cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of benzylsuccinate synthase: stereochemistry of toluene addition to fumarate and maleate.

Benzylsuccinate synthase catalyzes a highly unusual reaction: the addition of toluene to fumarate to form (R)-benzylsuccinic acid. The stereochemistry of this reaction has been examined using [d3-methyl]toluene and either fumarate or its cis stereoisomer, maleate, as the substrates. We demonstrate that when fumarate is the cosubstrate, deuterium is transferred from toluene to the C-3 pro-(R) position of benzylsuccinate, implying a syn addition of toluene to the double bond of fumarate. However, when maleate is the cosubstrate, the addition of toluene occurs in an anti fashion, so that deuterium transfer to the C-3 pro-(R) position of benzylsuccinate is also observed. This is consistent with the formation of the C-3 radical of benzylsuccinate as an intermediate, in which rotation about the C-2−C-3 bond can occur to relieve the sterically unfavorable cis conformation of the carboxylate groups when maleate is the cosubstrate.
Enhanced rare pion decays from a model of MeV dark matter

A model has been proposed in which neutral scalar particles {chi}, of mass 1-10 MeV, annihilate through the exchange of a light vector boson U, of mass 10-100 MeV, to produce the 511 keV line observed emanating from the center of the Galaxy. The {chi} interacts weakly with normal matter and is a viable dark matter candidate. If the U boson couples to quarks as well as to electrons, it could enhance the branching ratio for the rare decay {pi}{sup 0}{yields}e{sup +}e{sup -}. A recent measurement by the KTeV Collaboration lies 3 standard deviations above a prediction by Dorokhov and Ivanov, and we relate this excess to the couplings of the U boson. The values are consistent with other constraints and considerations. We make some comments on possible improvements in the data.
Statistical analysis of a high resolution spatial spectrum estimator utilizing an augmented covariance matrix

In the context of multiple source location with multiple sensors, it was shown [1] that by using an M element array with elements arranged in a minimum redundancy fashion and by augmenting the array output covariance matrix to create a covariance-type matrix of larger dimensions, it is possible to estimate the directions of arrival of as many as M(M - 1)/2 uncorrelated sources. The earlier work assumed perfectly estimated covariances. This paper addresses the statistical properties and related issues of the augmented covariance matrix in the case when the array output sample covariances are estimated from finite data using the maximum likelihood method. Using a matrix factorization technique, the distribution of the sample Bartlett spatial spectrum estimator based on the augmented covariance matrix is shown to be a sum of weighted and dependent χ2-distributed random variables. The degradation in performance in making use of the augmented matrix is here found in terms of the variance of the Bartlett estimator. This is shown to be in the order of twice the variance obtained with a uniform array of actual elements, the latter being equal in number to the dimension of the augmented array. To match the performance of the uniform array of actual elements using the augmented array would then require about twice the number of data samples.
Risk Stratification of Ambulatory Patients with Advanced Heart Failure Undergoing Evaluation for Heart Transplantation

Background Risk stratification of ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients has relied on peak VO 2 Methods We retrospectively collected data on 151 ambulatory patients undergoing HTx evaluation. Primary outcomes were defined as HTx, LVAD or death within 1 year after evaluation. Results Average age in our cohort was 55 ± 11.1 years, 79.1% were male and 39% had an ischemic etiology (LVEF 21 ± 10.5% and peak VO 2 12.6 ± 3.5 ml/kg/min). Fifty outcomes (33.1%) were observed (27 HTxs, 15 VADs and 8 deaths). Univariate logistic regression showed a significant association of RVSWI (OR 0.47, p = 0.036), PCWP (OR 2.65, p = 0.007) and MELD-A (OR 2.73, p = 0.006) with 1-year events. Stepwise regression showed an independent correlation of RVSWI 2 /beat (OR 6.70, p 20 mm Hg (OR 5.48, p 14 (OR 3.72, p 2 p = 0.024) with 1-year events. A scoring system was developed: MELD-A>14 and peak VO 2 20 and RVSWI Conclusions Ambulatory HF patients have significant 1-year event rates. Risk stratification based on exercise performance, left-sided congestion, right ventricular dysfunction and liver congestion allows prediction of 1-year prognosis. Our findings support early and timely referral for VAD and/or transplant.
Perception of vowel features in temporally-segmented noise portions of stop-consonant CV syllables.

The ability of listeners to identify vowel features, given only segments of the aperiodic portion of CVs, was investigated. Segments of the aperiodic portions of stop consonant CVs, increasing in d...
Time-Varying Spectrum Estimation Via Multidimensional Filter Representation

Smoothing of Wigner distribution introduces two dimensional sequences which brings the theory of two-dimensional filter analysis and design to the one-dimensional time-varying spectrum estimation. In this paper, the region of support of the 2-D filters associated with the commonly used periodogram, averaged periodograms and Wigner estimators are defined and used to express through the singular value decomposition, the periodograms-based estimators as a linear combination of the Pseudo Wigner estimators (PWE). The PWE associated with the maximum singular value of the eigenvector expansion of the periodogram is viewed as the closest approximation between the two estimators. Error bounds are derived and simulations are performed to demonstrate the effects of limiting the expansion to the dominant singular vale es, i.e., using a reduced rank periodogram.
Formulation of vibration-rotation energy transfer probability☆

Abstract An expression for the probability of vibration-rotation energy transfer for hydrogen halides was formulated by solving the rotational equation of motion. The collision model consists of a rotation-averaged oscillator and a rigid rotator, in which two hydrogen atoms interact strongly in close-in collisions to transfer vibrational and rotational energies.
Developmental variation, homology, and the pharyngula stage.

Understanding how development varies both inter- and intraspecifically can be impor? tant for systematic and evolutionary studies. This review will explore three different ways such un? derstanding can be applied to evolutionary analyses. First, developmental data can be useful for homology determination. Interspecific variation in development has been thought to make devel? opmental data poor candidates for determining homology. However, an updated developmental criterion that is more broadly comparative and mechanistic augments the available criteria used in homology determination. Second, modern cell and molecular biology are providing a better under? standing of the many developmental processes involved in a structure's formation and will aug? ment the number of characters available for phylogenetic analyses. Recent work has revealed that what had been thought to be a highly conserved developmental stage, the pharyngula (the phylo- typic and zootypic stage of craniates) is highly variable. This variation can be seen in the develop? ment of such tissues as neural crest and placodes. These tissues are particularly interesting from a phylogenetic standpoint because they and the structures they form contribute to key synapomor- phies of craniates. Finally, understanding developmental processes and how they form the variety of morphologies seen in nature will help in constructing the transformations that occurred during evolution. One such example involves descriptions of how lateral line development is affected in different mutant lines of zebrafish. The many species of teleost fishes express great variation in the patterns bf their lateral lines, and this is often an important systematic character. Understanding the genetic basis of lateral line development would help not only in hypothesizing possible trans? formational series but also in determining how many genes may have been required for these transformations. (Caenorhabditis elegans; nematode Xenopus; neural crest; placode; zebrafish)
Outcomes after laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the standard of care for many conditions requiring removal of the adrenal gland. Previous studies on outcomes after LA have had limitations. This report describes the 30-day morbidity and mortality rates after LA and analyzes factors affecting operative time, hospital length of stay (LOS), and postoperative morbidity. Patients undergoing LA in 2007and 2008 were identified from the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Using multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression, 52 demographic/comorbidity variables were analyzed to ascertain factors affecting operative time, LOS, and morbidity. The mean age of the 988 patients was 53.5 ± 13.7 years, and 60% of the patients were women. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 31.8 ± 7.9 kg/m2. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates were 6.8% and 0.5%, respectively. The mean and median operative times were 146.7 ± 66.8 min and 134 min, respectively. The mean and median hospital stays were 2.6 ± 3.1 days and 2 days, respectively. Compared with independent status, totally dependent functional status was associated with a 9.5-day increase in LOS (P = 0.0006) and an increased risk for postoperative morbidity (odds ratio [OR], 14.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4–91.9; P < 0.0001). Peripheral vascular disease (OR, 7.3; 95% CI, 1.7–31.7; P = 0.008) also was associated with increased 30-day morbidity. Neurologic and respiratory comorbidities were associated with increased LOS (P < 0.05). American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class 4 patients had a longer operative time than ASA class 1 patients (P = 0.002). The morbidity and mortality rates after LA are low. Dependent functional status and peripheral vascular disease predispose to postoperative morbidity. Dependent status, higher ASA class, and respiratory and neurologic comorbidities are associated with longer operative time and LOS.
Texas pharmacists' opinions on reporting serious adverse drug events to the Food and Drug Administration: a qualitative study

Objective Pharmacists in the United States (U.S.) are encouraged to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through MedWatch. The aim of this study is to investigate the beliefs and opinions of Texas pharmacists toward reporting ADEs to the FDA. Methods The comments made by pharmacists in state-wide mail survey about reporting serious ADEs to the FDA were independently content analyzed and categorized into themes by two raters. Some comments contained more than one idea and these were categorized into different themes. Main outcome Beliefs and opinions of Texas pharmacists toward ADE reporting. Results A total of 86 pharmacists provided comments on ADE reporting. Texas pharmacists had positive opinions about reporting ADEs to the FDA (e.g., important, valuable and positive). Respondents cited many constraints that impeded the reporting of ADEs: lack of time, failure to know which ADEs to report, difficulty in linking ADEs to a specific drug, lack of patient history, lack of compensation, fear of malpractice suits, limited support from employers and mistrust of the FDA. Pharmacists recommended continuing education and training to raise awareness on ADE reporting and streamlining the reporting process to enhance pharmacists’ reporting behavior. Conclusions Despite pharmacists having positive opinions about reporting ADEs to the FDA, actual reporting may be impeded by a myriad of challenges involved in reporting ADEs. ADE reporting can be improved through addressing these challenges. Continuing education and on-the-job training on ADE reporting are imperative.
Adsorption-induced expansion of defects in MFI membranes

Adsorption of i-butane, p-xylene, and benzene shrinks the size of MFI crystals in polycrystalline MFI membranes at room temperature. The crystal shrinkage, which is over different loading ranges for the three molecules, increases the sizes of the defects (gaps between the crystals). Two membranes, one with 90% of its helium flux through defects, and one with 9% were studied in detail. For the membrane with 90% of its helium flow through defects, the flux through the defects increased by as much as 44%, depending on the permeating molecule. The defect sizes increased for p-xylene loadings below 4 molec./u.c. and for i-butane loading between 3 and 8 molec./u.c. At higher loadings (7 molec./u.c. for p-xylene and 9 molec./u.c. for i-butane) p-xylene and i-butane expanded MFI crystals and shrank the defect sizes so that the helium flow through defects decreased by as much as two orders of magnitude. Benzene did not significantly change the flux through defects at loadings below 8 molec./u.c. Near a loading of 8 benzene molec./u.c. the flux through the defects increased by approximately 18% for one membrane.
The Two-Pound Rule: A Personal Experience with 1,226 Cases of Esophageal Dilation

During the senior author’s residency, he was instructed by a respected faculty member not to introduce a rigid esophagoscope with more than 2 pounds of pressure. A 2-pound “push” was measured with weights, and the 2-pound rule was adhered to as much as possible during esophageal dilations throughout the senior author’s career. The results were satisfactory in terms of complications. Details of this dilation technique have not been previouslyreported.Inthisarticle,wediscusstheseniorauthor’s experience with 1,226 esophageal dilations, patient complications, and the dilation technique used, with an emphasis on safety measures. Methodology Records of dilations performed by the senior author were reviewed. Patients with empiric dilation of the upper esophagealsphincterandpatientsundergoingdilationduring operations were included. Patients who had a dilator placed for intraoperative calibration of a Nissen fundoplication or diaphragm closure were excluded. Pneumatic dilation for achalasia was not included in this series. The number of patients was tabulated, and patients experiencing potentially serious complications were reviewed. Technique With the patient in the left lateral decubitus position after endoscopy,oneofthreetechniqueswasused,dependingon the following circumstances. The Savary guidewire system (Bard Interventional Products) was used for patients with a tortuous esophagus, esophageal diverticuli, cancer, a smallcaliber peptic stricture, an obstructing lesion longer than 3 cm, an esophageal anastomosis, or a previous fundoplication. The Hurst Maloney system (Medovation) was used for patients with a straight esophagus. A water-filled balloon system (Boston Scientific Corp) was used for patients with anastomotic strictures in which Decadron (Merck) was to be injected. Savary guidewire system At endoscopy, the guidewire was introduced through the endoscope biopsy channel after being lubricated with a silicon spray or gel. The spring tip was placed next to, but not necessarily through, the pylorus. The endoscope was removed over the guidewire incrementally, with the operator calling out “five” each time the guidewire was pushed 5 cm into the endoscope. At the time of the “five,” the nurse assistant pulled 5 cm of endoscope out, using the face plate of the bite block as the point of reference. After the endoscope was off the guidewire, the size of the first dilator was chosen on the basis of endoscopic findings. If the endoscope was too large for the obstructing lesion, a pediatric endoscope or a transnasal endoscope was used. If the latter could not pass the obstruction, the guidewire wasadvancedslowlyuntillightresistancewasencountered. This was done only if the lumen could be seen beyond the obstruction; otherwise, the procedure was performed under fluoroscopic control. All Savary dilators in our laboratory have been marked
Adherence of Pneumocystis carinii in Lung Cells during in Vitro Cultivation

This study describes an approach to cultivation of Pneumocystis carinii (I c) on 2 cell lines derived from lung (A549, human and L2, rat) with emphasis on the organisms which adhered to the cells. Immunofluorcsccnt staining was used for growth assays.
Dissopsalis, a middle and late Miocene proviverrine creodont (Mammalia) from Pakistan and Kenya

ABSTRACT Old World Miocene proviverrine creodonts include Dissopsalis carnifex from Pakistan and Dissopsalis pyroclasticus from Kenya. D. carnifex is a common predator in the middle and late Miocene Siwalik faunas and is known from a skull, numerous teeth and jaws, and a few isolated postcranial remains. Its chronostratigraphic range is from 16.1 to 8.8 Ma. D. pyroclasticus is much rarer. It is known for certain from only the type mandible and one fragmentary upper molar recently found in the Ngorora Formation in Kenya, although other specimens have been reported from various East African early and middle Miocene sites. The Ngorora molar is the only well-dated specimen of D. pyroclasticus and is 11.6 Ma. Dissopsalis has a hypercarnassial dentition similar to that of the hyaenodontines, but a cladistic analysis of these and other hyaenodontids indicates that Dissopsalis is only distantly related to the hyaenodontines. Instead, it is most closely related to Anasinopa leakeyi, an early Miocene species also f...
Morpheus: benchmarking computational diversity in mobile malware

Computational characteristics of a program can potentially be used to identify malicious programs from benign ones. However, systematically evaluating malware detection techniques, especially when malware samples are hard to run correctly and can adapt their computational characteristics, is a hard problem.We introduce Morpheus -- a benchmarking tool that includes both real mobile malware and a synthetic malware generator that can be configured to generate a computationally diverse malware sample-set -- as a tool to evaluate computational signatures based malware detection. Morpheus also includes a set of computationally diverse benign applications that can be used to repackage malware into, along with a recorded trace of over 1 hour long realistic human usage for each app that can be used to replay both benign and malicious executions.The current Morpheus prototype targets Android applications and malware samples. Using Morpheus, we quantify the computational diversity in malware behavior and expose opportunities for dynamic analyses that can detect mobile malware. Specifically, the use of obfuscation and encryption to thwart static analyses causes the malicious execution to be more distinctive -- a potential opportunity for detection. We also present potential challenges, specifically, minimizing false positives that can arise due to diversity of benign executions.
Spin-density-wave antiferromagnetism of Cr in Fe/Cr(0 0 1) superlattices

Abstract The antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order of Cr layers in Fe/Cr(0 0 1) superlattices was investigated by neutron scattering. For Cr thicknesses from 51 to 190 A, a transverse SDW is formed for all temperatures below the Neel temperature with a single wave vector Q normal to the layers. A coherent magnetic structure forms with the nodes of the SDW near the FeCr interfaces. For thinner Cr layers, the magnetic scattering can be described by commensurate antiferromagnetic order.
Effect of pressure on the diffusivity of network-forming cations in melts of jadeitic compositions

Abstract The diffusivities of network-forming cations (Si4+, Al3+, Ge4+ and Ga3+) in melts of the jadeitic composition NaAl(Si, Ge)2O6 and Na(Al, Ga)Si2O6 have been measured at pressures between 6 and 20 kbar at 1400°C. The rates of interdiffusion of Si4+-Ge4+ and Al3+-Ge3+ increase with increasing pressure at constant temperature. The results are consistent with the ion-dynamics computer simulations of Jadeite melt by Angell et al. (1982, 1983). The coefficient measured for the Si4+-Ge4+ interdiffusion is between 8 × 10−10 and 2.5 × 10−8 cm 2 sec at 6 kbar, depending on the composition of the melt, whereas at 20 kbar it is between 7 × 10−9 and 2 × 10−7 cm 2 sec . The effect of pressure is greater for more Si-rich compositions (i.e., closer to NaAlSi2O6 composition). The coefficient measured for the Al3+-Ga3+ inter- diffusion is between 9 × 10−10 and 3 × 10−9 cm2/sec at 6 kbar and between 3 × 10−9 and 1 × 10−8 cm 2 sec at 20 kbar. The rate of increase in diffusivity with pressure of Al3+-Ga3+ (a factor of 3–4) is smaller than that of Si4+-Ge4+ (a factor of 7–17). The Si4+-Ge4+ interdiffusion in melts of Na2O · 4(Si, Ge)O2 composition has also been measured at 8 and 15 kbar for comparison. The effect of pressure on the diffusivity in this melt is significantly smaller than that for the jadeitic melts. The increase in diffusivity of the network-forming cations in jadeitic melts with increasing pressure may be related to the decrease in viscosity of the same melt. The present results, as well as the ion-dynamics simulations, suggest that the homogenization of partial melts and mixing of magmas would be more efficient at greater depths.
Transport of Metal-binding Peptides by HMT1, A Fission Yeast ABC-type Vacuolar Membrane Protein

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe hmt1 gene encodes an ABC (ATP-binding cassette)-type protein essential for Cd2+ tolerance. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions indicates that the native HMT1 polypeptide is associated with the vacuolar membrane. Vacuolar membrane vesicles were purified from strains that hyperproduce, or are deficient in, the HMT1 protein. In vitro transport of radiolabeled substrates by these vesicles indicates that HMT1 is an ATP-dependent transporter of phytochelatins, the metal-chelating peptides involved in heavy metal tolerance of plants and certain fungi. Vacuolar vesicles containing HMT1 are capable of taking up both apo-phytochelatins and phytochelatin-Cd2+ complexes. HMT1 activity is sensitive to antibodies directed against this protein and to vanadate, but not to inhibitors affecting the vacuolar proton ATPase or ionophores that abolish the pH gradient across the vacuolar membrane. Vacuolar uptake of Cd2+ and of a glutathione conjugate were also observed, but are not attributable to HMT1. These studies highlight the importance of the yeast vacuole in detoxification of xenobiotics.
An automated bedside method for measuring functional residual capacity by N2 washout in mechanically ventilated children.

ABSTRACT: Beside measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) in ventilated children is impractical. Using a simple technique based on open circuit N2 washout, we measured FRC in ventilated children. The system was evaluated in the laboratory and in patients. Using a mechanical lung, the reproducibility of 200 studies over a range of 100-500 mL at each of four different flow rates (10 determinations at each level) was very high with a mean coefficient of variation of 2.3% (range 0.5-5.1%). Linearity of the integrated N2 signal for volumes of 100-500 mL washed out at different flow rates was excellent (range 7.4-17.9 L/min), r = 0.99. The mean difference between measured and preset mechanical lung volumes was 2.4% (range 0-4.6%). In vivo, reproducibility of six to 10 FRC determinations in each of 30 children gave a mean coefficient of variation of 2.7%. Comparison to the conventional Douglas bag collection method showed a high correlation (r = 0.97). We conclude that this is an easy, highly reproducible, and accurate method for FRC determination suitable to ventilated infants and children.
“We are the border”: identity, exchange, and the state along the Bénin‐Nigeria border

Border residents in the Yoruba-speaking Shabe region along the Benin-Nigeria international border have relied on transborder trade as a source of income since the border was first established by French and British colonial governments. Over the past 20 years, however, economic change in the region has significantly reduced transborder traffic and its accompanying income-earning opportunities for local borderlanders. Border residents have subsequently forged a strong sense of “border identity.” This identity emerges primarily in contexts of transborder exchange and is based both on residential claims to the region and on borderlanders' perceived rights to participation in transborder trade.
Response of patients with IgM and IgA-associated peripheral polyneuropathies to "off-line" immunoadsorption treatment using the Prosorba protein A column.

Sensory or sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathies may be associated with monoclonal immunoglobulins (paraproteins). Our prior experience suggests that “off-line” Prosorba® column treatments may be effective therapy for patients with polyneuropathies associated with paraproteins of the IgG class. We report herein the treatment, using Prosorba®, of 2 patients with peripheral neuropathies and paraproteins of the IgM class and 1 patient with peripheral neuropathy whose paraprotein was of the IgA class. All three patients were treated “off-line” with Prosorba® six times in a 2-week period. Each time they were phlebotomized 1 U of whole blood. The plasma and red cells were separated in the blood bank. The plasma was passed over the column while the red blood cells were returned to the patient through a heparin lock. Then the treated plasma was returned separately. There were no adverse effects of treatment, and, in one patient with an IgM paraprotein and one with an IgA paraprotein, neurological symptoms and signs improved over the subsequent 2 weeks. Prosorba® appears effective for predominantly sensory demyelinating polyneuropathies associated with M-components of all major immunoglobulin classes. Our current experience further suggests that the mechanism of action of Prosorba® may not depend on removal of small amounts of IgG-containing immune complexes from patients' plasma. A proper large-scale clinical trial is warranted. J. Clin. Apheresis 14:159–162, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On positive solutions of higher order equations

An oscillation result is given for an nth order equation where the forcing term is any continuous function. Number of properties of the positive solutions are given, provided they exist. Moreover, some conditions which guarantee the nonexistence of positive solutions are also given,
Fractal distributions in conservative systems: Direct observations of the stable manifold

Abstract We have obtained escape-speed diagrams for a conservative one-parameter quadratic mapping of the plane to itself (the Cremona Map). The escape speed of orbits appears to have a fractal distribution (in the plane) which is related to the eigenvectors of the mapping in the vicinity of the unstable fixed point. We suggest that this phenomenon is due to stability enhancements caused by the stable manifold as it traverses the plane. Since our charts allow classification of regions in the plane by their escape speed, the method actually provides a means of tracking the stable manifold directly. Numerical results indicate that the sections of the manifolds from longer period points extending into the escaping region accumulate onto the stable manifold of the unstable fixed point. An overall stability analysis as the parameter of the mapping is varied shows a remarkable resemblance to the corresponding diagram for the Restricted Three Body Problem, which we discuss briefly.
The flight from reasoning in psychology

Psychological science can benefit from a theoretical unification with other social sciences. Social psychology in particular has gone through cycles of repression, denying itself the opportunity to see the calculating element in human interaction. A closer alignment with theories of evolution and theories of interpersonal (and intergroup) games would bring strategic reasoning back into the focus of research.
The Pineal Gland: Photoreception and Coupling of Behavioral, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Circadian Outputs

Although removal of the pineal gland has been shown to have very little effect on the mammalian circadian system in constant darkness (DD), several recent reports have suggested that the mammalian pineal gland may be more important for circadian organization in nocturnal rodents than was previously believed. Removal of the pineal gland (PINX) facilitates the disruptive effects of constant bright light on wheel-running rhythmicity. This suggests at least two possibilities for the role of the pineal gland in the mammalian circadian system. First, pinealectomized rats may perceive ambient light intensity to be brighter than do sham-operated (SHAM) rats. Second, the pineal gland, probably via its secretion of melatonin, may also be involved in coupling components of the circadian system. Coupling, as we see it, may occur at several levels of organization: (1) between retinohypothalamic afferents and suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) oscillatory neurons, (2) among multiple SCN oscillators, (3) between the SCN and their multiple outputs, and/or (4) among the multiple circadian outputs themselves. In this study we show that PINX rats free-run with a longer period in four different light intensities than do SHAM rats. Moreover, the rate of increase of tau is greater among PINX rats than among SHAM rats. This supports the first hypothesis. We also show that in PINX rats the circadian rhythms of wheel running, general activity, body temperature, and heart rate are all more disrupted in constant bright light than are those of SHAM rats, and each rhythmic output is disrupted in parallel. This supports the second hypothesis. Melatonin is probably not involved in coupling presynaptic elements of SCN afferents in the retinohypothalamic tract to pacemaking cells within the SCN, since enucleation has no effect on SCN 2-[125I]iodomelatonin (IMEL) binding. Together the data do not discount either of the two hypotheses but do restrict the possible levels at which the pineal gland is involved in coupling. These data also further support a growing body of literature indicating that the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin play a role in mammalian circadian organization.
Systemic and Pulmonary Hemodynamic Effects of Nebulized Sodium Nitroprusside(Neb-NP) in a Piglet Model of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)|[bull]| 230

ARDS is characterized by pulmonary hypertension and impaired gas exchange. Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) or NO analogs has been suggested as a technique capabable of ameliorating one or both of these pathologies. We investigated the effects of inhalation of an NO analog, sodium nitroprusside, administered by nebulization in a piglet model of ARDS.
Effects of vasodilators and peritoneal dialysis solution on the microcirculation of the rat cecum.

SummaryPeritoneal dialysis solutions produce vasodilation of small arteries and veins on the mesothelial surface of the rat cecum. Dilation in the artery is not altered by the addition of nitroprusside to the dialysis solution. However, there is a dramatic increase in dilation of the small vein upon addition of nitroprusside. This small vein phenomena is not unique to nitroprusside since papaverine can produce dilation of equal magnitude. However, of the three vasodilators tested (nitroprusside, papaverine, and isoproterenol), at comparable vein dilation, nitroprusside produced the greatest small artery dilation. Thus, a unique combination of small vein and small artery mechanisms may in part explain the increases in clinical clearances observed with the addition of nitroprusside to dialysis solution.
Pulmonary System and Obesity

There are several challenges in the management of respiratory failure in the obese population. Pulmonary physiology is significantly altered leading to reduced lung volumes, decreased compliance, abnormal ventilation and perfusion relationships, and respiratory muscle inefficiency. These complications can lead to a prolonged requirement for mechanical ventilation and increased intensive-care-unit length of stay.
CALGB 150905 (Alliance): Rituximab Broadens the Antilymphoma Response by Activating Unlicensed NK Cells

Natural killer (NK) cells contribute to clinical responses in patients treated with rituximab, but the rules determining NK-cell responsiveness to mAb therapies are poorly defined. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms responsible for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) could yield useful biomarkers for predicting clinical responses in patients. Unlicensed NK cells, defined as NK cells lacking expression of an inhibitory KIR for self-HLA class I ligands, are hyporesponsive in steady state, but are potent effectors in inflammatory conditions. We hypothesized that antitumor antibodies such as rituximab can overcome NK-cell dependence on licensing, making unlicensed NK cells important for clinical responses. Here, we examined the influences of variations in KIR and HLA class I alleles on in vitro responses to rituximab. We tested the clinical significance in a cohort of patients with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing mAb combinations, and show that rituximab triggers responses from all NK-cell populations regardless of licensing. Neither IL2 nor accessory cells are required for activating unlicensed NK cells, but both can augment rituximab-mediated ADCC. Moreover, in 101 patients with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing mAb combinations, a "missing ligand" genotype (predictive of unlicensed NK cells) is associated with a higher rate of progression-free survival. Our data suggest that the clinical efficacy of rituximab may be driven, in part, by its ability to broaden the NK-cell repertoire to include previously hyporesponsive, unlicensed NK cells. A "missing ligand" KIR and HLA class I genotype may be predictive of this benefit and useful for personalizing treatment decisions in lymphomas and other tumors.
Anterolateral C1-C2 transarticular fixation for atlantoaxial arthrodesis: landmarks, working area, and angles of approach.

INTRODUCTION Restrictions in elective surgery and large group gatherings as well as changes in faculty and resident schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to rapid evolvement of the training curriculum for neurosurgical trainees While necessary, these changes may have significant impact on the training of neurosurgery residents METHODS A survey assessing changes to resident clinical and educational workload and their sentiment about how these changes may affect their careers was distributed electronically to neurosurgery residents in the United States and Canada RESULTS One hundred ninety-seven resident responses were collected between April 17, 2020 and April 30, 2020 The survey respondents were spread over 29 states and Canada and were evenly spread across all residency levels (P = 619) Nearly 82% reported that the inpatient and outpatient volumes were either greatly (44 0%) or moderately (37 8%) reduced Greater than 91% reported a significant reduction in work hours and a significant increase in resident didactics (P < 001) Nearly all residents surveyed (98 5%) reported that their program had converted to electronic platforms for their didactic lectures, and there was a significant increase in the time residents spent in didactic lectures Residents reported converting the majority of their time outside of neurosurgery clinical responsibilities into watching remote didactic lectures, conducting research, and preparing for board examinations, while nearly 14% of trainees spent at least a portion of that time providing COVID-19 medical care Senior residents were more likely to express concern about their educational experience as well as their future career prospects CONCLUSION Universally, residents have experienced reduced work hours and operative case volumes Programs have adapted by increasing didactic time and using electronic platforms The findings suggest that senior residents may feel the effects more than their junior counterparts This may require more acute attention from faculty with respect to preparing senior residents for moving on to fellowship or ultimate job It is possible that this remarkable time period will prompt a critical re-appraisal of the pre-COVID-19 adequacy of educational content in our training programs, and that enhanced educational efforts driven by this pandemic may be lasting
Utilization of Advanced Modalities in the Management of Diabetic Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Technological advances have allowed reconstructive foot and ankle surgeons greater opportunity to provide significant limb salvage options to those patients who present with significant lower extremity deformity due to diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy. Paradigms that promote the utilization of these advanced modalities have demonstrated significant improved limb salvage outcomes in this challenging patient population and have consequently improved the quality of life for patients. The purpose of this review is to discuss current concepts in Charcot reconstruction.
Homoplasy and thick enamel in primates

Traditionally, thick enamel has often been used to infer durophagy (i.e., hard nut and seed consumption) in extinct hominins. These inferences are based on the hypothesis that thick enamel is primarily an adaptation to prevent tooth fracture or chipping resulting from high-stress loads produced during the mastication of large hard foods. An alternative view argues that thick enamel may aid in maintaining tooth function in the face of gradual dental wear from grit, phytoliths and acid, which may be found in foods of widely varying hardness. We use estimates of primate dietary abrasiveness and recorded lifespan to test the hypothesis that enamel thickness is selectively responsive to lifetime dental wear resistance. We use data from the literature to relate enamel thickness to measures of dietary abrasiveness, diet profiles, and longevity for 17 primate species and performed linear regression using several combinations of these variables. We found a positive association between lifetime dietary wear and enamel thickness, suggesting that thick molar enamel in primates may have evolved as a means to resist wear apart from selection to resist tooth fracture. Assuming our estimates of lifetime dietary wear are accurate, we caution against ascribing thick enamel solely to the presence of hard-object feeding in paleoanthropological contexts without also considering primate lifespan and other aspects of feeding ecology.
Effect of light on growth of Black Valentine bean plastids.

Abstract Plastids of etiolated Black Valentine bean leaves can be induced to grow in the dark by exposing the plant to brief periods of illumination with red or white light. The induction of plastid growth can be reversed by subsequent irradiation with wavelengths in the far-red, hence this phase of chloroplast development is probably controlled by the reversible pigment system which controls other morphogenic processes in the plant. Although there is a doubling in volume of the plastid, dark growth after pre-illumination does not involve the formation of grana. The growth of plastids in the dark after illumination includes the synthesis of protein and lipids. Plastid nitrogen doubles during growth in the dark and reaches the level of the mature chloroplast. Although a doubling in lipids also takes place during the dark growth of plastids, the levels reached are only approx. two-thirds of that in the mature chloroplast. Implications of the dark growth of plastids after illumination in relation to grana formation and to plant development as a whole are discussed.
Studies of thieno[2,3-b]pyrazines in preparation of pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and related molecules†

A variety of 2,3-disubstituted derivatives of the previously unknown thieno[2,3-b]pyrazine ring system have been employed as a synthetic foundation for pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]-pyrimidine and several of its derivatives.
Inoculum banding, inoculum age and fertilization rate in relation to production of container-grown shortleaf pine seedlings mycorrhizal with Pisolithus tinctorius

Abstract Vegetative my celial inoculum of pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch placed in containers as a banded layer was approximately 10-fold more effective for producing mycorrhizal seedlings of Pinus echinata Mill. than distributing the same amount of inoculum throughout the container medium. Location of the inoculum band at the top or middle of the container did not affect the formation of mycorrhizae. Concentrating the inoculum in half of the medium was also more effective than incorporating the inoculum throughout the medium. The primary effect of placing the inoculum in the container as a band or concentrating the inoculum in half of the medium was to increase the percentage of seedlings forming mycorrhizae rather than the percentage of mycorrhizal short roots on infected seedlings. Inoculum potential decreased after about 12 weeks in culture, indicating that vegetative inoculum has a maximum inoculum potential at the time of maximum growth in culture. The optimum rate of fertilization with a slow-release fertilizer for acceptable seedling size and mycorrhizal development was 4.5 kg m −3 of medium.
Adrenal insufficiency in a woman secondary to standard-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate therapy.

A 55-year-old woman with asthma presented with adrenal insufficiency of unknown origin. She was referred to our Division of Reproductive Endocrinology to further evaluate an undetectable morning cortisol level discovered during the evaluation of a low serum DHEA-S level. She was asymptomatic other than having mild fatigue and weight gain. Her medication list included 220 μg of inhaled fluticasone propionate twice daily for asthma, which she was taking as prescribed. On presentation, the undetectable morning cortisol level was confirmed. A urinary measurement of fluticasone propionate 17β-carboxylic acid was markedly elevated. Fluticasone therapy was discontinued and salmeterol therapy initiated with supplemental hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone therapy was discontinued after 2 months. A repeat urinary fluticasone measurement 4 months after the discontinuation of fluticasone therapy was undetectably low and morning cortisol level was normal at 18.0 μg/dl. Inhaled fluticasone is generally considered to be minimally systemically absorbed. This patient's only clinical evidence suggesting adrenal insufficiency was fatigue accompanying a low serum DHEA-S level. This case demonstrates that adrenal insufficiency can be caused by a routine dose of inhaled fluticasone. Missing this diagnosis could potentially result in adrenal crisis upon discontinuation of fluticasone therapy. Learning points Standard-dose inhaled fluticasone can cause adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients taking, or who have recently discontinued, inhaled fluticasone therapy and present with new onset of nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, depression, myalgia, arthralgia, unexplained weight loss, and nausea that are suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in postoperative patients who exhibit signs of hypoadrenalism after fluticasone therapy has been withheld in the perioperative setting. Routine screening for hypoadrenalism in patients without clinical signs or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency after the discontinuation of inhaled fluticasone therapy is not indicated due to the apparently low incidence of adrenal insufficiency caused by fluticasone.
Ion mobility spectrometer—field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer-mass spectrometry

Since the development of electrospray ionization (ESI) for ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry (IMMS), IMMS have been extensively applied for characterization of gas-phase bio-molecules. Conventional ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), defined as drift tube IMS (DT-IMS), is typically a stacked ring design that utilizes a low electric field gradient. Field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) is a newer version of IMS, however, the geometry of the system is significantly different than DT-IMS and data are collected using a much higher electric field. Here we report construction of a novel ambient pressure dual gate DT-IMS coupled with a FAIMS system and then coupled to a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QITMS) to form a hybrid three-dimensional separation instrument, DT-IMS-FAIMS-QITMS. The DT-IMS was operated at ~3 Townsend (electric field/number density (E/N) or (Td)) and was coupled in series with a FAIMS, operated at ~80 Td. Ions were mobility-selected by the dual gate DT-IMS into the FAIMS and from the FAIMS the ions were detected by the QITMS for as either MS or MSn. The system was evaluated using cocaine as an analytical standard and tested for the application of separating three isomeric tri-peptides: tyrosine-glycine-tryptophan (YGW), tryptophan-glycine-tyrosine (WGY) and tyrosine-tryptophan-glycine (YWG). All three tri-peptides were separated in the DT-IMS dimension and each had one mobility peak. The samples were partially separated in the FAIMS dimension but two conformation peaks were detected for the YWG sample while YGW and WGY produced only one peak. Ion validation was achieved for all three samples using QITMS.
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in endangered Astrophytum asterias (Cactaceae)

We report the development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered North American cactus Astrophytum asterias (Cactaceae). Six loci, averaging 8.5 alleles per locus, were found to amplify genomic DNA consistently in 94 individuals from four geographically defined demes in South Texas. These markers will permit the generation of appropriate data for estimating population genetic parameters, population structure and the degree of inbreeding in the small, fragmented populations of A. asterias that currently exist. These are the first microsatellites reported for the genus Astrophytum and for the tribe Cacteae.
A novel role of miR-302/367 in reprogramming

Ever since the technique of coaxing ordinary skin cells into becoming pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been developed, which have the potential to become any cell or tissue in the body, efforts were made to improve the approach because some major challenges. Increasing evidence suggests that several microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in early embryonic development and embryonic stem cell formation, known as embryonic stem cell (ESC)-specific miRNAs, particularly the miR-302 family. We summarized here a novel approach to generate iPSCs by using miR-302 and its related miRNAs such as miR-367. The development of this miR-302/367-mediated iPSC (termed mirPSC) may provide tools to deal with the obstacles facing some current iPSC reprogramming methods. The mechanism by which miR-302/367 induce iPSC reprogramming is proposed.
Dialysis Leukopenia, Hypoxemia, and Anaphylatoxin Formation: Effect of Membrane, Bath, and Citrate Anticoagulation

The goal of these prospective studies was to determine the effect of different dialyzer membranes and dialysate composition on leukopenia and hypoxemia during hemodialysis with citrate anticoagulation. Significant early leukopenia was found with a cuprophane membrane, while a cellulose acetate membrane was associated with mild early leukopenia. Bath composition had no effect. Bicarbonate dialysate, compared with acetate, eliminated hypoxemia in cellulose acetate membranes and reduced its degree and duration with cuprophane. Membrane composition had no effect on hypoxemia during acetate dialysis. The findings indicate that leukopenia is directly and exclusively related to membrane composition while hypoxemia only relates in part to membrane effects. Serial determinations of complement components C3a and C5a showed significant increases in parallel with leukopenia during heparin anticoagulation, but the anaphylatoxin concentration changes were dissociated during dialysis with citrate anticoagulation. The concentrations of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a appear not to be directly related to dialysis-induced leukopenia. The dissociation between anaphylatoxin concentrations and leukopenia may be related to changes in generation or unmasked changes in leukocyte response. Citrate anticoagulation may provide a useful probe for further studies on membrane-leukocyte interactions in vivo.