cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time Has Come for Routine Penicillin Allergy Testing in Obstetrics.

Objective This study evaluates penicillin allergy during pregnancy to estimate the proportion that could benefit from penicillin allergy testing. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of women with penicillin allergy that delivered from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Results Among 6,321 deliveries, 446 (7%) were identified with penicillin allergy. Nine percent (41/446) had no documentation of allergy severity. Allergies associated with intolerance, low, moderate, or high risk of anaphylaxis were reported in 6% (25/446), 40% (177/446), 32% (142/446), and 14% (61/446), respectively. Nearly 74% (330/446) received an antibiotic either antepartum, at delivery, or within 6 weeks of postpartum. The majority of women, 81% (360/446) (i.e., undocumented reactions, low, or moderate risk of anaphylaxis) would have been eligible for penicillin allergy testing. Greater appropriate utilization of antibiotics occurred in women with a high 80% (39/49) or moderate risk of anaphylaxis 70% (79/112) versus low risk of anaphylaxis 55% (64/117), history of intolerance 40% (8/20), or undocumented reaction 19% (6/32), p ≤ 0.01. Conclusion Most women who report a penicillin allergy during pregnancy would be candidates for penicillin allergy testing. With the high rate of antibiotic interventions in pregnant women who report a penicillin allergy, consideration should be given for penicillin allergy assessment.
The Role of Non-cognitive Variables in Identifying Community College Students in Need of Targeted Supports

Non-academic characteristics and traits, such as academic self-efficacy and conscientiousness, have maintained the interest of higher education researchers for decades. A considerable amount of research has found that these non-cognitive variables (NCVs) are generally predictive of undergraduate success. However, most prior studies have focused on the use of NCVs in 4-year colleges, and understanding if and how these measures predict the academic trajectories of community college students has received less attention. As past work has indicated that NCVs are differentially predictive for students from different backgrounds, such an examination is needed. Drawing on data from two diverse community colleges, our study addresses this need by exploring if seven popular NCVs predict both short and longer-term student outcomes, how these measures are related to help-seeking behaviors, and their utility in identifying students at risk of serious academic failures. We find statistically significant relationships between NCVs and GPA outcomes but conclude that their practical utility appears trivial.
Military-Connected Children: Applying the Competencies for Counseling Military Populations

Children in military families may face risk factors in the course of their caregiver’s service, including separation, attachment, grief, loss, and mobility, which may result in emotional or behavio...
Building a Viable Weight Management Program in a Patient-Centered Medical Home.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The growing prevalence of obesity in the United States and globally highlights the need for innovative strategies to provide obesity treatment in primary care settings. This report describes and evaluates the Weight Management Program (WMP), an interprofessional program in an academic family medicine clinic delivering intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) following evidenced-based guidelines. METHODS We extracted WMP participant health data from the electronic health record and evaluated retrospectively. Eligible participants completed at least four WMP visits and had a baseline weight, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) recorded within 1 year prior to their first visit. Paired t tests were used to assess changes in, weight, HbA1c and systolic and diastolic blood pressures from baseline. RESULTS WMP counseled 673 patients over 3,895 visits from September 2015 to June 2019. Of these, 186 met eligibility criteria (at least four visits), with a median of eight visits (mean=11.3, SD=8.1). Participants saw an average weight decrease during program participation of 9.7 lbs (P 5%) at 18 months. The program has become financially sustainable through billing for preventive counseling services and a $125 out-of-pocket enrollment fee. CONCLUSIONS WMP provides one model for primary care practices to develop a financially sustainable and evidence-based behavioral therapy weight management program for their patients with obesity. Future work will include assessment of longer-term program benefits, quality metrics, and health care costs.
Nf1-Mutant Tumors Undergo Transcriptome and Kinome Remodeling after Inhibition of either mTOR or MEK.

Loss of the tumor suppressor NF1 leads to activation of RAS effector pathways, which are therapeutically targeted by inhibition of mTOR (mTORi) or MEK (MEKi). However, therapeutic inhibition of RAS effectors leads to the development of drug resistance and ultimately disease progression. To investigate molecular signatures in the context of NF1 loss and subsequent acquired drug resistance, we analyzed the exomes, transcriptomes, and kinomes of Nf1-mutant mouse tumor cell lines and derivatives of these lines that acquired resistance to either MEKi or mTORi. Biochemical comparisons of this unique panel of tumor cells, all of which arose in Nf1+/- mice, indicate that loss of heterozygosity of Nf1 as an initial genetic event does not confer a common biochemical signature or response to kinase inhibition. Although acquired drug resistance by Nf1-mutant tumor cells was accompanied by altered kinomes and irreversibly altered transcriptomes, functionally in multiple Nf1-mutant tumor cell lines, MEKi resistance was a stable phenotype, in contrast to mTORi resistance, which was reversible. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Nf1-mutant tumors represent a heterogeneous group biochemically and undergo broader remodeling of kinome activity and gene expression in response to targeted kinase inhibition.
A Simple Brochure Improves Disposal of Unused Opioids: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundWe evaluated the effectiveness of a simple, low-cost educational brochure in improving disposal rates of unused opioids after outpatient upper extremity surgery.MethodsThis cross-sectiona...
Development of seed production elements of new grain beans variety Yuzhanka bred by FSBSI Federal Scientific Rice Centre

For the rapid distribution and successful cultivation of beans, it is necessary to develop methods of cultivation technology in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of Krasnodar region. In this regard, the aim of this work was to study the efficiency of irrigation, various doses of mineral nutrition and the use of the biological product Nitragin KM on grain beans crops. The effect of pre-sowing application of mineral fertilizers under irrigation and rainfed conditions on phenological, morphological traits, yield and productivity of grain beans variety Yuzhanka has been studied. Analysis of the data on the yield of beans seeds showed that the most effective agricultural method for seed production of this crop is the introduction of mineral fertilizers on drip irrigation. With an increase in the level of mineral nutrition, the seed multiplication factor increased from 30 to 45 pcs/pcs on dry land and from 50 to 69 pcs/pcs during irrigation. The application of mineral fertilizers contributed to an increase in yields both in rainfed and irrigated conditions. The highest yield of bean seeds of variety Yuzhanka was obtained with the use of fertilizers at a dose of N30 P30 K30 (1,77 t/ha on dry land and 3,04 t/ha on irrigated plots).
Topology optimization of lightweight periodic lattices under stiffness and stability constraints

Abstract This study advances the design of light, stiff lattice materials by taking into account stability considerations. The objective is to minimize a properly weighted relative density of the lattice, subject to the stiffness and stability constraints under axial and shear deformations. Timoshenko beam theory is employed to accurately evaluate the response when tangible shear deformations are expected. Taking advantage of the symmetry and through customized boundary conditions, stiffness and stability measures are evaluated only by two finite element and eigenvalue analyses on a reduced design domain mitigating the computational burden significantly. Two sets of design variables are defined; the physical variables representing elements’ cross-sectional properties and the existence variables that are used to both stabilize the optimization process and improve manufacturability. Analytical sensitivities are derived using the adjoint method to allow for the use of gradient-based optimizers. The utility of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical examples for different scenarios of stiffness and stability constraints. It is shown that significant stability improvements for the specified stiffness ratios are achieved mainly through reconfiguration of elements in the optimized lattice in higher density regions with minimal change in weight. It is also shown that the designed lattices can dramatically outperform the classic lattice architectures such as Kagome, in terms of stiffness and stability.
Impact of travel time uncertainties on modeling of spatial accessibility: a comparison of street data sources

GIS-based spatial access measures have been used extensively to monitor social equity and to help develop policy. However, inherent uncertainties in the road datasets used in spatial access estimat...
A Letter to George Jackson: An Angel Whose Legacy Lives on in the Hearts and Actions of All Revolutionaries

It is an honor to be able to communicate with you on any level. Let me start off by introducing and giving a little background on myself. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where I attended private catholic school the majority of my childhood. I am a fifth year student at Michigan State University majoring in English. I would love to have a double major in African American studies, but because the university I attend is extremely racist the resources are not available for me to do so. Upon graduating I intend to continue my education in pursuit of my teaching certification. Within the next four years I plan to begin teaching English in high school.
A multivalent strategy to prepare PET probes for prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) detection

1156 Objectives Multi-presentation of a targeting molecular on a single entity has been recognized as a practical way for imaging signal amplification. Herein, we demonstrate an image signal amplification using a bivalent imaging probe design built upon a bifunctional chelator scaffold using a small molecular PSMA inhibitor (GPI: 2[(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)(hydroxy)(phosphinyl)-methyl]pentane-1,5-dioic acid) for specific PSMA detection and imaging quantification. Methods Both monovalent (H2CBT1G) and bivalent (H2CBT2G) conjugates were prepared and labeled with 64Cu for evaluations. PET imaging studies were conducted on mouse xenograft models established with a PSMA+ cell line, LNCaP, and PSMA- PC3 and H2009 cell lines. The PSMA imaging specificity was evaluated by a blockade experiment. Results A 4-fold enhancement of PSMA binding affinity was observed for H2CBT2G as compared to H2CBT1G from the PSMA competitive binding assays performed on LNCaP cells. 64Cu-CBT2G showed significantly higher LNCaP tumor uptake than 64Cu-CBT1G at 1, 4, and 24 h post-injection (p.i.) (p Conclusions Multi-presentation of a targeting molecular on a bifunctional chelator scaffold provides the desired imaging signal amplification for PSMA detection. The positive linear relationship between 64Cu-CBT2G tumor uptake and tumor size may render the probe with potential application in the management of patients with prostate cancer. Research Support This work was supported by grants from the NIH (UL1 RR024982) and the Prostate Cancer Research Program of U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (W81XWH-08-1-0305).
Crowdsourcing Solutions for Disaster Response: Examples and Lessons for the US Government☆

Abstract Crowdsourcing has become a quick and efficient way to solve a wide variety of problems - technical solutions, social and economic actions, fundraising and troubleshooting of numerous issues that affect both the private and the public sectors. US government is now actively using crowdsourcing to solve complex problems that previously had to be handled by a limited circle of professionals. This paper outlines several examples of how a Department of Defense project headquartered at the National Defense University is using crowdsourcing for solutions to disaster response problems.
Income Uncertainty and IRAs

In a precautionary savings setting, since Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are poor substitutes for precautionary savings due to early withdrawal penalties, those facing more income uncertainty are expected to prefer more liquid assets. This paper investigates the role of income uncertainty in IRA participation. Confidential tax panel data is used to construct a measure of income uncertainty. Greater income uncertainty is found to have a negative influence on IRA participation for those in the immediate pre-retirement stage of the life-cycle. The results appear to be consistent with buffer-stock models of savings where income uncertainty is predicted to have a large effect on wealth accumulation beginning around age 50.
The kappa opioid receptor antagonist JDTic attenuates alcohol seeking and withdrawal anxiety

The role of kappa-opioid receptors (KOR) in the regulation of alcohol-related behaviors is not completely understood. For example, alcohol consumption has been reported to increase following treatment with KOR antagonists in rats, but was decreased in mice with genetic deletion of KOR. Recent studies have further suggested that KOR antagonists may selectively decrease alcohol self-administration in rats following a history of dependence. We assessed the effects of the KOR antagonist JDTic on alcohol self-administration, reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by alcohol-associated cues or stress, and acute alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety ('hangover anxiety'). JDTic dose-dependently reversed hangover anxiety when given 48 hours prior to testing, a time interval corresponding to the previously demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy of this drug. In contrast, JDTic decreased alcohol self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking when administered 2 hours prior to testing, but not at longer pre-treatment times. For comparison, we determined that the prototypical KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine can suppress self-administration of alcohol at 2 hours pre-treatment time, mimicking our observations with JDTic. The effects of JDTic were behaviorally specific, as it had no effect on stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, self-administration of sucrose, or locomotor activity. Further, we demonstrate that at a 2 hours pre-treatment time JDTic antagonized the antinociceptive effects of the KOR agonist U50,488H but had no effect on morphine-induced behaviors. Our results provide additional evidence for the involvement of KOR in regulation of alcohol-related behaviors and provide support for KOR antagonists, including JDTic, to be evaluated as medications for alcoholism.
Distinction of brain tissue, low grade and high grade glioma with time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

Neuropathology frozen section diagnoses are difficult in part because of the small tissue samples and the paucity of adjunctive rapid intraoperative stains. This study aims to explore the use of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy as a rapid adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of glioma specimens and for distinction of glioma from normal tissues intraoperatively. Ten low grade gliomas, 15 high grade gliomas without necrosis, 6 high grade gliomas with necrosis and/or radiation effect, and 14 histologically uninvolved “normal” brain specimens are spectroscopicaly analyzed and contrasted. Tissue autofluorescence was induced with a pulsed Nitrogen laser (337 nm, 1.2 ns) and the transient intensity decay profiles were recorded in the 370-500 nm spectral range with a fast digitized (0.2 ns time resolution). Spectral intensities and time-dependent parameters derived from the time-resolved spectra of each site were used for tissue characterization. A linear discriminant analysis diagnostic algorithm was used for tissue classification. Both low and high grade gliomas can be distinguished from histologically uninvolved cerebral cortex and white matter with high accuracy (above 90%). In addition, the presence or absence of treatment effect and/or necrosis can be identified in high grade gliomas. Taking advantage of tissue autofluorescence, this technique facilitates a direct and rapid investigation of surgically obtained tissue.
Antihypertensive medications and differences in muscle mass in older persons: The health, aging and body composition study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether older persons usingangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have alarger lower extremity muscle mass (LEMM) than users ofother antihypertensive drugs.DESIGN: Cross-sectionalanalysisofdatafromtheHealth,Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study.SETTING: University of Tennessee, Memphis, and Uni-versity of Pittsburgh clinics.PARTICIPANTS: A community-based sample of 2,431wellfunctioningparticipantsoftheHealthABC,aged70to79, who were free of heart failure, were selected accordingto use of antihypertensive medications: ACE inhibitors(n5197), b-blockers (n5169), thiazides (n5216), cal-cium-channel blockers (n5340), or none (n51,509).MEASUREMENTS: LEMM, assessed using dual-energyx-ray absorptiometry, compared by index drug in analysisof variance models unadjusted and adjusted for demo-graphics, study site, height, body fat, physical activity,blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus,and chronic pulmonary disease.RESULTS: LEMM signiﬁcantly differed across the studygroups,beinglargerinusersofACEinhibitorsthaninusersof other drugs (unadjusted and adjusted models). LEMMwas comparable in users of ACE inhibitors and no drugusers. A trend toward larger LEMM was also observed insex- and ethnicity-stratiﬁed analyses and in the subgroup ofnoncoronary hypertensive participants.CONCLUSION: In older persons, use of ACE inhibitors isassociated cross-sectionally with larger LEMM. Thisﬁnding suggests a possible explanation of the beneﬁts ofACE inhibitors in wasting syndromes. If conﬁrmed inlongitudinal studies, this pharmacological action mighthave important implications for the prevention of physicaldisability in older patients with hypertension. J Am GeriatrSoc 52:961–966, 2004.Key words: muscle mass; ACE-inhibition; antihyperten-sive medications; body composition
Moving Beyond the Stage Gate Models for Service Innovation: The Trend and the Future

Extant research has studied the key issue of service innovation process and stages also known as New Service Development (NSD) models extensively, yet most of the studies were carried out almost a decade ago and that too in a single country or region. Thus, a key question emerges: how far these new service models and techniques are applicable in the present day turbulent and dynamic market place. Against this background the purpose of this research is to rekindle the debate on how the service innovation takes place and propose a new set of guidelines for developing new services. We answer the above research questions by conducting a multi-country study of the process of NSD. For this research, we investigate 158 new service projects in 79 financial service firms located in two developed nations, USA and Australia and one emerging economic power, India. The findings suggest that the existing NSD models and the innovation process reported in the extant literature are deficient in meeting the needs of the service firms located both in the developed and emerging markets of the world. Instead of the stage gate and linear process model, we suggest an overlapping, phase wise, informal and shorter NSD process model.
Perspective switching in virtual environments

When exploring new environments, people regularly alternate among many sources of spatial information including direct visual input, navigation aids such as maps and mobile devices, and verbal route descriptions. These spatial representations typically depict the environment from one of two perspectives: first-person, embedded route perspective or top-down, bird's eye survey perspective. Visual spatial cognition research has explored the nature of learning within each of these perspectives independently, but little work has been done to explore how on-line visual processing of combined perspectives affects cognition, meaning there is little understanding of the cognitive costs of using different navigation tools to learn large-scale environments. This dissertation addresses such questions through two experiments that guide participants through simple paths in large-scale environments, each consisting of a simple path through a small virtual town presented on a desktop computer display. By timing participants' movement through each environment and how they respond to either externally-controlled or participant-controlled perspective switches, the experiments measure the cognitive load of visually processing dynamic perspectives during navigation. These on-line processing measures are complemented by tests of visual recognition and recall memory, which reveal how switching perspectives affects the accuracy of the resulting spatial mental model. The results indicate that the cognitive load associated with changing perspectives is primarily dependent on the quantity of visual information the change introduces -- the transformation itself is not particularly disorienting after the first exposure to the environment. Furthermore, although forced perspective switches do not appear to significantly affect spatial memory accuracy relative to viewing the environment from a consistent perspective, navigator-controlled switching results in significantly more accurate spatial memory, indicating that navigation aids which allow for perspective control might better support spatial learning than fixed-perspective interfaces. The findings also support previous research showing that route perspective navigation generally yields more accurate spatial memory than survey perspective learning, particularly after extensive experience in the environment. Overall, the findings demonstrate many new aspects of how perspective affects spatial cognition, with implications for spatial learning and the design of navigation aids.
Religióan y Fiesta: Antropología de las Creencias Rituales en Andalucia

Religioan. Fiesta: Antropologia de las Creencias Rituales en Andalucia. Salvador Rodriguez Becerra. Seville: Signatura Demos, 2000. 254 pp.
Metal deposition and deactivation of hydrodemetallation catalysts

Abstract Nickel deposition on sulfided and unsulfided CoMo/γAl 2 O 3 hydrometallation catalysts were investigated. Both element mapping and X-ray microanalysis from scanning transmission electron microscopy showed that the elemental distribution of deposited nickel were correlated with metal distributions of cobalt, but not with elemental distributions of molybdenum. The probable reason for the preferentiality is migration of the nickel deposition rather than deposition kinetics. Random sphere model calculations showed that segregated large crystallites of nickel deposition lead to less deactivation, in comparison with uniform layers of nickel deposition.
Continuous-infusion cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (PFL) have demonstrated synergistic activity in preclinical models. Continuous infusion of these agents maximizes the potential for synergistic interaction and forms the basis of the PFL regimen. METHODS Sixty-one patients with advanced (Stages IIIB and IV) non-small cell lung cancer were entered into the study. Thirty-one were treated with cisplatin 25 mg/m2/day on days 1-5, 5-fluorouracil 800 mg/m2/day on days 2-6, and calcium leucovorin 500 mg/m2/day on days 1-6. Because of severe mucositis, the final 30 patients were treated with the same dosage of cisplatin but with the deletion on day 6 of leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. Response was assessed after two cycles. Responding patients received an additional two cycles. Patients with Stage IIIB disease received radiation therapy to the mediastinum and sites of involved disease. RESULTS PFL had an overall response rate of 41%. Median survival was 8.1 months, and median time to treatment failure was 4.2 months. Importantly, 68% (17 of 25) of responses were maximal after just two cycles of chemotherapy. Notable toxicities included mucositis (43% > or = Grade 3) and myelosuppression. Response, time to failure, or survival did not differ between the two schedules. Mucositis was less severe with 4-day PFL. CONCLUSIONS PFL as given in this manner is an active regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The rapidity of response makes it a regimen for incorporation into protocols for Stage IIIA disease. A neoadjuvant study using PFL is underway.
Analytical Results for the x, y Kalman Tracking Filter

A two-dimensional x, y Kalman tracking filter is analyzed for a track-while-scan (TWS) operation when the radar sensor measures range and bearing (r, ?) at uniform sampling intervals T seconds apart. This development explicitly considers the coupling between the quantities measured by the sensor (r, ?) and the Cartesian x, y coordinate system selected for the tracking operation. The steadystate components of the gain and error covariance matrixes are analytically determined under the assumption of a white noise maneuver acceleration model in two dimensions. These results are verified by computer calculation of the Kalman filter matrix equations.
Differential requirement for Hoxa9 in the development and differentiation of B, NK, and DC-lineage cells from Flt3+ multipotential progenitors

Hoxa9 is a homeodomain transcription factor important for the generation of Flt3+hiIL-7R- lymphoid biased-multipotential progenitors, Flt3+IL-7R+ common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), and B cell precursors (BCP) in bone marrow (BM). In addition to B-cell, Flt3+IL-7R+ CLPs possess NK and DC developmental potentials, although DCs arise from Flt3+IL-7R- myeloid progenitors as well. In this study, we investigated the requirement for Hoxa9, from Flt3+ or Flt3- progenitor subsets, in the development of NK and DC lineage cells in BM. Flt3+IL-7R+Ly6D- CLPs and their Flt3+IL-7R+Ly6D+ B lineage-restricted progeny (BLP) were significantly reduced in hoxa9−/− mice. Interestingly, the reduction in Flt3+IL-7R+ CLPs in hoxa9−/− mice had no impact on the generation of NK precursor (NKP) subsets, the differentiation of NKP into mature NK cells, or NK homeostasis. Similarly, percentages and numbers of common dendritic progenitors (CDP), as well as their plasmacytoid or conventional dendritic cell progeny in hoxa9−/− mice were comparable to wildtype. These findings reveal distinct requirements for Hoxa9 or Hoxa9/Flt3 molecular circuits in regulation of B versus NK and DC development in BM.
Delayed emergence of striatal dopaminergic hyperactivity after anterolateral ischemic cortical lesions in humans: Evidence from turning behavior.

Abstract To test the hypothesis that striatal dopaminergic hyperactivity in humans may be an aftermath of anterior cortical ischemie insults, we utilized earlier observations that in several species, including humans with hemiparkinson's disease, asymmetric striatal dopaminergic activity results in spontaneous asymmetric turning away from the hemisphere with higher dopaminergic activity. In this study, electronic monitoring showed that, compared to normal controls, outpatients with old frontal and inferior-parietal cortical strokes exhibit a marked tendency to turn away from the side of the lesion. This delayed ipsilateral neglect suggests a delayed emergence of lasting ipsilateral striatal dopaminergic hyperactivity after unilateral anterolateral cortical insult in humans. Old ischemie insults to anterolateral cortical areas could be one etiological mechanism in human brain disorders that are associated with cortical dysfunction and delayed subcortical dopamine hyperactivity.
A robust method for measuring trabecular bone orientation anisotropy at in vivo resolution using tensor scale

Abstract Trabecular bone (TB) is a network of interconnected struts and plates that constantly remodels to adapt dynamically to the stresses to which it is subjected in such a manner that the trabeculae are oriented along the major stress lines (Wolff's Law). Next to bone density, TB anisotropy has been found to be one of the most significant determinants of the bone's biomechanical behavior. Typically, orientational anisotropy of TB networks is expressed in terms of the fabric tensor, obtained by measuring the mean intercept length between structure elements along test lines. This method, however, can provide only a global statistical average of TB orientation anisotropy and, in general, requires a large sampling volume. Here, we present a new method, based on the recently conceived notion of “tensor scale”, which provides regional information of TB orientation anisotropy. Regional structure is represented by local best fit ellipsoid (ellipse in 2D) and the structural orientation is determined from the eigenvectors along the semi-axes. The method is found to be remarkably robust over a wide range of resolution regimes and image rotation as shown with micro-CT images from specimens of the human distal radius, the latter showing the characteristic differences in structural anisotropy for transverse and longitudinal sections. Finally, the method's applicability to in vivo MR imaging is demonstrated with data from the distal tibia.
Structural mechanisms of bile salt-induced growth of small unilamellar cholesterol-lecithin vesicles.

The liver secretes cholesterol and lecithin in the form of mixed vesicles during the formation of bile. When exposed to bile salts, these metastable vesicles undergo various structural rearrangements. We have examined the effects of three different bile salts, taurocholate (TC), tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC), and taurodeoxycholate (TDC), on the stability of sonicated lecithin vesicles containing various amounts of cholesterol. Vesicle growth was probed by turbidity measurements, quasi-elastic light scattering, and a resonance energy transfer lipid-mixing assay. Leakage of internal contents was monitored by encapsulation of fluorescence probes in vesicles. At low bile salt-to-lecithin ratios (TC/L or TUDC/L 5), pure lecithin vesicles are solubilized into mixed micelles with a concomitant decrease in the overall particle size. In this regime, extensive leakage and lipid mixing occur instantaneously after exposure to bile salt. At intermediate BS/L (1 < TC/L or TUDC/L < 5), vesicles grow with time, and the rates of both leakage and lipid mixing are rapid. The data suggest that vesicles grow by the transfer of lecithin and cholesterol via diffusion in the aqueous medium. The addition of cholesterol to lecithin vesicles reduces leakage dramatically and increases the amount of BS required for complete solubilization of vesicles. The more hydrophobic TDC induces vesicle growth at a lower BS/L than does TC or TUDC. These results demonstrate the physiologic forms of lipid microstructures during bile formation and explain how the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of BS mixtures may profoundly affect the early stages of CH gallstone formation.
Histamine antagonists in the treatment of acute allergic reactions

Study objective: We compared the efficacies of cimetidine (an H 2 -receptor antagonist) and diphenhydramine (an H 1 -receptor antagonist) alone and in combination for alleviation of symptoms of acute allergic reactions. Study design and interventions: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, patients and examiners assessed the severity of symptoms and signs of acute allergic reactions using a visual-analog scale before treatment and 30 minutes after treatment with 300 mg IV cimetidine and placebo, 50 mg IV diphenhydramine and placebo, or diphenhydramine plus cimetidine. Setting and participants: Thirty-nine patients with acute allergic reactions presenting to two emergency departments of teaching hospitals. Results: Of the 35 patients with pruritus, all 12 receiving diphenhydramine placebo had clinically significant relief compared with six of ten (60%) receiving cimetidine plus placebo ( P = .03). Twelve of 13 (92%) receiving diphenhydramine plus cimetidine had relief, which was not a significant difference from the single drugs. Comparison of mean differences in pretreatment and post-treatment symptom scores (relief scores) among groups of patients with pruritus detected significantly more relief in the group receiving diphenhydramine plus placebo (80.3 ± 7.4) than in those receiving cimetidine plus placebo (48.8 ± 13.4) ( P = .022). Of the 33 patients with urticaria, five of 11 (46%) receiving diphenhydramine plus placebo had clinically significant relief compared with eight of ten (80%) receiving cimetidine plus placebo ( P = .18). Eleven of 12 patients (92%) receiving diphenhydramine plus cimetidine had relief, which is a significant difference from those receiving diphenhydramine plus placebo ( P = .027). Comparison of mean relief scores in patients with urticaria detected significantly more relief in the group receiving diphenhydramine plus cimetidine (55.3 ± 6.5) than in the group receiving diphenhydramine plus placebo (30.7 ± 6.1) ( P = .006). Conclusion: For treatment of pruritus from acute allergic reactions, diphenhydramine is more effective than cimetidine, and the combination offers no additional benefit. For treatment of acute urticaria, the combination of cimetidine and diphenhydramine is more effective than diphenhydramine alone.
IRON LOADING INCREASES THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF FISCHER-344 (F344) RATS TO HYPEROXIC LUNG INJURY. ▴ 2002

Previous studies in our lab have shown that F344 rats are more susceptible to hyperoxic lung injury than are Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. This increased susceptibility to hyperoxic lung injury is accompanied by the accumulation of iron in the bronchoalveolar lavage. We hypothesized that the greater susceptibility to hyperoxic lung injury seen in F344 rats is due to this strain's relatively poor ability to compartmentalize cellular iron, leading to increased amounts of redox-active iron in the lung. We hypothesized that although SD rats are better able to maintain cellular iron homeostasis, the protective mechanisms may be overwhelmed with acute iron dosing. To test this hypothesis, we treated male F344 and SD rats, weighing 180-240 gm with either 0.36 mmol/kg of FeSO4 (Fe+), or equal volumes of saline (Fe-), then placed the animals in >95% oxygen for 48 hours. Mean ± SD. * P<0.05 compared to all other groups. †P<0.05 F344/1.0 Fe+ vs. F344/1.0 Fe-We found that in hyperoxic F-344 rats, both iron-loaded and saline-treated controls, had higher bronchoalveolar lavage protein (BALP) concentrations than did similarly treated air-breathing controls, or hyperoxic SD rats, and that Fe+ hyperoxic F344 rats had higher BALP concentrations and larger pleural effusions than did Fe- hyperoxic F344. Neither group of SD rats exposed to hyperoxia had any significant increase in BAL protein or measurable pleural effusions. These findings support the hypothesis that the increased susceptibility of F344 rats to hyperoxic lung injury may be due to iron-dependent mechanisms. Table
Poles in the Vertex Function, Zeros of the Propagator, and Bounds on Coupling Constants

Extending the arguments by Goebel and Sakita, it is shown in a general framework that a pole of the proper vertex function does not lead to a pole in the scattering amplitude. Connections between zeros of the propagator, poles of the proper vertex function, and upper bounds on the coupling constant are discussed in rather general terms as well as in terms of the Zachariasen model. By making use of the analytic continuation of the partial-wave scattering amplitude into the complex angular-momentum plane, a possible physical interpretation of the pole of the vertex function is given.
Determination and analysis of absorbed doses resulting from various intraoral radiographic techniques

Abstract A “Mix D” phantom was designed and constructed so that placement and removal of of thermoluminescent dosimeters at various anatomic locations throughout the head and neck were possible. The locations included the sella turcica, the orbits, the thyroid area, the parotid area, the submandibular gland area, the maxillary sinus, the base of the tongue, and a site within the body of the mandible. Measurements of the amount of radiation imparted to each area as well as entrance and exit exposures were made for fourty-five simulated complete-mouth intraoral radiographic surveys. The methods and procedures for accomplishing each twenty-one-exposure survey were standardized. Five radiographic techniques and three kilovoltages were utilized. The techniques included (1) a 12-inch open-end, lead-lined plastic cone; (2) a 12-inch open-end nonlined plastic cone; (3) a 4 1 2 - inch open-end lead-lined plastic cone; (4) a 4 1 2 - inch open-end nonlined plastic cone; and (5) a 4 1 2 - inch pointed plastic cone. The kilovoltages employed were 60, 70, and 90. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Significant differences were found among the 5 techniques for measurements at the exit port, within the body of the mandible, in the submandibular areas, at the base of the tongue, at the sella turcica, and in the orbits. Significant differences among the three kilovoltages were noted for measurements in the submandibular areas and at the sella turcica.
Amastatin potentiation of drinking induced by blood-borne angiotensin: evidence for mediation by endogenous brain angiotensin.

Abstract Angiotensinergic synapses in the central nervous system (CNS) have been proposed to be involved in drinking induced by both intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and peripheral administration of angiotensins. In the present studies, we tested this hypothesis with i.c.v. application of amastatin, an aminopeptidase A inhibitor, to block peptide degradation. Potentiation of i.c.v. angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced drinking responses was observed when amastatin and Ang II were administered. Amastatin did not potentiate drinking to carbachol which demonstrates that the enhancement is specific to peptides. Centrally administered amastatin also potentiated drinking following systematic administration of Asn1 angiotensin II. (Asn1 Ang II). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that CNS angiotensin synapses are involved in the dipsogenic response that results from elevated levels of circulating angiotensin.
Short carbon fibre reinforced latex modified concrete for crack-resistant bridge deck overlays

The use of latex modified concrete deck overlay systems has become a common practice not only for repairing old bridge overlays but also as a wearing and protective surface of many new bridges in the USA. However, cracks due to diverse reasons have often been observed in old and new bridges, so that reduction or even complete elimination of cracks is the subject of continuous research. One way of reducing or eliminating cracks is by reinforcing the overlay material with short length, randomly oriented carbon fibres. This paper shows the results of the development of latex modified concrete reinforced with short carbon fibres. Two fibre lengths were introduced to typical latex modified concrete mix in order to evaluate different mechanical properties used as indicators of the performance improvement. Results show that the resulting material tends to be less stiff than plain latex modified concrete, so that for the same load level, carbon fibre latex modified concrete is able to support more tensile strain ...
Keeping me awake at night: some issues and questions about managing technology☆

Comment mesurons-nous ou evaluons-nous l'utilisation des technologies dans nos bibliotheques (par exemple comptage sur fichier log)? Quel est le role des technologies dans la formation (emploi de salles de cours electroniques par exemple)? A quoi les bibliothecaires doivent-ils reflechir? Que doivent-ils planifier?
Differential hemodynamic, metabolic and hormonal effects of morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide.

Abstract Although the hyperglycemic effect of morphine has been previously described, it is not clear whether this is the result of increased glucose production and/or decreased glucose utilization and if this metabolic effect is lost with glucuronidation. This study assessed the hemodynamic (heart rate; HR and mean arterial blood pressure; MABP), hormonal and whole body glucose metabolic effects of morphine (MOR) and its metabolite morphine 6-glucuronide (MOR-6G) in conscious unrestrained chronically catheterized rats. Whole body glucose kinetics were assessed with a primed constant intravenous infusion of [3- 3 H]gluccose in rats infused i.c.v. with H 2 O (Con; 5 μl/h), MOR (80 μg/h) or MOR-6G (1 μg/h) for a total of 4 h. MOR administration resulted in a significant 20% elevation in HR and no change in MABP. MOR-6G produced a 14% increase in HR and no change in MABP. A significant rise in plasma glucose (+23%), hepatic glucose production ( R a ; +27–61%) and whole body glucose utilization ( R d ; +31–61%) was also observed within 60 min of MOR administration. I.c.v. MOR-6G resulted in hemodynamic, metabolic and hormonal parameters of H 2 O infused rats. I.c.v. MOR resulted in a significant increases in epinephrine (2-fold), norepinephrine (50%), corticosterone (97%) with no alterations in plasma insulin and glucagon. I.c.v. MOR-6G resulted in more marked elevations in norepinephrine (5-fold), epinephrine (7-fold) and similar elevation in corticosterone (99%) and modest elevation of glucagon (40%). These results indicate that (i) MOR-induced hyperglycemia is the result of direct central (CNS) mechanisms that result in increased hepatic glucose production, (ii) MOR-induced stress response is enhanced at least 80-fold with glucuronidation, and (iii) MOR inhibits the pancreatic glucose-stimulated insulin release.
SERCA2 Haploinsufficiency in a Mouse Model of Darier Disease Causes a Selective Predisposition to Heart Failure.

Null mutations in one copy of ATP2A2, the gene encoding sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2), cause Darier disease in humans, a skin condition involving keratinocytes. Cardiac function appears to be unimpaired in Darier disease patients, with no evidence that SERCA2 haploinsufficiency itself causes heart disease. However, SERCA2 deficiency is widely considered a contributing factor in heart failure. We therefore analyzed Atp2a2 heterozygous mice to determine whether SERCA2 haploinsufficiency can exacerbate specific heart disease conditions. Despite reduced SERCA2a levels in heart, Atp2a2 heterozygous mice resembled humans in exhibiting normal cardiac physiology. When subjected to hypothyroidism or crossed with a transgenic model of reduced myofibrillar Ca2+-sensitivity, SERCA2 deficiency caused no enhancement of the disease state. However, when combined with a transgenic model of increased myofibrillar Ca2+-sensitivity, SERCA2 haploinsufficiency caused rapid onset of hypertrophy, decompensation, and death. These effects were associated with reduced expression of the antiapoptotic Hax1, increased levels of the proapoptotic genes Chop and Casp12, and evidence of perturbations in energy metabolism. These data reveal myofibrillar Ca2+-sensitivity to be an important determinant of the cardiac effects of SERCA2 haploinsufficiency and raise the possibility that Darier disease patients are more susceptible to heart failure under certain conditions.
A simple and probabilistic proof of the binomial theorem

This article presents a new and very simple proof of the binomial theorem. Although the binomial theorem in itself is not a probability result, the proof given is based on probabilistic concepts.
Connexin43 immunoreactivity in the catfish retina

We used antibodies directed against rat heart connexin43 (Cx43) to perform immunoblot and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses of the catfish retina. The antibodies recognized a retinal protein which co-migrated with mouse brain Cx43. IHC staining resulted in punctate labeling of the external limiting membrane and the outer nuclear layer. Although infrequent, labeling was also observed in the inner nuclear layer. These results suggest that a Cx43 isoform may be present in Muller glial cells and neurons of the distal catfish retina.
Dissociable effects of dopamine on learning and performance within sensorimotor striatum.

Abstract Striatal dopamine is an important modulator of current behavior, as seen in the rapid and dramatic effects of dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson disease (PD). Yet there is also extensive evidence that dopamine acts as a learning signal, modulating synaptic plasticity within striatum to affect future behavior. Disentangling these “performance” and “learning” functions is important for designing effective, long-term PD treatments. We conducted a series of unilateral drug manipulations and dopamine terminal lesions in the dorsolateral striatum of rats highly trained to perform brief instructed head/neck movements (two-alternative forced choice task). Reaction times and accuracy were measured longitudinally to determine if task behavior changed immediately, progressed over time, and/or persisted after drug withdrawal. Enhanced dopamine signaling with amphetamine caused an immediate, nonprogressive, and bilateral decrease in reaction times (RT). The altered RT distributions were consistent with reduced distance to threshold in the linear approach to threshold with ergodic rate (LATER) model of decision-making. Conversely, the dopamine antagonist flupenthixol caused experience-dependent, persistent changes in RT and accuracy indicative of a “learning” effect. These RT distributions were consistent with a slowed rate of approach to decision threshold. Our results show that dopaminergic signaling makes dissociable contributions to current and future behavior even within a single striatal subregion, and provide important clues for both models of normal decision-making and the design of novel drug therapies in PD.
Estate Settlement: An Epilogue

A niece tells the story of serving as a co-executrix in settling her aunt's modest estate. Lessons learned include recognizing that when named persons in a will die, it is wise to have a list of their children; that a will from one state may be seen as foreign in an adjacent state; that ethical issues have to be considered in the settlement process; that updated contact information for any sources of money (no matter how small) is mandatory; and that one must consider contingencies that could impact the distribution of assets to heirs.