cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teacher-Student Incongruence in Perceptions of School Equity: Associations with Student Connectedness in Middle and High Schools.

BACKGROUND School equity refers to the extent to which students are treated fairly, ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful. School staff can play a vital role in creating an equitable school climate for adolescents, but little is known about how staff perceive equity in their school and how this in turn may relate to students' perceptions. This study sought to explore congruence between teacher and student perceptions of school equity and how congruence or incongruence related to students' sense of connectedness to school. METHODS Data for the study came from the Maryland Safe and Supportive Schools Climate Survey, which was administered online to 5523 school staff and 59,218 students across 104 middle and high schools. RESULTS Multilevel models indicated that, compared to high staff and high student ratings, there was lower connectedness among the schools with low staff, low student ratings of equity as well as the schools with high staff, low student and low staff, high student ratings of equity. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that staff perceptions of school equity are often higher than students and incongruence in perceptions may have a negative impact on students' connection to school.
A Tribute to Dr. Jingzhu Zhao, Editor-in-Chief (2010-2021)

Dr. Jingzhu Zhao served as the Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology from 2010 to 2021. He was faithful to this journal and focused on editorial ...
Measuring the Process and Outcomes of Team Problem Solving

Although there is a strong legislative base and perceived efficacy for multidisciplinary team decision making, limited evidence supports its effectiveness or consistency of implementation in practice. In recent research, we used the Decision Observation, Recording, and Analysis (DORA) tool to document activities and adult behaviors during positive behavior support team meetings. In this study, we revised the DORA to provide evidence of the extent to which the solutions that teams developed were implemented with fidelity and associated with improvements in student behavior. Using trained observers, we documented decision making at 18 meetings in 10 schools where team members discussed a total of 44 problems. We found that scores on the Decision Observation, Recording, and Analysis–II (DORA-II) were acceptable indicators for documenting problem solving during team meetings and that they provided technically adequate information on the extent to which teams were assessing whether they had implemented a solut...
Immunopathogenesis of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypic antibody-mediated autoimmune disease and also the best characterized such disease: autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) cause the myasthenic manifestations (1–4). Anti-AChR T-cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MG, because they permit and modulate the synthesis of the high-affinity antibodies that cause AChR loss, damage of the NMJ, and failure of neuromuscular transmission. T-cells may even be the prime movers in MG pathogenesis, because activation of potentially self-reactive CD4+ T-cells, commonly present in healthy people, may trigger autoimmune responses. This might occur because of crossreactivity of self-reactive CD4+ T-cells with microbial antigens, or because of the action of microbial superantigens (5,6).
Educating for More (and Less) Than Intelligent Belief or Unbelief: A Critique of Noddings's Vision of Religion in Public Schools

In a landmark 1963 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court distinguished between the teaching of religion and teaching about religion in public schools. While the former involved an unconstitutional advocacy of religious belief, a curriculum that explored the historical and literary influences of religion — “when presented objectively as part of a secular program of education” — was both permissible and desirable.
Genetic rescue: a safe or risky bet?

Small and isolated populations face threats from genetic drift and inbreeding. To rescue populations from these threats, conservation biologists can augment gene flow into small populations to increase variation and reduce inbreeding depression. Spectacular success stories include greater prairie chickens in Illinois (Westermeier et al. ), adders in Sweden (Madsen et al. ) and panthers in Florida (Johnson et al. ). However, we also know that performing such crosses risks introducing genes that may be poorly adapted to local conditions or genetic backgrounds. A classic example of such 'outbreeding depression' occurred when different subspecies of ibex from Turkey and the Sinai were introduced to assist recovery of an ibex population in Czechoslovakia (Templeton ). Despite being fertile, the hybrids birthed calves too early, causing the whole population to disappear. In the face of uncertainty, conservation biologists have tended to respect genetic identity, shying away from routinely crossing populations. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Frankham () compiles empirical data from experimental studies to assess the costs and benefits of between-population crosses (Fig. ). Crosses screened to exclude those involving highly divergent populations or distinct habitats show large heterosis with few apparent risks of outbreeding depression. This leads Frankham to advocate for using assisted gene flow more widely. But do the studies analysed in this meta-analysis adequately test for latent outcrossing depression?
Guaranteed Performance State-Feedback Gain-Scheduling Control With Uncertain Scheduling Parameters

State-feedback gain-scheduling controller synthesis with guaranteed performance is considered in this brief. Practical assumption has been considered in the sense that scheduling parameters are assumed to be uncertain. The contribution of this paper is the characterization of the control synthesis that parameterized linear matrix inequalities (PLMIs) to synthesize robust gain-scheduling controllers. Additive uncertainty model has been used to model measurement noise of the scheduling parameters. The resulting controllers not only ensure robustness against scheduling parameters uncertainties but also guarantee closed-loop performance in terms of H2 and H1 performances as well. Numerical examples and simulations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the synthesized controller. Compared to other control design methods from literature, the synthesized controllers achieve less conservative results as measurement noise increases. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4031727]
DISPERSANT USE GUIDELINES FOR FEDERAL REGIONS IX AND X

ABSTRACT The Regional Response Teams in California, Oregon, and Washington have attempted to deal with the problem of providing rapid approval or denial of dispersant use requests during a major spill event. Realizing that the On-Scene Coordinator must act quickly in order for the dispersants to be effective, the RRT undertook a program to develop a system that would allow for approval or denial within four hours. The Regional Response Teams in Standard Federal Regions IX and X developed and implemented Dispersant Use Guidelines, from 1978 to the present, to enhance the regions’ capability to respond rapidly to requests for approval of dispersant use. The physical, chemical, and biological parameters associated with spilled oil and dispersants are evaluated in this procedure. A decision to use dispersants is based on balancing the possible contamination of the environment with other factors. Damages expected from spills not treated with dispersants are compared to damages which would be expected if the oi...
Re: "Appropriate responsibilities and actions of radiologists in radiologic accidents and crises".

m m m t ( t a t P m u BACKGROUND The 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attack increased our sensitivity to potential future terrorist attacks. There are more than 100,000 abandoned radioactive sources in the world, approximately 1,000 of which are strong enough to cause harm [1]. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that in the past decade, there have been about 300 incidents of attempted radioactive material smuggling worldwide [1], suggesting that potential terrorists will likely plan future radiologic attacks such as “dirty bombs.” Furthermore, several large-scale radiation accidents, such as the Chernobyl and Japanese nuclear power plant disasters, have had powerful immediate and long-term effects on the environment and detrimental yet uncertain long-term consequences to human health. The recent earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and the resultant radiation leakage from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, resulted in human cost as well as billions of dollars in the evacuation effort and abandonment of the devastated local farm industry. These current events serve as a continual reminder to the medical community of possibilities that would require a coordinated, sophisticated response. Members of the radiology community, including radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and technologists, have training and ongoing experience with the routine handling of radioactive materials, use of survey instruments, the appropriate containment and
Online and dynamic embeddings of approximate ultrametrics

In many network applications it would be useful for individual nodes to have knowledge of distances (e.g. latency or bandwidth) in the network. If every node stored all distances then it would take Ω(n2) space at every node, and furthermore when a new node joins it would have to send an Ω(n)-bit message to Ω(n) other nodes, for a total communication complexity of Ω(n2) per update. In this paper we consider a specific class of metrics, those obeying an e-three point condition, and show that by embedding these metrics into ultrametrics we can use only O(n) space at every node, have amortized communication complexity of O(n4/3) (allowing nodes to join and leave the network), and still estimate distances up to a (1+e)log n + 5-stretch factor.
FORMATION AND ROOTING OF ADVENTITIOUS SHOOTS IN HEVEA BRASILIENSIS

YOUNG PLANTS often differ both morphologically and physiologically from older plants of the same species. For example, immature trees of various species often have more thorns, greater vigor, and a more erect habit than mature plants (Furr et al., 1947) and different leaf shapes (Stoutemeyer, 1937). Numerous photoperiod-sensitive species do not respond to photoperiodic treatment when very young, and others which display marked sensitivity to day length when young, lose it with age (Naylor, 1953). Sometimes adventitious or "juvenile" shoots on older plants can be used for propagation, whereas cuttings from branches of mature trees root poorly if at all (Stoutemeyer, 1937; Dermen, 1948). The problem of juvenility is of particular interest in the Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. ex. Adr. Juss.) Muell. Arg.), in which cuttings from young trees regenerate roots readily, but cuttings from old trees do not root at all (Baptist, 1939; Muzik, 1953). The rubber tree generally is propagated by budding, but the effect of stock on yield is still unsettled (Dijkman, 1951). Stahel (1947) reported the rooting of cuttings from Hevea trees of seedling origin under a water spray. This paper describes methods to induce the development of adventitious shoots on seedlings and mature trees of Hevea brasiliensis and compares the rooting ability of these shoots to axillary shoots. Such studies are of fundamental interest in relation to the general phenomenon of juvenility in plants as well as of potential practical interest in developing uniform rootstocks for experimental purposes. The long first internode (epicotyl) in seedlings of Hevea brasiliensis has been described by Calvert (1887) and Petch (1911). The length of this internode is fairly constant within a population but mav vary from 12 to 23 cm. in mixed plantings. The buds at the first node are opposite but they are alternate on the rest of the stem, thus making it easy to distinguish this node. The first internode was very useful in the present study because any buds which sprouted in this region must necessarily be of adventitious origin. On ordinary stems it is often difficult to determine the exact origin of new sprouts. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-The stems of rubber seedlings from 3 weeks to 18 months of age were excised at various heights to stimulate bud sprouting. A similar study of grafted plants was also made. Mature clonal trees were laid horizontally
The A14 position of insulin tolerates considerable structural alterations with modest effects on the biological behavior of the hormone.

As part of our aim to investigate the contribution of the tyrosine residue found in the 14 position of the A-chain to the biological activity of insulin, we have synthesized six insulin analogues in which the A14 Tyr has been substituted by a variety of amino acid residues. We have selected three hydrophilic and charged residues—glutamic acid, histidine, and lysine—as well as three hydrophobic residues—cycloleucine, cyclohexylalanine, and naphthyl-(1)-alanine—to replace the A14 Tyr. All six analogues exhibit full agonist activity, reaching the same maximum stimulation of lipogenesis as is achieved with procine insulin. The potency for five of the six analogues, [A14 Glu]-, [A14 His]-, [A14 Lys]-, [A14 cycloleucine]-, and [A14 naphthyl-(1)-alanine]-insulins in receptor binding assays ranges from 40–71% and in stimulation of lipogenesis ranges from 35-120% relative to porcine insulin. In contrast, the potency of the sixth analogue, [A14 cyclohexylalanine]insulin, in both types of assays is less than 1% of the natural hormone. The retention time on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for the first five analogues is similar to that of bovine insulin, whereas for the sixth analogue, [A14 cyclohexylalanine]insulin, it is approximately 11 min longer than that of the natural hormone. This suggests a profound change in conformation of the latter analogue. Apparently, the A14 position of insulin can tolerate a wide latitude of structural alterations without substantial decrease in potency. This suggests that the A14 position does not participate directly in insulin receptor interaction. Only when a substitution which has the potential to disrupt the conformation of the molecule is made at this position, is the affinity for the receptor, and hence the biological potency, greatly reduced.
Exact simulation of continuous time Markov jump processes with anticorrelated variance reduced Monte Carlo estimation

We provide an exact, continuous time extension to previous work in anticorrelated stochastic process simulation that was performed in an approximate, discrete time setting. These methods reduce the variance of continuous time Monte Carlo for Markov jump process systems. We rigorously construct antithetic Poisson processes and analytically prove the negative correlation between pairs. We then show how these anticorrelated Poisson processes can be used to drive Markov jump processes via a random time change representation. Finally, we provide a sufficient condition for variance reduction in the jump process context as well as demonstrate a simple example.
Telemetry Monitoring during Transport of Low‐risk Chest Pain Patients from the Emergency Department: Is It Necessary?

Background: Low-risk emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain (CP) are often transported by nurses to monitored beds on telemetry monitoring, diverting valuable resources from the ED and delaying transport. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that transporting low-risk CP patients off telemetry monitoring is safe. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, observational cohort of ED patients with low-risk chest pain (no active chest pain, normal or nondiagnostic electrocardiogram, normal initial troponin I) admitted to a non–intensive care unit monitored bed who were transported off telemetry monitor by nonclinical personnel. A protocol allowing transportation of low-risk CP patients off telemetry monitoring to a monitored bed was developed, and an ongoing daily log of patients transported off telemetry was maintained for the occurrence of any adverse events en route to the floor. Adverse events requiring treatment included dysrhythmias, hypotension, syncope, and cardiac arrest. The study population included patients who presented during September– October 2004, whose data were abstracted from the medical records using standardized methodology. A subset of 10% of the medical records were reviewed by a second investigator for interrater reliability. Death, syncope, resuscitation, and dysrhythmias during transport or immediately on arrival to the floor were the outcomes measured. Descriptive statistics and confidence intervals (CIs) were used in data analysis. Results: During the study period, 425 patients had CP of potentially ischemic origin, of whom 322 (75.8%) were low risk and met the inclusion criteria and were transported off monitors. Their mean (6standard deviation) age was 58.3 (616.0) years; 48.1% were female. During transport from the ED, there was no patient with any adverse events requiring treatment and there was no death (95% CI ¼ 0% to 0.93%). Conclusions: Transportation of low-risk ED chest pain patients off telemetry monitoring by nonclinical personnel to the floor appears safe. This may reduce diversion of ED nurses from the ED, helping to alleviate nursing shortages. Key words: low-risk; telemetry; transport; emergency medicine; chest pain; nursing shortage. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2005; 12:965–969.
Glycation of Glutamate Cysteine Ligase by 2-Deoxy-d-Ribose and its Potential Impact on Chemoresistance in Glioblastoma

The antioxidant glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis but in tumors the GSH biosynthetic pathway is often dysregulated, contributing to tumor resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting reaction in GSH synthesis, and enzyme function is controlled by GSH feedback inhibition or by transcriptional upregulation of the catalytic (GCLC) and modifier (GCLM) subunits. However, it has recently been reported that the activity of GCLC and the formation of GCL can be modified by reactive aldehyde products derived from lipid peroxidation. Due to the susceptibility of GCLC to posttranslational modifications by reactive aldehydes, we examined the potential for 2-deoxy-d-ribose (2dDR) to glycate GCLC and regulate enzyme activity and GCL formation. 2dDR was found to directly modify both GCLC and GCLM in vitro, resulting in a significant inhibition of GCLC and GCL enzyme activity without altering substrate affinity or feedback inhibition. 2dDR-mediated glycation also inhibited GCL subunit heterodimerization and formation of the GCL holoenzyme complex while not causing dissociation of pre-formed holoenzyme. This PTM could be of particular importance in glioblastoma (GBM) where intratumoral necrosis provides an abundance of thymidine, which can be metabolized by thymidine phosphorylase (TP) to form 2dDR. TP is expressed at high levels in human GBM tumors and shRNA knockdown of TP in U87 GBM cells results in a significant increase in cellular GCL enzymatic activity.
Validation of Primed In Situ Labeling (PRINS) for Interphase Analysis: Comparative Studies with Conventional Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and Chromosome Analyses

Primed in situ labeling (PRINS) is a rapidly developing new technology with wide ranging clinical applications. To assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PRINS, we carried out a retrospective study on cultured bone marrow cells to detect aneuploidy for chromosomes 7, 8, and 12. The results were then compared to the results of previous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosome analyses (CA). In patients who showed aneuploidy with CA, both FISH and PRINS confirmed the aneuploidy in interphase cells. FISH and PRINS also showed excellent correlation with conventional cytogenetic analysis for the detection of mosaic aneuploidies. However, both FISH and PRINS showed significantly higher sensitivity in the detection of abnormal clones compared to CA. In 9 of the 17 cases, there were no significant differences in the detection rates between the two methods. Based on our studies, we conclude that PRINS is as sensitive as FISH in most cases for aneuploidy detection; and that PRINS, like FISH, is more sensitive than conventional CA for aneuploidy detection.
Linear Estimation of the Logistic Parameters for Complete or Tail-Censored Samples

Abstract In this paper we present the asymptotically best linear unbiased estimators for the location and scale parameters of the logistic distribution based on samples where there may be Type 2 censoring in the tails. Given the amount of censoring, the weights of the estimators can be expressed in simple closed forms. Comparisons of these with the best linear unbiased estimators and the Cramer-Rao lower bounds demonstrate that they have good efficiency even for small samples.
Development of Periplaneta Americana (L.) Cell Cultures and their Infection with Enteroviruses

Dispersed embryonic cells of the cockroach Periplaneta americana (L.) were maintained in vitro for over 7 months in a new culture medium. These cultures were infected with echo virus type 6, poliovirus type 1, and Coxsackie virus type B5, and assayed for periods of 3 to 7 days to determine the susceptibility of the cockroach cells to viral infection. None of the viruses were shown to replicate in these cell cultures, suggesting that the cockroach is merely a mechanical vector of the pathogens.
Non-enzymatic synthesis of the coenzymes, uridine diphosphate glucose and cytidine diphosphate choline, and other phosphorylated metabolic intermediates

Using urea and cyanamide, the two condensing agents considered to have been present on the primitive earth, uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG), cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline), glucose-1-phosphate (G1P), and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) were synthesized under simulated prebiotic conditions. The reaction products were separated and identified using paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography, enzymatic analyses, and ion-pair reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The possibility of nonenzymatic synthesis of metabolic intermediates on the primitive earth from simple precursors was thus demonstrated.
Parkinson's disease risks associated with dietary iron, manganese, and other nutrient intakes.

Background: Dietary influences on oxidative stress have been thought to play important role in the etiology of PD. Objective: To examine associations of PD with dietary nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, and fats. Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted among newly diagnosed case (n = 250) and control subjects (n = 388) identified between 1992 and 2002 from enrollees of the Group Health Cooperative health maintenance organization in western Washington state. Controls were frequency matched to cases on sex and age. In-person interviews elicited data on food frequency habits during most of adult life. Nutrient intakes were calculated and analyzed by adjusting each person’s nutrient intake by their total energy intake (the nutrient density technique). Results: Subjects with an iron intake in the highest quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile had an increased risk of PD (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.7, trend p = 0.016). There was an apparent joint effect of iron and manganese; dietary intake above median levels of both together conferred a nearly doubled risk compared with lower intakes of each nutrient (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.9). No strong associations were found for either antioxidants or fats. Conclusion: A high intake of iron, especially in combination with high manganese intake, may be related to risk for PD.
Use of Follow-Up Imaging in Isolated Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage A Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose—Multiple studies have shown that negative computed tomographic angiograms (CTAs) are reliable in excluding aneurysms in patients with isolated perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (pSAH). We evaluate the use of digital subtraction angiography versus CTA for initial diagnosis and of angiographic follow-ups in patients with pSAH by performing an institutional analysis and a meta-analysis of literature. Methods—Retrospective institutional analysis of patients with pSAH was performed from 2008 to 2014. The number and types of follow-up imaging studies were tabulated. Initial and follow-up studies were evaluated by an experienced neuroradiologist for intracranial aneurysm. Meta-analysis of literature was performed to assess the use of initial digital subtraction angiography and of follow-up imaging. Results—Our institutional review revealed no additional use of initial digital subtraction angiography or of any angiographic follow-up after initial negative CTA in patients with pSAH o...
The separability axiom and equal-sharing methods

A quasi-linear social choice problem is defined as selecting one (among finitely many) indivisible public decision and a vector of monetary transfers among agents to cover the cost of this decision. This decision is based upon individual preferences, which are assumed to be additively separable and linear in money. The Separability axiom is a consistency property for choice methods on societies with variable size: the decision is not affected if we remove an arbitrary agent under the condition that he be guaranteed his original utility level and the cost to the remaining agents is modified accordingly. Thus the utility level assigned by the social choice function to agent i is the price at which the other agents are unanimously willing to buy agent is share of the decision power. A general characterization of choice methods satisfying this axiom is provided. Three subclasses of particular interest are characterized by additional milder axioms. Those are: (i) equal sharing of the surplus left over some reference utility (e.g., the utility at a status quo decision), (ii) utilitarian methods that merely select the efficient public decision and perform no monetary transfers, and (iii) equal allocation of nonseparable costs, which divides equally the surplus left over from the utility derived from the pivotal mechanism (also known as the Vickrey-Clarke-Groves mechanism).
Building a learning healthcare organisation by fostering organisational learning through a process centric view of Knowledge Management

The US healthcare system needs to be redesigned into an intelligent health system that maximises technology and utilises valuable knowledge assets for which healthcare organisations must become learning organisations. The objective of this paper is to provide a link between the principles of organisational learning and Knowledge Management (KM) to build learning healthcare organisations. The major thrust is that the human side of the organisation must lead the initiative and not the other way around. The paper distinguishes organisational learning as a structure laying foundation for learning, and learning organisation as a process for maintaining and perpetuating learning in the organisation, supported by incorporating a process centric view of KM, realised its establishment. Moreover, healthcare is a knowledge intensive industry, KM is an integral component in building learning healthcare organisation.
Illinoian-Wisconsinan Pleistocene Deposits at Eaton, Ohio

Detailed examination of Pleistocene deposits along Seven Mile Creek in Eaton, Ohio, reveals that the exposure contains an Illinoian till and a previously undescribed Sangamon paleosol. The sequence described indicates that the area had been covered by three glacial advances during Wisconsin time rather than two advances, as previously supposed. The paleosol and the basal Wisconsinan drift are correlative with the glacial sequence of southeastern Indiana.
Electrocardiographic diagnosis of postinfarction regional pericarditis. Ancillary observations regarding the effect of reperfusion on the rapidity and amplitude of T wave inversion after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUNDThe ECG recognition of diffuse pericarditis following acute myocardial infarction has been based on changes of the ST segment and, to a lesser extent, alterations of the PQ segment. No ECG criteria exist for the diagnosis of postinfarction regional pericarditis. Recently, it was observed that the T wave evolution follows an atypical pattern before fatal free wall rupture and that this pattern is due to the associated pericarditis. Therefore, this study was conducted on 200 patients with acute myocardial infarction to further elucidate the sensitivity and specificity of the atypical T wave changes in patients with regional postinfarction pericarditis without rupture and to assess the affect of lytic treatment on the rapidity and amplitude of postinfarction T wave evolution.METHODS AND RESULTSAn analysis of the clinical courses and serial ECGs of 200 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction was performed. Among 43 patients with postinfarction pericarditis, the pattern of T wave evolut...
Simultaneous free-convection heat and mass transfer in laminar boundary layers

Abstract A boundary-layer analysis is given for simultaneous free-convection heat and mass transfer in steady laminar flows. Heat, mass, and momentum transfer rates are calculated for the vertical flat plate at finite Prandtl and Schmidt number, and for three-dimensional bodies in the limit of high Prandtl and Schmidt numbers. Aiding and opposed buoyant forces are considered, and an approximate procedure for predicting the onset of flow separation is offered. These results are used to develop improved correlations for predicting heat, mass, and momentum transfer coefficients.
Excitatory amino acid receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius mediate the responses to the stimulation of cardio-pulmonary vagal afferent C fiber endings.

Abstract Stimulation of cardio-pulmonary vagal afferent C fiber endings by right atrial injections of phenylbiguanide (PBG, 40 μg/kg) elicited apnea, bradycardia and hypotension. These responses were abolished by bilateral vagotomy low in the neck. Stimulation of neurons in a specific nucleus tractus solitarius site (0.5 mm rostral, 0.5 mm lateral and 0.5 mm deep with reference to the calamus scriptorius) by injections of L -glutamate produced responses similar to those following the stimulation of cardio-pulmonary vagal afferent C fiber endings by PBG. Inhibition of neurons in this NTS site by injections of muscimol abolished the responses to PBG. Specific blockade of NMDA receptors by microinjections of AP-7 (100 pmol) or non-NMDA receptors (KA and AMPA) by injections of DNQX (10–25 pmol) into this NTS site did not block the responses to PBG. Microinjections of kynurenic acid (1–4 nmol) into this NTS site blocked the responses to right atrial injections of PBG. These results indicate that: (1) blockade of either NMDA receptors or non-NMDA receptors (KA and AMPA) alone in the above-mentioned NTS site does not abolish the responses to the stimulation of cardio-pulmonary vagal afferent C fiber endings; (2) it is necessary to block NMDA as well as non-NMDA receptors in this NTS site for abolishing the responses to the stimulation of these nerve endings.
Determination of heavy metals in pharmaceutical chemicals.

The official heavy metals tests have been criticized on a number of points, among which are failure to compensate for sample color, difficulty in the visual discrimination of extremely light colors, and nonuniformity of conditions. A scheme is suggested for standardizing conditions, with provision for sample color compensation through photoelectric measurements. The method essentially involves preparation of the sample solution by treatment according to functionality and solubility of the substance, adjustment of the pH to between 3 and 4 before addition of hydrogen sulfide, and photoelectric measurement with compensation for a sample blank. Accuracy of recoveries within 2 p.p.m. of added lead in final concentrations from 1 to 30 p.p.m. have been obtained with 37 typical pharmaceutical chemicals.
Can a Computer Produce and Critique Art

cal equations have graphical solutions of incredible beauty and diversity. The diversity comes from the choice of parameters in the equations. These parameters are like settings on a combination lock, each opening a door to a different image. However, it is difficult to predict what each image will look like without actually producing it, and most of the images are not interesting. Without additional guidance, a computer is almost as unlikely to produce good art as a monkey with a typewriter is to produce good literature. For a decade I have been developing programs to increase the likelihood that computer-generated images will have aesthetic appeal. For example, the solutions to certain nonlinear equations behave chaotically, exhibiting sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Their solutions are fractals-geometric objects of infinite detail and self-similarity. These chaotic systems consist of strange attractors, as shown in Color Plate B No. 2.
Interconversions of 16-oxygenated estrogens. II. The metabolism of 16-ketoestradiol-17β-16-C14 in man

Abstract 16-Ketoestradiol-17β-16-C 14 was administered to two human subjects. About 65% of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine within 24 hr. largely in the form of glucuronide conjugates. Virtually the entire radioactive glucuronide fraction consisted of 16-ketoestradiol-17β, estriol, and 16-epiestriol, the respective ratios being 1:2.6:0.6.
Serum and erythrocytic magnesium levels in congestive heart failure

Abstract Pretreatment serum and erythrocytic magnesium levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with congestive heart failure than in control subjects. The erythrocytic sodium level also was lower. The low magnesium and sodium values may be the result of a dilutional intracellular effect or may reflect long term diuretic therapy and possibly diets low in magnesium and sodium. The administration of hydrochlorothiazide did not significantly affect serum or erythrocytic cation levels. Absence of the expected decrease in serum magnesium subsequent to the administration of hydrochlorothiazide may be due to the fact that the pretreatment serum levels were significantly lower than in normal subjects. It is suggested that, in patients with congestive heart failure, low serum and intracellular magnesium levels may contribute to the development of digitalis toxicity, even in the presence of normal serum potassium levels. Although the patients with congestive heart failure were normotensive, changes in diastolic blood pressure induced by hydrochlorothiazide correlated with changes in serum magnesium as well as with changes in the ratio of erythrocytic potassium to serum magnesium.
The role of ascorbic acid deficiency in human gingivitis—A new hypothesis

Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent health problems in the world and is the major cause of tooth loss in the adult population. Its two major subdivisions are gingivitis where disease is confined to the gingiva, and periodontitis where disease is present both in the gingiva and the supporting periodontal tissues. During the first stage there is a vasculitis of vessels subjacent to the junctional epithelium which is followed by exudation of fluid from the gingival sulcus and migration of leukocytes. There is variable expression of this stage throughout the mouth with new areas of involvement appearing in place of healed areas. Mast cells which are present in the gingival connective tissues may participate in this inflammatory response by liberating histamine. Ascorbic acid deficiency has been shown to be a conditioning factor in the development of gingivitis. When humans are placed on ascorbic acid deficient diets there is increased edema, redness and swelling of the gingiva. These changes have been attributed to deficient collagen production by gingival blood vessels. However, this may be due to an antihistamine role of ascorbic acid. This vitamin may act to directly detoxify histamine or effect a change in the level of enzymes responsible for histamine metabolism. This could occur through the influence of ascorbic acid in altering cyclic AMP (c-AMP) levels. Such changes in the level of this regulatory molecule could result in increased histamine-N-methyl transferase and other enzymes responsible for the breakdown of histamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The percutaneous ventricular assist device in severe refractory cardiogenic shock.

Objectives We evaluated the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) in patients in severe refractory cardiogenic shock (SRCS) despite intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and/or high-dose vasopressor support. Background SRCS is associated with substantial mortality despite IABP counterpulsation. Until recently, there was no rapid, minimally invasive means of providing increased hemodynamic support in SRCS. Methods A total of 117 patients with SRCS implanted with TandemHeart pVAD (CardiacAssist, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) were studied, of whom 56 patients (47.9%) underwent active cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately before or at the time of implantation. Data was collected regarding clinical characteristics, hemodynamics, and laboratory values. Results Eighty patients had ischemic and 37 patients had nonischemic cardiomyopathy. The average duration of support was 5.8 ± 4.75 days. After implantation, the cardiac index improved from median 0.52 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8) l/(min·m 2 ) to 3.0 (IQR: 0.9) l/(min·m 2 ) (p Conclusions The pVAD rapidly reversed the terminal hemodynamic compromise seen in patients with SRCS refractory to IABP and vasopressor support.
Use of the placental perfusion model to evaluate transplacental passage of Trypanosoma cruzi

Objective To determine whether Trypanosoma cruzi could be identified in placental cells in vitro and in placental tissue using a human ex vivo perfusion model. Study design A placental cell line was incubated with trypomastigotes for progressive time periods. Trypomastigotes were also infused as a bolus into the maternal circulation of a placental perfusion model. Maternal and fetal perfusates, and placental tissue, were analyzed for parasitic DNA using polymerase chain reaction; perfused specimens were also examined histologically. Results Intracytoplasmic amastigotes were identified in trophoblast of the incubated cell line by 24–48 hours. Following placental perfusion, T cruzi DNA was identified in all postinoculation maternal perfusate samples and postinoculation placental tissue specimens; preinoculation controls were negative. Conclusion This is the first description of the use of the human placental perfusion model to study congenital Chagas' disease, including the presence and time course of early parasitic invasion of the placenta.
Prevalence of microalbuminuria in children with sickle cell disease.

Renal involvement is common in homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS), including glomerular hypertension and hypertrophy similar to that seen in rodent models of ablative nephrectomy and stage I diabetic nephropathy (DN). The proteinuria in the rodent models is attenuated by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI). Microalbuminuria (MA) is a sensitive marker for renal involvement in DN prior to the development of proteinuria, and is also attenuated with ACEI. Elevated urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratios (U Alb/Cr) >20 mg/g Cr are reported in 39%–43% of adults with HbSS, and studies are ongoing in this age group to assess the effect of attenuated proteinuria by ACEI on long-term renal function. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the prevalence of MA in children with HbSS and determine factors which affect its expression. U Alb/Cr values were measured on spot urine samples in 102 children (aged 2–18 years, mean 9.47±4.62, M:F=53:49) by rate nephelometry. Children with prior known proteinuria, hypertension, or fever/pain episode in the last 15 days were excluded. MA was present in 26.5% of all children with HbSS. However, in children between the ages of 10 and 18 years, the prevalence was 46% (similar to the prevalence in adults). There was a strong correlation between patient age and prevalence of MA (P<0.0001) by both univariate and multivariate analysis. However, pain frequency, hospitalization, transfusion program, ferritin levels, and Cr clearance (CCr) did not correlate with prevalence, although CCr (as estimated by Schwartz formula) was elevated in all. We conclude that the prevalence of MA in the 2nd decade of life is similar to that in adults.
Impact of preovulatory estradiol concentrations on conceptus development and uterine gene expression

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of altering preovulatory estradiol concentrations, through manipulation of length of proestrus, on peripheral progesterone concentrations, conceptus development, interferon tau (IFNT) production and uterine gene expression in cattle. Approximately 6 days after a time-synchronized ovulation, all antral follicles (≥5 mm) were ablated from the ovaries in beef heifers. To manipulate preovulatory estradiol concentrations, the length of proestrus prior to the GnRH-induced LH surge was altered between treatments. Heifers were administered PGF(2α) either -2.5 days (2.5 days of proestrus; HiE2; n=5) or -1.5 days (1.5 days of proestrus; LoE2; n=5) prior to GnRH (Day 0 of the experiment; 6.75 days after follicle ablation). Follicular dynamics and estradiol concentrations were evaluated during proestrus and progesterone concentrations were analyzed in the subsequent estrous cycle. On Day 7, embryos were transferred into all heifers using standard procedures. On Day 15.5 heifers were slaughtered, the reproductive tract was flushed to collect the conceptus and uterine flush media, and the uterine tissue was processed for subsequent analyses. Peripheral progesterone concentrations, conceptus development and IFNT production were similar between treatments. However, amount of nuclear progesterone receptor in the deep glandular epithelium and mRNA concentrations for estradiol receptor alpha (ESR1) in the uterine endometrium were less in the LoE2 than HiE2 treatment. These changes in uterine characteristics in heifers with lower preovulatory estradiol concentrations were not related to aspects of conceptus development monitored, however, it is speculated that the alterations in mRNA and receptor protein detected may contribute to pregnancy failure subsequent to day 15.5 of gestation.
Pressure drop for cocurrent downflow of gas‐solids suspensions

Pressure drop for a gas-solids suspension flowing concurrently downward in a 13-mm inside-diameter tube was investigated using 329-micron spherical glass beads in air. The gas Reynolds number varied from 0 to 30,000 with solids-loading ratios of up to 20 at a gas Reynolds number of 10,000. The frictional pressure drop for downflow was found to be a weaker function of the solids-loading ratio than the upflow case using data reported in the literature. Empirical correlation of the two-phase friction factor, in terms of the gas Reynolds number and a dimensionless parameter, CDEPD/[(1 – Ep)dp], showed that at high solids loadings, particles tend to stabilize the suspension flow. The dimensionless parameter seems to be applicable to a universal pressure drop correlation for solids-fluid systems, but requires further investigation.
Convergence properties of trust region methods for linear and convex constraints

We develop a convergence theory for convex and linearly constrained trust region methods which only requires that the step between iterates produce a sufficient reduction in the trust region subproblem. Global convergence is established for general convex constraints while the local analysis is for linearly constrained problems. The main local result establishes that if the sequence converges to a nondegenerate stationary point then the active constraints at the solution are identified in a finite number of iterations. As a consequence of the identification properties, we develop rate of convergence results by assuming that the step is a truncated Newton method. Our development is mainly geometrical; this approach allows the development of a convergence theory without any linear independence assumptions.
Utility of p63 in the differential diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma and spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCSCC) and spindle cell melanoma are the primary entities in the differential diagnosis of a cytologically atypical spindle cell tumor arising on sun-damaged skin. AFX is generally regarded as a diagnosis of exclusion in this context: in the absence of S100 or keratin reactivity, a diagnosis of AFX is favored. However, keratin reactivity may be focal or even absent in SCSCC, and although numerous positive markers of AFX have been proposed, none has shown sufficient sensitivity and specificity for routine diagnostic use. We evaluated 20 AFX and 10 SCSCC with a panel of cytokeratins and p63 to assess the utility of the latter antibody in this differential diagnosis. All 10 SCSCC showed strong expression of p63, whereas all 20 AFX were p63 negative. Two additional cases (excluded from the study) were negative for keratins and S100 on initial shave biopsies, resulting in a favored diagnosis of AFX, but p63 stains performed retrospectively were positive. However, review of the excision specimens in both cases revealed deep subcutaneous extension, excluding AFX. p63 reactivity argues against the diagnosis of AFX and is therefore a useful addition to the standard immunohistochemical panel for cutaneous spindle cell neoplasms.
A new nanocomposite resist for low and high voltage electron beam lithography

A novel nanocomposite photoresist was synthesized and characterized for use in both low and high voltage electron beam lithography. This resist system is shown to display the ideal combination of both enhanced etch resistance and enhanced sensitivity required to satisfy both low and high voltage patterning applications. Resist sensitivity was enhanced by the direct incorporation of a photoacid generating monomer into the resist polymer backbone while the etch resistance of the material was improved by copolymerization with a POSS containing monomer.
Direct Mapping of Ion Diffusion Times on LiCoO2 Surfaces with Nanometer Resolution

The strong coupling between the molar volume and mobile ion concentration in ionically-conductive solids is used for spatially-resolved studies of ionic transport on the polycrystalline LiCoO2 surface by time-resolved spectroscopy. Strong variability between ionic transport at the grain boundaries and within the grains is observed, and the relationship between relaxation and hysteresis loop formation is established. The use of the strain measurements allows ionic transport be probed on the nanoscale, and suggests enormous potential for probing ionic materials and devices.