cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Increases Bilateral Directed Brain Connectivity during Motor-Imagery Based Brain-Computer Interface Control.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to affect motor and cognitive task performance and learning when applied to brain areas involved in the task. Targeted stimulation has also been found to alter connectivity within the stimulated hemisphere during rest. However the connectivity effect of the interaction of endogenous task specific activity and targeted stimulation is unclear. This study examined the aftereffects of concurrent anodal high-definition tDCS over the left sensorimotor cortex with motor network connectivity during a one-dimensional EEG based sensorimotor rhythm brain-computer interface (SMR-BCI) task. Directed connectivity following anodal tDCS illustrates altered connections bilaterally between frontal and parietal regions, and these alterations occur in a task specific manner; connections between similar cortical regions are altered differentially during left and right imagination trials. During right-hand imagination following anodal tDCS, there was an increase in outflow from the left premotor cortex to multiple regions bilaterally in the motor network and increased inflow to the stimulated sensorimotor cortex from the ipsilateral premotor cortex and contralateral sensorimotor cortex. During left-hand imagination following anodal tDCS, there was increased outflow from the stimulated sensorimotor cortex to regions across the motor network. Significant correlations between connectivity and the behavioral measures of total correct trials and time-to-hit correct trials were also found, specifically that the input to the left premotor cortex correlated with decreased right hand imagination performance and that flow from the ipsilateral posterior parietal cortex to midline sensorimotor cortex correlated with improved performance for both right and left hand imagination. These results indicate that tDCS interacts with task-specific endogenous activity to alter directed connectivity during SMR-BCI. In order to predict and maximize the targeted effect of tDCS, the interaction of stimulation with the dynamics of endogenous activity needs to be examined comprehensively and understood.
Microstructure evolution and self-assembling of CNT networks during mechanical stretching and mechanical properties of highly aligned CNT composites

Abstract Using a floating catalyst synthesis process, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be produced to form randomly oriented networks. However, to realize their potential high structural performance, the nanotubes must be aligned and closely packed to eliminate molecular and microscale defects, which would be similar to carbon fiber microstructures. This paper describes a mechanical stretching technique using bismaleimide (BMI) resin to transform the randomly oriented networks into aligned networks. The BMI resin acts as a lubricant to decrease the friction between the nanotube bundles within the network during the stretching process. The unique flattening and self-assembling behaviors and the resultant graphitic crystal packing of CNTs were observed. The nanotubes' degree of alignment, measured by Raman and X-ray scattering drastically increased at approximately 40% stretch strain, plateaued at a 60% stretch strain, and achieved a maximum of 0.92 degree of alignment with noticeable graphitic crystal packing at 80% stretch strain. Both TEM and SEM observations indicate that as the stretch strain increased, the CNTs started to align along the stretched direction and self-assembled into large bundles. Additionally, high-resolution TEM analysis indicated that the CNTs exhibited flattening and polygonization self-assembling to form graphitic crystal packing. Tensile testing on the stretched CNT/BMI composite samples revealed an increase in Young's modulus, with a maximum of 252 GPa at 80% stretch strain, while an ultimate tensile strength of 1.58 GPa was reached at 70% stretch strain. The high degree of alignment and polygonization packing resulted in a better load transfer among CNTs, and thus a higher mechanical performance in the resultant CNT composites. Furthermore, this stretching process is scalable and has the potential to realize greater performance for applications using CNTs.
Echocardiography segmentation based on a shape-guided deformable model driven by a fully convolutional network prior

Advances in deep learning have yielded simplified solutions in many challenging medical imaging problems. Despite their capability, these learning approaches often fail to produce accurate and reliable segmentation in echocardiography image sequences due to varying amounts of speckle noise accompanied with ill-defined and missing boundaries. For this, we propose a combination of deep learning and a shape-driven deformable model in the form of level set. The proposed method uses an end-to-end trained fully convolutional network that acts as a prior to drive the level set-based deformable model. Further, we define a new energy formulation within the level set framework that accounts for characteristics of the desired structure. By employing the proposed method, we achieve accurate and reliable segmentation of cardiac structures (left ventricles) both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Better way to measure f π in the linear σ model

It is argued that the zero-momentum two-point function in a finite box can be used to get ${\mathrm{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}$ in the linear \ensuremath{\sigma} model. The method is based on a soft-pion finite-size theorem which is conjectured to hold if the boundary conditions are periodic. The present procedure is expected to be much more efficient than a previous proposal.
A Smart Memory Accelerated Computed Tomography Parallel Backprojection

As nanoscale lithography challenges mandate greater pattern regularity and commonality for logic and memory circuits, new opportunities are created to affordably synthesize more powerful smart memory blocks for specific applications. Leveraging the ability to embed logic inside the memory block boundary, we demonstrate the synthesis of smart memory architectures that exploits the inherent memory address patterns of the backprojection algorithm to enable efficient parallel image reconstruction at minimum hardware overhead. An end-to-end design framework in sub-20nm CMOS technologies was constructed for the physical synthesis of smart memories and evaluation of the huge design space. Our experimental results show that customizing memory for the computerized tomography (CT) parallel backprojection can achieve more than 30% area and power savings while offering significant performance improvements with marginal sacrifice of image accuracy.
Taking the bull by the horns: Patient trampled by bull requiring surgical fixation of multiple rib fractures including rib 11

Abstract Rib fractures are a serious problem in thoracic trauma resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Surgical stabilization in the management of rib fractures is gaining more popularity and recognition as outcomes continue to show positive results, however, there is still hesitancy among the trauma community to recommend this intervention. Although there still remains questions as to which patients to provide surgical stabilization to in the non-flail rib fracture patient population, surgical stabilization of rib fractures have been shown to be extremely beneficial in those patients with flail chest and should be strongly considered in this patient population, especially if they require ventilatory support. Here we present a 62-year-old female with severe chest wall deformity from 21 rib fractures after being trampled by a bull. This included a flail segment and a severely angulated 11th rib fracture piercing through the lung into the retroperitoneum. Furthermore, we also introduce a new technique for stabilization of rib fractures that are more posterior. Given the fact we surgically intervened early in our patient with severe chest wall trauma, she had a very favorable outcome, allowing her to be discharged from the hospital in a timely fashion with minimal overall morbidity.
Cardiovascular Effects of Drugs Used to Treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Part 1: Epidemiology, Pharmacology, and Impact on Hemodynamics and Ventricular Repolarization.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It is most commonly encountered in children and adolescents but may persist into adulthood. A variety of psychostimulant and nonpsychostimulant medications have proven to be successful in reducing inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity in those with ADHD. Psychostimulants used to treat ADHD include methylphenidate and related drugs and various amphetamine preparations. Non-psychostimulant medications used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine and two alpha-2 adrenergic agonists: guanfacine extended-release and clonidine extended-release. The psychostimulants and atomoxetine have been shown, on average, to increase heart rate by 3-10 beats/min, systolic blood pressure by 3-8 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure by 2-14 mm Hg. These drugs may also delay ventricular repolarization. The alpha-2 adrenergic agonists may reduce heart rate and blood pressure. For these reasons, there is concern about the safety of psychostimulant and nonpsychostimulant medications in patients with ADHD. In part 1 of this review, we discuss the epidemiology and natural history of ADHD, describe the pharmacology of drugs used to treat ADHD, and discuss in detail studies assessing the effects of ADHD drugs on blood pressure, heart or pulse rate, and electrocardiographic indices of ventricular repolarization.
Clinical Identification and Referral of Adults With Prediabetes to a Diabetes Prevention Program.

Purpose and objectives Community programs to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes are effective, but implementing these programs to maximize their reach and impact remains a challenge. The American Medical Association (AMA) partnered with the YMCA of the USA, as part of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation demonstration project, to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative quality improvement strategies to increase routine screening, testing, and referral of Medicare patients with prediabetes to diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) at local YMCAs. Intervention approach AMA recruited 26 primary care practices and health systems in 17 US communities to implement point-of-care and retrospective methods (or a combination of both) for screening, testing, and referral of Medicare patients with prediabetes. Evaluation methods We assessed changes in rates of referral and enrollment of patients among participating practices. We used a mixed-methods pretest-posttest evaluation design to determine if use of certain tools and resources, coupled with systems changes, led to increased screening and referrals. Results Practices referred a total of 5,640 patients, of whom 1,050 enrolled in a YMCA DPP (19%; range, 2%-98%). Practices (n = 12) that used retrospective (ie, electronic medical record [EMR]) systems to identify eligible Medicare patients via a registry referred more people (n = 4,601) to the YMCA DPP than practices (n = 10) that used a point-of-care method alone (n = 437 patients) or practices (n = 4) that used a combination of these approaches (n = 602 patients). All approaches showed increased enrollment with point-of-care methods being most successful. Implications for public health Lessons learned from this intervention can be used to increase diabetes prevention in the United States and support the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to expand Medicare coverage to include the DPP for all Medicare beneficiaries.
Effectiveness of the Asking Saves Kids gun violence prevention campaign in an urban pediatric clinic

PURPOSE Gun violence is a leading cause of injury deaths in children in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that “the absence of guns from children’s homes and communities” is the most effective means to prevent firearm injuries in children. Bright Futures guidelines recommends that pediatricians provide gun safety education to caregivers beginning in infancy. However, few pediatricians provide this important injury prevention education. The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) campaign, promoted by the AAP, encourages caregivers to ask if there is a gun where their child …
AFF3 and BACH2 are master regulators of metabolic inflexibility, β/α-cell transition, and dedifferentiation in type 2 diabetes

ABSTRACT Type 2 Diabetes is associated with defective insulin secretion, reduced β-cell mass, and increased glucagon production. Cell lineage-tracing in rodents and human autopsy surveys support the notion of β-cell dedifferentiation as a unifying mechanism for these abnormalities. Yet, mechanistic determinants of human β-cell failure remain elusive. Using regulatory-network-based single-cell analysis of human islets, we identify aberrant, diabetes-enriched transitional states characterized by metabolic inflexibility, α/β-transition, and endocrine progenitor/stem cell features. A coordinated transcription factor hierarchy mediating cell state transition emerged and was validated using barcoded guide-based, single-cell gene transfer and calcium flux measures in primary human islet cells. Specifically, two master regulators and associated epigenetic drivers emerged, one (AFF3) controlling β- to α-like-cell reprogramming, the other (BACH2) transition to a dedifferentiated endocrine progenitor-like cell. The findings provide mechanistic insight into diabetic islet cell dysfunction and suggest actionable pathways for pharmacological intervention.
Class and Classism

Chapter 2 explains more on the definitions and nature of class and classism, including sections on intersectionality, microaggressions, discrimination, internalised oppression, the impacts of classism and how classism is justified. It also aims to break down some of the prevailing myths about working-class people and describe some cultural differences between working-class and middle-class people that are important when considering how to eradicate environmental classism and embrace working-class environmentalism.
Is It Time to More Fully Address Teaching Religion and Spirituality in Medicine

This article discusses why physicians find it difficult to discuss spirituality and religion with their patients, examines some of the consequences, and proposes ways forward.
Towards a Comparative Measure of Legged Agility

We introduce an agility measure enabling the comparison of two very different leaping-from-rest transitions by two comparably powered but morphologically different legged robots. We use the measure to show that a flexible spine outperforms a rigid back in the leaping-from-rest task. The agility measure also sheds light on the source of this benefit: core actuation through a sufficiently powerful parallel elastic actuated spine outperforms a similar power budget applied either only to preload the spine or only to actuate the spine during the leap, as well as a rigid backed configuration of the identical machine.
Inappropriate Transfer of Burn Patients: A 5-Year Retrospective at a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE Burn injuries have an annual incidence exceeding 40,000. The Burn Center Referral Criteria published by the American Burn Association (ABA) serve to guide health centers in determining appropriateness of patient transfer to a specialized center. With inappropriate transfer rates reaching up to 77%, reliance on the ABA criteria is critical as the decision to transfer a patient can impose significant costs to both the patient and healthcare system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of all burn patient transfers to a single burn center over a 5-year period and assess the potential role of telemedicine to optimize the assessment and care of this patient population. METHODS A 5-year retrospective review was conducted to all burn patients transferred or consulted for transfer to our burn center between January 2013 and January 2017. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 767 cases were analyzed, with 612 ultimately being transferred. Outcome measures included basic clinical and demographic information, as well as logistical burn and transfer data such as percent total body surface area and transfer distance. After data collection, 5-year descriptive trends were analyzed, and the ABA criteria were applied to each patient case to evaluate appropriateness of transfer. Patients transferred despite not meeting at least one of the ABA criteria were classified as inappropriately transferred. RESULTS A total of 25 patients (3.2%) were found to be inappropriate transfers. Statistical analysis compared appropriately transferred patients (n = 587) with those inappropriately transferred. Overall, inappropriately transferred patients were more likely to have superficial partial thickness burns (76% vs 46%, P = 0.05), were less likely to need surgery (4% vs 22%, P < 0.05), and had a higher incidence of upper extremity burns (32% vs 4%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our study increases awareness of the most commonly seen presentation of inappropriately transferred burn patients over a 5-year period at our center. Given the advent of telemedicine, the ability of institutions to pinpoint a subset of patients most vulnerable to inappropriate transfer will allow for a streamlining of resources that will serve to benefit both patients and the health system.
Receiver Energy Efficiency and Transmission Latency Analysis of Outage-Constrained Differential PSK With a Finite Resolution ADC

We consider a power constrained downlink communication scenario where energy efficiency, reliability, and latency take precedence over rate, as in some Internet of Things (IoT) applications. To reduce its receiver power consumption and complexity, we assume that the IoT device has a single RF chain and investigate the finite-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operation with differential Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulation. A lower ADC resolution leads to an exponential decrease in power consumption, while adopting differential PSK enables the use of a low-cost detector with no channel state information (CSI) or carrier phase recovery circuitry. Our main goal in this article is to compare, both analytically and numerically using representative IoT system design parameters, the receiver energy efficiency of the proposed differential PSK system with a coherent PSK system that uses estimated CSI under reliability and latency constraints in Rayleigh slow-fading and ADC quantization distortion conditions. To mitigate the ADC finite-resolution effects without requiring CSI at the receiver or transmitter, we propose and analyze a PSK differentially-modulated Alamouti space-time block transmission scheme with only two RF chains at the transmitter while still restricting the IoT device to have a single RF chain. Our results demonstrate that in the considered low-rate, and outage and latency-constrained scenario with stringent power consumption requirements, differentially-modulated Alamouti transmissions to a single RF-chain IoT device with a low-resolution ADC is an attractive choice in terms of receiver energy efficiency, reliability, and transmission latency.
GRB after-glow: Supporting the cosmological fireball model, constraining parameters, and making predictions

Cosmological fireball models of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) predict delayed emission, ``after-glow,'' at longer wavelengths. We present several new results regarding the model predictions, and show that X-ray to optical observations of GRB970228 and GRB970402 are naturally explained by the model: The scaling of flux with time and frequency agrees with model predictions and requires a power law distribution of shock accelerated electrons, dlog N/dlog E=2.3+-0.1 (implying, and consistent with the observed, 1/t decline of flux observed at a given frequency); The absolute flux value agrees with that inferred through the model from observed gamma-ray fluence. The future after-glow emission of these bursts is predicted. The observations indicate that the ratio of magnetic field to equipartition value and the fraction F of dissipated kinetic energy carried by electrons are not much smaller than 1. More frequent observations at a fixed wavelength, or a wide spectrum at a fixed time, would put strong constraints on these parameters. We show that inverse-Compton scattering suppresses X-ray/ optical emission at delays t 1GeV photons and providing a natural explanation to the delayed GeV emission observed in several strong bursts.
Comprehensive Model for Child Services: Parent Education Follow Through Program.

Abstract One program which provides comprehensive child and family services is the Parent Education Follow Through Program. Developed at the University of Florida in 1968 by Dr. Ira J. Gordon and moved to the University of North Carolina in 1977, this program is currently implemented in ten diverse communities across the nation, both rural and urban. Using a theoretical ecological framework, the program focuses on the relationship between the home and the school with attention also given to other systems present in the community as well as at the state and national levels. The major features of the program include the following: (1) comprehensive services (social, psychological, and medical); (2) weekly home visitations by paid paraprofessionals during which home learning activities stressing specific parental teaching behaviors are delivered; and (3) parental participation of various kinds including volunteer, employee and decision-maker. The data that have been collected to measure these program areas have shown that the model has had a positive impact upon children's achievement as well as upon their families, the school, and the community.
Earth's Magnetic Field

Recent studies of the time averaged field (TAF) shows that the paleofield of Earth is much less variable than the present magnetic field, which is asymmetric between the northern and southern hemispheres. The VGP dispersion in the southern hemisphere is much larger than in the northern hemisphere. If the present Earth's magnetic field were a good template for the field in the past then a larger VGP dispersion would be expected than is observed. The present field may therefore be leading to an excursion or a reversal.
A survey of Russian literature related to human factors engineering.

A survey of available Russian literature was conducted to determine the feasibility and desirability of a full-scale search of the Russian literature for articles relevant to the field of human factors engineering. Both translated and untranslated material were screened. Although the survey was of very limited scope, it was found that a sufficient volume of pertinent material is being generated and is available to merit systematic attention by human factors engineers in this country.
Instream-Flow Needs For Anadromous Salmonids And Lamprey On The Pacific Coast, With Special Reference To The Pacific Southwest

This paper addresses differences in instream-flow needs (IFNs) of Pacific salmonids and lamprey across species, life stages, and stream sizes on the Pacific coast, with additional consideration of salmonid-IFN data from northern Europe. The Pacific Southwest data set was for various life stages of coho salmon and steelhead trout in small coastal streams of central and southern California. These data showed that younger life stages required less flow than adults. The Pacific Northwest data set was for spawning adults of all five salmon species and steelhead trout in Washington or northern California. These data showed that spawning salmonids required more flow, relative to mean annual flow, in smaller streams. Although these IFNs varied by species, all were much higher than IFNs to protect wetted perimeters (rearing habitat) and water quality in these streams. The high-flow guild included chinook, pink, and chum salmon, whereas the low-flow guild included coho and sockeye salmon. Steelhead were unique in showing relatively high spawning IFNs for creeks and small rivers, unlike large rivers, such that IFNs were more affected by stream size for this species than salmon.
Promoter prediction and annotation of microbial genomes based on DNA sequence and structural responses to superhelical stress

In our previous studies, we found that the sites in prokaryotic genomes which are most susceptible to duplex destabilization under the negative superhelical stresses that occur in vivo are statistically highly significantly associated with intergenic regions that are known or inferred to contain promoters. In this report we investigate how this structural property, either alone or together with other structural and sequence attributes, may be used to search prokaryotic genomes for promoters. We show that the propensity for stress-induced DNA duplex destabilization (SIDD) is closely associated with specific promoter regions. The extent of destabilization in promoter-containing regions is found to be bimodally distributed. When compared with DNA curvature, deformability, thermostability or sequence motif scores within the -10 region, SIDD is found to be the most informative DNA property regarding promoter locations in the E. coli K12 genome. SIDD properties alone perform better at detecting promoter regions than other programs trained on this genome. Because this approach has a very low false positive rate, it can be used to predict with high confidence the subset of promoters that are strongly destabilized. When SIDD properties are combined with -10 motif scores in a linear classification function, they predict promoter regions with better than 80% accuracy. When these methods were tested with promoter and non-promoter sequences from Bacillus subtilis, they achieved similar or higher accuracies. We also present a strictly SIDD-based predictor for annotating promoter sequences in complete microbial genomes. In this report we show that the propensity to undergo stress-induced duplex destabilization (SIDD) is a distinctive structural attribute of many prokaryotic promoter sequences. We have developed methods to identify promoter sequences in prokaryotic genomes that use SIDD either as a sole predictor or in combination with other DNA structural and sequence properties. Although these methods cannot predict all the promoter-containing regions in a genome, they do find large sets of potential regions that have high probabilities of being true positives. This approach could be especially valuable for annotating those genomes about which there is limited experimental data.
Defensive Barricades of the Maya

This overview ofMaya defensive barricades is organized into three sections: generalizations, case studies, and controversies/future directions in the study ofMaya defensive barricades. Before discussing theMaya defensive barricades, I provide the who, where, and when of the Maya culture and history. Maya is a term that is used to define a culture that is primarily concentrated in Guatemala; Belize; the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche, Chiapas, and Veracruz; and the Western portions of the countries of Honduras and El Salvador. Despite popular narratives for the collapse of the Maya society that resulted in vast empty jungle cities, millions of Maya currently live in various parts of the world and many speak one or several of the 28 different languages that are linguistically classified as Mayan. Scholars of the Maya have long-established affinities among extant Maya groups, the indigenous peoples that Spanish colonizers encountered (e.g., Hernan Cortes, Fray Diego de Landa) and the pre-Columbian peoples of contemporary Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador (cf. Coe, 2011; Sharer & Traxler, 2006). Based on the closeness of some linguistic, cultural, and material traits, such as the use of a 260-day calendar, evidence for the Maya culture can be found for over 3,000 years and is generally divided into five periods of culture and history: Preclassic (2000 BC–AD 250), Classic (AD 250–900/ 1000), Postclassic (AD 900/1000–1525), Colonial/Historic (AD 1525–1825), and Modern (AD 1825–present). Although the dates for the start and end of each period can vary by scholar and location (site, region), scholars of the Maya generally use the above periods in the order outlined.
Omomyid primates (Tarsiiformes) from the Bridger Formation, middle Eocene, southern Green River Basin, Wyoming

Abstract New specimens of omomyid primates from the Bridger Formation, middle Eocene, of southwestern Wyoming reveal the presence of one new genus and two new species of anaptomorphines and two new genera and species of omomyines. The new genus and species of anaptomorphine, Sphacorhysis burntforkensis, has affinities with Trogolemur and suggests new relationships within the tribe Trogolemurini. The new species of anaptomorphine, Gazinius bowni, shows that this rare genus was not necessarily restricted to basin margin faunas as previously thought. The new genera of omomyines, Wyomomys bridgeri and Ageitodendron matthewi, are both related to the late middle Eocene genus Ourayia, and help to clarify relationships within the Ourayiini, new tribe. Further analysis of new specimens reveals that Hemiacodon and Macrotarsius are closely related and should be included in a tribe, Macrotarsiini, distinct from other omomyids. Omomyines dominate the omomyid primate radiation both in diversity and total specimen number through most of the Bridgerian; anaptomorphines remain a rare, but persistent element of mammalian faunas through the Bridgerian.
Palliative Care and Orthopedics: What is on the Horizon?

The patient-centered model of palliative care relies on effective and empathetic communication with the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals who have terminal illness [1]. To achieve this goal, the orthopedic surgeon must be aware of the various treatment options that are available to patients who have metastatic bone disease when treating physical needs as well as increased emotional distress [2]. This includes operative and nonoperative treatment strategies; however, even if the physician is aware of the most sophisticated treatment strategies and has considerable expertise in these techniques, this qualifies him/her only as a competent technician. Providing palliative care requires more than technical expertise and knowledge. The orthopedic surgeon’s primary role in treating patients who have skeletal metastases is to improve the patient’s quality of life. How one determines quality of life can be difficult. The surgeon’s measure of the success of a given treatment and its effect on quality of life may differ dramatically from the patient’s measure. As a general rule, the surgeon’s role should be one of being a supportive facilitator by informing patients of currently available treatments, risks, and benefits. Considerations for what can and should be done for a given patient should be based primarily on the wishes of the patient and family. At times, the physician’s preferred treatment plan may conflict with the patient’s wishes. Ultimately, the surgeon must understand the goals of treatment from the patient’s perspective and act as
Toxicopathic hepatic lesions as biomarkers of chemical contaminant exposure and effects in marine bottomfish species from the Northeast and Pacific Coasts, USA

Abstract Relationships between toxicopathic hepatic lesions and chemical contaminants in sediments, stomach contents, liver and bile were evaluated in English sole, starry flounder and white croaker from 27 sites on the Pacific Coast, and winter flounder from 22 sites on the Northeast Coast of the USA, as part of the NOAA's National Benthic Surveillance Program (NBSP). Prevalences of and relative risks for most toxicopathic lesions were significantly higher in fish from contaminated sites in Puget Sound, the Los Angeles area, and San Francisco and San Diego Bays on the Pacific Coast, and in Boston Harbor, Raritan Bay and certain urban sites in Long Island Sound on the Northeast Coast. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes and dieldrin were significant risk factors for all lesion types in Pacific Coast species. In winter flounder from the Northeast Coast, exposure to PAHs, DDTs or chlordanes were significant risk factors only for hydropic vacuolation, nonneoplastic proliferative and nonspecific necrotic lesions, and less commonly for neoplasms and foci of cellular alteration. Risk of hepatic disease generally increased with fish age, but sex was rarely a risk factor. Temporal trends analyses of hepatic lesion prevalences in starry flounder, white croaker and English sole from NBSP sites on the Pacific Coast failed to detect any significant monotonic increases or decreases in lesion prevalence. Recent studies utilized a two-segment ‘hockey-stick’ regression technique applied to NBSP data to determine threshold levels of sediment PAHs, which are clearly associated with toxicopathic hepatic lesions in English sole. Significant chemical threshold levels for these lesions are in the vicinity of 500–1000 ppb ΣPAHs in sediment, values considerably lower than those reported for other techniques. Application of this dose-response model to these subacute and chronic lesions involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, provides nonlethal sediment quality assessment endpoints for contaminant concentrations that may have long term health implications for chronically exposed native fish populations. Overall, these relationships provide strong evidence for environmental contaminants as etiologic agents for hepatic lesions in several marine bottomfish species, and clearly indicate their utility as biomarkers of contaminant-induced effects in wild fish, whether in national and regional biomonitoring programs or within the injury assessment phase of the legal process of assessing damage to fishery resources.
Two procedures for estimating mean cell volume

Mean cell volumes often must be measured during experiments involving cultured cells. For example, knowledge of the cell volume is required to determine the intracellular concentration of any molecule. Also a change in mean cell volume is an indication of cell aging. Although the sizes of cells in culture frequently are distributed widely about the mean, alterations of cell volume in response to most treatments are generally manifest on all cells in the population, and therefore changes in the mean cell volume may be used as a general indication of cell volume changes. Although electronic methods of cell sizing are generally more precise and rapid than manual procedures, not all laboratories have access to the sophisticated instrumentation required; therefore manual procedures still are widely used. Furthermore, since all methods depend upon some absolute calibration standard, manual procedures, if executed with sufficient care, may yield results as accurate as the automated methods. Manual methods involve either: (a) the use of measuring devices such as the ocular micrometer, which depends upon the approximation that the cells are perfect spheres when measured; or (b) determinations of packed-cell volumes, which involve accurate measurements of both the cell pellet volume and the extracellular space.
Review of the Caribbean species of Dohrniphora Dahl (Diptera: Phoridae)

Based on previous records and newly collected material, we review the species of Dohrniphora of the Caribbean islands, not including Trinidad. Five species are present: D. cornuta (Bigot), D. dispar (Enderlein), D. divaricata (Aldrich) and two new species, D. seriata and D. sexspinosa. We redescribe the three previously known species, and illustrate all with scanning electron micrographs of the posterior face of the hind femur and drawings of the male genitalia. Both of the new species are unusual in having six scutellar setae instead of the usual four. The species D. cavifemur Borgmeier is synonymized with D. divaricata, and the allotype male identified as D. cornuta. A key to the males of Caribbean species of Dohrniphora is provided.
Mandated Choice: A Plan to Increase Public Commitment to Organ Donation

Objectives. —To estimate the impact of mandated choice—a system that requires competent adults to decide prospectively whether or not they wish to be organ donors when they die—on public commitment to organ donation; and to explore who is best suited to provide consent—the family or the individual? Design. —A national, random-digit telephone survey conducted by the Gallup Organization in July 1993. Participants. —A representative sample (n=1002) of adults (aged 18 years and older) living in homes with telephones in the continental United States. Results. —Although the majority of respondents had given at least some thought to organ donation, only 25% had carefully considered this issue. Overall, 30% had decided to donate, but 58% were undecided and only 38% had made their wishes known to a family member. Yet the vast majority (82%) believes that the best way to obtain consent is for each adult to decide for himself or herself, rather than leaving this decision for the family. Under mandated choice, which is designed to encourage such self-determination, 63% would sign up to donate, 24% would not, and 13% were unsure. Conclusions. —Only a small fraction of the US public is currently committed to organ donation and relatively few people have carefully considered and communicated their wishes regarding this important issue. Therefore, the difficult question of consent is often left for the family. Yet most people believe that ideally all adults should answer this question for themselves, in contrast to our present family-oriented approach, but consistent with the design of mandated choice. If mandated choice became law, it appears that most adults would sign up to donate, thereby increasing the pool of desperately needed committed donors. ( JAMA . 1995;273:504-506)
Rabbit Test for Thermal Reactions Caused by Concentrated Horse Serum

ConclusionsMeasurement of the pyrogenic activity of horse antipneumococcic sera in rabbits will aid in the production of concentrated serum free of chill-producing substances.
Gene discovery for complex diseases using exomic sequencing: identifying pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes

Traditional methods of gene discovery, candidate gene and linkage approaches, have yielded very few pancreatic cancer susceptibility loci, such that genetic basis of ~90% of the familial clustering of pancreatic cancer is unknown. The recent advances and cost reductions in genome sequencing have enabled us to identify pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes through exomic sequencing patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer. Individuals that have an inherited tumor suppressor gene often lose the wild- type allele through loss of heterozygosity or somatic mutation. Therefore, we examined a patient's tumor and germ-line DNA for genes with evidence of both inherited and somatic variants that were likely to result in the absence of a functional protein in the patient's tumor. We also analyzed data on normal genetic variation in published databases and in individuals without pancreatic cancer. These analyses identified PALB2 as candidate pancreatic cancer gene. The role of PALB2 in familial pancreatic cancer was validated by studying an additional 96 pancreatic cancer patients. Large-scale follow-up studies of over 500 familial pancreatic cancer patients are currently underway.
Alternative pathways of tail fiber assembly in bacteriophage T4

Abstract On the basis of assembly competition experiments, a possible tail fiber assembly intermediate is described consisting of fiberless particles to which are loosely bound the distal half-fibers (product of genes 35 to 38). Fiber “assembly jig” sites on the head are proposed to explain this binding of the distal half-fibers as well as to explain the old observation that phage heads and tails must be joined prior to tail fiber attachment. In addition, a very strong genetic polar effect is shown to be exerted by gene 34 amber mutations upon the expression of (presumably) gene 35 in in vitro complementation.
Over-the-scope clip-assisted method for resection of full-thickness submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Background and study aims: The over-the-scope clip (OTSC; Ovesco Endoscopy, Tubingen, Germany) is deployed after suctioning tissue into the cap. The tissue may then be resected endoscopically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the OTSC for the endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal tumors. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients undergoing endoscopic resection of submucosal lesions. Results: Eight patients underwent endoscopic resection of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the duodenum (n = 4), rectum (n = 1), or stomach (n = 2), or granular cell tumor (GCT) of the esophagus (n = 1). The mean size of the lesions was 13.4 mm (range 9 – 20 mm). Application of the clip was successful in all patients. A successful endoscopic resection was accomplished in all. A complete resection (R0) was accomplished in 7/8 patients (87.5 %). A full-thickness resection was achieved in 2/8 (25.0 %), one in a patient with a gastric NET and the other in a patient with GCT of the esophagus. There were no complications. Conclusions: This case series suggests that the OTSC system may be a valuable tool for the resection of submucosal lesions, but further prospective and randomized studies are necessary to assess the indications and outcome.
Partnerships To Provide Care And Medicine For Chronic Diseases: A Model For Emerging Markets

The challenge of expanding access to treatment and medicine for chronic diseases in emerging markets is both a public health imperative and a commercial opportunity. Cross-sector partnerships—involving a pharmaceutical manufacturer; a local health care provider; and other private, public, and nonprofit entities—could address this challenge. Such partnerships would provide integrated, comprehensive care and medicines for a specific chronic disease, with medicines directly supplied to the partnership at preferential prices by the manufacturer. The model discussed here requires additional specification, using real numbers and specific contexts, to assess its feasibility. Still, we believe that this model has the potential for public health and private business to cooperate in addressing the rising problem of chronic diseases in emerging markets.
Cited 1 and its role in Wilms’ tumorigenesis

Purpose: Cited1 is a novel transcriptional co-factor that regulates in part the mesenchymal-to-epithelial conversion of the developing kidney. Failure of renal mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate may underlie their clonal expansion and transformation into the embryonal Wilms’ tumor (WT). We hypothesize that mis-expression of Cited1 in the renal mesenchyme impairs cellular differentiation and therefore may subject susceptible stem cells to future oncogenic events. Methods: To evaluate the effects of Cited1 on cellular functions critical to differentiation and tumorigenesis, the human WT cell line, SK-NEP-1, was infected with a retroviral delivery system to over-express Cited1 (F/L) and two distinct functionally inactivating mutants, ▵SID and ▵CR2. GFP-only infected cells (LZRS) served as control. Infected cells were purified by FACS (for GFP) and expression confirmed by Western blot. Proliferation and apoptosis were assayed in triplicate by thymidine incorporation and annexin V staining respectively. SCID mice (n = 4 / cell line) were injected subcutaneously with 5 x 10 x 6 cells in 500μl of PBS to determine effects on tumor biology. Results: Download high-res image (106KB) Download full-size image Conclusions: Mis-expression of Cited1 alters cellular proliferation and programmed cell death, events that are critical to differentiating progenitor cells of the developing kidney. Altered coordination of these cellular events may promote persistence of stem cells susceptible to future oncogenic events.
Use of a Bronchial Blocker to Improve Gas Exchange in Respiratory Failure and Differential Lung Disease

The use of a bronchial blocker to optimize gas exchange in a patient with marked differential lung disease is reported. This technique proved to be a useful alternative in an ICU setting to independent lung ventilation.
Increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis in normal rats by cross-circulation with ileal bypassed partners

Aortic cross-circulation between Holtzman rat littermates was employed to investigate the possible role of a blood-borne factor from the small intestine in the regulation of hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Experimental pairs, consisting of a normal rat and a distal 50% small bowel excluded partner, demonstrated significantly increased combined hepatic cholesterol synthesis when compared to control pairs, consisting of two normal rats, both at 3 and 5 days following parabiosis. This difference was accounted for by increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis in the normal rat in each experimental pair. Neither weight loss nor differences in dietary intake contributed to this effect. Whole blood cholesterol in the common circulation of both experimental and control pairs was lowered; while hepatic cholesterol content was transiently increased, at 3 but not 5 days following parabiosis. Thus, the intestinal bypassed rat stimulates, or releases inhibition of, hepatic cholesterol synthesis in a non-bypassed parabiotic partner. The mechanism for this phenomenon has yet to be defined.
The cost-reduction potential of electric-power pools

Abstract This research uses a non-parametric estimation procedure developed by Johansen (1972) to provide a comparison of the costs of generating electricity by a group of utilities operating either independently or as a fully integrated power pool. This paper shows that the pool may reduce costs significantly, if firms are willing to cede control to the pool.
COMPLEXATION OF STRONTIUM IN THE SYNERGISTIC EXTRACTION SYSTEM DICYCLOHEXANO-18-CROWN-6, VERSATIC ACID, CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

ABSTRACT The synergism in the extraction of Sr⊃ +⊃ from 0.5M Sr(NO⊂3⊂) ⊂2⊂ by 0.05M dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) + 0.1M Versatic 1519 (abbreviated v-acid or RCOOH, a neo carboxylic acid) in CCl⊂4⊂ has been found to stem from a strong 1:1 interaction between DC18C6 and Sr⊃2+ ⊃ However, both nitrate and carboxylate can function as the anion for the (DC18C6)Sr⊃2+⊃ moiety. At aqueous conditions corresponding to less than complete loading (i.e., [Sr⊃2+⊃[ org < 0.05M for pH < 11.7), (DC18C6)Sr(NO⊂3;)⊂2⊂ precipitates as a solid. As the pH is raised in the interval 7 < pH < 11.7 to deprotonate the V-acid, the precipitate (DC18C6)Sr(NO⊂3⊂) ⊂2⊂ becomes solubilized first with probable formation of a mixed-anion complex and finally with quantitative (0.05M) formation of the monoraeric complex (DC18C6)Sr(OOCR) ⊂2⊂ H⊂2⊂O at pH = 11.7 as confirmed by viscometric titration of 0.05M DC18C6 in wet CCl⊂4⊂ with Sr(OOCR) ⊂2⊂, Karl-Fischer titrations, vapor-phase osmometry, and IR spectrophotometry.
Sub-Picosecond IR Study of the Reactive Intermediate in an Alkane C−H Bond Activation Reaction by CpRh(CO)2

The reactive intermediate in a cyclohexane C−H bond activation reaction by CpRh(CO)2 has been identified as the cyclohexane solvate η5-CpRh(CO)(C6H12) by sub-picosecond infrared spectroscopy.
Scan cell design for launch-on-shift delay tests with slow scan enable

Most scan-based designs implement the scan enable as a slow speed global control signal, and can therefore only implement launch-on-capture (LOC) delay tests. Launch-on-shift (LOS) tests are generally more effective, achieving higher fault coverage with significantly fewer test vectors, but requiring a fast scan enable. A low cost solution for implementing LOS tests by adding a small amount of logic in each flip-flop to align the slow scan enable signal to the clock edge is presented. The new design is much more efficient when compared with other recent proposals and can support full LOS testing. It can be further modified for mixed LOC/ LOS tests that achieve transition delay fault coverage approaching 95% for the ISCAS89 benchmarks.