cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity within and between n-back modulated regions: An adult lifespan PPI investigation

Abstract Working memory (WM) and its BOLD-related parametric modulation under load decrease with age. Functional connectivity (FC) generally increases with WM load; however, how aging impacts connectivity and whether this is load-dependent, region-dependent, or associated with cognitive performance is unclear. This study examines these questions in 170 healthy adults (Mage = 52.99 ± 19.18) who completed fMRI scanning during an n-back task (0-, 2-, 3-, and 4-back). FC was estimated utilizing a modified generalized psychophysiological interaction approach with seeds from fronto-parietal (FP) and default mode (DM) regions that modulated to n-back difficulty. FC analyses focused on both connectivity during WM engagement (task vs control) and connectivity in response to increased WM load (linear slope across conditions). Each analysis utilized within- and between-region FC, predicted by age (linear or quadratic), and its associations with in- and out-of-scanner task performance. Engaging in WM either generally (task vs control) or as a function of difficulty strengthened integration within- and between-FP and DM regions. Notably, these task-sensitive functional connections were robust to the effects of age. Stronger negative FC between FP and DM regions was also associated with better WM performance in an age-dependent manner, occurring selectively in middle- and older-adults. These results suggest that FC is critical for engaging in cognitively demanding tasks, and its lack of sensitivity to healthy aging may provide a means to maintain cognition across the adult lifespan. Thus, this study highlights the contribution of maintenance in brain function to support working memory processing with aging. Impact Statement The literature examining functional connectivity (FC) during working memory (WM) in healthy adults is mixed in both age effects and its relationship to performance. This study contributes to the literature by examining a large, adult lifespan sample, increased levels of WM load, and additional investigation of connections within and between fronto-parietal and default mode regions. Results revealed age-invariant strengthened FC during WM, suggesting that healthy aging may be resilient to FC changes. Additionally, negative FC between regions was associated with better WM performance in middle-aged and older adults, highlighting the important of FC maintenance to support successful WM ability.
Attribute-Aware Generative Design With Generative Adversarial Networks

The designers’ tendency to adhere to a specific mental set and heavy emotional investment in their initial ideas often limit their ability to innovate during the design ideation process. The shrinking time-to-market and the growing diversity of users’ needs further exacerbate this gap. Recent advances in deep generative models have created new possibilities to overcome the cognitive obstacles of designers through automated generation or editing of design concepts. This article explores the capabilities of generative adversarial networks (GAN) for automated, attribute-aware generative design of the visual attributes of a product. Specifically, a design attribute GAN (DA-GAN) model is developed for automated generation of fashion product images with the desired visual attributes. Experiments on a large fashion dataset signify the potentials of GAN for attribute-aware generative design, verify the ability of editing attributes with relatively higher accuracy and uncover several key challenges and research questions for future work.
Hepatitis C Virus Drugs Simeprevir and Grazoprevir Synergize with Remdesivir to Suppress SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Cell Culture

Effective control of COVID-19 requires antivirals directed against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Here we assess ten available HCV protease inhibitor drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. There is a striking structural similarity of the substrate binding clefts of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and HCV NS3/4A proteases, and virtual docking experiments show that all ten HCV drugs can potentially bind into the Mpro binding cleft. Seven of these HCV drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease activity, while four dock well into the PLpro substrate binding cleft and inhibit PLpro protease activity. These same seven HCV drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus replication in Vero and/or human cells, demonstrating that HCV drugs that inhibit Mpro, or both Mpro and PLpro, suppress virus replication. Two HCV drugs, simeprevir and grazoprevir synergize with the viral polymerase inhibitor remdesivir to inhibit virus replication, thereby increasing remdesivir inhibitory activity as much as 10-fold.
Clinical and neurohormonal characteristics in African Americans with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension.

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) is the hallmark of neurodegenerative forms of autonomic failure, including pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy, and Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown autonomic physiological differences in Africans Americans (AA) such as lower heart rate variability, enhanced blood pressure reactivity, and blunted sympathetic neural response compared to non-Hispanic whites. However, the clinical characteristics and neurohormonal profile of autonomic failure in AA is unknown. A total of 65 patients with nOH participated in this study (9 AA and 56 non-Hispanic whites). Both groups were of similar age and comorbidity status, and they underwent standardized autonomic testing and assessment of neurohormonal levels and renin activity and aldosterone in supine and upright positions. There were no significant differences in baseline autonomic clinical characteristics between non-Hispanic whites and AA with nOH. Non-Hispanic whites demonstrated a significant increase in upright renin activity compared to AA (295 ± 88% vs. 13 ± 13%, respectively). AA showed a blunted increase in aldosterone compared to non-Hispanic whites (188 ± 27% vs. 59 ± 38%, respectively). These results indicated persistent suppression of the renin-angiotensin system in AA, particularly during upright posture. Our findings demonstrate that AA with nOH have similar clinical characteristics and hemodynamic autonomic profiles, but lower upright renin activity and aldosterone levels, compared to non-Hispanic whites. Renin suppression persists in AA with severe autonomic failure and can potentially contribute to postural changes and supine hypertension.
28.4 A 400mV pp 92.3 dB-SNDR 1kHz-BW 2 nd -Order VCO-Based ExG-to-Digital Front-End Using a Multiphase Gated-Inverted Ring-Oscillator Quantizer

Next-generation wearable devices will enable clinical-grade, continuous ExG (ECG, EEG, EMG, etc.) biopotential monitoring, providing medical professionals with valuable longitudinal data outside of hospital settings. These devices must be ultra-low power $(\lt 10 \mu W)$ to enable long battery life while accurately digitizing sub-kHz, $\mu V-$level ExG signals in the presence of large motion and/or stimulation artifacts $(\gt 100$ mV) with high input-impedance $(Z_{in}\gt 10M\Omega)$ to avoid signal attenuation. Achieving such performance with conventional PGA + ADC architectures is challenging due to the conflicting low-power and $\gt 90$ dB dynamic-range (DR) requirements [1]. To address this, several direct digitization analog front-ends (AFEs) have been reported [2]–[4]. While these offer wide DR, they typically have low input-impedance $(\lt 5 M\Omega)$ and/or low power-efficiency (FoM $\le 172$ dB). This paper presents a scalable $2^{nd}-$order voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-only $\Delta \sum$ ADC that achieves 92.3dB SNDR in a 1kHz bandwidth using a mismatch tolerant, multiphase gated-inverted ring-oscillator (GIRO) quantizer with dynamic power-scaling. The ADC uses an impedance-booster to maintain $\gt 50 M\Omega$ input-impedance over the entire bandwidth while consuming $4.25 \mu W$ during nominal operation and $5.8 \mu W$ in the presence of artifacts resulting in an FoM of 174.7dB.
An Overview of Cation-Disordered Lithium-Excess Rocksalt Cathodes

In the past several years, cation-disordered Li-excess rocksalts (DRXs) have quickly emerged as a new class of promising high-energy Li-ion battery (LIB) cathode materials. These oxides and oxyfluo...
Tom and Thode’s excellent adventure: Practical guidance on surviving seedy bars, preparing for a DJ career, dismantling the U.S. Panama Canal zone, and other useful tips when working with towed acoustic arrays in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Tom Norris used many acoustic tools in his research career, but it is safe to say that towed passive acoustic arrays were one of his specialties. In 1998 the National Marine Fisheries Service conducted the Stenella Population and Abundance Monitoring (SPAM) cruise. The NOAA ship Endeavor was to survey enormous dolphin populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), starting from Lima, Peru, and ending in Panama City, Panama. Jay Barlow, one of my PhD thesis committee members, permitted me to participate in the cruise as a member of his towed array passive acoustic monitoring team. The first time I ever met Tom, the acoustics team leader, was when he was carrying a surfboard into his cabin, and I wondered how in the world he had managed to ship a surfboard into Peru. It was the first of many times I have enjoyed both working with and wondering about Tom, and our first trip together taught me practical things they forgot to teach in graduate school. Here, I will review Tom’s tips on Mackie mixer boards, buying drinks in dangerous bars, tracking dolphin whistles, not antagonizing visual observers, and liberating furniture from the U.S. Panama canal zone.
Network Analysis of Neurobehavioral and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms One Year after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often experienced under stressful circumstances that can lead to both symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and neurobehavioral symptoms of brain injury. ...
Balloon Tamponade in the Radiological Diagnosis of Esophageal Varices

Summary This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of balloon tamponade of the esophagus as an adjunct to the radiological diagnosis of esophageal varices. One hundred twentytwo patients, including 111 with cirrhosis, were studied successively by conventional barium contrast examination, by balloon tamponade examination, and by esophagoscopy. Three radiologists independently interpreted the conventional esophagograms alone and in conjunction with the balloon tamponade examination. Esophageal varices were found in 25 to 39% of the patients by conventional esophagogram, in 33 to 59% by the combined radiological interpretation, and in 34% by esophagoscopy. The incidences of both inter- and intraobserver error were lower with conventional than with balloon tamponade radiological examination. Similarly, diagnostic agreement of endoscopic findings was higher with conventional than with balloon tamponade examination. Balloon tamponade examination not only failed to improve the radiological diagnosis of esophageal varices but it appeared to decrease the accuracy and reliability of the radiological diagnosis of esophageal varices. The importance of designing such investigations to minimize observer variation was emphasized.
On Criticism as Value-Judgement

AS CAN BE IMAGINED, it was a thrill for me to be rung by Professor Frank Conroy with the news that my biography of Diderot had won the Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism. It was also quite a surprise, since up till now the book has not been exactly what you would call a best seller. The trouble is, partly, that Diderot is one of those figures about whom people feel, guiltily, that they ought to know more than they do?or that they know a lot, if only they could manage to bring it to mind. When his name comes up in conversation, a hunted look comes over people's faces. Now, there is a good reason for this, and it is largely the result of Diderot's very queer publishing history, the works we are most likely to value him for now having been, quite simply, unpublished and unknown during his life time. Thus I would not think of blaming people for a certain blankness on the subject. Though on the other hand, I do feel they are missing some thing. So much for Diderot. Since the Capote Award is for a work of literary criticism, I ought, in the course of thanking the Writers'Workshop and the judges, to say something on the subject of criticism in general. I shall not pretend that I do not have views on the subject; I have decided to make it an excuse to state my basic ideas on art and criticism, or in other words to expound my theory of aesthetics. I am afraid it may all be rather dry, and I just hope you will forgive this. I would begin by positing that literature, music and the plastic arts are at bottom the same kind of thing. This seems reasonable, if for no other rea son than that there seems to be a lot in common between the careers of a Wordsworth, a Rembrandt or a Beethoven, and about the sort of achieve ment they seem to be pursuing. But granting this?if you do?a large con sequence follows. For what seems to be true about all the arts, but comes home to one most obviously in the case of music, is that the arts are all about value. Art has, essentially, no other raison d'?tre than to be intrinsi cally valuable. I am exaggerating a little, of course. For a long time, Western art was in the service of the Church and therefore could be said to have had a utilitarian function. Still, if we consider a secular work of music, shall we
Gasoline price spikes and regional gasoline context regulations : a structural approach

This paper studies the degree to which gasoline price spikes in California, Illinois and Wisconsin over 1995 to 2001 can be explained by regulatory differentiation - gasoline sold in California, Illinois and Wisconsin is chemically different than gasoline sold in other locations as a result of local regulation supplementary to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. I specify a structural model based on the production optimization problem of refiners and estimate wholesale prices for jet fuel, diesel and four blends of gasoline in each geographic market. I then simulate a counterfactual in which gasoline in the three states meets federal requirements. Comparing the results from the counterfactual to the initial model, allows me to distinguish the degree to which prices spikes in these markets are the result of regulatory differentiation, rather than geographic heterogeneity. I estimate that 72, 92 and 91 percent of price spikes created by refinery fires in California, Illinois and Wisconsin could be mitigated by compatibility with federal RFG standards. Moreover, I also quantify the effect of two other factors thought to increase gasoline prices, (i) changes in refinery ownership and (ii) limited expansion of domestic refining capacity.
Tensions in Decision-Making Processes Relating to the Environment: The Role of Public Participation

The aim of this chapter is to give additional emphasis to the issue of participation. With a view to fostering the debate, I would like to put forward a number of comments, with respect to decision-making issues as well as the scientific debate underpinning environmental decisions.
Laparoscopic Assisted ACE Procedure for Fecal Incontinence in Children (I)

Neurogenic bowel conditions are often part of severe congenital malformations, such as spina bifida, cloaca, or imperforate anus. Affected patients frequently require aggressive daily bowel management to prevent constipation and continuous stool leakage. The regular application of retrograde enemas, often in combination with manual disimpaction, is necessary to ensure proper empting of the rectal vault. Many of the affected children are either wheelchair bound or have limited dexterity, making them dependent on a caretaker to perform the rectal procedures.
“My Problem and How I Solved It”: Domestic Violence in Women's Magazines

Social scientists have generated a vast literature on domestic violence, a small part of which has entered the popular media and the consciousness of its consumers. As yet there has been little scholarly investigation of this popular body of knowledge on domestic violence. Using a qualitative analysis of popular women's magazine articles and magazine writers' guidebooks, I investigate the content, creation, and impact of this popular discourse. In this study, I demonstrate that the majority of articles in popular women's magazines continue to portray the public issue of domestic violence as a private problem. Not only is it portrayed as a private problem but most often it is the victim's problem. The dominant individual perspective that places responsibility on the victim normalizes the idea that victims should be held responsible for solving the problem. Finally, I demonstrate how the writing and editorial practices of these popular women's magazines contribute to the dominance of assigning responsibility for domestic violence to individuals.
Optimization of culture conditions for Chlorella sorokiniana using swine manure wastewater

Algae, an ideal feedstock for biodiesel, can assimilate organic and inorganic pollutants of animal wastewater and convert them into cellular constituents such as lipids and carbohydrates. In the study, the impacts of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP) of swine manure wastewater and inoculation concentration of algae seeds on biomass production of algae Chlorella sorokiniana were studied. Our results demonstrated that concentration of TN in wastewater would scarcely affect the algae growth, and inhibition of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) on the growth of C. sorokiniana was not so obvious, although NH3-N occupied the overwhelming proportion of nitrogen source. Three factors (COD, TP, and inoculation size) which had significant impact on biomass production of C. sorokiniana using swine manure wastewater were optimized using response surface methodology. The optimal biomass production (128 mg l−1 d−1) was obtained when C. sorokiniana was cultivated in swine manure wastewater containing 345 mg l−1 COD and 45 mg l−1 TP, with the initial inoculation concentration of 136 mg l−1 algae seeds (dry weight). Then the strain was cultivated in 30 l photobioreactor with the optimized condition, a biomass yield (160 mg l−1 d−1) was achieved, accompanied with removal rates of TN (72%), TP (86%), and COD (38%). The study could provide guidance for large-scale cultivation of algae in wastewater.
Bolometric luminosity evolution.

The observations made by IRAS are capable of detecting evolution in the OB star formation rates of galaxies at cosmologically interesting redshifts if that evolution takes the form of star formation rates ten or more times higher than seen in nearby galaxies. Spectroscopic follow-up observations of IRAS-selected galaxies, and IRAS source counts, indicate that there may indeed exist a rare population of galaxies with such high star formation rates. The most luminous found so far approach quasars in luminosity.
Forced Generation of Solitary-Like Waves Related to Unstable Boundary Layers

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the forced generation of solitary-like waves related to unstable boundary layers. In an incompressible, steady, two-dimensional boundary-layer flow on a flat plate, instability evolves in the form of Tollmien–Schlichting linear eigenmodes if the Reynolds number exceeds a certain critical value. A linear stage of the wave development can be kept approximately two-dimensional over a long distance, provided that a disturbing source is carefully controlled during measurements. The basic mechanism underlying the manifestation of the periodically produced solitary-like waves can be attributed to their excitation as nonlinear eigenmodes in both systems. On the other hand, the shapes of the corresponding limit cycles in the phase plane, display some intrinsic characteristics depending on the model. The instantaneous displacement thickness is evaluated simultaneously with the velocity field in the near-wall viscous sublayer. This feature makes the triple deck dissimilar to the classical boundary-layer theory of Prandtl. The truly nonlinear disturbances propagating through the Blasius boundary layer are described. Some characteristic features of forced oscillations are also presented.
Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Nicotine in Man

Why do people habitually consume tobacco and how does tobacco use influence the health of the habitual user? Complete answers to these questions are many years away. But a beginning is an understanding of the human pharmacology of nicotine, which is the primary pharmacologically active substance in tobacco. Central issues include: (1) What are the pathways and rate of metabolism? (2) How does elimination rate influence effects of nicotine or smoking behavior? (3) What is the time course of nicotine in the body during regular tobacco use? (4) What is the relationship between dose, concentration, and effects? (5) How does tolerance influence effects of nicotine? We will review a number of studies conducted in our laboratory examining these issues.
Can nutrient supplements modify brain function

Over the past 40 y, several lines of investigation have shown that the chemistry and function of both the developing and the mature brain are influenced by diet. Examples are the effect of folate deficiency on neural tube development during early gestation, the influence of essential fatty acid deficiency during gestation and postnatal life on the development of visual function in infants, and the effects of tryptophan or tyrosine intake (alone or as a constituent of dietary protein) on the production of the brain neurotransmitters derived from them (serotonin and the catecholamines, respectively). Sometimes the functional effects are clear and the underlying biochemical mechanisms are not (as with folate and essential fatty acids); in other cases (such as the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan), the biochemical effects are well understood, whereas the effect on brain function is not. Despite the incomplete knowledge base on the effects of such nutrients, investigators, physicians, and regulatory bodies have promoted the use of these nutrients in the treatment of disease. Typically, these nutrients have been given in doses above those believed to be required for normal health; after they have been given in pure form, unanticipated adverse effects have occasionally occurred. If this pharmacologic practice is to continue, it is important from a public safety standpoint that each nutrient be examined for potential toxicities so that appropriate purity standards can be developed and the risks weighed against the benefits when considering their use.
Rats Self-Administer Carbachol Directly into the Nucleus Accumbens

The potential reinforcing effect of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist carbachol within the nucleus accumbens (ACB) was examined in female Wistar rats by using the technique of intracranial self-administration. Rats dose dependently self-administered solutions of 0.0-6.6 mM (in a volume of 100 nL per injection) directly into the ACB. Rats self-administered the 3.3 and 6.6 mM doses significantly more than the group given only vehicle. The caudate putamen did not support reliable self-administration of the 6.6-mM dose. Rats exhibited preference for the lever that produced infusions of 3.3 and 6.6 mM carbachol into the ACB over the lever that had no consequence. The self-infusion of the 6.6-mM dose into the ACB was inhibited by the coadministration of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (0.25 mM), but not by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (6.6 mM). The present results suggest that direct activation of muscarinic receptors within the ACB supports self-administration and could result from reinforcement or from elicitation of a novel stimulus.
Racing with the dragon

The Richard Hartley Clinical Prize, sponsored by Arnolds Veterinary Products, was won in 1982 by Mr Tim Greet for his papers ‘Observations on the potential role of oesophageal radiography in the horse’ and ‘Windsucking treated by myectomy and neurectomy’, which appeared in the January and October issues of EVJ on pages 73–79 and 299–301, respectively. Mr Greet used the prize money to visit Hong Kong, spending some of his time at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, and his experiences of the small but populous colony are reported here.
Optical Techniques In The Army: An Overview

AbstractThe Army is currently investigating the potential of optical and/or hybrid optical /digital techniquesto solve many of its signal processing, target identification and communications problems. It is ex- pected that optical or hybrid optical /digitaltechniques will find application where large quantities ofdata must be processed in real time or near real time. This paper will discuss the present Armyactivities in acousto -, electro-, integrated and fiber optics. i A few representative current applica-tions are image and signal correlation, spectral analysis and multi -mode fiber optic systems. 56 / SPIE Vol. 185 Optical Processing Systems (1979)Optical techniques in the Army: an overview James W. MinkU. S. Army Research Office Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 AbstractThe Army is currently investigating the potential of optical and/or hybrid optical/digital techniques to solve many of its signal processing, target identification and communications problems. It is ex­ pected that optical or hybrid optical/digital techniques will find application where large quantities of data must be processed in real time or near real time. Jhis paper will discuss the present Army activities jn acousto-, electro-, integrated and fiber optics. A few representative current applica­ tions are image and signal correlation, spectral analysis and multi-mode fiber optic systems.
Time-resolved photoluminescence of GaN nanowires of different crystallographic orientations

Our studies of time-integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence of a-axis and c-axis GaN nanowires demonstrate that the blue-shifted ultraviolet photoluminescence in a-axis GaN nanowires relative to c-axis GaN nanowires can be attributed to surface state emission.
Staging of gynecologic malignancies.

AbstractStaging of gynecologic malignancies is essential for proper management; it is important to ensure that the appropriate imaging examinations are performed to ensure the most accurate staging possible. Accurate staging is very crucial for these patients because the treatment plan and prognosis
Prediction of current decay and terminal voltages in adiabatic superconducting magnets

Abstract A computer program that simulates quenching in adiabatic superconducting multisectioned solenoids is described. The winding of each section is assumed to be a close-packed hexagonal arrangement of wire impregnated with epoxy resin. The program predicts the current, terminal voltages and temperature distribution for each section of the coil. The normal zone is assumed to originate at the high-field region of the winding and to grow radially and axially by heat conduction through the epoxy and insulation. Turn-to-turn normal zone propagation is calculated from an empirical correlation based on measurements in small samples of conductor configured to simulate coil windings. Since normal zone propagation along the conductor is very rapid, each turn can be considered to become normal at once. The model has been applied successfully to predict the current and terminal voltages in two- and four-section solenoids: agreement between the predictions and experimental results is good.
WE‐G‐141‐04: Use of a Dynamic KV X‐Ray Collimator for Reduced‐Dose Fluoroscopic Fiducial Tracking

Purpose: Intra‐fraction organ motion can be problematic for highly conformal radiation therapy techniques. Fluoroscopy with the on‐board imager available on many linear accelerators can provide real time tumor position information however potentially high radiation dose can be a concern. The target may only account for a few percent of the image area, thus using a dynamic collimation device to restrict the field of view to an appropriate region‐of‐interest and follow its motions the imaging dose can be substantially reduced. Methods: A prototype collimator has been developed which can be mounted to the kV x‐ray source of a Varian Trilogy linear accelerator in place of the standard bowtie filter. The collimator tracking was tested using realistic motion profiles derived from patient data and a 3‐axis motion stage with a CT spot as the target fiducial. The clinical system does not currently provide real time access to the image data so the collimator was fed the fiducial position from the motion control system with controllable lag to simulate image‐processing time. Results: In the acquired fluoroscopic data the collimator blade edges were identified using a hough line transform on the thresholded gradient magnitude image and the fiducial position was identified with a template matching technique. Over four minutes of continuous tracking with intermittent burst of fluoroscopic imaging the fiducial was never more than 1.7mm from the aperture center and the root mean square distance was 0.8mm. Conclusion: The dynamic collimator exhibits accuracy that could enable highly conformal fluoroscopic imaging to provide real‐time target position information with greatly reduced imaging dose. This work was funded, in part, by Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto CA. The contents of this work are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of any supporting organizations.
(n-3) and (n-6) PUFA as biochemical markers for developmental stages of brine shrimp developing toward ‘dumpy’ or ‘slender’ adults

Abstract Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the (n-3) and (n-6) series are involved in many physiological processes. We investigated their importance during development toward the adult brine shrimp. PUFA families and specific PUFA were identified that can be used as biochemical markers of specific developmental stages. Depending on the diet, the adults assumed different phenotypes (‘dumpy’ or ‘slender’). Principal components analysis showed that at hatching, all same-batch-larvae are distinguished from other developmental stages by high levels of 18:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) as well as 18:4 (n-3) and 20:5 (n-3) PUFA. At the larval-to-juvenile molt, two groups of brine shrimp emerged: those showing increasing levels of 20:4 (n-3), later to develop into ‘slender’ adult brine shrimp, and those having increased levels of 18:4 (n-3) and 18:3 (n-6) becoming future ‘dumpy’ adults. PUFA content was low in all juveniles. Both juvenile groups were characterized by 18:3 (n-6) PUFA. ‘Slender’ adults, developing from larvae raised on a diet with an 18:2/18:3 ratio of 5.95 and a PUFA/SFA ratio of 0.45, had predominantly high levels of 20:4 (n-3), but also 18:3 (n-6). ‘Dumpy’ adults, derived from larvae grown on a diet with an 18:2/18:3 ratio of 1.3 and PUFA/SFA ratio of 4.11, had high levels of 18:2 (n-6) (PCA results) and 20:3 (n-6). These data suggest that high levels of PUFA from the (n-3) or the (n-6) PUFA series are differentially accumulated in ‘slender’ ((n-3) PUFA) and in ‘dumpy’ brine shrimp ((n-6) PUFA).
The effect of surface reconstruction on desorption: H/Mo(100)

Abstract We have measured adsorption isobars for the system H/Mo(100) and from them we have extracted the energy of activation, E d , and the frequency factor, ν, as functions of coverage from 0 to 2 ML along the isobar. This method allows the independent determination of each of these quantities. We have also obtained estimates of the partial molar entropy of adsorption as a function of coverage. We observe large changes in all of these quantities as functions of coverage. The strong correlation between the observed changes in these parameters and the structural phase transitions as observed by LEED and IR lead to the conclusion that surface reconstruction has a profound influence on the kinetics of desorption.
The effects of cocaine on gonadal steroid hormones and LH in male and female rhesus monkeys.

Cocaine stimulates significant increases in estradiol, testosterone (T), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in rhesus monkeys, but the temporal interactions between the gonadal steroid hormones and LH have not been determined. The effects of i.v. cocaine (0.8 mg/kg) or saline placebo administration on estradiol, T, and LH were compared in follicular phase female and male rhesus monkeys. Samples for hormone analysis were collected at 2-min intervals for 20 min, then at 10-min intervals for 50 min. Peak plasma cocaine levels were detected at 4 min and pharmacokinetic analyses showed no significant gender differences. Baseline hormone levels were equivalent before saline and cocaine administration, and saline did not alter LH or estradiol levels. In females, when baseline estradiol levels were low ( 100 pg/ml), LH levels did not change significantly after cocaine administration. Estradiol and T increased significantly after LH, within 16 min after cocaine administration (P < 0.01-0.001). In males, significant LH increases were detected at 16 min after cocaine administration (P < 0.05-0.001), but estradiol and T did not change significantly. Thus, cocaine may stimulate significant increases in estradiol and T in females but not in males. These rapid hormonal changes may contribute to cocaine's abuse-related effects, as well as to disruptions of the menstrual cycle during chronic cocaine administration.
Synthesis and reactivity of alkenyl and alkynyl derivatives of permethylzirconocene and permethylhafnocene. Rearrangement of alkenyl derivatives involving β-H elimination from an sp2-hybridized carbon

Abstract The insertion of unactivated acetylenes into the metal-hydride bonds of (η5-C5Me5)2MH2 (M = Zr, Hf) proceeds rapidly at low temperature to form mono- and/or bisinsertion products, dependent on the steric bulk of the acetylene substituents. 2-Butyne and t-butylacetylene react to form (η5-C5Me5)2M(H)(C(Me)CHMe) and (η5-C5Me5)2M(H)(CHCHCMe3) (M = Zr, Hf). Propyne and 1-butyne react to form (η5-C5Me5)2M(CHCHCH3)2 (M = Zr, Hf) and (η5-C5Me5)2Zr(CHCHCH2CH3)2. Phenylacetylene yields both (η5-C5Me5)2M(H)(CHCHPh) and (η5-C5Me5)2M(CHCHPh)2 (M = Zr, Hf). To extend the study of the unsaturated carbon ligands, the bis(propynyl) complexes (η5-C5Me5)2M(CCCH3)2 (M = Zr, Hf) are prepared by treating (η5-C5Me5)2MCl2 with LiCCCH3. The reactivity of many of these complexes with carbon monoxide and dihydrogen is surveyed. The mono(2-butenyl)zirconium complex (η5-C5Me5)2Zr(H)(C(Me)CHMe) rearranges, forming the crotyl-hydride species (η5-C5Me5)2Zr(H)(η3-C4H7) or, in the presence of 2-butyne, the zirconacyclopentene (η5-C5Me5)2- ZrCH 2 CH(CH 2 CH 3 )C(CH 3 )C (CH3). The hafnium analog (η5-C5Me5)2Hf-(H)(C(Me)CHMe) also rearranges, although more slowly and less cleanly, to the analogous crotyl-hydride hafnium species. The bis(propenyl) and bis(butenyl)zirconium complexes also rearrange, forming zirconacyclopentenes (η5-C5Me5)2 ZrCH 2 CH(R)CHC R and (η5-C5Me5)2 ZrCH 2 CH(R)C(R)C H (R = CH3, CH2CH3). The bis(propenyl)hafnium complex is stable to rearrangement. Mechanistic and kinetic studies of these transformations demonstrate the occurrence of an unusual β-hydrogen elimination from an sp2-hybridized carbon.
Brain activation in processing temporal sequence: an fMRI study

Structured event complexes (SECs) are stored representations of sequential event knowledge, and represent sequences of activities that have been described elsewhere as scripts or schemas. Previous studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex is involved in temporal sequencing. The present study investigates the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in temporal order and membership judgments of script and category items by using functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this experiment, stimuli were either script events or category items. In experimental trials, subjects classified stimuli according to temporal order or membership category. Results show that the script order task and the chronological order task (relative to their respective memberships tasks) were associated with different patterns of PFC activation. Both order tasks activated the middle frontal gyrus bilaterally; however, script order tasks showed additional activation in right inferior frontal gyrus, and the chronological order tasks in left inferior frontal gyrus. These results suggest that while the middle frontal gyri are activated bilaterally in both script and chronological temporal ordering tasks, there are different, though largely overlapping, neural substrates for script and chronological representations during temporal ordering.
Ethical issues in the initiation and termination of treatment.

This report addresses the ethical issues involved in decisions to initiate and terminate treatment. A general framework is constructed and then two illustrative cases are discussed. The framework is developed in three stages. First, the issue of guiding ethical principles is examined, with a multiple-principle approach being adopted. Second, common models of the care-giver/patient relationship (warrior, parental, contractual, covenantal) are identified, and their varying impacts on treatment decisions are explained and assessed. Third, specific criteria for determining when to initiate and terminate treatment are introduced. Two criteria (willingness and medical benefit) are commended in the context of initiating treatment, while three distinctions (willing v unwilling, passive v active, and terminal v nonterminal) are found to be particularly helpful when deciding if treatment should be terminated. Two illustrative cases involve end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The first describes a noncompliant and abusive intravenous (IV) drug user on hemodialysis who wants to continue on dialysis and eventually receive a living-related donor kidney transplant. The second describes a patient's decisions to refuse feeding gastrostomy and jejunostomy, any further surgical or diagnostic intervention, and eventually dialysis—though only after a period of time when he wants dialysis alone to continue.
1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone stimulates endothelial KCa channels and nitric oxide formation in rat mesenteric vessels

Abstract Hyperpolarization of most blood vessels occurs by the opening of KCa channels. 1-Ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) is a direct activator of KCa channels in epithelial cells and is potentially valuable for studying cellular hyperpolarization. This study reports the effects of 1-EBIO on isolated rat mesenteric beds perfused with normal (4.7 mM), or high (20 or 80 mM) K+ physiological salt solution (PSS) and constricted with an α1-adrenoceptor agonist, cirazoline (0.3–1 μM). Arterial perfusion pressures were decreased by 1-EBIO (0.1–30 nmol) in a dose- and endothelium-dependent manner. Infusion of penitrem A (100 nM), a maxi-K+ channel blocker, or apamin (0.5 μM), a small-conductance (SKCa) K+ channel blocker, produced significant increases in cirazoline-mediated tone (mm Hg): 103.3±8.7 (control) vs. 156.3±14.3 (penitrem A); or 93.0±15.8 (control) vs. 114.0±15.4 (apamin). 1-EBIO relaxations were attenuated by penitrem A, while apamin, dendrotoxin (50 nM; a KV channel antagonist), or ouabain (100 μM; a sodium pump blocker) failed to alter the responses. 1-EBIO-mediated relaxations decreased significantly with increasing extracellular [K+]: relaxations to 30 nmol were 89.3%±3.2% (4.7 mM K+, normal PSS) vs. 59.5%±3.4% and 19.0%±3.9% for 20 and 80 mM K+ PSS, respectively. Nω-nitro- l -arginine-methyl ester ( l -NAME; 100 μM), and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 μM), selective inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, and nitric oxide-sensitive guanylate cyclase, respectively, abolished 1-EBIO relaxations in vessels perfused with 20 or 80 mM K+ PSS. We conclude that: (1) maxi-K+ and SKCa channels are present in rat mesenteric arterial vessels and actively contribute to vascular tone, (2) vasodilator action of 1-EBIO involves the opening of endothelial maxi-K+ channels and nitric oxide synthesis.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Deactivation: A Hospice Quality Improvement Initiative

Abstract Background Dying patients whose implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) continue to deliver shocks may experience significant pain, and the National Quality Forum has endorsed routine deactivation of ICDs when patients near the end of life. The overarching goal of this quality improvement project was to increase rates of ICD deactivation among hospice patients. Measures ICD deactivation rates pre- vs. post-intervention; and clinicians' knowledge and confidence regarding ICD management. Intervention A multifaceted intervention included clinical tools, education, and standardized documentation templates in the electronic medical record. Outcomes The proportion of patients whose ICD was deactivated increased after the intervention (pre- vs. post-intervention: 39/68, 57% vs. 47/56, 84%; odds ratio 3.88; 95% confidence interval 1.54–10.37; P = 0.001). Clinicians' knowledge and confidence regarding ICD management improved (pre- vs. post-intervention median questionnaire scores: 5 vs. 9 on a scale of 0 to 10; Wilcoxon signed-rank test Z = −5.01; P Conclusions/Lessons Learned A multifaceted intervention can increase rates of ICD deactivation among patients near the end of life.
Vortex dynamics of heavy-ion-irradiated YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ : Experimental evidence for a reduced vortex mobility at the matching field

Electrical transport measurements in heavy-ion-irradiated ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ thick films reveal a clear maximum of the critical current when the applied magnetic field is approximately equal to the magnetic field at which all columnar defects are occupied. This result directly indicates that vortex mobility is greatly reduced when no vacant columns are available. We suggest that this result is a vestige of the Mott insulator phase predicted for the vortex system at zero temperatures.
Micro-RNA-195 and -451 Regulate the LKB1/AMPK Signaling Axis by Targeting MO25

Background Recently, MicroRNAs (miR) and AMP-kinase (AMPK) have emerged as prominent players in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. We hypothesized that components of the adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) pathway are targeted by miRs and alter AMPK signaling during pathological cardiac stress. Methodology/Principal Findings Using a mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), we demonstrated early elevation of miR-195 and miR-451 in HCM hearts, which targets MO25, a central component of the MO25/STRAD/LKB1 complex that acts as an upstream kinase for AMPK. We show functional targeting of MO25 by miR-195 and -451. Further in vitro interrogation of MO25 as a functional target validated this hypothesis where over-expression of miR-195 in C2C12 cells knocked down MO25 expression levels and downstream AMPK signaling (phosphorylation of Acetyl CoA carboxylase [ACC] and AMPK activity assay), similar to MO25 knockdown in C2C12 cells by siRNA. Parallel changes were measured in 60 day R403Q HCM male hearts that were rescued by short-term administration of AICAR, an AMPK agonist. Conclusions/Significance Elevated miR-195 targets the LKB1/AMPK signaling axis in HCM progression and implicates a functional role in HCM disease progression. MiR-195 may serve as potential therapeutics or therapeutic targets for heart disease.
Characteristics of Prostate Cancer Detected by Digital Rectal Examination Only

OBJECTIVES To examine clinical and pathologic features and postoperative survival outcomes of men with prostate cancer detected by digital rectal examination (DRE) alone, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level alone, or abnormalities in both. METHODS From 1989 to 2001, approximately 36,000 men participated in a prostate cancer screening study. We recommended biopsy for a PSA level greater than 4.0 ng/mL (until 1995) or greater than 2.5 ng/mL (after 1995) or DRE findings suspicious for cancer. The clinical and pathologic features were compared between patients with cancer detected by DRE alone and those with cancer detected by an elevated PSA level, regardless of DRE findings. We also evaluated progression-free survival, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS Overall 303 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer by DRE alone, 1426 because of PSA level alone, and 504 by abnormal results on both tests. Of the cancers detected by DRE alone, 60 (20%) were non-organ-confined and 56 (20%) had a Gleason score of 7 or higher. Prostate cancers detected because of abnormalities in both PSA level and DRE results were significantly more likely to have adverse pathologic features, as well as lower rates of progression-free survival, overall survival, and cancer-specific survival than those detected by either test alone (all P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS A substantial proportion of prostate cancers detected by DRE at PSA levels less than 4 ng/mL have features associated with clinically aggressive tumors. The omission of DRE from screening protocols might compromise treatment outcomes because many of the cancers detected by DRE alone are potentially curable but may have worse outcomes by the time PSA also reaches a higher level.
Electrical and contractile properties of isolated rat atria in buffer-free medium as influenced by changes in pH

Der Einfluss von pH-Anderungen auf die Kontraktions- und elektrischen Eigenschaften von Rattenvorhofen wurde in pufferfreien Medien untersucht; eine Suspension von Vorhofen in pufferfreier Krebs-Ringerlosung hatte eine zweiphasige inotrope Wirkung, (anfangliche Erregung, hierauf progressive Entspannung). Reduktion des pH von 7,4 auf 6 hatte keine bedeutende Wirkung auf die kontraktile Spannung, wahrend eine Erhohung des pH von 7,4 auf 8,8 das Spannungsdekrement verringerte. Saures Medium erhohte die Dauer der Aktionspotentiale, verringerte die maximale Geschwindigkeit der Depolarisierung und verlangerte die Leitungszeit, wahrend ein alkalisches Medium die Dauer der Aktionspotentiale verkurzte.
Regulation gone wrong: a subset of Sézary patients have malignant regulatory T cells.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas derived from T cells that home to and inhabit the skin. There are conflicting reports as to whether CTCLs represent a malignancy of regulatory T cells (Tregs), a T-cell subset that can suppress local immune reactions. In this issue, Heid et al. present convincing evidence that the malignant T cells in a subgroup of Sezary patients are FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Clonal malignant T cells showed increased expression of the Treg-associated transcription factor FOXP3 and demethylation of the FOXP3 gene locus, and T cells from at least some of these patients suppressed T-cell proliferation in vitro.