cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 7: S-nitrosylation Affects Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) appear to play an important role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Circulating BMMSCs are attracted to arterial wall where they undergo adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation to form ectopic aggregates of fat and bone. The factors that determine the direction of BMMSC differentiation are poorly understood. We assessed the role of nitric oxide (NO), an inhibitor of lipid formation and vascular calcification, in BMMSC differentiation. Hypothesis: S-nitrosylation mediated-NO signaling controls the balance between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Methods: We isolated BMMSCs from wild type mice (WT) and mice deficient in S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR -/- ), an enzyme that governs levels of S-nitrosylation by promoting protein denitrosylation. Cells were cultured in either adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation media followed by functional and gene expression assays. Results: MSCs derived from GSNOR -/- mice had impaired fat droplet formation and lower expression of the adipogenic markers PPARγ (1329±415.3-fold increase in WT vs. 158±65.61-fold in GSNOR -/- , P -/- , P -/- MSCs exhibited enhanced osteogenic differentiation as indicated by greater calcium deposition and higher expression of the osteogenic marker Osteopontin (1.48±0.17-fold in WT vs. 16.18±5.26-fold in GSNOR -/- , P -/- cells had higher baseline expression of Osteopontin, Osteocalcin and Runx2. Treatment of GSNOR -/- MSCs with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, resulted in decreased osteogenic differentiation without affecting adipogenic differentiation. Conclusion: Our results indicate that GSNOR enhances adipogenic differentiation and impairs osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro and suggest that interaction of GSNOR- and NOS-mediated processes regulates the balance between adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs.
Hypothermia Modulates Arrhythmia Substrates During Different Phases of Resuscitation From Ischemic Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundWe designed an innovative porcine model of ischemia‐induced arrest to determine dynamic arrhythmia substrates during focal infarct, global ischemia from ventricular tachycardia or fibrill...
National use of total hip arthroplasty among patients with a history of breast, lung, prostate, colon or bladder cancer—an analysis of the Medicare population

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common and growing procedure in the United States. Concomitantly, there has been a rise in patients diagnosed with certain types of malignancies including solid organ ones. Unfortunately there is limited data available in the literature that describes the use of THA in patients who concomitantly have one of these forms of cancer. Because of the limited data available in the literature regarding this topic, the purpose of this study was to analyze the trends in use of THA among patients with the five most common malignancies in the United States, which include breast, lung, prostate, colon and bladder cancer according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the entire Medicare patient population to analyze the use of THA in patients with a diagnosis of solid organ malignancy including breast, lung, prostate, colon and bladder cancer. Results: Our analysis of over 14 million patients, demonstrate that THA is not as commonly performed procedure in patients with such diagnoses with a 0.26% prevalence. The mean incidence of THA was 0.29%, 0.17%, 0.31%, 0.33% and 0.36% for patients with breast, lung, prostate, colon and bladder cancer respectively. Conclusions: THA in cancer patients are not frequently performed but the use of this technique has increased significantly in patients with lung, prostate and bladder cancer.
Metrological Control—Industrial Measurement Management

(1993). Metrological Control—Industrial Measurement Management. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 72-73.
Corrections and Additions to Verification Study of Performance of 1976 University of Wisconsin Model

Revised and complete verification statistics for mainland United States long-range forecasts made for the period 1976–80 by the 1976 version of the University of Wisconsin model are presented. Corrections to earlier published values are given, as well as skill scores obtained using a much more complete set of stations for which forecasts were made. The overall skill score for the pentad temperature forecasts made for January, April, July, and October is negative (−0.14), while those for pentad precipitation and individual year July precipitation forecasts are positive (0.12 and 0.04, respectively). The individual year January temperature forecast skill score was unchanged at −0.08 overall.
Ultimate Decoupling between Surface Topography and Material Functionality in Atomic Force Microscopy Using an Inner-Paddled Cantilever

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been widely utilized to gain insight into various material and structural functionalities on the nanometer scale, leading to numerous discoveries and technologies. Despite the phenomenal success in applying AFM to the simultaneous characterization of topological and functional properties of materials, it has continuously suffered from the crosstalk between the observables, causing undesirable artifacts and complicated interpretations. Here, we introduce a two-field AFM probe, namely an inner-paddled cantilever integrating two discrete pathways such that they respond independently to the variations in surface topography and material functionality. Hence, the proposed design allows reliable and potentially quantitative determination of functional properties. In this paper, the efficacy of the proposed design has been demonstrated via piezoresponse force microscopy of periodically poled lithium niobate and collagen, although it can also be applied to other AFM methods such a...
Macrophage Differentiation of Human Precursor B-Cell Line by Phorbol Ester and Colony-Stimulating Factor

A human round cell line, KLM-2, is considered to be precursor B-cell by immunologic surface marker analysis and histochemical studies. The effect of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and/or colony- stimulating factor (CSF) on KLM-2 cells was investigated. KLM-2 cells became adherent to the bottom of the flask on day 2 after liquid culture with TPA, and the number of macrophage-like adherent cells (mAC) with pseudopodia showed a TPA dose-dependent increase to the peak level on day 3 or 4. The mAC had a phagocytic activity. The suspending cells were positive for alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (NAE) up to about 50% in culture with TPA. A TPA concentration of 100 ng/ml was optimal to provide a maximum number of mAC and NAE-positive suspending cells. Particularly, such effects of TPA on KLM-2 cells were markedly accelerated in the presence of CSF. These findings indicate macrophage differentiation of KLM-2 cells in the presence of TPA and CSF. KLM-2 cells may be a bipotential stem cell line differentiating into B-cell and monocyte-macrophage lineages.
Quantifying atmospheric N deposition in dryland ecosystems: A test of the Integrated Total Nitrogen Input (ITNI) method.

Abstract Estimating nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems is complicated by the multiple forms and routes of N loading from the atmosphere. We used the integrated total nitrogen input (ITNI) method, which is based on the principle of isotope dilution within a plant-liquid-sand system, to quantify N inputs to coastal sage scrub ecosystems in Riverside, California. Using the ITNI method, we measured atmospheric N deposition of 29.3 kg N ha −1 yr −1 over a range of aboveground plant biomass of 228 to 424 g m −2 . From 85 to 96% of the atmospheric N inputs were taken up by plants in the ITNI modules with most of the assimilation mediated by, and stored in, aboveground biomass. Parallel measurements using conventional approaches yielded deposition rates of 25.2 kg N ha −1 yr −1 when using the inferential method and 4.8 kg N ha −1 yr −1 using throughfall collectors. The relatively low throughfall estimates were attributed to canopy retention of inorganic N, low rainfall, and to the fact that the throughfall flux data did not include organic N and stomatal uptake of N gases. Also, during dry periods, frequent watering of ITNI modules may have increased stomatal conductance and led to overestimates of N deposition. Across published studies that used the ITNI method, areal N deposition rates varied by ~40-fold, were positively correlated with plant biomass and 90% of the variability in measured deposition rates can be explained by plant biomass production. The ITNI method offers a holistic approach to measuring atmospheric N deposition in arid ecosystems, although more study is needed to understand how watering rates effect N deposition measurements.
Utility of multi-gene panel testing with next generation sequencing in women with endometrial cancer.

5588Background: Lynch syndrome (LS) accounts for 2-6% of all endometrial cancers (EC), and women with a germline mutation in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) have an ave...
Defining Massive Transfusion in Civilian Pediatric Trauma With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify an optimal definition of massive transfusion in civilian pediatric trauma with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) Methods Severely injured children (age ≤18 y) with severe TBI in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program research data sets 2015-2016 that received blood products were identified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square, and logistic regression. Continuous variables are presented as median (interquartile range). Massive transfusion thresholds were determined based on receiver operating curves and optimization of sensitivity and specificity Results Of the 460 included children, the mortality rate was 43%. There were no differences in demographics, heart rate at presentation, or injury severity score between children that lived or died. However, those who died had lower Glasgow coma scores (3 [3, 8] versus 3 [3, 3]; P Conclusions For children with TBI, a massive transfusion threshold of 40 mL/kg/4-h of total administered blood products may be used to identify at-risk patients, improve resource utilization, and guide future research methodology
RESOLUTION OF MULTIPLE EQUILIBRIA IN BINDING OF SMALL MOLECULES TO CYTOCHROME P-450 LM

The binding of small hydrocarbon molecules to rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450LM 2 was found to be dependent on several equilibria, including the coordination of the heme sixth ligand and the binding of phospholipid to the protein. There was apparently no substrate binding-associated ionization of the protein in the pH region 6.5 to 9.0. That the binding of substrate with the protein is primarily due to the hydrophobic effect was indicated by correlation of apparent dissociation constants with hydrophobicity, large entropy changes calculated from van't Hoff plots, and the fact that benzphetamine binds only as the unprotonated free amine.
Nature of the structural symmetries associated with hybrid improper ferroelectricity in C a3X2 O7 (X=Mn and Ti)

In hybrid improper ferroelectric systems, polarization arises from the onset of successive nonpolar lattice modes. In this work, measurements and modeling were performed to determine the spatial symmetries of the phases involved in the transitions to these modes. Structural and optical measurements reveal that the tilt and rotation distortions of the $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ or $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ polyhedra relative to the high symmetry phases driving ferroelectricity in the hybrid improper $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}{X}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ system $(X=\mathrm{Mn}$ and Ti) condense at different temperatures. The tilt angle vanishes abruptly at ${T}_{\mathrm{T}}\ensuremath{\sim}400$ K for $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{n}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ (and continuously for $X=\mathrm{Ti})$ and the rotation mode amplitude is suppressed at much higher temperatures ${T}_{\mathrm{R}}\ensuremath{\sim}1060$ K. Moreover, Raman measurements in $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{n}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ under isotropic pressure reveal that the polyhedral tilts can be suppressed by very low pressures (between 1.4 and 2.3 GPa) indicating their softness. These results indicate that the $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{n}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ system provides a platform for strain engineering of ferroelectric properties in film-based systems with substrate-induced strain.
Abstract P385: Cigarette Smoking and Incident Stroke in African Americans of the Jackson Heart Study

Background: African-Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected more by stroke compared to whites, however less is known about the relationship between stroke and cigarette smoking, a modifiabl...
Numerical Modeling of CO2 Sequestration in Geologic Formations - Recent Results and Open Challenges

Rising atmospheric concentrations of CO2, and their role in global warming, have prompted efforts to reduce emissions of CO2 from burning of fossil fuels. An attractive mitigation option under consideration in many countries is the injection of CO2 from stationary sources, such as fossil-fueled power plants, into deep, stable geologic formations, where it would be stored and kept out of the atmosphere for time periods of hundreds to thousands of years or more. Potential geologic storage reservoirs include depleted or depleting oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and saline formations. While oil and gas reservoirs may provide some attractive early targets for CO2 storage, estimates for geographic regions worldwide have suggested that only saline formations would provide sufficient storage capacity to substantially impact atmospheric releases. This paper will focus on CO2 storage in saline formations.Injection of CO2 into a saline aquifer will give rise to immiscible displacement of brine by the advancing CO2. The lower viscosity of CO2 relative to aqueous fluids provides a potential for hydrodynamic instabilities during the displacement process. At typical subsurface conditions of temperature and pressure, CO2 is less dense than aqueous fluids and is subject to upward buoyancy force in environments where pressures are controlled by an ambient aqueous phase. Thus CO2 would tend to rise towards the top of a permeable formation and accumulate beneath the caprock. Some CO2 will also dissolve in the aqueous phase, while the CO2-rich phase may dissolve some formation waters, which would tend to dry out the vicinity of the injection wells. CO2 will make formation waters more acidic, and will induce chemical rections that may precipitate and dissolve mineral phases (Xu et al., 2004). As a consequence of CO2 injection, significant pressurization of formation fluids would occur over large areas. These pressurization effects will change effective stresses, and may cause movement along faults with associated seismicity and increases in permeability that could lead to leakage from the storage reservoir (Rutqvist and Tsang, 2005).
Evidence-based strategies to increase vaccination uptake: a review.

Purpose of reviewTo summarize evidence-based strategies for improving pediatric immunization rates including physician behaviors, clinic and public health processes, community-based and parent-focused interventions, and legal and policy approachesRecent findingsStudies continue to show the effective
Process Mapping of Stakeholders in Transportation Safety Management

AbstractThe operational reality that dominates organizations can inhibit their ability to document recurring work processes, which is instrumental in defining work responsibilities, incorporating q...
College students’ satisfaction and sense of belonging: differences between underrepresented groups and the majority groups

Student satisfaction and sense of belonging are key to student retention and success. This study investigated undergraduate students’ satisfaction and sense of belonging based on a survey of 2791 students from one predominantly white institution in the southeast United States. The results revealed that students were overall satisfied and felt they belonged to the campus community. Students in the underrepresented groups (i.e., non-White, non-heterosexual, and non-Christian) reported significantly less satisfaction and a weaker sense of belonging than those in the majority groups. Seniors reported significantly less satisfaction than freshmen and sophomore. Students with a conservative political view reported significantly more satisfaction than those with a moderate or liberal political view. In addition, students’ sense of belonging as well as their ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, religious belief, political view, and student rank significantly predicted their satisfaction, and about 34% of the variation in students’ satisfaction could be explained by these variables. The findings can inform policy making, funding navigation, and intervention programs in higher education, and higher education institutions should commit to equality, diversity, and inclusion in promoting student satisfaction and success.
Management of Subaortic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction After Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Residual or new left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction after an aortic valve replacement poses special challenges with respect to operative techniques. Our study assesses this gap. Methods From January 1993 to May 2019, 18 patients underwent a septal myectomy at Mayo Clinic for subaortic obstruction after aortic valve replacement. We evaluated their demographics, clinical presentation, and echocardiograms, and the type of prior valve replacement, need for repeat replacement, and their short- and long-term outcomes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results All patients underwent septal myectomy for LVOT obstruction at a median interval of 7 years (interquartile range, 3-15 years) from their prior aortic valve procedure. Preoperatively, the median left ventricular outflow tract gradient was 57 mm Hg (interquartile range, 44-77 mm Hg); 10 patients (55.5%) had systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral leaflets. Repeat replacement of the aortic valve at the time of myectomy was needed in 14 patients, and septal myectomy alone was performed in 4 patients. One hospital death occurred 34 days after myectomy and aortic valve replacement, and 2 patients needed permanent pacemaker placement for complete heart block. Conclusions Septal myectomy after aortic valve replacement may be performed with repeat replacement of the valve, if there is coexisting prosthetic dysfunction, through a normally functioning bioprosthesis or through an apical approach when visualization through the aortic prosthesis is poor. The complexity of reoperation supports a liberal approach to myectomy at the time of aortic valve replacement when there is significant subaortic septal hypertrophy.
A Die-Level, Replaceable Integrated Chiplet (PINCH) Assembly Using a Socketed Platform, Compressible MicroInterconnects, and Self-Alignment

This paper presents a novel die-level, rePlaceable INtegrated CHiplet (PINCH) assembly using a socketed platform. To enable the replaceability of this tightly-integrated system, the appropriate set of enabling technologies is required. To this end, the PINCH assembly incorporates a non-permanent, off-chip interconnection system via Compressible MicroInterconnects (CMIs) and a non-permanent self-alignment technology using Positive-Self-Alignment Structures (PSAS) in a PSAS-to-PSAS configuration. As the PSAS-to-PSAS self-alignment technology is substrate agnostic, the PINCH assembly can also incorporate heterogeneous integrated systems. This paper discusses this PINCH assembly and it provides a design analysis for building this socketed system. The fabrication of all the components of the PINCH assembly (e.g., chiplet, interposer) is then performed, followed by a manual assembly process using the PSAS-to-PSAS self-alignment technology. Four-point resistance of the 150 μm pitch and 200 μm pitch CMIs are then measured after the socket is secured into the socket base of the PINCH assembly.
A Simple Bayesian Method for the Analysis of Diffusion Processes

This paper introduces a new Bayesian method for the analysis of discretely sampled diffusion processes. The method, which is termed high frequency augmentation (HFA), is a simple numerical method that is applicable to a wide variety of univariate or multivariate diffusion processes. It is furthermore useful when observations are irregularly observed, when one or more elements of the multivariate process are latent, or when microstructure effects add error to the observed data. The Markov chain-Monte Carlo-based procedure can be used to attain the posterior distributions of the parameters of the drift and diffusion functions as well as the posteriors of missing or latent data. Several examples are explored. First, the posterior of the parameters of a geometric Brownian motion is attained using HFA and compared with that obtained using the analytical methods available for this relatively simple process. Second, a stochastic volatility model is estimated on a sample of S&P 500 returns, a problem for which posteriors are analytically intractable. Lastly, it is shown how the method can be extended to estimate an interest rate process using data that suffer from severe rounding.
Chapter 3 The quest for the equilibrium structure of molecules

Publisher Summary This chapter explores that the determination of molecular structures has been one of the objectives of high resolution spectroscopy for a long time. This technique, together with gas phase electron diffraction, is the only practical method available to study structures of molecules in the gaseous state. In that state at sufficiently low pressures, molecules are free from interactions with other species and can therefore be studied isolated from the environment. It discusses that modern high resolution molecular spectroscopy has a tremendous resolving power and precision. Conventional Stark effect modulated microwave spectroscopy has a typical resolution of 1 in 10 5 and precision of 1 in 10 6 . A similar precision is achieved by high resolution Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and laser based infrared spectroscopy have a precision close to 1 in 10 8 . If these spectroscopic methods are coupled with the supersonic molecular beam technique, the resolution approaches 1 in 10 7 . The chapter also discusses the theoretical models for fairly rigid molecules. With these models, the spectra observed for such molecules can be reproduced within the experimental precision. Many fitting parameters of these models—the spectroscopic constants—are obtained with high precision. Among them are the rotational constants, which sometimes have 8 or more significant digits. The chapter reviews the methods and techniques that are used to determine gas phase molecular structures from high resolution spectroscopic data. Principal techniques to obtain structures of molecules in the gas phase, electron diffraction are also discussed.
Changes in Student Attitudes and Student Computer Use in a Computer-Enriched Environment.

AbstractThe pedagogic usefulness of the computer is examined by focusing on student attitudes and use of computers in a “computer-enriched” environment. Our analysis uses data from three years of a five-year longitudinal study at Wake Forest University. The results indicate that a computer-enriched environment is positively correlated with student attitudes toward computers in general, their role in teaching and learning, and their ability to facilitate communication. In addition, there were few changes in attitudes for students who did not have seamless access to the network. This study concludes that a networked institution where students have easy access can foster positive attitudes toward the use of computers in teaching and learning.
On the Motion of Point Defects in Relativistic Fields

We inquire into classical and quantum laws of motion for the point charge sources in the nonlinear Maxwell–Born–Infeld field equations of classical electromagnetism in flat and curved Einstein spacetimes.
Proximal subscapularis release for the treatment of adduction–internal rotation shoulder contracture in obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the results on shoulder function following isolated proximal subscapularis release in children with Erb’s palsy. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 64 consecutive children with Erb’s palsy who underwent a Carlioz proximal subscapularis release between 2001 and 2012. Fifty children with complete records and a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included for evaluation. Age at surgery ranged from 1.3 to 4.5 years (average 2.6 years). Preoperative active shoulder abduction/anterior elevation, active external and internal rotations as well as the Mallet score were compared with those found at 6 and 24 months postoperatively using the Student paired t test, with a confidence interval of 95 %. The results were compared between children <3 years of age at surgery and those older, and between children who had an isolated C5–C6 and those with greater involvement. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Active abduction imp...
The effect of stereochemistry on the oxidation of substituted hexitols

Abstract 1- O -Benzoyl-2,3:5,6-di- O -isopropylidene- d -gulitol ( 3 ) and - d -allitol ( 4 ) were found to be inert toward oxidation by chromium trioxide in pyridine, confirming previous findings of apparent effects of 1,4-interaction. 1- O -Benzoyl-2,3:5,6-di- O -isopropylidene- d -mannitol ( 2 ), though previously established to be inert toward chromium trioxide in pyridine, was smoothly oxidized to 6- O -benzoyl-1,2:4,5-di- O -isopropylidene- d -mannitol ( 2 ), though previously established to be inert toward chromium trioxide in pyridine, was smoothly oxidized to 6- O -benzoyl-1,2:4,5-di- O -isopropylidene- d - arabino -3-hexulose ( 5 ) by methyl sulfoxide in acetic anhydride. However, the latter converted 1,5-di- O -benzoyl-2,4- O -benzylidene-xylitol ( 6 ) and -ribitol ( 7 ) into 3-(methylthio)methyl ethers.
Preparation of triazolobenzodiazepine derivatives as Vasopressin V1a antagonists

Abstract This Letter describes the synthesis of a number of fused tricyclic and bicyclic triazolobenzodiazepines for the Vasopressin V1a antagonist programme.
Balancing Your Science Fiction Collection

Almost all libraries collect fiction. Of course the nature, scope, and organization of the collection varies with the type of library and its clientele. In this column scholars, fans, and just plain readers of diverse fiction formats, types, and genres will explore their specialty with a view to the collection building needs of various types of libraries. In addition to lists of “good reads,” authors not to be missed, rising stars, and rediscovered geniuses, columnists will cover major critics, bibliographies, relevant journals and organizations, publishers, and trends. Each column will include a genre overview, a discussion of access to published works, and a core collection of recommended books and authors. Janice M. Bogstad leads off with a discussion of science fiction. In the next issue of Collection Building, Ian will focus her discussion on the growing body of feminist science fiction with an article entitled, “Redressing an Interval Balance: Women and Science Fiction, 1965–1983.” Issues to follow will feature Kathleen Heim on thrillers, and Rhea Rubin reviewing short story collection building. Should you care to suggest an area or aspect of fiction collection building for discussion or try your hand as a columnist contact the column editor through Neal‐Schuman Publishers.
Efficacy of topical dorzolamide for treatment of cystic macular lesions in a patient with enhanced S-cone syndrome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical dorzolamide 2% eye drops on macular function and thickness in a case of enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). A 24-year-old Asian man with enhanced S-cone syndrome treated with topical dorzolamide in the left eye participated in the study. Examinations performed before and during treatment were included visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity measured with briefly presented grating targets (grating CS) and the Pelli-Robson chart (P-R CS), microperimetry (MP), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Following 4 months of treatment, the mean thickness of the central 1-mm foveal subfield of the left eye, as measured by SD-OCT, decreased from 551 to 242 μm. Mean MP sensitivity within the central 12 degrees (28 points) increased from 9.4 dB at baseline to 11.2 dB. Although Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity improved only minimally in the left eye, grating contrast sensitivity improved by more than a factor of two. Mean log MAR VA was 0.22 OD and 1.00 OS (at baseline), which improved to 0.10 OD and 0.66 OS after 4 months of treatment. The results indicate that in our patient with enhanced S-cone syndrome, treatment with topical dorzolamide was effective in improving macular thickness, VA, microperimetry sensitivity, and grating contrast sensitivity. These measures of retinal structure and function are sensitive tools for evaluating the effects of treatment in enhanced S-cone syndrome patients with cystoid macular edema. Further investigation is warranted to assess the relationships among visual performance for daily activities, visual sensitivity, and macular thickness.
Hydrography of the central Atlantic—IV. Intermediate waters of antarctic origin

Abstract In this paper we discuss the GEOSECS (Geochemical Ocean Sections program) results for the intermediate waters of the central Atlantic Ocean. By comparing the distributions of the radioactive isotopes (14C and 226Ra) and of the potentially non-conservative properties (SiO2, Ba, Alk, O2, NO3) with those of the conservative properties (θ, S, and ‘NO’) the following conclusions can be drawn: while clear evidence is seen for respiration at intermediate depths, no evidence for modification by radioactive decay or by the dissolution of opal, calcium carbonate, or barium sulfate is to be found. The contributions of waters of Antarctic origin to the intermediate water can be roughly quantified from the ‘NO’-θ relationship. The contribution of such waters as a function of latitude and density is shown along the western and eastern GEOSECS tracks. The strong silica signal carried by the waters of Antarctic origin provides a crosscheck on the deconvolution. The sections reveal that the 15°N front that separates the temperature and equatorial thermoclines also constitutes a strong impedance to the northern penetration of intermediate waters of Antarctic origin. The remarkable northward penetration of intermediate waters of Antarctic origin is attributed to the conversion of intermediate depth water to deep water in the northern Atlantic.
Inhibition of Spontaneous Metastasis in a Rat Prostate Cancer Model by Oral Administration of Modified Citrus Pectin

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in U.S. men and remains incurable once it has metastasized. Many stages of the metastatic cascade involve cellular interactions mediated by cell surface components, such as carbohydrate-binding proteins, including galactoside-binding lectins (galectins). Modified citrus pectin (pH-modified), a soluble component of plant fiber derived from citrus fruit, has been shown to interfere with cell-cell interactions mediated by cell surface carbohydrate-binding galectin-3 molecules. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine whether modified citrus pectin, a complex polysaccharide rich in galactosyl residues, could inhibit spontaneous metastasis of prostate adenocarcinoma cells in the rat. METHODS The ability of modified citrus pectin to inhibit the adhesion of Dunning rat prostate cancer MAT-LyLu cells to rat endothelial cells was measured by 51Cr-labeling. Modified citrus pectin inhibition of MAT-LyLu cell anchorage-independent growth was measured by colony formation in agarose. The presence of galectin-3 in rat MAT-LyLu cells and human prostate carcinoma was demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. One million MAT-LyLu cells were injected subcutaneously into the hind limb of male Copenhagen rats on day 0. Rats were given 0.0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, or 1.0% (wt/vol) modified citrus pectin continuously in their drinking water (from day 4 until necropsy on day 30). The number of MAT-LyLu tumor colonies in the lungs were counted. RESULTS Compared with 15 or 16 control rats that had lung metastases on day 30, seven of 14 rats in the 0.1% and nine of 16 rats in the 1.0% modified citrus-pectin group had statistically significant (two-sided; P < .03 and P < .001, respectively) reductions in lung metastases. The lungs of the 1.0% modified citrus pectin-treated rats had significantly (two-sided; P < .05) fewer metastatic colonies than control groups (9 colonies +/- 4 [mean +/- SE] in the control group compared with 1 colony +/- 1 in the treated group). Modified citrus pectin had no effect on the growth of the primary tumors. In vitro, modified citrus pectin inhibited MAT-LyLu cell adhesion to rat endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner as well as their colony formation in semisolid medium. CONCLUSIONS We present a novel therapy in which oral intake of modified citrus pectin acts as a potent inhibitor of spontaneous prostate carcinoma metastasis in the Copenhagen rat. IMPLICATIONS Further investigations are warranted to determine the following: 1) the role of galectin-3 in normal and cancerous prostate tissues and 2) the ability of modified citrus pectin to inhibit human prostate metastasis in nude mice.
DOLLARIZATION FOR ARGENTINA

In January 1999, President Carlos Menem suggested replacing the Argentine peso with the U.S. dollar. President Menem's announcement has sparked a debate throughout Latin America and Eastern Europe about what has been termed “dollarization.” That debate prompted U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin to deliver a major policy speech on alternative exchange-rate regimes on April 21, 1999 and the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to hold dollarization hearings the following day featuring Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers. This article presents a case for officially dollarizing Argentina. Dollarization is not new. Unofficial dollarization is widespread in emerging market countries; in fact, as much as 70% of the stock of U.S. dollars now circulates abroad. Twenty-eight countries and dependent territories are officially dollarized. Although official dollarization would result in Argentina losing seigniorage of about 0.22 percent of GDP, the author estimates that this cost would be more than offset by a reduction in interest rates that would increase Argentina's trend rate of GDP growth by about two percent. After debunking the most common criticisms of dollarization, the article closes by offering recommendations about the specific form of dollarization and presenting a detailed dollarization statute for Argentina. The author proposes a competitive currency regime for Argentina, one in which all foreign money would be legal tender.
ABT-450/ ritonavir and ABT-267 in combination with ABT-333 for the treatment of hepatitis C virus.

Introduction: The global prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to be 80 – 115 million and currently viremic infections account for 350,000 deaths annually. As the knowledge about HCV evolves, new anti-viral treatments have been developed. The primary goal of antiviral therapies has been to eradicate HCV virus from serum and achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Historically, interferon has been a staple of nearly all HCV treatment regimens, despite significant toxic effects.Areas covered: In recent years, HCV treatment has changed rapidly and significantly. All-oral treatment regimens show promise for treatment with shorter duration and more manageable side effects. New antivirals aimed at improving SVR may provide a cure to nearly all HCV-infected patients. The unique combination of ABT-450 (paritaprevir) and ABT-267 (ombitasvir) provides highly effective treatment for patients with genotype 1 HCV. This review will examine the antiviral properties, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodyn...
The Emotional Consequences of Service Work: An Ethnographic Examination of Hair Salon Workers

Abstract This article explores the connections between service work and the everyday lived emotional experiences of hair salon workers. Over the past few years, numerous studies have linked service work with various social psychological outcomes, including well-being, job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, depression, and stress. In an effort to explore the connections between service work and the everyday lived emotional experiences of service workers, original data in the form of nonparticipant field observations and in-depth interviews of 25 hair salon workers were collected in a moderate-sized Midwestern college town. Our findings are generally consistent with the power and status theories of emotion described by Theodore Kemper (1984, 1990, 1991) and Randall Collins (1984, 1990). Customer service interactions are conducive to both positive and negative emotional outcomes. Specifically, complimentary evaluations and the conferral of intimacy favor feelings of pride and happiness, whereas unsatisfacto...
Effects of lesions in the periventricular nucleus of the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus on growth hormone and thyrotropin secretion and brain somatostatin

Abstract Two experiments were performed to study the role of somatostatin (SRIF) neurons of the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area (PO-AHA) in regulating growth hormone (GH) and thyrotropin (TSH) secretion in rats. Small lesions were placed in the periventricular (PV) zone and blood was collected at 24 h and 15 days after surgery. Blood samples were obtained at 3 min and at 15 min after ether exposure for assessing non-stress and stress levels, respectively, of plasma GH and TSH. Non-stress blood samples were also collected at decapitation at 4 weeks. The brains from the first experiment were dissected and processed for measuring SRIF content in several regions. At 24 h and 15 days, non-stress GH and TSH levels were significantly elevated in rats with PV lesions. Stress-induced decrements in GH levels persisted in all groups. Although non-stress plasma GH and TSH levels returned to normal in lesioned rats at 4 weeks, SRIF content was decreased 83% in the median eminence and 33% in the hypothalamus. These results show that discrete lesions in the PV zone of the PO-AHA cause transient elevations in non-stress secretion of GH and TSH and that normal levels of such secretion can be reinstated despite reductions of SRIF in the median eminence and hypothalamus.
Mast cells in scleroderma

T he role of mast cells in mediating immediatetype hypersensitivity immune reactions is widely appreciated. More recently, mast cells A have been implicated in a broader context, as reflected by their accumulation in chronic rheumatic diseases.’ Their specific role in these settings is not yet clear, but recent findings allow more concrete speculations. It has been recognized for some time that the mast cell residing in connective tissues is often strategically located on the periphery of small venules. This allows these cells to regulate the microcirculation and potentially initiate as well as amplify an inflammatory response. Mast cell products may promote adhesion of circulating cells to vascular endothelium, enhance vascular permeability, and stimulate transmigration of inflammatory cells permitting egress into tissue sites. In certain settings, these effects may assist the host in defense, for example, against invasion by some parasitic pathogens. Whether mast cells participate in maintaining normal physiologic processes or mainly contribute to pathologic states remains to be defined. Nonetheless, the finding of numerous mast cells near a healing wound or in the vicinity of a bone fracture suggests that mast cells actively participate in these physiological reparative processes. Furthermore, pathologists have observed for years that mast cells arise in a myriad of diseases. These facts, bolstered by the available experimental data, strongly suggest that the mast cell is an active participant in diverse biological processes. These encompass inflammatory reactions and its sequela, including angiogenesis and connective tissue deposition. One can envision the mast cell as perched strategically to initiate acute inflammation, on
UHV Surface Chemistry of bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium, (C2H5C5H4)2Ru on an Oxide Substrate

The interactions of an organometallic precursor to Ru thin films, bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium, (C 2 H 5 C 5 H 4 ) 2 Ru, with an amorphous Al 2 O 3 substrate were probed using tools of ultra-high vacuum surface science. The precursor adsorbs and desorbs with no decomposition on Al 2 O 3 that is bare, or covered with patches of O-saturated Ru. In the absence of pre-existing Ru sites, there was no reaction up to 950 K with or without co-dosed O 2 at pressures up to 10 -6 torr. Film-forming reactions do occur under UHV dosing conditions when Ru sites and chemisorbed oxygen are both present. The distribution of chemical states of surface oxygen changes with temperature and influences reaction kinetics and film growth.
Direct simulation of the motion of neutrally buoyant circular cylinders in plane Poiseuille flow

In this article we discuss the generalization of a Lagrange multiplier-based fictitious domain method to the simulation of the motion of neutrally buoyant particles in a Newtonian fluid. Then we apply it to study the migration of neutrally buoyant circular cylinders in plane Poiseuille flow of a Newtonian fluid by direct numerical simulation. The Segre-Silberberg effect is found for the cases with one and several circular cylinders. In general, it is believed that the migration away from the center of the channel is due to an effect of the curvature of velocity profile. Via direct numerical simulation, we find that this effect is not weakened by the presence of many particles, but by the collisions among the particles. Experiments and simulations for hundreds of circular cylinder cases show that particles concentrate in the central region where the shear rate is low. A power law associated with the horizontal velocity of the mixture of fluid/particles is also presented.
Characterization of the β-Lactam Antibiotic Sensor Domain of the MecR1 Signal Sensor/Transducer Protein from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus†

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has evolved two mechanisms for resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. One is production of a beta-lactamase, and the other is that of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a). The expression of these two proteins is regulated by the bla and mec operons, respectively. BlaR1 and MecR1 are beta-lactam sensor/signal transducer proteins, which experience acylation by beta-lactam antibiotics on the cell surface and transduce the signal into the cytoplasm. The C-terminal surface domain of MecR1 (MecRS) has been cloned, expressed, and purified to homogeneity. This protein has been characterized by documenting that it has a critical and unusual Nzeta-carboxylated lysine at position 394. Furthermore, the kinetics of interactions with beta-lactam antibiotics were evaluated, a process that entails conformational changes for the protein that might be critical for the signal transduction event. Kinetics of acylation of MecRS are suggestive that signal sensing may be the step where the two systems are substantially different from one another.
Biblical Adventures in an American Novel

Y study of biblical allusions, themes, and symbols in American novels has been a source of incredulity, amusement, consternation, and term papers among some of my students. When I suggest that Hemingway in his The Old Man and the Sea and the Gospel according to Mark are similar in their conceptions of victory through suffering, students cluck in derision, chuckle in amusement, or run to the library for a copy of the Old Man. Actually, however, some contemporary American novels lend themselves to an analysis of thematic materials which are similar
The Lean Librarian

Many health care organizations are using Lean management techniques to improve quality, patient safety, and cost-effectiveness. This article shows how a Lean-trained librarian became a part of the management team who attended Lean walks to see first hand how nurses and other health care professionals use library-supplied information to improve patient care and how they suggested possible improvements in information use or accessibility.
Interspecific Mouthpart Length Variation and Floral Visitation in the Parasitic Wasp Genus Agathirsia (Braconidae: Agathidinae)

Carbohydrate energy sources are known to be important for many adult parasitic wasps. Floral visitation is commonly observed, and in many groups specialized mouthpart morphology is associated with deep nectar extraction. In parasitic wasps, there are few data examining the relationship between host plant use and the length of the mouthparts. In an effort to associate mouthpart length to nectar source, pollen was identified from museum specimens of selected species of Agathirsia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Despite drastic differences in glossa length, the pollen of several species of Asteraceae were commonly found on specimens of various species. We infer that increased feeding efficiency, as opposed to nectar access, is the adaptive value of elongate glossae in Agathirsia. Species with short mouthparts, however, exhibited a difference from both the medium and long mouthpart categories in pollen similarity. This suggests that members of Agathirsia with elongated mouthparts are more apt to visit certain flowers compared with short-tongued species. Males and females exhibited considerable overlap of their common nectar sources and displayed similar pollen richness. Pollen richness was higher in species in the medium length category compared with the short category, but these results are confounded by the fact that the medium-length specimens were on average larger bodied.
Low-dose trichloroethylene alters cytochrome P450-2C subfamily expression in the developing chick heart.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an organic solvent and common environmental contaminant. TCE exposure is associated with heart defects in humans and animal models. Primary metabolism of TCE in adult rodent models is by specific hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes (Lash et al. in Environ Health Perspect 108:177–200, 2000). As association of TCE exposure with cardiac defects is in exposed embryos prior to normal liver development, we investigated metabolism of TCE in the early embryo. Developing chick embryos were dosed in ovo with environmentally relevant doses of TCE (8 and 800 ppb) and RNA was extracted from cardiac and extra-cardiac tissue (whole embryo without heart). Real-time PCR showed upregulation of CYP2H1 transcripts in response to TCE exposure in the heart. No detectable cytochrome expression was found in extra-cardiac tissue. As seen previously, the dose response was non-monotonic and 8 ppb elicited stronger upregulation than 800 ppb. Immunostaining for CYP2C subfamily expression confirmed protein expression and showed localization in both myocardium and endothelium. TCE exposure increased protein expression in both tissues. These data demonstrate that the earliest embryonic expression of phase I detoxification enzymes is in the developing heart. Expression of these CYPs is likely to be relevant to the susceptibility of the developing heart to environmental teratogens.