linking number of the DNA. An anti-p53 antibody targeting the C-terminal domain partially competes with supercoiled DNA in binding to p53, while antibodies targeted to the N terminus of p53 supershift the complex bands. A synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 319–393 of human p53 also displays preferential binding to supercoiled DNA, while a mutant peptide, which is unable to form tetramers, is inactive. The center of the equilibrium distribution of topoisomers formed by relaxation with topoisomerase I is not shifted in the presence of p53 although the distribution is broadened. The preferential binding of p53 is exhibited toward both positively and negatively supercoiled DNA. These observations are consistent with a model in which p53 binds to right-handed or left-handed strand crossings.
Microchip nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis of saturated fatty acids using a new fluorescent dye

We demonstrate nonaqueous labeling and separation of the full range of short to long saturated fatty acids (C2 to C30) for the first time on a microfluidic device. A new fluorescent dye, Pacific Blue hydrazide, labels the carboxylic acid in a two-step, one-pot reaction to enable detection via laser-induced fluorescence at 405 nm excitation. Limits of detection for C10 to C30 acids range from 0.9 to 5.7 μM. Fatty acids were successfully quantified in a sediment sample from the ‘Snake Pit’ hydrothermal system of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, demonstrating the potential of this method to help characterize microbial communities through targeted biomarker analysis. Such a technique could also be utilized to differentiate between abiotic and biotic compounds in the search for life beyond Earth.
A combined left ventricular systemic arterial model.

Abstract A model mathematically coupling left ventricular performance and systemic arterial dynamics is described. This model demonstrates that these two heretofore separate research areas can be brought into intimate quantitative contact. This model and its more sophisticated successors should provide a better understanding of the interaction between the heart and the arterial system, particularly when one or both of these is abnormal.
Cross-sectional shape effect for enhanced Raman spectroscopy on polymer-based microstructures

We prepare various polymer-based microstructures for gold colloid detection in a Raman system. Several surface treatment techniques as well as chip configurations are discussed with an emphasis on their strengths and limitations. First, the optimum focus space is found for the experiment. Next, surface treatment effects for the Raman signal on the polymer-based substrate are compared. Finally, the Raman intensity of three channel configurations is compared along the cross sectional direction. There results demonstrate that a triangle shape provides the highest intensity for the same microstructure depth. A signal-enhanced mechanism on the difference cross sectional surface is also discussed in this research. Optimal shape designs based on polymer-based configurations are proposed for Raman detection in microchannels. This can give rise to several interesting applications, including trapping viruses from samples, and enzymatic reaction from enzymatic immuno-assay systems for real-time monitoring.
MR imaging with phase encoding of intermolecular multiple quantum coherences.

Novel 2D and 3D pulse sequences producing images through the phase encoding of intermolecular multiple quantum coherences (i-MQCs) are presented. The signal acquired with these sequences is free from intermolecular zero quantum coherences (i-ZQCs) which are not phase encoded and additional phase cycling eliminates artifacts. Phase encoding during the n-quantum evolution period provides n times the resolution expected from equivalent phase encoding of the reconverted single quantum coherences. These sequences have potential applications for producing i-MQC images of biological tissues as well as nonbiological materials with substantial amounts of water.
Power quality optimization and reactive power control by modeling of SVC in healthcare centre

Electric load of hospitals and medical centers draws reactive power from supply sources resulting in low power factor operating condition. Depending on the load type and patterns, various compensating strategies can be used to correct and counteract rapid variations. Voltage Sourced Static Synchronous VAR Compensators (SVC) doesn't depend on passive components for reactive power control since it uses electronic circuits to create lead or lag angles between applied voltage and injected current into the network to generate capacitive or absorbs inductive (Reactive Power). This practice became a state-of-art technology in reactive power control systems combining both, power and control engineering, to respond to dynamic system variations in milliseconds. The paper clearly address an existing problem of power quality and presents a model of distribution system in 480 bed hospital context using measured values explored through simulation. It uses SVC for voltage stabilizing and improving of power factor in general hospital with steady state condition.
Visualizing blood vessel trees in three dimensions: clinical applications

A connected network of blood vessels surrounds and permeates almost every organ of the human body. The ability to define detailed blood vessel trees enables a variety of clinical applications. This paper discusses four such applications and some of the visualization challenges inherent to each. Guidance of endovascular surgery: 3D vessel trees offer important information unavailable by traditional x-ray projection views. How best to combine the 2- and 3D image information is unknown. Planning/guidance of tumor surgery: During tumor resection it is critical to know which blood vessels can be interrupted safely and which cannot. Providing efficient, clear information to the surgeon together with measures of uncertainty in both segmentation and registration can be a complex problem. Vessel-based registration: Vessel-based registration allows pre-and intraoperative images to be registered rapidly. The approach both provides a potential solution to a difficult clinical dilemma and offers a variety of visualization opportunities. Diagnosis/staging of disease: Almost every disease affects blood vessel morphology. The statistical analysis of vessel shape may thus prove to be an important tool in the noninvasive analysis of disease. A plethora of information is available that must be presented meaningfully to the clinician. As medical image analysis methods increase in sophistication, an increasing amount of useful information of varying types will become available to the clinician. New methods must be developed to present a potentially bewildering amount of complex data to individuals who are often accustomed to viewing only tissue slices or flat projection views.
Possible misdiagnosis of Krabbe disease.

KRABBE DISEASE or globoid cell leukodystrophy is a severe genetic disease of children with onset of symptoms at about 4 to 6 months of age, although forms with later onset have been reported. Symptoms include tonic seizures, optic atrophy, convulsions, and deafness with a rapid course ending in death between 1 1/2 and 2 years of age. All cases appear to be inherited in an autosomal recessive manner? The primary defect is reported to be a deficiency of the enzyme galactosyl ceramide beta-galactosidase (galactocerebrosidase) which is necessary for the degradation of galactosyl ceramide, a major component of myelin. -~ The amount of gal-cer storage in Krabbe disease is not large when compared to Gu2-ganglioside storage in Tay-Sachs diseasel apparently due to the diminished quantity of myelin formed in these children:~; for some reason myelination appears to be shut off early. This suggests that all of the symptoms and pathologic observations cannot be explained simply on the basis of a cerebrosidase defciency. Because of this, we looked for other natural substrates in brain that could be acted on by the same enzyme. At about that time Miyatake and SuzukP reported that the same enzyme could act on psychosine, the deacylated derivative of cerebroside which is cytotoxic, owing to the free amine group. We then reported that the same enzyme could not degrade another myelin-specific compound, monogalactosyl diglyceride? Patients with Krabbe disease could not degrade this compound nor lactosyl ceramide, a glycolipid that also has a beta-linked galactosyl residue?. ~ Measurement of the degradation of lac-cer has provided a more sensitive diagnostic test for Krabbe disease, in which
Free energy of nascent-chain folding in the translocon

During their synthesis, many water-soluble proteins and nearly all membrane proteins transit through a protein-conducting channel in the membrane, the Sec translocon, from where they are inserted into the lipid bilayer. Increasing evidence indicates that folding of the nascent protein begins already within the ribosomal exit tunnel in a sequence- and environment-dependent fashion. To examine the effects of the translocon on the nascent-chain folding, we have calculated the potential of mean force for α-helix formation of a 10-alanine oligopeptide as a function of its position within the translocon channel. We find that the predominant conformational states, α-helical and extended, reflect those found for the peptide in water. However, the translocon, via its surface properties and its variable diameter, shifts the equilibrium in favor of the α-helical state. Thus, we suggest that the translocon facilitates not only the insertion of membrane proteins into the bilayer but also their folding.
A Circular Crack System in an Infinite Elastic Medium Under Arbitrary Normal Loads

This analysis considers a circular crack system containing a penny-shaped crack and a concentric, coplanar external circular crack under arbitrary normal loading in a transversely isotropic body. The solution is obtained by transforming the governing two-dimensional integral equation to a set of algebraic equations which are easily solved numerically due to the special coefficient matrix. The normal stress component coplanar with the crack system is determined in power series form. The equations are solved and solutions for the stress intensity factors around the crack fronts are given for several different loading conditions. Including the rigid-body displacements at infinity allows the contact problem of an annular flat punch on an elastic half-space to be solved simultaneously.
Time-stretched photonic analog-to-digital sampling using a CW multi-wavelength source and phase modulation

A simpler and more flexible photonically-assisted analog-to-digital conversion architecture that utilizes a CW multi-wavelength source, phase modulation, and fiber dispersion to generate sampling pulses is proposed and experimentally demonstrated.
Combined Subgaleal/Myocutaneous Technique for Temporalis Muscle Dissection

Background The frontal branch of the facial nerve (FBFN) is the most susceptible neural structure to injury during frontotemporal craniotomies. The balance between adequate temporalis muscle mobilization and frontal branch protection with minimal anatomical alteration is the philosophy behind our approach to temporalis muscle dissection. Objective To describe a combined subgaleal/myocutaneous technique for dissection and mobilization of the temporalis muscle in anterolateral cranial approaches. Methods Interdisciplinary literature review of the anatomical course of the FBFN was performed. Retrospective analysis of anterolateral craniotomies performed at our institution in which the combined subgaleal/myocutaneous (CSGMC) technique was performed. Results A total of 71 cases of anterolateral craniotomies (excluding full variant orbitozygomatic) were performed with the successful application of a CSGMC technique (36 pterional, 31 orbitopterional, and 4 fronto-orbital). Partial frontalis weakness was transient in one case. Conclusion The CSGMC technique provides sufficient protection for the FBFN and allows for adequate mobilization for a variety of skull base exposures while minimally violating myofascial anatomy. This is the first reported technique that allows both adequate temporalis muscle mobilization with performance of the one-piece orbitofrontal and orbitopterional approaches, without disruption of the superficial/deep temporalis fascia and fat-pad complex.
A rapid method for isolating glucose metabolites involved in substrate cycling.

Abstract Quantification of substrate cycling (i.e., repeated phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of sugar phosphates by the action of counterpoised enzymes in the cell) requires determination of the 3 H 14 C content of glucose and intracellular glucose metabolites that participate in the substrate cycle. This report describes a new method for isolation of these compounds from cell extracts. A preliminary fractionation of radioactive cell extracts on Dowex-2-formate yields mixtures of compounds of the same charge. These semipurified mixtures then are incubated with enzymes of high specificity to selectively change the affinity of the compound of interest for Dowex-2-formate: glucose → gluconate; lactate → pyruvate; glucose 6-phosphate → 6-phosphogluconate; fructose 6-phosphate fructose-1,6-bisphosphate; fructose-1,6-bisphosphate → fructose 6-phosphate. The preparation is rechromatographed on Dowex-2-formate to separate the incubation product from all other isotopically labeled compounds. The method is sensitive, requiring only 2–10 nmol of compound with a specific radioactivity ≥ 1 μCi/μmol, and the chromatographic isolation is simple and reproducible.
Toxicity of long-term exposure to oxides of sulfur.

Thirty-two beagles, 16 previously impaired with 191 days exposure to 26 ppM NO/sub 2/ (bullous alveolar enlargement, increased peribronchial and perialveolar reticulum fibers and collagen), were exposed to (1) control, (2) 5.1 ppM SO/sub 2/, (3) approx. 900 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/ H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ (90% < 0.5 ..mu..m), or (4) combination of 2 and 3, for 620 days, 21 hr/day. No effect of SO/sub x/ on hematology or lung measurements. SO/sub 2/ increased nitrogen washout in unimpaired animals but lowered washout in impaired animals. H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ significantly reduced CO diffusing capacity, net inflated lung volume, net deflated lung volume, lung weight, and residual volume, and increased total expiratory resistance. Decreased heart weight was also noted. Impairment increased heart weight, trapped lung air. Lung previously altered was more difficult to alter more. H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ at low levels can produce serious pulmonary impairment, is more dangerous than SO/sub 2/.
Emerging Therapies: Pleiotropic Multi-target Drugs to Treat Stroke Victims

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a disease of heterogeneity [1]. In patients with strokes of known causes, cardioembolic stroke is the predominant subtype making up 29% of the population, whereas both atheroembolic and lacunar strokes are represented by 16% of the population [2, 3]. Most stroke victims having multiple prevailing conditions prior to the onset of the devastating vascular event, such as hypertension or diabetes [1, 4]. Based upon the patient population enrolled in a few prominent clinical trials, it is estimated that 80–90% of all stroke patients were medicated with a variety of pharmaceuticals including antihypertensives (i.e., β-blockers), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel antagonists, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzy-meA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins), platelet inhibitors (i.e., aspirin, clopidogrel), anticoagulants (i.e., warfarin), and antidepressants at the time of their stroke [1, 4–8]. Despite many preventative measures to reduce stroke incidence, stroke remains the third leading cause of death and leading cause of adult disability in the USA [9]. It is estimated that approximately 0.8 million victims suffer a stroke annually with 18% of victims dying. Even though there is a large population of stroke victims in the USA [9–12] and worldwide [13], and there is an enormous financial impact and burden to society [14], the arsenal of armaments to effectively treat stroke is limited to one thrombolytic agent that was originally developed to treat acute myocardial infarction [15–20] and subsequently approved for stroke on the basis of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) trial [1]. However, it should be noted that in addition to the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in Japan, a single non-thrombolytic drug, which will be discussed, is also formally approved as a treatment [21].
Correctness proofs of CSP programs

Abstract In a research report we have proposed an axiomatic semantics for the language of communicating sequential processes (CSP) of Hoare (1978). In this paper, we use the axiomatic semantics to prove the correctness of a number of CSP programs.
Effect of Gender on Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that affects thousands of new individuals each year, the majority of which are males. Males with SCI tend to be injured at an earlier age, mostly during sports or motor vehicle accidents, whereas females tend be injured later in life, particularly in the age group 65 and older. In both experimental and clinical studies, the question as to whether gender affects outcome has been addressed in a variety of patient groups and animal models. Results from experimental paradigms have suggested that a gender bias in outcome exists that favors females and appears to involve the advantageous or disadvantageous effects of the gonadal sex hormones estrogen and progesterone or testosterone, respectively. However, other studies have shown an absence of gender differences in outcome in specific SCI models and work has also questioned the involvement of female sex hormones in the observed outcome improvements in females. Similar controversy exists clinically, in studies that have examined gender disparities in outcome after SCI. The current review examines the experimental and clinical evidence for a gender bias in outcome following SCI and discusses issues that have made it difficult to conclusively answer this question.
The effects of glycosaminoglycan content on the compressive modulus of cartilage engineered in type II collagen scaffolds.

Summary Objective The current study determined the unconfined compressive modulus of tissue-engineered constructs with varying sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) density produced by goat articular chondrocytes in type II collagen scaffolds prepared with a range of cross-link densities and various times in culture. The purpose of this work is to establish a basis for future studies employing constructs of selected maturity ( e.g. , 25%, 50%, or 75% normal GAG content) for cartilage repair in vivo . Methods Porous scaffolds (8mm diameter by 2mm thick) were fabricated from porcine type II collagen by freeze-drying, followed by dehydrothermal treatment and carbodiimide cross-linking. In a pilot study, passage 3 adult caprine articular chondrocytes isolated from one goat were grown in scaffolds with six cross-link densities for 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks ( n =3). The goal was to select scaffold cross-link densities and times in culture that would produce constructs with approximately 25%, 50% and 75% the GAG density of native articular cartilage. Based on the results of the pilot study, chondrocytes from three goats were grown in scaffolds with two cross-link densities for three time periods: 3, 5, and 9 weeks ( n =6; one of the cross-link groups was run in quadruplicate). The equilibrium modulus from unconfined compression testing of these samples was correlated with GAG content. Results There was a notable increase in GAG density with decreasing cross-link density. Histological analysis verified a chondrogenic phenotype and revealed various amounts of GAG and type II collagen-containing cartilage. The correlation between modulus and GAG density had a linear coefficient of determination of 0.60. One group with a mean GAG density of 22μg/mm 3 , which was 140% the GAG density of normal caprine articular cartilage, averaged a compressive modulus of 31.5kPa, which was 10% of caprine articular cartilage tested in this study. Conclusions The GAG density and modulus of tissue-engineered constructs can be controlled by the degree of cross-linking of type II collagen scaffolds and time in culture.
Assessing the Contribution of Songbirds to the Movement of Ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi in the Midwestern United States During Fall Migration

The geographic distributions of Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) and the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) are expanding in the USA. To assess the role of migratory songbirds in the spread of this tick and pathogen, we captured passerines in central Illinois during the fall of 2012. We compared forested sites in regions where I. scapularis populations were either previously or not yet established. Ticks were removed from birds and blood samples were taken from select avian species. Ticks were identified by morphology and molecular techniques were used to detect B. burgdorferi and other tick-borne pathogens in ticks and avian blood samples. Ixodes spp. were detected on 10 of 196 migrants (5.1%), with I. scapularis larvae found on 2 individuals. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was detected in the blood of 9 of 29 birds sampled (31%), yet only 1 infected bird was infested by ticks. The ticks were mostly Haemaphysalis leporispalustris and I. dentatus larvae, and none tested positive for B. burgdorferi. Infestation of birds by Ixodes spp. differed significantly by region, while B. burgdorferi infection did not. These data suggest that migratory birds may play a larger role in the dispersal of B. burgdorferi than previously realized.
On the measurement of bottom stress in lakes

The rate of decrease of amplitude of the persistent small-scale wind induced seiche in a lake is primarily a function of bottom stress. This idea is developed and a number of measurements presented.
World grain yields, snow cover, solar activity and Quasi-Biennial Oscillation relationships

Abstract Approximately 70% of the year-to-year variability in world grain yields for 1968–1987 can be explained by a simple model involving three variables: yields, winter northern hemisphere areal snow cover and annual solar activity in the preceding year. Eighty five percent of the world grain yield variability can be explained by this model, due to an enhanced solar signal, in years when the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is in its west phase. This result is bolstered by recent similar findings by others and supports the detectable impact of solar activity on weather in the stratosphere and troposphere when measured on a global scale.
How do I manage a blood shortage in a transfusion service

A lthough there are more than 16 million blood donations per year provided to more than 4 million recipients, blood shortages have recurred for decades with amazing periodicity, approximately twice every year, in the summer months over 4th of July and Labor Day and during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Anyone with any experience at blood centers or transfusion services is quite accustomed to these expected shortages. The requirement for transfusions continues to increase approximately 5 to 7 percent per year without a similar increase in donations. This fact together with the “graying” of the population will require even more donations compounded by the increasing expansions of programs requiring considerable transfusion support, for example, liver transplantations. Increasing numbers of donor rejections due to stricter donor eligibility based on real or perceived infectious threats to the blood supply, for example, Chagas disease and human herpes virus 8, and units failing additional testing will only make such shortages inevitable for the foreseeable future. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, stimulated many to question our blood supply’s readiness to deal with potential disasters in the future. Many organizations, including the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers (ABC), and government agencies, produce weekly data showing that blood centers and hospitals each maintain (on average) a 3to 5-day supply of red cells (RBCs) creating an estimated 10-day reserve of RBCs. The July 7, 2006, ABC Newsletter, however, revealed only 40 to 50 percent of their centers maintained an RBC supply of 3 days or more! No data are available for platelets (PLTs) or other components. The RBC inventories are only averages, however, and “spot” shortages of specific blood types, D–, and blood components are hidden within these averages as are the “routinely” accepted serologic substitutions of D+ products to RH– men and women unable to conceive and commonly substituting group O RBCs and PLTs for patients with A/B/AB blood types. Little can be found in the literature on how to deal with these difficult shortages from a blood center but especially from a transfusion service perspective. When any blood shortage occurs, the transfusion service’s medical director will be expected to minimize its negative impact on his or her hospital’s transfusion activities regardless of how other hospitals might respond. Many of my comments and thoughts were stimulated by facilitating the Physicians for the Advancement of Transfusion Medicine meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2004.
The synthesis, equilibration, and conformations of diastereoisomeric 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3,5-O-(methoxymethylidene)-6-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α-d-glucofuranoses. Conformational evidence from a nuclear overhauser effect

Abstract The diastereoisomers of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3,5-O-(methoxymethylidene)-6-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -glucofuranose have been prepared by treatment of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-6-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -glucofuranose with trimethyl orthoformate in acidified N,N-dimethylformamide. Treatment of an equilibrated mixture of these diastereoisomers with acetone gave 1,2:3,5-di-O-isopropylidene-6-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -glucofuranose and methyl formate. Equilibration reactions of the diastereo-isomers in various solvents, at various temperatures, have been studied quantitatively by n.m.r. spectroscopy. The resulting thermodynamic data allow a decision as to the diastereoisomer that is stabilized by intramolecular dipole—dipole interactions, which, when used in conjunction with conformational evidence from vicinal coupling-constants obtained by a computed-spectrum analysis indicated the configuration of the new asymmetric carbon atom. The configurational assignments made for these diastereoisomers were supported by chemical-shift data and by the observation of a spin-coupling over five bonds. Evidence for a favored orientation of the methoxyl group in one of the diastereoisomers was obtained from nuclear Overhauser experiments in which a 25% enhancement of the signal intensity of the neighboring methylidene proton was observed. Van der Waals interaction energies have been calculated for the conformations assigned to the diastereoisomers and for the possible conformations of the closely related 1,2:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-α- d -glucofuranose derivatives. The nonbonded interactions in these conformations are discussed and compared.
Neutrophil degranulation and complement activation during fetal cardiac bypass

Abstract Background . Fetal cardiac bypass results in dysfunction of the fetoplacental unit (FPU) characterized by increased placental vascular resistance and respiratory acidosis. However the mechanisms of this dysfunction are not completely understood. To test the hypothesis that complement activation and neutrophil degranulation may contribute to the placental dysfunction associated with fetal bypass, we compared placental hemodynamics, complement activation, and neutrophil degranulation among fetuses exposed to cardiac bypass with a miniaturized bypass circuit including an in-line axial flow pump (Hemopump), fetuses undergoing bypass with a conventional roller pump circuit, and control fetuses that were similarly exposed but did not undergo bypass. Methods . Twenty-six Western Cross sheep fetuses (median 122 days gestation) were randomly assigned to undergo cardiac bypass for 30 minutes with the Hemopump circuit (n = 8), to undergo bypass for 30 minutes with the conventional (roller pump) circuit (n = 10), or to undergo identical exposure and cannulation but not bypass (n = 8, controls). Blood samples were collected to measure white cell count and differential, and C3a and lactoferrin levels prior to bypass, at the end of bypass, and 1 and 2 hours after bypass. Hemodynamics and blood gases were also monitored. Results . There was a fall in white cell count over time that continued after bypass in all groups; neutrophils and lymphocytes were affected similarly. C3a levels rose significantly from prebypass to postbypass in the roller pump group ( p p = 0.01; roller pump p Conclusions . Complement and neutrophil activation occurred with fetal cardiac bypass but only neutrophil activation mirrored the FPU and cardiac dysfunction, suggesting that products of neutrophil activation may be important contributing factors. Improved FPU function with a bypass circuit that has less extracorporeal surface and does not require a large priming volume may be due in part to a reduction in the magnitude of this inflammatory response.