cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Inositol Phosphates in Carrot (Daucus carota L.) Cells

We have shown previously that inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) stimulates an efflux of 45Ca2+ from fusogenic carrot protoplasts (M Rincon, WF Boss [1987] Plant Physiol 83: 395-398). In light of these results, we suggested that IP3 might serve as a second messenger for the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in higher plant cells. To determine whether or not IP3 and other inositol phosphates were present in the carrot cells, the cells were labeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol for 18 hours and extracted with ice-cold 10% trichloroacetic acid. The inositol metabolites were separated by anion exchange chromatography and by paper electrophoresis. We found that [3H]inositol metabolites coeluted with inositol bisphosphate (IP2) and IP3 when separated by anion exchange chromatography. However, we could not detect IP2 or IP3 when the inositol metabolites were analyzed by paper electrophoresis even though the polyphosphoinositides, which are the source of IP2 and IP3, were present in these cells. Thus, [3H] inositol metabolites other than IP2 and IP3 had coeluted on the anion exchange columns. The data indicate that either IP3 is rapidly metabolized or that it is not present at a detectable level in the carrot cells.
Abstract Categorization Ability as a Predictor of Learning Disability Classification.

Abstract Based on a theoretical analysis of the type of cognitive processing that should be sensitive to population differences, this study evaluated the diagnostic validity of a task measuring abstract categorization ability in six-, seven-, and eight-year-old learning disabled (LD) and non-LD peers. This research is part of a project, the major goal of which is the development of a cognitive-based preschool screening test for the early detection of children who may subsequently fail in school. Diagnostic validity is being evaluated within the context of the research strategy we have adopted. Data are presented that demonstrate that the component of abstract category knowledge that best discriminates LD children from non-LD peers, is knowledge of how members of abstract categories differ from each other. This is consistent with a priori predictions from theory.
A phase II trial of dolastatin-10 in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Abstract Objectives To estimate the antitumor efficacy of dolastatin-10 in patients with measurable recurrences of platinum-sensitive ovarian carcinoma and to determine the nature and degree of toxicity of dolastatin-10 in these patients. Methods Patients received dolastatin-10 400 μg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks and tumor measurements were performed every one to two cycles. Results Of 28 patients evaluable for response, there were no complete or partial responses. Seven patients had stable disease and 21 patients had increasing disease. Conclusions Dolastatin-10 has minimal activity in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian carcinoma at the dose and schedule tested.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Delayed-onset Primary Cytomegalovirus Disease in Cardiac Transplant Recipients

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative recipients of cardiac allografts from CMV-seropositive donors (CMV D + /R − ) are at highest risk of CMV disease after transplantation. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence, clinical features, risk factors and outcome of delayed-onset primary CMV disease in cardiac recipients who received anti-CMV prophylaxis. Methods This study enrolled all CMV D + /R − cardiac recipients during the period from 2000 to 2004. The medical records of patients were reviewed to assess clinical variables and outcomes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and survival analysis. Results During the 5-year study period, a total of 31 cardiac recipients had CMV D + /R − serostatus (mean age ± SD: 49.2 ± 13.7 years; 74% male). All patients received oral ganciclovir ( n = 6) or valganciclovir ( n = 25) prophylaxis for a median duration of 95 days (interquartile range: 90 to 100). No breakthrough CMV disease was observed. However, 9 (29%) patients developed delayed-onset primary CMV disease (3 with CMV syndrome, 6 with gastrointestinal disease) during the period from 120 to 444 days after transplantation. No demographic or clinical variable was significantly associated with delayed-onset primary CMV disease. However, acute rejection with a severity of Grade ≥2 showed a trend toward association with CMV disease (hazards ratio: 2.46; 95% confidence interval: 0.66 to 9.2; p = 0.18). During the mean (±SD) follow-up period of 2.9 (±1.68) years, 3 patients died. CMV disease was not associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions In the contemporary era of anti-viral prophylaxis, delayed-onset primary CMV disease remains a common complication among CMV D + /R − cardiac recipients. This finding warrants a better strategy for CMV prevention.
Accuracy assessment of a clinical biplane fluoroscope for three-dimensional measurements and targeting

There is considerable interest in using a fluoroscope for accurate three-dimensional measurements for diagnosis and therapy delivery. In this manuscript, we describe the necessary processing used to accurately find three-dimensional points in the field of view of a fluoroscopic imager and experimental results that show the system is capable of submillimetric accuracy. The image produced by a fluoroscope is spatially distorted -- a radial distortion results from the curved geometry of the xray detector and a rotation and translation are caused by an interaction ofthe electrons in the image intensifier tube with the local magnetic fields. Tests indicate that these distortions are significant (on the order of 1 cm) and affect the accuracy with which one can measure objects and distances in the images. By attaching a dense grid of radiopaque beads to the surface of the intensifier, it is possible to measure the amount of distortion present in the final image by comparing the bead positions in the image with the physical position of the beads on the grid. Furthermore, warping parameters can be derived from the bead locations and used to correct the distortion. By tessellating the image into triangular regions and applying a bilinear warping technique, we have been able to dramatically reduce distortion present in the image. Results indicate that after warping, the bead spacing is correct with a median error of 0.03 mm and a maximum error of 0.65 mm; the standard deviation of the distance error is 0.25 mm. Using pairs of images from the fluoroscopes, triangulation techniques are used to find target points in three dimensions assuming a nine-parameter, pinhole camera model. The parameters include the source-to-intensifier distance (SID), the image center (ut, va), the translation of the x-ray source (s, s, si), and the rotation of the fluoroscope about a world coordinate system (O,,y). The world coordinate system is set up using a calibration object that consists of radiopaque beads embedded in a Delrin cylinder. The beads are arranged such that they lie along a helical path; this shape is chosen to help avoid overlap of the beads in each projection image. By placing the calibration object within the field of view, the nine parameters of the model can be determined for each fluoroscope in the biplane system. In vitro experiments were performed using a Philips' Biplane Poly Diagnost I fluoroscope in clinical use at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The system has an SID of approximately 1 m and a 36 cm intensifier diameter. Initial results indicate that the points in space can be found with a high degree of accuracy (within 0.5 mm error) using the fluoroscope. In conclusion, it is possible to use a clinical biplanar fluoroscope for accurately finding three-dimensional points in space which is useful for making anatomical measurements and targeting for therapy delivery. Keywords: Fluoroscope, Computer Vision, Local Optimization, Distortion Correction, Accuracy, Three-dimensional, Measurement.
Teaching Spanish to Emergency Medicine Residents

Objective: To determine the effects of teaching medical Spanish to eight PGY1 emergency medicine residents on their subsequent interactions with Spanish-speaking patients. Methods: Eight PGY1 residents completed a 45-hour medical Spanish course administered during their first residency month. Thirty-four subsequent physician-patient interactions by these residents were audiotaped over a six-month period at a suburban teaching ED. The tapes were transcribed and analyzed for errors by a professional medical Spanish interpreter and a native Spanish speaker. Results: Minor errors (e.g., technically incorrect grammar or vocabulary with generally appropriate patient understanding) were found in more than half of the interactions and major errors (e.g., misunderstanding duration of symptoms, misunderstanding of vocabulary) were found in 14% of the interactions. In addition, although the course was designed to supplement, not replace, professional interpreters, the residents called for an interpreter only 46% of the time. Conclusion: Although medical language courses may be a useful adjunct to interpreters, they are not designed to replace them. Significant errors may occur when participants in such courses assume their knowledge is sufficient to obtain a good history, give patient release instructions, and provide medical care in general without an interpreter present.
Boundary and Distributed Controllability of the Damped Wave Equation: Reduction of Control Time

Abstract We consider the zero controllability problem for the distributed parameter system governed by the damped wave equation u tt + 2d x u t − 1 ρ(x) d dx p(x) du dx + q x u = F x, t , where x ∈ [0, a], a u x + ku t 0 = 0, u x + hu t a = ϕ t , h, k ∈ C ∪ ∞ . We consider two cases: (a) F(x, t) = g(x)f(t) and ϕ(t) is not identically zero; (b) ϕ(t) = 0 and F(x, t) = ∑mj = 1 g(j)(x)fj(t). The functions f(t), fj(t), and ϕ(t) are the distributed and boundary controls respectively. The problem with a nontrivial function f(t) and ϕ(t) = 0 was studied in our recent (joint) work using the spectral decomposition method. The approach was based on the recent results of one of the authors on the spectral analysis of the nonselfadjoint dynamics generator of the system. It was shown that the system is controllable in a time T1 which is equal to twice the time it takes for a wave to travel between the ends of the interval [0, a]. In the present paper, we investigate the conditions on the force profile functions g(x), g(j)(x), j = 1, 2,…,m, under which the control time can be reduced. Namely, in case (a), we give the sufficient conditions on g(x) under which the combination of two controls f(t) and ϕ(t) allows us to reduce the control time twice. In case (b), we give the sufficient conditions on the force profile functions g(j)(x), j = 1, 2,…,m, under which the control time is equal to T1/m. In the proofs of these results, we use the generalization of the approach suggested by Russell for the boundary controllability of the undamped wave equations.
Cellular Homeostasis and Repair in the Mammalian Liver

The mammalian liver is one of the most regenerative tissues in the body, capable of fully recovering mass and function after a variety of injuries. This factor alone makes the liver unusual among mammalian tissues, but even more atypical is the widely held notion that the method of repair depends on the manner of injury. Specifically, the liver is believed to regenerate via replication of existing cells under certain conditions and via differentiation from specialized cells--so-called facultative stem cells--under others. Nevertheless, despite the liver's dramatic and unique regenerative response, the cellular and molecular features of liver homeostasis and regeneration are only now starting to come into relief. This review provides an overview of normal liver function and development and focuses on the evidence for and against various models of liver homeostasis and regeneration.
Icosahedral order in liquids

The possibility of icosahedral order in liquids and its role in glass transition is discussed in a broad context of statistical mechanics of liquid. It is pointed out that the structures of glasses and liquids are described both in terms of the topology of atomic bond networks as well as the local distortion of the atomic bonds. While topology plays a dominant role in covalent glasses, local distortion is likely to be more important for metallic glasses.
Money laundering trends in South Africa

Reports a study by the Centre for the Study of Economic Crime at Rand Afrikaans University into the characteristics of money laundering schemes in South Africa; these were discussed at a workshop on December 5 2001. Outlines the 1998 Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), the 1992 Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and their general money laundering provisions, including negligence and intent, defence and penalties; also the racketeering provisions of POCA. Moves on to the reporting of suspicious transactions, where the POCA provisions will be repealed by the new Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA); this covers general obligations, secrecy and confidentiality, penalties, preventing tipping‐off, and reporting statistics. Gives examples of the schemes themselves, which fall into broad themes: purchase of goods and properties, abuse of businesses and financial institutions, cash and currency, and the informal sector; case studies include S v Dustigar, Motsepe v Commissioner of Inland Revenue, S v Van Zyl, S v Caswell, and Director of Public Prosecutions: Cape of Good Hope v Bathgate.
Convergence of strain energy release rate components for Edge-Delaminated composite laminates

Strain energy release rates for edge delaminated composite laminates were obtained using quasi 3 dimensional finite element analysis. The problem of edge delamination at the -35/90 interfaces of an 8-ply composite laminate subjected to uniform axial strain was studied. The individual components of the strain energy release rates did not show convergence as the delamination tip elements were made smaller. In contrast, the total strain energy release rate converged and remained unchanged as the delamination tip elements were made smaller and agreed with that calculated using a classical laminated plate theory. The studies of the near field solutions for a delamination at an interface between two dissimilar isotropic or orthotropic plates showed that the imaginary part of the singularity is the cause of the nonconvergent behavior of the individual components. To evaluate the accuracy of the results, an 8-ply laminate with the delamination modeled in a thin resin layer, that exists between the -35 and 90 plies, was analyzed. Because the delamination exists in a homogeneous isotropic material, the oscillatory component of the singularity vanishes.
Impact of Mississippi River freshwater reintroduction on enhancing marsh accretionary processes in a Louisiana estuary

Abstract To counteract extensive wetland loss a series of diversion projects have been implemented to introduce freshwater and sediment from the Mississippi River into Louisiana coastal wetlands. To keep pace with increases in water level due to subsidence Louisiana coastal marshes must vertically accrete through the accumulation of both organic matter and mineral sediment. The impact of Mississippi River freshwater diversion on enhancing vertical marsh accretion (mineral and organic matter accumulation) was examined in Breton Sound estuary, a coastal wetland experiencing marsh deterioration as result of subsidence and salt water intrusion. Using 137 Cs dating and artificial marker horizons, increases in the rate of vertical marsh accretion were measured at marsh sites along a spatial gradient which has been receiving diverted water from the Mississippi River (Caernarvon diversion) since 1991. Vertical accretion and accumulation of mineral sediment organic matter and nutrients in the marsh soil profile, increased at marsh sites receiving freshwater and sediment input. Iron and manganese content of the marsh surface sediment were shown to be an excellent signature of riverine sediment deposition. Soil extractable phosphorus was higher and extractable sodium was lower at sites nearest freshwater and sediment input. Results demonstrated that freshwater diversion through sediment input and lowering of salinity will enhance marsh accretion and stability, slowing or reversing the rate of wetland loss.
Coherent view-dependent streamline selection for importance-driven flow visualization

Streamline visualization can be formulated as the problem of streamline placement or streamline selection. In this paper, we present an importance-driven approach to view-dependent streamline selection that guarantees coherent streamline update when the view changes gradually. Given a large number of randomly or uniformly seeded and traced streamlines and sample viewpoints, our approach evaluates, for each streamline, the view-dependent importance by considering the amount of information shared by the 3D streamline and its 2D projection as well as how stereoscopic the streamline’s shape is reflected under each viewpoint. We achieve coherent view-dependent streamline selection following a two-pass solution that considers i) the relationships between local viewpoints and the global streamline set selected in a view-independent manner and ii) the continuity between adjacent viewpoints. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with several synthesized and simulated flow fields and compare our view-dependent streamline selection algorithm with a naive algorithm that selects streamlines solely based on the information at the current viewpoint.
Influence of a block copolymer on flow-induced phase-inverted morphology of an immiscible blend

Abstract The flow-induced morphology of ternary blends containing poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) random copolymer as major phase, polystyrene (PS) as minor phase, and poly(styrene-b-methylmethacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymer as emulsifier is investigated as a function of the acrylonitrile content of the SAN copolymer. In this way, the degree of exothermic interaction and swelling power between SAN and PMMA block is varied systematically. Consistent with previous work, a well-emulsified morphology is produced when the swelling tendency of the block segment in the major phase (Sout) is comparable to that in the minor phase (Sint) (0.4≤Sout/Sint≤2.5). Outside this window, emulsification failure occurs. We further investigate the influence of Sout/Sint on the formation of phase-inverted (PIN) morphology, induced by lowering the viscosity of the disperse phase. We demonstrate that a decrease in swelling power assists the tendency of the minor phase to be continuous, i.e. the formation of PIN structure is possible at a lower weight fraction of the minor component.
THE EXCITABILITY OF FROG MUSCLE WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO ITS LATENT ADDITION.

With a view to indicating that the α excitatory state in muscle is not of a special nature it is shown that the α strength-duration curves are of the same form as those determined for nerve and other tissues except that in about two-thirds of all cases the rheobase appears to be slightly too low. Also from experiments in latent addition it is found that the α excitatory state following an inadequate stimulus subsides exponentially at a rate which is related to the α excitability in the same way, approximately, as the subsidence rate in nerve is related to the nerve's excitability. In both tissues the subsidence as measured directly is 2–3 times as fast as it appears to be from the strength-duration curve. The α refractory period is at least as short as that of nerve so the α chronaxie is unusually long compared to the refractory period. There is no reason at present, however, to consider this as having any bearing on the problem at issue. It is concluded therefore, that the α excitability differs from others in the rates of its reactions rather than in its fundamental nature and that any conclusions about excitability drawn from its study will probably be valid quite generally.
The Interaction of Structural Variables and Discretion in Individual Outcomes: The Case of Length of Stay for Mental Patients

There is a long history or debate concerning the relative effects of external variables and individual discretion on individual outcomes. Yet, few attempts have been made to specify their cumulativ...
ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATION OF CROSSWALLS IN THE BLUE-GREEN ALGA SPIRULINA MAJOR1,2

SUMMARY Spirulina major Kutz. was observed with the electron microscope and compared at the ultrastructural level with a species of Arthrospira. The presence, of crosswalls which develop by progressive ingrowth from peripheral walls was demonstrated in S. major. Since cellular septation is not consistent with the generally accepted characters of the genus Spirulina, a taxonomic shift may be indicated.
Using Boolean Logic Modeling of Gene Regulatory Networks to Exploit the Links Between Cancer and Metabolism for Therapeutic Purposes

The uncontrolled cell proliferation that is characteristically associated with cancer is usually accompanied by alterations in the genome and cell metabolism. Indeed, the phenomenon of cancer cells metabolizing glucose using a less efficient anaerobic process even in the presence of normal oxygen levels, termed the Warburg effect, is currently considered to be one of the hallmarks of cancer. Diabetes, much like cancer, is defined by significant metabolic changes. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that diabetes patients treated with the antidiabetic drug Metformin have significantly lowered risk of cancer as compared to patients treated with other antidiabetic drugs. We utilize a Boolean logic model of the pathways commonly mutated in cancer to not only investigate the efficacy of Metformin for cancer therapeutic purposes but also demonstrate how Metformin in concert with other cancer drugs could provide better and less toxic clinical outcomes as compared to using cancer drugs alone.
Optofluidic control of axonal guidance

Significant efforts are being made for control on axonal guidance due to its importance in nerve regeneration and in the formation of functional neuronal circuitry in-vitro. These include several physical (topographic modification, optical force, and electric field), chemical (surface functionalization cues) and hybrid (electro-chemical, photochemical etc) methods. Here, we report comparison of the effect of linear flow versus microfluidic flow produced by an opticallydriven micromotor in guiding retinal ganglion axons. A circularly polarized laser tweezers was used to hold, position and spin birefringent calcite particle near growth cone, which in turn resulted in microfluidic flow. The flow rate and resulting shear-force on axons could be controlled by a varying the power of the laser tweezers beam. The calcite particles were placed separately in one chamber and single particle was transported through microfluidic channel to another chamber containing the retina explant. In presence of flow, the turning of axons was found to strongly correlate with the direction of flow. Turning angle as high as 90° was achieved. Optofluidic-manipulation can be applied to other types of mammalian neurons and also can be extended to stimulate mechano-sensing neurons.
Diurnal variation in Enterococcus species composition in polluted ocean water and a potential role for the enterococcal carotenoid in protection against photoinactivation.

ABSTRACT Enterococcus species composition was determined each hour for 72 h at a polluted marine beach in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA. Species composition during the day was significantly different from that at night, based on an analysis of similarity. Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis were more prevalent at night than during the day, while E. hirae and other Enterococcus species were more prevalent during the day than the night. Enterococcus spp. containing a yellow pigment were more common during the day than the night, suggesting that the pigmented phenotype may offer a competitive advantage under sunlit conditions. A laboratory microcosm experiment established that the pigmented E. casseliflavus isolate and a pigmented E. faecalis isolate recovered from the field site decay slower than a nonpigmented E. faecalis isolate in a solar simulator in simulated, clear seawater. This further supports the idea that the yellow carotenoid pigment in Enterococcus provides protection under sunlit conditions. The findings are in accordance with previous work with other carotenoid-containing nonphotosynthetic and photosynthetic bacteria that suggests that the carotenoid is able to quench reactive oxygen species capable of causing photoinactivation and photostress. The results suggest that using enterococcal species composition as a microbial source tracking tool may be hindered by the differential environmental persistence of pigmented and nonpigmented enterococci.
Factors associated with residual disease after initial breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ.

Summary Breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy has become a standard treatment option in women with localized ductal carcinoma in situ. Re-excision is common in breast-conserving surgery, partly due to lack of consensus on what might constitute an adequate margin. In this study, we aimed to identify potential predictive factors for presence/absence of residual disease after initial breast-conserving surgery. Of 232 cases with a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ without invasive carcinoma at initial biopsy between 2005 and 2009, 108 patients underwent breast-conserving surgery, of which 46 had re-excisions due to close margins (≤2 mm). The notable features significantly associated with ductal carcinoma in situ residuum (19/46; 41%) on univariate logistic regression analysis included the number of close margins, the percentage of sections with ductal carcinoma in situ, and the number of duct spaces with ductal carcinoma in situ (no. of ductal carcinoma in situ ducts) at close margins. Only the percentage of sections with ductal carcinoma in situ remained a significant factor associated with outcomes on multivariate analysis, whereas the number of ductal carcinoma in situ ducts at close margins held borderline predictive value ( P = .054). Furthermore, logistic regression and classification and regression tree analysis using the 10-fold cross validation method revealed optimal predicting accuracy by using the 3 significant factors in univariate analysis. The final decision tree was constructed by using the number of ductal carcinoma in situ ducts at close margins and the percentage of sections with ductal carcinoma in situ. Thus, these 2 factors represent the most powerful predictors for residual disease on re-excision. Optimal discriminatory power for prediction of absence of residual disease was achieved with cutoffs of 18 ductal carcinoma in situ ducts at close margins and 51.3% sections with ductal carcinoma in situ.
Photometric scanning of a centrifuged gradient column at several wavelengths.

Abstract Centrifuged density gradient columns are often analyzed by pumping or dripping the contents through a flow cell to measure and record the absorbance as a function of depth (4, 7). The absorbance is usually measured at 253.6 mμ, since light of this wavelength is easily obtained from a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp. Density gradient columns are not destroyed by flow through a channel, provided that the path does not force a density inversion. The path must be continuously upward if the gradient is pumped out of the top of the tube, and downward if the gradient is removed from the bottom of the tube. In a smooth tube gradient columns may be repeatedly pumped up and down with little effect on the gradient or a virus zone (5). We report here on a flow cell with a reservoir on top for collection of the centrifuged gradient column after it has been pumped through the flow cell. The flow cell fits in the sample chamber of a recording spectrophotometer. The gradient column can be pumped up and down through the flow cell several times while the absorbance is recorded at a different wavelength each time.
Budget-maximizing governmental agencies: An empirical test

Niskanen's theory of government budgeting, involving powerful agencies interested in maximizing their budgets through bargaining with a weak, poorly informed governmental ‘Sponsor’, has received wide recognition. This paper presents the first direct empirical tests of Niskanen's ideas. One implication of Niskanen's model of budgeting is that the demand for public services will appear to be elastic. Niskanen's model also implies restrictions on the elasticity of the derived demand for labor in the public sector. Neither set of predictions is supported by existing empirical research on government activity.
The Association of Skin Color With Blood Pressure in US Blacks With Low Socioeconomic Status

To determine the association of skin color, measured by a reflectometer, with blood pressure in US blacks, we studied a community sample of 457 blacks from three US cities. Persons taking antihypertensive medications were excluded. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in darker persons and increased by 2 mm Hg for every 1-SD increase in skin darkness. However, the association was dependent on socioeconomic status, whether measured by education or an index consisting of education, occupation, and ethnicity, being present only in persons with lower levels of either indicator. Using multiple linear regression, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained significantly associated with darker skin color in the lower levels of socioeconomic status, independent of age, body mass index, and concentrations of blood glucose, serum urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, and urinary sodium and potassium. The association of skin color with blood pressure only in low socioeconomic strata may be due to the lesser ability of such groups to deal with the psychosocial stress associated with darker skin color. However, these findings also are consistent with an interaction between an environmental factor associated with low socioeconomic status and a susceptible gene that has a higher prevalence in persons with darker skin color. ( JAMA . 1991;265:599-602)
Simultaneous oral and nasal tracheal intubation utilizing a fiberoptic scope in a patient with facial trauma

We report a case of an oral intubation in a facial trauma patient that required exchanging the oral tube to a nasal endotracheal tube. This was accomplished by utilizing the fiberoptic bronchoscope to introduce a nasal tracheal tube beside the oral tube prior to removal of the oral tube from the trachea. This allowed continuation of oxygenation and ventilation until the airway was subsequently secured with the nasal tracheal tube. This approach may help avoid the loss of the airway and subsequent intervention with a surgical airway under poor conditions.
Postpartum Teaching Priorities: The Viewpoints of Nurses and Mothers

Objective: To compare mothers' and nurses' perceptions of postpartum learning needs and effective teaching modalities. Design: Cross-sectional research design. Mothers were given a questionnaire during their postpartum stay to rate how important it was for them to learn about 44 maternal-infant topics before discharge. Nurses rated similar items on the basis of their perception of what is most important for mothers to learn during their postpartum stay. Setting: Postpartum units in six hospitals that are part of a large midwestern health care system. Participants: English-speaking women who delivered either vaginally or by cesarean section without complications and the nurses on their postpartum units. Main Outcome Measures: Identification of preferred topics and methods for postpartum teaching. Results: Mothers and nurses agreed that topics related to immediate physical health needs were most important. Unmarried mothers considered topics related to personal care and mobility as particularly important. First-time mothers rated more topics as important than did experienced mothers. Individual teaching was rated most effective by both groups. Classroom teaching and the use of audiovisual media were considered less effective. Conclusions: This study supports postpartum education that focuses on the physical needs of mothers and infants, as well as individual teaching models. The special learning needs of new mothers, including those who are not married, must be considered.
Relationship between mercury accumulation in young-of-the-year yellow perch and water-level fluctuations.

A three-year (2001−2003) monitoring effort of 14 northeastern Minnesota lakes was conducted to document relationships between water-level fluctuations and mercury bioaccumulation in young-of-the-ye...
Maximizing the potential of electron cryomicroscopy data collected using direct detectors.

Single-particle electron cryomicroscopy is undergoing a technical revolution due to the recent developments of direct detectors. These new recording devices detect electrons directly (i.e. without conversion into light) and feature significantly improved detective quantum efficiencies and readout rates as compared to photographic films or CCDs. We evaluated here the potential of one such detector (Gatan K2 Summit) to enable the achievement of near-atomic resolution reconstructions of biological specimens when coupled to a widely used, mid-range transmission electron microscope (FEI TF20 Twin). Compensating for beam-induced motion and stage drift provided a 4.4A resolution map of Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus (STIV), which we used as a test particle in this study. Several motion correction and dose fractionation procedures were explored and we describe their influence on the resolution of the final reconstruction. We also compared the quality of this data to that collected with a FEI Titan Krios microscope equipped with a Falcon I direct detector, which provides a benchmark for data collected using a high-end electron microscope.
Einstein-Kubo-Helfand and McQuarrie relations for transport coefficients

The formal equivalence of the Green-Kubo and Einstein-Kubo-Helfand (EKH) expressions for transport coefficients is well known. For finite systems subject to periodic boundary conditions, the EKH relations are ambiguous as to whether the toroidal or infinite-checkerboard descriptions should be used for the coordinates. We first describe qualitatively the application of both descriptions to the calculation of the self-diffusion and shear viscosity coefficients. We then show that the calculation of the self-diffusion coefficient using the infinite-checkerboard EKH relation is equivalent to the Green-Kubo calculation, while the toroidal calculation is not. For shear viscosity, we find that neither the toroidal nor infinite-checkerboard calculation from the EKH relation is equivalent to the Green-Kubo calculation, even though the formal theory presumably suggests that each is correct when the long-time limit is taken after the limit of large-system size. An alternative relation for the shear viscosity of finite periodic systems is derived from the Green-Kubo formula, consisting of the infinite-checkerboard expression plus correction terms having a fundamentally more complicated dependence on the coordinates and momenta. A simple qualitative analysis of the system-size dependence of the difference between the time-dependent Green-Kubo and the infinite-checkerboard EKH shear viscosities [\ensuremath{\eta}(t;N) and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{\mathit{E}}^{(\mathit{C})}$(t;N), respectively] shows this difference to be of O(${\mathit{N}}^{1/3}$) (N being the number of particles) at early times.Monte Carlo molecular dynamics calculations of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{\mathit{E}}^{(\mathit{C})}$(t;N) for an equimolar binary mixture of hard spheres (diameter ratio of 0.4 and mass ratio of 0.03) confirm these large differences at a few mean free times, but suggest a long-time plateau value having the magnitude of the Green-Kubo result, but the values at 70 mean free times do not approach \ensuremath{\eta}(t;N) with increasing N. Finally, we consider the one-particle, EKH-like, McQuarrie expression for shear viscosity, showing that the Chialvo-Cummings-Evans [Phys. Rev. E 47, 1702 (1993)] ``proof'' is defective. Moreover, we demonstrate through molecular dynamics calculations for the same hard-sphere mixture that the two-particle contribution to the time-dependent viscosity, which must vanish at long times for the McQuarrie formula to be valid, in fact contributes roughly 40% of the shear viscosity at a volume of (5 \ensuremath{\surd}2 /2)${\mathit{tsum}}_{\mathit{a}}$${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{a}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{a}}^{3}$, where ${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{a}}$ is the number of particles of species a having diameter ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathit{a}}$.
Does bivalirudin reduce the incidence of bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI

Does bivalirudin reduce the incidence of bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI?
Somatostatin induced hyperpolarization of septal neurons is not blocked by pertussis toxin.

Abstract The coupling of postsynaptic somatostatin receptors to pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins) was investigated in dorsolateral septal nucleus (DLSN) neurons using a submerged brain slice preparation and intracellular recording techniques. Rats were pretreated with PTX i.c.v. and neuronal responsivity to somatostatin and baclofen, a selective GABA B receptor agonist, tested using a submerged brain slice preparation and intracellular recording techniques. In tissue obtained from rats pretreated with PTX (2.5 μg) for 2–5 days, somatostatin applied by superfusion (0.1 μM) produced membrane hyperpolarization and decreased the membrane resistance of DLSN neurons. Hyperpolarizing effects of somatostatin persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (0.3 μM) blocking synaptic transmission. Current-voltage relations of the somatostatin-induced, PTX-resistant hyperpolarization indicated a reversal potential close to the equilibrium potential for potassium ions. Membrane hyperpolarizations in PTX treated tissue were similar to those recorded in tissue from vehicle control or untreated rats. Hyperpolarizing responses to the selective GABA B receptor agonist baclofen, however, were blocked by the PTX treatment used in the present study. Our findings suggest that the postsynaptic inhibitory effects of somatostatin in the DLSN is not mediated by a somatostatin receptor coupled to PTX-sensitive G proteins. These G proteins, however, appear to be an essential link in the postsynaptic GABA B receptor-mediated response of DLSN neurons.
Metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene by duck liver microsomes

Abstract The metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene [BP], a model carcinogenic PAH, by hepatic microsomes of two duck species, mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and common merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) collected from chemically-contaminated and relatively non-contaminated areas was investigated. The rate of metabolism of BP by liver microsomes of common merganser and mallard collected from polluted areas (2650±310 and 2200±310 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein, respectively) was significantly higher than that obtained with liver microsomes of the two species collected from non-polluted areas (334±33 and 231±30 pmol/min per mg microsomal protein, respectively). The level of cytochrome P-450 1A1 was significantly higher in the liver microsomes of both duck species from the polluted areas as compared to the ducks from the non-polluted areas. The major BP metabolites, including BP-9, 10-diol, BP-4, 5-diol, BP-7, 8-diol, BP-1, 6-dione, BP-3, 6-dione, BP-6, 12-dione, 9-hydroxy-BP and 3-hydroxy-BP, formed by liver microsomes of both duck species from polluted and non-polluted areas, were qualitatively similar. However, the patterns of these metabolites were considerably different from each other. Liver microsomes of ducks from the polluted areas produced a higher proportion of benzo-ring dihydrodiols than the liver microsomes of ducks from the non-polluted areas, which converted a greater proportion of BP to BP-phenols. The predominant enantiomer of BP-7,8-diol formed by hepatic microsomes of the two duck species had an (−)R,R absolute stereochemistry. The data suggest that duck and rat liver microsomal enzymes have different regioselectivity but similar stereoselectivity in the metabolism of BP.
Classical Rhetoric for the Engineering Student

The revival of interest in rhetoric raises the question of the relevance of the discipline to the modern student, particularly the engineering student. In general, rhetoric can be defined as the st...
Regulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase genes: role in cellular metabolism and preadipocyte differentiation.

The degree of fatty acid unsaturation in cell membrane lipids determines membrane fluidity, whose alteration has been implicated in a variety of disease states including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, and neurological and heart diseases. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by insertion of a cis-double bond in the Delta9 position of fatty acid substrates. Palmitate and stearate are the preferred substrates, which are converted to palmitoleate and oleate, respectively. These monounsaturated fatty acids are the major constituents of cellular membrane phospholipids and triacylglycerol stores found in adipose tissue. Two mouse and rat SCD genes (SCD1 and SCD2) have been cloned and characterized. During the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, SCD1 and SCD2 mRNAs are induced concomitant with increased de novo synthesis of palmitoleate and oleate. The physiological significance of expressing the two isoforms in the adipocytes is currently unknown. In this review we discuss the role of the SCD isoforms in metabolism and the recent findings on the differential regulation of mouse SCD genes by the antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs), during preadipocyte differentiation.
Mapping woody-biomass supply costs using forest inventory and competing industry data

Abstract The goals of energy independence and sustainability have motivated many countries to consider biomass-based energy sources. The United States has substantial and increasing forest resources that could be used to produce both electricity and liquid fuel. However, these forest resources are highly heterogeneous in terms of the wood’s properties, the logging cost, the spatial distribution, and the value to other industries. These factors make predicting costs and selecting plant locations particularly challenging. When dealing with forest biomass, feedstock cost and location have frequently been highly simplified in previous studies. This paper presents a methodology for combining highly resolved forest inventory and price data with records of competing industries to develop detailed maps of feedstock availability. The feedstock sourcing strategy of the proposed bioenergy plants is modeled by a cost-minimizing linear program, as is the feedstock selection of the competing mills. A case study is performed on the southeast United States.
Characterization of the targeted nuclear accumulation of GFP within the cells of transgenic plants

The soluble proteins of the nucleoplasm are synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Proteins larger than about 40 kDa are post-translationally targeted to the nucleus via energy-dependent processes, passing through the nuclear pore complex into the nucleoplasm. Targeting involves nuclear localization signals (NLSs) found within the primary sequences of the imported proteins. In higher plants, information has come primarily from study of proteins carrying ‘classical’ NLSs, comprising stretches of basic amino acids, and has required assays to measure nuclear uptake both in vitro and in vivo. In general, these assays are not entirely satisfactory; they are either technically demanding, are of limited accuracy and statistical rigor, or are unsuitable for in vivo applications.
Effect of Post-Treatment Temperature upon Worker Honey Bees Exposed to Varying Doses of 60Co Gamma Radiation

The mean survival time of non-irradiated adult worker honey bees, and bees exposed to 3700 or 5000 rad of 60Co gamma radiation is inversely proportional to the post-irradiation temperature. Radiation reduced the lifespan by 50% at the lower temperature (16°C) and up to 75% at higher temperatures (25Â° and 33°C).
Electroacupuncture improves rectal distension-induced delay in solid gastric emptying in dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) on rectal distension (RD)-induced delay in solid gastric emptying in dogs. Gastric emptying of solids ...
Smooth pursuit eye tracking and visual fixation in psychosis-prone individuals

Subjects identified by Perceptual Aberration-Magical Ideation (Per-Mag) scores (n=97), Social Anhedonia (SocAnh) scores (n=45), and Physical Anhedonia (PhysAnh) scores (n=31) as well as normal controls (n=94), underwent psychophysiological and clinical assessment. This is the first published investigation of pursuit system functioning in three groups of questionnaire-identified at-risk individuals. Pursuit during a simple non-monitor tracking task was measured using root-mean-square error (RMSE) scores and pursuit gain scores. Fixation performance was measured in terms of number of saccades away from the central fixation point. The at-risk subjects were more likely to display aberrant smooth pursuit tracking than controls, though there were no significant differences between the at-risk subjects endorsing items relevant to positive-symptom schizotypy and those endorsing items pertaining to negative-symptom schizotypy. The groups did not differ significantly in their visual fixation performance. Participants were also evaluated for the presence of Axis I symptomatology and psychotic-like experiences. Neither the experimental subjects nor the control subjects displayed a significant association between ocular motor performance and psychotic-like experiences. These findings are consistent with prior evidence that pursuit tracking is a trait characteristic, independent of clinical status.
Early Life Exposure to Maternal Insulin Resistance Has Persistent Effects on Hepatic NAFLD in Juvenile Nonhuman Primates

The origins of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may lie in early intrauterine exposures. Here we examined the maternal response to chronic maternal high-fat (HF) diet and the impact of postweaning healthy diet on mechanisms for NAFLD development in juvenile nonhuman primate (NHP) offspring at 1 year of age. Pregnant females on HF diet were segregated as insulin resistant (IR; HF+IR) or insulin sensitive (IS; HF+IS) compared with control (CON)-fed mothers. HF+IR mothers have increased body mass, higher triglycerides, and increased placental cytokines. At weaning, offspring were placed on a CON or HF diet. Only offspring from HF+IR mothers had increased liver triglycerides and upregulated pathways for hepatic de novo lipid synthesis and inflammation that was irreversible upon switching to a healthy diet. These juvenile livers also showed a combination of classical and alternatively activated hepatic macrophages and natural killer T cells, in the absence of obesity or insulin resistance. Our findings suggest that maternal insulin resistance, including elevated triglycerides, insulin, and weight gain, initiates dysregulation of the juvenile hepatic immune system and development of de novo lipogenic pathways that persist in vitro and may be an irreversible “first hit” in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in NHP.