cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of drought on the emissions- and water-intensity of California's transitioning power sector

Abstract This study investigates how technological transitions across California's power sector have shifted its state-level carbon dioxide emissions and cooling water consumption intensities. Its ultimate goal is to evaluate how the state's climate mitigation and environmental policies have affected the power sector's vulnerability to extreme drought and how extreme drought has affected progress towards the state's climate mitigation priorities. The study analyzes the period spanning 2010–2016, which includes one of the state's most severe droughts on record. The results indicate that the growth of variable renewable energy generation has helped offset some of the negative consequences of drought, which include increased emissions and cooling water usage by natural gas generators during periods of low hydropower. However, the retirement of the San Onofre nuclear power plant has delayed the overall decarbonization of the state's power sector, and the closure of significant coastal power plant capacity could increase the freshwater consumption of the power sector if replacement capacity is not cooled with alternative cooling water sources or dry cooling systems. The noted tradeoffs between greenhouse gas mitigation priorities, freshwater dependency, and vulnerability to climatic events highlight the importance of holistic decision making as regional power grids transition to cleaner generation sources.
Confucian revival and the hybrid educational narratives in contemporary China: a critical rethinking of scale in globalisation and education

ABSTRACTToday China witnesses a renaissance of classical studies and Confucian Academies across the nation. With an estimated 10 million children attending Confucian kindergartens, classes, and sch...
Frequency and Predictors of Renal Transplantation Among Patients Rendered Surgically Anephric for Sporadic Renal Cancer.

Abstract Objective To assess the frequency of renal transplantation in patients rendered surgically anephric during treatment of renal cancers as well as the clinicopathologic factors associated with receipt of transplantation. Methods A retrospective review was conducted to identify patients rendered surgically anephric between 2001 and 2016 due to cancer in both renal units or cancer in an anatomically or functionally solitary kidney. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and cancer features were compared between patients who subsequently received a renal transplantation and those who did not. Time-to-event analysis was used to compare time to transplantation across varied identified parameters. Results Among 27 patients rendered anephric, 4 (15%) received a renal transplantation over a median follow-up of 21.6 months (interquartile range 7.2, 53.3). All transplanted patients were less than 70 years of age and had cT1a renal parenchymal mass at the time of nephrectomy. No patient undergoing completion nephrectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma received transplantation. Patients who were evaluated by the transplant service prior to nephrectomy were more likely to eventually undergo transplantation (60% vs 5%; P Conclusion Patients rendered anephric via nephrectomy for cancer are more likely to receive renal transplantation if they are less than 70 years old, have a cT1a renal parenchymal mass, and receive transplant consultation before nephrectomy. These data may inform future patient counseling.
Combining tomographic imaging and in silico computation for rapid effective PEMFC cathode transport characterization

Abstract An approach for determination of effective oxygen diffusivity within a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell cathode catalyst layer by combining tomography and geometric calculations is presented. Accurate determination of effective oxygen diffusivity is critical for modeling and characterization of cathode design architectures. In silico geometric characterization methods exploit the increasing availability, capability, and decreasing cost of tomographic imaging and high-performance computing. Geometric methods can be made simple and fast and could accelerate efforts to iteratively improve cathode design. The method described herein relied on mathematically exact and statistically significant definitions of geometric tortuosity and geometric constrictivity, in addition to porosity. To demonstrate generality and robustness, a correlation for obstruction factor underpinned by these parameters was statistically induced from hundreds of instantiations of stochastic cathode microstructures generated by a simulated annealing method and validated versus the obstruction factor of real cathode microstructures obtained separately by Star and Fuller in a previous publication and Ziegler et al. at the University of Freiburg. This work demonstrated the utility and viability of adopting a combined tomography/geometric-computational approach for determination of the effective diffusivity of reactant in the cathode catalyst layer and its underlying transport properties. This analysis was based on a conventional cathode microstructure with platinum catalyst, carbon black support, and perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer. However, the method could easily be extended to platinum group metal-free cathodes in which accurate characterization may be of even greater importance due to the thicker cathode layers required in these systems. This approach could be widely adopted and relied upon for characterization as the materials and processing conditions of cathode layers are iteratively tested and optimized.
(282) Sex Differences in the Development of Tolerance to Arachidonyl-2-Chloroethalamide (ACEA) in the Mouse Formalin Pain Model

Interest in the cannabinoid class of compounds is growing rapidly as an option to treat a variety of conditions, including pain. Arachidonyl-2-chloroethalamide (ACEA), a CB1 specific compound and analog of the endocannabinoid anandamide, has demonstrated efficacy in a variety of animal pain models. Our study evaluated ACEA in the formalin model of pain in male and female C57BL6 mice. Intraplantar injection of 2.5% formalin produces a biphasic pain response modeling both acute and inflammatory pain, measured as time spent attending to the injected paw over the course of one hour. Since development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of cannabinoids is well documented in animal models and an important clinical consideration, we evaluated the analgesic effects of ACEA in both control mice, as well as mice pretreated with ACEA (doses of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) at different time point (ranging from 1 to 8 days) and tested with formalin on the last day of treatment. Our preliminary results reveal sex differences between male and female mice treated with an acute dose of ACEA (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg I.P.) 30 minutes prior to formalin injection. We also note sex differences in the development of tolerance in male and female mice pretreated with ACEA for different number of days prior to the formalin test. Notably, the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of ACEA corresponds with an alteration in the estrous cycle in female mice, suggesting that a hormonal component may be involved in this process. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms behind these preclinical interesting findings.
The Relationship of Self-Objectification and Body Shame to Attitudes Toward and Willingness to Use Reusable Menstrual Products

Reusable menstrual products (RMPs) are an economical and environmentally sound alternative to disposable tampons and pads; however, disposable products remain popular. Because self-objectification ...
Combining options in metastatic prostate cancer.

Intensifying systemic therapy improves outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer. As apalutamide and enzalutamide join abiraterone and docetaxel as treatment options for patients, the choice of therapy for individual patients becomes more complex. We anticipate precision targeted and immune therapies will build on the advances of recently completed large-scale trials.
A survey-based assessment of perceived flood risk in urban areas of the United States

Abstract How people perceive the risks of climatic hazards is currently a major research thrust in the field of risk perception. In the wake of recent flood disasters in the United States (US) and globally, more researchers are investigating social vulnerabilities as well as the role of cognition in explaining risk perceptions. This study analyzed how people in the US perceive the risk (i.e., likelihood and seriousness) of flooding via a layered analysis that considered several plausible and intertwined lines of inquiry from the risk perception literature. We surveyed 9250 individuals within nine major urban areas, including the largest city and one smaller city in each region. The National Flood Hazard Layer product provided data for deriving their potential exposure to flood hazards. The analyses tested and confirmed several hypotheses drawn from Social Vulnerability Theory and from Protective Motivation Theory: characteristics associated with social vulnerability (older, female, race/ethnic minorities, low income), previous experiences with and awareness of flood news, and potential exposure to flood hazard (local fraction of flood prone area) significantly increased risk perceptions of floods. Self-confidence in ability to cope with a future flood disaster lowered risk perceptions. This study is the first snapshot of flood risk perceptions nationwide in the US. It points to needs for more theoretically-driven research about flood risk perceptions and behaviors, flood risk communication within local communities, and more social and economic support for vulnerable populations.
Botulinum Toxin Aided Hernia Repair

Adjuncts to aid in hernia repair can be useful in certain situations, especially as more complex hernias are being repaired. Botulinum toxin A (BTA) is an adjunct that can help increase intraabdominal volume and allow greater ease of repair for large hernias, including those with loss of domain. The evidence for BTA use prior to operative hernia repair is growing and some benefit is seen, with minimal risk. In this chapter, we will highlight the pharmacology as well as review current applications and evidence for the use of BTA for hernia repair. We will also describe our technique of administration.
Remembering Immanuel Wallerstein

Immanuel Wallerstein, one of the leading founders and promoters of world-systems analysis, died on August 31, 2019. Given the importance of his scholarship to the Journal of World-Systems Research, we plan to publish in future issues research articles based on conferences and symposia that are now being planned to honor Wallerstein’s work and legacy. In this essay, JWSR founding editor, Christopher Chase-Dunn, is joined by current editor Jackie Smith incoming editor Andrej Grubacic, and World Historical Information section editor Patrick Manning offering reflections on some of Wallerstein’s contributions to both scholarship and practice.
Rational nanocarrier design towards the clinical translation of cancer nanotherapy.

The past decades have witnessed an exponential growth in research of cancer nanomedicine, which has evolved into an interdisciplinary field involving chemistry, physics, biology, and pharmacology, pathophysiology, immunology and clinical science in cancer research and treatment. The application of nanoparticles in drug delivery increases the solubility and decreases the toxicity of free drug molecules. The unique feature of cancer pathophysiology, e.g. leaky blood vessel, presents a unique opportunity for nanocarriers to deliver therapeutics selectively to tumor sites based on size selectivity. However, the clinical translation of nanomedicine is mostly limited to the classical liposomal formulations and PEGylation of therapeutics. Numbers of reasons hinder the clinical translation of the novel nanoparticles developed in the last decades for drug delivery. Comprehensive understanding of the properties of nanocarriers and their interactions with the physiological and pathological interfaces is critical to design effective nanoformulations. In addition, understanding the general principles and concerns in pharmaceutical industries and clinical practice for nanotherapeutic development is essential to develop a translatable nanoformulations via rational nanocarrier designs. In this account, we will review the relationship between the physiochemical properties of nanocarriers and biodistribution, and interactions with biological and immunological systems for effective drug delivery and cancer treatments. Further, we review the strategies for rational design of nanocarriers via structure-based approach and bio-mimicking systems to facilitate the clinical translation in enhancing cancer treatment via both chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Psychosis in Parkinson’s Disease: Current Treatment Options and Impact on Patients and Caregivers:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease seen in older adults after Alzheimer's disease, with increasing prevalence worldwide. Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) is a common, non-motor feature of PD, which increases caregiver stress and is a risk-factor for nursing home placement. In this paper we review PDP epidemiology, features, diagnosis, and treatment. PDP most often presents with sequential development of minor and then increasingly complex visual hallucinations mediated by dopaminergic-serotonergic interactions activating the mesolimbic pathway, with contributions from other structures and neurotransmitters. Appropriate evaluation of differential diagnoses for psychosis is vital before diagnosing PDP. Initial treatment should involve non-pharmacologic approaches. If these are unsuccessful and PDP symptoms significantly impact the patient's and or their caregivers' quality of life and functions, then pharmacotherapy is indicated. Pimavanserin is a recently FDA-approved pharmacologic treatment for PDP with a better profile of balanced effectiveness and safety compared to previous use of atypical antipsychotics. Early diagnosis and safer, more effective treatments for PDP should help reduce caregiver burden and enable caregivers to continue to provide care at home versus institutionalization.
Integrating artificial intelligence and color Doppler US for automatic hemorrhage detection

Hemorrhage control has been identified as a priority focus area for the United States military because exsanguination is the most common cause of preventable death in battlefield. Non-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) has high mortality rate and there are no available therapies for NCTH. New therapies, which include High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) has emerged as a promising method for hemorrhage control as it can non-invasively cauterize bleeding tissue deep within the body without injuring uninvolved regions. A major challenge in the application of HIFU is the accurate targeting of therapeutic beam to the location of the bleed, requiring an expert sonographer to interpret images in real-time, currently limiting the utility of this therapy in remote environments. In this work, we investigated the use of an unsupervised anomaly detection network that learns a manifold of normal blood flow variability and subsequently identifies anomalous flow patterns that fall outside the learned manifold. As an initial feasibility study, we collected ultrasound color Doppler images of femoral arteries in an animal model of vascular injury ( $\mathrm{N}=5$ pigs). The images were pre-processed to mask out velocities in surrounding tissues and were subsequently cropped, resized, augmented and normalized. The network was trained on normotensive images from 4 pigs and tested on normotensive, immediately after injury and 10 minutes post-injury images of 1 other pig. The residual images or the reconstructed error maps show promise in detecting hemorrhages with 81% and 64% sensitivity immediately and 10 minutes post-injury respectively and 70% specificity.
Nonhematopoietic tumor cells express functional GM-CSF receptors

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulates the colony growth of myeloid progenitors in semisolid media, and enhances the function of mature effector cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils. Small cell carcinoma lines (SCCL) have properties of amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) cells and express high levels of the enzyme, L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. We looked for possible expression of GM-CSF receptors on nonhematopoietic cells and found specific high-affinity binding of human GM-CSF to SCCL and to the SV40-transformed African green monkey kidney cell line, COS. The small cell carcinoma lines responded to GM-CSF with enhanced proliferation, and both small cells and COS cells were found to express authentic 84,000 dalton GM-CSF receptor protein. These findings indicate that nonhematopoietic cells can bind and respond to GM-CSF, suggesting additional biological activities as well as the possibility of tumor responses when GM-CSF is used therapeutically in humans. Since preliminary clinical trials using CSFs as adjunctive treatment in patients with solid tumors are underway, it will be important to consider the possible responsiveness of nonhematopoietic tumor cells to CSFs.
Cloning, sequencing, and functional analysis of the 5′-flanking region of the rat 3α-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene

Abstract Rat liver 3α-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (3α-HSD/DD) is a member of the aldo-keto reductase gene superfamily. It displays high constitutive expression and inactivates circulating steroid hormones and suppresses the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon anti- and syn -diol-epoxides (ultimate carcinogens). To elucidate mechanisms responsible for constitutive expression of the 3α-HSD/DD gene a rat genomic library obtained from adult Sprague-Dawley female liver ( Hae III partial digest) was screened, using a probe corresponding to the 5′-end of the cDNA (-15 to +250), and a 15.8-kb genomic clone was isolated. Sequencing revealed that 6.3 kb contained exon 1 (+16 to +138 bp) plus additional introns and exons. The transcription start site (+1) was located by primer extension analysis, and the initiation codon, ATG, was located at +55 bp. The remaining 9.5 kb represented the 5′-flanking region of the rat 3α-HSD/DD gene. A 1.6-kb fragment of this region was sequenced. A TATTTAA sequence (TATA box) was found at 33 bp upstream from the major transcription start site. cis -acting elements responsible for the constitutive expression of the rat 3α-HSD/DD gene were located on the 5′-flanking region by transient transfection of reporter-gene (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, CAT) constructs into human hepatoma cells (HepG2). CAT assays identified the basal promoter between (-199 and +55 bp), the presence of a proximal enhancer (-498 to -199 bp) which stimulated CAT activity 6-fold, the existence of a powerful silencer (-755 to -498 bp), and a strong distal enhancer (-4.0 to -2.0 kb) which increased CAT activity by 20–40-fold. A computer search of available consensus sequences for trans -acting factors revealed that a cluster of Oct -sites were uniquely located in the silencer region. Using the negative response element (-797 to -498 bp) as a probe and nuclear extracts from HepG2 cells, three bands were identified by gel mobility shift assay, indicating the presence of protein binding sites in this proposed negative response element. All three bands were supershifted with anti- Oct-1 mAb, suggesting that Oct-1 may be the repressor. The 5′-flanking region also contained an AP-1 site, an estrogen response element, and a glucocorticoid response element, which together may comprise a steroid response unit. Although no sequence homology was found to exist between the 5′-flanking region of the rat 3α-HSD/DD gene and its human orthologue the DD2 gene, trans -acting factor consensus sequences comprising Oct sites and steroid response units were conserved. This implies that the expression of the two genes may be regulated by POU -domain transcription factors and steroid hormones, respectively.
Macro- and microreactions in mechanical-impact tests of aluminum alloys

Open-cup and pressurized mechanical-impact tests have been conducted at the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) on selected tempers of Al-Li alloys (2090, 8090, WL049), and A1 alloy 2219. Both liquid (LOX) and gaseous (GOX) oxygen environments were used and pressure and drop height (potential energy) were varied in each environment. Reactions were observed in all alloys and tempers on both sides of the specimens. Reaction sizes, morphologies, and locations were characterized using a magnifying glass (2X power), a light microscope (5 to 100X), and a scanning electron microscope (100 to 3000X). Photomicrographs of various types of macro- and microreactions are presented and discussed. The variety of sizes of reactions poses a serious problem for the definition of a reaction in standards documents for LOX and GOX mechanical-impact qualification testing. This dilemma is discussed.
Eros and Polis: What is This Thing Called Love?

Moral issues relating to erotic desire are examined from the viewpoints of four philosophies: moral philosophy, Marxism, feminism, and psychoanalysis.
Natural History of Periodontitis and a Review of Technologies to Prevent and Treat It.

The development of recommendations for what is acceptable clinical practice for patients with adult periodontitis is challenging. First, how much and what type of evidence is needed? This depends very much on the clinical problem, the nature of the evidence that is available, and the potential ill effects that may ensue if the effects of the treatment that is recommended are not what they are hoped to be. All treatments are applied with the implicit assumption that they do more good than harm. Treatments that are expensive, invasive, irreversible, or potentially risky, require more evidence than treatments that are not invasive, have reversible effects, and are without risk. Recall the hierarchy of types of evidence used in the AHCPR pain guidelines ranging from a meta-analysis of RCTs to uncontrolled observations in patients or expert opinion. A randomized controlled trial, or a meta-analysis of RCTs carries more weight than a much larger series of cases because of the great potential for bias when observations are made under uncontrolled conditions. One hundred poorly controlled studies do not provide evidence for optimal clinical decisions. Second, who bears the burden of proof? Certainly, any newly proposed therapy must be proven safe and effective by its proponents. But, what about treatments that have been the standard of practice, can they be grandfathered in, or must evidence be gathered for them? Given changes in understanding of mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, classification, rates of activity, and measurement of outcomes, it may be time to call all clinical dogma regarding treatment of adult periodontitis into question. Reliable evidence is not available for many of the treatments for adult periodontitis. Most of the evidence that is available was collected using methods and an underlying conceptual scheme regarding diagnosis and progression of disease that is very different from current beliefs. One could argue that even for the treatments that have been evaluated in RCTs, disease activity rates were so low by current assessment, that there was no disease to prevent or treat.
Sleep duration, quality, and timing and their associations with age in a community without electricity in Haiti.

Objectives Sleep comprises one-third of one's life, yet little is known about sleep in developing countries. Furthermore, many studies in industrialized countries have reported that sleep duration and quality decline with aging, but whether this association persists globally is unknown. This study's objectives were to characterize sleep in a community without electricity in Haiti and to examine associations between measures of sleep and age. Methods Fifty-eight Haiti residents (50% women) in four age groups, 18–30, 31–50, 51–64, and ≥65 years participated. Three days of wrist actigraphy were used to estimate sleep patterns. Results Mean (standard deviation) values of sleep measures were: 20:57 (0:40) for sleep onset, 4:54 (0:43) for sleep end, 9.3 (1.2) h for time in bed, 7.0 (1.0) h for sleep duration, 54 (24) min awake after sleep onset, and 88.7 (5.4)% for sleep maintenance (percentage of sleep period actually spent sleeping). There were no significant differences in the sleep measures between men and women. Regression analyses adjusting for sex, household size, and number of people sleeping in the same room indicated that only sleep fragmentation differed by age group. Specifically, mean fragmentation was higher in the youngest age group than all other age groups, which did not differ from one another. Conclusions Average time in bed in this Haitian sample was greater than previously reported for industrialized countries like the United States (9.3 versus. 7–8 h);, however, actual sleep duration averaged only 7 h. No age-related decline in sleep duration or quality was observed in Haiti. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:80–86, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rhenium(V)–oxo corrolazines: isolating redox-active ligand reactivity

The synthesis of the first example of a third-row metallocorrolazine characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction is reported. This ReV(O) porphyrinoid complex shows an exclusively ligand-based reactivity with strong acids and oxidizing agents. The one-electron oxidized π-radical-cation complex is capable of H-atom abstraction.
Bilateral rib-to-pelvis technique for managing early-onset scoliosis.

Background Early-onset scoliosis describes progressive spinal deformity of varying etiologies in the growing child. The management of early-onset scoliosis is challenging, with many treatment options but no conclusive evidence for the best treatment method.
Large-step markov chains for the TSP incorporating local search heuristics

We consider a new class of optimization heuristics which combine local searches with stochastic sampling methods, allowing one to iterate local optimization heuristics. We have tested this on the Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem, improving 3-opt by over 1.6% and Lin-Kernighan by 1.3%.
Parental Incarceration and Intergenerational Transfers to Young Adults

This study extended work on the consequences of incarceration for families by linking parents’ incarcerations to their material support of children entering adulthood. It examined two categories of support, parental transfers of cash and shared housing, that are known deficits among young children of incarcerated parents and that play important roles in young adult attainment and well-being. Propensity score analyses of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N [Wave3] = 14,023; N [Wave4] = 14,361) revealed that previously incarcerated mothers were less likely to give money and housing support to young adult children, as were previously incarcerated fathers. Some evidence of cross-parent effects was found; a given parent’s incarceration may increase the odds of the other parent’s financial support and decrease the odds of their housing support. The study confirms that the impact of parental incarceration extends beyond childhood and may disadvantage youths during the transition to ...
Surface treatment of concrete bricks using calcium carbonate precipitation

A new surface treatment method using mineral precipitation is proposed in this study for treating concrete and similar porous materials to enhance their durability and mechanical properties. The major innovation of this method is that a green solvent dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is used to replace expensive bacteria and their nutrients in the microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) method so that the drawbacks of the MICP method can be overcome. In the basic environment of concrete, DMC can be hydrolyzed slowly to produce carbonate which is then used to form calcium carbonate precipitant. The resulted calcium carbonate particles can then seal/fill the surface cracks/voids of the porous material, and therefore, enhance the durability and strength of the material. As verification, this method was used to treat concrete bricks. Testing data show that the water absorption of the concrete bricks can be significantly reduced and the compressive strength can be significantly increased by this method. The mineral precipitated on the surface of the treated specimens identified by scanning electron microscope imaging was confirmed as calcite by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.
Enhancing Hysteresis in Graphene Devices Using Dielectric Screening

A method of increasing hysteresis in graphene devices with a dielectric coating is presented. By controlling the sweep direction of the gate bias, “high-conductance” and “low-conductance” states can be produced by transitioning the device between dielectric screened and unscreened states, which is a fundamentally new approach to producing hysteresis. Moderate carrier densities (4 × 1012 cm-2) result in field-driven injection of charge from the graphene channel into the underlying SiO2 substrate, modifying the scattering charged-impurity layout seen by the graphene, ultimately disrupting the steady-state screening process. A stable room-temperature conductance gap of nearly one order of magnitude is demonstrated.
Importance of Blood Pressure Regulation in Maintaining Adequate Tissue Perfusion During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Patients undergoing surgery with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have an incidence of end-organ dysfunction, caused by embolization, regional hypoperfusion, or some combination of the two. In this article, we attempt to define the effect of mean arterial pressure (MAP) during CPB on postoperative end-organ function. Although early studies reported that cerebral perfusion during hypothermic CPB is independent of MAP, recent laboratory and clinical reports have shown a positive slope in the MAP versus cerebral blood flow relationship. In clinical studies, patients who had higher MAPs during CPB had a lower incidence of cardiac and neurologic complications, as well as late neurocognitive abnormalities compared with patients with lower MAPs. Improving collateral flow in the setting of cerebral embolization has been postulated as the main mechanism for the improved neurologic outcomes in the high MAP groups. Higher perfusion pressure during CPB affects regional blood flow to the kidneys and visceral organs. However, the lower autoregulatory limits of perfusion to abdominal organs differ from the limits to the brain. Enhanced visceral perfusion during CPB is best achieved by increasing perfusion pressure via increases in perfusion flow rates rather than by using peripheral vasoconstriction alone. In conclusion, it is clear that maintenance of a high MAP during CPB may have a significant impact in protecting the brain and abdominal organs, particularly in the subset of patients at high risk for embolization and end-organ dysfunction.
Quantitative evaluation of sebum lipid components with nuclear magnetic resonance

A NMR spectroscopic method is described that enables the quantitation of specific lipid classes and components, independent of fatty acid composition. We demonstrate this method for measuring cholesterol, squalene, and pools of sterol esters, wax esters (WEs), and triglyceride (TG) components in sebum and meibum. When 600 MHz NMR equipment is used in conjunction with highly sensitive cryogenically cooled probes, this method has adequate sensitivity, and for some applications, advantages over commonly used HPLC-evaporative light-scattering detection and mass spectrometry-based approaches. This method is shown to be useful for preclinical and clinical monitoring of the efficacy of sebum-reducing agents in animals and humans. In Syrian hamsters, 3% topical flutamide and 20 mg/kg oral isotretinoin reduced sterol esters by 18.7% and 30.0%, respectively, and reduced WEs by 32.9% and 31.8%, respectively, as measured in a punch biopsy of the ear. In a 72 patient clinical methodology study, the assay delivered reproducible and noninvasive measurements of WEs, cholesteryl esters, TGs, and squalene from Sebutape® skin blots. The quantitative results of sebum analysis obtained by the NMR method correlate well with those obtained with HPLC-based approaches. This approach may be broadly applicable to cases in which fatty acid-independent quantification of lipid classes is desired.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE DIMENSIONALITY OF TOEFL READING COMPREHENSION ITEMS

The issue of exactly what is measured by different types of reading items has been a matter of interest in the field of reading research for many years. Language teaching and testing specialists have raised the question of whether a reading test for foreign students wishing to enter university in the United States should include questions testing abilities beyond linguistic and very general discourse competencies, or indeed whether it is possible to separate these language competencies from other competencies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensionality of the TOEFL® reading test, based on the specifications in use as of April 1991. Of particular interest was whether four item types identified in the test specifications as “reasoning items” could be shown to measure, in addition to general reading ability, any abilities not measured by the other item types in the TOEFL reading test. Two techniques, Stout's procedure and NOHARM analyses, were employed to investigate the hypothesized two-factor model. In both cases the data failed to fit the model, indicating that TOEFL “reasoning items” cannot be shown to measure a unique construct. However, the follow-up exploratory analyses indicated that all 10 test forms used in the study violated the assumption of essential unidimensionality, and all of the forms appeared to fit a two-factor model where the second factor may be related to passage content or position.
CNS tolerance to the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital in rats by injections of pentobarbital suspension.

Abstract Functional (CNS) tolerance to the hypnotic effect of barbiturates was determined in vivo by comparing the brain barbiturate level at awakening from a test dose in control rats and rats chronically treated with barbiturate. Approximately two-fold CNS tolerance to barbital was achieved by giving rats increasing concentrations of barbital in their drinking water according to trie schedule of Morgan, Pfeil and Gonzales (1977), but the tolerance was lost after the three days of withdrawal necessary to eliminate the drug from the brain. No significant CNS tolerance to the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital was developed when it was administered in the rats' food or water on various schedules. Administration of pentobarbital by daily injections of the drug in suspension, however, resulted in approximately 1.5-fold CNS tolerance to the hypnotic effect of this barbiturate in 5–10 days. Barbiturates in vitro inhibit K-stimulated ACh release from brain slices; the degree of inhibition by pentobarbital in vitro was not changed after chronic pentobarbital suspension injections in vivo .
Virtual electrophysiological study in a 3-dimensional cardiac magnetic resonance imaging model of porcine myocardial infarction.

Objectives: This study sought to test the hypothesis that “virtual” electrophysiological studies (EPS) on an anatomic platform generated by 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction o...
Toward more complicated computer imagery

Abstract Realism in current computer generated imagery suffers from inadequate complexity. The constraints on complexity are shown to lie in the algorithms used for display, the data structures used to describe shapes, improper treatment of detail and, finally, the processor architectures used. A case study is presented showing how a hundredfold increase in scene complexity was achieved by successive refinement of a conventional algorithm. Newer algorithms are then analyzed for their potential in very complicated images. Next, improved data structures for object representation are discussed and a hierarchical approach to the whole problem of description and display is developed. Finally, the distribution of algorithms over many processors is discussed with some effort made to predict the performance of such systems.
The nature of isolated bacterial fractions as related to preparative technique.

Abstract The nature of bacterial fractions obtained by three methods of cellular disruption and subsequent differential centrifugation is described. Of the methods examined, cellular fractionation based on the method of osmotic rupture appeared most satisfactory from a cytological viewpoint.
Syndication, Networks and the Growth of Venture Capital in Philadelphia, 1980–99

This paper explores the use of venture capital syndication among venture capital firms in the Philadelphia region from 1980 to 1999. The central question in the analysis is the extent to which regional actors have embraced a new type of investing. To explore this question, the paper looks at the distribution of syndication ties, that is, patterns of co-investment among venture capital firms. In particular, the analysis explores patterns of syndication and network structure among venture capital firms to identify not only the extent of syndication but also cliques and clusters among syndication partners. The analysis utilizes an extensive database consisting of venture capital disbursements and investments in the Philadelphia region from 1980 to 1999. The paper finds that the use of syndication among Philadelphia venture capital firms was limited in nature. Although Philadelphia venture capital firms syndicated extensively with venture capital firms from outside the region, syndication among partners tende...
Abscisic Acid Promotion of Cell Division and DNA Synthesis in Jerusalem Artichoke Tuber Tissue Cultured in vitro

Summary When excised tuber explants of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberoses L.) are cultured in vitro, an auxin is found to be essential for the induction of growth by celb division. Abscisic acid further stimulates this growth when used in combination with the auxin. The stimulation of cell division is detectable within 48 hrs of incubation and lasts up to 2-3 weeks of culture. Further studies reveal that ABA has no effect on the timing of onset or the total duration of DNA synthesis phase («S» phase) of the cell cycle, but actually induces a higher percentage of cells in the explant to undergo DNA replication and cell division. While only 30-40% of the total cell population divide in presence of 1 mg/l NAA, this proportion is increased to approximately 65% by the presence of 2 mg/l ABA in addition to NAA. A 50-100% increase in the rate of DNA synthesis (as measured by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into TCA-insoluble material) prior to first cell division is observed in the explants in presence of ABA. This increase is visible throughout the duration of S phase. The promotory effect of ABA is visible over a wide range of concentrations (0.1-10 mg/1). Abscisic acid does not significantly affect the uptake of 3H-thymidine by the tissue. Benzylamino-purine (5 mg/1) reverses the stimulatory effect of ABA. Storage of tubers in the dark at 4°C for more than 6-8 weeks causes a delay in the initiation of DNA synthesis in response to auxin. A slight increase in the total length of the S phase is also observed in old tubers. However, there is no noticeable change in the response of the tissue to ABA as a result of storage.
Population dynamics of the non-native freshwater gastropod, Cipangopaludina chinensis (Viviparidae): a capture-mark-recapture study

Capture-mark-recapture (CMR) is commonly used in conservation biology, but rarely used to study non-native species in freshwater habitats. The power of CMR lies in the ability to go beyond simple density estimates and to quantify invasion dynamics and vital population parameters. I applied CMR to a population of the non-native Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis, Viviparidae) in a 1.46 ha pond on Long Island, NY to estimate population size and survival probability in the waterbody and to uncover potential mechanisms for enormous differences in introduction success within and between waterbodies (observed densities range <1–40 individuals m−2). The C. chinensis population increased from approximately 150 to nearly 970 individuals from 2010 to 2012. Daily capture probabilities were low (<0.2) for snails of all sizes. Daily survival probabilities were size-dependent (almost 1.0 for snails larger than 30 mm shell length, and decreasing below that threshold), suggesting size-dependent mortality. This study highlights the ease of applying CMR to C. chinensis and its potential for other non-native species. Traditional survey methods such as density estimates with transects or quadrats cannot document increasing population sizes or size-specific mortality factors, which are essential for understanding introduction success and dynamics.
Pediatric VAD Utilization in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Does Higher VAD Utilization Lead to Better Waitlist Outcomes?

Purpose Pediatric centers vary widely in their tendency to implant ventricular assist devices (VAD) in children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) awaiting heart transplant (HT). The magnitude of this variability is unknown. We sought to describe center variability in pediatric VAD utilization and to determine whether higher VAD utilization is associated with better waitlist outcomes. Methods and Materials All pediatric centers with at least 12 DCM patients listed for transplant since 2004 were identified using OPTN data. Centers were defined as high VAD utilization if the proportion of DCM patient with VAD was in the top tertile (>27% supported with VADs), low VAD utilization centers below the bottom tertile ( Results Of the 1,105 children in 38 centers; gender, age, and weight at time of listing were similar across low-, medium-, and high-VAD utilization centers. The percentage of patients supported on ECMO/ventilator at time of transplant did not differ between low-, medium-, and high-VAD utilization centers, (23%,19% and 24% respectively). Overall, 22% of children with DCM received VADs (range 0-53%). The percentage of patients who were transplanted or recovered at 6 months did not differ between low-, medium- and high VAD utilization centers (74%, 68% and 78% respectively, P=0.21). Compared to high VAD utilization centers, the risk of death or wait-list removal due to deterioration was not statistically different to low (HR 1.32, 95%CI 0.77-2.28) and medium VAD utilization centers (1.26 95% CI 0.73-2.17). Conclusions VAD utilization for children with DCM vaires markedly across centers despite little difference in patient characteristics at the time of listing. Waitlist outcomes appear similiar between centers with ligh and low VAD utlization, suggesting further studies are needed to clarify which patient are likely to benefit from VAD support.
A flagellar gene fliZ regulates the expression of invasion genes and virulence phenotype in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

We previously reported that the fliZ gene encodes a positive regulatory factor for the class 2 flagellar operons in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. In this study, we found that the fliZ mutation reduced not only the amounts of excreted flagellar proteins, but also those of several secreted invasion proteins encoded by the genes within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1. Using the lacZ gene fused to a subset of virulence-associated genes, we show that this downregulation was caused by a decreased transcription of the hilA gene, which encodes a positive regulator for the invasion genes. We further show that the fliZ mutation reduced invasion ability of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium to HEp-2 cells. Consistent with these results, orally challenged cells of the fliZ mutant show an attenuated virulence phenotype in a mouse typhoid model. These results indicate that the fliZ gene product positively regulates the invasion genes and is necessary for expression of full virulence.
Nontraumatic Fat Embolism Found Following Maternal Death after Cesarean Delivery

Introduction Fat embolism is a rare form of nonthrombotic embolization. Limited literature exists regarding the diagnosis of fat embolism during the perinatal period. We present the first case of maternal death that resulted from nontraumatic fat embolization following Cesarean delivery. Case Description A 29-year-old gravida 1 with a complex medical and surgical history underwent a primary Cesarean delivery at term. On postoperative day 2 the patient was found to be unresponsive. Despite resuscitative efforts, the patient succumbed. Autopsy findings were remarkable for diffuse pulmonary fat emboli. Furthermore, there was no histological evidence of either amniotic fluid embolism or thromboembolism. The primary cause of death was attributed to nontraumatic fat embolization. Discussion Multiple risk factors may have contributed to the development of nontraumatic fat embolization in our patient. Obstetricians should maintain a high level of suspicion for nontraumatic fat embolization in cases of maternal respiratory decompression and sudden maternal mortality.
Spectroscopic investigation of ciprofloxacin speciation at the goethite-water interface.

We investigated ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic) speciation as a function of pH in aqueous solution and in the presence of dissolved ferric ions and goethite using ATR-FTIR and UV−vis spectroscopy. The presence of dissolved and surface bound ferric species induced the deprotonation of the ciprofloxacin carboxylic acid group at pH < pKa1. The resultant ciprofloxacin zwitterions appeared to interact via both carboxylate oxygens to form bidentate chelate and bridging bidentate complexes within colloidal iron oxide−ciprofloxacin precipitates and bidentate chelates on the goethite surface. However, the structure of the aqueous ferric−ciprofloxacin complexes remains unclear. Our evidence for bidentate chelates (involving only the carboxylate oxygens) on the goethite surface was distinct from previous IR studies of fluoroquinolone sorption to metal oxides that have proposed surface complexes involving both the keto and the carboxylate groups. We find that the distinct ciprofloxacin surface complex pr...
Functional Effect of Contortrostatin, a Snake Venom Disintegrin, on Human Glioma Cell Invasion In Vitro

The metastatic spread of cancer is a complex process that involves the combination of different cellular actions including cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), breakdown of the ECM by specific matrix-degrading proteinases, and active cell locomotion. Contortrostatin (CN), a homodimeric snake venom disintegrin, has previously been demonstrated to be effective in blocking vitronectin/fibronectin-dependent adhesion and invasion of T98G human glioblastoma cells through Matrigel using in vitro studies. However, it is not known at what step of the invasion process CN exerts its inhibitory effect. In the present report, CN is shown to decrease invasion of various glioma cell lines through Matrigel affecting neither cell adhesion, nor cell viability. While CN had no effect on cell binding to laminin and type IV collagen, it blocked adhesion of alphav beta3-positive, but not alphav beta3-negative cells, to vitronectin and fibronectin. Furthermore, members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and their physiological inhibitors, and of the plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin system were demonstrated not to be involved in CN-induced loss of glioma cell invasiveness. Instead, CN inhibited active locomotion of cells on Matrigel. These data suggest that CN-mediated inhibition of glioma cell invasion through Matrigel is a direct result of impaired cell motility. Moreover, use of several glioma cell lines and integrin antibodies strongly indicates the versatility of CN in inhibiting the invasion process based on the ability of CN to interact with different integrins, including alphav beta3, alphav beta5, and alpha5beta1.