cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical Storm of the Heart: A Shocking Experience!

For emergency physicians, the diagnosis, treatment, and management of unstable ventricular dysrhythmias are rather simple. These patients are dead or dying. They fall quite neatly into the advanced cardic life support (ACLS) algorithms which are firmly engrained in our resuscitative minds. However, those patients who are “stable-ish” are at risk for devolving into electrical anarchy and may continue to require repeated therapies (electrical or pharmacologic) for their symptomatic ventricular dysrhythmias. This patient population can be challenging to manage.
Opinions of Nurses on the Application and Implications of DNR/DNI Orders

ABSTRACT Background Although do not resuscitate (DNR)/ do not intubate (DNI) orders have a technically limited mandate, the implication of such orders may be broad. Moreover, the patient factors that may influence healthcare providers' decisions may be debated. This study aimed to evaluate nurses' opinions on DNR/DNI orders. Methods The study was conducted as an anonymous, single institution survey. Fulltime nurses (RNs) were identified by payroll and received a questionnaire. Nurses' demographics and background, their rating of factors leading to DNR/DNI and rating of appropriateness of treatments were obtained. Results Of the 350 distributed surveys, 83% were returned. Work locations included general floors (47%), intermediate care (21%) and ICU (32%). Sixty-seven percent were ≤ 40 years old, 88% were female, and 73% had ≤ 10 years of work experience. 204 RNs felt that DNR/DNI orders influence treatment choices of physicians, 81% felt they should be more included in the discussion process. Female RNs were more likely to change the amount of time spent at bedside (OR 0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.92) and they felt that physician's treatment choices were influenced by DNR orders (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.74) compared to males. From an RN view, most important factors leading to a DNR/DNI order were patients' wishes (99%), untreated/untreatable cancer (94%) and quality of life before admission (89%). For less experienced RNs, there was a general trend to support the administration of blood products, antibiotics, feeding tube placement, invasive procedures, vasopressors, and ICU transfer. Their support for hemodialysis was the only variable that was statistically significant (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.03- 2.97). Pooled analysis demonstrated that less experienced were more likely to support a more agressive treatment approach (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.17-1.71, i^2= 0%). Conclusion Nurses regard patients' wishes, quality of life, serious diseases as the most important factors leading to a DNR/DNI order. Less experienced nurses favor a more aggressive treatment approach. Nursing staff feel that they should be a vital part of the DNR/DNI discussion. Further continuous education of the whole health care team on the meaning and implication of DNR/DNI orders is mandated. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
GaN/AlN Schottky-gate p-channel HFETs with InGaN contacts and 100 mA/mm on-current

High-performance wide-bandgap p-channel devices which can be monolithically integrated with established wide-bandgap n-channel devices are broadly desirable to expand the design topologies available in power/RF electronics. This work advances the GaN-on-AlN platform as the most promising p-channel contender to enable wide-bandgap complementary electronics. Toward that end, a new generation of GaN-on-AlN p-channel HFET s is fabricated with on-currents exceeding 100 mA/mm at room temperature under moderate drain bias. Key fabrication ingredients to this success are discussed, low-temperature characterization is shared, and new results are benchmarked against the broader literature.
A Retrospective Review of Spinal Radiofrequency Neurotomy Procedures in Patients with Metallic Posterior Spinal Instrumentation - Is it Safe?

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) procedures done at the level of a pedicle screw can increase pedicle screw temperature, and it has been speculated that pedicle screw heating may cause thermal injury. There has been a limited amount of investigation into the real-world safety profile of RFN procedures in patients with pedicle screws. OBJECTIVES We aim to demonstrate that the occurrence of serious adverse events is rare for a medial branch RFN procedure completed at a level with metallic spinal hardware when performed according to the Spine Intervention Society practice standards. STUDY DESIGN This study involved retrospective chart reviews of every patient who received an RFN procedure for spinal facet joint pain during the 5-year time period from 2012-2016. SETTING The research took place within a single university-based interventional pain management center. METHODS The study sample included 507 patient charts. Data collection included patient demographics, RF denervation sites at a level with metallic hardware, and all serious RF-related complications that could be attributable to heated metallic hardware. The research team developed medical-chart abstraction criteria for each of the following categorized complications: a) superficial burns, b) deep burns, c) denervation of dorsal ramus, d) denervation of ventral ramus, and e) coagulation of a spinal vascular structure. RESULTS Of the 36 patients who met the inclusion criteria for this study, 43.6% were men and 56.4% were women. The mean age was 59.5 years old, with an age range of 25 to 87 years. There were a total of 56 ablations performed at a level with metallic spinal hardware, of which 11 were cervical, 44 were lumbar, and 1 was thoracic . There were zero documented complications found among our patient population in any of the 5 categories of serious complications. LIMITATIONS As a retrospective chart review, this study was dependent on the availability and accuracy of medical records. Chart abstraction criteria for each outcome measure were developed by the research team without scientific testing. CONCLUSIONS There have been no reported complications attributable to hardware temperature increases when performing medial branch RFNs at the level of a pedicle screw. For safety, it is important to use multiplanar fluoroscopic imaging techniques to ensure that the RFN cannula is not in contact with the pedicle screw. KEY WORDS Radiofrequency neurotomy, medial branch nerve ablation, safety, thermal injuries, metallic spinal hardware, pedicle screws, lateral mass screws, cervical facet joints, severe complications, adverse events.
Pre-emptive pain management program is associated with reduction of opioid prescription after minimally invasive pulmonary resection

Background We developed and implemented a pre-emptive pain management program wherein providers agreed to have non-opioid pain medication as a standard pain management strategy at discharge accompanied by patient education about the program. Methods A retrospective case-control study of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent minimally invasive pulmonary resection. We compared the outcomes among patients who were managed with pre-emptive pain management program with enhanced recovery after surgery (Pre-emptive), enhanced recovery program after surgery alone (ERAS) and standard care (control). Results Of the 443 patients, 132 patients (30%) were in the pre-emptive pain management group, 90 (20%) patients were in the ERAS only group and 221 (50%) in the control group. There were significantly fewer complications (15.9% vs. 23.3% vs. 38%, P<0.001), shorter median length of hospital stay (2 vs. 3 vs. 3 days, P<0.001), lower 30-day readmission rates (2.3% vs. 3.3% vs. 11.3%, P=0.002), and fewer opioid prescriptions at discharge (17.4% vs. 76.7% vs. 83.7%, P<0.001) in the pre-emptive pain management group compared to the ERAS and control groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the pre-emptive pain management program (OR 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03, 0.11, P<0.001) and robotic surgery (OR 0.52; 95% CI, 0.3, 0.88, P=0.02) were associated with lower odds of patients being discharged to home with opioid prescriptions. The median pain score in the pre-emptive pain group at 30 days after surgery was 1.5 on a pain scale of 1-10. Conclusions The pre-emptive pain management program was associated with a decrease in opioid prescriptions after elective pulmonary resections. Successful implementation of this program can lead to significant decreases in the amount of prescription opioids in the community.
College Alcohol Beliefs and Alcohol Outcomes: The Mediating Effects of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies

The present study examined the mediating role of alcohol protective behavioral strategies (i.e. serious harm reduction [PBS-SHR], manner of drinking [PBS-MOD], stopping/limiting drinking [PBS-SLD]) on the relationships between college alcohol beliefs and alcohol outcomes (i.e. hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences) in an attempt to replicate recent findings in the early stages of college alcohol belief and PBS research. Methods: Participants were 625 traditional age undergraduate college students (M = 19.00, SD = 1.72; 63.7% White; 80.7% female) recruited from a southeastern United States university who reported past 30-day alcohol consumption. All participants completed measures of college alcohol beliefs, alcohol PBS use, hazardous drinking, and alcohol-related negative consequences through an online survey. Results: Higher college alcohol beliefs were associated with greater hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. Further, PBS-MOD mediated the positive relationship college alcohol beliefs had with hazardous drinking, such that higher college alcohol beliefs predicted less PBS-MOD use which was associated with greater hazardous drinking. Discussion: These findings provide further evidence to support previous findings highlighting the additional protective value of certain alcohol PBS especially for college students with high college alcohol beliefs.
Political and social histories: a case study of power in the FBI

This paper compares political and social histories of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It argues that both perspectives are equally essential in understanding the Bureau’s complexity. By lookin...
THE FAMILY VIOLENCE AGAINST RURAL WOMEN IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE

women before and after marriage in the sample of the study, and toidentify the significance of the difference between the average degree ofviolence practiced against rural women before and after marriage and toidentify the relationship between some social, economic and personalvariables and the degree of The family violence against against the ruralwomen, And to identify methods of confronting The family violence againstrural women from the point of view of the respondents in the sample of thestudy.The data were collected from 323 rural married women from thevillages of Sinro elkblea and Nasiriyah in the district of Abshway in Fayoumgovernorate. The mean and standard deviation were used in the presentationand description of the data, in addition to the use of the T/test for thedifference between two averages, the chi square test, the simple Pearsoncorrelation coefficient, and the multiple regression analysis to test thecorrelative and causal relationships between the degree of the family violenceagainst rural women and the study variables.The main results were the significance of the difference between theaverage degree of physical violence, psychological violence, social violence,economic violence, and the overall degree of the family violence against ruralwomen before and after marriage, and the existence of four independentvariables that contribute to explaining the total variation in the degree of thefamily violence against rural women. The variables are: the standard of living,the educational level of the study, the family cohesion, and the educationallevel of the husband, and these four independent variables explain about 58%of the variation in the degree of the family violence against rural women inFayoum Governorate.
Debulking for Extensive Thymoma

Since 1981, when the Masaoka classification was described for thymic tumors, the literature describing tumor debulking for extensive thymomas (stage III-IV) consists only of retrospective case series. These studies confirmed that complete resection for extensive thymoma is the best prognostic factor. Most of the literature shows no benefit for tumor debulking over biopsy. Some of these studies report a higher survival rate for thymomas with maximum debulking followed by high dose radiation therapy. Further studies with randomized controlled trials are needed for definitive recommendations.
The Partially Prudential Doctrine of Mootness

The conventional understanding of mootness doctrine is that it operates as a mandatory bar to federal court jurisdiction, derived from the "cases or controversies" clause of the United States Constitution, Article III. In two crucial respects, however, this Constitutional model - which was first adopted by the Supreme Court less than 45 years ago - fails to account for the manner in which courts actually address contentions of mootness. First, the commonly-applied exceptions to the mootness bar are not derived from the "cases or controversies" clause and cannot be reconciled with the Constitutional account of mootness. Second, courts regularly consider and resolve mootness issues based on practical considerations having nothing to do with the text of Article III, revealing an implicit understanding that federal courts have authority to decide moot cases independent of Article III considerations. Despite growing recognition that mootness doctrine is in a state of confusion, no one has yet articulated a theoretically coherent alternative, much less an alternative that also explains the manner in which federal courts actually apply mootness in close cases. The author argues that federal courts should - and in the most pertinent subset of cases, already do - apply mootness as a largely discretionary doctrine, and he offers the first sustained account of how this prudential doctrine of mootness operates in practice. Principally, courts apply two distinct doctrines of mootness - the first ("issue mootness") in circumstances where post-filing events moot the issue raised by the action, and the second ("personal stake mootness") in circumstances where post-filing events have mooted only the plaintiff's personal stake in that issue. Courts treat issue mootness as precluding federal jurisdiction, but treat personal stake mootness as supporting, but not requiring, dismissal. The ultimate decision whether to dismiss is driven by a number of prudential considerations largely independent of Article III. This partially prudential model of mootness has three advantages over the flawed Constitutional model: It is more theoretically consistent, it fits better with existing case law in the most important subset of mootness cases, and it is a step in the direction of a unified theoretical approach to questions of justiciability.
Two statements about infinite products that are not quite true

Hard to summarize concisely; here are the high points. The first two statements below are ring-theoretic; in these R is a nontrivial ring, R^\omega, and \bigoplus_\omega R are the direct product, respectively direct sum, of countably many copies of R; the remaining two statements are in the context of general algebra (a.k.a. universal algebra): (i) There exist nontrivial rings R for which one has surjective homomorphisms \bigoplus_\omega R -> R^\omega -- but in such cases, R^\omega is in fact finitely generated as a left R-module. (ii) There exist nontrivial rings R for which one has surjective homomorphisms R^\omega -> \bigoplus_\omega R -- but in such cases, R must have DCC on finitely generated right ideals. (iii) The full permutation group S on an infinite set \Omega has the property that the |\Omega|-fold direct product of copies of S is generated over its diagonal subgroup by a single element. (iv) Whenever an algebra S in the sense of universal algebra has the property that the countable direct product S^\omega is finitely generated over its diagonal subalgebra (or even when the corresponding property holds with an ultrapower in place of this direct product), S has some of the other strange properties known to hold for infinite symmetric groups (cf. math.GR/0401304).
How to Determine Lost Earning Capacity

A case study illustrates the method of estimating the economic damages from lost earning capacity caused by a nonfatal accident.
High luminosity galaxies in the IRAS survey

The IRAS survey has demonstrated the existence of a previously unrecognized class of ultraluminous objects. These ultraluminous infrared galaxies represent the dominant population of extragalactic emitters at luminosities where the only other objects known are quasars. Observations suggest that these objects are all found in merging galaxies, and appear to be dust enshrouded quasars. We suggest that these IR loud quasars represent the formation stage of quasars, with the latter stages in the evolution of such systems being found in the UV excess quasars.
Everyday nationalism: women of the Hindu Right in India, by Kalyani Devaki Menon, Philadelphia

Everyday Nationalism seeks to examine how women participating in the Hindu Right aspire to reproduce the movement's ideology but often transgress the norms of the movement to become dissonant subje...
Extracellular Proteinases of Yeasts and Yeastlike Fungi

Approximately 800 yeasts and other fungi, representing over 70 species, were tested for extracellular caseinolysis. Isolates of a variety of genera, including Aureobasidium, Cephalosporium, Endomycopsis, Kluyveromyces, and numerous sporobolomycetes, demonstrated significant proteolytic activity. Caseinolysis was not necessarily correlated with gelatin liquefaction or with albuminolysis. Numerous fungi showed significant proteolysis at 5 C. The most active organisms were isolates of Candida lipolytica, Aureobasidium pullulans, Candida punicea, and species of Cephalosporium. Taxonomic and ecological implications of proteolytic activity are discussed.
Using real-valued multi-objective genetic algorithms to model molecular absorption spectra and Raman excitation profiles in solution

The empirical modeling of the absorption spectra and resonance Raman excitation profiles of a large molecule in solution requires adjustment of a minimum of dozens of parameters to fit several hundred data points. This is a difficult optimization problem because all of the observables depend on all of the parameters in a highly coupled and nonlinear manner. Standard nonlinear least-squares fitting methods are highly susceptible to becoming trapped in local minima in the error function unless very good initial guesses for the molecular parameters are made. Here, we demonstrate a method that employs a real-valued genetic algorithm to force a broad search through parameter space to determine the best-fit parameters. The multiobjective genetic algorithm is successful at inverting absorption spectra and Raman excitation profiles to determine molecular parameters. When vibronic structure is evident in the absorption profile, the algorithm returns nearly quantitative results. For broad, featureless profiles, the algorithm returns the correct slope of the excited state surface but cannot independently determine the excited-state frequency and the equilibrium geometry change. Compared with manual adjustment of parameters to obtain a best fit, the genetic algorithm is computationally less efficient but requires less human time.
Analytical Relationships for Linear Quadratic Aeroelastic Flight Control Eigenvalues

Several obstacles limiting the use of contemporary control design techniques in production vehicles are noted. These obstacles restrict one from obtaining insight into the control law augmentation of the vehicle. For example, with the linear quadratic (LQ) state feedback method, detail effects from cost function weight adjustment are not easily understood. Further, the role of each feedback loop is not readily apparent. Fundamental to overcoming this problem is factoring of the LQ characteristic polynomial. Useful analytical expressions, and ultimately the relationships they represent, are sought between basic design parameters of the system and the closed-loop eigenvalues. An approximate analytical factoring technique, previously developed for open-loop applications, is considered as a tool for this closed-loop problem. The e rst two terms of a Taylor series are used to capture the polynomial coefe cient dependencies on the polynomial factors. By analytically inverting the e rst-order sensitivity matrix, corrections to preliminary approximate factors are generated. Expressions for the closed-loop factors are in terms of basic parameters such as stability and control derivatives, structural vibration damping ratio and natural frequency, and cost function weights, allowing key relationships to beuncovered between the design knobs and important closed-loop features.
The effect of adrenergic agents on ocular dynamics as a function of administration site

Abstract A consistent but transitory elevation of intraocular pressure was noted in approximately 75% of albino rabbit eyes about 2 hr after treatment with topical epinephrine. This was a dose-related phenomenon and occurred only with 4 and 8% concentrations of the drug but not with 2%. The other 25% of the experimental animals showed a monotonic decline of intraocular pressure after application of epinephrine at any concentration. Animals from both these groups were tested with topical preparations of isoproterenol and norepinephrine. The eyes treated with isoproterenol showed a transitory rise in intraocular pressure relative to the control eyes but no such effect was obtained with topical norepinephrine. No transitory elevation of intraocular pressure was found in animals treated with catecholamines via the intravitreal or retrobulbar route. Outflow facilities were determined during the period of elevated intraocular pressure and were found to be significantly decreased in comparison to the control eye. Furthermore, a beta blocking agent, propranolol, was found to prevent effectively the transitory elevation in intraocular pressure produced by topical epinephrine. The results indicate that beta receptors may play a role in regulating outflow facility and that their mode of action may be to regulate the relative amounts of aqueous and blood in the intrascleral outflow plexus.
Experimental study on the extinction of liquid pool fire by water droplet streams and sprays

This paper provides evidence about the interaction between the water droplet stream and the flame, and explains how the interaction affects the suppression effectiveness. Two purpose-built gasoline pools were used to generate different open fires. The mono-disperse water droplet streams and water sprays were used as the flame suppressant. The first pool with a circular shape was equipped with a concentric pipe to allow the droplet stream to pass through the flame without impinging the gasoline. The second pool with a long narrow shape was equipped with expandable sides and allowed to extend the fire size. The passing ways of the droplet stream were systematically varied. The results clearly show two modes of flame inhibition; one is by blocking or interfering with the mixing of gasoline vapor and fresh air, and the other by cooling down the flames. For the stream case, the direction of the stream passing through the flame can affect the effectiveness of the suppression which increases as the angle is changed from vertical to horizontal. Also, there is an optimum distance between the stream axis and gasoline surface for flame inhibition. Moreover, the ability can be affected by the droplet size. On the same volume flow rate, the larger the droplet size, the more effective the flame suppression. For the water spray passing through the flame in the long groove pool, whenever the quantity of water vaporization reaches a critical value, the effectiveness of flame suppression by combining the obstructing and cooling effects becomes better.
Reaction of orthophosphoric acid with kaolin and refractory clay

In mixtures of kaolin, or semiacid clay with orthophosphoric acid a chemical reaction sets in already after drying at 100 °C. The main crystalline product of the reaction takes the form of aluminum phosphate (AlPO4). After exposure to 400°C the x-ray diagrams contain no kaolinite lines which is evidence that the kaolinite is completely decomposed. This finding is also corroborated by the weight loss with an increase in the temperatures and by the presence of effects on the thermograms. The aluminum phosphate occurs mainly (up to about 1300°C) in a crystalline form similar toβ-eristobalite. The amounts in which it occurs in forms similar toα-tridymite andα-quartz are small. Firing these mixtures appeared to produce neither P2O5 and SiO2 compounds nor mullite.
Group psychotherapy for abused women: A survivor-group prototype

Theoretical and research-based clinical psychiatric nursing interventions are prerequisites for the advancement of the psychiatric mental health nursing practice (Babich & Voit, 1991). Based on these prerequisites, the authors implemented a group psychotherapy intervention for battered women using Campbell's adaptation (1986) of Litton's survivor-group prototype (1976). This group prototype was chosen because it specifically recognizes the strengths of survivors of violent experiences. Major process and content themes were identified through analysis of group psychotherapy sessions, substantiating the efficacy of this group prototype as a basis for intervention with woman abuse.
Parallel-stage decoupled software pipelining

In recent years, the microprocessor industry has embraced chip multiprocessors (CMPs), also known as multi-core architectures, as the dominant design paradigm. For existing and new applications to make effective use of CMPs, it is desirable that compilers automatically extract thread-level parallelism from single-threaded applications. DOALL is a popular automatic technique for loop-level parallelization employed successfully in the domains of scientific and numeric computing. While DOALL generally scales well with the number of iterations of the loop, its applicability is limited by the presence of loop-carried dependences. A parallelization technique with greater applicability is decoupled software pipelining (DSWP), which parallelizes loops even in the presence of loop-carried dependences. However, the scalability of DSWP is limited by the size of the loop body and the number of recurrences it contains, which are usually smaller than the loop iteration count.This work proposes a novel non-speculative compiler parallelization technique called parallel-stage decoupled software pipelining (PS-DSWP). The goal of PS-DSWP is to combine the applicability of DSWP with the scalability of DOALL parallelization. A key insight of PS-DSWP is that, after isolating the recurrences in their own stages in DSWP, portions of the loop suitable for DOALL parallelization may be exposed. PS-DSWP extends DSWP to benefit from these opportunities, utilizing multiple threads to execute the same stage of a DSWPed loop in parallel. This paper describes the PS-DSWP transformation in detail and discusses its implementation in a research compiler. PS-DSWP produces an average speedup of 114% (up to a maximum of 155%) with 6 threads on loops from a set of 5 applications. Our experiments also demonstrate that PS-DSWP achieves better scalability with the number of threads than DSWP.
Wild-type and Brachyolmia-causing Mutant TRPV4 Channels Respond Directly to Stretch Force

Whether animal ion channels functioning as mechanosensors are directly activated by stretch force or indirectly by ligands produced by the stretch is a crucial question. TRPV4, a key molecular model, can be activated by hypotonicity, but the mechanism of activation is unclear. One model has this channel being activated by a downstream product of phospholipase A2, relegating mechanosensitivity to the enzymes or their regulators. We expressed rat TRPV4 in Xenopus oocytes and repeatedly examined >200 excised patches bathed in a simple buffer. We found that TRPV4 can be activated by tens of mm Hg pipette suctions with open probability rising with suction even in the presence of relevant enzyme inhibitors. Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4 provides the simplest explanation of its various force-related physiological roles, one of which is in the sensing of weight load during bone development. Gain-of-function mutants cause heritable skeletal dysplasias in human. We therefore examined the brachyolmia-causing R616Q gain-of-function channel and found increased whole-cell current densities compared with wild-type channels. Single-channel analysis revealed that R616Q channels maintain mechanosensitivity but have greater constitutive activity and no change in unitary conductance or rectification.
Relationship between Work Interference with Family and Parent-Child Interactive Behavior: Can Guilt Help?.

Abstract Despite its theoretical and practical importance, behavioral consequences of work–family conflict that reside in the family domain rarely have been examined. Based on two studies, the current research investigated the relationship of work-interference-with-family (WIF) with parent–child interactive behavior (i.e., educational, recreational, and passive activities) using survey data from employed parents. Furthermore, the moderating role of trait guilt on the focal relationships was examined. Results were generally consistent across the two studies and supported the hypotheses: both time- and strain-based WIF were negatively associated with educational and recreational activities; trait guilt moderated these relationships such that the relationships were weaker for parents higher on trait guilt than for those lower on trait guilt. By examining a family domain behavioral outcome of WIF and the constructive rather than dysfunctional role of guilt, the current research makes an important and novel contribution to the literature.
From Gentile Inclusion To Jewish Exclusion Abraham in Early Christian Controversy with Jews

An examination of the use of Abraham in early Christian writings provides a good litmus test for determining the nature and extent of Christian controversy with Jews from Paul through Justin Martyr (ca. 50-150 CE). In part, such an analysis shows that in general early Christian appeals to Abraham move from arguing for Gentile inclusion in the promises of God (Paul, Luke-Acts) to arguing for Jewish exclusion from the promises of God (John, Justin Martyr).
CARMA3: A novel scaffold protein in regulation of NF-κB activation and diseases

CARD recruited membrane associated protein 3 (CARMA3) is a novel scaffold protein. It belongs to the CARMA protein family, and is known to activate nuclear factor (NF)-κB. However, it is still unknown which receptor functions upstream of CARMA3 to trigger NF-κB activation. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that CARMA3 serves as an indispensable adaptor protein in NF-κB signaling under some G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor and angiotensin (Ang) II receptor. Mechanistically, CARMA3 recruits its essential downstream molecules Bcl10 and MALT1 to form the CBM (CARMA3-Bcl10-MALT1) signalosome whereby it triggers NF-κB activation. GPCRs and NF-κB play pivotal roles in the regulation of various cellular functions, therefore, aberrant regulation of the GPCR/NF-κB signaling axis leads to the development of many types of diseases, such as cancer and atherogenesis. Recently, the GPCR/CARMA3/NF-κB signaling axis has been confirmed in these specific diseases and it plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of disease progression. In ovarian cancer cell lines, knockdown of CARMA3 abolishes LPA receptor-induced NF-κB activation, and reduces LPA-induced ovarian cancer invasion. In vascular smooth cells, downregulation of CARMA3 substantially impairs Ang-II-receptor-induced NF-κB activation, and in vivo studies have confirmed that Bcl10-deficient mice are protected from developing Ang-II-receptor-induced atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms. In this review, we summarize the biology of CARMA3, describe the role of the GPCR/CARMA3/NF-κB signaling axis in ovarian cancer and atherogenesis, and speculate about the potential roles of this signaling axis in other types of cancer and diseases. With a significant increase in the identification of LPA- and Ang-II-like ligands, such as endothelin-1, which also activates NF-κB via CARMA3 and contributes to the development of many diseases, CARMA3 is emerging as a novel therapeutic target for various types of cancer and other diseases.
Social Responsibility and Institutional Investment: An Empirical Analysis of the Environmental Screen

Traditional research pertaining to the social screening of portfolio firms has rarely gone beyond a description of its conceptual underpinnings. This empirical investigation looks at the real-life practice of implementing an environmental screen and yields a number of interesting observations regarding the environmental screening decision processes of socially responsible mutual funds in the United States. Employing a taxonomy of corporate social responsibility concepts developed via a recent survey of socially responsible mutual funds in the United States, a content analysis-based portfolio screening model was developed that successfully mimicked the environmental screening decisions made by six funds. The model correctly predicted 90% of a combined total of 50 environmental screening decisions for funds whose combined net assets represented over 50% of the total industrywide assets invested as of August 30, 1997.
Vitamin E, membrane order, and antioxidant behavior in lung microsomes and reconstituted lipid vesicles.

Vitamin E, a dietary antioxidant, is known to inhibit peroxidation of membrane lipids and to protect the lungs of vitamin E-deficient animals and to a lesser extent vitamin E-sufficient animals from oxidant injury. Since the protective interaction between vitamin E and biological membranes may be related to alterations in composition and physical state of membrane lipids, we evaluated the effect of vitamin E deficiency on lung microsomal lipids and membrane fluidity. Both intact microsomes and lipid vesicles prepared from the total lipid extracts of these microsomes were used. The percentage incorporation of vitamin E and cholesterol, membrane fluidity, and lipid peroxidation were measured in microsomes as well as their lipid vesicles. Fluidity was measured by monitoring changes in fluorescence anisotropy for 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). Lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction. There were significant increases in the phospholipid (p < 0.01), the total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and the total saturated fatty acids (p < 0.05) and decreases in total polyunsaturated fatty acid (p < 0.01) content of vitamin E-deficient microsomes. There were no detectable peroxidative products in freshly isolated microsomes from either vitamin E-sufficient or -deficient lungs. However, lipids from vitamin E-deficient microsomal membranes were more susceptible to free radical initiated peroxidation than lipids from vitamin E-sufficient microsomes. Fluidity in vitamin E-deficient microsomes or in their lipid vesicles was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to the respective controls. In vitamin E-deficient microsomes or their lipid vesicles, the incorporation rate of vitamin E was two- to three-fold greater than in vesicles of vitamin E-sufficient microsomes or their lipid vesicles. However, the percentage incorporation of cholesterol was identical in both vitamin E-deficient and vitamin E-sufficient microsomes or in their respective lipid vesicles. As a result of vitamin E incorporation, fluidity was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in vitamin E-sufficient vesicles and was further decreased (p < 0.001) in vitamin E-deficient vesicles. Incorporation of cholesterol also decreased fluidity in both vitamin E-deficient and vitamin E-sufficient vesicles but to the same extent (p < 0.001). Lipid peroxide formation was two-fold greater in the vitamin E-deficient than in the vitamin E-sufficient vesicles. The increased incorporation of vitamin E (but not cholesterol) diminished (p < 0.001) lipid peroxide formation in both vitamin E-deficient and vitamin E-sufficient vesicles. These results suggest that alterations in the physical state of membrane lipids in vitamin E deficiency favors incorporation of more vitamin E. Although both vitamin E and cholesterol decreased membrane fluidity, only vitamin E protects against membrane lipid peroxidation.
Studies on the biosynthesis of dolichyl phosphate: evidence for the in vitro formation of 2,3-dehydrodolichyl phosphate.

Abstract A particulate enzyme preparation from hen oviduct is shown to carry out the biosynthesis of a long chain polyprenyl phosphate from isopentenyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate. The compound has the physical and chemical properties of 2,3-dehydrodolichyl phosphate. The enzyme system is inhibited by EDTA and stimulated by Triton X-100 and dithiothreitol. If the product of the reaction is 2,3-dehydrodolichyl phosphate, it may be derived from 2,3-dehydrodolichyl pyrophosphate, a likely intermediate in the biosynthesis of dolichyl phosphate.
Sibling history of asthma is a risk factor for pain in children with sickle cell anemia

The basis of the association between asthma and an increased rate of pain among children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is unclear. To provide evidence for a familial contribution to this observation, we tested the hypothesis that a family history of asthma is associated with an increased pain rate. Using data from the Cooperative Study for Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD), we identified 211 children with SCA with asthma history of the parents and siblings. A sibling history of asthma was associated with a greater rate of pain (mean rate ratio = 2.48, 95% CI 1.6–4.0; p<0.001) when compared to children without a sibling history of asthma. Parental history of asthma was not associated an increase rate of pain (mean ratio = 1.51, 95% CI 0.92 to 2.62; P=0.12). Further studies are needed to examine genetic and/or environmental risks for asthma as potential contributors to pain in children with SCA.
Pulmonary tumors in strain A mice exposed to mustard gas.

SummaryIntranuclear inclusion bodies were readily identified by the electron microscope in thin sections of chorioallantoic membranes infected with herpes simplex virus. Such inclusions contained numerous particles of uniform density, shape and size presumed to be elementary bodies of the virus. The particles observed within the inclusions were smaller than other particles, also considered to be virus, seen in the cytoplasm and at the surface of cells.
Further Characterization of Human Microsomal 3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase

Abstract This manuscript reports further characterization of the recently discovered human short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase, proposed to oxidize 3α-androstanediol to dihydrotestosterone in testis and prostate (M. G. Biswas and D. W. Russell, 1997, J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15959–15966). Enzyme expressed using the Baculovirus System localized in the microsomal fraction and catalyzed oxidation and reduction of the functional groups on steroids at carbons 3 and 17. Autoradiography assays revealed that the enzyme was most efficient as a 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase. High affinity of the enzyme for NADH ( K m of 0.18 μM), lack of stereospecificity in the reductive direction, and poor efficiency for 3β- versus 3α-hydroxyl oxidation could account for the observed transient accumulation of 3β-stereoisomers in the oxidative reaction. Consistent with the 65% sequence identity with RoDH dehydrogenases, the enzyme oxidized all- trans -retinol with the K m value of 3.2 μM and V max value of 1.2 nmol/min per milligram microsomes. 13- cis -Retinol and all- trans -retinol bound to the cellular retinol-binding protein were not substrates. Neurosteroid allopregnanolone was a better substrate than all- trans -retinol with the K m and V max values of 0.24 μM and 14.7 nmol/min per milligram microsomes. Northern blot analysis revealed that the corresponding mRNA was present in adult human brain (caudate nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus, substantia nigra, thalamus) and spinal cord in addition to other tissues. The message was also detected in fetal lung, liver, and brain. Antibodies against the enzyme recognized a protein of ∼35 kDa in the particulate fraction of human tissues. This study presents new information about enzymatic properties, substrate specificity, and tissue distribution of this enzyme, and provides a better insight into its possible physiological function(s).
Utility of Fast Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Display for the Detection of Myocardial Ischemia in Patients Not Well Suited for Second Harmonic Stress Echocardiography

Background—Some patients referred for pharmacological stress testing with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) are unable to undergo testing owing to poor acoustic windows. Fast cine MRI can be used to assess left ventricular contraction, but its utility for detection of myocardial ischemia in patients poorly suited for echocardiography is unknown. Methods and Results—One hundred fifty-three patients (86 men and 67 women aged 30 to 88 years) with poor acoustic windows that prevented adequate second harmonic TTE imaging were consecutively referred for MRI to diagnose inducible myocardial ischemia during intravenous dobutamine and atropine. Diagnostic studies were completed in an average of 53 minutes. No patients experienced myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, exacerbation of congestive heart failure, or death. In patients who underwent computer-assisted quantitative coronary angiography, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting a >50% luminal diameter narrowing were 83% and 83%, respecti...
Successful Practices in California Wine Exporting

Abstract California is one of the world's largest wine producers, yet it has exported only a small portion of its products. Many US wineries want to pursue opportunities in foreign markets but only a few are actually doing this successfully. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the successful practices of 12 California wineries that have achieved their financial targets and other export goals. A qualitative research design of in-depth interviews was employed. Results indicate that there are 5 major success factors, with the two most important being the foreign partner relationship and top management vision and commitment to exporting.
Nonequivalent Response to Bromodomain-Targeting BET Inhibitors in Oligodendrocyte Cell Fate Decision

The tandem bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) of the BET family proteins BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT are structurally conserved but not functionally equivalent. In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Gacias and colleagues report that a BD1-specific chemical inhibitor, Olinone, enhances oligodendrocyte differentiation, contrasting the reverse process triggered by broad BD1/BD2-targeting inhibitors, highlighting distinct roles of BD1 and BD2 in cell fate decision.
An energetic evaluation of a “Smith” collagen microfibril model

An energy minimized three-dimensional structure of a collagen microfibril template was constructed based on the five-stranded model of Smith (1968), using molecular modeling methods and Kollman force fields (Weiner and Kollman, 1981). For this model, individual molecules were constructed with three identical polypeptide chains ((Gly-Pro-Pro) n , (Gly-Prop-Hyp) n , or (Gly-Ala-Ala) n , wheren=4, 12, and 16) coiled into a right-handed triple-helical structure. The axial distance between adjacent amino acid residues is about 0.29 nm per polypeptide chain, and the pitch of each chain is approximately 3.3 residues. The microfibril model consists of five parallel triple helices packed so that a left-handed superhelical twist exists. The structural characteristics of the computed microfibril are consistent with those obtained for collagen by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The energy minimized Smith microfibril model for (Gly-Pro-Pro)12 has an axial length of about 10.2 nm (for a 36 amino acid residue chain), which gives an estimated D-spacing (234 amino acids per chain) of approximately 66.2 nm. Studies of the microfibril models (Gly-Pro-Pro)12, (Gly-Pro-Hyp)12, and (Gly-Ala-Ala)12 show that nonbonded van der Waals interactions are important for microfibril formation, while electrostatic interactions contribute to the stability of the microfibril structure and determine the specificity by which collagen molecules pack within the microfibril.
Vapor transport of fission products under nuclear accident conditions

Abstract Vapor transport of fission products out of the core of a nuclear reactor during a core dryout accident is modeled as a two-step process. The steps include: (1) transport throught the solid fuel to the surface and (2) vaporization into the gas stream flowing past the fuel. Transport through the solid is treated by the steam oxidation model. Calculation of the fractional release of the rate gases (Xe and Kr) from the TMI-2 accident indicated about 55% release, in good agreement with the observed releases which were in the range of 50 to 70%. The vaporization step is modeled by a set of vapor presure equations derieved from a free energy minimization treatment of the vaporization equilibrium under accident conditions. A treatment of vapor pressured of lanthanides, Ba and Sr is presented together with a simple set of equations for modeling them under accident conditions. Molybdenum vaporization is also treated. It is more complex and depends on the cesium partial pressure as well as other chemical conditions (such as H 2 pressure, H 2 O pressure and temperature) and requires a more complex model.
FIVE NEW SPECIES OF ACANTHOBOTHRIUM (TETRAPHYLLIDEA: ONCHOBOTHRIIDAE) FROM THE FRESHWATER STINGRAY HIMANTURA CHAOPHRAYA (BATOIDEA: DASYATIDAE) IN MALAYSIAN BORNEO

Five new species of Acanthobothrium (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) are described from the spiral intestine of the Freshwater whipray, Himantura chaophraya, in the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian Borneo. Based on criteria set forth in a previous categorization scheme for species of Acanthobothrium, these consist of 3 Category 1 species, Acanthobothrium asnihae n. sp., Acanthobothrium saliki n. sp., and Acanthobothrium zainali n. sp.; a Category 8 species, Acanthobothrium etini n. sp.; and a Category 2 species, Acanthobothrium masnihae n. sp.. Acanthobothrium asnihae n. sp. differs from all Category 1 species in its possession of a horizontal band of weak musculature that divides the posterior loculus in half. Among Category 1 species, A. saliki n. sp. differs from all but Acanthobothrium southwelli in its possession of postovarian testes. It differs from A. southwelli in its possession of fewer testes and a greater number of proglottids. Acanthobothrium zainali n. sp. differs from the 25 other Category 1 species in a combination of overall size, muscular pad and hook shape, arrangement and number of testes, ovary configuration in cross section, position of ovarian isthmus, and genital pore position. Acanthobothrium etini n. sp. is distinguished from all 5 other Category 8 species in its lack of testes from the proglottid antiporal and postporal regions and in testis number. Acanthobothrium masnihae n. sp. differs from the 35 other Category 2 species in its possession of fewer testes, postporal testes, or a greater number of proglottids. A key to Acanthobothrium species parasitizing H. chayophraya is presented. This represents the first report of Acanthobothrium from freshwater stingrays belonging to a family other than the Potamotrygonidae.