cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid Product Analysis for the Electroreduction of CO2 on Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalysts Using a Rotating Ring Detector

Here, we demonstrate that small molecules such as H2, CO, HCOO− and their mixtures, generated from the electroreduction of CO2 (CO2RR), can be detected and quantified on a rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE). We describe a series of systematic calibration protocol to quantify CO2RR products on four model electrocatalysts (Pt, Au, Sn, [NiII(cyclam)]2+). In an RRDE assembly, products generated at the disc are convectively transported and detected at the ring detector before diffusing into the bulk solution, circumventing the need for product pre-concentration. As the electrochemical fingerprints of these small molecules and their mixtures on the Pt detector are unique, RRDE also excludes the need for separation. Thus, using the rotating ring detector significantly minimizes the time delay between product generation and detection compared to conventional techniques such as GC, LC and NMR. An RRDE allows faster screening of catalysts that can help accelerate catalyst discovery for CO2RR. It also enables time-dependent mechanistic studies of CO2RR catalysis.
With crisis comes opportunity: Building ethical competencies in light of COVID-19

The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has wide-ranging implications for the field of professional psychology. As clinical practice has rapidly adapted to ensure continui...
What is the Impact of Non-Randomness on Random Choice Models?

Problem definition. This paper examines the impact of non-randomness on random choice models, and then studies various operations problems under the new discrete choice models. Academic/Practical Relevance. The literature often assumes that the random utility components follow some i.i.d. distribution. This assumption may be too restrictive in some real-world scenarios, because for example some consumers may know well about attribute values for some product (which could also be the no-purchase option) that they have repeatedly purchased. Methodology. We adopt the random utility maximization framework, and characterize the choice probabilities when the utility of some alternative is deterministic. The log-likelihood function is still jointly concave; the EM algorithm is developed to overcome the missing data issue. Results. Surprisingly, if the utility of a particular product is deterministic, the assortment problem is polynomial-time solvable; whereas if the utility of the no-purchase option is deterministic, the assortment problem is NP-hard. We show that the prices are product-invariant at optimality and use this result to simplify the multi-product pricing problems. Managerial Implications. Empirical study on real data shows that incorporating non-randomness into random choice models can increase model fitting and prediction accuracy. Failure of accounting for the impact of non-randomness on random choice models may result in substantial losses.
Distal Tibial Plafond Allograft Transplant for Anterior Shoulder Instability

Anterior shoulder instability is a relatively common condition particularly in the athletic population. It can lead to alterations in shoulder mechanics that can cause significant restrictions for patients. This condition becomes particularly difficult to treat in the revision setting. A handful of widely accepted procedures to address anterior shoulder instability have been described. Distal tibial allograft for anterior shoulder instability in the setting of large glenoid loss and revision cases has been shown to be on par with other graft types. In this chapter we will discuss a technique of distal tibia allograft use for anterior shoulder instability cases.
Evaluation of the efficacy and treatment sequence of paclitaxel and gemcitabine-loaded microparticles in a serous-like endometrial cancer cell line: a novel treatment strategy

Objectives: Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) presents a clinical challenge due its propensity to present at advanced stages, high recurrence rate and development of chemoresistance. The majority of patients with advanced disease will progress or recur following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. As a result, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based (PLGA) microparticles (MP) are a promising tool for delivery of chemotherapy due to prolonged drug elution over a period of several weeks, offering the benefit of sustained anti-cancer activity in the target tissue while limiting systemic toxicity. This is an attractive treatment strategy for USC, which can be accessed vaginally, allowing for the delivery of drug-loaded MP directly to the tumor. Previous work demonstrates paclitaxel and gemcitabine can be successfully loaded to PLGA-MP for drug delivery. Methods: The human endometrial cancer (EC) cell line KLE, representing a poorly differentiated serous-like EC was obtained from ATCC. Cells were treated with paclitaxel-loaded MP only (PMP), gemcitabine-loaded MP only (GMP), PMP-GMP sequence (PG), GMP-PMP sequence (GP) and PMP-GMP delivered concurrently (C). Blank MP (BMP) were used as control for each treatment. Cells were then collected at 6-days post-treatment for isolation of protein and assessment of cytotoxicity by cell viability assay. Protein lysates were analyzed for expression of multiagent chemoresistance protein AXL and paclitaxel resistance protein beta III tubulin (TUBB3) and apoptotic protein cleaved-PARP by Western Blot. Results: We observed morphologic changes and a decrease in cell density in all treatment regimens versus controls. These changes were most marked in the two-drug combination regimens. A significant increase in cleaved-PARP was observed in all treatments compared to controls. Chemoresistance proteins AXL and TUBB3 were not expressed in controls. AXL expression was increased in all treatment regimens. TUBB3 expression was significantly greater in PMP and GP regimens compared to PG (p=0.05). All treatment regimens were associated with a significantly decrease in cell viability versus controls (p Download : Download high-res image (106KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: PMP and GMP demonstrated significant cytotoxicity in a serous-like EC cell line. Concurrent PMP-GMP administration elicited the greatest decrease in cell viability. TUBB3 expression was markedly less when cells received PG, indicating the sequence of paclitaxel followed by gemcitabine may counteract paclitaxel resistance observed with single agent paclitaxel and alternate sequencing. Chemotherapy delivered via MP is an attractive treatment strategy for advanced and recurrent USC. Future in vivo studies are needed to validate this new treatment approach.
Initial experience of subcutaneous nitroglycerin for distal transradial access in neurointerventions

Background Transradial access (TRA) for diagnostic and interventional neuroendovascular procedures has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its improved safety profile and appeal to patients compared with transfemoral access. However, risks of TRA include hand ischemia in cases of poor ulnar collateral circulation and inability to cannulate the radial artery due to its relatively small diameter. By accessing the radial artery distal to the superficial palmar arch where ulnar collateral blood flow arises, in the anatomic snuffbox, the risk of hand ischemia is theoretically eliminated. The use of subcutaneous nitroglycerin and lidocaine to improve rates of success in radial artery access has been reported in the cardiac literature, however, has yet to be described for neurointerventional procedures. We discuss our technique and report our initial experience using subcutaneous nitroglycerin and lidocaine cocktail for access to the distal transradial artery in a variety of neuroendovascular procedures. Methods A retrospective review of our institution's database of neurointerventional and diagnostic procedures performed using dTRA was conducted, and 64 patients were identified between February and December 2020. Patient demographics, clinical data, procedural details, and radiographic information were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 64 patients underwent neurointerventional procedures using the subcutaneous injection for dTRA access. The procedures performed included diagnostic cerebral angiograms (n = 47), stent and balloon assisted aneurysm coiling (n = 5), flow diversion (n = 2), intra-saccular device placement (n = 1), mechanical thrombectomy (n = 1), tumor embolization (n = 1), middle meningeal artery embolization (n = 2), extracranial carotid stent placement (n = 2), and arteriovenous malformation embolization (n = 3). While no complications of hand ischemia were appreciated, the access site conversion rate was 3.1%; 2 cases required a switch to femoral artery access due to proximal vessel tortuosity and aortic anatomical variations, and not due to access site complication. Furthermore, on repeat angiograms by the same proceduralist, distal TRA (dTRA) was successful in 100% of the cases. Conclusion dTRA using subcutaneous nitroglycerin and lidocaine is a safe and effective method for neurointerventional and diagnostic procedures.
TU-EF-304-04: A Heart Motion Model for Proton Scanned Beam Chest Radiotherapy

Purpose: To model fast-moving heart surface motion as a function of cardiac-phase in order to compensate for the lack of cardiac-gating in evaluating accurate dose to coronary structures. Methods: Ten subjects were prospectively imaged with a breath-hold, cardiac-gated MRI protocol to determine heart surface motion. Radial and planar views of the heart were resampled into a 3-dimensional volume representing one heartbeat. A multi-resolution optical flow deformable image registration algorithm determined tissue displacement during the cardiac-cycle. The surface of the heart was modeled as a thin membrane comprised of voxels perpendicular to a pencil beam scanning (PBS) beam. The membrane’s out-of-plane spatial displacement was modeled as a harmonic function with Lame’s equations. Model accuracy was assessed with the root mean squared error (RMSE). The model was applied to a cohort of six chest wall irradiation patients with PBS plans generated on phase-sorted 4DCT. Respiratory motion was separated from the cardiac motion with a previously published technique. Volumetric dose painting was simulated and dose accumulated to validate plan robustness (target coverage variation accepted within 2%). Maximum and mean heart surface dose assessed the dosimetric impact of heart and coronary artery motion. Results: Average and maximum heart surface displacements were 2.54±0.35mm and 3.6mm from the end-diastole phase to the end-systole cardiac-phase respectively. An average RMSE of 0.11±0.04 showed the model to be accurate. Observed errors were greatest between the circumflex artery and mitral valve level of the heart anatomy. Heart surface displacements correspond to a 3.6±1.0% and 5.1±2.3% dosimetric impact on the maximum and mean heart surface DVH indicators respectively. Conclusion: Although heart surface motion parallel to beam’s direction was substantial, its maximum dosimetric impact was 5.1±2.3%. Since PBS delivers low doses to coronary structures relative to photon radiotherapy, it is unknown whether this variation would be clinically significant for late effects.
Revisiting Tobler’s First Law of Geography: Spatial Regression Models for Assessing Environmental Justice and Health Risk Disparities

Multivariate regression has been used extensively to determine if race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status is related to presence of pollution sources, quantity of pollutants emitted, toxicity of emissions, and other indicators of environmental health risk. Most previous studies assume observations and error terms to be spatially independent, thus violating one of the standard regression assumptions and ignoring spatial effects that potentially lead to incorrect inferences regarding explanatory variables. This chapter focuses on the problem of spatial autocorrelation in geospatial analysis of environmental justice and explores the application of simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models to control for spatial dependence in the data. A case study uses both traditional and SAR models to examine the distribution of cancer risk from exposure to vehicular emissions of hazardous air pollutants in the Tampa Bay MSA, Florida. Several approaches are explored to augment the standard regression equation, identify the neighborhood structure of each tract, and specify the spatial weights matrix that accounts for variations in cancer risk not predicted by explanatory variables. Results indicate that conventional regression analysis could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the role of race/ethnicity if spatial autocorrelation is ignored, and demonstrate the potential of SAR models to improve geospatial analysis of environmental justice and health disparities.
Phosphocreatine as an energy source for actin cytoskeletal rearrangements during myoblast fusion

Myoblast fusion is essential for muscle development, postnatal growth and muscle repair after injury. Recent studies have demonstrated roles for actin polymerization during myoblast fusion. Dynamic cytoskeletal assemblies directing cell–cell contact, membrane coalescence and ultimately fusion require substantial cellular energy demands. Various energy generating systems exist in cells but the partitioning of energy sources during myoblast fusion is unknown. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for phosphocreatine (PCr) as a spatiotemporal energy buffer during primary mouse myoblast fusion with nascent myotubes. Creatine treatment enhanced cell fusion in a creatine kinase (CK)-dependent manner suggesting that ATP-consuming reactions are replenished through the PCr/CK system. Furthermore, selective inhibition of actin polymerization prevented myonuclear addition following creatine treatment. As myotube formation is dependent on cytoskeletal reorganization, our findings suggest that PCr hydrolysis is coupled to actin dynamics during myoblast fusion. We conclude that myoblast fusion is a high-energy process, and can be enhanced by PCr buffering of energy demands during actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in myoblast fusion. These findings implicate roles for PCr as a high-energy phosphate buffer in the fusion of multiple cell types including sperm/oocyte, trophoblasts and macrophages. Furthermore, our results suggest the observed beneficial effects of oral creatine supplementation in humans may result in part from enhanced myoblast fusion.
IATROGENIC RISK FACTORS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: SURGERY AND ANESTHESIA

Increasing evidence indicates that patients develop post-operative cognitive decline (POCD) following surgery. POCD is characterized by transient short-term decline in cognitive ability evident in the early post-operative period. This initial decline might be associated with increased risk of a delayed cognitive decline associated with dementia 3 to 5 years post-surgery. In some studies, the conversion rates to dementia are up to 70% in patients who are 65 years or older. The factors responsible for the increased risk of dementia are unclear; however, clinical studies investigating the prevalence of POCD and dementia following surgery do not show an association with the type of anesthesia or duration of surgery. Epidemiological studies from our group support this observation. The adjusted Hazard Ratios for developing dementia (or AD specifically) after prostate or hernia surgery were 0.65 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.83, prostate) and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.49 to 0.85, hernia) for cohorts of subjects exposed to general anesthesia compared to those exposed only to local anesthesia. Animal studies suggest that prolonged exposure to some volatile-inhalational anesthetics increase production of amyloid-β and vulnerability to neurodegeneration, but these results are weakened by the absence of clinical support. Inflammation and a maladaptive stress response might also contribute to the pathophysiology of this disorder. Future research needs to identify predisposing factors, and then strategies to protect against POCD and subsequent dementia. The field also needs to adopt a more rigorous approach to codifying the frequency and extent of early and delayed post-operative cognitive decline.
Far-ultraviolet studies. VIII - Apollo 17 search for zodiacal light

The analysis in a previous paper of a large quantity of far-ultraviolet spectrometer data from the Apollo 17 mission is reexamined with the intent of searching for zodiacal light. An upper limit at somewhat longer wavelengths than before is set. Spectrometer scannings were made from 1180 to 1680 A every 12 sec. Little evidence for a dependence of the residuals (calculated by subtracting the star catalog integration from the observed signal at 1558 to 1669 A for two portions of the sky) on an ecliptic parameter is shown. The present data do not show any detection of far ultraviolet zodiacal light or indeed of any light at all, but merely reflect the limitations of the star catalog integration.
Mixing in Microfluidic Systems

Flow and species transport in micro-scales experience laminar, even Stokes flow conditions. In absence of turbulence, species mixing becomes diffusion dominated, and requires very long mixing length scales (l m ). This creates significant challenges in the design of Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices, where mixing of macromolecules and biological species with very low mass diffusivities are often desired. The objectives of this chapter are to introduce concepts relevant to mixing enhancement in microfluidic systems, and guide readers in the design of new mixers via numerical simulations. A distinguishing feature is the identification of flow kinematics that enhance mixing, followed with systematic characterization of mixing as a function of the Schmidt number at fixed kinematic conditions. In this chapter, we briefly review the routes to achieve chaotic advection in Stokes flow, and then illustrate the characteri-zation of a continuous flow chaotic stirrer via appropriate numerical tools, including the Poincare section, finite time Lyapunov exponent, and mixing index.
A data-descriptive feedback framework for data stream management systems

Data Stream Management Systems (DSMSs) provide support for continuous query evaluation over data streams. Data streams provide processing challenges due to their unbounded nature and varying characteristics, such as rate and density fluctuations. DSMSs need to adapt stream processing to these changes within certain constraints, such as available computational resources and minimum latency requirements in producing results. The proposed research develops an inter-operator feedback framework, where opportunities for run-time adaptation of stream processing are expressed in terms of descriptions of substreams and actions applicable to the substreams, called feedback punctuations. Both the discovery of adaptation opportunities and the exploitation of these opportunities are performed in the query operators. DSMSs are also concerned with state management, in particular, state derived from tuple processing. The proposed research also introduces the Contracts Framework, which provides execution guarantees about state purging in continuous query evaluation for systems with and without inter-operator feedback. This research provides both theoretical and design contributions. The research also includes an implementation and evaluation of the feedback techniques in the NiagaraST DSMS, and a reference implementation of the Contracts Framework.
JIc Determination of Five Cast Steels at Room Temperature and −45°C (−50°F)

JIc tests using the multiple specimen procedure described in ASTM standard E813 were conducted at room temperature and −45°C (−50°F) with five common carbon or low alloy cast steels, viz., 0030, 0050A, C-Mn, Mn-Mo, and 8630. Specimen thickness was 25.4 mm (1 in.). Valid JIc values were obtained with four of the cast steels at room temperature and only two of the cast steels at −45°C (−50°F). Only Jcl (Jcleavage ) values were obtained with the four other tests due to unstable brittle or cleavage fracture. Valid JIc values were obtained if the test temperature was above the mid-point temperature of the Charpy V notch energy transition region as measured along the temperature axis. Conservative estimates of KIc were calculated from JIc test results and a preliminary empirical equation involving KIc and Sy at room temperature and upper shelf CVN energy was suggested for cast steels. Room temperature JIc values were higher for the three tempered martensitic cast steels than for the two ferritic-pearlitic cast steels.
Improving Patient Safety in Anesthesia: A Success Story?

Anesthesia is necessary for surgery; however, it does not deliver any direct therapeutic benefit. The risks of anesthesia must therefore be as low as possible. Anesthesiology has been identified as a leader in improving patient safety. Anesthetic mortality has decreased, and in healthy patients can be as low as 1:250,000. Trends in anesthetic morbidity have not been as well defined, but it appears that the risk of injury is decreasing. Studies of error during anesthesia and Closed Claims studies have identified sources of risk and methods to reduce the risks associated with anesthesia. These include changes in technology, such as anesthetic delivery systems and monitors, the application of human factors, the use of simulation, and the establishment of reporting systems. A review of the important events in the past 50 years illustrates the many steps that have contributed to the improvements in anesthesia safety.
Strong habitat selection and the development of population structure in a mosquito

Remarkably simple and regular patterns of genic variation for two electrophoretically assayed loci are presented against a background of strong habitat selection, population isolation, and population structuring in the pitcher-plant mosquitoWyeomyia smithii. The genic variation assessed thus far comes from 29 local populations, all but one of which lie within the glaciated region of North America. Although the conclusions drawn from these patterns are still quite tentative, it appears that the fact that the same higher frequency electromorphs occurred everywhere for both loci may be due more to selection than drift. Drift or selection, acting alone or in concert may be responsible for the almost complete absence of electromorphs of intermediate frequency. A weak association was found between the two-locus genic variation and the well-studied diapause-development time variation in this species. It is suggested that a Wrightian interaction system and fluctuating-stabilizing selection might account for maintenance of the genic level polymorphism. The observations reported are circumstantially in accord with Wright's shifting balance process of evolution. Future studies in the older parts of the species range will put these hypotheses to a strong test.
Prospective study of infections in indwelling central venous catheters using quantitative blood cultures.

Purpose Surgically implanted central venous catheters are widely used in cancer patients in whom there is a need for prolonged venous access for chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, and blood sampling. This study evaluated catheter infectious complications, including catheter-relat- ed sepsis, exit site infection, and tunnel infection. Specifically, an evaluation of the incidence, type, and response to treatment of indwelling catheter infections was performed, and conditions under which the catheter should be removed were delin- eated. Patients and methods During the year of this study, 488 central venous catheters were implant- ed. Records were maintained on demographic vari- ables, date of catheter implantation, surgeon, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and un- derlying diagnosis. Blood for both aerobic and an- aerobic culture was collected from each patient. For patients in whom infection developed, clinical features, white blood cell count, absolute neutro- phil count, and microbiologic data were noted, as were the clinical course and response to treatment. Results A total of 142 episodes of infectious complications were documented. There were 88 episodes of catheter-related sepsis, and 33 of 54 evaluable episodes (61 percent) were successfully treated with antibiotics. There were 34 episodes of exit site infection, and 20 of the 29 evaluable epi- sodes (69 percent) were successfully treated with antibiotics and local care. Of the 20 tunnel infec- tions, only five (25 percent) were successfully treated with antibiotics, and the other 15 required catheter removal for cure. Twelve of the 15 cases requiring catheter removal were caused by Pseu- domonas species. Conclusion On the basis of these results, com- pulsory removal of the catheter is not required in cases of catheter-related sepsis. Similarly, exit site infections can often be cured by means of antibiot- ics and local care. However, catheter removal is re- quired to achieve cure in most tunnel infections, particularly if Pseudomonas species are cultured from the exit sites of patients with tunnel infection.
Thermopower of tin-doped bismuth from 50 mK to 25K

The thermoelectric power of polycrystalline Bi-Sn alloys (0.02-0.16 at.%Sn) was measured in the temperature range from 50 mK up to about 25K. The disappearance of the thermoelectric voltage at the lowest temperatures correlates well with previously observed superconducting transitions in the resistance. Above 1K the thermopower is dominated by phonon drag and a large maximum is observed near 4K. With increasing Sn concentration the maximum diminishes and shifts to higher temperatures. The thermopower of a 0.02 at.%Sn alloy is particularly large and reaches 85 mu VK-1 at its maximum. Above the maximum the phonon drag contribution follows an exponential temperature dependence characteristic of a two-stage mechanism. In higher concentration alloys the exponential temperature dependence is suppressed by impurity scattering.
Upper mantle origin of Sierra Nevada uplift

In late Cenozoic time the Sierra Nevada was uplifted to twice the height of the Appalachian Range, although crustal thickness beneath the two ranges is the same. Moreover, the Sierran root is probably much too old to have caused the late uplift. Rayleigh-wave phase velocities along the axis of the Sierra Nevada are low and, combined with other evidence, indicate that thinning of mantle lithosphere produced the uplift. The former subducted slab of lithosphere beneath the Sierra Nevada may have caused not only the present low heat flow but also shielded the Sierra Nevada from a high regional asthenospheric heat flux. Progressive warming followed the Mendocino triple juction northward, converted sub-Sierran lithosphere to asthenosphere, and raised the southern Sierra Nevada highest because they have been rising for the longest time.
Mass-specific and whole-animal metabolism are not the same concept.

Biologists have invested a great deal of effort into studying energy metabolism. Consequently, it is important to analyze energy metabolism data correctly. In his recent technical comment, McNab (1999) discussed the relative merits of analyzing wholeanimal (i.e., total) versus mass-specific energy metabolism. He concludes that (1) “nothing wrong is being perpetuated by the use of mass-specific rates of metabolism” and (2) that “any analysis based on mass-specific rates must also apply to total rates because they are two sides of the same coin” (McNab 1999, p. 644). Unfortunately, these conclusions are incorrect. This comment demonstrates why and makes two main points. First, while there is a necessary relationship between the allometric scaling exponents for whole-animal and mass-specific metabolism, the two variables do not necessarily measure the same biological concept (i.e., they are not necessarily two sides of the same coin). Second, a correlation between whole-animal metabolism and another variable typically places relatively little constraint on the correlation of mass-specific metabolism with that variable. Physiological ecologists should follow the advice given in Packard and Boardman’s (1988) seminal paper and avoid analyzing massspecific variables whenever possible. McNab (1999) asserted that mass-specific and whole-animal metabolism are two sides of the same coin and that any explanation that applies to one should apply to the other. Indeed, although it is not correct, it is easy to see how one might conclude that any explanation that applies to one measure of metabolism should apply to the other. As McNab (1999) recognized, there is a necessary, and easily definable, relationship between the allometric scaling exponents for whole-animal metabolism and mass-specific metabolism. The scaling exponent for mass-specific metabolism equals the scaling exponent for whole-animal metabolism minus one. For example, if whole-
Voltage-dependent inactivation of the human K+ channel KvLQT1 is eliminated by association with minimal K+ channel (minK) subunits

1 The time course and voltage dependence of inactivation of KvLQT1 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes were studied using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp techniques. 2 Tail current analysis was used to characterize the kinetics of channel inactivation and deactivation. The time constant for recovery from channel inactivation was voltage dependent and varied from 30 ± 2 ms at −90 mV to 36 ± 1 ms at −30 mV. The time constant for deactivation varied from 186 ± 21 to 986 ± 43 ms over the same voltage range. 3 Inactivation of KvLQT1 channels was incomplete, reducing fully activated current by 35 % at +40 mV. Inactivation of KvLQT1 channels was half-maximal at −18 ± 2 mV. 4 The onset of KvLQT1 channel inactivation during a single depolarization to +20 mV was exponential (τ= 130 ± 10 ms), and developed after a delay of ≈75 ms. In contrast, when inactivation was reinduced following transient recovery of channels to the open state(s), the onset of inactivation was immediate and 10 times faster. These findings suggest multiple open states, and a sequential gating model for KvLQT1 channel activation and inactivation (C1⇌ Cn⇌ O1⇌ O2⇌ I). 5 Delayed rectifier K+ (IKs) channels formed by heteromultimeric coassembly of KvLQT1 and minimal K+ channel (minK) subunits did not inactivate. Thus, minK subunits eliminate, or greatly slow, the gating associated with channel inactivation when coassembled with KvLQT1.
Gas chromatographic determination of organolead compounds with an alternating current plasma detector

The performance of the gas chromatography/alternating current plasma detector as a selective detector for organolead compounds is investigated. The helium make-up flow rate and the spatial position from which the lead emission is viewed, have an effect on the detector response. The detection limit for tetrabutyl lead was established as 130 pg/s and the lead selectivity ratio was found to exceed 13,800. Some applications of organolead determination in complex matrices were also studied in order to demonstrate the selectivity and sensitivity of the alternating current plasma detector.
Apraclonidine and argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Sixty patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma (intraocular pressure greater than 21 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment regimens with apraclonidine before undergoing 360-degree argon laser trabeculoplasty. One drop of apraclonidine 1% was instilled one hour before and immediately after laser treatment in 30 eyes or apraclonidine was delivered only after trabeculoplasty in 30 eyes. Intraocular pressure before laser treatment, number of anti-glaucoma medications, and the laser treatment settings were comparable between the two groups. The mean and percent change in intraocular pressures were similar in both treatment groups one and two hours after trabeculoplasty. One drop of apraclonidine 1% instilled immediately after argon laser trabeculoplasty prevented intraocular pressure increase one hour and two hours postoperatively as effectively as its instillation both one hour before and immediately after laser treatment.
Yarn pull-out behavior of plain woven Kevlar fabrics: Effect of yarn sizing, pullout rate, and fabric pre-tension

Abstract The yarn pull-out behavior of greige and scoured plain woven Kevlar fabrics was studied under various combinations of yarn pull-out speed and fabric pre-tension. Warp yarns showed higher pullout forces than the fill yarns. The pullout forces increased with increasing fabric pre-tension levels and decreased with increasing pull-out speeds. The variability in pull-out forces were generally higher for the dynamic pull-out forces compared to the static forces, generally higher at lower pull-out speeds, and generally higher for the greige fabrics compared to the scoured fabrics. These results indicate that the inter-yarn friction characteristics of woven Kevlar fabrics are sensitive to the yarn sizing, pull-out rates, as well as fabric pre-tension which have implications on the ballistic impact response of these Kevlar fabrics.
Hilltop Residence and Site Sustainable Design

Abstract Sustainability on a residential renovation can be difficult to achieve. As this project was a complete gut renovation and two small additions, which included a new third story space, roof, and a rear addition, it was easy to investigate a wide variety of sustainable options. The building envelope was improved, interior aspects modified, and the energy generation systems explored and selected to all work in unison to enhance the end result of the project. In order to measure the degree of sustainability, ODG wanted to use a residential design rating system. At the time this house was designed there were few recognized residential rating systems available and none appeared to be as stringent and broad reaching as the LEED Commercial Rating system. ODG used the LEED 2.2 rating system as a guideline. When this project began, LEED for Homes had not yet been developed. The Hilltop Residence project sought to infuse an existing residence with the following qualities: cost effective technology, a “not to...
A comparison of survival of patients treated for AIDS-related central nervous system lymphoma with and without tissue diagnosis

Purpose : This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcome of radiation therapy (RT) in acquired immunedeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with presumed primary central nervous system (CNS) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), with and without tissue verification. Methods and Materials : Twenty-seven patients with AIDS-related CNS NHL were treated between 1986 and 1992. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of nine patients with a positive histology for NHL. They were treated with dexamethasone (DXM) and whole brain RT. Group 2 consisted of 18 patients who, because of unique circumstances, were treated without histologic confirmation of NHL. Rapid clinical and/or radiologic response to DXM and whole-brain RT was interpreted as NHL. Results : For group 1, the response rate was 87.5%, mean survival 6.1 months, and median survival 4.5 months. For group 2, the response rate was 72.2%, mean survival 5.2 months, and median survival 4.5 months. The overall response rate was 76.9%, mean survival 5.8 months, and median survival 4.5 months. Conclusions : In instances where a tissue diagnosis cannot be established, a positive response to an empiric trial of DXM and RT to 20 Gy may constitute presumptive evidence of NHL.
Cell-type specific short-term plasticity at auditory nerve synapses controls feed-forward inhibition in the dorsal cochlear nucleus.

Feedforward inhibition represents a powerful mechanism by which control of the timing and fidelity of action potentials in local synaptic circuits of various brain regions is achieved. In the cochlear nucleus, the auditory nerve provides excitation to both principal neurons and inhibitory interneurons. Here, we investigated the synaptic circuit associated with fusiform cells (FCs), principal neurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) that receive excitation from auditory nerve fibers and inhibition from tuberculoventral cells (TVCs) on their basal dendrites in the deep layer of DCN. Despite the importance of these inputs in regulating fusiform cell firing behavior, the mechanisms determining the balance of excitation and feed-forward inhibition in this circuit are not well understood. Therefore, we examined the timing and plasticity of auditory nerve driven feed-forward inhibition (FFI) onto FCs. We find that in some FCs, excitatory and inhibitory components of feed-forward inhibition had the same stimulation thresholds indicating they could be triggered by activation of the same fibers. In other FCs, excitation and inhibition exhibit different stimulus thresholds, suggesting FCs and TVCs might be activated by different sets of fibers. In addition we find that during repetitive activation, synapses formed by the auditory nerve onto TVCs and FCs exhibit distinct modes of short-term plasticity. Feed-forward inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSCs) in FCs exhibit short-term depression because of prominent synaptic depression at the auditory nerve-TVC synapse. Depression of this feedforward inhibitory input causes a shift in the balance of fusiform cell synaptic input towards greater excitation and suggests that fusiform cell spike output will be enhanced by physiological patterns of auditory nerve activity.
Analysis of methods for representing 3D structures in hyperspectral images

We develop new models for the spectral/spatial representation of regions with three-dimensional structure in hyperspectral images. We show that traditional spectral/spatial models lead to ambiguities when classifying these regions due, in part, to changes that occur as the environmental conditions change. The new models characterize the variation of vectors that are derived using spectral/spatial filters as the scene conditions change. These models are compared with multiband generalizations of feature vectors derived from co-occurrence matrices. A feature-selection technique is used to reduce the dimensionality of the model for detection and classification tasks. The utility of several subsets of combined spectral/spatial features is compared for the classification of thousands of forest regions that are generated using DIRSIG over a broad range of conditions.
What makes news more multiperspectival? A field analysis

Abstract Democratic normative theory suggests that the news media should promote a broad range of viewpoints, yet little research has attempted to identify and explain variations in press multiperspectivalness. This article introduces new generalizable measures of ideological and institutional pluralism, and applies them to a case study of immigration news coverage by a cross-section of the U.S. and French national newspaper fields. The most multiperspectival newspapers tend to receive less of their funding from advertising and have audiences with higher cultural capital. Consistent cross-national differences may be partially attributed to political field influence and news formats. In contrast to more atomized U.S. narrative-driven news stories, the French “debate ensemble” format (grouping together breaking news, editorials, interview transcripts, and background context articles) serves as the opening to a wide-ranging public debate. When U.S. newspapers offered “multi-genre” news coverage, their degree of multiperspectivalness also increased.
Impact of managerial control on IPO performance: the case of mutual holding companies

Variation in IPO performance may be partially explained by differences in managerial control. In general, this characteristic has been ignored, perhaps because of the difficulty in testing its influence. The IPOs by mutual thrifts offer a laboratory in which the influence of managerial control can be assessed. Mutual thrifts can either issue all of their stock to investors (stockholder ownership) or can have the majority of the stock distributed to their respective mutual holding company (MHC). The MHC approach places the majority of shares with depositors, which essentially transfers voting power to the managers. Thus, managerial control is more pronounced because governance is limited. The average initial return of stockholder owned thrifts is substantially higher than the initial return of MHCs. This difference remains even after controlling for other factors. The significantly lower initial returns of MHCs are attributed to less uncertainty for MHCs, which allows for a lower degree of underpricing. Th...
Plasma lipid levels and lipoprotein ratios in ten rodent species.

Abstract Cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels and lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns in blood plasma of ten species of wild rodents are compared with those of the laboratory mouse and man under standard conditions. 1. 1. Average plasma lipid levels for the mouse and man appear in the middle of the wide ranges of 0.6–1.8 g/l. for cholesterol, 0.4 to 2.4 g/l. for triglyceride and 0.32–0.68 m-equiv/l. for NEFA found in these rodents suggesting species may vary in their ability to utilize these lipids. 2. 2. Some universal relationship between levels of cholestrol and triglyceride, but not with NEFA, are suggested by a comparison between average levels in these 12 species. 3. 3. Lack of correlation between the typical four component human lipoprotein electrophoretic pattern with any of the uniquely different patterns of rodents indicate using this method it is not feasible to compare the blood lipid transport system amongst species.
Lie Derivations of the Skew Elements of Prime Rings with Involution

Abstract LetRbe a prime ring with involution of the first kind, and characteristic ≠2, 3. LetKdenote the skew elements ofR, and letCdenote the extended centroid ofR. Assume that (RC : C)≠1, 4, 16. It is shown that any Lie derivation ofKinto itself can be extended to an ordinary derivation of 〈K〉. Counterexamples are given for the low dimension cases.
Developing Visionary Leaders for Tomorrow's Schools

Universities face a major chal lenge as they seek to prepare leaders for tomorrow's schools. It is essential that they move from a focus which perpetuates the sta tus quo to one that promotes educational renewal. Such a direction will require that attention be given to the very nature of how the leader thinks.
Bone vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein is localized in chondrocytes of growth-plate cartilage.

The cellular distribution of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (CaBP) was examined in rat and chicken bone by immunocytochemical methods using an antiserum raised against purified chicken intestinal CaBP. In EDTA-decalcified, Vibratome sections of growing rat long bones, specific CaBP immunostaining was observed in cytoplasm of chondrocytes of the growth plate, particularly in regions of calcification. In undecalcified, frozen sections from neonatal rat, positive staining was seen in chondrocytes of tibial growth plate and also in chondrocytes of the long bones of the skull. No specific immunostaining was observed in osteoblasts, osteocytes or osteoclasts in mineralized bone. In frozen sections of tibias from 19-day-old chick embryos specific immunostaining was again confined to dividing chondrocytes of the growth plate and was much less intense in “resting” cartilage. The finding of CaBP in chondrocytes, cells known to possess specific receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and to respond to the hormone, suggests a possible functional role for CaBP in chondrocyte maturation, differentiation and/or cartilage calcification.
Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Is a Sensitive Surrogate Marker for IL-6R Blockage by Therapeutic IL6R Antibody: A Study in a Mouse Model of Allosensitization

Purpose Serum amyloid A (SAA) is one of the acute phase proteins generated by hepatocytes through IL-6 stimulation. This study evaluated the usefulness of measuring SAA as a surrogate marker to monitor IL-6R blockage using anti-IL6R antibody in a mouse model of allosensitization. Methods and Materials A mouse model of allosensitization involving a C57BL/6 mouse recipient of a skin graft (SG) from HLA.A2 transgenic mouse was employed. The SG recipients were divided into different treatment groups, receiving anti-IL6R, anti-CD20, IVIG and control antibodies, respectively. Serum samples were collected at designated time points post skin grafting and treatments. SAA2 titers were measured in an ELISA. Results Normal mice showed low titers of serum amyloid A2 in sera (0.54+0.04 μg/ml). SAA2 titers in sera of SG recipient mice increased by >100-fold at Day 1 Ptx (66.3+2.14 μg/ml, P=6.79E-09 vs. normal sera), and then gradually returning to normal levels at Day 7 after skin allograft rejection (39.02+5.9, 42.75+15.31 and 3.7+0.08 μg/ml at Days 2, 3, and 7, respectively). In contrast, SAA2 titers in sera from anti-IL6R treated mice remained at baseline levels (2.14+1.7, 0.8+0.1, 2.35+1.6 and 0.67+0.08 μg/ml at Days 1, 2, 3 and 7, respectively), indicating SAA suppression by IL-6 blockage. SG recipients treated with B-cell depleting anti-CD20 mAb exhibited high levels of SAA2 (20.96+7.91μg/ml) while those treated with IVIG had moderately increased SAA2 (6.75+0.45 μg/ml). The latter indicates IVIG also suppresses acute phase protein SAA. Conclusions We conclude that SAA titers globally reflect status of allograft rejection, inflammation and treatment responses to IL-6 receptor blockage and immune modulation by IVIG, but not B-cell depletion by anti-CD20. Measurement of SAA, in combination with other rejection/inflammation markers may have value in monitoring transplant patients.
Disease-specific survival following the brachytherapy management of prostate cancer

Purpose: To determine disease-specific survival (DSS) and associated predictive factors after prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: A total of 1561 patients underwent brachytherapy for prostate cancer from 1990 to 2004 (median follow-up, 3.8 years). Treatment included brachytherapy alone (n = 634), brachytherapy and hormonal therapy (n = 420), and implant and external beam therapy (n = 507). Results: The DSS and overall survival rates at 10 years were 96% and 74%, respectively. Gleason score significantly impacted DSS, with 10-year rates of 98%, 91%, and 92% for scores of ≤6, 7, and ≥8, respectively (p 10 months (n = 67), respectively (p 6–10 months, and >10 months, respectively (p Conclusions: The 10-year DSS rate supports the efficacy of brachytherapy. Patients dying with disease within 10 years after treatment harbor inherently aggressive cancer with high Gleason scores and short DT.
Adaptation over parametric families of symmetric linear estimators

This paper treats an abstract parametric family of symmetric linear estimators for the mean vector of a standard linear model. The estimator in this family that has smallest estimated quadratic risk is shown to attain, asymptotically, the smallest risk achievable over all candidate estimators in the family. The asymptotic analysis is carried out under a strong Gauss–Markov form of the linear model in which the dimension of the regression space tends to infinity. Leading examples to which the results apply include: (a) penalized least squares fits constrained by multiple, weighted, quadratic penalties; and (b) running, symmetrically weighted, means. In both instances, the weights define a parameter vector whose natural domain is a continuum.