cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Hypoxic and Ischemic Clinical Conditions on the Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Background Several studies have shown the neuroprotective role afforded by hypoxic and ischemic preconditioning in cerebrovascular disorders. There are several clinical conditions which simulate the hypoxic and ischemic conditioning in humans. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify whether the presence of any clinical scenarios mimicking the hypoxic and ischemic conditions prior to the current acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has a neuroprotective role in these patients. Materials and methods Data were collected for patients >18 years of age who underwent endovascular treatment for AIS from January 2009 to June 2015. A good outcome was defined as modified Rankin score (mRS) of 0 to 3 at discharge and a poor outcome as mRS of 4-6. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of outcomes at discharge in both groups. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results A total of 102 patients, aged 67 ± 16 years with median preprocedural National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 17.5 (1-36), were included. Twenty-one (21%) patients had a good outcome (mRS: 0-3) and 81 (79%) had a poor outcome (mRS: 4-6). A logistic regression analysis identified higher NIHSS score [odds ratio (OR): 1.251, confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.40, p = 0.0002] and history of transient ischemic attack (TIA; OR: 7.881, CI: 1.05-21.01, p < 0.04) as predictors of a poor outcome at discharge. Conclusion Our data suggest that the occurrence of TIA preceding an AIS may be associated with the poor outcomes in patients with AIS, although this finding needs confirmation in larger studies. How to cite this article Athiraman U, Tempelhoff R, Karanikolas M. Effects of Hypoxic and Ischemic Clinical Conditions on the Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(2):104-108.
Can QuickBrain MRI replace CT as first-line imaging for select pediatric head trauma?

Objective The current standard of care for initial neuroimaging in injured pediatric patients suspected of having traumatic brain injury is computed tomography (CT) that carries risks associated with radiation exposure. The primary objective of this trial was to evaluate the ability of a QuickBrain MRI (qbMRI) protocol to detect clinically important traumatic brain injuries in the emergency department (ED). The secondary objective of this trial was to compare qbMRI to CT in identifying radiographic traumatic brain injury. Methods This was a prospective study of trauma patients less than 15 years of age with suspected traumatic brain injury at a level 1 pediatric trauma center in Portland, Oregon between August 2017 and March 2019. All patients in whom a head CT was deemed clinically necessary were approached for enrollment to also obtain a qbMRI in the acute setting. Clinically important traumatic brain injury was defined as the need for neurological surgery procedure, intubation, pediatric intensive care unit stay greater than 24 hours, a total hospital length of stay greater than 48 hours, or death. Results A total of 73 patients underwent both CT and qbMRI. The median age was 4 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-10 years). Twenty-two patients (30%) of patients had a clinically important traumatic brain injury, and of those, there were 2 deaths (9.1%). QbMRI acquisition time had a median of 4 minutes and 52 seconds (IQR = 3 minutes 49 seconds-5 minutes 47 seconds). QbMRI had sensitivity for detecting clinically important traumatic brain injury of 95% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 77%-99%). For any radiographic injury, qbMRI had a sensitivity of 89% (95% CI = 78%-94%). Conclusion Our results suggest that qbMRI has good sensitivity to detect clinically important traumatic brain injuries. Further multi-institutional, prospective trials are warranted to either support or refute these findings.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-induced Pulmonary Carcinogenesis in Cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1- and 1A2-Null Mice: Roles of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2

In 2019, lung cancer was estimated to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in humans. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to increase the risk of lung cancer. PAHs are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A subfamily, comprised of the CYP1A1 and 1A2 monooxygenases. These enzymes bioactivate PAHs into reactive metabolites that induce mutagenic DNA adducts, which can lead to cancer. Past studies have investigated the role of CYP1A1 in PAH bioactivation; however, the individual roles of each CYP1A enzyme are still unknown. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that mice lacking the genes for Cyp1a1 or Cyp1a2 will display altered susceptibilities to PAH-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis. Wild-type, Cyp1a1-null (Cyp1a1-/-), and Cyp1a2-null (Cyp1a2-/-) male and female mice were treated with 3-methylcholanthrene for cancer initiation and tumor formation studies. In wild-type mice, CYP1A1 and 1A2 expression was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. Cyp1a1-/- and Cyp1a2-/- mice treated with PAHs displayed a compensatory pattern, where knocking out 1 Cyp1a gene led to increased expression of the other. Cyp1a1-/- mice were resistant to DNA adduct and tumor formation, whereas Cyp1a2-/- mice displayed increased levels of both. UALCAN analysis revealed that lung adenocarcinoma patients with high levels of CYP1A2 expression survive significantly better than patients with low/medium expression. In conclusion, Cyp1a1-/- mice were less susceptible to PAH-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis, whereas Cyp1a2-/- mice were more susceptible. In addition, high CYP1A2 expression was found to be protective for lung adenocarcinoma patients. These results support the need to develop novel CYP1A1 inhibitors to mitigate human lung cancer.
The effect of neighborhood Area Deprivation Index on residential burn injury severity.

Abstract Introduction Residential fires account for the majority of burn-related injuries and fatalities. Established risk factors for burn injury include male gender, racial minority, children and elderly individuals, poverty, and substandard housing characteristics. In North Carolina, the rate of residential fire injuries and deaths is higher than the national average. Therefore, we sought to describe residential fire hospitalizations at a large regional burn center and describe the neighborhoods in which they live. We hypothesized that patients living in areas with higher Area Deprivation Index (ADI) are more likely to have major residential burns. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of burn admissions from January 2002 to December 2015. We dichotomized patients into two cohorts: residential and non-residential burns and performed a bivariate analysis. Multivariate Poisson regression models were utilized to determine if ADI was associated with inhalation injury and ≥20% total body surface area burn. Results Of the 10,506 patients presented during the study period. Of these, 10,016 (95.3%) patients resided in North Carolina, and 7894 (78.8%) had a residential burn. Of the overall cohort, 6.0% (n = 458) of patients had ≥20% TBSA burns and 6.4% (n = 506) had inhalation injury. The majority of patients were in the highest (most disadvantaged) ADI quartile (n = 3050, 39.5%), and only 6.8% of patients (n = 525) were in the lowest (least disadvantaged) ADI quartile. In the Poisson multivariate regressions to determine if the ADI was associated with severe burns, patients in the highest ADI quartile had an increased relative risk of ≥20% TBSA burn (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02–1.68) and inhalation injury (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.09–1.76) when compared to patients in the second-lowest ADI quartile when controlled for pertinent covariates. Conclusion Residential structure fires represent the major source of burns and fatalities. People who reside in the highest ADI quartile are more like to present with higher burn injury severity in terms of burn size and the presence of inhalation injury. The use of the ADI to target neighborhoods for burn prevention is imperative.
Integrated growth factor signaling promotes lung epithelial progenitor cell expansion and maintenance in mice and humans

During lung branching morphogenesis, a multipotent progenitor population resides at the tips of bifurcating epithelial tubes that give rise to all lung epithelial cell types (1). Previously (2,3), we demonstrated that human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) could differentiate into human lung organoids (HLOs), which possessed airway-like structures and alveolar cells, but it was unclear if HLOs possessed a bona fide tip-progenitor population. The goal of the current study was to understand how tip-progenitors are regulated such that this population could be induced in HLO cultures. Using isolated embryonic mouse and human fetal tip-progenitors, we identified factors that promoted long-term growth and maintenance of this population in vitro. Our results showed significant functional and expression differences between mouse and human tip-progenitors, and demonstrated de novo induction of a robust population of budding, SOX9+ progenitor-like cells in HLOs.
Updated Echocardiographic Effects of Long Term Pacing on Left Ventricle and Left Atrial Function in Patients with Congenital Heart Block: Outflow Tract vs. Apical Pacing Sites

Background: Pacing sites vary among symptomatic patients with congenital complete heart block (CHB) with right ventricle (RV) apex (Ap) and outflow tract (OT), both of which alter contractility, as commonly-cited lead implant locations. However, controversy exists as to the best site based on only ECHO-derived ejection fraction (EF) as a marker for contractility. With recent ECHO updates, the question now arises if use of other indices of left (L) V function offer advantages in comparing function between pacing sites. Objective: To compare newer LV functional ECHO …
Driver Arousal and Workload Under Partial Vehicle Automation: A Pilot Study

Semi-automated vehicles (Level-2) provide driving assistance, but they still require driver supervision to maintain safe driving. However, little is known about potential differences in drivers’ co...
Cluster Calculations on the Chain Compound Aqua[N- (Salicyclaldiminato) Glycinato] Copper(II) Hemihydrate

The spin analog of the regular Peierls distortion1 of a quasi-one-dimensional system containing paramagnetic transition metal ions has recently been suggested for the linear chain compound aqua[N-(salicylaldiminato)glycinato] copper(II) hemihydrate, CuNSG.2 Theoretically the spin-Peierls (SP) transition may arise in electrically insulating, antiferromagnetically coupled, uniformly spaced spin chains, but it had previously been restricted to those systems in which the unpaired spins are delocalized on large flat organic molecules.3 The absence of SP phase transitions in the numerous antiferromagnetically coupled, uniform spin chains containing metal ion localized unpaired spin density can be attributed to long range 3-dimensional ordering at temperatures above the potential SP ordering temperature, Tsp. Cluster calculations on the temperature dependent magnetization at varying applied external fields verify the SP phenomenon in CuNSG.
ATM: A Connection-Oriented, Cell-Switching Technology

This chapter examines the effect of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) adaptation layers and service classes on the performance of the network. ATM is essentially a connection-oriented, packet-switched technology. It is noted that the packets that are switched in an ATM network are of a fixed length, 53 bytes, and are commonly called cells. The cell size has a particular effect on carrying voice traffic. The ATM adaptation layer (AAL) sits between ATM and the variable-length packet protocols that can use ATM. The AAL header contains the information required by the destination to reassemble the individual cells back into the original message. AAL1 and AAL2 were designed to support applications, like voice, that require guaranteed bit rates. AAL3/4 and AAL5 provide support for packet data running over ATM. It is observed that ATM provides QoS capabilities through its five service classes namely CBR, VBR-rt, VBRnrt, ABR, and UBR. CBR is well-suited for voice traffic that usually requires circuit switching.
Connecting Brian Cambourne's Conditions of Learning Theory to Brain/Mind Principles: Implications for Early Childhood Educators

This article connects Brain Cambourne's Conditions of Learning to a constructivist philosophy of education as well as to established brain-based principles. Various classroom conversations between primary-aged children illustrate specific classroom activities that help link the brain principle to each of Cambourne's conditions.
A Review of “Psychometrics in coaching: Using psychological and psychometric tools for development”

Psychometrics in Coaching is an edited volume designed to provide coaches with basic knowledge of psychometrics so that they can be informed in evaluating, selecting, and developing competency in t...
The Collapse and Expansion of Liquid-Filled Elastic Channels and Cracks

The rate at which fluid drains from a collapsing channel or crack depends on the interaction between the elastic properties of the solid and the fluid flow. The same interaction controls the rate at which a pressurized fluid can flow into a crack. In this paper, we present an analysis for the interaction between the viscous flow and the elastic field associated with an expanding or collapsing fluid-filled channel. We first examine an axisymmetric problem for which a completely analytical solution can be developed. A thick-walled elastic cylinder is opened by external surface tractions, and its core is filled by a fluid. When the applied tractions are relaxed, a hydrostatic pressure gradient drives the fluid to the mouth of the cylinder. The relationship between the change in dimensions, time, and position along the cylinder is given by the diffusion equation, with the diffusion coefficient being dependent on the modulus of the substrate, the viscosity of the fluid, and the ratio of the core radius to the exterior radius of the cylinder. The second part of the paper examines the collapse of elliptical channels with arbitrary aspect ratios, so as to model the behavior of fluid-filled cracks. The channels are opened by a uniaxial tension parallel to their minor axes, filled with a fluid, and then allowed to collapse. The form of the analysis follows that of the axisymmetric calculations, but is complicated by the fact that the aspect ratio of the ellipse changes in response to the local pressure. Approximate analytical solutions in the form of the diffusion equation can be found for small aspect ratios. Numerical solutions are given for more extreme aspect ratios, such as those appropriate for cracks. Of particular note is that, for a given cross-sectional area, the rate of collapse is slower for larger aspect ratios. With minor modifications to the initial conditions and the boundary conditions, the analysis is also valid for cracks being opened by a pressurized fluid.
The curve of “Prym canonical” Gauss divisors on a Prym theta divisor

The Gauss linear system on the theta divisor of the Jacobian of a nonhyperelliptic curve has two striking properties: 1) the branch divisor of the Gauss map on the theta divisor is dual to the canonical model of the curve; 2) those divisors in the Gauss system parametrized by the canonical curve
Municipal Solid Waste Combustion ASH as an Aggregate Substitute in Asfhaltic Concrete

Summary A two year study is underway to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the bottom ash process stream from the 500 TPD waste-to-energy facility in Concord, New Hampshire. The use of bottom ash as an aggregate substitute product in asphaltic base course is envisioned. Research is underway to characterize the time-dependent properties of the bottom ash for product acceptance, to develop both hot mix and cold emulsion formulations, and to evaluate the leachate release rate characteristics from various blends using a variety of batch and lysimeter leach tests. Results to date suggest that the bottom ash product stream is relatively constant, hot mix formulations meet State Department of Transportation specifications, and bitumen is effective in encapsulating bottom ash and reducing salt leachability.
Preconditioning provides complete protection against retinal ischemic injury in rats

PURPOSE. The objectives of this study were to examine whether preconditioning can decrease ischemic damage to the retina, by electroretinographic assessment of visual function and by histologic examination of retinal structure; to investigate the time course of the effectiveness of preconditioning; and to determine whether protein synthesis is involved. METHODS. Retinal ischemia was produced for 60 minutes in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Recovery after ischemia was measured by electroretinography for a maximum period of 7 days. Retinal sections that were sliced 1 fxm thick were examined 7 days after ischemia. Retinal ischemia for 5 minutes constituted the preconditioning stimulus. To assess the time course of preconditioning, animals first underwent preconditioning and then 60 minutes of ischemia 1, 24, 72, or 168 hours later; or they underwent a 5-minute sham experiment and 60 minutes of ischemia 24 hours later. An additional group of rats received 0.4 mg/kg cycloheximide, the protein synthesis inhibitor, intraperitoneally before preconditioning and underwent 60 minutes of ischemia 24 hours later. RESULTS. In contrast to the nonpreconditioned rats, preconditioned rats had complete recovery of the a- and b-waves compared with preischemic baseline amplitudes, and ischemia-induced histologic damage was completely prevented when preconditioning was performed 24 or 72 hours (but not 168 hours) before ischemia. Separation of preconditioning and 60 minutes of ischemia by 1 hour caused an even greater impairment of functional retinal recovery compared with that seen in sham-preconditioned rats. Severe histologic damage was also noted. Block of protein synthesis by cycloheximide completely attenuated the protective effect of preconditioning. CONCLUSIONS. Preconditioning induces profound retinal tolerance to ischemia in vivo. The absence of a protective effect of preconditioning when there was a 1-hour or a 168-hour separation between the preconditioning stimulus and ischemia and the inhibition of preconditioning by cycloheximide support the hypothesis that a transient change in protein expression is necessary to provide this protection. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39:777-785)
Deficient protein kinase C activity in turnip, a Drosophila learning mutant.

The Drosophila mutant turnip was initially isolated based on poor learning performance (Quinn, W.G., Sziber, P.P., and Booker, R. (1979) Nature 277, 212-214). Here we show that turnip is dramatically reduced in protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In addition, turnip flies are deficient in phosphorylation of a 76-kDa head membrane protein (hereafter pp76) which is a major substrate for protein kinase C in homogenates of wild-type flies. Reduced PKC activity, defective pp76 phosphorylation, and most of turnip's learning deficiency co-map genetically to a region on the X-chromosome, 18A5-18D1-2, spanned by the deletion Df(1)JA27. Apparently turnip+ is not a structural gene for PKC because Drosophila PKC genes map elsewhere in the genome. Our results suggest that turnip gene product is required for activation of PKC and that PKC plays a role in associative learning in Drosophila.
Decreasing immunity to hepatitis A virus infection among US adults: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2012

Abstract Background The clinical course of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is more severe with increased age. In the United States, surveillance data reported to CDC since 2011 indicate increases in both the absolute number of cases and the mean age of cases. Total antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) is a marker of immunity. Methods We analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for anti-HAV from respondents aged ≥2 years collected from 2007 to 2012 and compared with data collected 10 years earlier (1999–2006). For US-born adults aged ≥20 years, we estimated age-adjusted anti-HAV prevalence by demographic and other characteristics, evaluated factors associated with anti-HAV positivity and examined anti-HAV prevalence by decade of birth. Results The prevalence of anti-HAV among adults aged ≥20 years was 24.2% (95% CI 22.5–25.9) during 2007–2012, a significant decline from 29.5% (95% CI 28.0–31.1) during 1999–2006. Prevalence of anti-HAV was consistently lower in 2007–2012 compared to 1999–2006 by all characteristics examined. In 2007–2012, the lowest age-specific prevalence was among adults aged 30–49 years (16.1–17.6%). Factors significantly associated with anti-HAV positivity among adults were older age, Mexican American ethnicity, living below poverty, less education, and not having insurance. By decade of birth, the prevalence of anti-HAV was slightly lower in 2009–2012 than in 1999–2002, except among persons born from 1980 to 1989. Conclusions NHANES data document very low prevalence of hepatitis A immunity among U.S. adults aged 30–49 years; waning of anti-HAV over time may be minimal. Improving vaccination coverage among susceptible adults should be considered.
Symbolism and Regeneration in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's and Micere Mugo's The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

(1983). Symbolism and Regeneration in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's and Micere Mugo's The Trial of Dedan Kimathi. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des etudes africaines: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 239-245.
Application of a hybrid model to reduce bias and improve precision in population estimates for elk (Cervus elaphus) inhabiting a cold desert ecosystem

Abstract Accurately estimating the size of wildlife populations is critical to wildlife management and conservation of species. Raw counts or “minimum counts” are still used as a basis for wildlife management decisions. Uncorrected raw counts are not only negatively biased due to failure to account for undetected animals, but also provide no estimate of precision on which to judge the utility of counts. We applied a hybrid population estimation technique that combined sightability modeling, radio collar-based mark-resight, and simultaneous double count (double-observer) modeling to estimate the population size of elk in a high elevation desert ecosystem. Combining several models maximizes the strengths of each individual model while minimizing their singular weaknesses. We collected data with aerial helicopter surveys of the elk population in the San Luis Valley and adjacent mountains in Colorado State, USA in 2005 and 2007. We present estimates from 7 alternative analyses: 3 based on different methods for obtaining a raw count and 4 based on different statistical models to correct for sighting probability bias. The most reliable of these approaches is a hybrid double-observer sightability model (model MH), which uses detection patterns of 2 independent observers in a helicopter plus telemetry-based detections of radio collared elk groups. Data were fit to customized mark-resight models with individual sighting covariates. Error estimates were obtained by a bootstrapping procedure. The hybrid method was an improvement over commonly used alternatives, with improved precision compared to sightability modeling and reduced bias compared to double-observer modeling. The resulting population estimate corrected for multiple sources of undercount bias that, if left uncorrected, would have underestimated the true population size by as much as 22.9%. Our comparison of these alternative methods demonstrates how various components of our method contribute to improving the final estimate and demonstrates why each is necessary.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Z−E Alkene Isomerization in [(Cy3P)2Cl2Ru]2(μ-CHCHCHCH) and Related Vinylalkylidenes

The conjugated diruthenium bisalkylidene complex [(Cy3P)2Cl2Ru]2(μ-CHCHCHCH) (1, an inseparable 10:1 mixture of E and Z alkene isomers 1E and 1Z) and the separate E and Z isomers of the monoruthenium alkylidene complexes (Cy3P)2Cl2RuCHCHCHCHCH2 (2E and 2Z) and (Cy3P)2Cl2RuCHCHCHCH3 (3E and 3Z) have each been synthesized through the stoichiometric reaction of olefin metathesis catalysts. Each pair of isomers undergo Z−E isomerization, though the isomerization rates and their dependencies on excess alkene and PCy3 are very different. Isomerization in 1 is the fastest, with ΔH⧧ = 100 ± 5 kJ/mol and ΔS⧧ = 67 ± 3 J/(mol K) (1Z to 1E) or 49 ± 3 J/(mol K) (1E to 1Z) as determined by dynamic NMR, giving t1/2 = 11 s for the approach to equilibrium at 25 °C. The rate of this isomerization shows no phosphine dependence. Isomerizations of 2Z and 3Z are slower (t1/2 = 5−20 h), but the former is promoted by PCy3, while the latter is inhibited. In the presence of (Z)-1,3,5-hexatriene, the isomerization of 2Z is much slo...
Loss of FGF receptor 1 signaling reduces skeletal muscle mass and disrupts myofiber organization in the developing limb.

The identities of extracellular growth factors that regulate skeletal muscle development in vivo are largely unknown. We asked if FGFs, which act as repressors of myogenesis in culture, play a similar role in vivo by ectopically expressing in the developing limb a truncated FGF receptor 1 (dnFGFR1) that acts as a dominant negative mutant. Hind limbs and the adjacent somites of Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stage 17 chickens were infected with a replication-competent RCAS virus encoding dnFGFR1. By ED5, the virus had spread extensively within the limb and the adjacent somites with little rostral or caudal expansion of the infection along the axial midline. Viral infection and mutant receptor expression were coincident as revealed by the distribution of a viral coat protein and an HA epitope tag present on the carboxy terminus of dnFGFR1. Within 48 h following injection of dnFGFR1, we could detect no obvious changes in skeletal muscle precursor cell migration into the hind limb as compared to control limbs infected with an empty RCAN virus. However, by 3 days following infection of RCAS-dnFGFR1 virus, the level of skeletal muscle-specific myosin heavy chain was decreased and the expression pattern altered, suggesting disruption of skeletal muscle development. Two striking muscular phenotypes were observed in dnFGFR1-expressing limbs, including an average loss of 30% in skeletal muscle wet weight and a 50% decrease in myofiber density. At all ages examined the loss of skeletal muscle mass was accompanied by a loss of myoblasts and an unexpected concomitant loss of fibroblasts. Consistent with these observations, explants of infected cells revealed a reduction in the number of myonuclei in myotubes. Although the myofiber density per unit area was decreased over 50% compared to controls there were no detectable effects on myofiber diameter. The loss in myofiber density was, however, accompanied by an increase in the space surrounding individual myofibers and a generalized loss of myofiber integrity. It is noteworthy that long-bone development was unaffected by RCAS-dnFGFR1 infection, suggesting that FGFR2 and FGFR3 signaling was not disrupted. Our data provide conclusive evidence that FGFR1 signaling is necessary to maintain myoblast number and plays a role in myofiber organization.
Fluid-Power Harvesting by Pneumatic Bellow During Human Gait

In this paper, we describe power and pressure characteristics of bellows designed for under-foot power harvesting during human walking for a single cycle. This single cycle corresponds to the typical human gait cycle (heel-strike and stance on the floor to toe-off and free swing to subsequent re-contact with the floor, with a total duration of about one second). A bellow can be placed in a shoe insole and compressed during initial heel strike or during the mid-stance portion of the gait cycle. The compressed fluid can then be used for power applications during the remaining portion of the cycle. A collapsible spring was placed inside the bellow to extend it when the foot is off the ground, yet allow the bellow to be compressed. Air is drawn into the bellow through a one-way valve allowing the bellow to recharge as it expands during the swing phase of the gait cycle. Thus, body weight is used as the power source for a self-contained pneumatic circuit. Experimental studies were conducted on two circular bellows with outside diameters of 1.625 in and 2.5 in (4.13 cm and 6.35 cm) and stroke lengths of approximately 1.4 cm. The pressure dynamics of the bellows placed under the heel of the foot or under the ball of the foot were investigated while walking on a treadmill. These pressure profiles were then reproduced on a compression testing machine to investigate the power generated per gait cycle. The results indicate that the bellows generated a peak power during normal walking of approximately 25–30 W and a maximum pressure of 450 kPa. The average power available over a single gait cycle is on the order of 1 W. This novel use of bellows demonstrates the ability to use these devices for regenerative fluid power harvesting capabilities during walking.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Phosphorylation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor regulates its rate of desensitization

Recent studies have provided evidence for a role of protein phosphorylation in the regulation of the function of various potassium and calcium channels (for reviews, see refs 1, 2). As these ion channels have not yet been isolated and characterized, it has not been possible to determine whether phosphorylation of the ion channels themselves alters their properties or whether some indirect mechanism is involved. In contrast, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a neurotransmitter-dependent ion channel, has been extensively characterized biochemically3 and has been shown to be directly phosphorylated4,5. The phosphorylation of this receptor is catalysed by at least three different protein kinases (cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and a tyrosine-specific protein kinase) on seven different phosphorylation sites6–8. However, the functional significance of phosphorylation of the receptor has been unclear. We have now examined the functional effects of phosphorylation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. We investigated the ion transport properties of the purified and reconstituted acetylcholine receptor before and after phosphorylation. We report here that phosphorylation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on the γ- and δ-subunits by cAMP-dependent protein kinase increases the rate of the rapid desensitization of the receptor, a process by which the receptor is inactivated in the presence of acetylcholine (ACh). These results provide the first direct evidence that phosphorylation of an ion channel protein modulates its function and suggest that phosphorylation of postsynaptic receptors in general may play an important role in synaptic plasticity.
Induction of differentiation and apoptosis by sodium selenite in human colonic carcinoma cells (HT29)

To explore the mechanism(s) by which selenium (Se) exerts its cancer chemopreventive activity, we studied the effect of selenite (0–100 μM) on cell growth, viability, differentiation, detachment, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in human colonic carcinoma cells (HT29). Selenite (≥5 μM) decreased cell growth, increased cell detachment and decreased intracellular levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), whereas ≥10 μM selenite induced cell differentiation and apoptosis. The chemopreventive effects of selenite may be related in part to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from the reaction between selenite and GSH.
Renal clearance in mice as a bioassay for radiopharmaceuticals: Intercomparison of commercial sources of iodohippurate sodium 131I(OIH)

Abstract A bioassay method using renal clearance in mice has been developed for evaluating and comparing radiopharmaceuticals. The indices measured include renal plasma flow, the percentage cleared by tubular excretion or tubular reabsorption, and the clearance ratio of the sample to inulin. This procedure has proved to be reproducible and sensitive enough to distinguish between four sources of the same compound, o-iodohippurate sodium labeled with 131I (OIH). Differences in renal clearance of the four sources are reported and related to formulation, percentage iodide impurity, and nephrotoxicity of a formulation component, propylene glycol. The variation in clearance rates of these different sources of labeled OIH indicate that this compound should probably not be used in sophisticated renal clearance studies, and possibly explain the conflicting evidence and opinions concerning the efficacy of the renogram as a diagnostic test procedure.
8 GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOPY AS A CAUSE OF BRONCHOSPASM

8 GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO ATOPY AS A CAUSE OF BRONCHOSPASM
Recurrent Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland cancer is the most diverse cancer in the body consisting of up to 24 different pathologic subtypes. Although these cancers arise within a common group of glands in the head and neck region, these diverse cancers differ substantially in clinical behavior. As a result, salivary cancers are often categorized as low, intermediate, or high-risk for recurrence and metastasis based on histopathologic subtype and tumor stage. Appropriate risk classification of a given salivary tumor provides a useful guide to the physicians who determine the appropriate treatment regimen. Low-risk tumors can be treated successfully with surgery alone, whereas intermediate and high-risk tumors often require multimodality therapy. Recurrent salivary cancer should be considered high-risk by definition, especially if previously treated with appropriate therapy, and therefore requires aggressive multimodality therapy in order to achieve adequate local control and disease-free survival.
Occult bronchogenic carcinoma. Endoscopic localization and television documentation.

Early bronchogenic carcinoma detected by sputum cytology frequently cannot be localized by conventional bronchoscopic techniques. Six occult tumors were localized in this study with new techniques in differential cytology and flexible fiberoptic equipment. A three-phase study is carried out including: 1. Cytologic localization, 2. Fiberoptic survey, and 3. Histologic mapping of bronchial margins. Findings are recorded by means of a color television documentation system. A review of the surgical pathology in our four cases has revealed a relatively large area of in-situ carcinoma in the region of very small invasive tumors.
Proton transfer reactions of halogenated compounds: Using gas chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (GC/FT-ICR MS) and ab initio calculations

Abstract We combine modern GC mass spectrometric techniques (GC/FT-ICR MS) and ab initio molecular orbital calculations at G2, G3, and MP2/6-31+G** levels for characterization of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) present in treated drinking water samples. We introduce an additional dimension to GC/MS analysis that utilizes theoretically calculated proton affinities (PAs) and gas-phase basicities (GBs) to elucidate reaction mechanisms. The observed species at m/z = 100.9 (i.e., CH3OCl2+) in our GC/MS experiments is an ion-dipole complex (CHCl2+⋯OH2), formally corresponding to protonated dichloromethanol (G3 calculated P A C H 2 OC l 2 ∼ 163.3 kcal mo l − 1 ) produced in the gas phase either by the association of a water molecule with a CHCl2+ fragment ion from chloroform (present in the treated drinking water sample) or by the elimination of HCl in a condensation reaction between chloroform and protonated water. The calculated PA of chloroform at the G3 level ( P A CHC l 3 ∼ 157.8 kcal mo l − 1 ) as well as entropy considerations indicate that a non-dissociative proton transfer (PT) reaction from H3O+ to CHCl3 would be inefficient; however, the observed dissociative PT product ions (e.g., CHCl2+) can be explained by considering the reaction entropy (ΔS). The overall dissociative PT reaction is unfavorable at 298 K and marginally exoergic (“entropy driven”) under our experimental conditions at 360 K. Besides DBPs, we report the presence of the Zundel cation H5O2+ in our mass spectrum. We speculate that the Zundel cation is formed by multiple ion-molecule reactions involving water in the presence of helium carrier gas and GC eluting compounds.
Personal Consequences Of Employee Commitment

This study examined the effect of employee commitment on individuals' nonwork and career satisfactions. Data on public employees' attitudes indicated that the individual consequences of employee co...
New Developments in Kidney Development

Background/Aims: The number of kidney transplantations performed per year is limited due to the availability of donor organs. One possible solution to the organ shortage is the use
The absence of circumstellar dust debris around G giants

The IRAS data base has been searched for evidence for circumstellar dust around luminosity class III G giants, stars whose progenitors are mostly main-sequence A stars. While 20 percent of all main-sequence A dwarfs have dust which absorbs at least 5 x 10 to the -6th of the light from the star, less than 3 percent of all G giants have such clouds. One possible explanation for the absence of detectable dust debris around the G giants is that the Poynting-Robertson effect leads to the decay of the dust around the main-sequence A stars, and that the supply of these grains is not renewed indefinitely. In this case, the derived upper limit to the grain radius of about 0.2 cm for the bulk of the grains emitting the far-infrared emission is consistent with data derived from ground-based submillimeter observations. Another possible explanation for the lack of grains around at least some G giants is that the dust around the original A dwarf is mainly composed of relatively volatile material like water ice which thermally evaporates in a relatively short time during the giant phase of higher luminosity.
Galanin expression in sympathetic ganglia after partial axotomy is highly localized to those neurons that are axotomized.

Abstract The neuropeptide phenotype of adult sympathetic neurons changes dramatically after postganglionic nerve transection. Studies, thus far, have been done on the superior cervical ganglion; however, one limitation of this preparation is that it is necessary to transect the postganglionic axons quite close to the ganglion. In the present study, we examined the effects of axonal damage on galanin-like immunoreactivity in the middle and inferior cervical ganglion complex. With these ganglia, it is possible to transect postganglionic axons at a considerable distance from their cell bodies and, therefore, to examine the extent to which local tissue damage, rather than specific axonal transection, is required for these changes in neuropeptide phenotype to occur. The anatomy of this system also allowed us to determine the extent to which the changes in galanin expression are restricted to those neurons that have been axotomized. The axons of a small population of the neurons in the middle and inferior cervical ganglia complex project into the cervical sympathetic trunk. Within two days after this trunk was transected, there was an increase in the level of galanin-like immunoreactivity in the complex and in the number of immunostained principal neurons. These neurons were concentrated primarily in the most rostral part of the complex. An increase in galanin-like immunoreactivity also occurred in response to the systemic administration of the sympathetic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. In that case, many more neurons were affected than after transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk, and the neurons were distributed evenly throughout the ganglion complex. After the cervical sympathetic trunk was cut, the cell bodies of the axotomized neurons were identified by retrograde labeling from the point of transection with Fast Blue. The vast majority (86%) of neurons that exhibited galanin-like immunoreactivity were labeled with Fast Blue, indicating that the changes in peptide expression occur primarily, and perhaps exclusively, in axotomized neurons. Forty-two per cent of the Fast Blue-labeled neurons exhibited galanin-like immunoreactivity, suggesting that sympathetic neurons within a ganglion do not behave as a homogenous population in response to axotomy. The results also indicate that tissue damage in the vicinity of a ganglion is not a necessary triggering stimulus for this change in neuropeptide phenotype. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that a specific lesion, namely axonal transection, either produces a stimulatory factor or removes an inhibitory factor that regulates the expression of galanin.
The use of motivational interviewing techniques to enhance the efficacy of guided self-help behavioral weight loss treatment

This study assessed whether motivational interviewing (MI), applied as part of a standard guided self-help (GSH) behavioral weight loss treatment, reduced attrition rate and improved participant weight loss and other eating-related and general psychological measures, relative to a standard GSH treatment alone. Thirty-nine overweight patients (7 males, 32 females) were randomized to receive either 6 sessions of traditional guided self-help and 2 traditional motivation-focused sessions (GSH treatment); or 6 guided self-help sessions and 2 sessions utilizing an MI approach to motivation (GSH/MI treatment). In intention-to-treat analyses, significant differences were found in the areas of eating concern and control over eating, favoring GSH/MI. Between-group effect size estimates indicated a small advantage for GSH/MI over GSH in weight loss, as well as on a number of secondary eating-related measures. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Geographic Clustering of Adult Asthma Hospitalization and Residential Exposure to Pollution at a United States–Canada Border Crossing

Objectives. We conducted a case–control study of adulthood asthma and point-source respirable particulate air pollution with asthma-diagnosed case patients (n = 3717) and gastroenteritis-diagnosed control patients (n = 4129) to determine effects of particulate air pollution on public health.Methods. We used hospitalization data from Buffalo, NY, neighborhoods for a 5-year period (1996 through 2000), geographic information systems techniques, the Diggle method, and statistical analysis to compare the locations of case patients and control patients in terms of proximity to different known pollution sources in the study area.Results. We found a clustering of asthma cases in close proximity to the Peace Bridge Complex and the freeways and a dose–response relationship indicating a decreased risk of asthma prevalence the farther an individual resides from the source of exposure.Conclusions. These findings provide a basis for the development of new hypotheses relating to the spatial distribution of asthma preval...
Male gender predisposes to prolongation of pregnancy

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between fetal gender and prolonged pregnancy. Study Design: All deliveries in Sweden between 1987 and 1996 were evaluated for participation in this study. Inclusion criteria included (1) singleton pregnancy, (2) the absence of apparent congenital or chromosomal anomalies, (3) accurate dating established by early second trimester ultrasound examination, and (4) gestational age at delivery of ≥37 weeks (ie, ≥259 days). Initially, we calculated the mean gestational age at delivery and the percentage of prolonged pregnancies by fetal gender. Subsequently, the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square analysis was used to calculate the weekly odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the delivery of a male fetus beyond 37 weeks of gestation. Results: The study population comprised 656,423 deliveries; 333,192 were male deliveries, and 323,231 were female deliveries (male/female ratio, 1.03). The mean gestational age at delivery was significantly higher in male fetuses (280.6 ± 8.9 days vs 279.8 ± 8.6 days, respectively; P P P Conclusion: Male gender significantly predisposes to the prolongation of pregnancy to the extent that, by 43 weeks of gestation, there are 3 male deliveries for every 2 female deliveries. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:····.)
Prenatal exposure to chromium induces early reproductive senescence by increasing germ cell apoptosis and advancing germ cell cyst breakdown in the F1 offspring

Hexavalent chromium (CrVI), one of the more toxic heavy metals, is widely used in more than 50 industries such as chrome plating, welding, wood processing and tanneries. As one of the world's leading producers of chromium compounds, the U.S. is facing growing challenges in protecting human health against multiple adverse effects of CrVI. CrVI is rapidly converted to CrIII intracellularly, and can induce apoptosis through different mechanisms. Our previous studies demonstrated postnatal exposure to CrVI results in a delay or arrest in follicle development and puberty. Pregnant rats were treated with 25 ppm potassium dichromate (CrVI) from gestational day (GD) 9.5 to 14.5 through drinking water, placentae were removed on GD 20, and total Cr was estimated in the placentae; ovaries were removed from the F1 offspring on postnatal day (PND)-1 and various analyses were performed. Our results show that gestational exposure to CrVI resulted in (i) increased Cr concentration in the placenta, (ii) increased germ cell apoptosis by up-regulating p53/p27-Bax-caspase-3 proteins and by increasing p53-SOD-2 co-localization; (iii) accelerated germ cell cyst (GCC) breakdown; (iv) advanced primordial follicle assembly and primary follicle transition and (v) down regulation of p-AKT, p-ERK and XIAP. As a result of the above events, CrVI induced early reproductive senescence and decrease in litter size in F1 female progeny.
Optimal incentive contracts with multiple agents

Abstract A setting in which a single principal contracts with two agents who possess perfect private information about their own productivity is considered. With correlated productivities, each agent's private information also provides a signal about the other agent's productivity. In contrast to the setting in which there is only one agent, it is shown that such private information may be of no value to the agents. It is only if the agents are risk-averse that their private information may allow them to command rents. Moreover, when the agents are constrained only to reveal their private information truthfully as a Nash equilibrium, the Pareto optimal incentive scheme may induce the agents to adopt strategies other than truth-telling. This leads to the consideration of truth-telling equilibria that are not Pareto dominated in the subgame played by the agents. Among all such equilibria, the one preferred by the principal restricts one agent to tell the truth as a dominant strategy and the other as a Nash response to truth.