cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiratory-related Outputs of Glutamatergic, Hypercapnia-Responsive Parabrachial Neurons in Mice

In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, airway obstruction during sleep produces hypercapnia which in turn activates respiratory muscles that pump air into the lungs (e.g. the diaphragm) and that dilate and stabilize the upper airway (e.g., the genioglossus). We hypothesized that these responses are facilitated by glutamatergic neurons in the parabrachial complex (PB) that respond to hypercapnia and project to premotor and motor neurons that innervate the diaphragm and genioglossus muscles. To test this hypothesis we combined c-Fos immunohistochemistry with in situ hybridization for vGluT2 or GAD67 or with retrograde tracing from the ventrolateral medullary region that contains phrenic premotor neurons, the phrenic motor nucleus in the C3-C5 spinal ventral horn, or the hypoglossal motor nucleus. We found that hypercapnia (10% CO2 for 2 hours) activated c-Fos expression in neurons in the external lateral, lateral crescent (PBcr), and Kolliker-Fuse (KF) PB subnuclei and that most of these neurons were glutamatergic and virtually none GABAergic. Numerous CO2− responsive neurons in the KF and PBcr were labeled after retrograde tracer injection into the ventrolateral medulla or hypoglossal motor nuclei, and in the KF after injections into the spinal cord, making them candidates for mediating respiratory-facilitatory and upper airway stabilizing effects of hypercapnia.
A pilot study of usefulness of clinician-patient videoconferencing for making routine medical decisions in the nursing home.

Objectives: To pilot and assess the role of videoconferencing in clinicians' medical decision-making and their interactions with nursing home residents (NHRs). Design: Paired virtual and bedside examinations. Face-to-face (FTF) examination of NHRs by off-site clinicians immediately followed videoconferencing between the same clinician–NHR pair. Setting: A 240-bed, county-managed, urban nursing home. Participants: NHRs (n=35) and clinicians (n=3) receiving or providing routine care between 2002 and 2003. Measurements: Orders generated by clinicians, clinicians' ratings of videoconferencing, and coded review of video encounters. After both examinations, clinicians rated the encounters and generated orders necessary for NHRs. Orders were categorized and counted according to timing (before or after the FTF visit). Clinician–NHR interactions were assessed using coding videos with a 31-item instrument. Results: For 71% of the encounters, clinicians stated that videoconferencing facilitated their assessment. Difficulties included sound quality (19%) and participants' familiarity with videoconferencing (7%). Although NHRs were alert in 50% of encounters, 62% of alert NHRs did not indicate understanding of the recommended treatment. Conclusion: FTF examination was superior for most assessments, but videoconferencing was judged to be valuable, especially for wound care. Even when NHRs were alert, informed medical decision-making by NHRs with their clinicians was limited. Enhancing videoconferencing quality and providing more training about informed decision-making using videoconferencing might improve the effectiveness of the technology.
Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007)

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on 27 December 2007, two weeks prior to the date scheduled for the Pakistani general election, in which she would have been a leading opposition candidate. Here ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY asks Akbar S. Ahmed how anthropologists might interpret the events and Bhutto's legacy.
N,O‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)hydroxylamine

[22737-37-7] C6H19NOSi2 (MW 177.39) InChI = 1S/C6H19NOSi2/c1-9(2,3)7-8-10(4,5)6/h7H,1-6H3 InChIKey = ZAEUMMRLGAMWKE-UHFFFAOYSA-N (protected hydroxylamine synthon for the formation of isocyanates,6 hydroxamic acids,6 N-phosphinoylhydroxylamines,12 and oximes13) Physical Data: bp 137–139 °C, 78–80 °C/100 mmHg; d 0.830 g cm−3; flash point 28 °C. Solubility: sol THF, ether, pentane, CH2Cl2. From Supplied in: liquid; widely available, but expensive. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR (benzene-d6) δ 0.16 (s, 9, NSiMe3), 0.25 (s, 9, OSiMe3), 4.6 (br s, 1, NH).1-3 Preparative Methods: can be prepared in 69% yield by treating dry Hydroxylamine with 2 equiv Chlorotrimethylsilane and 2 equiv Triethylamine.3 A safer preparation, which avoids the use of the explosive solid, hydroxylamine, uses the reaction of hydroxylamine hydrochloride with excess Hexamethyldisilazane (71–75% yield).12 Alternatively, neutralization of hydroxylamine hydrochloride with ethylenediamine followed by addition of chlorotrimethylsilane can be used.4 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: flammable, corrosive liquid; hydrolyzed by moist air. Avoid inhalation and prevent contact with skin and eyes. The reagent should be stored under argon at 0–4 °C. Use in a fume hood.
"I am Maya, not Guatemalan, nor Hispanic"—the Belongingness of Mayas in Southern Florida

Dieser Artikel untersucht die personlichen Bedeutungen und die offentlichen Darstellungen von Zuhause, Ethnizitat und Zugehorigkeitsgefuhl von Maya-guatemaltekischen Immigrant/innen in Florida. Die Ergebnisse basieren auf der Analyse von sieben Biografien von Maya-Einwanderer/innen der ersten und zweiten Generation. Die narrative Analyse zeigt, dass die Immigrant/innen aktiv gegen eine offentliche Miss-Kategorisierung als Teil der Hispanischen Gemeinschaft Widerstand leisten, indem sie ihre indigene Herkunft hervorheben. In diesem Sinne bietet unserer Studie eine neue Art der Forschung im Hinblick auf Maya-Einwanderer/innen und ihre "Positionierung" und "Selbst-Lokalsierung" als indigene Volker, welche Zuflucht in den Vereinigten Staaten suchen. Es handelt sich um Lebensgeschichten von Mayas – die meisten von ihnen uberlebten als Kinder – welche mit ihren Familien vor dem Volkermord in Guatemala geflohen sind und in ihrem Leben in den Vereinigten Staaten diskriminiert werden. Das Einzigartige an unserer Studie ist die Betonung der Biografien, welche bestimmte Aspekte von Ethnizitat und Indigenitat und die schwierigen Prozesse transnationaler Migration von Mayas, die nun in Florida leben, hervorheben. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0903106
Extracting time-domain Green's function estimates from ambient seismic noise

[1] It has been demonstrated experimentally and theoretically that an estimate of the Green's function between two seismic stations can be obtained from the time-derivative of the long-time average cross correlation of ambient noise between these two stations. This TDGF estimate from just the noise field includes all tensor components of the Green's function and these Green's function estimates can be used to infer Earth structure. We have computed cross correlations using 1 to 30 continuous days of ambient noise recorded by over 150 broadband seismic stations located in Southern California. The data processing yielded thousands of cross-correlation pairs, for receiver separations from 4–500 km, which clearly exhibit coherent broadband propagating dispersive wavetrains across frequency band 0.1–2 Hz.
Symbolic interaction theory and the cognitively disabled: A neglected dimension

Symbolic interactionists have by and large not explored how individuals with mental illnesses—specifically, delusional misidentification syndromes—are able to exercise the cognitive factors necessary for successful interaction. Such factors include: recognition of self and others, situated interpretation, inferring others’ cognitive and emotional states, anticipating what others might say or do, empathizing, maintaining a cogent belief system, etc. What needs to be addressed is how the mentally ill manage—and fail to manage—these cognitively-informed activities as they slip more and more into cognitive and existential chaos, and the associated loss of meaningful dialogue with self and others. Clinical accounts of the cognitively dysfunctional could widen and deepen our understanding of cognition, belief states, self, and self-other relations, central concepts for symbolic interactionists. Accordingly, this paper is as much a critique of symbolic interactionism as a contribution to a humanistic social psychology.
Theoretical studies of fullerene annealing and fragmentation

Abstract We have examined the processes of fullerene annealing and fragmentation using semiempirical and high level ab initio theoretical methods. In this paper we discuss the energy barriers of a wide range of reactions that may occur on the fullerenes as they anneal and fragment, and we present a variety of novel mechanisms based on these calculations. These results reveal a chemistry of the fullerene surface that is much richer than previously thought, for at high energies the cage is a dynamic network of shifting polygons, seven-membered rings, sp 3 and sp carbons, and other odd-looking structures. In addition to rationalizing many experiments probing fullerene annealing and fragmentation, our predictions suggest new experiments and will hopefully aid in the design of processes to control fullerene shape, size, and structure.
Nitrate assimilation by zooxanthellae maintained in laboratory culture

Abstract The ability of cultured zooxanthellae to use ammonium and nitrate was tested. The zooxanthellae were initially isolated from the anemone Aiptasia pulchella . The zooxanthellae were able to grow on media supplemented with either form of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) although ammonium was inhibitory above 300 μM. In accord with the intact symbiosis and freshly isolated algae, the cultured zooxanthellae took up ammonium. In contrast, the cultured algae demonstrated nitrate uptake and utilization. This was enhanced with DIN deprivation. Nitrate reductase was found in the algae and appeared to be inducible. Within the animal host, excretory ammonium may repress this induction.
Sensitivity of a GCM simulation to subgrid infiltration and surface runoff

A subgrid parameterization of infiltration and surface runoff was evaluated using a land surface model coupled to an atmospheric general circulation model. Averaged over 5 year simulations, the subgrid parameterization resulted in significantly less infiltration of water into the soil compared to a simulation without subgrid hydrologic processes. As a result, the soils were drier, latent heat flux decreased, and surface air temperature increased. These results are consistent with other studies of subgrid hydrologic parameterizations, which also resulted in drier soils, decreased latent heat flux, and warmer surface temperatures. Several river basins were studied in detail. In the Amazon and Lena basins, the subgrid parameterization resulted in better annual runoff compared to observed annual river flow; surface air temperature was unchanged in the Amazon and better, compared to observations, in the Lena. In the Ob, Yenisey, and Amur basins, the subgrid parameterization resulted in too much annual runoff; July surface air temperature was unchanged or worse (Amur). Annual runoff for the Mississippi basin was better with the subgrid parameterization, but July surface air temperature was worse. These results suggest the utility of subgrid hydrologic parameterizations vary among river basins depending on the relative importance of Horton and Dunne runoff and the geologic factors affecting runoff generation.
Acute inhalation toxicity and sensory irritation of dimethylamine

The sensory irritation potential of dimethylamine (DMA) inhalation on male Fischer-344 rats and male Swiss-Webster mice was evaluated by measuring the reflex decrease in respiratory rate. In addition, the six hour LC50 for rats exposed to dimethylamine was established. Groups of 3 or 4 rats and mice were exposed for 10 minutes to concentrations of DMA ranging from 49 to 1576 ppm during which time the respiratory rate was monitored and recorded. Sensory irritation concentration-response curves were obtained and RD50 values (concentration which elicits a 50% decrease in respiratory rate) were determined to be 573 and 511 ppm for rats and mice, respectively. In another set of experiments seven groups of male rats were exposed to concentrations of DMA ranging from 600 to 6119 ppm for six hours. Mortality counts were made during and for 48 hours post exposure. The six hour LC50 was determined to be 4540 ppm. Histopathologic examination of the respiratory tract revealed concentration related changes ranging fro...
Note on Effects of Individualized Verbal Feedback on Computer-Assisted Learning.

5 conditions for verbal feedback in a Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) program were investigated. Various conditions of verbal praise used as feedback for correct answers were not significantly related to terminal performance. However, lack of positive verbal feedback significantly increased time to complete the task.
The Kiddie Tax and Scholarship Income: An Analysis of the Unforeseen Tax Consequences Resulting from the Evolution and Execution of IRC 1(g) and a Roadmap for Reform

ABSTRACT: One of the changes contained in the Tax Reform Act of 1986 is the tax on unearned income of minor children, also known as the “kiddie tax.” We review this tax, its legislative history, the amendments and interpretations that have enlarged its application, and the unintended consequences that resulted from the expansion of the kiddie tax to young adults up to the age of 24, specifically as it applies to taxable scholarship income. Many college students whose higher educations are heavily subsidized by scholarships may face significant tax burdens as a result of the kiddie tax. This reality is not in line with the congressional intent of curtailing tax avoidance through shifting ownership of income-producing assets. We provide examples of the tax's impact, and we conclude by offering potential solutions that protect the public fisc while reducing the negative and unintended consequences created by expansion of the kiddie tax.
Recent developments in phase transitions and critical phenomena

Universal dimensionless numbers characterise singularities at the critical point in magnets, binary mixtures and alloys, superfluids, and in a variety of other systems. A desire to understand these numbers has stimulated a significant breakthrough in the analysis of statistical mechanical partition sums. Critical phenomena can now be understood in terms of universality, Hamiltonian flows, and renormalisation group recursion relations.
Quantitative Determination of Cardiolipin in Mitochondrial Electron Transferring Complexes by Silicic Acid High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract Quantitative determination of cardiolipin from two mitochondrial electron-transferring complexes was achieved using a rapid and sensitive silicic acid HPLC method combined with digital analysis of the elution profile. Phospholipid samples containing as little as 0.01 nmol of cardiolipin were accurately analyzed. Phospholipids from detergent-solubilized cytochromebc1(EC 1.10.2.2) and cytochromecoxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) were extracted by an organic two-phase system and analyzed by isocratic normal-phase HPLC after dissolving the dried sample in the mobile phase (cyclohexane:2-propanol:5 mM phosphoric acid, 50:50:2.9, v/v/v). Analysis was performed by the method of standard addition in which increasing amounts of cardiolipin (0 to 5 nmol) are added to a constant amount of phospholipid extract containing an unknown amount of cardiolipin. By determining the slope and intercept of a plot of the HPLC elution peak area as a function of the amount of standard cardiolipin added, the amount of cardiolipin in the unknown is determined. By this analysis, purified, detergent-solubilized bovine heart cytochromebc1and cytochromecoxidase contained 9.2 ± 0.7 and 3.05 ± 0.05 mol cardiolipin per mole of enzyme, respectively. The method was also used to prove that cardiolipin could be completely removed from each complex by digestion withCrotalus atroxphospholipase A2, i.e., each delipidated complex contained less than 0.05 mol cardiolipin per mole of complex. The rapidity and high sensitivity of this method make it very useful for analysis of cardiolipin in other biological samples.
Involvement of an unnamed protein, RDA288, in the mechanism through which progesterone mediates its antiapoptotic action in spontaneously immortalized granulosa cells.

Progesterone (P4) inhibits apoptosis of rat granulosa cells and spontaneously immortalized granulosa cells (SIGCs), which were derived from rat granulosa cells. Defining the mechanism through which P4 mediates its action has been difficult because these cells do not express the classic nuclear P4 receptor. Previous studies have shown that a P4 receptor antibody, C-262, detects a 60-kDa protein that is involved in regulating P4’s antiapoptotic action. Using a C-262 affinity column, this 60-kDa protein was isolated and sequenced by mass spectrometry. This analysis revealed that the C-262-detectable protein is an unnamed protein referred to as RDA288. This protein has several putative hyaluronic acid binding sites. Further hyaluronic acid antagonizes 3H-P4 binding to SIGCs and mimics P4’s action, whereas exogenous hyaluronic acid binding protein attenuates P4’s actions. RT-PCR demonstrated that RDA288 mRNA was present in SIGCs, immature rat ovary, lung, and skeletal muscle but was not present in several othe...
SPHINX: Schema integration by example

The Internet has instigated a critical need for automated tools that facilitate integrating countless databases. Since nontechnical end users are often the ultimate repositories of the domain information required to distinguish differences in data types, an effective solution must integrate simple GUI based data browsing tools and automatic mapping methods that eliminate the requirement for a technical user to supervise the process. We develop a metamodel of data integration as the basis for absorbing feedback from an end user. The schema integration algorithm draws examples from the data and learns integrating view definitions by asking a user simple yes or no questions. The metamodel enables a search mechanism that is guaranteed to converge to a correct integrating view definition without the user having to know a view definition language such as SQL or SchemaSQL, or even having to inspect the final view definition. We show how data catalog statistics, normally used to optimize queries, can be exploited to parameterize the search heuristics and improve the convergence of the learning algorithm.
3D — A proposed new architecture for solid-state radiation detectors

A proposed new architecture for solid-state radiation detectors using a three-dimensional array of electrodes that penetrate into the detector bulk is described. Proposed fabrication steps are listed. Collection distances and calculated collection times are about one order of magnitude less than those of planar technology strip and pixel detectors with electrodes confined to the detector surface, and depletion voltages are about two orders of magnitude lower. Maximum substrate thickness, often an important consideration for X-ray and gamma-ray detection, is constrained by the electrode length rather than by material purity or depletion-depth limitations due to voltage breakdown. Maximum drift distance should no longer be a significant limitation for GaAs detectors fabricated with this technology, and collection times could be much less than one nanosecond. The ability of silicon detectors to operate in the presence of the severe bulk radiation damage expected at high-intensity colliders should also be greatly increased.
Die Nützlichkeit der 2‐Oxazoline in der Synthese

Der Nutzen des erstmals 1884 hergestellten 2-Oxazolinsystems fur die Synthese einer Vielzahl funktionalisierter organischer Verbindungen hat sich erst in den letzten funf Jahren gezeigt. Durch Metallierung des 2-Alkylsubstituenten last sich eine grose Zahl chiraler und achiraler Carbonsaure-Derivate aus den um ein Kohlenstoffatom armeren Sauren herstellen. Andere Umsetzungen fuhren zu Aldehyden, Ketonen, Lactonen, Aminosauren, Thiiranen und Olefinen. Wegen der Bestandigkeit des Oxazolinsystems gegen viele Reagentien (RMgX, LiAlH4, CrO3, schwache Sauren und Basen) kann es als Schutzgruppe fur Carbonsauren bei Reaktionen dienen, an denen diese Stoffe beteiligt sind. Zwei wichtige neue Entwicklungen sind (a) die Verwendung eines chiralen Oxazolins als Reagens zur asymmetrischen Synthese chiraler Carbonsauren und (b) ein neues Verfahren zur aromatischen Substitution, wobei Aryloxazoline als Nucleophile oder Elektrophile reagieren. Dieses Verhalten ermoglichte die Synthese mehrfach substituierter Benzole und Biphenyle, die durch klassische Methoden nicht zuganglich sind. Die Anwendungsmoglichkeiten der Oxazoline werden an Beispielen illustriert, aus denen das enorme synthetische Potential dieses einfachen Ringsystems hervorgeht.
Analysis of evolution: Evolutionary rates, independence and treeness

Abstract Populations that separate according to a given pattern of fissions (a “tree” of descent) and evolve independently after fissions have a patterned variance—covariance matrix which reflects the history of fissions. Spectral analysis of the matrix can help reconstruct the pattern; multivariate analysis techniques can be used to test if an observed matrix is compatible with a given tree of descent, and with the assumption of constant or of variable evolutionary rates. We call these tests of “treeness” and discuss evolutionary implications, giving also an example on human evolution. The methods can be used more generally to test if a loss of information is involved in using a tree as a formal representation of any particular set of data.
Economic Conditions and Incumbent Support in Africa's New Democracies: Evidence from Zambia

In this article, the authors investigate the effects of economic conditions on support for an incumbent regime in a new African democracy. Drawing on two unique data sources from Zambia—the results of a 1,200-respondent postelection survey and a pair of 10,000-household poverty surveys conducted in the same years as that country's first two posttransition general elections—the authors find evidence that declining economic conditions coincide with the withdrawal of support for the incumbent president, although the effects of changing economic conditions are relatively small compared to noneconomic determinants of the vote such as ethnic affiliation and urban/rural location. The authors also find that, to the extent that voters respond to declining economic conditions, they do so via withdrawal from the electoral process rather than via support for the opposition. The findings suggest that African electorates are at least modestly responsive to economic trends but that noneconomic motivations still predomin...
Intrinsic and dynamically generated scalar meson states

Recent work by Maltman has given us confidence that our assignment of scalar meson states to various nonets based upon our generalized Nambu\char21{}Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model is correct. [For example, in our model the ${a}_{0}(980)$ and the ${f}_{0}(980)$ are in the same nonet as the ${K}_{0}^{*}(1430).]$ In this work we make use of our model to provide a precise definition of ``preexisting'' resonances and ``dynamically generated'' resonances when considering various scalar mesons. [This distinction has been noted by Meissner in his characterization of the ${f}_{0}(400\char21{}1200)$ as nonpreexisting.] We define preexisting (or intrinsic) resonances as those that appear as singularities of the $q\overline{q} T$ matrix and are in correspondence with $q\overline{q}$ states bound in the confining field. [Additional singularities may be found when studying the T matrices describing \ensuremath{\pi}-\ensuremath{\pi} or $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}K$ scattering, for example. Such features may be seen to arise, in part, from t-channel and u-channel \ensuremath{\rho} exchange in the case of \ensuremath{\pi}-\ensuremath{\pi} scattering, leading to the introduction of the \ensuremath{\sigma}(500\char21{}600). In addition, threshold effects in the $q\overline{q} T$ matrix can give rise to significant broad cross section enhancements. The latter is, in part, responsible for the introduction of the \ensuremath{\kappa}(900) in a study of $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}K$ scattering, for example.] We suggest that it is only the intrinsic resonances which correspond to $q\overline{q}$ quark-model states, and it is only the intrinsic states that are to be used to form quark-model $q\overline{q}$ nonets of states. [While the \ensuremath{\kappa}(900) and \ensuremath{\sigma}(500\char21{}600) could be placed in a nonet of dynamically generated states, it is unclear whether there is evidence that requires the introduction of other members of such a nonet.] In this work we show how the phenomena related to the introduction of the \ensuremath{\sigma}(500\char21{}600) and the \ensuremath{\kappa}(900) are generated in studies of \ensuremath{\pi}-\ensuremath{\pi} and $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}K$ scattering, making use of our generalized Nambu\char21{}Jona-Lasinio model. We also calculate the decay constants for the ${a}_{0}$ and ${K}_{0}^{*}$ mesons and compare our results with those obtained by Maltman. We find that the value obtained using QCD sum-rule techniques for the ${a}_{0}(980)$ decay constant is smaller than the decay constant calculated using our generalized NJL model, which suggests that the ${a}_{0}(980)$ may have a significant $K\overline{K}$ component. We find rather good agreement with Maltman's values for the decay constants of the ${a}_{0}(1450)$ and ${K}_{0}^{*}(1430).$ Maltman suggests that the ${a}_{0}(980)$ and ${K}_{0}^{*}(1430)$ should be in the same nonet, a result in agreement with our analysis.
1,2-Diaryl-3,4-dihydronaphthalenes: photofluorogenic ligands for the estrogen receptor.

1,2-Diaryl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene systems related to the Upjohn antiestrogen nafoxidine (U11, 110A) (1) have high affinity for the estrogen receptor, but are essentially non-fluorescent. Upon u.v. irradiation, however, the cis-stilbene system within their structure undergo a photocyclization (2) followed by a spontaneous oxidation, forming a dihydrobenzochrysene system (3) that is highly fluorescent, but is only weakly bound by the estrogen receptor. This system can be oxidized further to the benzochrysene system, which exhibits similar fluorescence. The 1,2-diarylnaphthalene systems, obtained by direct oxidation of the dihydronaphthalenes, however, do not undergo photocyclization. The binding affinity of these derivatives for the estrogen receptor appears to be related to their degree of non-planarity and can be correlated with their molecular surface area. This facile photochemical conversion of a high-affinity ligand to a highly fluorescent species offers a new approach to the design of fluorescent estrogens.
Constructing Racial Groups' Identities in the Diasporic Press: Internalization, Resonance, Transparency, and Offset

This study examines the ways that the Korean American diasporic press constructs identities of its own ethnic group as well as those of other racial/ethnic groups by employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The author identifies three metaframes of diasporic media's representations of interracial relations—(a) internalization/resonance (related to racial/ethnic minorities), (b) transparency (related to Whites), and (c) offset (related to their ethnic members)—as ways that the diasporic media adopt, adapt, and counteract prevailing racial ideologies in their new host country. The diasporic media offset the negative images of their own ethnic members in the mainstream media by depicting the roles of their own group as victims of other racial/ethnic groups. Findings indicate that Korean Americans were frequently shown as victims of crimes (mostly related to Blacks), racial discrimination (mostly related to Whites), problematic laborers (mostly related to Latinos), and business rivals (mo...
Single-port laparoscopic colorectal surgery shows equivalent or better outcomes to standard laparoscopic surgery: results of a 190-patient, 7-criterion case-match study

Single-port (SP) surgery has been characterized as having limited applicability regarding procedure, disease, and patient characteristics. There is a question if SP procedures offer disadvantages or advantages to multiport (MP) colorectal surgery. We hypothesize that SP is equivalent to MP and is a safe alternative in the full spectrum of colorectal disease and procedures. A case-matched analysis of a prospectively maintained database to compare perioperative outcomes in SP versus MP was performed. Criteria included age, gender, BMI, previous abdominal surgery, previous XRT, disease process, and procedure. 95 exact matches for all 7 criteria were found between 159 SP and 1,617 MP cases. Perioperative outcomes, surgical technique, morbidity, mortality, local recurrence, and 5-year survival were analyzed. There was lower mean EBL in SP but no difference in transfusion requirement. OR time for SP left colectomy was shorter, with a trend to shorter OR times found in all procedures. 99 % SP and 98 % MP had no intra-operative complications. Conversion to open was equivalent (0/1). Mean largest incision was smaller for SP. There were no differences in return of bowel function or length of hospital stay. There were no mortalities. There were no differences in perioperative morbidity, local recurrence, distant metastasis, or overall 5-year survival. SP is a safe alternative to MP colorectal surgery across the full array of procedures in equivalent patients. This study demonstrates SP has less blood loss, smaller incisions, is quicker in left colectomy, and tends to be quicker across all procedures. Conversion and morbidity rates are equivalent to MP, without compromise in quality of surgical technique. While proper training is essential, concerns regarding the inability to use SP laparoscopic colorectal surgery safely are unfounded in nearly exactly matched patients. These issues will require further study as SP laparoscopic colorectal surgery is practiced more widely.
Proteolysis of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in the male reproductive tract.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is produced by prostate epithelial and stromal cells and either enhances or inhibits the effects of IGF on prostate epithelial cells. The levels of this protein in the male reproductive tract may be determined in part by proteases, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), produced by the prostate epithelium. In this study we examined the proteolytic activity of human seminal fluid on IGFBP-3. Seminal fluid and prostate massage fluid (PF) were examined for IGFBP-3 or its fragments by use of an IGFBP-3 RIA that detects intact IGFBP-3 as well as fragments, a two-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) that detects intact IGFBP-3 and the larger fragments, Western ligand blots (WLB), and immunoblots (WIB). In seminal fluid, IGFBP-3 was readily detectable by RIA, but was detected in only 50% of the samples assayed by IRMA. No detectable IGFBP-3 was observed by WLB with [125I]IGF-I as the ligand, but with IGF-II as the ligand, IGFBP-3 fragments at 16-17 ...
Data Filtering in Instrumental Analyses with Applications to Optical Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging

Most measurement techniques have some limitations imposed by a sensor’s signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Thus, in analytical chemistry, methods for enhancing the SNR are of crucial importance and can be ensured experimentally or established via pre-treatment of digitized data. In many analytical curricula, instrumental techniques are given preference as proper data generation is most important. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal is to utilize computational improvements as well and thus students need to be trained in data pre-treatment tools. This requires teaching a rather extensive math background for which there is a lack of concise teaching materials tuned to analytical chemistry. To overcome this hindrance, three methods for data filtering are presented: Savitzky-Golay smoothing, Fourier filtering, and the more recent and powerful wavelet filtering. By means of 1D signals as acquired with standard instrumentation for optical spectroscopy or chromatography and so forth, the basic principles are discussed and demonstrated. These methods are then expanded towards noise filtering of 2D data sets as obtained in microscopy or the upcoming chemical imaging as well as towards 3D data from spectroscopic imaging. In an extensive Supporting Information section, suggestions on introducing Fourier and wavelet transforms in lectures are presented. To support such lectures by visual demonstrations and hands-on learning, a windows-based software package, DENOISE.exe, has been developed and made available along with the simulated and real-world data used in this article. Because data are imported into DENOISE.exe as ASCII text files, the program can be utilized for any data sets an instructor may want to use.
Differential sensitivities of the growth of Escherichia coli to acrylate under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and its effect on product formation

The effect of acrylate on the growth of Escherichia coli was determined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in glucose-defined medium. Growth occurred with up to 35 mM acrylate under aerobic conditions but ceased at 5 mM acrylate under anaerobic conditions. This differential sensitivity can be attributed to inhibition of pyruvate formate lyase and/or pflB gene repression, as this enzyme is necessary for anaerobic growth of E. coli. The effect of acrylate on end-product distribution was also determined by growing E. coli first aerobically, then switching to anaerobic conditions. In the absence of acrylate, E. coli generated the typical distribution of mixed-acid products, with about 12 % of pyruvate being metabolically converted to lactate. In contrast, in the presence of 5 mM acrylate, E. coli converted 83 % of pyruvate to lactate, consistent with a reduction in pyruvate formate lyase activity.
Democracy, National and International

Drawing on a background in republican thought, I have argued elsewhere that democracy should have an electoral and a contestatory aspect.1 I argued in a normative spirit that this two-dimensional ideal is more defensible and more commanding than the more common, purely electoral alternative. But I believe that this usage of the word 'democracy' also picks up some aspects of common talk, since few of us would happily apply the word to regimes, no matter how electorally unimpeachable, that failed to ensure the independence of the courts and to provide thereby for a basic form of contestation.
A CMOS passive mixer with low flicker noise for low-power direct-conversion receiver

A CMOS passive mixer is designed to mitigate the critical flicker noise problem that is frequently encountered in constituting direct-conversion receivers. With a unique single-balanced passive mixer design, the resulted direct-conversion receiver achieves an ultralow flicker-noise corner of 45 kHz, with 6 dB more gain and much lower power and area consumption than the double-balanced counterpart. CMOS switches with a unique bias-shifting network to track the LO DC offset are devised to reduce the second-order intermodulation. Consequently, the mixer's IIP2 has been greatly enhanced by almost 21 dB from a traditional single-balanced passive mixer. An insertion compensation method is also implemented for effective dc offset cancellation. Fabricated in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS and measured at 5 GHz, this passive mixer obtains 3 dB conversion gain, 39 dBm IIP2, and 5 dBm IIP3 with LO driving at 0 dBm. When the proposed mixer is integrated in a direct-conversion receiver, the receiver achieves 29 dB overall gain and 5.3 dB noise figure.
Strongly differentiated material in high-inclination and retrograde orbits

Two definitive spectra of strongly differentiated meteors are discussed. The meteors entered the earth's atmosphere at velocities greater than 40 km/sec from high-inclination and retrograde orbits. Both were magnesium-calcium particles, and their spectra show them to be highly deficient in iron and sodium. The moon and the asteroids have been discussed as sources of such calcium-rich achondrites, but these sources give low or intermediate geocentric velocities. Long-period comets and meteoroids of probable cometary origin are the only objects now known to have orbits similar to the orbits of these two meteors.
Kraepelin and the differential diagnosis of dementia praecox and manic-depressive insanity

Abstract This article reviews Emil Kraepelin's approach to the differential diagnosis of dementia praecox (or schizophrenia) and manic-depressive insanity (or affective illness). Kraepelin's views on this controversial subject are divided into three main areas: history, symptoms/signs, and course of illness.
Exploring the Effect of Knowledge Transfer Practices on User Compliance to IS Security Practices

Institutions of higher education capture, store and disseminate information that is protected by state and federal regulations. As a result, IS security policies are developed and implemented to ensure end user compliance. This case study investigates end user knowledge of their university's IS security policy and proposes a new approach to improve end user compliance. The results of this study suggest that users may be contributors to the transfer of IS security policies when provided with an opportunity to participate in the development of an IS security awareness and training program.
H2O2-mediated Cross-linking between Lactoperoxidase and Myoglobin ELUCIDATION OF PROTEIN-PROTEIN RADICAL TRANSFER REACTIONS

The H2O2-dependent reaction of lactoperoxidase (LPO) with sperm whale myoglobin (SwMb) or horse myoglobin (HoMb) produces LPO-Mb cross-linked species, in addition to LPO and SwMb homodimers. The HoMb products are a LPO(HoMb) dimer and LPO(HoMb)2 trimer. Dityrosine cross-links are shown by their fluorescence to be present in the oligomeric products. Addition of H2O2 to myoglobin (Mb), followed by catalase to quench excess H2O2 before the addition of LPO, still yields LPO cross-linked products. LPO oligomerization therefore requires radical transfer from Mb to LPO. In contrast to native LPO, recombinant LPO undergoes little self-dimerization in the absence of Mb but occurs normally in its presence. Simultaneous addition of 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid (DBNBS) and LPO to activated Mb produces a spin-trapped radical electron paramagnetic resonance signal located primarily on LPO, confirming the radical transfer. Mutation of Tyr-103 or Tyr-151 in SwMb decreased cross-linking with LPO, but mutation of Tyr-146, Trp-7, or Trp-14 did not. However, because DBNBS-trapped LPO radicals were observed with all the mutants, DBNBS traps LPO radicals other than those involved in protein oligomerization. The results clearly establish that radical transfer occurs from Mb to LPO and suggest that intermolecularly transferred radicals may reside on residues other than those that are generated by intramolecular reactions.
Cost-effectiveness of head computed tomography in infants with possible inflicted traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of inflicted traumatic brain injury may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with repeated inflicted traumatic brain injuries. We undertook this study to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a policy of head computed tomography (CT) for inflicted traumatic brain injury in selected infants seen in an emergency department. METHODS: We constructed Markov models to compare a policy of CT to no CT in an asymptomatic 5-week-old infant with either (1) unexplained scalp bruising or (2) a history of an apparent life-threatening event. Health states modeled were no inflicted traumatic brain injury, misdiagnosed inflicted traumatic brain injury, mild inflicted traumatic brain injury (diagnosed or undiagnosed), and severe and fatal inflicted traumatic brain injury. Infants with undiagnosed inflicted traumatic brain injury were at increased risk of repeat inflicted traumatic brain injury. We used available literature to estimate probabilities, costs, and outcomes. The models terminated at death or at 52 weeks of age. Outcomes considered were severe and fatal inflicted traumatic brain injury cases averted through early detection of mild inflicted traumatic brain injury. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a literature review for estimates of inflicted traumatic brain injury incidence, outcome probabilities, and medical and societal costs. Wide ranges were set for sensitivity and Monte Carlo analyses. RESULTS: From a medical payer perspective, head CT for inflicted traumatic brain injury in infants with unexplained scalp bruising saved money. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated costs less than $50,000 per severe or fatal inflicted traumatic brain injury averted in scenarios in which initial inflicted traumatic brain injury prevalence was >3%. From a societal perspective, costs of child protection made head CT for inflicted traumatic brain injury more expensive. CONCLUSIONS: From a medical payer perspective, our models demonstrate that CT for inflicted traumatic brain injury can be cost-effective and improve outcomes. The finding of higher societal cost reflects the substantial short-term costs of child protection. Our study supports a low medical threshold for CT screening and highlights the need for improved understanding of long-term costs and outcomes of child abuse. Language: en
Rhythms of Academic Life: Personal Accounts of Careers in Academia

The article reviews the book “Rhythms of Academic Life: Personal Accounts of Careers in Academia,” edited by Peter J. Frost and M. Susan Taylor.
Synthesis and Characterization of Structure Controlled Nano-cobalt Particles

Nanostructured cobalt particles with and without a ceramic coating have been synthesized using a wet chemical method. The structure and magnetic properties of synthesized powder were characterized using x-ray diffraction (“XRD”), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (“HRTEM”), and a Quantum Design (SQUID) magnetometer. The cobalt nanoparticles are of either face-centered cubic (“fcc”) and/or hexagonally close-packed (“hcp”) crystalline structures. The average grain size is ∼14 nm for cobalt (either fcc or hcp) with an amorphous silica coating, and the average grain size is ∼9 nm for hcp cobalt and 26 nm for fcc cobalt without a silica coating. The effect of annealing temperature on grain size and magnetic properties are addressed.
Vector field analysis and synthesis using three-dimensional phase portraits

Abstract Tools from dynamical systems theory are used to decompose 3-D vector fields into simpler building blocks consisting of critical points and phase portraits. A robust critical point detector is developed for three dimensions. Samples from the vector field surrounding each critical point are then used to estimate the associated linear phase portrait, which is written as a 3 × 3 matrix. The estimated matrix may be categorized into one of seven canonical forms by its eigenvalues, which remain consistent under an arbitrary differentiable mapping of the region. The original vector field behavior is estimated using two methods. In one technique, the global behavior is reconstructed using a weighted superposition of phase portraits. For more complex field patterns, a regular partition is imposed prior to phase portrait representation, and each individual partition is decomposed into a separate phase portrait. These methods provide a means of extracting the relevant features and information from the vector field in the form of a higher level descriptor and provide a means of reconstructing the field qualitatively from those descriptors. The method is demonstrated on fluid flow data.
The chemistry of CH2I2 on MoAl alloy thin films formed on dehydroxylated alumina: insight into methylene insertion reactions.

The chemistry of diiodomethane is explored in ultrahigh vacuum on a MoAl alloy film grown on planar, dehydroxylated alumina by reaction with molybdenum hexacarbonyl. The majority of the diiodometha...
Protein Adsorption to HEMA/EMA Copolymers Studied by Integrated Optical Techniques

Abstract Adsorption of chromophore-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) to homopolymers and copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was measured using integrated optical waveguide attenuated total reflection (IOW-ATR) spectrometry. In IOW-ATR, the intrinsic propagation loss of the waveguide, usually on the order of 1 dB/cm, is increased by the adsorption of a chromophoric molecule to the waveguide/solution interface. Measuring the difference in propagation losses before and after protein adsorption allows one to calculate the amount of protein adsorption (e.g., ng/cm2) directly from the Beer-Lambert law without calibration. Adsorbed amounts ranged from 35 ± 2 to 684 ± 55 ng/cm2 for the HEMA and EMA homopolymers, respectively. Radiolabeling experiments of 125I-BSA adsorption to the HEMA/EMA polymers performed in tandem correlated strongly with the IOW-ATR results (R2 = 0.934). Except for the EMA homopolymer, both techniques showed BSA surface densities that increased linearly with decreasing mol% HEMA of the polymer.
Loss of sphingosine kinase-1 activates the intrinsic pathway of programmed cell death: modulation of sphingolipid levels and the induction of apoptosis

Activation of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) by overexpression or agonist stimulation promotes cell proliferation, survival, and anti-apoptosis. Studies on the function of endogenous SK1 are lacking. Endogenous SK1 has been shown to be down-regulated under stress, and knockdown of the enzyme reduces the percentage of viable MCF-7 breast cancer cells (Taha, T. A. et al. 2004. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 20546-20554). In this study, we examined the mechanisms by which SK1 loss affects the growth of cells. Knockdown of the enzyme by small interfering RNA caused cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. Cell death involved effector caspase activation, cytochrome c release and Bax oligomerization in the mitochondrial membrane, thus placing SK1 knockdown upstream of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. SK1 knockdown also induced significant increases in ceramide levels in whole cells and in mitochondria enriched fractions of cells. Inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis with myriocin significantly attenuated Bax oligomerization and downstream caspase activation after SK1 loss. These studies for the first time implicate endogenous SK1 as an important survival enzyme in MCF-7 cells and link the biological consequences of knocking down the enzyme to its biochemical role as a regulator of sphingolipid metabolism.
Effects of antiepileptic drugs on extracellular pH regulation in the hippocampal CA1 region in vivo.

Abstract Intracellular and extracellular pH are known to influence neuronal activity and may play a role in seizure termination. In the pyramidal cell layer of the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the urethane anesthetized adult rat, there is an initial alkalinization in response to stimulus trains administered to the contralateral CA3 region. This is followed by an acidification that peaks after termination of the afterdischarge. Initial experiments demonstrated that the peak level of acidification correlated with the duration of the afterdischarge, but that the peak level of alkalinization did not. The effects of several antiepileptic drugs on the initial alkalinization were determined. Systemic administration of acetazolamide (50 mg/kg, n =4) and topiramate (45 mg/kg, n =7) and local administration of benzolamide ( n =3), all of which inhibit carbonic anhydrase, decreased the initial alkalinization that occurs during the stimulus train. Diazepam (3 mg/kg, n =5) and phenobarbital (60 mg/kg, n =6), agonists at the GABA A receptor complex, increased the initial alkalinization, while sodium channel blockers phenytoin (80 mg/kg, n =5) and carbamazepine (50 mg/kg, n =5) had no significant effect. The data suggest that the alkalinization in CA1 in vivo is predominantly regulated through activity of the GABA A receptor, rather than through activation of glutamatergic receptors. The change in alkalinization does not appear to be related to the mechanism of the antiepileptic effect of the drugs that were tested.