cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupled‐cluster theory and its equation‐of‐motion extensions

Coupled-cluster theory offers today's reference quantum chemical method for most of the problems encountered in electronic structure theory. It has been instrumental in establishing the now well-known paradigm of converging, many-body methods, Many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) for second, MBPT2, and fourth-order MBPT4; and coupled-cluster (CC) theory for different categories of excitations, singles, doubles, triples, quadruples (SDTQ). Although built on the same basic concept as configuration interaction (CI), many-body methods fundamentally improve upon CI approximations by introducing the property of size extensivity, meaning that contrary to any truncated CI all terms properly scale with the number of electrons in the problem. This fundamental aspect of many-electron methods leads to the exceptional performance of CC theory and its finite-order MBPT approximations plus its equation-of-motion extensions for excited, ionized, and electron attached states. This brief overview will describe formal aspects of the theory which should be understood by perspective users of CC methods. We will also comment on some current developments that are improving the theory's accuracy or applicability. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Great Case

When he became an attending physician, Dr. Jerome Groopman centered ward rounds on great cases. Then he and his wife brought their first child into the emergency room and that experience had no resonance of "a great case."
Roles of the cytoskeleton in regulating EphA2 signals.

The lateral organizations of receptors in the cell membrane display a tremendous amount of complexity. In some cases, receptor functions can be attributed to specific spatial arrangements in the plasma membrane. We recently found that one member of the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), EphA2, is organized over micrometer length scales by the cell’s own cytoskeleton, and that this can regulate receptor signaling functions. Spatial organization of the receptor was found to be highly associated with invasive character, and mechanical disruption of receptor organization altered key down-stream events in the EphA2 signaling pathway. In this Addendum article, we put forth possible models for why EphA2 and other receptors may employ mechanical and spatial inputs mediated by the cytoskeleton. We speculate that this class of input may be common, and contributes to the intricacies of cellular signaling.
Exploration and Development of Ground Water from the Stone Forest Karst Aquifers of South China

Stone forest aquifers are the most widely exploited sources for ground water in the vast south China karst belt. These aquifers occupy a thin epikarst zone that has been infilled with clastic sediments. The aquifers are characterized by large lateral permeabilities and small reservoir capacities owing to their thinness. The carbonate rocks which comprise the framework for the aquifers are usually buried under the karst plains and large karst depressions where development is desired. The stone forest aquifer exploration procedure must first locate saturated zones. Second, those parts of the saturated zone having the greatest dissolution porosity must be identified because the infilled dissolution voids contain the water. The best indicators of saturation include the combination of low topography and the presence of active karst features such as springs, karst windows (natural openings exposing the water table), and live surface streams. These elements are readily observed on intermediate scale (1:20,000) aerial photography. The depth and degree of carbonate dissolution porosity is a function of several geologic and hydrologic factors including carbonate rock type, carbonate purity, fracture density, specific discharge, age of the circulation system, etc. These variables cannot be measured directly because the carbonate rocks are usually buried under a thin mantle of clastic sediments. However, if it is recognized that the ground-water system has already exploited the most favorable geology and that dissolution is an ongoing process, a simple indirect method can be used to identify the areas having the greatest porosity. The presence of karst depressions and recent sinkholes are indicative of the most intensely karstified and hydraulically active parts of the epikarst zone. Mapping of these surface features from stereo aerial photography is a simple geomorphology exercise that can be used to directly identify the most favorable well sites. Current well construction practices in the south China karst belt involve both dug and drilled wells. Dug wells are preferred in many locations owing to both cost-effectiveness associated with cheap labor and lack of available drilling equipment. The dug wells look and function identically to karst windows and thus conform to timeless water use traditions in the region.
Conformational control of inorganic adhesion in a designer protein engineered for cuprous oxide binding.

Combinatorial selection of peptides that bind technological materials has emerged as a valuable tool for room-temperature nucleation and assembly of complex nanostructured materials. At present, the parameters that control peptide−solid binding are poorly understood, but such knowledge is needed to build the next generation of hybrid materials. Here, we use a derivative of the DNA binding protein TraI engineered with a disulfide-bonded cuprous oxide binding sequence called CN225 to probe the influence of sequence composition and conformation on Cu2O binding affinity. We previously reported a statistically significant enrichment in paired arginines (RR) among a family of cuprous oxide binding peptides and hypothesized that this is a key motif for binding. However, systematic alanine (A) substitutions in the CN225 RR motif (creating RA, AR, and AA pairs) do not support the hypothesis that RR is critical for Cu2O binding by CN225. Instead, we find that the presentation of the peptide in a disulfide-constrain...
Microarray technology and its application on nicotine research.

Since its development, microarray technique has revolutionized almost all fields of biomedical research by enabling high-throughput gene expression profiling. Using cDNA microarrays, thousands of genes from various organisms have been examined with respect to differentiation/development, disease diagnosis, and drug discovery. Nevertheless, research on nicotine using cDNA microarrays has been rather limited. Therefore, it is our intention in this article to report the findings of our cDNA microarray study on nicotine. We first present an overview of the microarray technology, particularly focusing on the factors related to microarray design and analysis. Second, we provide a detailed description of several newly identified biological pathways in our laboratory, such as phosphatidylinositol signaling and calcium homeostasis, which are involved in response to chronic nicotine administration. Additionally, we illustrate how comparisons between microarray studies help identify candidate genes that potentially may explain the observed inverse association between smoking and schizophrenia. Lastly, given the early stage of microarray research on nicotine, we elaborate on the need for an efficient analysis of genetic networks to further enhance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in nicotine abuse and addiction.
p53 Mutational status and survival of human breast cancer MCF-7 cell variants after exposure to X rays or fission neutrons

We assessed cytotoxicity of X rays or fission neutrons and the status of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in irradiated and unirradiated actively growing cultures of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. One parental or wild-type (WT) and the other resistant to adriamycin (ADRR) were studied within the same experiment. We found that, relative to MCF-7 WT cells, MCF-7 ADRR cells exhibited a small but significant resistance to X rays, but not to fission neutrons. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by DNA sequencing and immunohistochemical staining with a p53 protein-specific antibody performed on pooled polyclonal or monoclonal populations of MCF-7 WT or ADRR cells confirmed that wild-type cells have two normal copies of the p53 gene. We discovered p53 loss of heterozygosity and a point mutation in the remaining allele of the p53 gene in adriamycin-resistant cells. This mutation is a splice acceptor site change on the upstream border of exon 5 and results in p53 protein overexpression. No new p53 mutations were observed in MCF-7 WT or ADRR cells surviving either X or fission-neutron irradiations. Our results suggest that the mutant p53 allele affects cytotoxic outcomes of DNA damage from X rays but not from neutrons.
Adverse influence of baroreceptor dysfunction on upright exercise in congestive heart failure

Abstract To test the hypothesis that baroreceptor autoregulation is an important determinant of exercise performance, the hemodynamic responses to the gravitational stress of head-up tilt and upright exercise were assessed in 41 patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure. Three patterns of autonomic dysfunction during head-up tilt were identified. Group A patients had near-normal circulatory reflexes whereas Group B patients experienced orthostatic hypotension and Group C patients lacked the afferent stimulus of venous pooling, Group A patients had a significantly longer exercise duration than both Groups B and C (607 ± 104 versus 330 ± 86 and 365 ± 53 seconds, respectively, p
All solid-state high-efficiency source for satellite-based UV ozone DIAL

During the past several years Sandia National Laboratories has carried out proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate tunable, efficient, high-energy ultraviolet nanosecond light sources for satellite-based ozone DIAL. We designed our UV sources to generate pulse energies > 200 mJ at 10 Hz in the range of 308-320 nm with optical-to-optical efficiency approaching 25%. We use sum-frequency generation to mix the 532 nm second harmonic of Nd:YAG with near-IR light derived from a self-injection-seeded image-rotating nonplanar-ring optical parametric oscillator. Laboratory configurations using extra- and intra-cavity sum-frequency generation were designed and tested, yielding 1064 nm to 320 nm conversion efficiencies of 21% and 23% respectively, with pulse energies of 190 mJ and 70 mJ. These energies and efficiencies require pump depletion in the parametric oscillator of at least 80% and SFG efficiency approaching 60%. While the results reported here fall slightly short of our original goals, we believe UV pulse energies exceeding 250mJ are possible with additional refinements to our technology. Although the sources tested to date are laboratory prototypes with extensive diagnostics, the core components are compact and mechanically robust and can easily be packaged for satellite deployment.
A New Approach for Resolution of Complex Tissue Impedance Spectra in Hearts

This study was designed to test the feasibility of using sinusoidal approximation in combination with a new instrumentation approach to resolve complex impedance (uCI) spectra from heart preparations. To assess that feasibility, we applied stimuli in the 10-4000 Hz range and recorded potential differences (uPDs) in a four-electrode configuration that allowed identification of probe constants (Kp) during calibration that were in turn used to measure total tissue resistivity ρt from rabbit ventricular epicardium. Simultaneous acquisition of a signal proportional to the supplied current (Vstim) with uPD allowed identification of the V-I ratio needed for ρt measurement, as well as the phase shift from Vstim to uPD needed for uCI spectra resolution. Performance with components integrated to reduce noise in cardiac electrophysiologic experiments, in particular, and provide accurate electrometer-based measurements, in general, was first characterized in tests using passive loads. Load tests showed accurate uCI recovery with mean uPD SNRs between 101 and 103 measured with supplied currents as low as 10 nA. Comparable performance characteristics were identified during calibration of nine arrays built with 250 μm Ag/AgCl electrodes, with uCIs that matched analytic predictions and no apparent effect of frequency ( F = 0.12, P = 0.99). The potential ability of parasitic capacitance in the presence of the electrode-electrolyte interface associated with the small sensors to influence the uCI spectra was therefore limited by the instrumentation. Resolution of uCI spectra in rabbit ventricle allowed measurement of ρt = 134 ± 53 Ω· cm. The rapid identification available with this strategy provides an opportunity for new interpretations of the uCI spectra to improve quantification of disease-, region-, tissue-, and species-dependent intercellular uncoupling in hearts.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)-induced clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina metastasizing to the brain

Abstract Background Primary vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare gynecological malignancy occurring predominantly in young females with a history of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero. Vaginal CCA commonly metastasizes to the lungs and the supraclavicular lymph nodes; however we present a rare case of diethylstilbestrol-induced vaginal CCA with cerebral metastases. Case description A 43-year-old woman with prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and history of vaginal CCA treatment 8 years prior to current presentation noted new onset headache and dizziness. MRI showed an enhancing mass in the right frontal lobe. Histopathology was consistent with CCA. Conclusions This case report highlights the necessity of close extended follow-up in patients with a history of vaginal CCA and demonstrates the potential for spread of primary vaginal CCA to the brain.
Synthesis of an Epoxide Derivative of Thymidine as a Potential Enzyme Inhibitor

Abstract Attempts to prepare I -[7,8-anhydro-2,5,6-trideoxy-α-L-lyxo-(and β-n-ribo)-octofuranosyl]thymine (10) by treatment of halohydrins 6–9 with sodium hydride in DMF or sodium methoxide in methanol gave mixtures of the epoxides 10 or 11 and the 3′,8′-anhydronucleoside 12. The structure of 12 was confirmed by oxidation to the cyclic ketone 14. The successful synthesis of 10 involved a Wittig reaction on the thymidine-5′-aldehyde 16 to give the unsaturated ketoacetate 18 which was reduced in two steps to the diacetate 20. The 7′-O-tosyl derivative 21 upon treatment with sodium methoxide in chloroform gave the pure epoxide 10 which was marginally toxic to L1210 cells in culture (I50=25 μM) and demonstrated borderline in vivo activity (24% ILS) against P388 murine leukemia.
The mental health system and the etiology of homelessness: A comparison study

Previous research suggests that former psychiatric hospital patients become homeless due to (1) their inability to make use of treatment services, (2) the lack of available services, or (3) the lack of available tangible economic supports. However, supportive studies tend to examine the homeless in isolation and therefore do not fully determine whether the three factors differentiate those former patients who become homeless from the large group who do not. They also fail to undertake multivariate analysis that can separate determinants from factors that are only spuriously related to the lack of a domicile. The current study thus compares homeless and other domiciled but vulnerable former psychiatric patients within a multivariate framework. Results suggest that, except for age, few measures representing the inability to use services or the lack of treatment services predict homelessness. In contrast, homelessness is related to traits that reflect the lack of tangible resources, including the lack of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the lack of other income maintenance benefits, and the lack of work income. Such results suggest that homelessness might be avoided if vulnerable former patients receive special but not traditional types of care, if young people are retained in treatment, and if the vulnerable receive help in obtaining material support.
Randomized comparison of augmented and nonaugmented language interventions for toddlers with developmental delays and their parents.

Purpose This study compared the language performance of young children with developmental delays who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 parent-coached language interventions. Differences in performan...
Racial/ethnic differences in the influence of cultural values, alcohol resistance self-efficacy, and alcohol expectancies on risk for alcohol initiation.

Prior research has reported racial/ethnic differences in the early initiation of alcohol use, suggesting that cultural values that are central to specific racial/ethnic groups may be influencing these differences. This one-year longitudinal study examines associations between two types of cultural values, parental respect (honor for one's parents) and familism (connectedness with family), both measured at baseline, and subsequent alcohol initiation in a sample of 6,054 (49% male; 18% non-Hispanic White, 4% non-Hispanic Black, 57% Hispanic, and 22% Asian) middle school students in Southern California. We tested whether the associations of cultural values with alcohol initiation could be explained by baseline measures of alcohol resistance self-efficacy (RSE) and alcohol expectancies. We also explored whether these pathways differed by race/ethnicity. In the full sample, adolescents with higher parental respect were less likely to initiate alcohol use, an association that was partially explained by higher RSE and fewer positive alcohol expectancies. Familism was not significantly related to alcohol initiation. Comparing racial/ethnic groups, higher parental respect was protective against alcohol initiation for Whites and Asians, but not Blacks or Hispanics. There were no racial/ethnic differences in the association between familism and alcohol initiation. Results suggest that cultural values are important factors in the decision to use alcohol and these values appear to operate in part, by influencing alcohol positive expectancies and RSE. Interventions that focus on maintaining strong cultural values and building strong bonds between adolescents and their families may help reduce the risk of alcohol initiation.
Adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase(s) in diploid and SV40 transformed human fibroblasts

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37; ATP:protein phosphotransferase) in the human diploid fibroblast WI-38 and an SV40-transformant WI-38-VA13-2RA (VA13) have been compared on the basis of their concentrations in cells, isoenzyme composition and susceptibility to hormonal activation. In high population density cultures, total soluble cyclic AMP-dependent kinase activities measured with histone were essentially the same in WI-38 and VA13. Two soluble protein kinase forms separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose were present in both cell lines. The concentration of cyclic AMP required for half-maximal activation of both enzyme forms was 10-30 nM. Overall kinase stimulation was greater for the Peak I enzymes. Kinase activation induced in the presence of 0.5 M KCl was more rapid and complete for the Peak I enzymes. Under conditions which elevated the concentration of cyclic AMP in WI-38 and VA13 cells the activities of the soluble histone kinases were increased. Incubation of the cells with either of 5.7 micronM prostaglandin E1 or 1 micronM isopropylnorepinephrine induced complete activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent histone kinases within 5 min and maintained the effect for 20 min. When intracellular cyclic AMP levels were raised by prostaglandin E1, activation of glycogen phosphorylase (assayed-AMP) suggested that this enzyme cascade involving cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s) was intact and responsive in both cell lines.
Bullying and Suicidal Behaviors Among Urban High School Youth

Abstract Purpose To determine whether involvement in bullying as a perpetrator, victim, or both victim and perpetrator (victim-perpetrator) was associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts among a multiethnic urban high school population in the United States. Methods In 2008, a total of 1,838 youth in 9th–12th grades attending public high school in Boston, MA, completed an in-school, self-reported survey of health-related behaviors. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between bullying behaviors and self-reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts within the 12 months preceding the survey. Results Students who reported having been involved in bullying as a perpetrator, victim, or victim-perpetrator were more likely than those who had not been involved in bullying to report having seriously considered or attempted suicide within the past year. When age, race/ethnicity, and gender were controlled, students who were victim-perpetrators of bullying were at highest risk for both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Conclusions Urban youth who have been bullied as well as those who have bullied others are at increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
Contemplation of Thinking and Learning in Chiropractic

Attention to education in the chiropractic profession seems to have grown over the last several years. Are we developing a greater value and sensitivity to educational issues? Or, do we have a greater awareness that we are deficient in certain areas of academe and patient education? Regardless of the reasons, our attention in this issue of the journal is focused in how we learn and how we think in chiropractic.
Is the Source of Reinforcement for Naming Multiple Conditioned Reinforcers for Observing Responses

Naming refers to the incidental acquisition of word-object relations as listener and speaker without explicit reinforcement. To investigate possible sources of reinforcement for naming, we examined the effects of a procedure for conditioning reinforcement for observing responses on the emergence of naming in children who previously lacked it. The participants were three 5- to 7-year-old children with and without diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder. During the intervention, either visual or auditory stimuli were first conditioned as reinforcers for observing responses. Then, neutral visual or auditory stimuli were paired with the conditioned visual or auditory stimuli until both visual and auditory stimuli acquired reinforcing properties for observing. Following this intervention, the participants demonstrated naming of stimuli that had been used in pretests for naming, as well as on a novel set of stimuli. We observed increases in echoic responding in conjunction with the emergence of naming and conditioned reinforcement for both observing responses. We interpret the data as suggesting that listener and speaker repertoires are joined for naming only when both visual and auditory stimuli reinforce the observing responses of looking and listening simultaneously.
Lymphocyte reactivity to autochthonous tumor cells in dogs with spontaneous malignancies.

Abstract Lymphocyte reactivity to autochthonous tumor cells was determined by using fresh, incubated, cryopreserved, or trypsinized tumor cells from 29 dogs with malignant lymphoma and 24 dogs with solid tumors. Lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro by autochthonous irradiated tumor cells and, after 6 days in culture, incubated with [ 3 H] thymidine. The ratio of cpm of stimulated over nonstimulated cultures was determined. In 18 of 29 lymphoma dogs and 15 of 24 solid tumor dogs, significant reactivity of lymphocytes to autochthonous tumor cells was seen. No consistent effect of autologous serum on lymphocyte reactivity was found. It was concluded that tumor cells from most dogs with spontaneous malignancies have tumor-associated antigens capable of stimulating autochthonous lymphocytes in culture.
898 REGULATION OF NEUTROPHIL PRODUCTION AT BOTH THE CFUc AND MYELOCYTE LEVELS

The mechanisms for increasing neutrophil (neut) production in neonates are not clear, but we postulate that regulation exist not only at the CFUc, but also at the myelocyte level. We previously observed regulation at the CFUc level in non-infected neonatal rats, which had very rapid CFUc proliferation (thymidine suicide >2 × adult). However, during infection, in contrast to adults, their CFUc proliferative rate did not increase further. In the present study we devised an assay, requiring only .05 ml blood, for neut myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme synthesized by promyelocytes and halved between daughter cells with each myelocyte division. Thus, MPO/mature neut can be a marker for the number of myelocyte divisions. In premature and term rats, MPO/ neut was low (1.5±0.1×10−7units/neut in premature; 1.5±0.7×10−7 u/neut at term) but increased to 3.0±0.4×10−7 at 3 wks and 5.8±0.7×10−7 at 6 wks, consistent with extra myelocyte divisions in neonates, amplifying their production of mature neut. During the first 24h of a sublethal group B streptococcal infection, MPO/neut increased to 4.0±0.6×10−7u/neut in neonates (p <0.001), and from 3,9±0.5×−7 to 6.5±0.8×10−7 in 4 wk-olds (p<0.005), likely from deleting one myelocyte division, thus shortening the time required to produce mature neut. Therefore, in non-infected growing neonates, neut production appears to be accelerated by increasing the CFUc proliferative rate and amplified by increasing the number of myelocyte divisions. In infected neonates, CFUc proliferation is not further accelerated, but production time is shortened by deleting one myelocyte division.
The 1966 Kremasta reservoir earthquake sequence

The ten-month (February-November, 1966) earthquake sequence thought to be associated with the filling of the Kremasta reservoir in northern Greece can be divided into two distinct segments. The first, consisting of the main shock ( m b =5.6, M ,=5.8) and its aftershocks in the following nine months, indicate normal faulting primarily on a northwest-striking, southwest-dipping, fault plane to a depth of 35–45 km. The second, which began in late October with another large ( m b = 5.8, M s =5.3) event, consists of thrust faulting not on the previous fault plane. The Kremasta sequence occurs at the transition between extensional and compressive faulting in a distributed plate boundary region. The main shock occurred near the top of an aftershock zone much larger than the expected fault area, in accord with a model in which the main shock and many of its aftershocks were induced by pore water diffusion along a preexisting feature. Alternatively, the main shock may be background seismicity and the aftershocks are located near the lake due to pore pressure effects. The later thrust aftershocks are less likely to be directly reservoir related.
Genetic Correlation Between Performance on an Appetitive‐Signaled Nosepoke Task and Voluntary Ethanol Consumption

The present study used a signaled appetitive nosepoke task as a measure of behavioral control or impulsivity related to reward system function in mice and determined how impulsivity correlated with voluntary ethanol consumption. Thirteen inbred strains were trained to nosepoke for food rewards and eventually trained to nosepoke for reward when an auditory signal was presented. Efficiency in the signaled nosepoke task indicated the ability of the mice to withhold the nosepoke response until the signal to respond for a reward was given and was considered indicative of behavioral control or impulsivity. After completion of the nosepoke task, the mice were tested for ethanol consumption in a three-bottle choice test at 3 and 10% (v/v) ethanol concentrations. Behavioral measures from the nosepoke task and ethanol consumption measures were correlated to determine a genetic relationship. High efficiency, the ability to withhold nosepoking until signaled, was negatively correlated with ethanol consumption. Thus, the strains who were better able to control their behavioral responding (i.e., less impulsive) consumed less ethanol, and strains who were more impulsive consumed more ethanol. This genetic relationship may be a mouse behavioral model for some of the neuropsychological traits demonstrated in human subjects who are family history-positive for alcoholism.
Right Turn?: Political Ideology in the Higher Civil Service, 1987-1994

Principal-agent models can justify political management of career officials, while at the same time predicting challenges to it, in part reflecting the different ideological goals of careerists and...
High performance LC-VCOS for 3GPP base station transceivers

An 11G VCO in 45-nm CMOS employing high Vth switching core devices for improved phase noise is presented for integrated base station RF transceivers for 3GPP applications. The VCO in combination with on-chip PLL is used for clocking on-chip multi-GHz data converters. It provides an in-depth coverage into device type selection for improved phase noise to meet 3GPP specifications. It also evaluates phase noise of VCOs in prior published art with this approach. The VCO achieves phase noise of −157 dBc/Hz at 40 MHz offset at 2.77 GHz at 25DegC. The VCO covers 9.4 GHz to 11.4 GHz tuning range and consumes 130mW of power from a 2.5V supply at 11 GHz and 25 DegC.
Statins Prevent Stroke Recurrences… But Can They Improve Stroke Outcome?

See related article, pages 3526–3531. First, multiple studies firmly established the value of statins in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke among patients with cardiovascular disease.1 Then the truly seminal Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial showed that high-dose atorvastatin reduced the risk of subsequent stroke in patients without known coronary artery disease who had a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack before enrollment.2 Now, in this issue of Stroke , the SPARCL investigators present data suggesting that high-dose statin might also reduce the severity of recurrent strokes.3 Can it be true that statins may not only prevent progression of vascular disease, but also be neuroprotectants or enhance recovery from neurological injury? There is convincing experimental evidence indicating that statins have various potentially neuroprotective properties, including amelioration of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, attenuated production of reactive oxygen …
Role of hypoxemia and hypercapnia in acute cardiovascular response to periodic apneas in sedated pigs

The effects of hypoxemia and hypercapnia in acute cardiovascular response to periodic non-obstructive apneas were explored in seven preinstrumented, sedated paralyzed and ventilated pigs under three conditions: room air breathing (RA), O2 supplementation (O2), and supplementation with O2 and CO2 (CO2). EEG monitoring showed no arousal under any conditions. RA apneas increased mean arterial pressure (MAP, from baseline 95.9±4.5 to late apnea 124.4±7.8 Torr, P<0.01), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic and end-systolic myocardial fiber lengths and systemic vascular resistance, but decreased cardiac output (CO, 3.09±0.34–2.37±0.26 L/min, P<0.01), heart rate (HR, 115.1±7.5–102.0±7.8 bpm, P<0.01), and stroke volume (SV, 29.6±0.7–21.1±1.8 ml, P<0.01). O2 apneas produced similar decreases in HR (114.0±11.8–105.4±8.7 bpm, P<0.05) as with RA apneas, but smaller increases in MAP (94.5±1.8–103.4±2.8 Torr, P<0.01) and in the variables of pre- and after-load. CO and SV remained unchanged with O2 apneas. CO2 was associated with higher MAP, CO, and HR at baseline relative to RA, but similar cardiovascular response during apneas in direction and magnitude to those of O2 apneas. We conclude that in this model hypoxemia is a major but not the sole determinant of the pressor response during apneas. Hypercapnia cannot explain the pressor response seen when hypoxemia is abolished. The HR fall during apneas is independent of hypoxemia, hypercapnia and the pressor response.
Conjoint measurement in multiple objective decision making: A new approach

Abstract A new methodology for estimating the objective function in a multiple objective mathematical programming model is presented. A decision maker is required to provide pairwise preferences, or rank orders, of a set of solutions to the multiple objective problem. Conjoint measurement is then applied to this preference information to estimate parameters of an assumed utility function. Simulation tests support the method as being mathematically tractable, while a laboratory study with human decision makers provides encouraging results for the practicality of the technique.
Ross Ice Shelf oxygen isotopes and West Antarctic climate history

The Ross Ice Shelf δ18O profile at station J-9 covers at least the last 30,000 yr. It identifies the depth in the core of ice from (i) the last glacial-interglacial transition (266 to 286 m) and (ii) the 1000-m surface elevation (about 140 m). Various processes contribute to the δ18O change observed in the core: (i) climatic warming, mainly caused by a decrease in winter sea ice extent around Antarctica of about 6° latitude early in the glacial-interglacial transition, (ii) decreasing ice sheet thickness later in the glacial-interglacial transition and during the Holocene, and (iii) decreases in elevation and effective distance from the open ocean as the source of the ice in the core shifts along the flow line toward J-9. Average δ18O values of the last 3000 yr imply a fairly stable climate. Yet shorter (102 to 103 yr) δ18O climatic oscillations up to 6‰ are seen in both the Holocene and the glacial portion of the record.
3-Bromotyrosine and 3,5-dibromotyrosine are major products of protein oxidation by eosinophil peroxidase: potential markers for eosinophil-dependent tissue injury in vivo.

Detection of specific reaction products is a powerful approach for dissecting out pathways that mediate oxidative damage in vivo. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), an abundant protein secreted from activated eosinophils, has been implicated in promoting oxidative tissue injury in conditions such as asthma, allergic inflammatory disorders, cancer, and helminthic infections. This unique heme protein amplifies the oxidizing potential of H2O2 by utilizing plasma levels of Br- as a cosubstrate to form potent brominating agents. Brominated products might thus serve as powerful tools for identifying sites of eosinophil-mediated tissue injury in vivo; however, structural identification and characterization of specific brominated products formed during EPO-catalyzed oxidation have not yet been reported. Here we explore the role of EPO and myeloperoxidase (MPO), a related leukocyte protein, in promoting protein oxidative damage through bromination and demonstrate that protein tyrosine residues serve as endogenous traps ...
Experimental infection of liver flukes, Fasciola hepatica and Fascioloides magna, in Bison (Bison bison).

This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of American bison (Bison bison) to liver flukes, Fascioloides magna and Fasciola hepatica. Six bison were each experimentally inoculated with 600 metacercariae of Fascioloides magna, and three were later treated with triclabendazole suspension at 40 mg/kg of body weight. Four additional bison were each experimentally inoculated with 600 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica. Five control bison were placebo controls. Two controls and all inoculated bison were euthanized 10 mo (Fascioloides magna) and 7 mo (Fasciola hepatica) after inoculation. None of the control bison or the bison inoculated with Fascioloides magna had flukes or lesions characteristic of fluke infection at necropsy. All four bison inoculated with Fasciola hepatica had characteristic liver fluke lesions at necropsy, and three of four bison contained four, 103, and 111 adult flukes, respectively. Fluke eggs were detected in feces of all Fasciola hepatica–inoculated bison duri...
The religious context of the women's suffrage campaign in Ireland

Abstract This article examines the relationship between the various Irish women's suffrage societies and the Christian churches. It looks at the attitudes of particular suffragists, organised groups and the clergy to the questions of not only granting women the vote but wider feminist issues as well. It argues that neither the women nor the clergy were predictable. There were suffragists who were anti-church and there were suffragists who formed organisations which closely reflected their religious affiliations. Some members of the clergy spoke out against the cause, but there were also a number who gave it their backing, though not always for feminist reasons.
Management of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Comparison Via Work Sampling Analysis of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Physicians in Training

• BACKGROUND Little is known about aspects of practice that differ between acute care nurse practitioners and physicians that might affect patients’ outcomes. • OBJECTIVE To determine if time spent in work activities differs between an acute care nurse practitioner and physicians in training (pulmonary/critical care fellows) managing patients’ care in a step-down medical intensive care unit. • METHODS Work sampling techniques were used to collect data when the nurse practitioner had 6 months’ or less experience in the role (T 1 ), after the nurse practitioner had 12 months’ experience in the role (T 2 ), and when physicians in training provided care on a rotational schedule (nurse practitioner not present, T 3 ). These data were used to estimate the time spent in direct management of patients, coordination of care, and nonunit activities. • RESULTS Results for T 1 and T 2 were similar. When T 2 and T 3 were compared, the nurse practitioner and the physicians in training spent approximately half their time in activities directly related to management of patients (40% vs 44%, not significantly different). The nurse practitioner spent more time in activities related to coordination of care (45% vs 18%; P < .001) and less time in nonunit activities (15% vs 37%; P < .001). • CONCLUSION The nurse practitioner and the physicians in training spent a similar proportion of time performing required tasks. Because of training requirements, physicians spent more time than the nurse practitioner in nonunit activities. Conversely, the nurse practitioner spent more time interacting with patients and patients’ families and collaborating with health team members. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2003;12:436-443)
Modeling available bandwidth for an efficient qos characterization of a network path

Estimating the reliability of an end–to–end network path is critically important for applications that support remote real–time task execution. Available bandwidth, which is defined as a minimum spare capacity of links constituting a network path, is an important QoS characteristic of the path. In this work we demonstrate a new approach to modelling available bandwidth behavior from a time-series analysis prospective. In particular, we introduce a notion of crossing probability–the probability that available bandwidth drops below the QoS critical threshold for the period of time required for a real-time task execution.We estimate “crossing probability” by an application of the ARCH2 (AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) model to available bandwidth behavior. We estimate model coefficients β0 and β1 to quickly output “crossing probability” for arbitrary values of threshold and length of the real-time task. The model was evaluated on real bandwidth measurements across multiple network paths.
Repeated bargaining with reference-dependent preferences

We consider a two-player bargaining model in which one or both players have reference-dependent preferences, but are otherwise perfectly rational. Our behavioural assumption is that players with reference-dependent preferences prefer impasse to consuming strictly less than their current reference points. Reference points adjust each period according to some exogenously specified law of motion. When reference points do not adjust following disagreement, we show that disagreement does not arise in equilibrium, but they do influence the division of the pie. In contrast, when reference points adjust downwards following disagreement, disagreements arise and players may try to manipulate the reference point of their opponent. When reference points adjust downwards following a rejection, for a particular Markov equilibrium, we show that the set of feasible allocations can be divided into agreement and disagreement regions. In particular, there are thresholds such that if one (or more) player’s reference point is above the threshold, disagreement necessarily arises.
Application of a risk assessment based approach to designing ambient air quality monitoring networks for evaluating non-cancer health impacts.

An ambient air quality monitoring network has been establishedusing risk assessment techniques to evaluate adverse health effects from exposures to airborne contaminants. The risk assessment method was compared to traditional methods of establishing air quality monitoring networks: identifying maximumconcentration impacts or maximum total population. Results suggest that the health risk method best predicted the locationof adverse, non-carcinogenic respiratory illnesses during the evaluation period. Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient, rs, values obtained using the risk assessment method werestatistically greater than the values obtained using theconcentration and population methods. The concentration methodwas the least accurate predictor of adverse effects.
Extracortical bone-bridging fixation with use of cortical allograft and recombinant human osteogenic protein-1.

Background: Prosthetic reconstruction with extracortical bone-bridging fixation is an effective method for the treatment of massive bone loss. We evaluated the effect of the use of recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rhOP-1) combined with allogenic cortical bone strips as a substitute for an autogenous bone graft for extracortical bone-bridging. Methods: Eight skeletally mature adult male dogs underwent a bilateral resection of a 6-cm segment of the femoral diaphysis and reconstruction with a porous segmental prosthesis. On the experimental side, an allogenic cortical onlay graft in the form of bone strips combined with rhOP-1 mixed with bovine type-I-collagen putty (OP-1 putty) was applied. On the control side, allogenic cortical bone strips augmented with autogenous cancellous bone chips and bone marrow were used. The reconstructions were followed for twelve weeks with biweekly evaluations of load-bearing gait and radiographs. The animals were killed twelve weeks after the surgery, and the reconstructed femora were studied biomechanically, histologically, and with microradiographs. Results: One animal was excluded from the analysis because a fracture of the proximal part of the femur on the control side was observed radiographically twelve weeks after the surgery. There were no significant differences in load-bearing gait between the experimental and control sides throughout the experimental period. Serial radiographs revealed a 1.9-fold (p < 0.04), 2.7-fold (p < 0.01), and 2.4-fold (p < 0.03) increase in mineralized area on the experimental side at two, four, and six weeks, respectively. The torsional stiffness and strength of the fixation attributed to the extracortical bridging bone alone were 2.3-fold (p < 0.03) and 2.2-fold (p = 0.058) greater on the experimental side, respectively. The allograft porosity on the experimental side was 3.8-fold (p < 0.02) greater than that on the control side. With the number of samples available, there was no significant difference in mineral apposition rate between the experimental and control sides. Conclusions: In an animal model of segmental bone-replacement prosthetic fixation with use of the extracortical bone-bridging principle, an allogenic onlay cortical graft combined with rhOP-1 was an effective substitute for autogenous bone graft. Clinical Relevance: The allogenic onlay cortical graft combined with rhOP-1 may be useful for fixation of segmental bone and joint prostheses implanted for the treatment of massive defects of long bones.
Ultrasonic Air Temperature Sensing for Automatic Climate Control - Vehicle Test

An ultrasonic air temperature sensor, intended to help improve automatic climate control (ACC), has been demonstrated in a vehicle. Ideally, ACC should be based on inputs correlated with thermal comfort. Current ACC systems do not measure the air temperature best correlated to thermal comfort — at breath level in front of an occupant. This limits the thermal comfort that ACC can provide under transient conditions. An ultrasonic sensor measures the bulk air temperature, is transparent to the driver, and can use commercially available components. In a proof-ofconcept test, we monitored the thermal transients in a vehicle during cool-down after a hot soak and also during warm-up after a cold soak. The ultrasonic path was along the roof console. The ultrasonic temperature always agreed to ±1 oC with the air temperature measured by a thermocouple at the midpoint of the ultrasonic path. Compared to breath-level temperature, there was good agreement for the winter test but, for the summer test there was a 5 oC constant shift. Thermocouple data taken at the two locations showed the same effect. The ultrasonic sensor is rapid and precise, and it is a good candidate for improving ACC.
High Content Cell Screening in a Microfluidic Device

A comprehensive, systems level understanding of cell signaling networks requires methods to efficiently assay multiple signaling species, at the level of single cells, responding to a variety of stimulation protocols. Here we describe a microfluidic device that enables quantitative interrogation of signaling networks in thousands of individual cells using immunofluorescence-based readouts. The device is especially useful for measuring the signaling activity of kinases, transcription factors, and/or target genes in a high throughput, high content manner. We demonstrate how the device may be used to measure detailed time courses of signaling responses to one or more soluble stimuli and/or chemical inhibitors as well as responses to a complex temporal pattern of multiple stimuli. Furthermore we show how the throughput and resolution of the device may be exploited in investigating the differences, if any, of signaling at the level of a single cell versus at the level of the population. In particular, we show that NF-κB activity dynamics in individual cells are not asynchronous and instead resemble the dynamics of the population average in contrast to studies of cells overexpressing p65-EGFP.
Expression and Regulation of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenases

Humans are exposed on a more or less continual basis to a myriad of synthetic and natural chemicals with the potential to cause deleterious effects. Most exogenous chemi cals undergo oxidative metabolism as a prelude to excretion. This “biotransformation” creates polar products that can be eliminated directly or following conjugation. However, the same metabolic machinery can form reactive metabolites that may bind covalently to macromolecules in the cell. This “activation” process is a required step in the expression of many carcinogenic, mutagenic, and other toxic responses associated with many envi ronmental contaminants.
Hereditarily universal sets

An immune set is found such that the recursive equivalence type of its infinite subsets are universal in a very strong sense.