cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NADPH oxidase-generated reactive oxygen species in mature follicles are essential for Drosophila ovulation

Ovarian reactive oxygen species (ROS) are believed to regulate ovulation in mammals, but the details of ROS production in follicles and the role of ROS in ovulation in other species remain underexplored. In Drosophila ovulation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is required for follicle rupture by degradation of posterior follicle cells surrounding a mature oocyte. We recently demonstrated that MMP2 activation and follicle rupture are regulated by the neuronal hormone octopamine (OA) and the octopamine receptor in mushroom body (OAMB). In the current study, we investigated the role of the superoxide-generating enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX) in Drosophila ovulation. We report that Nox is highly enriched in mature follicle cells and that Nox knockdown in these cells leads to a reduction in superoxide and to defective ovulation. Similar to MMP2 activation, NOX enzymatic activity is also controlled by the OA/OAMB-Ca2+ signaling pathway. In addition, we report that extracellular superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) is required to convert superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, which acts as the key signaling molecule for follicle rupture, independent of MMP2 activation. Given that Nox homologs are expressed in mammalian follicles, the NOX-dependent hydrogen peroxide signaling pathway that we describe could play a conserved role in regulating ovulation in other species.
Some Reversible Thermodynamic Relationships at Equilibrium

We shall review the derivation of two important thermodynamic relationships required for the next Chapter. These are the Poynting relation and the Clapeyron equation. They are required to derive the effects of temperature and hydrostatic pressure upon the vapor pressure of a liquid or its solid phase. From the relationships between vapor pressure and hydrostatic pressure applied to the liquid and its solid, and the relationships between vapor pressure and temperature of the liquid and its solid, we shall then derive the effects of hydrostatic pressure on melting and boiling temperatures in Chapter III. In Chapter II, we shall also review the application of thermodynamic principles to the treatment of a solution of solute in a solvent and then discuss the limitations of thermodynamic statements for interpreting the basic effect of the solute upon the solvent. This will lead to a discussion in Chapter IV of the alternatives for elucidating the essential features of solute-solvent interaction which induce the colligative properties of real solutions. For a more thorough review of chemical thermodynamics, the student should refer to current textbooks on the subject.
A Computational Model for the Linguistic Notion of Morphological Paradigm

In supervised learning of morphological patterns, the strategy of generalizing inflectional tables into more abstract paradigms through alignment of the longest common subsequence found in an inflection table has been proposed as an efficient method to deduce the inflectional behavior of unseen word forms. In this paper, we extend this notion of morphological ‘paradigm’ from earlier work and provide a formalization that more accurately matches linguist intuitions about what an inflectional paradigm is. Additionally, we propose and evaluate a mechanism for learning full human-readable paradigm specifications from incomplete data—a scenario when we only have access to a few inflected forms for each lexeme, and want to reconstruct the missing inflections as well as generalize and group the witnessed patterns into a model of more abstract paradigmatic behavior of lexemes.
Gender, institutional structure and learning in an engineering college

This paper examines the implications of a college of engineering's institutional structure for men and women engineering students. The data for this paper is drawn from a large "person-centered ethnography" (Hollan & Wellenkamp, 1993), taking place at "Large Public University (LPU)" a flagship state university in the Pacific Northwest. We argue that the timing of admission, and students' beliefs about the process provide a lens through which women and men see their engineering peers both in school and beyond. These beliefs are not static, however and change over time, providing hope for an engineering field in which gender is not foregrounded, but rather one's capability of doing engineering work is.
Investigations of the structural function of the J chain in human immunoglobulin M

Human IgM molecules were treated with Na2SO3 or mercaptoethylamine in concentrations ranging from 2 to 14mm or 2 to 22mm respectively. The dissociation of IgM to IgMs varied from 0% to 100%. At the intermediate concentrations of either reagent the amount of freed J chains was less than expected. In an attempt to find an explanation for this, IgM was partially dissociated to IgMs with mercaptoethylamine. The IgMs isolated by gel filtration was divided according to the ascending and descending portions of the elution curve. These portions were treated with 24mm-mercaptoethylamine and analysed for the presence of J chains. Only the ascending portion contained free J chains. Thus, after mild reduction where not all the IgM molecules are dissociated to IgMs, some J chains remain covalently attached to some IgMs molecules although most of the J chains are freed. It was concluded that the J chain could serve as a ‘hitch’ for IgMs molecules forming intact IgM.
The Meaning of Religious Liberty in the Other Southern States

Other southern states followed Virginia’s lead in rejecting establishments of religion, although in not quite as decisive a manner. Thus, one of Maryland’s constitutional provisions authorized the government to tax persons to support all Christian churches equally, but when such a bill was proposed in 1785, after widespread debate, it was decisively defeated, for the same reason such a bill was defeated in Virginia—government has no jurisdiction over religion. North Carolina’s constitution prohibited ministers and non-Protestants from holding public office. South Carolina’s constitution officially established Protestantism, but it provided no financial support for churches, and its 1790 constitution removed all vestiges of that establishment. Georgia’s guarantee of religious freedom was very similar to Virginia’s, but it prohibited non-Protestants and ministers from holding office.
Verbal abuse against home care aides: another shot across the bow in violence against health care and other workers.

It is disconcerting that while physical assault is perceived as a major consequence of work-related violence, non-physical violence —which includes threats, sexual harassment, verbal abuse and bullying—may result in even greater burdens for the victims.1–4 In particular, verbal abuse involving another person yelling or swearing, engaging in name calling or using other words intended to control or hurt has consistently been reported as the most common form of workplace violence.1 2 4 5 This is particularly the case in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector which is at highest risk of non-fatal violence in the USA and a major problem globally.3 4 The problem of verbal abuse is especially highlighted by Karlsson et al 6 from their occupational study of home care aides7 who constitute an important proportion of healthcare workers.8 Based on questionnaire survey data collected from 954 Health Care Aides who reported on verbal abuse from non-family clients and their family members, increased risks identified for verbal abuse involved caring for patients with limited mobility and working in homes with limited space in which to perform care tasks; a decreased risk was identified when predictable work schedules were maintained by the caregiver. Aides who reported verbal abuse within the last 12 months, compared with those who …
Fostering Innovation in Nursing Education: The Role of Accreditation

Abstract There are multiple calls for innovation in programs of nursing education. Frequently accreditation is cited as a barrier to innovation which serves as a detriment to faculty pursuing program change. However, an examination of accreditation standards can actually demonstrate that accreditation can play a positive role in fostering innovative change. This article examines strategies that nurse educators can use to embrace innovation and introduce program change while minimizing risk-taking.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LATE BLEEDING AFTER A NOVEL RAPID RADIAL HEMOSTASIS STRATEGY USING HYDROPHOBICALLY-MODIFIED CHITOSAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION

Duration of compression post transradial angiography (TRA), varies widely with no current standard. We recently reported first in human pilot data of hydrophobically-modified chitosan (hm-c), an investigational compound that creates a local mucoadhesive hemostatic barrier, plus short pneumatic
Maternal experiences of racial discrimination and offspring sleep in the first 2 years of life: Project Viva cohort, Massachusetts, USA (1999-2002).

Abstract Objective To examine the association of maternal lifetime experiences of racial discrimination with infant sleep duration over the first 2 years of life. Design Prebirth cohort study. Setting Massachusetts, USA (baseline: 1999-2002). Participants 552 mother-infant dyads in Project Viva, for whom the mother self-identified as being a woman of color. Measurements During pregnancy, mothers completed the Experiences of Discrimination survey that measured lifetime experiences of racial discrimination in eight domains. The main outcome was a weighted average of their infants’ 24-hour sleep duration from 6 months to 2 years. Results 30% reported 0 domains of racial discrimination, 35% 1–2 domains, and 34% ≥3 domains. Any racial discrimination (≥1 vs. 0 domains) was higher among black (80%) versus Hispanic (58%) or Asian (53%) mothers and the United States versus foreign-born mothers (79% vs. 58%) and was associated with higher mean prepregnancy BMI (26.8 vs. 24.5 kg/m2). Children whose mothers reported ≥3 domains versus 0 domains had shorter sleep duration from 6 months to 2 years in unadjusted analysis (β –18.6 min/d; 95% CI –37.3, 0.0), which was attenuated after adjusting for maternal race/ethnicity and nativity (–13.6 min/d; –33.7, 6.5). We found stronger associations of racial discrimination with offspring sleep at 6 months (–49.3 min/d; –85.3, -13.2) than for sleep at 1 year (–13.5 min/d; –47.2, 20.3) or 2 years (4.2 min/d; –21.5, 29.9). Conclusions Maternal lifetime experiences of racial discrimination was associated with shorter offspring sleep duration at 6 months, but not with infant’s sleep at 1 and 2 years of age.
Site Application: Forensic Civil Cases

In this chapter, some problems related to civil cases are addressed and solved. Many litigations in the courtrooms concern damage caused by neglect and lack of maintenance, for example of the underground water pipe and sewage systems, large infrastructures (the state of conservation of the irons, the quality of the concrete) etc. Therefore, some important cases will be illustrated to explain how to tackle and solve these important problems.
Thyroid Nodule Malignancy Risk Stratification Using a Convolutional Neural Network

This study evaluates the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in risk stratifying the malignant potential of thyroid nodules alongside traditional methods such as American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TIRADS). The data set consisted of 651 pathology-proven thyroid nodules (500 benign, 151 malignant) from 571 patients collected at a single tertiary academic medical center. Each thyroid nodule consisted of two orthogonal views (sagittal and transverse) for a total of 1,302 grayscale images. A CNN classifier was developed to identify malignancy versus benign thyroid nodules, and a nested double cross validation scheme was applied to allow for both model parameter selection and for model accuracy evaluation. All thyroid nodules were classified according to ACR TIRADS criteria and were compared with their respective CNN-generated malignancy scores. The best performing model was the MobileNet CNN ensemble with an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.90). Thyroid nodules within the highest and lowest CNN risk strata had malignancy rates of 81.4% and 5.9%, respectively. The rate of malignancy for ACR TIRADS ranged from 0% for TR1 nodules to 60% for TR5 nodules. Convolutional neural network malignancy scores correlated well with TIRADS levels, as malignancy scores ranged from 0.194 for TR1 nodules and 0.519 for TR5 nodules. Convolutional neural networks can be trained to generate accurate malignancy risk scores for thyroid nodules. These predictive models can aid in risk stratifying thyroid nodules alongside traditional professional guidelines such as TIRADS and can function as an adjunct tool for the radiologist when identifying those patients requiring further histopathologic workup.
Using multiple linear regression in pharmacy education scholarship.

Abstract Our situation There has been an increased interest in regression techniques within pharmacy education to allow researchers to determine variables that may predict a specific outcome (e.g., predicting student scores on the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment). This article has been tailored for individuals who are interested in learning more about multiple linear regression as a data analysis tool and its potential utility in pharmacy education research. Methodological literature review Within this section, the basic steps of regression are outlined, starting with correlational analysis before progressing to simple linear regression and multiple regression. Key terms needed to understand and interpret regressions are also discussed. Our recommendations and their applications Nine practical recommendations are provided to help researchers better understand and implement regression analyses in their studies. Potential impact Regression analyses could be helpful in advancing pharmacy educational scholarship by enabling scholars to better understand variables that may predict specific outcomes such as student achievement or program retention.
Prehabilitation among Patients Undergoing Non-Bariatric Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review

Summary Patients with poor fitness, obesity, and other comorbid conditions are at increased risk for postoperative complications. Preoperative exercise programs, or prehabilitation, may reduce this risk. The aim of this study is to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating patients participating in prehabilitation prior to undergoing non-bariatric abdominal or pelvic surgery. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library following the PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers identified articles describing prehabilitation programs prior to non-bariatric abdominal or pelvic surgery. Only RCTs were included. Fourteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria involving 982 patients, with 502 undergoing a prehabilitation program. The studies were heterogenous and included several surgical subspecialties, prehabilitation techniques, and outcomes assessed. Despite most studies (10/14, 71%) having a short intervention period of 4 weeks or less, compliance was poor with
Characteristics of the sub-micron ash aerosol generated during oxy-coal combustion at atmospheric and elevated pressures

Abstract This paper is concerned with the effect of pressure on the particle size distribution and the size-segregated composition of the sub-micron ash aerosol created during oxy-coal combustion under near practical self-sustaining combustion conditions. The problem is important because pressurized oxy-coal combustion has been proposed as one promising technology to minimize CO2 emissions. Sub-micron ash plays a major role in ash deposition mechanisms, which, in turn, can control boiler performance. In this work, the same bituminous coal was burned at pressures of 1, 8 and 15 bar in O2/CO2 environments. Tests employed a 100 kW (rated) oxy-fuel combustor (OFC) operated at atmospheric pressure (1 bar) and a 300 kW (rated) entrained-flow pressurized reactor (EFPR) at elevated pressures (8 and 15 bar). Although these tests were conducted under near practical combustion conditions, confounding effects of peak flame temperature variations were minimized for the 1 bar and 15 bar tests, allowing the role of elevated pressure to be isolated. For the EFPR tests, a specially designed sampling system was used to sample sub-micron ash aerosols from the pressurized combustor and is described in detail. Results showed that at the same peak temperature but higher pressure, the fractions of ash aerosol partitioned into the PM0.6 and PM1 size fractions were greatly diminished. Moreover, elevated pressures caused significant changes in the composition of the (size-segregated) sub-micron aerosol, especially in its alkali content, which increased significantly. Examination of fractions of each element that ended up in the sub-micron fume suggested that, at constant temperature, the effect of pressure on vaporization of semi-volatile metals was very different from that on the release into the gas phase of non-volatile metals and could not be explained by equilibrium.
The Farewell Symphony.

As the editorial team of Liver Transplantation transitions it is an opportunity for reflection as well as gratitude. Five years ago hepatitis C (HCV) management had already been dramatically altered by new all oral treatment regimens with the threat of viral recurrence posttransplant already receding. Timing of HCV therapy now reflects considerations which include use of an organ from an HCV-positive donor even in HCV-naive recipients 1 .
Rate of reclassification of HER2-equivocal breast cancer cases to HER2-negative per the 2018 ASCO/CAP guidelines and response of HER2-equivocal cases to anti-HER2 therapy.

Purpose The 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guideline on HER2 testing in breast cancer permits reclassification of cases with HER2-equivocal results by FISH. The impact of such reclassification is unclear. We sought to determine the proportion of HER2-equivocal cases that are reclassified as HER2-negative and the impact of anti-HER2 therapy on survival in HER2-equivocal cases. Methods We reviewed medical records of breast cancer patients who had HER2 testing by fluorescence in stitu hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed or verified at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center during April 2014 through March 2018 and had equivocal results according to the 2013 ASCO/CAP guideline. The population was divided into 2 cohorts according to whether the biopsy specimen analyzed came from primary or from recurrent or metastatic disease. HER2 status was reclassified according to the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the relationship between anti-HER2 therapy and clinical outcomes was assessed. Results We identified 139 cases with HER2-equivocal results according to the 2013 ASCO/CAP guideline: 90 cases of primary disease and 49 cases of recurrent/metastatic disease. Per the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline, these cases were classified as follows: overall, HER2-negative 112 cases (80%), HER2-positive 1 (1%), and unknown 26 (19%); primary cohort, HER2-negative 85 (94%), HER2-positive 1 (1%), unknown 4 (4%); and recurrent/metastatic, HER2-negative 27 (55%) and unknown 22 (45%). Five patients in the primary-disease cohort and 1 patient in the recurrent/metastatic-disease cohort received anti-HER2 therapy. There was no significant association between anti-HER2 therapy and OS or EFS in either cohort (primary disease: OS, p = 0.67; EFS, p = 0.49; recurrent/metastatic-disease, OS, p = 0.61; EFS, p = 0.78. Conclusions The majority of HER2-equivocal breast cancer cases were reclassified as HER2-negative per the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline. No association between anti-HER2 therapy and OS or EFS was observed. HER2-equivocal cases seem to have clinical behavior similar to that of HER2-negative breast cancers.
Use of real-world evidence in economic assessments of pharmaceuticals in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing interest in expanding the use of real-world evidence (RWE) in economic assessments of pharmaceuticals, decision makers face uncertainty about how RWE should be us...
Emergency physician’s dispatch by a paramedic-staffed emergency medical communication centre: sensitivity, specificity and search for a reference standard

Some emergency medical systems (EMS) use a dispatch centre where nurses or paramedics assess emergency calls and dispatch ambulances. Paramedics may also provide the first tier of care “in the field”, with the second tier being an Emergency Physician (EP). In these systems, the appropriateness of the decision to dispatch an EP to the first line at the same time as the ambulance has not often been measured. The main objective of this study was to compare dispatching an EP as part of the first line emergency service with the severity of the patient’s condition. The secondary objective was to highlight the need for a recognized reference standard to compare performance analyses across EMS. This prospective observational study included all emergency calls received in Geneva’s dispatch centre between January 1st, 2016 and June 30th, 2019. Emergency medical dispatchers (EMD) assigned a level of risk to patients at the time of the initial call. Only the highest level of risk led to the dispatch of an EP. The severity of the patient’s condition observed in the field was measured using the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) scale. Two reference standards were proposed by dichotomizing the NACA scale. The first compared NACA≥4 with other conditions and the second compared NACA≥5 with other conditions. The level of risk identified during the initial call was then compared to the dichotomized NACA scales. 97′861 assessments were included. Overall prevalence of sending an EP as first line was 13.11, 95% CI [12.90–13.32], and second line was 2.94, 95% CI [2.84–3.05]. Including NACA≥4, prevalence was 21.41, 95% CI [21.15–21.67], sensitivity was 36.2, 95% CI [35.5–36.9] and specificity 93.2 95% CI [93–93.4]. The Area Under the Receiver-Operating Characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.7507, 95% CI [0.74734–0.75397] was acceptable. Looking NACA≥5, prevalence was 3.09, 95% CI [2.98–3.20], sensitivity was 64.4, 95% CI [62.7–66.1] and specificity 88.5, 95% CI [88.3–88.7]. We found an excellent AUROC of 0.8229, 95% CI [0.81623–0.82950]. The assessment by Geneva’s EMD has good specificity but low sensitivity for sending EPs. The dichotomy between immediate life-threatening and other emergencies could be a valid reference standard for future studies to measure the EP’s dispatching performance.
Understanding the contributing factors to young driver crashes: A comparison of crash profiles of three age groups

Abstract Despite the adoption of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in 1998, the disproportionately high rate of young driver (15–24 years) crashes is still prevalent on Louisiana roadways. This paper utilizes the five years (2014–2018) crash data in Louisiana aiming to compare the crash profiles of three age groups (15–16 years, 17–19 years, and 20–24 years) to determine the contributing factors, crash characteristics, and severity outcomes. An extensive review of previous literature along with engineering judgments facilitated the understanding of the crash variables that were eventually used in the multinomial logit model with additional consideration of the current framework of the statewide GDL program. Results revealed that factors such as driving violation, distraction, passenger presence, time of crash, and driver protection system have been highlighted as the top ten predominant factors in multiple young driver groups. This study shows there is a ground for data-driven improvement for young drivers in Louisiana by presenting a broader view of a variety of issues based on the findings. Nighttime driving outside passenger restricted hours in GDL program, violations especially ‘failure to yield’, driving behaviors such as cellphone distraction especially in drivers aged 17–19 years and non-use of driver protection system across all young driver age groups are among the addressable key issues that may be influential in reducing young driver crashes. The study concludes that implementation of the GDL program would be more effective through continuous improvement and reevaluation of its components and strategic application of complementary young driver safety programs.
The Efffect of Work Interruptions on Women’s Wages

This paper examines the effects of work interruptions on women’s wages, focusing particularly on work interruptions to give birth. It also accounts for whether mothers return to work at their pre-childbirth jobs after giving birth. The results show that work interruptions in general and work interruptions specifically to give birth reduce wages. However, the negative effects of work interruptions to give birth are at least partially eliminated when controlling for whether mothers return to work for their pre-childbirth employers. Also, these effects are temporary and do not persist beyond the second year after returning to work.
Mucosal Vaccination Primes NK Cell-Dependent Development of CD8+ T Cells Against Pulmonary Brucella Infection.

Past studies with the live, double-mutant B. abortus (znBAZ) strain resulted in nearly complete protection of mice against pulmonary challenge with wild-type (wt) Brucella via a dominant CD8+ T cell response. To understand the contribution innate immune cells in priming CD8+ T cell responses, mice were nasally dosed with wt B. abortus, smooth vaccine strain 19 (S19), or znBAZ, and examined for innate immune cell activation. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that znBAZ, but not wt B. abortus nor S19 infection, induces up to a 5-fold increase in the frequency of IFN-γ-producing NK cells in mouse lungs. These NK cells express increased CXCR3 and Ki67, indicating their recruitment and proliferation subsequent to znBAZ infection. Their activation status was augmented noted by the increased NKp46 and granzyme B, but decreased NKG2A expression. Further analysis demonstrated that both lung caspase-1+ inflammatory monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages secrete chemokines and cytokines responsible for NK cell recruitment and activation. Moreover, neutralizing IL-18, an NK cell-activating cytokine, reduced the znBAZ-induced early NK cell response. NK cell depletion also significantly impaired lung dendritic cell (DC) activation and migration to the lower respiratory lymph nodes (LRLNs). Both lung DC activation and migration to LRLNs were significantly impaired in NK cell-depleted or IFN-γ-/- mice, particularly the CD11b+ and monocytic DC subsets. Furthermore, znBAZ vaccination significantly induced CD8+ T cells, and upon in vivo NK cell depletion, CD8+ T cells were reduced 3-fold compared to isotype-treated mice. In summary, these data show that znBAZ induces lung IFN-γ+ NK cells, which plays a critical role in influencing lung DC activation, migration, and promoting protective CD8+ T cell development.
Hepatitis E Virus Infection: an Enterically Transmitted Cause of Hepatitis

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most recently characterized of five viruses known to produce the majority of cases of hepatitis worldwide. Limited studies suggest that a substantial proportion of cases of acute viral hepatitis in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa is due to HEV infection. At the time of the epidemic, virus-specific diagnostic tests were not available and the disease was thought to be due to a variant of HAV that overwhelmed host immunity. Subsequent testing of stored specimens demonstrated that these patients did not have acute HAV or acute HBV infection. This newly identified disease was called enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis and suggested the presence of at least one other hepatitis virus. Prior to production of HEV antigens by recombinant DNA technology, anti-HEV was detected by immune electron microscopy with stool-derived virus or by blocking fluorescent microscopy with antigen from the liver of infected macaques. Subsequently, recombinant expressed proteins and synthetic peptides, primarily from open reading frame (ORF) 2, have been used to develop immunoblotting assays and enzyme immunoassays for the detection of anti-HEV activity. Amplification of RNA by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) has been used to detect HEV RNA in the stools of experimentally infected animals, as well as in humans with hepatitis E. Early studies indicated that active immunization with recombinant ORF2 proteins provided some protection from infection in the cynomolgus macaque model.
Incidence of otitis media in vitamin A-deficient guinea pigs.

After observing an association between vitamin A deficiency and otitis media among children in Micronesia, we sought to develop an animal model for vitamin A-deficiency-induced otitis media. Thirty juvenile guinea pigs were screened for absence for otitis and then divided into two groups. The experimental group was placed on a vitamin A-free diet, whereas control animals were fed a standard formula. The animals were followed by means of otologic examination and serum retinol determinations. When experimental animals demonstrated vitamin A deficiency, they were killed along with one control and temporal bones were harvested and prepared for histologic examination. None of the 15 controls demonstrated middle ear abnormalities. In the experimental group, 77% of temporal bones showed middle ear pathology consisting of either of subepithelial edema (27%) or frank otitis media (50%). These results indicate that the guinea pig is a suitable species for study of otitis media in association with vitamin A deficien...
A Spontaneously Arising Pancreatic Tumor Does Not Promote the Differentiation of Naive CD8+ T Lymphocytes into Effector CTL

In this report, we address whether a growing tumor provides sufficient inflammatory signals to promote activation, clonal expansion, and acquisition of effector functions by naive tumor-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes. CD8(+) T lymphocytes obtained from hemagglutinin (HA)-specific clone 4 TCR-transgenic mice were injected into recipient mice that spontaneously develop pancreatic tumors expressing HA as a tumor-associated Ag (RIP-Tag2-HA mice). When 3 x 10(6) clone 4 CD8(+) T cells were transferred into tumor-bearing mice, the cells became activated in the pancreatic lymph nodes where they proliferated and acquired effector functions such as cytolytic activity and IFN-gamma production. Surprisingly, reducing the number of adoptively transferred CD8(+) T cells led to a parallel reduction in the proportion of the activated cells that exhibited effector functions, suggesting that CTL differentiation was induced by the large numbers of activated CD8(+) T cells and not the tumor environment. Provision of tumor-specific CD4(+) helper cells provided the signals required to promote both the development of CTL effector functions and increased clonal expansion, resulting in tumor eradication. Considering that only small numbers of tumor-specific CD8(+) T cells would be present in a conventional T cell repertoire, these data suggest that tumor growth alone may not provide the inflammatory signals necessary to support the development of CD8(+) T cell effector functions.
Peptide Combinatorial Libraries

Peptide libraries, which consist of a few thousands to tens of millions of distinct peptides, can be generated combinatorially through biologic or synthetic approaches. The phage-display peptide library method is simple and economical, and peptides with various natural protein folds can be generated by this approach; but this biologic method generally is limited to peptides that contain only L-amino acids. Synthetic combinatorial libraries, however, can accommodate D-amino acids, unnatural amino acids, and even organic moieties, which makes these approaches highly versatile. These synthetic methods include the spatially addressable parallel library method, the combinatorial library method that requires deconvolution, the one-bead one-compound (OBOC) combinatorial library method, the self-assembled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) encoded chemical microarrays, and the synthetic library method that requires chromatography selection. Various methods to screen these combinatorial libraries have been developed. For example, phage-display peptide libraries can be screened for the ability of phages to bind to unique immobilized target proteins or whole cells, peptide microarrays can be screened for their ability to interact with fluorescent proteins, combinatorial library methods that require deconvolution can be screened by standard solution-phase assays, and OBOC libraries can be screened by on-bead binding or functional assays or several solution-phase cell-based or biochemical assays. Combinatorial peptide library methods are enabling technologies that have proven to be very useful in basic research and drug discovery.
Distribution of government publications to depository libraries by optical disk: A review of the technology, applications and issues

Abstract United States Depository libraries have the responsibility of providing access to vast amounts of information. They must do so with limited resources, in terms of space and personnel. The recently developed technology of optical disk promises to ease the depository burden by offering extremely dense storage coupled with improved retrieval capabilities. The prospects and economics for documents applications of optical disk are explored here, along with implications for patron access and library operations. The authors conclude that government information might well be distributed via optical disk, and suggest suitable applications for pilot projects.
Synchronization Controller Design for Chaotic System with Input Sampled-Data Missing

For the chaotic systems with sampled data input, the discontinuous nonlinear system is transformed into a discrete system, and the switched system is proposed considering the control inputs missing. By using the zero input method, a sufficient condition is derived for the exponential stability of the error system. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed sampled-data control method.
Benzene chemisorption on palladium surfaces. I. High-resolution electron-energy-loss vibrational spectra and structural models.

Benzene chemisorption on Pd(111) and Pd(100) crystal faces at 300 K has been studied by high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Our results indicate that benzene chemisorbs associatively at only one site and is \ensuremath{\pi} bonded with its ring plane parallel to the metal surface. Thermal desorption studies indicate that benzene adsorption is only partially reversible, with decomposition evolving ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and leaving a carbon-covered surface as the competing mechanism to benzene thermal desorption. The similarity of the benzene vibrational spectra on Pd(100) and Pd(111) has led us to propose a new model for benzene chemisorption on transition-metal surfaces involving a lower adsorption-site symmetry (${C}_{s}$) than has been previously suggested.
Fish oil improves endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in heart transplant recipients.

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary fish oil supplementation enhances endothelium-mediated vasodilator responses in human heart transplant recipients, a group known to have coronary artery disease and endothelial dysfunction. Background. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in animal models of atherosclerosis, Methods. Endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to intracoronary acetylcholine infusion and endothelium-independent responses to nitroglycerin were evaluated in heart transplant recipients who received a high dose of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids for 3 weeks (5 g of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexacnoic acid/day, n = 7) and compared with responses in a group of matched heart transplant recipients who did not receive fish oil (control patients, n = 7). Acetylcholine was selectively infused into the midportion of the left anterior descending or left circumflex coronary artery, with the noninfused left coronary artery serving as a control vessel. Serial coronary angiograms were performed after infusion with increasing doses of acetylcholine (infused concentrations 10−6to 10−3mol/liter) and after intracoronary nitroglycerin administration. Results. The patients treated with fish oil showed a normal vasodilator response to acetylcholine with 14 ± 2.5% and 15 ± 7% vasodilation (vs. baseline diameter) at infused acetylcholine concentrations of 10−5and 10−4mol/liter, respectively. In contrast, the control patients demonstrated vasoconstrictor responses (−1 ± 1% and −9 ± 4%) to acetylcholine at these same doses (p Conclusions. Dietary supplementation with fish oil significantly alters endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilation in heart transplant recipients without alteration of the responses to endothelium-independent vasodilation. Whether this enhancement of endothelial function can beneficially alter the natural history of heart transplant atherosclerosis warrants further study.
Two-photon studies of Xe2, Xe·Ar, Xe·Co and Xe·BrCCl3 van der Waals molecules

Abstract Two-photon excitaton of van der Waals molecules containing Xe in the Xe(6p) energy region can initiate predissociation or chemical reaction that can be observed by product fluorescence. These experiments provide new detail about the predissociation pathways of Xe * 2 and XeAr * states, identify a bound XeCO * state and suggest that two-photon excitation of Xe·RX(X = halogen) van der Waals molecules will have interesting differences from excitation of thermal collision pairs. Two-photon LIF of Xe atoms in the free-jet provides a simple method for monitoring optical alignment.
Introducing nonlinear, multivariate 'Predictor Surfaces' for quantitative modeling of chemical systems with higher-order, coupled predictor variables.

Abstract Innovations in chemometrics are required for studies of chemical systems which are governed by nonlinear responses to chemical parameters and/or interdependencies (coupling) among these parameters. Conventional and linear multivariate models have limited use for quantitative and qualitative investigations of such systems because they are based on the assumption that the measured data are simple superpositions of several input parameters. ‘ Predictor Surfaces ’ were developed for studies of more chemically complex systems such as biological materials in order to ensure accurate quantitative analyses and proper chemical modeling for in-depth studies of such systems. Predictor Surfaces are based on approximating nonlinear multivariate model functions by multivariate Taylor expansions which inherently introduce the required coupled and higher-order predictor variables. As proof-of-principle for the Predictor Surfaces’ capabilities, an application from environmental analytical chemistry was chosen. Microalgae cells are known to sensitively adapt to changes in environmental parameters such as pollution and/or nutrient availability and thus have potential as novel in situ sensors for environmental monitoring. These adaptations of the microalgae cells are reflected in their chemical signatures which were then acquired by means of FT-IR spectroscopy. In this study, the concentrations of three nutrients, namely inorganic carbon and two nitrogen containing ions, were chosen. Biological considerations predict that changes in nutrient availability produce a nonlinear response in the cells’ biomass composition; it is also known that microalgae need certain nutrient mixes to thrive. The nonlinear Predictor Surfaces were demonstrated to be more accurate in predicting the values of these nutrients’ concentrations than principal component regression. For qualitative chemical studies of biological systems, the Predictor Surfaces themselves are a novel tool as they visualize nonlinearities and more importantly the coupling among predictor variables. Thus, they can serve as a novel tool for studies in bioanalytical chemistry, biology, and ecology.
Postearthquake Fire Performance of Sprayed Fire-Resistive Material on Steel Moment Frames

This paper describes damage patterns in sprayed fire resistive material (SFRM) on steel moment frame beam-column assemblages owing to a strong seismic event, and the thermal consequences of this damage when exposed to postearthquake fire. Large-scale experimental tests were performed to examine the bond of SFRM to steel in the three-dimensional configuration of a moment frame beam-column connection region. Two beam-column assemblages treated with SFRM were subject to quasi-static cyclic loading, resulting in large deformations and plastic hinges in the beam and local damage to the SFRM on the beam. Heat transfer finite-element analyses were performed to compare beam-column connections with damaged SFRM and fully insulated connections (with no damage) under the action of both standard and natural fires. Results of the heat transfer analyses show that SFRM damage on the beams adjacent to the column causes an increase in heat transferred into the column and elevated temperatures in the column. The elevated t...
Airway disasters in obstetric anesthesia

Summary The occasional practitioner of obstetric anesthesia may never be in this situation. The full-time practitioner may never be either and, worse, may be ill-suited to managing such an event when it arises. The best ways to avoid this situation or to bail out successfully when it occurs are as follows: 1. Liberal use of regional anesthesia in labor for as many patients as possible, with it being imperative for all patients at high risk of a difficult airway (history, examination), a difficult lumbar puncture (obesity), and a high risk of urgent cesarean section (twins, nonreassuring fetal heart rate trace). 2. Adeptness at lumbar puncture and subarachnoid anesthesia by all those practicing obstetric anesthesia. 3. Communication amongst all professionals in the labor and delivery area. 4. A well-equipped difficult airway cart dedicated to labor and delivery 9 . 5. When trouble occurs, ask for help. Naysayers will point out that regional anesthesia does not guarantee freedom from having to manage the airway. Nevertheless, 300 general anesthetics means 300 airway management opportunities with, on average, one failed intubation, whereas 300 regional anesthetics will result in no more than a few failed or “total spinal” anesthetics and, thus, a much less frequent need to deal with the airway and possibly fail to intubate. The three cornerstones are regional anesthesia, communication, and assistance. Finally, the advisability of full-time obstetric anesthesia practitioners spending some time, on a regular basis, in the general operating room to become familiar with airway management devices will depend on the interests of the individual practitioner, the feelings of other members of the anesthesia department, and the comfort level of the various surgeons and will likely vary from hospital to hospital. It is possible that the next survey of the kind done by Hawkins et al 6 reflecting on an anesthetic practice that includes such rescue devices as the LMA-Fastrach and the Combitube, uncommonly available for most of the period covered by their study (1979–90), will find general anesthesia to be no more lethal on a per case basis than regional anesthesia. One young woman per month, on average, dying from anesthesia in childbirth as reported in that study, is too high a price to pay for the joy of motherhood.
Cartography and clandestinité in Leila Sebbar's shérazade : 17 ans, brune, frisée, les yeux verts

In this paper, I read Leila Sebbar’s staging in her novel Sherazade: 17 ans, brune, frisee, les yeux verts of the resistance by children of North African and other immigrants in the early 1980s to the French state’s cartographic modes and documents of control. The paper will consider the many uses to which the map was put by the French state in its colonization of North Africa and particularly Algeria, and later in its attempts to control the banlieues its policies of citizenship and cartographic control yielded on the margins of Paris. In this context, I will explore the ways in which the novel’s characters, living clandestinely in a squatt, simultaneously resist, put to use, and even supercede state documents of control as they disrupt everyday life and conduct heists across the city of Paris. The paper will explore unofficial cartographies of Paris, from those afforded by the radios libres and alternative publications such as Liberation and Sans Frontierez, to oral and almost proverbial networks of knowledge criss-crossing the city of Paris, while also tracing the uses to which supplemental cartographic sketches and counterfeit identity cards are put in the pages of the novel. The paper will be in dialogue with theoretical and critical formulations of space, cartography, and state control put forward by Michel de Certeau, Henri Lefebvre, Michel Foucault, and Tom Conley. The paper will conclude with a consideration of the means and limits of resistance by the novel’s characters in the context of this body of theory and criticism.
Audience size, perceived situational difficulty, and stuttering frequency.

This experiment evaluated the hypothesis that variations in audience size, from one to four listeners, have no systematic effect on the frequency or severity of stuttering when speakers have no pri...
Lichen planus pemphigoides.

Summary Lichen planus pemphigoides is a rare disease in which blistering occurs in association with lesions of classical lichen planus. We describe a patient with lichen planus pemphigoides and discuss the evidence for there being one disease rather than the coincidence of bullous pemphigoid and lichen planus.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurans via Palladium(0)-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Vinylcyclopropanes and Aldehydes

Palladium(0)-catalyzed cycloadditions of malonate-derived vinylcyclopropane 1 and aldehydes to afford 2,5-cis disubstituted tetrahydrofuran derivatives are described. Pd loadings as low as 0.5 mol % were effective in catalyzing the transformation with high yields and diastereoselectivities. Electron-poor aldehydes work best, suggesting that a mechanism involving an initial aldol reaction may be operative.
Phospholipase A2 controls the induction of short-term versus long-term depression in the cerebellar Purkinje neuron in culture

Abstract Cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) may be reliably induced in the cultured Purkinje neuron when glutamate pulses and Purkinje neuron depolarization are applied together 6 times. When the number of these conjunctive stimuli was reduced to 2, a short-term depression (STD) lasting 20–40 min was induced in 4112 cells. The enzyme phospholipase A 2 cleaves membrane phospholipids causing liberation of free unsaturated fatty acids, which in turn synergistically activate protein kinase C when present with diacylglycerol and Ca. Application of free unsaturated fatty acids with 2 conjunctive stimuli resulted in an apparent-conversion of STD cases to LTD. Application of phospholipase A 2 inhibitors during 6 conjunctions converted LTD to STD. These findings suggest a model in which liberation of unsaturated fatty acids by phospholipase A 2 contributes to a synergistic activation of protein kinase C, the full activation of which results in LTD induction, and the partial activation of which results in STD induction.