cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relation between mouse button click duration and muscle contraction time

Contraction and half relaxation times are important temporal measures of the physiological state of the muscle. We hypothesize that mouse button click durations may mirror muscle twitch contraction times (contraction time + half relaxation time). When comparing muscle twitch contraction times and mouse button-click durations between children, adult females and adult males only small differences in muscle twitch contraction times were observed across these groups whereas large differences in mouse button click durations were measured. Currently, computer mice are designed using a “one size fits all” approach and the results indicate that computer mouse button activation force has different effects on children, adult females and adult males, thus pointing towards effects of device design on computer mouse operation. The results indicate that it may be possible to evaluate the appropriateness of input device activation forces for different statured users by seeking activation forces where the mouse button-click durations approximate and approach the durations of involuntary muscle twitches.
Tumors of the meninges: proposed modifications of the World Health Organization classification.

The present WHO classification of meningiomas has served us well. In keeping with the adage, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it,” alterations should be made with due caution. These proposed modifications of the WHO classification are prompted by advances in our understanding of the pathobiology of meningeal neoplasms, as well as a need for an orderly scheme based upon factors of clinical importance. The author is well aware, that given the vastly differing technologies available to those utilizing the “blue book,” its application must have a basis in routine histology rather than in “high-tech” procedures. No classification is ideal, but the modifications suggested represent a compromise between the pathologist's need for a complete morphologic exposition and the clinician's desire for a concise classification of therapeutic and prognostic significance.
Migdal-Kadanoff determination of the Gell-Mann—Low function for mixed action SU(2) lattice gauge theories

Abstract Migdal-Kadanoff renormalization group equations (MKRGE) allow an analytic determination of the Gell-Mann—Low β function β ( g )  − ∂g / ∂ ln a or lattice actions deep inside the perturbative region. In this region the β function can be written as (1/ g ) β ( g ) = β 0 g 2 + β 1 g 4 + … and the scaling parameters β 0 and β 1 are universal. Based on an argument due to Migdal, the assumption has been that MKRGE do not give the correct values for these parameters. We present here a new method of finding β 0 from the MKRGE, and use this method to show that the usually accepted MK value is in fact valid only for the gaussian action, and that the predicted β 0 varies dramatically for nearby actions. Since analytic MK solutions are derived using only one iteration of the equations it is important that they be evaluated along the stable renormalization trajectory, where lattice artifacts vanish. Our interpretation of the results presented here is that the MKRGE may in fact give a better value for the scaling parameter than had been thought. Confirmation of this awaits detailed analysis of the stable trajectory using our new methods.
Angiotensin II Induction of Osteopontin Expression and DNA Replication in Rat Arteries

We recently identified the adhesive protein osteopontin as a novel smooth muscle cell product overexpressed in rat developing neointima and human atheroma. Although osteopontin is a candidate stimulant for intimal lesion progression because of its chemotactic and calcium binding functions, factors controlling osteopontin expression in arteries remain poorly defined. In vitro, smooth muscle cell expression of osteopontin is associated with cell cycle transit or alterations in cell phenotype, and it is increased by angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation. In the present studies, we investigated both osteopontin expression and DNA replication in the arterial wall in response to chronic Ang II infusion in vivo. Rat carotid arteries with or without intimal thickening (induced by balloon catheterization) were examined. Ang II (250 ng/kg per minute) or vehicle was coinfused with bromodeoxyuridine (to label replicating DNA in vivo) for 2 weeks beginning 4 weeks after injury. With Ang II, smooth muscle cells overexpressed osteopontin as shown by protein immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and Northern blot analyses. Osteopontin mRNA levels were increased markedly (approximately fivefold) in the normal artery media and injured artery neointima, but levels remained low in the injured artery media, in positive correlation ( R 2 =0.88, P
Temporal Regulation of ERK Activity by Light Reveals a Memory Effect in Pc12 Cell Neurite Outgrowth

It has been proposed that differential activation kinetics allows cells to use a common set of signaling pathways to induce different cellular outcomes. For example, nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) induce different activation kinetics of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and result in the distinct outcomes of differentiation and proliferation, respectively. However, direct and quantitative linkage between time kinetics of ERK activation and the cellular response is still lacking due to difficulties in perturbing the kinetics of intracellular signaling pathways. Here, we construct a light-gated protein-protein interaction system that uses light to regulate the activation and inactivation of ERK. We find that light-induced ERK activation alone is sufficient to stimulate significant neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells in the absence of growth factors. Intermittent on/off light control reveals a memory effect in ERK-stimulated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. The memory effect shows a 45 min off-time threshold, below which a full-speed neurite outgrowth is maintained despite that ERK is gradually turned off. When the off-time is greater than the threshold, the speed of neurite outgrowth decreases with a half time of 2 h as cells slowly lose their memory of prior ERK activation. Interestingly, the 45-min time threshold and the 2-h half time memory are independent of the prior duration of ERK activation. Overall, light-controlled signaling kinetics enables precise dissection of the temporal dimension of signal transduction in cells.
On a new approach to the thermonuclear ignition problem and its propulsion potential

Abstract If an electron cloud, magnetically confined inside a long solenoid and generated by inductive charge injection, is compressed in the radial direction, its front, expanding in the axial direction, becomes a Lorentz contracted disc consisting of a very intense pulse of ultrarelativistic electrons. In making an impact on a cylindrical thermonuclear target, the energy stored in the disc is converted into magnetic energy, imploding and igniting the target. The very large magnetic fields reached in the implosion greatly enhance thermonuclear burn. Because this ignition concept converts (1) electric energy stored in capacitors into (2) magnetic energy stored in the coil (3) and from there into the electric magnetic and kinetic energy of an ultrarelativistic electron cloud and (4) finally upon impact into magnetic energy, it leads to a focused energy pulse of very high power. Since it only uses energy conversion by electromagnetic means, it has a high efficiency. Because of the high efficiency, both in the conversion of the energy stored for ignition, but also because of the large magnetic fields in the imploded thermonuclear target, it promises to be much more compact than other ignition concepts based on laser or particle beams. Therefore, if technically feasible, the concept should be well suited for propulsion.
Determination of organically-bound iodine in pharmaceuticals.

Eight official iodinated compounds with iodine contents from 50 to 66 per cent were assayed by the methods official in U.S.P. XVI and N.F. XI, by reduction with zinc in alkali, and by a standard procedure using oxygen flask combustion. An additional four compounds, formerly official, with iodine content as low as 23 per cent were also examined. The results indicate that the suggested standard procedure is equal or superior to the other methods in recovery of iodine and generally equivalent in reproducibility. The alkaline zinc reduction method is suggested for those compounds having an electronegative substituent ortho or para to the iodine atoms on the aromatic ring. The oxygen flask combustion is suggested for all other iodinated compounds and as a general method. The suggested standard procedure consists of combustion by the oxygen flask method, absorption of the combustion products in an alkaline sulfite solution, and titration of the acidified solution of iodide with standard silver nitrate using a silver-calomel electrode pair for potentiometric determination of the end point.
Inpainting with sparse linear combinations of exemplars

We introduce a new exemplar-based inpainting algorithm that represents the region to be inpainted as a sparse linear combination of example blocks, extracted from the image being inpainted or an external training image set. This method is conceptually simple, being computed by minimization of a simple functional, and avoids the complexity of correctly ordering the filling in of missing regions of other exemplar-based methods. Initial performance comparisons on small inpainting regions indicate that this method provides similar or better performance than other recent methods.
Utilization of contraceptives by persons living with HIV in Eastern Uganda: a cross sectional study

In Uganda, there has been an increase in use of contraceptives by 6% from 2006 to 2011 among married women. During the same period HIV prevalence had gone up by 0.9%. Lack of use of contraceptives especially among persons living with HIV may escalate the spread of the virus. The purpose of the study was to determine the rate of contraceptive use and associated factors among persons receiving HIV care and treatment in Eastern Uganda.
Food Security: The Elaboration of Contested Claims to a Consensus Frame*

This article demonstrates Gamson's claim that behind the apparent agreement implied by ''consensus frames'' lies considerable dissensus. Ironically, the very potency of consensus frames may generate contested claims to the ownership of a social problem. Food security is a potent consensus frame that has generated at least three distinct collective action frames: food security as hunger; food security as a component of a community's developmental whole; and food security as minimizing risks with respect to an industrialized food system's vulnerability to both ''normal accidents'' as well as the ''intentional accidents'' associated with agriterrorism. We show that each collective action frame reflects internal normative variation identified here with Goffman's ''keying'' concept. These keys suggest power differentials in the endorsement or critique of dominant institutional practices. Each frame and associated keys reflect distinct sets of interests by collective actors, such as demands for substantively different applications of science and technology. The prognostic framing of the community food security movement coinci- dentally holds potential for reducing not only the accidental risks of productivist agriculture but also the uncertainty induced by the risk of terrorist exploitation of those vulnerabilities. The article explores power differentials and variable levels of oppositional consciousness as mechanisms by which keys generate contentious politics within frames while serving as potential bridges between frames. This contested ownership of food security has implications for the associated movements' and organizations' capacity to influence the structure of the agrifood system as well as the broader socioeconomic organization of rural regions.
First North American Record of Ectobius lucidus (Hagenbach) (Blattodea: Blattellidae: Ectobiinae), with Notes on Recognition Characters and Seasonal History, and Additional Records for Other Ectobius Species in the Northeastern United States

Ectobius lucidus (Hagenbach), a Palearctic cockroach, is reported for the first time from North America. Characters are given to distinguish it from other species of the genus known from eastern North America. Photographs of the adult male and female, and nymphs are provided and contrasted with photographs of adults of other Ectobius species occurring in North America. Its seasonal history and habits are summarized based on field observations, and additional distribution records of other Ectobius species established in eastern North America are listed and mapped.
Quality Over Quantity: Amici Influence and Judicial Decision Making

Interest groups often make their preferences known on cases before the U.S. Supreme Court via amicus curiae briefs. In evaluating the case and related arguments, we posit that judges take into account more than just the number of supporters for the liberal and conservative positions. Specifically, judges’ decisions may also reflect the relative power of the groups. We use network position to measure interest group power in U.S. Supreme Court cases from 1946 to 2001. We find that the effect of interest group power is minimal in times of heavily advantaged cases. However, when the two sides of a case are approximately equal in the number of briefs, such power is a valuable signal to judges. We also show that justice ideology moderates the effect of liberal interest group power. The results corroborate previous findings on the influence of amicus curiae briefs and add a nuanced understanding of the conditions under which the quality and reputation of interest groups matter, not just the quantity.
Packing of Steiner trees and S-connectors in graphs

Nash-Williams and Tutte independently characterized when a graph has k edge-disjoint spanning trees; a consequence is that 2k-edge-connected graphs have k edge-disjoint spanning trees. Kriesell conjectured a more general statement: defining a set [email protected]?V(G) to be j-edge-connected in G if S lies in a single component of any graph obtained by deleting fewer than j edges from G, he conjectured that if S is 2k-edge-connected in G, then G has k edge-disjoint trees containing S. Lap Chi Lau proved that the conclusion holds whenever S is 24k-edge-connected in G. We improve [email protected]?s result by showing that it suffices for S to be 6.5k-edge-connected in G. This and an analogous result for packing stronger objects called ''S-connectors'' follow from a common generalization of the Tree Packing Theorem and [email protected]?s criterion for orientations with specified outdegrees. We prove the general theorem using submodular functions and the Matroid Union Theorem.
Optimizing the dependability attributes of wireless networks

With increasing dependence on wireless networks and the emergence of 3G and other high-performance networks, wireless dependability issues become crucial, especially when multiple providers with networks of varying dependability attributes are interconnected. Although some work has been done in wireless networks for studying dependability, little work has been done to address how to optimize the dependability attributes of wireless networks. Our focus in this paper is the optimization of wireless dependability attributes using fault-tolerance. We show that fault tolerance can be incorporated using both block level and interconnection level redundancies. We used simulation techniques to model a large-scale wireless network with multiple building blocks and several interconnection architectures. The results show that significant improvements are possible in wireless dependability attributes of the current and emerging wireless networks, especially with the deployment of a fault-tolerant architecture.
Activated Aluminum Complex Derived From Solubilized Antacids Exhibits Enhanced Cytoprotective Activity in the Rat

Removing the buffering capacity of aluminum-containing antacids by acidification greatly increased their cytoprotective activity over the parent antacid. Commercially available antacids were acidified with 6 N HCl. Peak mucosal protective activity occurred at pH 2.5, and declined at lower pH. At pH 2.5, the antacid suspensions became solubilized and no acid-neutralizing capacity remained. This solution was named activated aluminum complex. Based on aluminum ion content, each aluminum-containing antacid suspension tested demonstrated a comparable increase in potency on acidification against ethanol-induced lesions. HCl (pH 2.5) was inactive against ethanol-induced lesions. At cytoprotective doses, activated aluminum complex did not cause gastric lesions when orally administered by itself, demonstrating that it is not acting as a local mucosal irritant. The data suggest that solubilization of aluminum-containing antacids in acidic medium enhances their mucosal protective activity, probably by releasing an activated species of aluminum ion reported to be a hexaaquoaluminum cation.
Semisynthesis of Proteins by Expressed Protein Ligation

▪ Abstract Expressed protein ligation (EPL) is a protein engineering approach that allows recombinant and synthetic polypeptides to be chemoselectively and regioselectively joined together. The approach makes the primary structure of most proteins accessible to the tools of synthetic organic chemistry, enabling the covalent structure of proteins to be modified in an unprecedented fashion. The ability to incorporate noncoded amino acids, biophysical probes, and stable isotopes into specific locations within proteins provides research tools to peer into the inner workings of these molecules. In this review I discuss the development of this technology, its broad application to biological systems, and its possible role in the area of proteomics.
Exponential stability of discontinuous dynamical systems determined by differential equations in Banach space

We present an exponential stability result for a class of discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS) determined by differential equations in Banach space (resp., Cauchy problems on abstract spaces). We demonstrate the applicability of our result in the analysis of several important classes of DDS, including systems determined by functional differential equations and partial differential equations.
Initiation Sites Are Distributed at Frequent Intervals in the Chinese Hamster Dihydrofolate Reductase Origin of Replication but Are Used with Very Different Efficiencies

Previous radiolabeling and two-dimensional (2-D) gel studies of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) domain of Chinese hamster cells have suggested that replication can initiate at any one of a very large number of inefficient sites scattered throughout the 55-kb intergenic spacer region, with two broad subregions (ori-beta and ori-gamma) preferred. However, high-resolution analysis by a PCR-based nascent strand abundance assay of the 12-kb subregion encompassing ori-beta has suggested the presence of a relatively small number of fixed, highly efficient initiation sites distributed at infrequent intervals that correspond to genetic replicators. To attempt to reconcile these observations, two different approaches were taken in the present study. In the first, neutral-neutral 2-D gel analysis was used to examine replication intermediates in 31 adjacent and overlapping restriction fragments in the spacer, ranging in size from 1.0 to 18 kb. Thirty of 31 fragments displayed the complete bubble arcs characteristic of centered origins. Taking into account overlapping fragments, these data suggest a minimum of 14 individual start sites in the spacer. In the second approach, a quantitative early labeled fragment hybridization assay was performed in which radioactive origin-containing DNA 300 to 1,000 nucleotides in length was synthesized in the first few minutes of the S period and used to probe 15 clones distributed throughout the intergenic spacer but separated on average by more than 1,000 bp. This small nascent DNA fraction hybridized to 14 of the 15 clones, ranging from just above background to a maximum at the ori-beta locus. The only silent region detected was a small fragment lying just upstream from a centered matrix attachment region--the same region that was also negative for initiation by 2-D gel analysis. Results of both approaches suggest a minimum of approximately 20 initiation sites in the spacer (two of them being ori-beta and ori-gamma), with ori-beta accounting for a maximum of approximately 20% of initiations occurring in the spacer. We believe that the results of all experimental approaches applied to this locus so far can be fitted to a model in which the DHFR origin consists of a 55-kb intergenic zone of potential sites that are used with very different efficiencies and which are separated in many cases by a few kilobases or less.
SIMULATING THE MINIMUM CORE FOR HYDROPHOBIC COLLAPSE IN GLOBULAR PROTEINS

To investigate the nature of hydrophobic collapse considered to be the driving force in protein folding, we have simulated aqueous solutions of two model hydrophobic solutes, methane and isobutylene. Using a novel methodology for determining contacts, we can precisely follow hydrophobic aggregation as it proceeds through three stages: dispersed, transition, and collapsed. Theoretical modeling of the cluster formation observed by simulation indicates that this aggregation is cooperative and that the simulations favor the formation of a single cluster midway through the transition stage. This defines a minimum solute hydrophobic core volume. We compare this with protein hydrophobic core volumes determined from solved crystal structures. Our analysis shows that the solute core volume roughly estimates the minimum core size required for independent hydrophobic stabilization of a protein and defines a limiting concentration of nonpolar residues that can cause hydrophobic collapse. These results suggest that the physical forces driving aggregation of hydrophobic molecules in water is indeed responsible for protein folding.
Eye Health and Safety among Latino Farmworkers

Farmworkers face a variety of risk factors for eye injuries. Measures of eye protection use and of eye safety knowledge and beliefs are based on a survey of 300 Latino farmworkers in North Carolina. Few farmworkers report using eye protection (8.3%); most (92.3%) report that employers do not provide eye protection. Approximately 70% report that they are not trained in preventing eye injuries; 81% believe that their chances of getting an eye injury are low. Many farmworkers choose to take risks in order to save time. Interventions are needed that target farmworker knowledge and beliefs about eye safety.
Sister Cohesion and Structural Axis Components Mediate Homolog Bias of Meiotic Recombination

Meiotic double-strand break (DSB)-initiated recombination must occur between homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes ("homolog bias"), even though sister chromatids are present. Through physical recombination analyses, we show that sister cohesion, normally mediated by meiotic cohesin Rec8, promotes "sister bias"; that meiosis-specific axis components Red1/Mek1kinase counteract this effect, thereby satisfying an essential precondition for homolog bias; and that other components, probably recombinosome-related, directly ensure homolog partner selection. Later, Rec8 acts positively to ensure maintenance of bias. These complexities mirror opposing dictates for global sister cohesion versus local separation and differentiation of sisters at recombination sites. Our findings support DSB formation within axis-tethered recombinosomes containing both sisters and ensuing programmed sequential release of "first" and "second" DSB ends. First-end release would create a homology-searching "tentacle." Rec8 and Red1/Mek1 also independently license recombinational progression and abundantly localize to different domains. These domains could comprise complementary environments that integrate inputs from DSB repair and mitotic chromosome morphogenesis into the complete meiotic program.
Impacts of the Insecticide Diazinon on the Behavior of Predatory Fish and Amphibian Prey

Abstract We examined the combined effects of sublethal concentrations of the pesticide diazinon and a nonnative predatory fish on the behavior and survival of amphibian prey. A 48-h experiment was performed in tubs containing predatory Western Mosquitofish and diazinon treatments (0, 0.5, 1.0 mg/L, and a solvent control). In “no-pesticide” treatments, the presence of fish reduced tadpole survival significantly. In the absence of fish, pesticide presence altered tadpole behavior (reduced refuge use) significantly but did not impact tadpole survival. In the combined presence of both fish and pesticide, tadpoles altered their behavior to become more active, and to hide less. Although these behavioral changes should expose tadpoles to an even higher predation risk, because diazinon also reduced both activity and attack rates by the predatory fish, tadpoles experienced significantly greater survival in treatments with pesticides. Despite the negative impact of diazinon on amphibian antipredator behavior, the s...
Metabolic engineering of plant volatiles

Metabolic engineering of the volatile spectrum offers enormous potential for plant improvement because of the great contribution of volatile secondary metabolites to reproduction, defense and food quality. Recent advances in the identification of the genes and enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of volatile compounds have made this metabolic engineering highly feasible. Notable successes have been reported in enhancing plant defenses and improving scent and aroma quality of flowers and fruits. These studies have also revealed challenges and limitations which will be likely surmounted as our understanding of plant volatile network improves.
Testosterone Increases Circulating Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Levels in the Male Rhesus Macaque

The adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS) are two of the most abundant hormones in the human circulation. Furthermore, they are released in a circadian pattern and show a marked age-associated decline. Adult levels of DHEA and DHEAS are significantly higher in males than in females, but the reason for this sexual dimorphism is unclear. In the present study, we administered supplementary androgens (DHEA, testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) to aged male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). While this paradigm increased circulating DHEAS immediately after DHEA administration, an increase was also observed following either testosterone or DHT administration, resulting in hormonal profile resembling levels observed in young males in terms of both amplitude and circadian pattern. This stimulatory effect was limited to DHEAS, as an increase in circulating cortisol was not observed. Taken together, these data demonstrate an influence of the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis on adrenal function in males, possibly by sensitizing the zona reticularis to the stimulating action of adrenocorticopic hormone. This represents a plausible mechanism to explain sex differences in circulating DHEA and DHEAS levels, and may have important implications in the development of hormone therapies designed for elderly men and women.
Sla1p serves as the targeting signal recognition factor for NPFX(1,2)D-mediated endocytosis

Efficient endocytosis requires cytoplasmic domain targeting signals that specify incorporation of cargo into endocytic vesicles. Adaptor proteins play a central role in cargo collection by linking targeting signals to the endocytic machinery. We have characterized NPFX(1,2) (NPFX[1,2]D) targeting signals and identified the actin-associated protein Sla1p as the adaptor for NPFX(1,2)D-mediated endocytosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 11 amino acids encompassing an NPFX(1,2)D sequence were sufficient to direct uptake of a truncated form of the pheromone receptor Ste2p. In this context, endocytic targeting activity was not sustained by conservative substitutions of the phenylalanine or aspartate. An NPFX1,2D-related sequence was identified in native Ste2p that functions redundantly with ubiquitin-based endocytic signals. A two-hybrid interaction screen for NPFX(1,2)D-interacting proteins yielded SLA1, but no genes encoding Eps15 homology (EH) domains, protein modules known to recognize NPF peptides. Furthermore, EH domains did not recognize an NPFX(1,2)D signal when directly tested by two-hybrid analysis. SLA1 disruption severely inhibited NPFX(1,2)D-mediated endocytosis, but only marginally affected ubiquitin-directed uptake. NPFX(1,2)D-dependent internalization required a conserved domain of Sla1p, SLA1 homology domain, which selectively bound an NPFX(1,2)D-containing fusion protein in vitro. Thus, through a novel NPF-binding domain, Sla1p serves as an endocytic targeting signal adaptor, providing a means to couple cargo with clathrin- and actin-based endocytic machineries.
Mechanochemical coupling in myosin: A theoretical analysis with molecular dynamics and combined QM/MM reaction path calculations

To elucidate the detailed mechanism of ATP hydrolysis in myosin, molecular dynamics employing classical force field and reaction path analyses employing a combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) potential were carried out. Although the QM/MM reaction path analyses have limited accuracy due to the lack of extensive conformational sampling, the present work showed that sensible energetics much closer to experimental measurements than previous computational studies can be obtained once the protein environment is included. In the two associative mechanisms studied here, the pathway that involves the conserved residue, Ser 236, as the proton relay group was found to have a lower rate-limiting barrier. However, it was also shown that if O2γ gets protonated, the mechanism without invoking any proton relay has only a slightly higher barrier and therefore may also contribute, especially in mutants such as Ser 236A. By performing calculations for two different motor domain conformations, it was...
In vivo 1H MR spectroscopy of human head and neck lymph node metastasis and comparison with oxygen tension measurements.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current diagnostic methods for head and neck metastasis are limited for monitoring recurrence and assessing oxygenation. 1 H MR spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) provides a noninvasive means of determining the chemical composition of tissue and thus has a unique potential as a method for localizing and characterizing cancer. The purposes of this investigation were to measure 1 H spectral intensities of total choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and lactate (Lac) in vivo in human lymph node metastases of head and neck cancer for comparison with normal muscle tissue and to examine relationships between metabolite signal intensities and tissue oxygenation status. METHODS: Volume-localized Lac-edited MRS at 1.5 T was performed in vivo on the lymph node metastases of 14 patients whose conditions were untreated and who had primary occurrences of squamous cell carcinoma. MRS measurements were acquired also from the neck muscle tissue of six healthy volunteers and a subset of the patients. Peak areas of Cho, Cr, and Lac were calculated. Tissue oxygenation (pO 2 ) within the abnormal lymph nodes was measured independently using an Eppendorf polarographic oxygen electrode. RESULTS: Cho:Cr ratios were significantly higher in the nodes than in muscle tissue (node Cho:Cr = 2.9 ± 1.6, muscle Cho:Cr = 0.55 ± 0.21, P = .0006). Lac was significantly higher in cancer tissue than in muscle ( P = .01) and, in the nodes, showed a moderately negative correlation with median pO 2 ( r = −.76) over a range of approximately 0 to 30 mm Hg. Nodes with oxygenation values less than 10 mm Hg had approximately twice the Lac signal intensity as did nodes with oxygenation values greater than 10 mm Hg ( P = .01). Cho signal intensity was not well correlated with pO 2 ( r = −.46) but seemed to decrease at higher oxygenation levels (>20 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: 1 H MRS may be useful for differentiating metastatic head and neck cancer from normal muscular tissue and may allow for the possibility of assessing oxygenation. Potential clinical applications include the staging and monitoring of treatment.
Cholecystokinin-induced desensitization of pepsinogen secretion from chief cells

When dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach were first incubated with cholecystokinin (CCK), washed, and then reincubated with CCK in fresh incubation solution, the stimulation of pepsinogen secretion and the rise in intracellular calcium concentration during the second incubation were reduced. CCK did not cause residual enzyme secretion but caused desensitization that was rapid, temperature dependent, dependent on extracellular calcium, reversible with time, and prevented but not reversed by CCK receptor antagonists. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) caused desensitization over the same range of concentrations that stimulate pepsinogen secretion, whereas the concentration of gastrin required to cause maximal desensitization was greater than that required to cause maximal stimulation of enzyme secretion. CCK-8 caused heterologous desensitization of pepsinogen secretion stimulated by agonists that interact with receptors to cause mobilization of cellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C or by agonists that bypass receptors to activate these mediators directly; however, CCK-8 did not induce desensitization of the stimulation caused by any secretagogue whose actions are mediated by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Because CCK-8 caused greater desensitization of secretion stimulated by agonists that interact with receptors than by agonists that bypass receptors, it is likely that receptor modulation as well as a postreceptor action contribute to the ability of CCK to cause desensitization of pepsinogen secretion from chief cells.
Atlanto-occipital Instability Following Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Lower Clival Lesions: Experience With 212 Cases.

BACKGROUND The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniocervical lesions involving the lower clivus and occipital condyles carries an unclear risk of atlanto-occipital (AO) instability requiring arthrodesis. OBJECTIVE Elucidate risk factors for AO instability following EEA for clival lesions. METHODS We reviewed patients with clival tumors who underwent EEA at our institution between 2002 and 2012. Resection of the lower clivus, foramen magnum, AO joint, and occipital condyles were evaluated on fine-cut postoperative computed tomography. RESULTS Two hundred twelve patients (mean age 47.9 years, 57.1% male) underwent transclival EEA for lower clival lesions. In addition to the lower clivus, resection involved the condyle in 14.2% of patients, the foramen magnum in 16.5%, and the AO joint in 1.4%. Quantification of condyle resection revealed complete resection in 3 cases, 75% resection in 8 cases, 50% resection in 6 cases, and 25% resection in 13 cases. Seven of these patients had EEA combined with an open, far-lateral approach. In total, 7 patients required arthrodesis following EEA (3.3%), 4 of them after a combined approach. All patients who underwent arthrodesis had primary bone tumors such as chordoma, chondrosarcoma, or osteosarcoma (P = .022). Degree of condyle resection was a significant factor predisposing to occipitocervical instability (P = .001 and P < .001 for 75% and 100% condyle resection, respectively). Use of a combined approach was significantly associated with arthrodesis (P < .001). CONCLUSION EEA resection of the occipital condyles that results in greater than 75% condyle resection or EEA in combination with an open approach significantly increases the risk of AO instability and likely necessitates AO fixation. ABBREVIATIONS AO, atlanto-occipitalEEA, endoscopic endonasal approachOC, occipitocervical.
Control of estrus and ovulation in the pig by ICI 33828 and gonadotropins.

The objectives of the investigation were to control estrous cycles and increase ovulation rates in pigs used in ova transfer experiments. Estrous cycles were controlled in 166 cycling gilts by feeding ICI 33828 (1-alpha-methylallythiocarbamoyl-2-methylthiocarbamoyl-hydrazine) for 20 days to suppress estrus. A dose of 1000 1250 or 1500 IU of PMS (pregnant mare serum) the day ICI 33828 was withdrawn and 850 IU HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) 96 hr later stimulated and controlled ovulation rate. 90% exhibited estrus in a 2-day period following the HCG injection. The conception rate was 91%. Ovulation rates averaged 15.5 22.5 and 20.3 for 100 1250 and 1500 IU PMS respectively. The rate in a control group not receiving ICI 33828 or PMS averaged 11.7.
The Heart and the Head: Neurological Implications of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

In this issue of the Journal , Bosmans et al. [(1)][1] report much-awaited stroke outcomes from the ADVANCE study, a multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis,
Remade in America: Transplanting & Transforming Japanese Management Systems

The article reviews the book Remade in America: Transplanting & Transforming Japanese Management Systems, edited by Jeffrey K. Liker, W. Mark Fruin and Paul S. Adler.
Effectiveness of intensified rotational combination chemotherapy for late hematologic relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) usually carries a dire prognosis. We evaluated the effectiveness and long-term complications of intensive rotational combination chemotherapy for late hematologic relapse (median, 16 months after elective cessation of therapy) among 34 children and young adults (ages 4 to 23 years). Concurrent central nervous system (CNS) relapse was present in 3 cases and testicular relapse in 4. Secondary therapy comprised an intensive five-drug reinduction (6 weeks) followed by continuation treatment with four drug pairs, rotated weekly in 4-week cycles over 120 weeks. Intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate, hydrocortisone, cytarabine) was given three times during reinduction and every 8 weeks during continuation. Treatment was electively discontinued at week 120 in the absence of detectable disease. Thirty-three patients (97%) attained a second complete remission. At a median follow-up of 9.3 years (range, 4.5 to 11.4), estimates of 5-year second event-free and overall survival (+/- SE) are 65% +/- 8% and 79% +/- 7%, respectively. Eleven patients had a second relapse (9 marrow, 2 testicular) and one developed secondary myeloid leukemia. There have been no CNS relapses or deaths in remission. Treatment was well-tolerated and was given largely on an outpatient basis. Late effects are primarily endocrinologic; one child had a second malignant solid tumor (presumed related to initial radiation therapy) that was treated successfully. Intensive treatment with alternating non-cross-resistant drug pairs for late hematologic relapses of ALL is effective and well-tolerated, and produces results similar to those achieved in patients with newly diagnosed ALL. Event- free survival compares favorably with reports of other relapse regimens, including those incorporating bone marrow transplantation.
Evidence for food as a limiting resource in the life cycle of tiger beetles ( Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

Using an assemblage of tiger beetles in SE Arizona, USA, as test organisms, the potential for food as a limiting resource in each of the life cycle stages was determined. Laboratory experiments established at what levels food quantity affected adults and larvae. Adult females at low feeding levels produced significantly fewer eggs and larvae than females at high feeding levels. Larvae at low feeding levels took significantly longer to pass through all three larval stages, and their pupae and emergent adults were significantly smaller than those individuals raised at higher feeding levels. Large adults survived longer than small adults when deprived of food. Small adult females produced fewer eggs and larvae at low feeding levels than larger conspecific females at the same feeding levels. Field observations established that the feeding levels of wild larvae and adults in several habitats over five years was lower than the level which produced maximum offspring and survival in the laboratory, except on permanent pond edges where food was abundant. Year to year fluctuations in food availability indicated that food in some habitats was more likely limiting in some years than others.
Influenza Antihemagglutinin and Antineuraminidase Activity of IgG and IgM in Reference Chicken Antisera

SummaryChicken antisera prepared against recombinants possessing the hemagglutinin (H3) and the neuraminidase (N2) of the A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) strains were fractionated and the homologous and heterologous [A/Japan/305/57 (H2N2)] antibody activity of the 2 major immunoglobulin classes (IgG and IgM) was determined. Homologous hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NI) titers of whole sera were found to be predominantly IgG. Heterologous HI and NI titers of whole sera were associated with IgG, IgM, or both.The authors thank Mrs. Judy Galphin for her technical assistance.
Analysis of epidemic status of HIV/AIDS in Xinjiang

Objective To analyze the epidemic status of HIV/AIDS in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,to provide supports for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.Methods Data of network report,sentinel surveillance,new infection surveillance and cohort studies were integrated to describe distributions and characteristics of HIV epidemic in Xinjiang.Results Xinjiang entered into the period of extensive epidemic of HIV,and intravenous drug use was replaced for sexual transmission as the main transmission channel;the case report on distributions for gender tended to be balance,mainly concentrated on 20-39 years old,and infection ratio was high in minority group.The reported cases mainly came from Ili Prefecture,Urumqi,Aksu Prefecture,Kashi Prefecture,Hotan Prefecture and Turpan Prefecture,accounting for 90.8% of the total.The new infection of HIV now increased in Southern Xinjiang;More HIV infectors developed to be AIDS and the reported cases with AIDS increased year by year.Conclusions Xinjiang now is facing status that HIV/AIDS has low epidemic generally but high epidemic in certain population and local areas;the epidemic in intravenous drug users is getting stable,but the risks of sexual transmission are increasing dramatically,the number of people affected by HIV/AIDS increases year by year.The situation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control is still serious.
Analysis of hepatitis B virus serological markers in preschool children in Nanchang

Objective To evaluate the immune effect of hepatitis B vaccine in preschool children, and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of hepatitis B virus infection. Methods Serum HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBc Ab of 1432 children, whose age is 3 to 6 years old, were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method, and the results were analyzed. Results The positive rates of HBsAg and HBsAb were 0.91% and 65.71%, respectively. There was no significant gender difference in positive rate of HBsAg and HBsAb. Conclusions After free hepatitis B vaccination programs in newborns, hepatitis B virus infection rate of the children in Nanchang city is low, however, there are still some children fail to produce effective protective antibodies. How to improve the positive rate of HBsAb in children, so as to effectively control and reduce the spread of HBV infection in children, is an important task for medical workers.
Cervical osteophytic dysphagia: single and combined mechanisms

Cervical osteophytes are common in the aging population. Dysphagia induced by cervical osteophytes, although uncommon, is an important and treatable cause of dysphagia that must be identified during the modified barium swallow. Previous authors have described osteophyte impingement as a cause for dysphagia. This report describes a case of this classic obstructive osteophytic dysphagia and one of combined osteophytic and neurogenic dysphagia. This is the first time that a combined mechanism is described in the literature.
Multi-target localization using frequency diverse coprime arrays with coprime frequency offsets

The performance of the frequency diverse array (FDA) radar is fundamentally limited by the geometry of the array and the frequency offset. In this paper, we overcome this limitation by introducing a novel sparsity-based multi-target localization approach incorporating both coprime array and coprime frequency offset. The covariance matrix of the received signals corresponding to all sensors and employed frequencies is formulated to generate a space-frequency virtual difference coarrays. The proposed approach enables the localization of up to O(M2 N2) targets using O(M + N) physical sensors with O(M + N) frequencies for a coprime pair of M and N. The joint DOA and range estimation is cast as a sparse reconstruction problem and solved using the complex multi-task Bayesian compressive sensing technique.
Psoriasis in adults and children: Kids are not just little people

Pediatric psoriasis is a common skin disorder. Although pediatric psoriasis has many similarities to adult psoriasis, there are differences in presentation, particularly in infants. In addition, a more limited therapeutic armamentarium exists for children due to different inherent risks. Nearly all therapies are unapproved in the pediatric population, with far fewer pre- and postmarketing studies having been conducted. Despite these challenges, appropriate treatment should never be denied to a young patient, as physical and psychosocial ramifications of psoriasis in the school age child and adolescent are significant. A partnership with the patient, caregivers, and primary care providers is necessary and rewarding in meeting the challenges of this chronic, incurable disease. We address the presentation, treatment options, and counseling necessary when treating psoriasis in the pediatric population.
Individual differences in the bilingual brain: The role of language background and DRD2 genotype in verbal and non-verbal cognitive control

Abstract Bilingual language control may involve cognitive control, including inhibition and switching. These types of control have been previously associated with neural activity in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In previous studies, the DRD2 gene, related to dopamine availability in the striatum, has been found to play a role in neural activity during cognitive control tasks, with carriers of the gene’s A1 allele showing different patterns of activity in inferior frontal regions during cognitive control tasks than non-carriers. The current study sought to extend these findings to the domain of bilingual language control. Forty-nine Spanish-English bilinguals participated in this study by providing DNA samples through saliva, completing background questionnaires, and performing a language production task (picture-naming), a non-verbal inhibition task (Simon task), and a non-verbal switching task (shape-color task) in the fMRI scanner. The fMRI data were analyzed to determine whether variation in the genetic background or bilingual language background predicts neural activity in the IFG and ACC during these three tasks. Results indicate that genetic and language background variables predicted neural activity in the IFG during English picture naming. Variation in only the genetic background predicted neural activity in the ACC during the shape-color switching task; variation in only the language background predicted neural activity in the ACC and IFG during the Simon task. These results suggest that variation in the DRD2 gene should not be ignored when drawing conclusions about bilingual verbal and non-verbal cognitive control.