cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined Cardiothoracic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Versus Isolated Liver Transplantation.

Objective: Combined cardiothoracic surgery and liver transplantation (cCSLT) recently increasingly has been used. Despite that, liver transplant immediately after cardiothoracic surgery has not been well-characterized. The authors aimed to compare perioperative management and postoperative outcomes between patients undergoing cCSLT and isolated liver transplantation (iLT). Design: A retrospective study. Setting: University tertiary medical center. Participants: Twenty-five cCSLT patients and 1091 iLT patients at a single institution from 2010 to 2017. Interventions: Twenty-five cCSLT patients were compared with 100 randomly selected and 100 propensity-matched iLT patients. Measurements and Main Results: All cCSLT patients underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluation by a multidisciplinary team. Of 25 cardiothoracic surgeries, heart transplant (n = 9) was most common, followed by coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 5) and lung transplant (n = 3). Intraoperative management of cCSLT was provided by 2 separate teams, one for cardiothoracic surgery and one for liver transplantation. Patients undergoing cCSLT often required cardiopulmonary bypass, an intra-aortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or cardiac pharmacologic therapies and, additionally, needed more interventions including antifibrinolytic administration, venovenous bypass, massive blood transfusion, and platelet transfusions compared with iLT patients. Ninety-day survival rates were similar in the cCSLT (100%) and iLT groups (random iLT 87% and matched iLT 93%, log-rank test p = 0.089). Conclusions: Despite having end-stage liver disease and advanced cardiothoracic disorders and experiencing a complex intraoperative course, cCSLT patients had comparable 90-day survival to iLT patients. Comprehensive planning before transplant, optimal patient/donor selection, the multiple-team model, and meticulous intraoperative management are critical to the success of cCSLT.
Statistics of an Age Structured Population with Two Competing Species: Analytic and Monte Carlo Studies

Using Monte Carlo simulations and analytic methods, we study the effects of competition and mutation between species with age structure. For definiteness, simulations are based on the reproductive and age structures of the Penna-Desai model. In general, even mean-field (deterministic) type of analytic results are not available. However, by focusing on just two species, we find successful analytic approaches to the observed stochastic aspects of the population dynamics.
anTraX, a software package for high-throughput video tracking of color-tagged insects

Recent years have seen a surge in methods to track and analyze animal behavior. Nevertheless, tracking individuals in closely interacting, group-living organisms remains a challenge. Here, we present anTraX, an algorithm and software package for high-throughput video tracking of color-tagged insects. anTraX combines neural network classification of animals with a novel approach for representing tracking data as a graph, enabling individual tracking even in cases where it is difficult to segment animals from one another, or where tags are obscured. The use of color tags, a well-established and robust method for marking individual insects in groups, relaxes requirements for image size and quality, and makes the software broadly applicable. anTraX is readily integrated into existing tools and methods for automated image analysis of behavior to further augment its output. anTraX can handle large-scale experiments with minimal human involvement, allowing researchers to simultaneously monitor many social groups over long time periods.
Changes to the spermatozoa glycocalyx and its role in fertilization in Sauger (Sander canadensis)

Abstract The spermatozoa glycocalyx is a dynamic coating of extracellular glycoproteins known to facilitate the acrosome reaction and fertilization in mammals. Most fish sperm, however, contain no acrosome and are subjected to different stimuli (e.g., osmotic shock in the external environment) prior to fertilization. At present, our understanding of the composition and spatial distribution of sugar moieties and the functional role of the glycocalyx in fish sperm remains incomplete. Moreover, the influence of assisted reproduction techniques (e.g., testicular harvest and cryopreservation) commonly used in aquaculture settings on this structure in fish sperm is unknown. Herein, we describe and compare the composition and characteristics of the glycocalyx among sperm types (stripped, testicular, and cryopreserved) and between activation statuses (inactive vs. activated) using sauger (Sander canadensis) as a model. We also investigated the importance of certain moieties (e.g., N-acetyl-glucosamine [GlcNAc]) to fertilization. Staining distributions, fluorescent intensity, and proportion of cells exhibiting high fluorescence were measured for each treatment using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. Three lectins, specific to certain glycocalyx sugar moieties (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA [GlcNAc]; concanavalin A, ConA [α-mannose]; and peanut agglutinin, PNA [β-galactose]) were used to monitor these variables in fish sperm. The sauger glycocalyx contained GlcNAc and α-mannose but lacked β-galactose moieties. Testicular sperm exhibited fewer cells (20–40% fewer) with high GlcNAc and α-mannose content than other sperm types. Additionally, the proportion of highly fluorescent cells in testicular sperm were positively correlated with motility (r = 0.80–0.95), suggesting the glycocalyx is affected by post-testicular maturation. Motility activation via hypo-osmotic shock caused a redistribution of GlcNAc to the apical region of the head of 40–50% of stripped and testicular sperm, respectively. Cryopreserved sperm showed significantly reduced apical staining following activation (
Knowledge integration in student learning of Newton’s third law: Addressing the action-reaction language and the implied causality

Many physics students consider forces being causal while occurring at the same time; likely caused by the action-reaction language often used to describe Newton's third law.
Landing an Internship

The decision to pursue an internship can be just as difficult as finding one. Choosing between completing on-campus research for a professor and gaining industry experience through an internship can be a struggle. Most advisors, professors, and professionals alike will agree that an internship is a must, and employers consider internship experience as one of the most important factors in hiring college graduates.
Physicochemical characterization of cardiovascular calcified deposits I. Isolation, purification and instrumental analysis

Calcified human aortic atherosclerotic deposits and calf ventricular assist device bioprosthetic deposits were isolated and deproteinated by hydrazine treatment. Detailed chemical and instrumental analyses were applied to gain comprehensive physicochemical information which makes possible establishing compositional and structural similarities between the 2 types of pathologic mineral deposits which form on different host surfaces. These microcrystalline deposit materials are morphologically very heterogeneous and can be represented chemically as carbonate substituted apatite which, in some of its properties, significantly differs from hydroxyapatite. It is indicated that the mechanism for the formation of cardiovascular deposits proceeds through hydrolysis of octacalcium phosphate precursor.
Analyst Following, Information Asymmetry and Cost of Capital: A Discussion of Bowen, Chen and Cheng (2008)

Bowen, Chen and Cheng (2008) document a negative association between analyst following and the discount at issuance of seasoned equity offerings which, they argue, provides evidence of a direct link between analyst following, information asymmetry and cost of capital. While the empirical setting is novel and the analysis is careful, I argue that the causal links are less clear. In particular, I consider whether the evidence demonstrates that (a) analyst following causes a reduction in information asymmetry, (b) a reduction in information asymmetry causes the lower discount at equity issuance, and (c) the lower discount at equity issuance implies a lower cost of capital. In particular, prior literature suggests that analysts are attracted to firms with less information asymmetry, potentially reversing the causality between analyst following and information asymmetry. Further, the discount at issuance behaves much like price pressure, suggesting that analyst following may reflect investor attention rather than a reduction of information asymmetry. Finally, the discount is only one component of the cost of capital. To the extent that analyst following reduces the previously-documented mispricing at equity issuance it may actually increase overall cost of capital.
Hope in elderly adults with chronic heart failure. Concept analysis

This topic review employed Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis to explore the construct of hope in elderly adults with chronic heart failure. The articles analyzed revealed that hope, as the belief of the occurrence of a positive result without any guarantee that it will be produced, is necessary for the survival and wellbeing of the elderly adults enduring this disease.
Extended-release naltrexone modulates brain response to drug cues in abstinent heroin-dependent patients

Drug cues play an important role in relapse to drug use. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that is used to prevent relapse in opioid dependence. Central opioidergic pathways may be implicated in the heightened drug cue-reactivity, but the effects of the opioid receptors' blockade on the brain responses to drug cues in opioid dependence are unknown. To pursue this question, we studied 17 abstinent i.v. heroin users with brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during exposure to visual heroin-related cues and matched neutral images before and 10-14 days after an injection of extended-release naltrexone (XRNTX). Whole brain analysis of variance of fMRI data showed main effect of XRNTX in the medial frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, cuneus, precuneus, caudate and the amygdala. fMRI response was decreased in the amygdala, cuneus, caudate and the precentral gyrus and increased in the medial frontal gyrus and the precuneus. Higher plasma levels of naltrexone's major metabolite, 6-beta-naltrexol, were associated with larger reduction in the fMRI response to drug cues after XRNTX in the precentral, caudate and amygdala clusters. The present data suggest that XRNTX pharmacotherapy of opioid-dependent patients may, respectively, decrease and potentiate prefrontal and limbic cortical responses to drug cues and that this effect might be related to the XRNTX metabolism. Our findings call for further evaluation of the brain fMRI response to drug-related cues and of the 6-beta-naltrexol levels as potential biomarkers of XRNTX therapeutic effects in patients with opioid dependence.
A microprocessor-based digital filter laboratory station for an undergraduate signal processing laboratory

A microprocessor-based digital filter laboratory station to provide hands-on experience to the students in the design of digital filters is described. The unit is centered around an 8080A microprocessor which can be employed programmatically by the user to interconnect the various modules comprising a digital filter and to experimentally evaluate their characteristics. This flexible laboratory station allows the student to conduct a variety of experiments in the fundamentals of digital signal processing and introductory digital filter design based on the Peled-Liu (Croisier et-al) algorithm.
A Facilitated Fractionation of Stable Urinary Estrogens before Their Automated Fluorometric Assay

Urine samples to be assayed for estrone, estradiol-17β, and estriol are processed as usual: hydrolysis, ether extraction, and saponification, as well as partition between toluene and alkali. The samples are purified further, fractionated, and assayed by connecting columns containing Sephadex LH-20 to the sample line of an automated system for fluorometric assay. With this procedure, a sample can be fractionated and assayed every 45 min.
An electromagnetic metronome with a tactile response

This paper explains the circuitry, significance, and benefits of an electromagnetic metronome that can be felt by an individual. Such an instrument would be especially applicable in the music industry, specifically for drummers and percussionists.
Neurohormonal Blockade in Heart Failure

The development of neurohormonal blockers in non-ischemic and post-MI left ventricular dysfunction is one of the success stories of cardiovascular pharmacology. Neurohormonal blockade in reduces symptoms of heart failure, reverses cardiac remodeling and improves survival and therefore is mainstay in the management of heart failure (HF) and with ‘pay-for-performance’ expectations for physicians, HF patients are expected to be considered for therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), beta-blockers and aldosterone receptor blockers. In the chapter we discuss randomized clinical trials and other reports that provide evidence for neurohormonal blockade, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, beta-blockade and aldosterone-receptor blockade, in ACC/AHA stage B-C HF.
Endovascular Stroke Treatment Outcomes After Patient Selection Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Criteria

Importance Which imaging modality is optimal to select patients for endovascular stroke treatment remains unclear. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical criteria in the selection of patients with acute ischemic stroke for thrombectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants In this observational, single-center, prospective cohort study, we studied 72 patients with middle cerebral artery or terminal internal carotid artery occlusion using computed tomographic angiography, followed by core infarct volume determination by diffusion weighted MRI, who underwent thrombectomy after meeting institutional criteria from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2014. In this period, 31 patients with similar ischemic strokes underwent endovascular treatment without MRI and are categorized as computed tomography only and considered in a secondary analysis. Interventions Patients were prospectively classified as likely to benefit (LTB) or uncertain to benefit (UTB) using diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volume and clinical criteria (age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, time from onset, baseline modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score, life expectancy). Main Outcomes and Measures The 90-day mRS score, with favorable defined as a 90-day mRS score of 2 or less. Results Forty patients were prospectively classified as LTB and 32 as UTB. Reperfusion (71 of 103 patients) and prospective categorization as LTB (40 of 103 patients) were associated with favorable outcomes ( P P P P = .86). Favorable outcomes were obtained in 21 (52.5%) and 8 (25.0%) of LTB and UTB patients who were treated, respectively ( P = .02). Favorable outcomes were observed in 20 of the 27 LTB patients (74.1%) who had successful reperfusion compared with 8 of the 24 UTB patients (33.3%) who had successful reperfusion ( P = .004). The ratio of treated to screened patients was 1:3. Conclusions and Relevance Prospective classification as LTB by MRI and clinical criteria is associated with likelihood of favorable outcome after thrombectomy, particularly if reperfusion is successful. Selection of patients using MRI compares favorably with selection using computed tomographic techniques with the distinction that a higher proportion of screened patients were treated.
Dynamic fibroblast cytoskeletal response to subcutaneous tissue stretch ex vivo and in vivo.

Cytoskeleton-dependent changes in cell shape are well-established factors regulating a wide range of cellular functions including signal transduction, gene expression, and matrix adhesion. Although...
Growth hormone improves the resistance of thermally injured mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1.

Background: Growth hormone (GH) has been shown to promote wound healing and to improve protein metabolism in burned patients. Through immunomodulation, GH has also protected rats infected with Salmonella typhimurium and mice infected with Escherichia coli. In spite of advances in the management of patient care for those with thermal injuries, high mortality rates of burned patients as a result of infections are of special concern. An improvement in the resistance of burned patients to certain infections will make the beneficial role of GH very clear. In this study, therefore, the immunomodulating effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH) in thermally injured mice exposed to opportunistic herpesvirus infections were investigated. Methods: (1) Burned mice, exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), were treated subcutaneously with rhGH (4 mg/kg) and observed for 21 days to determine the protective antiviral effect of rhGH. (2) Because of reports describing a lack of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responsiveness in burned mice, the IFN-γ-producing ability of the splenic mononuclear cells (SMNC) from burned mice treated with rhGH was examined. (3) Because the generation of burn-associated suppressor macrophages that can inhibit the IFN-γ production by SMNC has been previously described, the suppressor cell activities of macrophages from burned mice treated with rhGH were examined. Results: After exposure to lethal amounts of HSV-1, mice treated with rhGH displayed a reduced mortalities rate comparec with control mice treated with saline. SMNC from burned mice treated with rhGH produced IFN-γ, whereas this cytokine was not produced by SMNC from burned mice treated with saline Also, an inhibition of the generation of burn-associated suppressor macrophages was displayed in hurned mice treated with rhGH. Conclusion: Exogenous administration of rhGH caused an improvement in the resistance of burned mice to HSV-I infec tion. In burned mice treated with rhGH, the impaired IFN-γ responsiveness was restored and the generation of burn-associated suppressor macrophages was inhibited. IFN-γ, a typical antiviral cytokine induced by rhGH through the regulation of the suppressor macrophage generation, may therefore play a role in the protection of burned mice infected with a lethal amount of HSV-I.
Biochemical suppression of tumor virus activity.

DNA and RNA polymerases and their templates play a central role in the control of gene expression. As an approach to a scientific chemotherapy to control nucleic acid-directed disease, we have used the highly purified RNA-directed DNA polymerase of the avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) as a test enzyme to search for inhibitors of DNA polymerase. Three kinds of inhibitors with different mechanisms of action were studied: 1) rifamycin SV derivatives; 2) polycyclic amines; and 3) homopolymers composed of 2’0-methyl and Z’-O-ethyl substituted poly(A), poly(U), poly(I), and poly(C). The biological activity in vitro and in vivo of these inhibitors and their mechanisms of action are discussed. Cancer 34:1427-1438, 1974.
Extremity preservation by combined modality therapy in sarcomas of the hand and foot: an analysis of local control, disease free survival and functional result.

Abstract A primary tumor arising in the hand or foot represents an uncommon presentation for patients with Ewing's sarcoma (ES) or soft tissue sarcoma (STS). While there exists considerable literature on the treatment of extremity sarcomas, very little deals specifically with lesions of the hand or foot. It remains controversial whether these lesions can be successfully treated with combined modality therapy which preserves the extremity and maintains function. From 1972 to 1979, 10 patients with sarcomas arising in the hand or foot were treated with combined modality therapy at the National Cancer Institute. Seven patients with ES of bone received local irradiation to 5000 rad and combination chemotherapy following an incisional biopsy. Three patients with STS received a gross tumor excision and local irradiation to 6000 rad. One STS patient also received combination chemotherapy. Local control was achieved in nine patients (90 %) with a follow-up of 30–119 months (median 56 months). These patients have complete or almost complete function of the treated extremity. Nine patients are alive with five patients remaining disease-free following the initial combined modality treatment. Two patients with Ewing's sarcoma relapsed (1 patient with both local and distant failure) at 26 and 58 months and were again rendered disease-free with surgery, total body irradiation and further chemotherapy. One patient relapsed for a second time, being disease-free from the first relapse for 30 months. We conclude that for selected patients with sarcomas arising in the hand or foot, combined modality therapy which leaves the extremity intact results in excellent local tumor control and preserves function. Careful treatment planning is an essential aspect of successful radiation therapy of a hand or foot primary. Our treatment recommendations are outlined. This approach is a viable alternative to amputation in these patients.
Ultrastructural evidence for ectoglycosyltransferase systems.

CONSIDERABLE biochemical evidence suggests that glycosyltransferases, in addition to being present in the Golgi apparatus1, are also located on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of a variety of normal and malignant cell types2–9. The enzymes catalyse the transfer of specific monosaccharide units from nucleotide sugar donors to appropriate glycoprotein or glycolipid acceptors. Presumably those in the Golgi play a major role in the biosynthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids1 while those at the plasma membrane (ectoglycosyltransferases) have been implicated in mechanisms for cell to cell adhesion, recognition and communication2–7; cell surface repair8 and for binding circulating oligosaccharides or glycoconjugates9. Although the biochemical evidence for the existence of ectoglycosyltransferases is compelling, it is not definitive. In this report, we use electron microscope (EM) autoradiography to demonstrate the plasma membrane localisation of a N-acetylneuraminic acid ectoenzyme system (ectosialyltransferase, EC 2.4.99.1; the enzyme together with cell surface acceptor molecules constitute the ectoenzyme system5). The results provide the first ultrastructural evidence for the presence of such a glycosyltransferase system at a cell surface.
The antibiotic support team--a successful educational approach to antibiotic stewardship.

ABSTRACTThe efficacy of an antibiotic support team (AST) has been demonstrated in both large teaching hospitals and smaller community hospitals. The usefulness of an AST in a medium-sized military hospital was investigated in the present study. Patients at least 18 years old hospitalized at the David Grant USAF Medical Center (DGMC) and receiving ≥1 of 17 specified antibiotics for ≥3 consecutive days were randomized to an educational intervention group or control group. Primary endpoints included antibiotic defined daily dose (DDD) per patient treatment course and days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) per patient. Fifty-two patients were analyzed from March to August 2006. DDD per patient treatment course was significantly lower in the intervention group, (6.7 ± 7.6 vs. 12.9 ± 16.3, p = 0.05). A trend toward fewer DOT per patient was seen in the intervention vs. control group. Implementation of an AST decreased the intensity of exposure to antibiotics.
On the equilibrium characterization of electrically drawn liquid menisci

Abstract Borzabadi and Bailey's measurements (1978) on pendant drops hanging at end of an electrified capillary tube are examined according to tip behavior. Six menisci have been selected for analysis under the assumption of a compatible excess back pressure which is externally effected. Within the context of an equilibrium theory of tip bifurcation, three are found to exist in an ordinary mode with the rest existing in a contrasting extraordinary mode.
Asymptotic elastic Green's tensor

The Green’s function for the acoustic wave equation has been an essential ingredient in obtaining frequency inversion formulas in the acoustic limit (Cohen and Bleistein, 1979; Clayton and Stolt, 1981; Beylkin, 1985; Cohen et al., 1986; Bleistein et al., 1987). Similarly, the Green’s tensor is required for inversions based on the elastic wave equations. Indeed, Kuo and Dai (1984) and Dai and Kuo (1986) have already used an approximation to this tensor to derive a migration result for two‐component seismic data in the case of a homogeneous medium.
Onion skin as a radiation monitor

Abstract The ESR spectra of the dry, outer skin of onion, red onion, garlic, and shallot were measured before and after irradiation. In all spectra only a single resonance (g = 2.00) was observed. The ESR signal intensity increased with absorbed dose, however, the radiation-induced signal decayed slowly with time. It was concluded that the outer skin of these foods are not suitable as a long-term postirradiation monitor.
Ionic tracer movement through a wyoming snowpack

Abstract A meltwater ionic pulse with initial concentrations of 5–10 or more times the average was observed in lysimeters set at the base of a 2-m snowpack in an unpolluted, alpine watershed. Both background chemical species and added tracers exhibited the initial pulse. About 10 days after the onset of meltwater release, solute concentrations collected in the lysimeters dropped to near the average snowpack level. Silica was elevated more than major ions in some initial lysimeter samples, which is evidence of a soil-water or overland-flow contribution. Lysimeter flow rates were equivalent to about 2 cm of melted snow per day, approximately equal to the daily melt estimated from a temperature-index model. Less than 10 per cent of the ionic-tracer mass applied to snow directly above the lysimeters was present in the meltwater. Snow pits dug in an area adjacent to the lysimeters showed that ice lenses played a significant role in solute movement through the pack, influencing both solute depletion and horizontal vs vertical flow. Snow pits also showed depletion of at least 25–35 per cent of the solute mass during release of the first 10 per cent of meltwater.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for adults with severe aphasia: where we stand and how we can go further

Purpose: To review literature specific to the use of AAC with adults who have severe aphasia. Method: The authors reviewed studies involving AAC interventions for adults with severe aphasia. Result...
A validation study of a variable weighting algorithm for cluster analysis

De Soete (1986, 1988) proposed a variable weighting procedure when Euclidean distance is used as the dissimilarity measure with an ultrametric hierarchical clustering method. The algorithm produces weighted distances which approximate ultrametric distances as closely as possible in a least squares sense. The present simulation study examined the effectiveness of the De Soete procedure for an applications problem for which it was not originally intended. That is, to determine whether or not the algorithm can be used to reduce the influence of variables which are irrelevant to the clustering present in the data. The simulation study examined the ability of the procedure to recover a variety of known underlying cluster structures. The results indicate that the algorithm is effective in identifying extraneous variables which do not contribute information about the true cluster structure. Weights near 0.0 were typically assigned to such extraneous variables. Furthermore, the variable weighting procedure was not adversely effected by the presence of other forms of error in the data. In general, it is recommended that the variable weighting procedure be used for applied analyses when Euclidean distance is employed with ultrametric hierarchical clustering methods.
Utility Maximization as a Solution Promise, Difficulties, and Impediments

The distinction between economic and environmental values is, in part, the result of a historical accident in which economics separated itself from its roots in utilitarianism. Much of economics now concerns itself with what is priced easily, so it leaves out much of the value of natural resources. We can solve this problem by replacing monetary value, as the summary measure of what we seek, with the older concept of utility, or good, in the analysis of policy. Utility can include both that of natural resources and that of the goods we buy and sell. This change of approach has two problems, both potentially solvable. One is the difficulty of distinguishing people's good from their political aims. The second is the public resistance to utilitarian thinking, which will persist even if the first problem is solved, and which may require cultural change to overcome.
rtPA in acute ischemic stroke : The North American perspective

Pilot studies with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for acute ischemic stroke suggested that early clot lysis can be performed with acceptable safety. If thrombolytic recanalization of occluded arteries can be performed before the infarction process has been completed, it may reduce the degree of ischemic injury to the brain. The North American perspective on thrombolytic therapy with rtPA in acute ischemic stroke is derived largely from these early pilot studies and the results of the phase III trial conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke(NINDS) rtPA Stroke Study group.1 On the basis of the NINDS study results, in mid-1996 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. The FDA approval followed rapidly for treatment of patients within 3 hours after onset of acute ischemic stroke. This article reviews the design and results of that study and its impact on current attitudes toward the management of patients with acute ischemic stroke in North America. NINDS trial design. The NINDS trial was a phase III, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study conducted in eight centers in the United States. It was divided into two parts and enrolled a total of 624 patients in the combined study. The first part of the study was designed to assess whether patients receiving rtPA achieved significant early improvement in neurologic deficits compared to those receiving placebo. Early improvement was defined as complete resolution of the neurologic deficit or an improvement from baseline of 4 or more points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 24 hours after the onset of stroke. The second, pivotal part of the NINDS trial was an outcomes study that assessed whether treatment with rtPA reduced the chance of disability in those receiving rtPA compared with those receiving placebo measured …
Attention, extraversion, and stimulus-personality congruence

In this study Ss classified as extraverts, ambiverts or introverts on the Maudsley Personality Inventory looked at photographs rated as extravert, ambivert, or introvert for as long as they wished. It was hypothesized that there would be a tendency for Ss to look relatively longer at pictures congruent with their personality characteristic. Support for this hypothesis was found in a significant picture by personality interaction. Extraverts clearly looked longer at extravert pictures and introverts showed a very s light preference for introvert pictures. Ambivert pictures were looked at the longest by all groups. This high looking time for ambivert pictures and the small difference between the looking time at extravert and introvert pictures by introvert Ss is explained in terms of greater complexity of the ambivert and extravert pictures used in this experiment.
Host community acceptance of foreign tourists: Strategic considerations

Abstract The reported empirical study assessed anticipated reactions to foreign visitors in an area being considered for a tourism development program. Although a generally high level of acceptance was predicted by the residents, over 11% of the 846 respondents anticipated negative reactions within their residential community. Analysis of the possible relationships between twelve demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and their expectations concerning host community acceptance of tourists from foreign countries disclosed only one statistically significant relationship. Survey participants who reported living in urban areas assessed the community's probable reaction to foreign travellers most positively, while a movement away from urban centers was associated with more negative expectations.
Thermal sensitivity of isolated vagal pulmonary sensory neurons: Role of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptors

A recent study has demonstrated that increasing the intrathoracic temperature from 36°C to 41°C induced a distinct stimulatory and sensitizing effect on vagal pulmonary C-fiber afferents in anesthe...
Comparison study of lifetime measurement techniques

A comparison study was conducted between three different techniques used to resolve iron contamination in silicon. Fourteen 8-inch type Si wafers were implanted with iron at seven doses ranging from 1 by 108 to 1 by 1012 cm-2. All 14 wafers including monitors were processed through an RTP chamber at 1100 degrees C for 6 min. Oxide thickness was measured on an ellipsometer. The wafers were measured by optical and thermal activation SPV, then the wafers were split in two sets. One set of seven wafers was measured by ELYMAT and the other set was measured by (mu) -PCD. Two different passivation techniques were used for (mu) -PCD, oxide and ethanol-iodine passivation. At low implant dose all three techniques have limitations. However (mu) -PCD shows the highest lifetime. At high Fe concentrations all three techniques tend to agree.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemosensory function and diet in HIV-infected patients.

Alterations of chemosensory function have been noted in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, but their frequency, severity, and relationship to diet have not been adequately assessed. Odor and taste identification tests and a taste-intensity scaling task were administered to 25 men who were HIV-infected but otherwise healthy. Responses were compared to those of 49 comparably aged male control subjects. Dietary information was obtained by questionnaire. Although 72% of HIV-infected patients reported some chemosensory alteration, no significant differences in taste identification ability or intensity ratings were observed between patients and controls. Twelve percent of patients had poor odor identification scores, but the group mean was similar to that of controls. Neither measured nor self-reported sensory indices were significantly related to any variable of health (e.g., HIV helper cell (CD4) count, body weight, or body composition), treatment, or diet.
Metabolism of platelet-activating factor by blood platelets and plasma

High performance liquid chromatography in combination with a radioactivity detector was used to study the metabolism of platelet-activating factor (1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by washed platelets, platelet-free plasma and platelet-rich plasma obtained from rabbits and humans. Degradation of platelet-activating factor in plasma was completely inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate and was partially inhibited by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. Washed platelets metabolized platelet-activating factor not only to the 2-lyso compound but also, by reacylation of this lyso intermediate, to an analogue of platelet-activating factor probably containing a long-chain acyl group at thesn-2 position. These transformations occurred, but to a lesser extent, in platelet-rich plasma.
Quantification of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and parenchymal amyloid plaques with Congo red histochemical stain

In the current protocol, we describe the Congo red staining method and a method for separately quantifying vascular and parenchymal amyloid deposits in brain tissue sections. Congo red staining detects amyloid deposits in brain tissue of amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice and human Alzheimer's tissue. It detects compacted amyloid in a beta-sheet secondary structure and labels amyloid in both the brain parenchyma (amyloid plaques) and blood vessels. Congophilic amyloid in blood vessels is called cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). To date, analysis of CAA has largely used a severity rating scale, including both qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Here, we describe a simple method for quantifying total Congophilic staining and resolution of this staining into the parenchymal and vascular components based on morphological criteria. It is becoming increasingly important to separately quantify various components of the Alzheimer's pathology, given the advancement of amyloid-lowering therapies into clinical trials. The entire procedure for the Congo red staining can be performed at room temperature (20-25 degrees C) in a fume hood. The staining protocol should take 1 h 30 min including time for coverslipping slides. Time required for image analysis depends greatly on the number of samples being analyzed and the software being used. In our hands, 30 images can be collected per hour and quantified in a further 2 h.
An Update on the Epidemiology of Schizophrenia with a Special Reference to Clinically Important Risk Factors

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness which poses a tremendous burden on the families, caregivers and the society. The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated review of the epidemiology of schizophrenia with a special attention to the clinically important risk factors such as drug abuse, hormonal factors and the new advances in genetic research. The authors reviewed the literature with a special focus to the recent papers published from January 1970 to present. The prevalence of schizophrenia varied by ten-fold and the incidence of schizophrenia varied by five-fold among different studies. Significant advances in genetic research and DNA technology have been achieved over the past two decades and suggested substantial genetic etiology of schizophrenia. Extensive studies have been done with many variations in the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of schizophrenia among different studies.
The critically ill premature infant with patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary disease—an echocardiographic assessment

The effect of left-right shunting upon left ventricular and atrial dimensions was assessed by means of 129 serial echocardiographic studies in 37 premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus. The cardiac dimensions of asymptomatic premature infants and those with pulmonary disease were similar and served as control subjects. Left cardiac dimensions were enlarged in infants with significant PDA. Dimensions were greatest in surgically treated infants (post-operatively they returned rapidly to normal) in contrast with the persistent enlargement observed in some medically treated infants. Serial echocardiography was a valuable adjunct to clinical assessment of the course of PDA in premature infants with pulmonary disease.
Dimerization of the operator binding domain of phage .lambda. repressor

Dimerization of lambda repressor is required for its binding to operator DNA. As part of a continuing study of the structural basis of the coupling between dimer formation and operator binding, the authors have undertaken /sup 1/H NMR and gel filtration studies of the dimerization of the N-terminal domain of lambda repressor. Five protein fragments have been studied: three are wild-type fragments of different length (1-102, 1-92, and 1-90), and two are fragments bearing single amino acid substitutions in residues involved in the dimer interface (1-102, Tyr-88 ..-->.. Cys; 1-92, Ile-84 ..-->.. Ser). The tertiary structure of each species is essentially the same, as monitored by the /sup 1/H NMR resonances of internal aromatic groups. However, significant differences are observed in their dimerization properties. /sup 1/H NMR resonances of aromatic residues that are involved in the dimer contact allow the monomer-dimer equilibrium to be monitored in solution. The structure of the wild-type dimer contact appears to be similar to that deduced from X-ray crystallography and involves the hydrophobic packing of symmetry-related helices (helix 5) from each monomer. Removal of two contact residues, Val-91 and Ser-92, by limited proteolysis disrupts this interaction and also prevents crystallization. The Ile-84 ..-->.. Ser substitutionmore » also disrupts this interaction, which accounts for the severely reduced operator affinity of this mutant protein.« less
Using Linear Free Energy Relationship to Predict the Stability Constants of Aqueous Complexes of Metal-Organic Ligands

The Sverjensky-Molling linear free energy relationship was originally developed to correlate the Gibbs free energies of formation of an isostrutural family of solid phases to the thermodynamic properties of aqueous cations. In this paper, we demonstrate that the similar relationship also exists between metal complexes and simple metal cations in aqueous solutions. We extend the Sverjensky-Molling relationship to predict the Gibbs free energies of formation or dissociation constants for a family of metal complexes with a given complexing ligand. The discrepancies between the predicted and experimental data are generally less than 1.5 kcal/mol (or one log unit for stability constants). The use of this linear free energy correlation can significantly enhance our ability to predict the speciation, mobility, and toxicity of heavy metals in natural environments. According the obtained results, Gibbs free energies of formation of cations $$\left( {\Delta {\text{G}}_{\text{f}}^0,{{\text{M}}^{{\text{n}} +}}} \right)$$ can be used as an indicator for the hardness/softness of a metal cation (acid). The higher negative value of a metal cation, the harder acid it will be. It is logical to postulate that the coefficient a*ML characterizes the softness of a complexing ligand (base).
Prolongation of the QT interval in children with liver failure

Background: Alcoholic liver disease has been associated with QT prolongation and sudden cardiac death. Hypothesis: We evaluated children with hepatic failure to determine whether they have abnormalities of ventricular repolarization. Methods: Between October 1990 and January 1996, 38 pediatric patients (mean age 6.5 ± 7.2 years) underwent evaluation for liver transplantation, including a 12-lead electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. All patients had normal serum electrolytes, calcium, and magnesium at the time of cardiac evaluation and were not on any medications known to prolong repolarization. Follow-up electrocardiograms were performed on all survivors with QT prolongation following liver transplantation. Results: Among those evaluated, seven (18%) were noted to have a prolonged QT interval corrected for rate (QTc> 450 ms; range 460–560 ms). All had a structurally normal heart, except one with an atrial and ventricular septal defect. When compared with patients with a normal QT interval, there was no significant difference in serum indices of liver function or indication for liver transplantation. None of the patients developed a ventricular arrhythmia. Two patients with a prolonged QTc died prior to transplant and another died immediately after surgery. All four survivors had normalization of the QTc following liver transplantation. Conclusion: QTc prolongation can be seen in a significant number of children with hepatic failure. While the mechanism is not known, it appears to be reversible following liver transplantation.
The status of Pliocercus and Urotheca (Serpentes: Colubridae), with a review of included species of coral snake mimics

The generic name Urotheca Bibron, 1843 is revived for a group of Neotropical colubrid snakes diagnosed by a long, thickened but fragile tail and the presence of a specialized naked pocket on the asulcate surface of the hemipenial capitulum. Urotheca includes those species previously placed in the lateristriga group of the genus Rhadinaea and the coral snake mimics usually referred to the genus Pliocercus. The many names based upon the coral snake mimics are shown to represent two species at most: Urotheca elapoides, a bicolour (red and black) or tricolour (red, yellow and black) banded or ringed form found in Mexico and northern Central America and U. euryzona, which is usually bicolour (red, yellow or white and black) and ranges from Nicaragua to western Ecuador. Coloration in U. elapoides resembles closely that of sympatric species of venomous coral snakes. Local variation in coloration and a geographic trend in the colour of the light rings (usually red in the north, white to the south) in U. euryzona parallels similar colour variation in the sympatric venomous coral snake Micrurus mipartitus. These patterns of variation add strong support to the idea that the two species are mimics of the highly venomous coral snakes. Urotheca, including the non-mimetic species U. decipiens, U. fulmceps, U. guentheri, U. lateristriga, U. multilineata and U. pachyura, shares the characteristic of a very long and disproportionately thickened and fragile tail with the coral snake mimics of the distantly related genus Scapkiodontophis. Members of both genera have a very high proportion (about 50%) of the tails broken indicating a probable predator escape device. Breakage is intercentral, with a calcified cap developing over the tip of the distal surface of the new terminal vertebra unlike the situation in many lizards where there is an intracentral fracture septum and the tail is regenerated.
Electron microscopy investigation of carbonaceous particulate matter generated by combustion of fossil fuels

The morphology, microstructure, and composition of individual carbonaceous particles generated during combustion of coal, residual oil, and diesel fuel were investigated by various electron microscopy (EM) techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED)/dark-field imaging, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Carbonaceous components of all of these fossil-fuel-derived particulate matter (PM) samples contain ultrafine soot aggregates with fractal chain morphologies and spherical primary particles (sizes ∼30−50 nm) that exhibit a concentric arrangement of stacked graphitic layers around the particle center. Some submicrometer soot aggregates with larger primary particles (∼100−400 nm) were also found in coal-derived carbonaceous PM. Larger spherical or irregular-shaped porous char particles dominat...
Practical strategies for QKD key production

We present the quantum key distribution (QKD) secure key ratio expression in a form that exposes the parameters that affect the Reconciliation (error correction) stage. Reconciliation is the least well understood in practical terms and is typically described through a model that provides little guidance when it comes to efficient implementation, although it requires significant resources and is required to achieve a performance level commensurate with the other stages of the QKD protocol implementation. We addresses the issue of practical QKD error correction, questions of performance based on our data and data that have been published, and addresses the issue of platforms capable of handling rates of Gb/s.