(DIGSS) Determination of Intervals using Georeferenced Survey Simulation: An R package for subsurface survey.

Systematic survey is a crucial component of the archaeological field endeavor. In low visibility areas, systematic subsurface testing is required, most often in the form of shovel test pits or "STPs". Decisions about the interval between STPs, and the size of such units, impact significantly both the effectiveness of survey for site location and the efficiency of such prospection efforts, and yet "cookie-cutter" survey strategies are often employed without a thorough examination of their costs and benefits.

Comparison of laboratory delignification methods, their selectivity, and impacts on physiochemical characteristics of cellulosic biomass.

Two established delignification methods employing sodium chlorite-acetic acid (SC/AA) and peracetic acid (PAA) are often used, and are reportedly highly selective. However, these reports are mostly for highly recalcitrant and unpretreated softwoods and hardwoods species, and information for less recalcitrant lignocellulosic feedstocks and pretreated biomass is scarce. Furthermore, the effects on cellulose structure are not documented.

Cellulose Isolation Methodology for NMR Analysis of Cellulose Ultrastructure.

In order to obtain accurate information about the ultrastructure of cellulose from native biomass by C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy the cellulose component must be isolated due to overlapping resonances from both lignin and hemicellulose. Typically, cellulose isolation has been achieved via holocellulose pulping to remove lignin followed by an acid hydrolysis procedure to remove the hemicellulose components. Using C CP/MAS NMR and non-linear line-fitting of the cellulose C₄ region, it was observed that the standard acid hydrolysis procedure caused an apparent increase in crystallinity of ~10% or less on the cellulose isolated from Populus holocellulose.

Effect of acid-chlorite delignification on cellulose degree of polymerization.

Two types of pure cellulose, Avicel PH-101 and Whatman filter paper, were treated with an acid-chlorite delignification procedure in the presence of varying amounts of incorporated lignin, and the molecular weight distributions and degrees of polymerization (DP) of derivatized cellulose were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Avicel samples with 0% added lignin showed a DP reduction of nearly 5% during acid-chlorite delignification, compared to a 1% drop in DP with 30% added lignin. Lignin-free filter paper samples showed a DP reduction of nearly 35% after hollocellulose delignification.

Impact of recipient obesity on living donor kidney transplant outcomes: a single-center experience.

The number of overweight and obese patients undergoing renal transplantation has drastically increased in the last two decades. Studies on graft survival and complication rates of these obese patients have had conflicting results, with some reporting a significant risk and others reporting relatively good outcomes. We examined 1-year outcomes in obese and nonobese patients who underwent living donor transplants at our transplant program, a slightly different approach than prior studies of deceased donor transplants into patients with high body mass index (BMI).

Estradiol valerate and intake of sweetened water.

Recently, it has been shown that female rats receiving very large doses (e.g., 2 mg) of estradiol valerate (EV) take considerably more alcoholic beverage than placebo controls.

A new HLA-A1 mutation: a novel, null variant allele.

From an unusually informative family of 8 with near identical parental haplotypes (a and c), which differed by a single nucleotide substitution, we identified a new HLA-A1 null variant. While serologic antigen typing initially showed a "blank" allele in maternal haplotype "c" and 2 male offspring, more sophisticated DNA molecular HLA typing subsequently revealed the presence of a novel HLA-A0101 allele. Sequence-based typing showed a point mutation consisting of a nucleotide substitution of a cytosine for a guanine at nucleotide 215 yielding an amino acid change of arginine to proline at codon 48 in exon 2 (R48P).

A pharmacological dose of estradiol can enhance appetites for alcoholic beverages.

Each of 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 2 mg of estradiol valerate (EV), 30 others were given placebos. EV is a preparation that delivers estradiol for more than 12 days, but probably less than 20. Fifteen days later, the females had the opportunity to take sweetened alcoholic beverage 24 h a day across 25 days.

One injection of estradiol valerate induces dramatic changes in rats' intake of alcoholic beverages.

A series of experiments investigated the effects of a single injection of estradiol valerate (EV) on female rats' consumption of alcoholic beverages. EV provides sustained release of estradiol. Just after an injection of EV, rats' intake of a palatable alcoholic beverage, which had been taken regularly before, is reduced dramatically.

Research with rats germane to medication for alcoholism: consequences of noncompliance.

Results of prior work indicate that (a) rats take stable, toxic levels of ethanol when they receive a daily regimen of limited opportunities to take both water and sweetened ethanol solution and (b) the combination of isradipine plus naltrexone persistently reduces those intakes. What are the effects of periodically missing doses of isradipine, naltrexone, or both? That is, what are the effects of differing levels of compliance? To get relevant information, rats were placed on a daily regimen, leading them to take, by choice, large amounts of ethanol (>2.0 g of ethanol per kilogram of body weight during 2 h a day).

Amlodipine, a calcium channel inhibitor, and cocaine and ethanol's reinforcing effects.

The effects of amlodipine (from 0.1 to 3.0 mg/kg) on rats' pressing for rewarding brain stimulation, with and without cocaine administration, were assessed.

Shorter turn-around-time and improved patient care in peripheral blood progenitor cell collection procedures.

The collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) requires the combined efforts of the Transfusion Medicine/Hemapheresis and Hematology/Oncology services and HLA/Progenitor Cell and Immunology laboratories. Coordination and communication among these different services and laboratories are key to attaining an optimal collection in a timely manner for the patient undergoing PBPC collection. In an effort to improve patient care by same-day decision to cease or continue collections avoiding unnecessary collections, needless patient trips to the hospital and ultimately increasing patient satisfaction, a flow chart was used to capture the sequence of events.

Valproate reduces intake of alcoholic beverage among rats.

A series of experiments was carried out to assess the effects of valproate (VAL) on the intake of ethanol by rats. In Experiment 1, the effects of VAL (150 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.

Responding for rewarding brain stimulation: cocaine and isradipine plus naltrexone.

Rats, fixed with chronically indwelling electrodes for electrical intracranial stimulation (ICS) of the lateral hypothalamus, were taught to press a bar for ICS. Once pressing rates became stable, during daily 20-min sessions, rats were given cocaine (5 or 20 mg/kg) before the sessions. When given daily, cocaine consistently enhanced rates of pressing.

A combination of isradipine and naltrexone blocks cocaine's enhancement of a cocaine place preference.

Rats were conditioned by pairing cocaine with one side of an alley and placebo with the other. After conditioning, compared to Baseline and a placebo-control group, rats spent more time in the place of cocaine experience. Subsequently, there were further tests except now cocaine was given just before the test session in addition to one of two other kinds of injections.

Isradipine combined with naltrexone persistently reduces the reward-relevant effects of cocaine and alcohol.

Previous studies have revealed that the combination of small doses of isradipine and naltrexone (ISR&NTX) blocks the ability of cocaine to enhance pressing for rewarding, lateral hypothalamic brain stimulation. Further, such combinations also reduce rats' intakes of alcoholic beverages. Here, we asked whether ISR&NTX would lose its ability to reduce the reinforcing effects of cocaine and alcohol when given daily.

Isradipine and naltrexone in combination with isradipine interact with a period of abstinence to reduce rats' intakes of an alcoholic beverage.

Individually housed rats were placed on a daily regimen of only 2 hr a day to drink both water and a sweetened alcoholic beverage. Initially, rats took little ethanol, but after 3 weeks, they took, on average, >2.0 g/kg daily.

Isradipine blocks cocaine's ability to facilitate pressing for intracranial stimulation.

Using rats pressing for rewarding electrical intracranial stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle, it was found that a single administration of isradipine blocked the rate-enhancing effects of cocaine (5.0 mg/kg) at doses of 3.0 and 10.

Combination of naltrexone and fluoxetine on rats' propensity to take alcoholic beverage.

Naltrexone (NTX) and fluoxetine (FLU) are useful for treating alcoholism and depression, respectively. Furthermore, these afflictions covary. Given the possibility that people might be prescribed NTX and FLU concurrently, we assessed the effects of these two agents on rats' propensity to drink an alcoholic beverage.

Isradipine in combination with naltrexone as a medicine for treating cocaine abuse.

Rats were fixed with chronically indwelling electrodes for intracranial stimulation (ICS) of the medial forebrain bundle of the lateral hypothalamus. They were trained to press a bar in a Skinner box for the ICS. After stable rates of pressing for both a low and a high intensity of ICS were achieved during daily sessions, the rats were given doses of cocaine before the daily sessions.

Periodic naltrexone and propensity to take alcoholic beverage.

For over 2 months, 45 rats were maintained on a daily regimen involving 2 hr a day of access to both water and palatable alcoholic beverage. At first, they took little ethanol. As days progressed, they eventually took over 2 g/kg of ethanol during the 2 hr.

Naltrexone persistently reduces rats' intake of a palatable alcoholic beverage.

Rats were given 30 days of opportunity to take a sweetened alcoholic beverage and water for 2 hr/day. At first, they took little alcohol, but subsequently took, on average, 2.3 g/kg of alcohol/daily session.