cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-Hate as Life Threat Pathology Among Black Americans: Black Pride Antidote Vis-à-Vis Leukocyte Telomere Length (LTL)

Black Americans remain the most despised among the community of human races, reinforced via media images. In response is Black self-hate acted out by the political conservatism of Black American Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as icon. Black Conservatives insist that Blacks who fail, if they want, can succeed much as any other. Conversely, research substantiates that the self-hate pathology Black Americans who fail suffer precipitates a decrease in leukocyte telomere length (LTL). A decrease in LTL is a reduction in life span longevity. Black self-hate then presumes a life-threatening pathology among Black Americans so afflicted. In the aftermath, as the most despised among human races coupled with the internalization of self-hate, is a joint process which accelerates biological aging. The antidote may require Black pride as alternative to the premature LTL aging of Black people in America.
Evidence that an iron chelator regulates collagen synthesis by decreasing the stability of procollagen mRNA

Iron chelation has been shown previously to decrease collagen synthesis at a posttranslational level by inhibiting prolyl 4-hydroxylase, one of the key enzymes in collagen metabolism. On the other hand, recent in vivo studies of iron overload in rats suggest that iron could specifically activate collagen gene expression in liver tissues. These findings led us to investigate whether iron chelation might also affect collagen gene expression and posttranslational modification. Our data indicate that alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, an iron chelator, at a concentration of 1 mmol/L, decreased steady-state levels of type I procollagen messenger RNA by 42% (p less than 0.001) without affecting beta-actin messenger RNA levels. Nuclear runoff studies demonstrated that transcription of the type I procollagen gene was unchanged by alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl. However, the turnover rate of type I procollagen messenger RNA was increased by 30%. This pretranslational inhibition of collagen synthesis was not due to decreased lipid peroxidation, because thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were unchanged by alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl. However, cycloheximide totally abolished the effect, indicating that de novo protein synthesis was required.
Habituation of a Predatory Response in the Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus)

Sticklebacks presented with a clear glass tube filled with live brine shrimp will initially attempt to capture them; however, the response wanes within minutes. In the case of females, the rate of initial response is enhanced and the rate of waning is influenced by the state of the female (gravid females are more responsive) and by the density of the prey (greater density results in greater responsiveness). The predatory-response habituation differs from habituation of territorial aggression and courtship in that the pre-decremental, incremental process is absent. In common with habituation of territorial aggression but not with courtship, there is little short-term recovery of the response. The differences are consistent with different functional requirements for an experience-based inhibitory mechanism involved in the modulation of stickleback behaviour.
Effectiveness of a case management protocol in improving follow-up and referral of Papanicolaou smears indicating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Abstract A retrospective study of follow-up of abnormal Pap smears at the Southern Illinois University Health Service was performed between April 1980 and March 1981. Both follow-up failure and failure to refer repeated abnormal smears for gynecological evaluation were documented. A recommended protocol was devised which counselled colposcopic evaluation after two occurrences of dysplasia or a combination of dysplasia and two occurrences of inflammatory atypia. A second retrospective evaluation of smears done January 1982 to December 1983 showed significant improvement in follow-up and referral rates after the protocol was in use by health service staff. Remaining unresolved problems in the management of mildly abnormal cervical cytology are discussed.
Hazard of compounded anesthetic gel

I read with sadness and disappointment the News article describing a 22-year-old student’s death after she applied to herself a pharmacy-compounded topical gel containing 10% lidocaine, 10% tetracaine, and an unknown amount of phenylephrine.[1][1] Surely a professional journal with clinical
Effect of introducing the mucosal atomization device for fentanyl use in out-of-hospital pediatric trauma patients.

Background Pain associated with pediatric trauma is often under-assessed and under-treated in the out-of-hospital setting. Administering an opioid such as fentanyl via the intranasal route is a safe and efficacious alternative to traditional routes of analgesic delivery and could potentially improve pain management in pediatric trauma patients. Objective The study sought to examine the effect of introducing the mucosal atomization device (MAD) on analgesia administration as an alternative to intravenous fentanyl delivery in pediatric trauma patients. The hypothesis for the study is that the introduction of the MAD would increase the administration of fentanyl in pediatric trauma patients. Methods The research utilized a 2-group design (pre-MAD and post-MAD) to study 946 pediatric trauma patients (age Results There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of fentanyl administration between the pre-MAD (30.4%) and post-MAD groups (37.8%) (P = .238). A subgroup analysis showed that age and mechanism of injury were stronger predictors of fentanyl administration. Conclusion Contrary to the hypothesis, the addition of the MAD device did not increase fentanyl administration rates in pediatric trauma patients. Future research is needed to address the barriers to analgesia administration in pediatric trauma patients.
Probing sponge-derived terpenoids for human 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

A human 15-lipoxygenase (15-HLO) assay has been employed to discover new marine-sponge-derived bioactive compounds. Extracts from two different sponges, Jaspis splendens (order Choristida, family Jaspidae) and Suberea sp. (order Verongida, family Aplysinellidae), exhibited potent IC50 values of 0.4 and 0.1 μg/mL, respectively. Both are sources of terpenoids, and the former is a known source of (+)-jasplakinolide (7), which is inactive as a 15-HLO inhibitor. The terpenoids included (+)-(5S,6S)-subersin (1, IC50 > 100 μΜ), (−)-(5R,10R)-subersic acid (2, IC50 = 15 μM), jaspaquinol (3, IC50 = 0.3 μM), and (−)-jaspic acid (4, IC50 = 1.4 μM). Structure elucidations and lipoxygenase activity studies of these compounds are reported.
On the use of the interaction picture in classical mechanics

Abstract The interaction picture is formulated as a canonical transformation in classical mechanics. It is shown that often great computational saving may be achieved by integrating Hamilton's equation in this representation.
Water, law, science

Summary In a world with water resources severely impacted by technology, science must actively contribute to water law. To this end, this paper is an earth scientist’s attempt to comprehend essential elements of water law, and to examine their connections to science. Science and law share a common logical framework of starting with a priori prescribed tenets, and drawing consistent inferences. In science, observationally established physical laws constitute the tenets, while in law, they stem from social values. The foundations of modern water law in Europe and the New World were formulated nearly two thousand years ago by Roman jurists who were inspired by Greek philosophy of reason. Recognizing that vital natural elements such as water, air, and the sea were governed by immutable natural laws, they reasoned that these elements belonged to all humans, and therefore cannot be owned as private property. Legally, such public property was to be governed by jus gentium, the law of all people or the law of all nations. In contrast, jus civile or civil law governed private property. Remarkably, jus gentium continues to be relevant in our contemporary society in which science plays a pivotal role in exploiting vital resources common to all. This paper examines the historical roots of modern water law, follows their evolution through the centuries, and examines how the spirit of science inherent in jus gentium is profoundly influencing evolving water and environmental laws in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. In a technological world, scientific knowledge has to lie at the core of water law. Yet, science cannot formulate law. It is hoped that a philosophical understanding of the relationships between science and law will contribute to their constructively coming together in the service of society.
Continental-scale climate forcing factors and environmental change at Glimmerglass Lake in the upper Peninsula of Michigan

Previous palaeoecological studies have shown that there have been major range shifts in Tsuga (hemlock) during the middle and late Holocene that seem to indicate climatic cooling and an increase in available moisture. We examined lake-level changes and peatland growth at Glimmerglass Lake and peatland in the Sylvania Wilderness Area to determine if the mid-Holocene increase in moisture indicated by the pollen record also influenced lakes and wetlands. Sphagnum peat began accumulating at the site at 6240 cal. yr BP. Diatom-inferred depth reconstructions show that the lake level rose 2 m and the peatland expanded out of its basin at 5300 cal. yr BP. All of these changes occurred as the last remnant of the Laurentide Ice Sheet disappeared and orbital forcing reduced seasonality relative to the early Holocene. We conclude that these continental-scale factors caused increased moisture availability in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, resulting in rising lakewater levels and peatland expansion.
Emergent Power Delineation in Multi-Agent Swarms

An organization is well delineated when all its members have a relative power ranking that is neither too high nor too low. Since responsibility and authority follow fully deconflicted patterns, a delineated organization is well suited for solving problems. We have developed a low-latency, agent-level algorithm for non-deterministically establishing power levels and provide a metric for quantifying the appropriateness of rankings. An agent's rank is appropriate if it has a unique chain of superiors leading to the highest-ranking individual.
Character changes induced by heterologous nuclei in amoeba heterokaryons

Abstract When heterologous nuclei were implanted into intact amoebae (heterokaryons), less than 1 % of the host nuclei formed viable clones. Certain strain-specific characters of these clones were permanently changed by the presence of a heterologous nucleus in the original “parent” cell. The compatibility of the heterokaryon progeny with nuclei and cytoplasm of the parent strains was also altered. Thus the temporary presence of a heterologous nucleus induced changes in the host cell which were transmitted to the progeny, thereby creating new strains of amoebae. If the donated nucleus was removed before cell division, comparable, but temporary changes were observed.
Personality and a pro-death attitude

Abstract Judgments of the morality of life/death actions formed two clusters: suicide, refusal of medical treatment, abortion and euthanasia formed the first while war, capital punishment and cannibalism formed the second. Death-of-self actions were related to psychoticism, while death-of-others actions were related to neuroticism and to irrational thinking.
Role of the Sphingosine Metabolism Pathway on Neurons against Experimental Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Although there is evidence that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1) activation occurs following experimental brain injury, there is little information about its metabolic pathway in cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the sphingosine metabolic pathway including S1P1 and sphingosine kinases 1 (SphK1) and 2 (SphK2) in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Fifty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to assess temporal profiles of S1P1, SphK1, and SphK2 on neurons in infarct and periinfarct cortices at preinfarct state, 6 h, and 24 h after MCAO. The animals were then treated with vehicle and 0.25 mg/kg FTY720, which is an agonist of S1P receptors, and evaluated regarding neurological function, infarct volume, and S1P1 expression on neurons at 24 h after MCAO. The expressions of S1P1, SphK1, and SphK2 were significantly decreased after MCAO. Labeling of all markers was reduced in the infarct cortex but remained present in the periinfarct cortex and some were found to be on neurons. Significant improvements of neurological function and brain injury were observed in the FTY720 group compared with the vehicle and untreated groups, although S1P1 expression on neurons was reduced in the FTY720 group compared with the vehicle group. We demonstrated that S1P1, SphK1, and SphK2 were downregulated in the infarct cortex, whereas they were preserved in the periinfarct cortex where FTY720 reduced neuronal injury possibly via S1P1 activation. Our findings suggest that activation of the sphingosine metabolic pathway may be neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia.
Radiocarbon-Based Partitioning of Soil Respiration in an Old-Growth Coniferous Forest

Temperate forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle, and are thought to currently be a sink for atmospheric CO2. However, we lack understanding of the drivers of forest carbon accumulation and loss, hampering our ability to predict carbon cycle responses to global change. In this study, we used CO2 flux and radiocarbon (14C) measurements to investigate the role of seasonal drivers on soil respiration. Radiocarbon measurements of CO2 evolved during incubation of fine roots and root-free soils at the beginning and end of the growing season (April and August) showed that these two soil respiration sources (fine roots vis-a-vis soils) have different mean residence times that stayed constant between seasons. Radiocarbon measurements show that root respiration was made up of carbon fixed 3–5 years prior to sampling, and that heterotrophic respiration was made up of carbon fixed 7–10 years prior. The difference in radiocarbon signature between the two sources allowed us to partition autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration sources for soil respiration measurements in the field. We observed a small but significant increase in ∆14C of soil respiration between April and August, suggesting an increase in heterotrophic respiration sources over the growing season. Using a two end-member mixing model, we estimate that 55 ± 22% of soil respiration originated from autotrophic (root) sources in April, but their contribution dropped to 38 ± 21% in August. These findings suggest that the contribution of root respiration increases at a time of high productivity and/or as a result of relatively low microbial respiration in the early spring in this old-growth coniferous forest.
α-Adrenergic regulation of androgen receptor concentration in the preoptic area of the rat

We examined the effect of the pharmacological disruption of the catecholaminergic system on the concentration of nuclear androgen receptor, as measured by the in vitro binding of methyltrienolone ([3H]R1881) to salt extracts of anterior pituitary (AP), preoptic area (POA) and medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). Treatment of gonadectomized male and female rats with the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, diethyldithiocarbamate (400 mg/kg b. wt.), 30 min before treatment with dihydrotestosterone (1 mg/animal) produced a decrease in the number of nuclear androgen receptor compared with saline-treated controls (P less than 0.05). This effect was specific for the POA and was not present 15 h after DHT treatment. There was no effect on cytosolic androgen receptor nor was there a drug effect on the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of [3H]R1881 binding to hypothalamus-preoptic area cytosols. Treatment of intact males and castrated, testosterone-treated males with the alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists, prazosin (5 mg/kg b. wt.) and yohimbine (2 mg/kg b. wt.), respectively, resulted in a significant decrease in the number of nuclear AR 2 h following drug treatment (P less than 0.05). There was no effect of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol (10 mg/kg b. wt.) when given to intact animals, nor was there an effect of idazoxan (5 mg/kg) when given to testosterone-treated animals. The effects of yohimbine and prazosin were restricted to the POA. None of the drugs competed with the binding of [3H]R1881 for the androgen receptor nor did they alter the Kd of cytosol or nuclear androgen receptor. These data provide evidence for an adrenergic interaction with the POA androgen receptor and suggest a role for catecholamines in modulating androgen sensitivity in the rat brain.
Biodegradable poly(ethylenimine) for plasmid DNA delivery

Poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) has been known as an efficient gene carrier with the highest cationic charge potential. High transfection efficiency of PEI, along with its cytotoxicity, strongly depends on the molecular weight. Synthesis of cationic copolymers derived from the low molecular weight of PEI and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which are water soluble and degradable under physiological conditions, was investigated for plasmid delivery. Hydrophilic PEG is expected to reduce the toxicity of the copolymer, improve the poor solubility of the PEI and DNA complexes, and help to introduce degradable bonds by reaction with the primary amines in the PEI. Considering the dependence of transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity on the molecular weight of the PEI, high transfection efficiency is expected from an increased molecular weight of the copolymer and low cytotoxicity from the introduction of PEG and the degradation of the copolymer into low molecular weight PEIs. Reaction conditions were carefully controlled to produce water soluble copolymers. Results from a gel retardation assay and zetapotentiometer indicated that complete neutralization of the complexes was achieved at the charge ratios of copolymer/pSV-β-gal plasmid from 0.8 to 1.0 with the mean particle size of the polyplexes ranging from 129.8±0.9 to 151.8±3.4 nm. In vitro transfection efficiency of the synthesized copolymer increased up to three times higher than that of starting low molecular weight PEI, while the cell viability was maintained over 80%.
Expanding the Interpersonal Dimension: Closeness in the Coach-Athlete Relationship

The close-relationship literature informed content analysis of open-ended responses of collegiate athletes (n = 431). Nineteen dimensions of closeness emerged, including the most frequently cited dimensions of communication, trust and mutuality. Dimensions were examined across sport type, gender, and level of competition. This study complements existing research on interpersonal dimensions, and specifically closeness, of the coach-athlete relationship and forwards a multi-dimensional, sport-specific, grounded understanding of closeness in the coach-athlete relationship. Results are discussed in terms of practical applications for sports practitioners and future directions for research are suggested.
Origin, concentration and structural features of human mammary gland cells cultured from breast secretions

This study traced the origin of cells observed in human breast secretion samples obtained during lactation and describes the appearance of these cells following prolonged maintenance in vitro. Human milk contains a large number of single vacuolated foam celsl and a small proportion of non-vacuolated epithelial cells in clusters. Foam cells are identified by their large size, the polarity of their cytoplasmic organelles, the variation in number and size of lipid vacuoles and the condensed chromatin of their eccentrically located nucleus. Both cell types originate by exfoliation from the mammary gland. This was established by comparing the structural characteristics of cells isolated from milk with those of the cuboidal cell linings of ducts and alveoli in lactating mammary tissue. Relatively pure populations of foam cells could be established from early lactation samples (3-7 days post/partum) while non-vacuolated epithelial cell clusters were more frequently cultured from late lactation specimens (1-10 days postweaning). Foam cells did not divide and lost cytoplasmic organization during prolonged culture. In contrast, non-vacuolated epithelium in clusters proliferated to form colonies of polygonal cells. These results, which imply that foam cells are an active form of the non-vacuolated mammary cells in clusters, call attention to one system for the study of the complex hormonal interactions necessary to induce and maintain lactation.
Enhancement of cocaine-seeking behavior by repeated nicotine exposure in rats

Abstract Rationale. Drugs with addictive liability have a high probability of co-abuse in many addicts. For example, cocaine users are several times more likely to smoke cigarettes than non-cocaine users, and smoking increases during cocaine use. Previous work has provided evidence that nicotine and cocaine have interactive neurochemical effects, particularly with regard to dopamine (DA) transmission. Objectives. The present study examined the impact of nicotine treatment on the reinforcement efficacy of self-administered cocaine and non-reinforced responding for cocaine in rats. Methods. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (i.v.) on a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. Self-administration training continued until stable responding was obtained. Acute nicotine pretreatment consisted of a subcutaneous injection (0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg) 3 min prior to cocaine access. In the repeated treatment condition, a separate group of animals was given nicotine (0.6 mg/kg, s.c.) 3 min prior to cocaine access for 14 consecutive days. During extinction trials, these animals were injected with nicotine (0.6 mg/kg, s.c.) after 45 min of non-reinforced responding. Results. Acute nicotine treatment produced an inverted U-shaped dose–response function with lower doses increasing and the highest dose decreasing the number of cocaine infusions obtained during a session. Animals treated repeatedly with the highest dose of nicotine showed a significant increase in the number of cocaine infusions by day 8 of nicotine treatment. During extinction sessions when cocaine was not available, injections of nicotine in these animals caused a reinstatement of the previously rewarded lever-press behavior. Conclusions. These findings indicate that nicotine can facilitate cocaine reinforcement, may contribute to the transition from moderate drug-taking to an escalation of drug intake which is characteristic of addiction, and may trigger relapse.
The role of dendritic cells in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is marked by a complex interplay of dendritic cells (DCs), T-cells, cytokines, and downstream transcription factors as part of a self-sustaining type 1 cytokine network. As integral players of the immune system, DCs represent antigen-presenting cells that are crucial for efficient activation of T-cells and B-cells. DCs have also been linked to distinct chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. In the setting of psoriasis therapy, DC/T cell interactions serve as a potential target for biologic response modifiers. Here we describe the major DC subsets as well as the immunologic involvement of DCs within the context of psoriatic lesions.
7‐OH‐DPAT, a dopamine D3‐selective receptor agonist, produces contralateral rotation in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned rats

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the rotational behavior in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rats produced by the high affinity and selective dopamine D3 receptor ligand 7-OH-DPAT. Qualitatively similar to the direct-acting DA agonist apomorphine, 7-OH-DPAT causes rats to rotate in a direction contralateral to the side of the nigrostriatal DA pathway lesion. This effect is dose-dependent and the minimum effective dose is 0.03 mg (0.12 mmol)/kg. 7-OH-DPAT-induced rotation is blocked in a dose-dependent manner by oral pretreatment with the “D2-like” receptor antagonists haloperidol, eticlopride, or clozapine, but not by the “D1-like” antagonist SCH 23390. The rank order potency for inhibition of 7-OH-DPAT rotation for haloperidol [ID50 = 0.067 mg (0.18 mmol)/kg], eticlopride [ID50 = 0.41 mg (1.2 mmol)/kg], clozapine [ID50 = 13 mg (40 mmol)/kg], and SCH 23390 [ID50 > 90 mg (313 mmol)/kg] closely parallels their rank order affinity for binding to either the D2 or the D3 receptor. Pretreatment with the non-DA receptor antagonists ritanserin (serotonin 5HT2), scopolamine (muscarinic cholinergic), propranolol (betaadrenergic), or naltrexone (opiate), each at relevant pharmacological doses, failed to reduce 7-OH-DPAT rotation. Taken together, these results are consistent with mediation of 7-OH-DPAT-induced rotational behavior via an agonist interaction with one or more DA receptors. ©1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Specification and Design of Embedded Systems

1. Introduction. 2. Models and Architectures. 3. Specification Languages. 4. A Specification Example. 5. Translation to VHDL. 6. System Partitioning. 7. Design Quality Estimation. 8. Specification Refinement into Synthesizable Models. 9. System-Design Methodology and Environment. Appendix: Answering Machine in SpecCharts. Bibliography. Index.
Physiology of Membrane Oestrogen Receptor Signalling in Reproduction

The best characterised oestrogen receptors (ERs) that are responsible for membrane-initiated oestradiol signalling are the classic ERs, ERalpha and ERbeta. When in the nucleus, these proteins are oestradiol activated transcription factors but, when trafficked to the cell membrane, ERalpha and ERbeta rapidly activate protein kinase pathways, alter membrane electrical properties, modulate ion flux and can mediate long-term effects through gene expression. To initiate cell signalling, membrane ERs transactivate metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) to stimulate Gq signalling through pathways using PKC and calcium. In this review, we discuss the interaction of membrane ERalpha with metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a (mGluR1a) to initiate rapid oestradiol cell signalling and its critical roles in female reproduction: sexual behaviour and oestrogen positive feedback of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge. Although long considered to be regulated by the long-term actions of oestradiol on gene transcription, recent results indicate that membrane oestradiol cell signalling is vital for a full display of sexual receptivity. Similarly, the source of pre-ovulatory progesterone necessary for initiating the LH surge is hypothalamic astrocytes. Oestradiol rapidly amplifies progesterone synthesis through the release of intracellular calcium stores. The ERalpha-mGluR1a interaction is necessary for critical calcium flux. These two examples provide support for the hypothesis that membrane ERs are not themselves G-protein receptors; rather, they use mGluRs to signal.
Weather extremes from anthropogenic global warming

Although sea levels are predicted to rise 1 to 2 meters by 2100, the more immediate effects of global warming are weather extremes. The number of natural disasters since 1996 costing $1 billion or more doubled compared with the previous 15-year period. Extreme summer heat anomalies now cover about 10% of land area, up from 0.2% in 1950-1980. The human influence on global warming is evident from climate data and physical modeling. Since the beginning of the industrial era, carbon dioxide (CO2) increases correlate with those of temperature. Carbon dating shows that the CO2 increase is from burning ancient fossil fuels. Increasing CO2 and other greenhouse gases blanket and warm the earth’s surface, allowing less heat to reach the stratosphere, which is cooling. This is consistent with satellite measurements showing that solar irradiance is not changing. The present CO2 rate increase of 2 ppm/year is 300 times higher than the rate at which the earth recovered from the ice age 18,000 years ago. Without the radiative forcing of noncondensing persistent CO2, the terrestrial greenhouse would collapse, plunging the global climate into an icebound earth state. Will new technologies lower our carbon emissions in time to prevent more weather extremes? Electric cars now get the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. The cost of electricity from solar photovoltaic cells has reached grid parity.
Face recognition by brain-injured patients: a dissociable ability?

Abstract Patients with right posterior cerebral injuries did more poorly than patients with other unilateral injuries and normal control subjects in recognizing different faces. When the faces were presented upside-down, however, those with the other unilateral injuries did worse than the right posterior group and the normal controls. This dissociation between upright and inverted presentations was not found with pictures of another common object, houses of similar architecture. The results support the notion that, among the disorders caused by right posterior injuries, there does exist a material-specific deficit in recognizing faces.
Transcranial Doppler screening of Medicaid-insured children with sickle cell disease

Transcranial Doppler screening reduces the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease. We tested the effect of informational letters sent to parents and doctors of Medicaid-insured children on improving screening efficiency. The letters did not improve the low baseline screening rates, suggesting the need for more aggressive outreach. Hematologist visits were correlated with increased screening rates.
Targeted deletion of NF-κB p50 diminishes the cardioprotection of histone deacetylase inhibition

We have recently demonstrated that the inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The mechanism by which HDAC inhibition confers myocardial protection remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the disruption of NF-κB p50 would eliminate the protective effects of HDAC inhibition. Wild-type and NF-κB p50-deficient mice were treated with trichostatin A (TSA; 0.1 mg/kg ip), a potent inhibitor of HDACs. Twenty-four hours later, the hearts were perfused in Langendorff model and subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion. Inhibition of HDACs by TSA in wild-type mice produced marked improvements in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular rate pressure product, and the reduction of infarct size compared with non-TSA-treated group. TSA-induced cardioprotection in wild-type animals was absent with genetic deletion of NF-κB p50 subunit. Notably, Western blot displayed a significant increase in nuclear NF-κB p50 and the immunoprecipitation demonstrated a remarkable acetylation of NF-κB p50 at lysine residues following HDAC inhibition. EMSA exhibited a subsequent increase in NF-κB DNA binding activity. Luciferase assay demonstrated an activation of NF-κB by HDAC inhibition. The pretreatment of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts with TSA (50 nmol/l) decreased cell necrosis and increased in cell viability in simulated ischemia. The resistance of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts to simulated ischemia by HDAC inhibition was eliminated by genetic knockdown of NF-κB p50 with transfection of NF-κB p50 short interfering RNA but not scrambled short interfering RNA. These results suggest that NF-κB p50 acetylation and activation play a pivotal role in HDAC inhibition-induced cardioprotection.
Ultrafast carrier dynamics in single and few atomic layer MoS2 studied by two-color optical pump-probe

Our ultrafast optical pump-probe measurements of 2D atomic material MoS2 show that the interband and intraband relaxation dynamics of photoexcited carriers vary significantly as a function of the number of atomic layers. Coherent phonon oscillations are also observed in our measurements.
Evaluating Physician Competency: What Difference Does It Make?.

Abstract There are a number of skills that professional experts believe physicians in training should learn in order to be labeled competent practitioners. The beliefs of the experts should be subjected to the rigors of scientific investigation. This paper presents a system for evaluating clinical competency which is designed to test the beliefs of the experts as well as the skills of the practitioner. Four measures of clinical competency are included: data collection completeness, problem identification accuracy, interview skills, patient and physician assessment. Preliminary results suggest a more careful re-examination of beliefs about the skills considered necessary and sufficient in determining clinical competency.
Why do students choose careers in surgery

Abstract Background Recent changes in medical education have emphasized primary care careers. This could have a negative impact on the number of applicants to surgical residencies. We hypothesized that experiences during the third year surgical clerkship are influential for students’ subsequent residency choice. Materials and methods Third year medical students who completed their surgical clerkship in the 2001–02 academic year were surveyed pre- and post-surgical clerkship. Responses were analyzed and correlated to the 2003 match results. Results The response rate of students surveyed was 98% (82 surveys/83 match results). Pre-clerkship, 6/82 students (7%) expressed an interest in surgery or surgical subspecialty careers. Post-clerkship, 34/84 students (40%) expressed an increased interest a surgical career; 13/84 (15%) expressed a decreased interest, and 37% of students expressed no change in career interest. Of those students expressing an increased interest in surgery, the clerkship experiences most noted to be influential were (1) number of cases participated/scrubbed (95%), (2) resident interaction (85%), (3) faculty interaction (80%), and (4) number of cases observed (65%). The number of hours spent on rotation (call, rounds) was the leading experience associated with a decreased interest in a surgical career. 12/83 students surveyed (14%) ultimately matched into a surgical program (NRMP 2003 match results). Conclusions These data suggest that operative exposure and interaction with residents and faculty have a positive influence in students’ choice of a surgical career. Although only 6% of students expressed an interest in surgery pre-clerkship, a 2-fold increase in this number was noted in choice of residency (14%). Work hours were the primary negative indicator for surgery residency. As medical curriculum is restructured and surgical exposure decreased, these data underscore the importance of quality exposure to both procedures and role models during the 3rd year surgical clerkship.
Application of a modified Newton-Raphson method for estimation of vortex flow parameters

The vortex flow[1,2] in the wake of a large airplane is hazardous to other aircraft, particularly during landing. For the first time, modern methods of parameter identification have been applied to the analysis of vortex flow. Because the identification problem involves parameters which are nonlinearly related, an iterative method is required. A modified Newton-Raphson method3,4 was employed to calculate a maximum likelihood estimate of the unknown parameters. The estimate is related to one which minimizes the mean-square difference between the measured and calculated flow velocities. This iterative procedure had been previously used to determine stability derivatives of airplanes from flight data.4
Efficient cross-modality cardiac four-dimensional active appearance model construction

The efficiency of constructing an active appearance model (AAM) is limited by establishing the independent standard via time-consuming and tedious manual tracing. It is more challenging for 3D and 4D (3D+time) datasets as the smoothness of shape and motion is essential. In this paper, a three-stage pipeline is designed for efficient cross-modality model construction. It utilizes existing AAM and active shape model (ASM) of the left ventricle (LV) for magnetic resonance (MR) datasets to build 4D AAM of the LV for real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) datasets. The first AAM fitting stage uses AAM for MR to fit valid shapes onto the intensity-transformed RT3DE data that resemble low-quality MR data. The fitting is implemented in a 3D phase-by-phase fashion to prevent introducing bias due to different motion patterns related to the two modalities and patient groups. The second global-scale editing stage adjusts fitted shapes by tuning modes of ASM for MR data. The third local-scale editing stage adjusts the fitted volumes at small local regions and produces the final accurate independent standard. By visual inspection, the AAM fitting stage successfully produces results that capture the LV motion - especially its base movement - within the cardiac cycle on 29 of the 32 RT3DE datasets tested. This multi-stage approach can reduce the human effort of the manual tracing by at least 50%. With the model built for a modality A available, this approach is generalizable to constructing the model of the same organ for any other modality B .
Effects of accessory olfactory bulb lesions on the sexual behavior of male mice

Two groups of sexually inexperienced male C57 BL/6J mice received limited lesions to their olfactory bulbs. One group received bilateral lesions in the area of the accessory olfactory bulbs, the other received lesions of similar size, but positioned more anteriorly. Subsequent to the operation, the animals of both groups were found to exhibit lower levels of sexual behavior than did a control group. Although no effect specific to the lesioning of the accessory bulbs was found, the study showed that olfactory bulb lesions of very limited extent can disrupt the sexual behavior of the male mouse without causing the animal to become anosmic.
Defining the phenotype of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) using age-of-symptom-onset

Objective: RLS varies considerably in both frequency of occurrence in a family and in age of onset of symptoms. Patients whose RLS symptoms start before or at age 45 have many more affected relatives than those whose symptoms start later, suggesting etiological differences. When etiology differs, factors affecting severity may differ. This study compares the effects of current age and serum ferritin on RLS severity for early- and late-onset (over 45) RLS.Design and methods: RLS severity was evaluated using a validated clinical severity scale and sleep efficiency on a standard polysomnogram. Data from 26 consecutive RLS patients (14 early- and 12 late-onset) who met study criteria were analyzed.Results: Age-of-onset groups showed no significant differences in age, gender and RLS symptom severity. Regression analyses showed significant (P<0.05) differences with RLS severity primarily affected by age for early-onset RLS and by serum ferritin for late-onset RLS.Conclusions: The age effect for early-onset RLS indicates a slowly progressive disorder. Thus early-onset RLS appears to occur commonly in families, slowly progress with age and have a limited relation to serum iron status. In contrast, late-onset RLS appears to occur less commonly in families, rapidly progress with age and have a strong relation to serum iron status. Age of symptom onset should be considered to better define the RLS phenotype in future studies.
Fluid intake and punishment-attenuating drugs

Abstract Rats adapted to a 23 hr fluid-deprivation schedule were injected with chlordiazepoxide (15 or 30 mg/kg) either 15 min or 2.25 hr before a one hr drinking period. Water intake remained at baseline (saline placebo) level. The animals were then continued on the same schedule but were adapted to 1.5 per cent NaCl solution intake during the one hr drinking period in place of water. Animals were able to hydrate themselves with this solution and their one hr intake of it was equal in volume to their one hr water intake level when on the previous schedule. Chlordiazepoxide (7.5, 15 or 30 mg/kg) injected 15 min before drinking markedly increased the intake of 1.5 per cent NaCl solution. Phenobarbital (40 mg/kg) had a similar effect. The results are related to the punishment-attenuating properties of these drugs.
Journey into paradise: Tajik representations of Afghan Badakhshan

In 2003, a Tajik film crew was permitted to cross the tightly controlled border into Afghan Badakhshan in order to film scenes for a documentary entitled Sacred Traditions in Sacred Places. Although official Tajik state policies and international non-governmental organizations have increasingly stressed freer movement and greater connectivity between the two sides, this ‘prescribed community’ strongly contrasts with the lived experience of Tajik Badakhshanis. This article explores narratives of nostalgia and dissonance reflected in the film itself and recounted by the film crew in interviews during film production and screening. Engaging with existing work on the interpretation and temporalization of space and post-Soviet nostalgias, I claim that this particular nostalgia emerges in response to new configurations of power and newly imposed pressures valuing cross-border movement. In this case, nostalgia serves as an affective resource helping Tajik Badakhshanis understand and manage daily life and the new...
Sources of atmospheric methane: Measurements in rice paddies and a discussion

Field measurements of methane fluxes from rice paddies, fresh water lakes, and saltwater marshes have been made to infer estimates of the size of these sources of atmospheric methane. The rice-paddy measurements, the first of their kind, show that the principal means of methane escape is through the plants themselves as opposed to transport across the water-air interface via bubbles or molecular diffusion. Nitrogen-fertilized plants release much more methane than unfertilized plants but even these measured rates are only one fourth as large as those inferred earlier by Koyama (1963, 1964) and on which all global extrapolations have been based to date. Measured methane fluxes from lakes and marshes are also compared to similar earlier data and it is found that extant data and flux-measurement methods are insufficient for reliable global extrapolations.
Echocardiography in Coronary Artery Disease

1. Direct ultrasonic visualization of the coronary arteries.- 2. Regional and global left ventricular function analysis.- 3. Echocardiography during reversible ischemia in animal models.- 4. Echo-doppler cardiography during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.- 5. Exercise echocardiography.- 6. Dipyridamole-echocardiography test.- 7. Echocardiography in experimental myocardial infarction in animals.- 8. Myocardial perfusion imaging by contrast two-dimensional echocardiography.- 9. Echocardiography in the differential diagnosis of patients with chest pain.- 10. Acute myocardial infarction in man.- 11. Evaluation of the effect of thrombolytic therapy on left and right ventricular function by two-dimensional echocardiography and cineventriculography.- 12. The mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction.- 13. Left ventricular aneurysm and infarct expansion.- 14. Left ventricular thrombus: diagnosis, anticoagulation, and systemic embolization.- 15. Doppler echocardiography in coronary artery disease.- 16. Epicardial echocardiography: assessment of myocardial effects of ischemia and revascularization.- 17. Transesophageal echocardiography during abdominal aortic surgery.- 18. Ultrasonic tissue characterization methods in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.- 19. Direct epicardial visualization of the coronary arteries.
Role of type 2 deiodinase in response to acute lung injury (ALI) in mice.

Thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism, mediated by deiodinase types 1, 2, and 3 (D1, D2, and D3) is profoundly affected by acute illness. We examined the role of TH metabolism during ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in mice. Mice exposed to VILI recapitulated the serum TH findings of acute illness, namely a decrease in 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone and an increase in reverse T3. Both D2 immunoreactivity and D2 enzymatic activity were increased significantly. D1 and D3 activity did not change. Using D2 knockout (D2KO) mice, we determined whether the increase in D2 was an adaptive response. Although similar changes in serum TH levels were observed in D2KO and WT mice, D2KO mice exhibited greater susceptibility to VILI than WT mice, as evidenced by poorer alveoli integrity and quantified by lung chemokine and cytokine mRNA induction. These data suggest that an increase in lung D2 is protective against VILI. Similar findings of increased inflammatory markers were found in hypothyroid WT mice exposed to VILI compared with euthyroid mice, indicating that the lungs were functionally hypothyroid. Treatment of D2KO mice with T3 reversed many of the lung chemokine and cytokine profiles seen in response to VILI, demonstrating a role for T3 in the treatment of lung injury. We conclude that TH metabolism in the lung is linked to the response to inflammatory injury and speculate that D2 exerts its protective effect by making more TH available to the injured lung tissue.
Animal consciousness and scientific change

In 1872, Charles Darwin published his major work, The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. Ten years later, Darwin’s friend, George Romanes, Secretary of the Linnaean Society, making use, as he tells us, as one of his sources of “all of the notes and clippings on animal intelligence which [Darwin had] been collecting for the last forty years” (Romanes, 1898, p. xi), published an exhaustive five hundred page survey of animal mentation throughout the entire phylogenetic scale. Neither man experienced the slightest difficulty in imputing consciousness, emotion, reason, concepts, in short subjective mental experiences and awareness to animals. To Romanes, the sort of philosophical skepticism which would militate against imputing mental lives to animals can hardly be stopped at animals if we are serious about that, we cannot reasonably refrain from doubting that other humans have such experiences also. The only subjective experiences we have access to are our own; if we are willing to impute subjective experiences to other people it must be on the basis of analogy. But the analogies which license such inferences obtain regarding animals as well, so Romanes feels quite comfortable about dismissing this sort of skepticism as unproductive nihilism violating common sense and rendering all science impossible, and after a few additional pages of philosophical and methodological preliminaries turns directly to the study of the different sorts of mental life found in the animal kingdom. This belief in animal consciousness and its scientific knowability dominates psychology until Watson (1913) and figures prominently in the theoretical stances of a wide variety of psychological thinkers. Contrary to widespread belief, consciousness in animals is taken for granted in Lloyd Morgan (1894), whose famous canon was directed not against the imputation of consciousness to animals, but rather against overhasty ascription of reason to them (see Morgan, 1894, Chapter 111). Similarly, animal mentation is never denied by any of the thinkers usually described as immediate precursors of positivistic behaviorism, including Jacques Loeb, H. S. Jennings, and E. L. Thorndyke. This is not surprising. The evidence of common sense (and common language) militate strongly in favor of imputing consciousness to animals. When this prima f&-k belief is buttressed, as it was in the 19th century, by the theoretical requirements of Darwinian evolutionary continuity, it becomes a powerful and coherent edifice, which would appear difficult indeed to dislodge. It is rare, after all, that a revolutionary scientific theory accords with common sense very often they are inimical. But in the case of animal consciousness, it is clear that Darwinism