cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mother–infant attachment and the intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder

Evidence for the intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is documented in the literature, although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Attachment theory provides a framework for elucidating the ways in which maternal PTSD may increase offspring PTSD vulnerability. The current study utilized two independent prospective data sets to test the hypotheses that (a) maternal PTSD increases the probability of developing an insecure mother-infant attachment relationship and (b) an insecure mother-infant attachment relationship increases the risk of developing PTSD following trauma exposure in later life. In the first study of urban, primarily low-income ethnic/racial minority mothers and infants (N = 45 dyads), elevated maternal PTSD symptoms at 6 months were associated with increased risk for an insecure, particularly disorganized, mother-infant attachment relationship at 13 months. In the second birth cohort of urban, low-income mothers and children (N = 96 dyads), insecure (avoidant or resistant) attachment in infancy was associated in a dose-response manner with increased lifetime risk for a diagnosis of PTSD by adolescence. A history of disorganized attachment in infancy predicted severity of PTSD symptoms, including reexperiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and total symptoms, at 17.5 years. In both studies, associations between attachment and PTSD were not attributable to numerous co-occurring risk factors. The findings suggest that promoting positive mother-child relationships in early development, particularly in populations at high risk for trauma exposure, may reduce the incidence of PTSD.
Involvement of p21racA, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and vacuolar ATPase in phagocytosis of bacteria and erythrocytes by Entamoeba histolytica: suggestive evidence for coincidental evolution of amebic invasiveness.

Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite that causes amebic dysentery, phagocytose bacteria in the colonic lumen and erythrocytes (RBC) in host tissues. Because tissue invasion is an evolutionary dead end, it is likely that amebic pathogenicity is coincidentally selected, i.e., the same methods used to kill bacteria in the colonic lumen are used by parasites to damage host cells and cause disease. In support of this idea, the amebic lectin and pore-forming peptide are involved in binding and killing, respectively, bacteria and host epithelial cells. Here amebic phagocytosis of bacteria, RBC, and mucin-coated beads was disrupted by overexpression of E. histolytica p21(racA-V12), a ras-family protein involved in selection of sites of actin polymerization, which had been mutated to eliminate its GTPase activity. p21(racA-V12) transformants were also defective in capping and cytokinesis, while pinocytosis of fluorescent dextrans was not affected. Wortmannin, a fungal inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, markedly inhibited phagocytosis of bacteria, RBC, and mucin-coated beads by wild-type amebae. In contrast to p21(racA-V12) overexpression, wortmannin abolished amebic pinocytosis of dextrans but had no inhibitory effects on capping. Inhibition of amebic vacuolar acidification by bafilomycin also decreased bacterial and RBC uptake. These results, which demonstrate similarities between mechanisms of phagocytosis of bacteria and RBC by amebae and macrophages, support the idea of coincidental selection of amebic genes encoding proteins that mediate destruction of host cells.
Gallium-induced cell death in lymphoma: role of transferrin receptor cycling, involvement of Bax and the mitochondria, and effects of proteasome inhibition

Gallium nitrate is a metallodrug with clinical efficacy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Its mechanisms of antineoplastic action are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the roles of transferrin receptor (TfR) targeting and apoptotic pathways in gallium-induced cell death. Although DoHH2 lymphoma cells displayed a 3-fold lower number of TfRs than CCRF-CEM lymphoma cells, they were 3- to 4-fold more sensitive to gallium nitrate. Despite a lower TfR expression, DoHH2 cells had greater TfR cycling and iron and gallium uptake than CCRF-CEM cells. In other lymphoma cell lines, TfR levels per se did not correlate with gallium sensitivity. Cells incubated with gallium nitrate showed morphologic changes of apoptosis, which were decreased by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK and by a Bax-inhibitory peptide. Cells exposed to gallium nitrate released cytochrome c from mitochondria and displayed a dose-dependent increase in caspase-3 activity. An increase in active Bax levels without accompanying changes in Bcl-2 or Bcl-X(L) was seen in cells incubated with gallium nitrate. The endogenous expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was greater in DoHH2 cells than in CCRF-CEM cells, suggesting that endogenous Bcl-2 levels do not correlate with cell sensitivity to gallium nitrate. Gallium-induced apoptosis was enhanced by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Our results suggest that TfR function rather than TfR number is important in gallium targeting to cells and that apoptosis is triggered by gallium through the mitochondrial pathway by activating proapoptotic Bax. Our studies also suggest that the antineoplastic activity of combination gallium nitrate and bortezomib warrants further investigation.
Black Gold — The History of American Enterprise in Indonesian Oil Development

Among the most distant isles of the sea are those of Indonesia. The United States has taken a major part in the development of the oil resources of those islands. The story begins with kerosene.
Pharmacogenetics: a laboratory tool for optimizing therapeutic efficiency

Pharmacogenetics is the study of the linkage between an individual's genotype and that individual's ability to metabolize a foreign compound. Differences in metabolism of therapeutics can lead to severe toxicity or therapeutic failure by altering the relation between dose and blood concentration of the pharmacologically active drug. Phenotypes exhibiting poor and ultraextensive metabolism result from genetic variance (polymorphism) of enzymes involved in metabolism. Thus, in pharmacogenetic studies one applies genotyping of polymorphic alleles encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes to the identification of an individual's drug metabolism phenotype. This knowledge, when applied to dosing or drug selection, can avoid adverse reactions or therapeutic failure and thus enhance therapeutic efficiency. More than 25 commonly prescribed medicines are metabolized by the cytochrome P-4502D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme, and polymorphism of the CYP2D6 gene affects the therapeutic management of up to 17% of individuals in some ethnic groups. In this review, we summarize and update information concerning drug-metabolizing genotypes with emphasis on CYP2D6 genotyping techniques that can be applied by the clinical laboratory for linking human genetics to therapeutic management.
Relativistic dynamical collapse model

A model is discussed where all operators are constructed from a quantum scalar field whose energy spectrum takes on all real values. The Schr\"odinger picture wave function depends upon space and time coordinates for each particle, as well as an inexorably increasing evolution parameter $s$ which labels a foliation of spacelike hypersurfaces. The model is constructed to be manifestly Lorentz invariant in the interaction picture. Free particle states and interactions are discussed in this framework. Then, the formalism of the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) theory of dynamical collapse is applied. The collapse-generating operator is chosen to be the particle number space-time density. Unlike previous relativistically invariant models, the vacuum state is not excited. The collapse dynamics depends upon two parameters, a parameter $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ which represents the collapse rate/volume and a scale factor $\ensuremath{\ell}$. A common example of collapse dynamics, involving a clump of matter in a superposition of two locations, is analyzed. The collapse rate is shown to be identical to that of nonrelativistic CSL when the GRW-CSL choice of $\ensuremath{\ell}=a=1{0}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{cm}$, is made, along with $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}=\ensuremath{\lambda}/{a}^{3}$ (GRW-CSL choice $\ensuremath{\lambda}=1{0}^{\ensuremath{-}16}{s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$). The collapse rate is also satisfactory with the choice $\ensuremath{\ell}$ as the size of the Universe, with $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}=\ensuremath{\lambda}/\ensuremath{\ell}{a}^{2}$. Because the collapse narrows wave functions in space and time, it increases a particle's momentum and energy, altering its mass. It is shown that, with $\ensuremath{\ell}=a$, the change of mass of a nucleon is unacceptably large but, when $\ensuremath{\ell}$ is the size of the Universe, the change of mass over the age of the Universe is acceptably small.
A Distributed Fault-Tolerant Algorithm for Event Detection Using Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Distributed event detection using wireless sensor networks has received growing interest in recent years. In such applications, a large number of inexpensive and unreliable sensor nodes are distributed in a geographical region to make firm and accurate local decisions about the presence or absence of specific events based on their sensor readings. However, sensor readings can be unreliable, due to either noise in the sensor readings or hardware failures in the devices, and may cause nodes to make erroneous local decisions. We present a general fault-tolerant event detection scheme that allows nodes to detect erroneous local decisions based on the local decisions reported by their neighbors. This detection scheme does not assume homogeneity of sensor nodes and can handle cases where nodes have different accuracy levels. We prove analytically that the derived fault-tolerant estimator is optimal under the maximum a posteriori (MAP) criterion. An equivalent weighted voting scheme is also derived. Further, we describe two new error models that take into account the neighbor distance and the geographical distributions of the two decision quorums. These models are particularly suitable for detection applications where the event under consideration is highly localized. Our fault-tolerant estimator is simulated using a network of 1024 nodes deployed randomly in a square region and assigned random probability of failures.
Power and Influence Strategies in Violent and Nonviolent Marriages

How important is the use of physical violence in determining the balance of power within marriage? Do women in violent marriages make more use of indirect strategies in attempting to persuade their husbands than do women in nonviolent marriages? Is marital satisfaction related to influence styles? These questions are investigated by looking at decision making in couples and how this is related to the forms of influence strategies used by wives and husbands in violent and nonviolent marriages. Data from in-depth structured interviews with 137 self-identified battered wives and 137 comparison wives, some of whom were also found to have experienced violence from their husbands, are used to answer these questions. Results indicated that women with violent husbands used more influence strategies overall, although these women had less overall power in terms of decision making than did women with nonviolent husbands. The relationship of influence strategies to decision making was different for women with violent...
Vindicating Fundamental Environmental Rights: Judicial Acceptance of Constitutionally Entrenched Environmental Rights

This article examines the extent to which constitutionally embedded fundamental environmental rights have met the promise of ensuring a right to an adequate environment. It explains these results and suggests ways to neutralize judicial resistance to these emerging constitutional rights. In Part II we explain the prevalence of constitutionally entrenched rights to a quality environment. In Part III, we provide examples of the extent to which courts have enforced these provisions. In Part IV, we examine institutional and structural factors, conceptual disjunctions, and pragmatic considerations that help to explain judicial receptivity to constitutionally entrenched environmental rights. And in Part V we suggest modalities for successful constitutional environmental litigation of constitutionally enshrined environmental rights.We conclude that judicial receptivity to fundamental environmental rights provisions embedded in domestic constitutions seems to belie predictable patterns. We also conclude that no single explanation emerges for the relative dearth of cases giving force to these provisions. Although courts have not been as enthusiastic to embrace environmental rights as some activists would have liked, there is noticeable and steady progress toward their growing recognition in courts throughout the world. And as constitutional courts become more aware of what their peers are doing, this momentum is likely to increase. Moreover, even where courts have not accepted the constitutional environmental arguments, the mere fact that such arguments are being made and considered augments the attention that constitutional fundamental environmental rights receive in public discourse. And this, in itself, can meaningfully contribute to the success of environmental claims in the future. The result is that collectively the judiciary will continue to play a necessary if not sufficient role in the vindication of fundamental environmental rights worldwide.
A p53 Axis Regulates B Cell Receptor-Triggered, Innate Immune System-Driven B Cell Clonal Expansion

Resting mature human B cells undergo a dynamic process of clonal expansion, followed by clonal contraction, during an in vitro response to surrogate C3d-coated Ag and innate immune system cytokines, IL-4 and BAFF. In this study, we explore the mechanism for clonal contraction through following the time- and division-influenced expression of several pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins within CFSE-labeled cultures. Several findings, involving both human and mouse B cells, show that a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway involving p53 contributes to the high activation-induced cell death (AICD) susceptibility of replicating blasts. Activated B cell clones exhibit elevated p53 protein and elevated mRNA/protein of proapoptotic molecules known to be under direct p53 transcriptional control, Bax, Bad, Puma, Bid, and procaspase 6, accompanied by reduced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Under these conditions, Bim levels were not increased. The finding that full-length Bid protein significantly declines in AICD-susceptible replicating blasts, whereas Bid mRNA does not, suggests that Bid is actively cleaved to short-lived, proapoptotic truncated Bid. AICD was diminished, albeit not eliminated, by p53 small interfering RNA transfection, genetic deletion of p53, or Bcl-2 overexpression. DNA damage is a likely trigger for p53-dependent AICD because susceptible lymphoblasts expressed significantly elevated levels of both phosphorylated ataxia telangiectasia mutated-Ser(1980) and phospho-H2AX-Ser(139). Deficiency in activation-induced cytosine deaminase diminishes but does not ablate murine B cell AICD, indicating that activation-induced cytosine deaminase-induced DNA damage is only in part responsible. Evidence for p53-influenced AICD during this route of T cell-independent clonal expansion raises the possibility that progeny bearing p53 mutations might undergo positive selection in peripherally inflamed tissues with elevated levels of IL-4 and BAFF.
Somatization disorder in men

Somatization disorder is thought to be rare in men. This paper reviews five previously reported cases of somatization disorder in men and reports nine new cases referred from primary care physicians. These men have most of the associated features of the disorder, are of lower socioeconomic status, and have other significant psychiatric diagnoses. Eight of the nine men had a dramatic precipitating event at the onset of their illness. This diagnosis appears to be applicable to men and needs to be considered in men with multiple, recurrent unexplained medical symptoms.
Postpartum Depression: An Interactional View.

This article posits postpartum depression as an evolving interpersonal system and provides treatment recommendations derived from an interactional/problem resolution viewpoint. Postpartum depression is conceptualized as a predictable developmental, family crisis, which occurs when the natural difficulties of childbirth are benignly mishandled. Seven tactics are illustrated for interdicting maladaptive interpersonal spirals: accepting and normalizing conflicting complaints; accessing significant others as customers for change; reframing depression as positive but costly; deriving adaptive behavior from maladaptive premises; regulating involvement of others in childrearing; restraining new mother from overly rapid resumption of roles; and predicting and prescribing relapse.
NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE RECEPTORS IN THE KIDNEY AND THE VENTRAL AND DORSAL AORTAE OF THE ATLANTIC HAGFISH MYXINE GLUTINOSA (AGNATHA)

The character of natriuretic peptide receptors (NPRs) in the kidney and aortae of the Atlantic hagfish Myxine glutinosa was determined and compared with that of NPRs in hagfish gills. The relationship of hagfish kidney and aortic NPRs with NPRs from higher vertebrates was also examined. Iodinated atrial and C-type natriuretic peptides (NPs) (125I-ANP, 125I-CNP) were used in tissue section autoradiography, competition studies and guanylate cyclase (GC) assays. Rat atrial and porcine C-type NPs (rANP, pCNP) and rat des[Gln18, Ser19, Gly20, Leu21 Gly22]ANP-(4-23)-NH2 (C-ANF, which binds to the mammalian and teleost 'clearance' receptor, NPR-C), were used as competing ligands. 125I-ANP binding sites were observed on both aortae and on the glomeruli, neck segments and archinephric ducts of the kidney. 4.0 nmol l-1 rANP competed for 50% of 125I-ANP glomerular sites. 125I-CNP did not visibly bind to any of the tissues, but 300 nmol l-1 pCNP competed for 50% of 125I-ANP glomerular sites. C-ANF failed to compete for 125I-ANP sites. rANP and pCNP stimulated cyclic GMP production in kidney membrane preparations, but C-ANF did not, demonstrating that the hagfish kidney NPR is GC-linked. This study suggests that a predominant population of ANP-like receptors, similar to the mammalian NPR-A, exists in the myxinoid aortae and kidney tissue. However, no detectable population of a receptor that binds all NPs, such as is present in the hagfish gill, nor an NPR similar to the NPR-C of higher vertebrates was discovered.
Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm presenting as chronic gastrointestinal blood loss.

Gasiroititestinal hemorrhage is common in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The bleeding source is usually the mucosa ofthe stomach and duodenum. Gastroduodenal artery ancurysms in patients with pancreatitis are rare, but frequently present with massive upper intestinal bleeding. We present a case of recurrent occult and overt gastrointestinal bleeding over a t-year period in a patient with a clinically silent pancreatic pseudocyst. The final diagnosis was established by endoscopic visualization of bleeding from the ampulla of Vater. The natural history and the approach to diagnosis and treatment of peripancreatic pseudoaneurysms is reviewed.
Western-Style Diets Induce Oxidative Stress and Dysregulate Immune Responses in the Colon in a Mouse Model of Sporadic Colon Cancer

A Western-style diet (WD), defined by high-fat, low-calcium, and vitamin D content, is associated with increased risk of human colorectal cancer. Understanding molecular mechanisms altered by the WD is crucial to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies. Effects of a WD on the colonic transcriptome of C57Bl/6J mice, a model for sporadic colon cancer, were studied at endpoints before tumors occur. To assess whether a WD induces inflammatory changes, expression profiles of a broad spectrum of inflammatory proteins were performed and numbers of lamina propria macrophages were determined with semiquantitative morphometry. Transcriptome changes were translated into molecular interaction network maps and pathways. Pathways related to oxidative stress response; lipid, glutathione, and xenobiotic metabolism; and the immune response were perturbed by the WD. Several nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent genes, including those coding for enzymes involved in phase 1 and 2 drug metabolism and oxidative stress responses, were induced. Oxidative stress was demonstrated by measurements of endogenous colonic redox-sensitive compound concentrations. Perturbations in immune response-related pathways, expression of inflammatory proteins, and increased numbers of lamina propria macrophages showed that the WD significantly alters the local colonic immune response. Collectively, these data suggest that consumption of a WD interferes with networks of related biological response pathways involving colonic lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and the immune response. These new findings impact our understanding of links between consumption of WD and colon carcinogenesis, providing additional information for developing preventive means for decreasing colorectal cancer risk.
Cortical language activation in stroke patients recovering from aphasia with functional MRI

Background and Purpose—Two mechanisms for recovery from aphasia, repair of damaged language networks and activation of compensatory areas, have been proposed. In this study, we investigated whether both mechanisms or one instead of the other take place in the brain of recovered aphasic patients . Methods—Using blood oxygenation level–dependent functional MRI (fMRI), we studied cortical language networks during lexical-semantic processing tasks in 7 right-handed aphasic patients at least 5 months after the onset of left-hemisphere stroke and had regained substantial language functions since then. Results—We found that in the recovered aphasic patient group, functional language activity significantly increased in the right hemisphere and nonsignificantly decreased in the left hemisphere compared with that in the normal group. Bilateral language networks resulted from partial restitution of damaged functions in the left hemisphere and activation of compensated (or recruited) areas in the right hemisphere. Fa...
Water as a Storage Medium for Elaeis guineensis (pisifera) Seeds under Aseptic Conditions

Over 50 per cent germination has been obtained from Elaeis guineensis form pisifera seeds stored in unaerated sterile distilled water for 6 months. The moisture levels of the seeds and excised embryos were of the same order (20-30 and 60-70 per cent, respectively) as those of fully imbibed fresh seeds. The implications of an apparent lower oxygen requirement by seeds stored under water as against germinating seeds are discussed in the context of the successful storage.
Effective Management of Hepatitis C Molecular Testing Improves Test Use Without Compromising Patient Management

Abstract Context.—The availability of effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis C has increased the need for molecular detection and quantification of circulating hepatitis C viral particles. The limits of detection differ for the quantitative and qualitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays; furthermore, adequate patient assessment requires both detection of hepatitis C virus when it is present and quantitation of the viral load when possible. The combination of these factors promotes the simultaneous ordering of both tests with the possibility of generating redundant test information. Objective.—To reduce the number of unnecessary hepatitis C tests performed. Methods.—We established a reflexive testing protocol for quantitative and qualitative RT-PCR testing for hepatitis C. Results.—During a 3½-month interval, 170 qualitative RT-PCR hepatitis C tests were eliminated (a 59.4% reduction in the number of these tests). This reduction was achieved without a clinically signific...
Regulation of surfactant proteins A and B by TNF-α and phorbol ester independent of NF-κB

Acute lung inflammation is complicated by altered pulmonary surfactant phospholipid and protein composition. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibit expression of surfactant-associated proteins A and B (SP-A and SP-B), both important for normal surfactant function. The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) frequently mediates regulation of gene expression by TPA and TNF-α. In the present study, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of NF-κB activation, were utilized to determine the role of NF-κB activation in TPA and TNF-α inhibition of the surfactant proteins in NCI-H441 cells. Pentoxifylline (PTX), which inhibits TNF-α cellular effects without preventing NF-κB activation, was also tested. By EMSA, TPA and TNF-α increased nuclear NF-κB binding activity in temporally distinct patterns. PDTC decreased TPA- and TNF-α-induced NF-κB binding activ...
Differential regulation of interferon responses by Ebola and Marburg virus VP35 proteins

Suppression of innate immune responses during filoviral infection contributes to disease severity. Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg (MARV) viruses each encode a VP35 protein that suppresses RIG-I-like receptor signaling and interferon-α/β (IFN-α/β) production by several mechanisms, including direct binding to double stranded RNA (dsRNA). Here, we demonstrate that in cell culture, MARV infection results in a greater upregulation of IFN responses as compared to EBOV infection. This correlates with differences in the efficiencies by which EBOV and MARV VP35s antagonize RIG-I signaling. Furthermore, structural and biochemical studies suggest that differential recognition of RNA elements by the respective VP35 C-terminal IFN inhibitory domain (IID) rather than affinity for RNA by the respective VP35s is critical for this observation. Our studies reveal functional differences in EBOV versus MARV VP35 RNA binding that result in unexpected differences in the host response to deadly viral pathogens.
Is it About Me, You, or Us? Stress Reactivity Correlates of Discrepancies in We-Talk Among Parents and Preadolescent Children

An emerging literature suggests that not only do parent and child perceptions of parent-child relationship quality independently predict children's adjustment, but also that the discrepancy between parent and child perceptions of the relationship also carries predictive power. In the current study, we examine discrepancies in mother and children's we-talk, which is thought to reveal the degree to which members of a dyad conceive of problems affecting just one of the members as shared. We anticipate that discrepancies in which the mother expresses a greater sense of we-ness than the child would be particularly toxic during this developmental phase, when youth's strivings for independence ought to near their apex. Using an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of school-aged children and their mothers (N = 106, 49.1 % female; 43 % Non-Hispanic White, 21 % African American, 21 % Hispanic, 10 % Asian, and 5 % of another ethnic category or mixed race; 48 % reported an annual income of <$60,000), we expose children to a standardized failure task that their mothers observe and then interview both members of the dyad regarding the task-we-talk is derived from these interviews. We examine the discrepancy between child and mother we-talk as a predictor of children's cortisol reactivity and mothers' behavioral overcontrol during the failure task. We also examine whether the discrepancy in mother-child we-talk predicts children's trait rumination. The interaction between child and mother we-talk was significantly associated with all three outcomes. Children's cortisol reactivity and rumination were highest when mothers used high and children used low levels of we-talk. A three-way interaction of children's we-talk, mothers' we-talk and child age emerged, suggesting that the association of discrepancies in we-talk with maternal overcontrol depended on child age, with significant effects emerging among older children. We discuss our results in terms of their implications for preadolescent development and emotion regulation.
A “Crisis” in the Making: The Correspondence of Hans Baron and Paul Oskar Kristeller

AbstractThis article summarizes and contextualizes the vast unpublished correspondence between Hans Baron (1900–1988) and Paul Oskar Kristeller (1905–1999), two of the most prominent twentieth-century scholars of Renaissance Humanism. It details how Baron and Kristeller came to take their first steps in Renaissance scholarship in Germany before political circumstances forced them into exile; it recounts the story of their emigration and their strategies for survival in Italy, Britain, and the United States; it reveals the impact of the American academy on their intellectual journeys and the extent to which they self-consciously stood for a methodology on the verge of extinction. Most important, the correspondence provides us with a personal etiology of the rebirth of Renaissance studies in the postwar period and of the concrete genesis of some of the books that brought it about.
Factors Affecting Profit Efficiency of Private Hospitals in Bangladesh: Are Urban Hospitals More Profit-Efficient?:

In Bangladesh, the number of privately owned hospitals has increased manifold over the last three decades, indicating high profitability in this sector. This study identifies the factors that affec...
Recent trends in rock dust modifications for improved dispersion and coal dust explosion mitigation

Abstract Underground coal mine explosions is perhaps the most hazardous danger in the coal mining industries. Efforts have been made to abate the coal dust explosion by applying rock dust either dry or wet. Dry dust has the best lift characteristic which efficiently quenches the flame propagation of a potential explosion. As a trade-off, undesired respirable dust particles are thereby generated imposing a severe health hazard on coal miners. Wet dusting is an alternative to dry dusting which significantly reduces the exposure to respirable dust particles. However, wet dust is subject to adverse caking issues which lead to a drastic reduction in the dispersibility of the particles. The present work summarizes the studies conducted to date regarding the surface modification of rock dust particles for the purpose of eliminating or alleviating the problems accompanying coal mine dusting applications, meanwhile improving the dispersive properties of dust particles and the ability to suppress the coal dust explosion.
Analytical Modeling Enables One to Explain Paradoxical Situations in Behavior and Performance of Electronic Product Materials

Merits, attributes and challenges associated with the application of analytical (mathematical) predictive modeling in electronics materials science and engineering are addressed, based mostly on the author’s research during his tenure with Basic Research, Bell Laboratories and then – with UC-Santa Cruz and Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA. The emphasis is on some practically important, yet paradoxical (i.e., intuitively non-obvious), materials reliability-related situations/phenomena in electronics and optics. It is concluded that all the three basic approaches in Microelectronics and Photonics Materials Science and Engineering - analytical (mathematical) modeling, numerical modeling (simulation) and experimental investigations - are equally important in understanding the physics of the materials behavior and in designing, on this basis, viable and reliable electronic devices and products. As they say, if your only tool is a hammer, all the problems look like nails to you, do they not?
Analysis of the Chemical Industry, Petrochemical Industry Products and Silicate

This is the seventh biennial review in Fenxi Shiyanshi on the title of "analysis of the chemical industry, petrochemical industry products and silicate". The advance in the analysis of chemical industry products, petrochemical industry products, and silicate in China from July 1997 to June 1999 has been reviewed. A total of 709 references is cited.
Measurement of distal limb sub-bandage pressure over 96 hours in horses.

SummaryReasons for performing study Currently, there is no objective information quantifying pressures exerted by distal limb bandages. Objectives To quantify the pressure exerted by each compression layer, a polo wrap (DLP), a compression bandage (DLC), and to measure the effect of time on sub-bandage pressure. Study design Longitudinal observational experiment. Methods A DLC construct included a cotton roll compressed with brown gauze and elastic layers and the DLP construct included a pillow pad compressed by a cloth wrap. Dorsal and lateral sensors were placed on the mid-metacarpus. In healthy horses, sub-bandage pressures were recorded during application (n = 8) and at scheduled time points over the 24 (n = 9) and 96 h periods (n = 8). A generalised linear model was used to evaluate associations between pressure and sensor location, bandage type and time (P<0.05). Results For the DLC, dorsal and lateral sensor pressures were 187 mmHg (95% CI 185–189 mmHg) and 142 mmHg (95% CI 133–151 mmHg). Combined sensor pressure after application of the brown gauze was 80 mmHg (95% CI 75–85 mmHg) and rose to 165 mmHg (95% CI 160–170 mmHg) after the elastic layer. Combined pressure at the end of the 96 h period was 135 mmHg (95% CI 123–147 mmHg). For the DLP bandage, location but not time was significant. Combined pressures ranged between 75 mmHg (95% CI 53–97 mmHg) and 85 mmHg (95% CI 63–107 mmHg). Conclusions Pressure distribution was not uniform. The DLP pressures were maintained for a 24 h period. The DLC maintained high pressures for 96 h, but a significant decrease in pressure occurred between 6 and 12 h. Providing there are no other reasons to change a bandage, a 4 day interval between bandages may be appropriate if maintaining distal limb compression is the principal indication.
Anatrophic Nephrolithotomy in the Solitary Kidney

AbstractA retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients who had undergone anatrophic nephrolithotomy for staghorn calculus disease in a solitary kidney. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.1) was found between the average preoperative and postoperative renal function values. Of 27 patients who were infected preoperatively 19 were rendered free of further urinary tract infection and 24 of 30 patients (80 per cent) had no further recurrence of renal calculi. Because of the predictable morbidity and mortality associated with the non-operative management of staghorn calculus disease these patients are managed best by the complete surgical removal of all calculi and intensive antimicrobial therapy.
Semivariogram analysis of bone images implemented on FPGA architectures

Osteoporotic fractures are a major concern for the health care of elderly and female populations. Early diagnosis of patients with a high risk of osteoporotic fractures can be enhanced by introducing second-order statistical analysis of bone image data using techniques such as variogram analysis. Such analysis is computationally intensive thereby creating an impediment for introduction into imaging machines found in common clinical settings. This paper investigates the fast implementation of the semivariogram algorithm, which has been proven to be effective in modeling bone strength, and should be of interest to readers in the areas of computer-aided diagnosis and quantitative image analysis. The semivariogram is a statistical measure of the spatial distribution of data, and is based on Markov random fields. Semivariogram analysis is a computationally intensive algorithm that has typically seen applications in the geosciences and remote sensing areas. Recently, applications in the area of medical imaging have been investigated, resulting in the need for efficient real-time implementation of the algorithm. A semivariance, ź(h), is defined as the half of the expected squared differences of pixel values between any two data locations with a lag distance of h. Due to the need to examine each pair of pixels in the image or sub-image being processed, the base algorithm complexity for an image window with n pixels is O(n2). Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are an attractive solution for such demanding applications due to their parallel processing capability. FPGAs also tend to operate at relatively modest clock rates measured in a few hundreds of megahertz. This paper presents a technique for the fast computation of the semivariogram using two custom FPGA architectures. A modular architecture approach is chosen to allow for replication of processing units. This allows for high throughput due to concurrent processing of pixel pairs. The current implementation is focused on isotropic semivariogram computations only. The algorithm is benchmarked using VHDL on a Xilinx XUPV5-LX110T development Kit, which utilizes the Virtex5 FPGA. Medical image data from DXA scans are utilized for the experiments. Implementation results show that a significant advantage in computational speed is attained by the architectures with respect to implementation on a personal computer with an Intel i7 multi-core processor.
Ovarian hemorrhage complicating warfarin sodium anticoagulant therapy

Three cases of women in the reproductive age group who received warfarin sodium therapy for pulmonary embolism are presented. The therapy was complicated by rupture of ovarian cysts with intraperitoneal hemorrhage necessitating exploratory laparotomy. The possibility of intraperitoneal hemorrhage must be considered in patients who present with abdominal pain and a history of anticoagulant therapy. Lack of awareness of the complication may result in delay in making a correct diagnosis and instituting appropriate therapy.
Dictyosomes, Lysosomes, Spherosomes, and Microbodies

The plastids and the mitochondria are not the only cytoplasmic particles present in the cell, although at present they are the best understood. Among the cell parts that are also present in the cytoplasm are the dictyosomes. They were first seen by Camillio Golgi, an Italian cytologist working at the turn of the present century, and so they are frequently called Golgi bodies. Golgi described particular staining bodies in nerve cells. The true nature and existence of these bodies was a matter of scientific controversy that lasted for nearly 50 years. Some cytologists believed they were authentic components of the cell, and others were equally certain they were artifacts of preparation. Only observations made with the electron microscope demonstrated the universal existence of dictyosomes in both plant and animal cells.
A measure for the missed error detection probability for optimizing the forbidden symbol configuration in joint source-channel arithmetic codes

In joint source-channel arithmetic coding, a forbidden symbol (FS) is added to the symbol set to make it more robust against transmission errors. By splitting the interval occupied by the FS into subintervals, various configurations are possible. In this paper, the delay probability function (DPF), the probability of the number of bits required to detect an error, is calculated for various FS configurations. A figure of merit is also proposed for optimizing the FS configuration. It determines the probability of missed error detection (PMD). Simulations are carried out by employing a breadth-first suboptimal sequential MAP. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed figure of merit, and support the FS configuration in which the FS interval lies entirely between the other information carrying symbols to be the best.
Solution electrospinning of nanofibers

Abstract This chapter presents an overview of the solution electrospinning process, variables that affect electrospinning, and some examples from recent literature on the electrospinning of natural and synthetic polymers, as well as polymer blends.
User Engagement Study with Virtual Agents Under Different Cultural Contexts

Human communication literature states that people with different culture backgrounds act differently in conversations. Currently most virtual agents are designed for a single targeted popular culture. We implemented two versions of a virtual agent targeting American and Chinese cultures. We found that users from different culture context express engagement differently.
Dissecting the human serum antibody response to secondary dengue virus infections

Dengue viruses (DENVs) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses and the causative agents of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. As there are four serotypes of DENV (DENV1-4), people can be infected multiple times, each time with a new serotype. Primary infections stimulate antibodies that mainly neutralize the serotype of infection (type-specific), whereas secondary infections stimulate responses that cross-neutralize 2 or more serotypes. Previous studies have demonstrated that neutralizing antibodies induced by primary infections recognize tertiary and quaternary structure epitopes on the viral envelope (E) protein that are unique to each serotype. The goal of the current study was to determine the properties of neutralizing antibodies induced after secondary infection with a different (heterotypic) DENV serotypes. We evaluated whether polyclonal neutralizing antibody responses after secondary infections consist of distinct populations of type-specific antibodies to each serotype encountered or a new population of broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies. We observed two types of responses: in some individuals exposed to secondary infections, DENV neutralization was dominated by cross-reactive antibodies, whereas in other individuals both type-specific and cross-reactive antibodies contributed to neutralization. To better understand the origins of type-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies, we analyzed sera from individuals with well-documented sequential infections with two DENV serotypes only. These individuals had both type-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies to the 2 serotypes responsible for infection and only cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies to other serotypes. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the quality of neutralizing (and presumably protective) antibodies are different in individuals depending on the number of previous exposures to different DENV serotypes. We propose a model in which low affinity, cross-reactive antibody secreting B-cell clones induced by primary exposure evolve during each secondary infection to secrete higher affinity and more broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Adult Muscle Formation Requires Drosophila Moleskin for Proliferation of Wing Disc-Associated Muscle Precursors

Adult muscle precursor (AMP) cells located in the notum of the larval wing disc undergo rapid amplification and eventual fusion to generate the Drosophila melanogaster indirect flight muscles (IFMs). Here we find that loss of Moleskin (Msk) function in these wing disc-associated myoblasts reduces the overall AMP pool size, resulting in the absence of IFM formation. This myoblast loss is due to a decrease in the AMP proliferative capacity and is independent of cell death. In contrast, disruption of Msk during pupal myoblast proliferation does not alter the AMP number, suggesting that Msk is specifically required for larval AMP proliferation. It has been previously shown that Wingless (Wg) signaling maintains expression of the Vestigial (Vg) transcription factor in proliferating myoblasts. However, other factors that influence Wg-mediated myoblast proliferation are largely unknown. Here we examine the interactions between Msk and the Wg pathway in regulation of the AMP pool size. We find that a myoblast-specific reduction of Msk results in the absence of Vg expression and a complete loss of the Wg pathway readout β-catenin/Armadillo (Arm). Moreover, msk RNA interference knockdown abolishes expression of the Wg target Ladybird (Lbe) in leg disc myoblasts. Collectively, our results provide strong evidence that Msk acts through the Wg signaling pathway to control myoblast pool size and muscle formation by regulating Arm stability or nuclear transport.
Oral anticoagulant prophylaxis and epidural catheter removal.

Background and Objectives The use of regional anesthesia in patients receiving anticoagulants is controversial. The purpose of this review is to document the incidence of neurologic complications with insertion and removal of an epidural catheter in patients receiving oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet medication. Methods A retrospective review was made of the charts of 459 patients who underwent hip pinning or hip or knee replacement under regional anesthesia and received postoperative epidural analgesia and warfarin thromboembolism prophylaxis. The number of patients receiving preoperative antiplatelet therapy and warfarin, as well as baseline coagulation parameters, was documented. For patients who had postoperative epidural analgesia, the prothrombin time on the day of epidural catheter removal was obtained. Neurologic complications during the hospital stay were noted. Results Spinal anesthesia was administered to 47 patients and epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia to 4 12. Before surgery, antiplatelet therapy was given to 270 and warfarin to 180 patients, with some patients receiving both. The mean ± SD preoperative prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were 10.8 ± 1.2 seconds (normal, 9.6-11.1 seconds) and 27.5 ± 3.5 seconds (normal, 24.6-33.2 seconds), respectively. Blood on needle or catheter insertion was noted in 21 patients, all of whom were taking antiplatelet medication and/or warfarin. Epidural catheters remained postoperatively for a mean or 43.6 ± 12.5 hours (range 5-118 hours). The mean prothrombin time on the day of epidural catheter removal was 14.1 ± 3.2 seconds. Four postoperative peripheral neuropathies were detected. There was no clinical evidence of spinal hematoma in any patient. Conclusions Epidural catheter placement and removal in patients laking oral anticoagulants appears to be safe. Careful monitoring of the patient for evidence of spinal hematoma after epidural catheter removal is recommended.
Identification of metabolites in plasma for predicting survival in glioblastoma.

Circulating metabolomics profiling holds prognostic potential. However, such efforts have not been extensively carried out in glioblastoma. In this study, two-step (training and testing) metabolomics profiling was conducted from the plasma samples of 159 glioblastoma patients. Metabolomics profiling was tested for correlation with 2-year overall and disease-free survivals. Arginine, methionine, and kynurenate levels were significantly associated with 2-year overall survival in both the training and testing sets. In the combined sets, elevated levels of arginine and methionine were associated with a 34% and 37% increased probability whereas kynurenate was associated with a 55% decreased probability of 2-year overall survival. These three metabolites were also significantly associated with 2-year disease-free survival. Risk scores were generated using the linear combination of levels of these significant metabolites. Glioblastoma patients with a high-risk score exhibited a 2.41-fold decreased probability of 2-year overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.41; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.20-4.93) and a 3.17-fold decreased probability of 2-year disease free survival (HR = 3.17, 95%CI = 1.42-7.54) relative to those with a low-risk score. In conclusion, we identified a unique plasma metabolite profile that is predictive of glioblastoma prognosis.