cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Built environment and weight disparities among children in high- and low-income towns.

Objective To assess differences in built environment and child weight, and associations between them in high- and low-income communities. Methods By means of cross-sectional clinical and demographic data for children aged 2 to 18 years from an integrated health system in Massachusetts, we linked subject (n = 6680) and spatial data from Geographic Information Systems. We selected towns with at least 100 subjects per town (n = 46 towns), and we divided towns into quartiles by household income. We compared highest and lowest quartile towns on environmental characteristics (density of fast food restaurants, distance to nearest fast food restaurant, distance to nearest age-appropriate school) and overweight and obesity prevalence. We used clustered logistic regression to assess for associations between environmental characteristics and weight and carried out similar analyses stratified by age (2 to Results Low-income towns had more sidewalks, less open space, a greater density of fast food restaurants, and higher rates of overweight/obesity. Among low-income-town children, after adjusting for age, gender, race, and town, density of fast food restaurants was positively associated with overweight and obesity, whereas distance to nearest age-appropriate school and fast food restaurant were inversely associated with obesity. Children from low-income towns appeared to have more consistent associations between weight status and the built environment. Conclusions Built environment varies by town income. Children living in low-income towns tend to have built environments that promote energy intake and decrease opportunities for energy expenditure.
Dissociation of Primary and Secondary Reward-Relevant Limbic Nuclei in an Animal Model of Relapse

The neural substrates underlying relapse to drug-seeking behavior after chronic drug abuse may differ from those underlying immediate drug-taking behavior. In a model of relapse to drug-seeking behavior following chronic cocaine self-administration and prolonged extinction, we have previously shown that rats will significantly reinstate lever responding for either primary reward (cocaine) or secondary reward (tone + light stimulus previously paired with cocaine). In the present study, we utilized reversible inactivation of discrete brain nuclei with tetrodotoxin (TTX) in order to examine the neural substrates mediating primary and secondary cocaine reward in rats allowed two weeks of cocaine self-administration. After one week of daily extinction sessions, bilateral inactivation of the basolateral amygdala resulted in significant attenuation of lever pressing for a cocaine-conditioned reward (tone + light). Following three more days of extinction, bilateral TTX inactivation of the basolateral amygdala had no effect on the reinstatement of cocaine self-administration. In contrast, TTX inactivation of the nucleus accumbens produced the exact opposite effects, with significant blockade of primary reward (cocaine alone), but not secondary reward (tone + light). Thus, cocaine-conditioned reward is neuroanatomically dissociated from primary cocaine reward.
How Critical Is the Blood-Brain Barrier to the Development of Neurotherapeutics?

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), with its charged, lipid-based, continuous basement membrane and specialized transporters, is optimized to exclude potentially threatening compounds from the central nervous system (CNS). In the setting of CNS diseases, the careful construction of the BBB is thought to restrict access of therapeutic agents that may otherwise be effective, contributing to poorer outcomes. However, there is controversy in the neurotherapeutics community about the degree to which this hypothesis is true; some argue that the BBB is not the critical factor because it naturally opens in the setting of brain pathology and that techniques to circumvent the BBB do not improve drug efficacy in many instances.1 Moreover, some drugs do not need direct access to brain tissue in order to have their therapeutic effect. For example, fingolimod and bevacizumab are effective in patients with multiple sclerosis and glioblastoma, respectively, although their primary mechanism of action is systemic. Additionally, in some brain tumors, achieving target drug concentrations in the brain either fails to show efficacy or, in fact, causes toxicity.2 In these instances, the factor impeding success of neurotherapeutics is clearly not the BBB.
Conflict at Work: A Materialist Analysis of Workplace Relations

The article presents a review of the book “Conflict at Work: A Materialist Analysis of Workplace Relations,” by P. K. Edwards.
Cellular therapy of the host to prevent GVHD.

In this issue of Blood , Florek et al from Stanford describe an interesting new approach to the problem of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).[1][1] ![Figure][2] Exposure to apoptotic cells prior to BMT improves survival. BALB/c mice were injected with C57BL/6 BM plus conventional T cells (
Differential Games with Lipschitz Control Functions and Fixed Initial Control Positions

Abstract Differential games in which one or both players are restricted to choosing control functions which are uniformly Lipschitz continuous and which start at fixed initial conditions always have a value. We derive the Hamilton-Jacobi equation which this value satisfies a.e. as a function of the initial time t , the initial state x , and the initial control positions. We also show that a “Lipschitz Game” has an approximate saddle point in pure strategies. The approach of Friedman to differential games is used.
Environmental Contributions to the Stability of Antisocial Behavior over Time: Are They Shared or Non-shared?

It has recently been argued that shared environmental influences are moderate, identifiable, and persistent sources of individual differences in most forms of child and adolescent psychopathology, including antisocial behavior. Unfortunately, prior studies examining the stability of shared environmental influences over time were limited by possible passive gene-environment correlations, shared informants effects, and/or common experiences of trauma. The current study sought to address each of these limitations. We examined adolescent self-reported antisocial behavior in a 3.5 year longitudinal sample of 610 biological and adoptive sibling pairs from the Sibling Interaction and Behavior Study (SIBS). Results revealed that 74–81% of shared environmental influences present at time 1 were also present at time 2, whereas most non-shared environmental influences (88–89%) were specific to a particular assessment period. Such results provide an important constructive replication of prior research, strongly suggesting that shared environmental contributions to antisocial behavior are systematic in nature.
Risk of long-term complications after TFG-β1–guided very-high-dose thoracic radiotherapy☆

Abstract Purpose To report the incidence of late complications in long-term survivors of very-high-dose thoracic radiotherapy (RT) treated on a prospective clinical trial. Methods and materials Patients with locally advanced or medically inoperable non–small-cell lung cancer received three-dimensional conformal RT to the primary tumor and radiographically involved lymph nodes to a dose of 73.6 Gy at 1.6 Gy twice daily. If the plasma transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) level was normal after 73.6 Gy, additional twice-daily RT was delivered to successively higher total doses until the maximal tolerated dose was reached. Patients within a given dose level were followed for 6 months before escalation to the next dose level was permitted. Late complications were defined according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Results Thirty-eight patients were enrolled between 1996 and 1999. Twenty-four patients were not eligible for radiation dose escalation beyond 73.6 Gy because of persistently abnormal TGF-β1 levels. Fourteen patients received dose escalation (80 Gy in 8; 86.4 Gy in 6). Grade 3 or greater late complications occurred in 4 of 24, 1 of 8, and 2 of 6 patients treated to 73.6, 80, and 86.4 Gy, respectively. The corresponding patient numbers with late Grade 4-5 toxicity were 3 of 24, 0 of 6, and 0 of 8. Overall, 7 (18%) of the 38 patients developed Grade 3–5 late toxicity. Nonpulmonary complications predominated (4 of 7). Five (71%) of seven serious complications developed within 11 months after RT; however, the remaining two complications (29%) occurred very late (at 43 and 62 months). The 5-year actuarial risk of late Grade 3–5 complications was 33%. Conclusion Long-term survivors of very-high-dose RT for non–small-cell lung cancer have a significant risk of severe treatment-related complications. At these high dose levels, the predominant toxicity may no longer be pulmonary. All Grade 4-5 complications occurred in patients whose dose was limited to 73.6 Gy because of a persistently elevated TGF-β1. Thus, persistently elevated plasma TGF-β1 levels toward the end of RT may identify patients at greatest risk of severe complications.
Models for Bounded Systems with Continuous Dynamics

Models for natural nonlinear processes, such as population dynamics, have been given much attention in applied mathematics. For example, species competition has been extensively modeled by differential equations. Often, the scientist has preferred to model the underlying dynamical processes (i.e., theoretical mechanisms) in continuous time. It is of both scientific and mathematical interest to implement such models in a statistical framework to quantify uncertainty associated with the models in the presence of observations. That is, given discrete observations arising from the underlying continuous process, the unobserved process can be formally described while accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty (e.g., measurement error, model choice, and inherent stochasticity of process parameters). In addition to continuity, natural processes are often bounded; specifically, they tend to have nonnegative support. Various techniques have been implemented to accommodate nonnegative processes, but such techniques are often limited or overly compromising. This article offers an alternative to common differential modeling practices by using a bias-corrected truncated normal distribution to model the observations and latent process, both having bounded support. Parameters of an underlying continuous process are characterized in a Bayesian hierarchical context, utilizing a fourth-order Runge-Kutta approximation.
Singularities of Møller-Plesset energy functions.

The convergence behavior of Moller-Plesset (MP) perturbation series is governed by the singularity structure of the energy, with the energy treated as a function of the perturbation parameter. Singularity locations, determined from quadratic approximant analysis of high-order series, are presented for a variety of atoms and small molecules. These results can be used as benchmarks for understanding the convergence of low-order methods such as MP4 and for developing and testing summation methods that model the singularity structure. The positions and types of singularities confirm previous qualitative predictions based on functional analysis of the Schrodinger equation.
Community action in Alabama's Black Belt Timber-Dependent communities

The current decline in the economic well-being of the residents of the Alabama's Black Belt communities is well documented. High poverty rates, limited job growth, falling real per capita income, and increased out-migration are signs of current economic problems. With the resurgence of interest in promulgating self-help and community action mechanism at the local, state, and national levels, the purpose of this research is to examine collective community action by local officials in the Black Belt Timber Dependent communities to meet the social and economic well-beings of local residents. Data from the case study research indicate that race is the primary factor in actions with a collective dimension in Forestville. Inequality based on race suppresses interaction among the residents whose lives and well-being are in fact tied together ecologically; and, without interaction, collective local action cannot exist. The community has not been hospitable to African Americans because they are viewed or seen as social inferiors and this view is expressed by many whites who grew up in the community. The white leadership discouraged collective action in order to maintain its hegemony in the community. The African Americans with political power have no resources and great exertion is needed to change established community relationships. In Forestville, racial and ethnic cleavages makes collective community actions to levelop local business and industry and human services impossible. Implications of the research findings are discussed.
An immunoglobulin promoter region is unaltered by dna rearrangement and somatic mutation during b-cell development.

The V1 gene encodes the heavy chain variable region of antibodies that bind to phosphorylchollne in the Balb/c mouse. VI genes have been cloned from mouse sperm DNA, an IgM-producing tumor HPCM2 and an IgA-producing tumor M167. The transcription start site of the V1 gene has been mapped 63± 1 base pairs from the coding sequence for both α and µ transcripts. Comparison of flanking DNA sequence 574 base pairs 5' to the V1 transcription start site in sperm, HPCM2 and M167 DNA reveals that sperm and HPCM2 sequences are completely identical in this region and the M167 sequence differs from them by a single base change. Although the coding region of the V1 gene has undergone a high (4%) rate of somatic mutation in M167 we demonstrate that the somatic mutation mechanism stops near the transcription start site. These results demonstrate that initiation of V1 gene transcription remains unchanged with respect to location and 5' sequences throughout B-cell development.
A MOCVD reactor safety system for a production environment

Abstract MOCVD growth of GaAs frequently is accomplished using trimethylgallium and arsine. Although these materials are presently used safely worldwide in a research environment, their hazardous nature is an important consideration in the application of MOCVD to production. This paper describes a MOCVD reactor safety-interlock and automatic shutdown system now being evaluated on a research reactor for its suitability in a production environment. Some specific features employed are fire detection, reactor overpressure prevention, and toxic gas exposure control. This paper will also discuss the technique used to remove As and AsH 3 from the reactor exhaust.
The Unromantic Rousseauian: Scanlon on Justice, Value Coherence and Freedom *

Scanlon differs from many liberals – Isaiah Berlin, for example – in that he rejects deep value pluralism. He thinks that the requirements of social justice actually cohere with the requirements of other political values. But like many other liberals, Scanlon does not think that value coherence has any implications for the kind of freedom that we should care about in assessing social and political institutions. In this paper, I take issue with Scanlon’s view of the relation between value coherence and freedom. Following Rousseau, I argue that value coherence does in fact contribute to our freedom, and that we should structure our basic institutions so as to increase value coherence and thereby enhance our freedom overall.
The pragmatic web: some key issues

In recent years interests towards the Pragmatic Web have been increasing. Since the preliminary sketches and initial ideas in the first years of this decade, some attempts at defining and characterizing the Pragmatic Web has emerged. Building upon the initial characterizations, the aim of this paper is to develop some of the key issues concerning the Pragmatic Web, especially those that distinguish it from the semantic web. By drawing ideas from the linguistic metaphor and from research conducted in technology studies, the paper aims at characterizing certain central features that make the web a pragmatic one. The central argument of this paper is that the Pragmatic Web is a collaborative technology, dependent on communities of users and the practices of use of the community.
RNA’s coming of age as a drug target

After being perceived for a long time merely as an intermediate between DNA (the depository of the genetic information) and proteins (the macromolecules that work inside a cell), RNA is now the center of attention in biomedical research. RNA’s boost in fame is in part attributable to the discovery of its role in controlling the expression of certain genes through direct sensing of small molecules. In addition, the RNA component of the protein synthesis machinery is the prime target for most antibiotics. Molecular recognition principles that underlie RNA–ligand interactions in these systems emerged from relentlessly refined structural, thermodynamic and kinetic studies. Together, they keep informing the design of novel drugs that are much needed to help alleviate the current resistance crisis.
Investigation of coupled diode laser dynamics using an electronic analog

ABSTRACT We study the behavior of coupled semiconductor lasers using a reduced phase model that captures theiressential dynamics yet remains analytically tractable. We design a simple electronic circuit analog, a phase-locked loop, to investigate the system. The circuit offers important experimental advantages, since it operateswith slower speeds than a comparable laser system, and has easily tunable parameters. This study reveals new and unexpected period-three states, which we also consider theoretically. Keywords: coupled semiconductor lasers, nonlinear dynamics, phase-locked loops 1 INTRODUCTION The phase-locked loop (PLL) is a circuit element found commonly in a multitude of electronics applications;examples include demodulation, frequency synthesis, and clean signal regeneration.1 Indeed, PLLs are so usefuland ubiquitous that they are available in a variety of monolithic integrated circuit packages. The PLL circuititself has attracted the attention of the nonlinear dynamics community during the past decade, for a varietyof reasons. It is an interesting nonlinear dynamical system in its own right, demonstrating routes into chaos,
Protect Yourself from the “Glitches”

Your microcomputer probably draws its power from a standard 110‐V wall receptacle. As we're all aware, unfortunately, our power supply is not 100% dependable, and computers are especially vulnerable to power loss because the computer stores its information in a type of memory called RAM (Random Access Memory). The content of that memory is erased whenever the power to the computer is interrupted, even for an instant.
Between friends: Gender, peer group structure, and bilingualism in urban Catalonia

A gap exists between studies of gender and language and studies of bilingualism. The considerable attention given by studies of discourse style to gender differences in friendship patterns is not reflected in research on bilingual communities. This ethnographic case study of high school students in the Barcelona area shows that gender differences in peer group structure can affect the use of the bilingual repertoire, even when there are no apparent sex differences in second language acquisition. In this setting, girls' friendship circles are more solidary and cohesive than boys'. Moreover, girls' groups are ethnically and linguistically homogeneous, while boys' social circles can be ethnically mixed and internally differentiated linguistically. Girls' friendships set stronger constraints on language behavior. In turn, boys and girls reap different social benefits and costs for their linguistic choices, with more serious consequences for girls' social identities and acceptance by peers. (Gender, sex differences, bilingualism, peer groups, language acquisition, social networks, language shift)*
Design and Control of an Autorefrigerated Alkylation Process

The alkylation of C4 olefins with isobutane to produce high-octane C8 components (“alkylate”) is a very important process in many oil refineries. The Kellogg process uses a sulfuric acid catalyst i...
Hypsometries of Michigan's Southeastern Lake Plain

The postglacial surface drainage of Michigan's southern Lake Huron coastal fringe is characterized by basins whose size is associated with the varying levels of prior Huron stages. Drainage development depends on the position of the lakeshore boundary as well as the local topographic geometry. Hypsometric analysis (the graph of the relation between planform basin area and corresponding basin altitude) enables an interpretation of the influence of baselevel and surface form on the development of the local erosional topography. Post glacial streams were forced to adjust to the abrupt changes in lake level. This adjustment is illustrated through the form of the hypsometric curves and the value of the hypsometric integral. Basins whose development depended upon baselevels below that of modern Lake Huron (581 ft/177 m) have mean integral values of .3986 (SD = .0244); those actively adjusting to the modern lake level have a value of .4854 (SD = .0320); and those presently developing out of interbasin divides reveal mean values of .5866 (SD = .0392). Whereas these values fit the standard description of hypsometric integrals used as measures of denudation chronology, careful study illustrates that glacial geometry also determines hypsometry. Geometric discontinuities within basins are found through the analysis of inflections and singularities on hypsometric curves. Some features are the result of the glacio-lacustrine landforms (e.g., lake terraces or moraine crestlines) whereas others are the result of basin planform shape. Hypsometric curves are useful as descriptors of surfacial geometry in basins whose form is due to glacio-lacustrine processes.
A versatile, inexpensive generator of periodic visual stimuli.

Abstract : The report describes a light modulator which consists of two parts: (1) an aperture and rotating disc of varying radius and (2) an optical integrating bar with opal diffusers at each end. With the aperture (typically a slit) uniformly illuminated, the amount of light transmitted is determined by the area of the aperture which is unoccluded by the rotating opaque disc. The radius of the disc varies as the desired modulating function of time or angular position. Light from the aperture then passes through the optical integrating bar with its two opal diffusers. Together, these elements convert the fluctuations in size and location of the incident beam into periodic variations in luminous intensity over the whole area of the output opal diffusing surface. This report also describes the implementation of several waveforms, including sinusoidal modulation of intensity and brightness, square, triangular, 'cogwheel,' and spike waves, as well as a form of dynamic color mixing. (Author)
Optimization of the mammalian respiratory system: symmorphosis versus single species adaptation

Taylor and Weibel's principle of symmorphosis hypothesized optimal design of the mammalian respiratory system, with no excess structure relative to its maximal O2 flux, VO2max. Although they found symmorphosis not to be a general principle of design, it might apply to a highly adapted aerobic athlete, e.g. the Thoroughbred racehorse. Using a mathematical model based on empirical data of the equine O2 transport system at normoxic VO2max, the fraction of the total limitation to O2 flux contributed by each of the respiratory transport steps is calculated as either the fractional change (F) in VO2max for a 1% change in each component, or as the fraction of total O2 pressure drop (R(int)) across each component at VO2max. When calculated as F, alveolar ventilation (VA) and pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLO2) are major limiting factors, circulatory convection (Q) is nearly as limiting, and peripheral tissue diffusing capacity (DTO2) is only one-third as important. When calculated as R(int), DLO2 is the major factor, VA and DTO2 contribute significantly, and Q is smallest. These patterns contrast with analogous studies in humans, in which Q is the single major limiting factor. The results suggest that strong selection for aerobic power in horses has maximized the malleable components of their respiratory systems until the least malleable structure, the lungs, has become a major limitation to O2 flux. Symmorphosis cannot determine if such a design is or is not optimized, as every system falls on a continuous distribution of relative optimization among species. However, the concept of symmorphosis is useful for establishing a framework within which a single species can be compared with a quantitatively defined hypothesis of optimal animal design, and compared with other species according to those criteria.
Reply to Zefferman et al.: Cultural institutions can provide adaptive benefits for costly cooperation

We appreciate the close reading Zefferman et al. (1) give our paper (2). Using a sample of men from a small-scale pastoralist society, we analyzed the relationship between participation in low-risk stealth raids and leadership in high-risk battle raids with reproductive success (2). We found that greater participation in low-risk stealth raids was associated with an increased number of wives and children, whereas leadership in high-risk battle raids was not. Despite the fact that leadership in battle raids imposed serious mortality risks, battle leaders were not reproductively disadvantaged compared with other men. We conclude …
Heterotopic salivary gland tissue in the neck

Heterotopic salivary gland tissue (HSGT) consists of salivary tissue outside of the major and minor salivary glands and typically presents as a draining sinus and/or asymptomatic nodule of the neck along the lower anterior sternocleidomastoid muscle. There are a limited number of case series exploring this rare entity. To further delineate the clinicopathologic characteristics of this lesion, we present 11 cases of HSGT in the neck, many with cutaneous involvement. Anatomic pathology files from Lifespan-affiliated hospitals (Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital) were retrospectively reviewed for all cases meeting criteria for HSGT from 1983 through 2005, and 11 patients were identified: 4 female and 7 male, ages 5 months to 64 years, with 8 patients younger than 18 years; 7 patients presented with a draining sinus. Of note, 8 of 11 cases occurred on the right side. In general, microscopic examination revealed mucinous and serous salivary glandular structures with an associated duct; no cytologic atypia was observed. All cases stained positive for smooth muscle actin and calponin, highlighting a myoepithelial layer similar to that seen in minor and major salivary glands. As in our series, most cases of cervical HSGT occur near the anterior sternocleidomastoid muscle with a right-sided predilection. Cases generally present by early childhood, although 3 cases in our series were diagnosed in adulthood. Although cancers arising in these lesions are fairly uncommon, most clinically apparent foci of HSGT are excised. This entity should be considered in the dermatologist's differential diagnostic considerations for a draining sinus and a lateral, especially right-sided, neck mass.
Essential excitations in phenylene-based conjugated polymers

We have developed a computational approach based on an exciton basis to calculate the excited state spectrum of long chain poly(paraphenylenes). Pictorial descriptions of the excited states relevant in the photophysics of these systems are obtained. Evidence for bound excitons has been found.
On high performance distributed transactional data structures

We present three protocols for developing high performance distributed transactional data structures. Our first protocol, QR-ON, incorporates the open nesting transactional model into QR, a quorum-based protocol for managing concurrency on distributed transactions. The open nesting model allows nested transactions to commit independently of their parent transaction. This releases objects in the transaction read-set and write-set early, minimizing aborts due to false conflicts and improving concurrency. We then introduce Optimistic Open Nesting, QR-OON, in which open-nested transactions commit asynchronously so that subsequent transactions can proceed without waiting for the commit of previous transactions. Finally, we propose an early release methodology, QR-ER, in which objects that do not affect the final state of the shared data are dropped from the transaction read-set, avoiding false conflicts and improving performance.
Introducing home telemanagement of congestive heart failure using Xbox gaming platform

Gaming platforms enjoy growing recognition as useful means to facilitate consumer health. The potential of such widely used platforms as Xbox for self-management of chronic health conditions has not yet been fully uncovered. We developed a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) system which utilizes Xbox to access personal health record, receive self-care support, and exchange information with health care providers. The system questions patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) to monitor symptoms, weight changes, and quality of life while educating the patient on their disease. The system is designed to run on the Microsoft Xbox videogame console using an active internet connection and a connection to a computer running Windows Media Center. It questions the patient daily on their condition, monitors their weight, and provides the patient with instant feedback on their condition in the form of a 3 zone CHF action plan. The system is designed to be as simple as possible, making it usable by patients with no prior computer or videogame experience. This telemanagement system has been successfully designed and implemented to optimize the care of patients with CHF.
Abstract 5714: Screening of some tropical Indian plants for their anticancer activity

Carcinoma of the breast, colon and prostate are highly prevalent malignancies in the Western nations. Although much innovation in diagnosis and treatment of these cancers has been done but no satisfactory treatment options are currently available. New agents are required which can be developed as anticancer drugs. Despite major scientific and technological progress in combinatorial chemistry, plant derived drugs still make an enormous contribution to drug discovery. Tropical plant species namely Artemisia vulgaris (Compositae), Cichorium intybus (Compositae), Smilax glabra (Liliaceae), Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae) and Swertia chirayata (Gentianaceae) are commonly used for medicinal purposes in traditional forms of Indian medicine. Extracts derived from various parts have shown anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties. However, the anticancer property has not been elucidated. We used human cancer cell lines derived from breast (T47-D), colon (RKO) and prostate (PC-3), to conduct our work. Aqueous freeze dried extracts were prepared from inflorescence (Artemisia vulgaris), seeds (Cichorium intybus), rhizome (Smilax glabra), berries (Solanum nigrum) and whole plant (Swertia chirayata) at the doses ranging from 1-1000μg/mL used to determine EC50 value by performing MTT assay. Exposure of aqueous extract obtained from berries of Solanum nigrum for 24-72h caused 40-87% growth inhibition of PC-3 cells and EC50 value determined to be 220μg/mL after 24 h of treatment. Similarly T47-D cells demonstrated 48-79% inhibition (EC50 550μg/mL) and RKO cells exhibited 40-76% inhibition of cell growth and EC50 value determined to be >1000 μg/mL. Furthermore, aqueous extracts of Artemisia vulgaris, Cichorium intybus, Smilax glabra and Swertia chirayata exhibited cell growth inhibition in all three cell lines but the EC50 values determined were >1000μg/mL. Treatment of cells with 500μg/mL doses of various plant extract for 48h exhibited DNA laddering in all three cell lines with Solanum nigrum. To further verify the apoptotic effect Solanum nigrum we investigated changes in the activity of the apoptotic-related proteins: poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase 3, which were cleaved in all three cell lines suggesting induction of apoptosis through perturbation of apoptotic signal pathway. A mechanistic understanding of the anti-proliferative and anticancer effects of Solanum nigrum remains to be elucidated. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5714.
Replication and pathogenesis associated with H5N1, H5N2, and H5N3 low-pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in chickens and ducks

A comparative study examining replication and disease pathogenesis associated with low-pathogenic H5N1, H5N2, or H5N3 avian influenza virus (AIV) infection of chickens and ducks was performed. The replication and pathogenesis of highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) has received substantial attention; however, the behavior of low-pathogenic AIVs, which serve as precursors to HPAIVs, has received less attention. Thus, chickens or ducks were inoculated with an isolate from a wild bird [A/Mute Swan/MI/451072/06 (H5N1)] or isolates from chickens [A/Ck/PA/13609/93 (H5N2), A/Ck/TX/167280-4/02 (H5N3)], and virus replication, induction of a serological response, and disease pathogenesis were investigated, and the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences of the isolates were determined. Virus isolated from tracheal and cloacal swabs showed that H5N1 replicated better in ducks, whereas H5N2 and H5N3 replicated better in chickens. Comparison of the NA gene sequences showed that chicken-adapted H5N2 and H5N3 isolates both have a deletion of 20 amino acids in the NA stalk region, which was absent in the H5N1 isolate. Histopathological examination of numerous organs showed that H5N2 and H5N3 isolates caused lesions in chickens in a variety of organs, but to a greater extent in the respiratory and intestinal tracts, whereas H5N1 lesions in ducks were observed mainly in the respiratory tract. This study suggests that the H5N1, H5N2, and H5N3 infections occurred at distinct sites in chicken and ducks, and that comparative studies in different model species are needed to better understand the factors influencing the evolution of these viruses.
Morphine potentiates dextromethorphan-induced vasodilation in rat superior mesenteric artery

The combined action of morphine and dextromethorphan on the superior mesenteric artery was investigated in this study. The artery was cut into rings, placed in a muscle bath and mounted to a force transducer for recording tension. Rings preconstricted with 1 microM phenylephrine produced a dose-dependent relaxation to graded doses of dextromethorphan but showed no response to morphine. An equimolar combination of morphine and dextromethorphan exhibited a marked synergism quantitated by a factor of 3.7 (1.8-7.7, 95% CI). Naloxone, which had no effect on the dextromethorphan dose-response relation, abolished the synergism. Removal of the endothelium produced a slight attenuation of the morphine-dextromethorphan synergism, but the magnitude of this attenuation was the same when dextromethorphan alone was examined in the denuded preparation. In contrast to the marked synergism seen in the mesenteric artery preparation, similar experiments on the carotid artery and the aorta produced only additive interactions.
The Politics of Demon Rum: Regulating Alcohol and Its Deleterious Consequences

This article examines state efforts to regulate alcohol consumption and the effectiveness of that regulation on policy outcomes. The politics of alcohol is examined as a function of the political d...
DTC genetic testing and consumer comprehension

Personal genetic tests first emerged in the consumer marketplace in 2006. Classified as Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing, companies participating in this market enabled customers to buy tests online without doctor involvement. Customers of the DTC company 23andMe were invited to participate in an online survey to determine if the exclusion of medical professionals impacted customers' abilities to interpret and comprehend test results. DTC customers were asked to interpret the results of two mock test cases, where results were translated into disease probability for an individual compared to the public. When asked to evaluate the risk, only 23.8% of those surveyed were able to interpret both the cases correctly. Participants who took time to read the provided supplemental material were 3.93 times (p = .040) more likely to correctly interpret both test results than those who did not. The odds for correctly answering both cases were 3.289 times (p = .011) higher for those who made > $50k than those who made less. As the market for DTCs expands, correct interpretations will become more critical. Involving more health professionals may be needed to ensure high levels of comprehension.
Evaluating Program Options for Young Gifted Children

Abstract Young gifted children display a wide range of individual differences with regard to needs, interests, and abilities. As a result, no single program or method may be appropriate for all young gifted children. In considering placement options for a given child, parents and educators should attempt to maximize the match between program characteristics and the individual child's needs. Program features to consider include the population served (general population or gifted only), administrative arrangement (enrichment and/or acceleration), goals (academic and/or social), and degree of structure or flexibility. Important child characteristics include degree of advancement, areas of advancement, tolerance for individual differences, adaptability, and social-emotional maturity. In addition to providing the most appropriate match for a child, effective early childhood programs also provide a clearly established philosophy, goals, management plan, monitoring system, specialized activities and materials, o...
Community Health Workers and Environmental Interventions for Children with Asthma: A Systematic Review

Community health worker (CHW)-delivered, home-based environmental interventions for pediatric asthma were systematically reviewed. Seven PubMed/MEDLINE listed randomized controlled trials that encompassed the following intervention criteria were identified: (1) home-based; (2) delivered by a CHW; (3) delivered to families with children with asthma; and (4) addressed multiple environmental triggers for asthma. Details of research design, intervention type, and setting, interventionist, population served, and the evaluated outcomes were abstracted. Outcome assessment was broad and non-uniform. Categories included direct mediators of improved health outcomes, such as trigger-related knowledge, trigger reduction behaviors and allergen or exposure levels, and asthma-related health outcomes: change in lung function, medication use, asthma symptoms, activity limitations, and health care utilization. Indirect mediators of health outcomes, or psychosocial influences on health, were measured in few studies. Overall, the studies consistently identified positive outcomes associated with CHW-delivered interventions, including decreased asthma symptoms, daytime activity limitations, and emergency and urgent care use. However, improvements in trigger reduction behaviors and allergen levels, hypothesized mediators of these outcomes, were inconsistent. Trigger reduction behaviors appeared to be tied to study-based resource provision. To better understand the mechanism through which CHW-led environmental interventions cause a change in asthma-related health outcomes, information on the theoretical concepts that mediate behavior change in trigger control (self-efficacy, social support) is needed. In addition, evaluating the influence of CHWs as clinic liaisons that enhance access to health professionals, complement clinic-based teaching, and improve appropriate use of asthma medications should be considered, alongside their effect on environmental management. A conceptual model identifying pathways for future investigation is presented.
Can hyperthyroidism relapse after antithyroid drug treatment be predicted in children with Graves disease

This Practice Point commentary discusses the findings and clinical implications of a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study that Kaguelidou et al. conducted, in which children with Graves disease were monitored for hyperthyroidism relapse after the discontinuation of antithyroid medication. Relapse risk was higher for children of nonwhite ethnic origin who had high serum levels of TSH receptor autoantibodies and T4 at diagnosis. Conversely, older age at onset and longer duration of treatment with antithyroid medication were associated with lower relapse risk. Kaguelidou et al. suggest that a prognostic scoring system might aid treatment decisions; however, controversy exists concerning the treatment of children with Graves disease owing to variability in their responses to antithyroid drugs and a relative paucity of data about the risks and efficacy of definitive therapy in the very young. Here, I highlight the issues that should be considered when interpreting the results of this study, including the practicalities of offering definitive therapy to children.
MURJE: a multiple user remote job entry system

MURJE is a DEC 2780 RJE package modified at Northwest Missouri State University allowing anyone who has a timesharing account on the University's PDP 11/70 timesharing computer to submit and receive batch jobs processed on a AMDAHL 470/V7 processor running under JES2 (OS,VS2). Jobs can be sent and received at any of the 58 terminals within 10 academic labs on campus. Even portable dial up terminals can use the system.The AMDAHL in Columbia, Missouri, is the host computer, while the PDP 11/70 interactive network in Maryville, Missouri, is considered the remote station. The advantages the remote users receive in such an environment includes both the large capacity and multitude of batch languages provided by the host. This is especially important where the remote has a limited but real demand for these services. The amount of use of the services would not however, financially justify their local support (see figure 1).Using a text editor, files containing the job control language, program, and possibly the data are created and stored on the remote's disk. These files are then queued by the user to the host. Remote host communication is via a 4800 baud private telephone line. Basically the AMDAHL is operational 24 hours a day, 6 1/2 days a week and MURJE makes it possible for anyone at these times to send a job to the host computer and receive the output in their private account.By having the software direct the RJE input and output from multiple user accounts, it frees up operators from running, printing, and handling output for RJE jobs. At the same time it frees the sender from extended waits for an operator to submit jobs and distribute output listings at some type of user dispatch window. The user does not go to the computing center to pick up the listing of his or her program, and is not limited to a single copy of the output.Another savings is the amount of paper that is required for output, since the output is stored on disk, available only to the sender, the sender has the capability of displaying the output on any video terminal as in figure 2, and checking its correctness before listing it on a hardcopy terminal or printer as in figure 3.
Comparative plasma catecholamine and hemodynamic responses to handgrip, cold pressor and supine bicycle exercise testing in normal subjects

Serial hemodynamic and plasma catecholamine responses were compared among 10 healthy men (27 ± 3 years) ( ± 1 standard deviation) during symptom-limited handgrip (33% maximal voluntary contraction for 4.4 ± 1.8 minutes), cold pressor testing (6 minutes) and symptom-limited supine bicycle exercise (22 ± 5 minutes). Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured by radioenzymatic assays; ejection fraction and changes in cardiac volumes were assessed by equilibrium radionuclide angiography. During maximal supine exercise, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations increased three to six times more than during either symptom-limited handgrip or cold pressor testing. Additionally, increases in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, stroke volume, ejection fraction and cardiac output were significantly greater during bicycle exercise than during the other two tests. A decrease in ejection fraction of 0.05 units or more was common in young normal subjects during the first 2 minutes of cold pressor testing (6 of 10 subjects) or at symptom-limited handgrip (3 of 10), but never occurred during maximal supine bicycle exercise. The magnitude of hemodynamic changes with maximal supine bicycle exercise was greater, more consistent and associated with much higher sympathetic nervous system activation, making this a potentially more useful diagnostic stress than either handgrip exercise or cold pressor testing.
Pediatric multilevel spine injuries: an institutional experience

Spinal column trauma is relatively uncommon in the pediatric population, representing 1–2% of all pediatric fractures. However, pediatric spinal injury at more than one level is not uncommon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms and patterns of the injury and factors affecting management and outcomes of pediatric multilevel spine injuries. Patients with pediatric spine injury (183) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients (28 boys, 20 girls; mean age 12.8 years; range 3 to 16 years) identified with multilevel spinal injuries were 48 (26.2%): 7 patients (14.5%) were between 3 and 9 years of age, and 41 patients (85.5%) were between 9 and 16 years of age. Of the 48 patients, 30 (62.5%) were at contiguous levels and 18 (37.5%) were at noncontiguous. A total of 126 injured vertebrae were diagnosed. The cervical region alone was most frequently (31.2%) involved, and the thoracic region alone was the least frequently involved (12.5%). Overall, 73% of patients were neurologically intact, 4.1% had incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), and 8.3% had complete SCI. Treatment was conservative in 36 (75%) patients. Surgical treatments were done in 12 patients (25%). Postoperatively, one patient (16.6%) with initial neurologic deficit improved. The overall mortality rate was 6.2%. Multilevel spine injuries are most common in children between 9 and 16 years of age and are mainly located in the cervical region. The rostral injury was most often responsible for the neurologic deficit. The treatment of multilevel spine injuries should follow the same principles as single level injury, stability and neurologic symptoms indicate the appropriate treatment.