cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase by Müller cells after optic nerve damage and intravitreal application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Muller glia play an important role in maintaining retinal homeostasis, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has proven to be an effective retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neuroprotectant following optic nerve injury. The goal of these studies was to investigate the relation between optic nerve injury and Muller cell activation, and to determine the extent to which BDNF affects the injury response of Muller cells. Using immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, temporal changes in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were examined in rats after optic nerve crush alone, or in conjunction with an intravitreal injection of BDNF (5 μg). GFAP protein levels were normal at 1 day post-crush, but increased ∼9-fold by day 3 and remained elevated over the 2-week period studied. Muller cell GS expression remained stable after optic nerve crush, but the protein showed a transient shift in its cellular distribution; during the initial 24-h period post-crush the GS protein appeared to translocate from the cell body to the inner and outer glial processes, and particularly to the basal endfeet located in the ganglion cell layer. BDNF alone, or in combination with optic nerve crush, did not have a significant effect on the expression of either GFAP or GS compared with the normal retina, or after optic nerve crush alone, respectively. The data indicate that although BDNF is a potent neuroprotectant in the vertebrate retina, it does not appear to have a significant influence on Muller cell expression of either GS or GFAP in response to optic nerve injury. GLIA 38:115–125, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Physical activity and subarachnoid haemorrhage: a population based case-control study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate physical activity as a risk factor for subarachnoid haemorrhage. METHODS A population based case-control study in King County, Washington. A standardised, personal interview was used to determine physical activity during the past year and at the onset of the bleed for case patients and a similar reference time for control subjects. Conditional logistic regression and a case cross over analysis were performed in which each case patient served as his or her own control. Subjects were 149 men and women with incident, spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and two control subjects per case patient. Control subjects were identified through random digit dialing and matched on age, sex, and respondent type. RESULTS Four of the 149 (2.7%) case patients were engaged in vigorous physical activity at the time of their subarachnoid haemorrhage. With those who were engaged in non-vigorous or no physical activity serving as the reference group, the relative risk of sustaining a subarachnoid haemorrhage for those engaged in vigorous physical activity was 11.6 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2–113.2). In the case cross over analysis, the relative risk was 15.0 (95% CI 4.3–52.2). Higher levels of long term regular physical activity over the past year were associated with a lower, but not statistically significant, risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage (test for trend, p=0.3). CONCLUSION The risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage is increased during vigorous physical activity, although only a few result from this mechanism.
Three-dimensional optical remote sensing using optical scanning holography

No Abstract Available.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of silica overlayers on laser damage of HfO 2 -SiO 2 56 degrees incidence high reflectors

A series of hafnia/silica, oblique incidence (56{degrees}), 1064 nm high reflectors (HRs) were prepared and coated with silica overlayers of varying optical thickness from {lambda}/2 to 4{lambda} in order to determine the effect of an overlayer on the laser-damage resistance of the HRs. The stress and laser damage thresholds for S and P polarization of the HRs were measured, and the damage sites for P polarization examined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). All the multilayers were found to be in compression, with an intrinsic stress increasing with overlayer thickness. The presence of an overlayer and its thickness did not affect the damage threshold significantly. However, the presence of an overlayer greatly influenced the size and morphology of the damage. First, the overlayer prevented catastrophic ``burns`` of the hafnia top layer. Second, as the overlayer thickness increased, two distinct damage morphologies were found: agged pits and round craters. The diameter of these pits and craters then increased somewhat with thicker overlayers. The depths of the pits and craters also increased with overlayer thickness, and the depths showed failure occurring at the interfaces below the hafnia layers. The side-wall angles of the craters were shallower with thicker overlayers, but there was no angle dependence for the pits. The craters showed fracture-like features and a small hillock or pit on their bottom surfaces. No correlation of damage morphology to conditioning or fluence was found.
A CYCLIC N7,C-8 GUANINE ADDUCT OF N-NITROSOPYRROLIDINE (NPYR) : FORMATION IN NUCLEIC ACIDS AND EXCRETION IN THE URINE OF NPYR-TREATED RATS

N-Nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) is a well-established hepatocarcinogen that is present in the diet and tobacco smoke and may form endogenously in humans. Biomarkers to assess NPYR exposure and metabolic activation in humans are needed. The cyclic N7,C-8 guanine adduct 2-amino-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-9-hydroxypyrido[2,1-f]purin-4(3H)-one (8), which is formed in tissues of rats treated with NPYR, is one potential candidate for such a biomarker. In this study, we evaluated the formation of this and other NPYR adducts in reactions of alpha-acetoxyNPYR with dGuo, Guo, DNA, and RNA and determined the extent of urinary excretion of adduct 8 in rats treated with NPYR. alpha-AcetoxyNPYR, a stable precursor to the major product of NPYR metabolic activation, was allowed to react with dGuo, Guo, DNA, or RNA at 37 degrees C, pH 7. The most striking observation was that the cyclic N7,C-8 guanine adduct 8 was formed 9 times more extensively in the reaction with Guo than with dGuo. It was also formed 2.5 times more extensively in RNA than in DNA. In rats treated with NPYR, levels of the cyclic N7,C-8 guanine adduct 8 were 2 times as high in RNA than in DNA. Rats treated with [14C]adduct 8 excreted 51% of this adduct unchanged in urine. Rats treated with [3,4-3H]NPYR excreted 0.00004% of the dose as adduct 8. The major differences in product formation in reactions of alpha-acetoxyNPYR with dGuo versus Guo are unusual for alkylating agents; potential mechanisms are discussed. The higher levels of adduct 8 in RNA than in DNA suggest that RNA may be superior as a source of adduct 8 as a biomarker.
Die Beziehungen zwischen Schilddrüsenfunktion, Verlaufsform und Therapieprognose bei der Schizophrenie

An Hand von Jod-Tracer-Messung bei 235 Geisteskranken und Bestimmung von klinischem Zustand, Verlauf und Therapieprognose bei 97 schizophrenen Patienten konnten folgende Relationen zwischen Schilddrusenfunktion und Schizophrenie nachgewiesen werden:
A female-limited lipoprotein and the diversity of hemocyanin components in the dimorphic variants of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, as revealed by disc electrophoresis

Abstract 1. 1. A female-limited lipoprotein is found in the hemolymph of only those individuals with maturing oocytes. The relative concentration of the lipoprotein in the ovary increases progressively with oocyte maturation. 2. 2. There is no difference between the electrophoretic patterns of hemocyanin from males and females. 3. 3. The electrophoretic pattern of the hemocyanin components is not the same in the two morphological variants of the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. After electrophoresis of hemolymph from the light patch variant of Uca pugilator four hemocyanin components are seen whereas only three components are seen in the hemolymph from the dark patch variant.
DAC Enabled Frequency Domain Pre-shaper Design for Nyquist Signaling

A blind DAC enabled frequency domain pre-shaper design is demonstrated for combating the narrowband filtering effects for 31.5Gbaud Nyquist PM-8QAM and PM-16QAM signals. Experimental results demonstrate an overall performance improvement.
Isolation of human T lymphocytes by a negative selection procedure.

A single step method to isolate human T lymphocytes was achieved using a rosette technique to deplete non-T lymphocytes. Erythrocytes coated simultaneously with IgG and complement were used to form rosettes with cells bearing such receptors during a short incubation period and the resetting cells removed by gradient centrifugation. T lymphocytes were isolated (>96% T cells) without exposing to much experimental manipulations and in good recovery (mean 60%, range 40-75%).
Rebuilding Community Organizing Education in Social Work

Although the campaign and election of Barack Obama as the nation's first President with a background in community organizing (CO) has boosted the visibility and popularity of the field, graduate social work programs have not taken full advantage of the opportunity. This article, therefore, presents a three-fold argument regarding the future of CO education. There is an increasing demand and need for trained organizers and community organizing education. This historical moment holds significant potential for CO education in social work. Graduate schools of social work with CO programs should broaden their outreach to attract potential students and activists to careers as social change agents.
A subnanoscale study of segregation at CdO/Ag(Au) heterophase interfaces

Three-dimensional atom-probe (3DAP) microscopy permits the atom-by-atom reconstruction of a small volume (typically 10 nm × 10 nm × 100 nm) of a material with respect to both the positions and chemical identities of individual atoms. It is, therefore, ideally suited for the study of solute segregation at internal heterophase interfaces. We present recent results of a 3DAP microscopy study of solute segregation at ceramic/metal (C/M) heterophase interfaces prepared by internal oxidation. In particular, results on the CdO/Ag(Au) (where Au is the segregating species) system are presented. In the 3DAP atomicreconstructions, the interfaces of nanometer-size CdO ceramic particles are delineated as Cd isoconcentration surfaces. The distribution of the segregating species as a function of distance to the isoconcentration surfaces is determined with the proximity histogram (or proxigram) method. Two interfaces are investigated in detail. The first shows no appreciable Au segregation, while the second exhibits segregation with a Gibbsianinterfacial excess of 1.65 nm-2 at 650°°C.
Surgical management of palpable breast cancer

The surgical treatment of primary breast cancer must cope with its multicentric origin, its occasional bilaterality, and its primary lymphatic drainage to the axillary and internal mammary nodes. The scope of the surgical procedure should correlate with the extent of disease in the individual patient with the primary aid of removing all disease present in these areas. We have used and continue to use three operative procedures--modified mastectomy (total mastectomy with thorough axillary dissection), radical mastectomy, and extended radical mastectomy. With this selected approach, we have attained a ten-year survival rate of 57% with a 4% local recurrence rate as the first sign of recurrent cancer--8.3% overall local recurrence rate--in a group of 515 patients with infiltrating cancer and 44% proven axillary nodal involvement treated between 1955 and 1964. This includes Stages I, II and III cases. These data are crude and uncorrected for age, intercurrent disease, and lost to follow-up. Forty-three percent of patients received adjuvant x-radiation therapy--4500 rads T.D. to the peripheral nodes. No chemotherapy was given. Similar local control and long term salvage has not been attained by conservative surgery with aggressive x-ray therapy. Long term follow-up--ten years at the minimum--with accurate information regarding extent of disease (nodal status), local recurrence, and survival rate is essential to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment regimen for primary breast cancer.
Current Theories of the Pathophysiology of Asthma

Release of chemical mediators from sensitized mast cells is of established importance in allergic asthma and can account for most of the pathology and recognized changes in physiology. There is still uncertainty regarding specific modes of action of most of the drugs effective in the treatment of asthma. Changes in respiratory mucosal permeability induced directly or indirectly by viruses may initiate atopic sensitization in genetically predisposed subjects. Increased bronchial irritability accounts for much of the bronchoconstriction in both allergic and nonallergic asthma. Leukotrienes cause the bronchoconstriction in patients with aspirin sensitivity, but the factors that differentiate these patients from subjects who tolerate aspirin remain unknown. Asthmatics are characterized by a substantial increase in the number of alpha-adrenergic receptors and a more modest decrease in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors as well as increased sensitivity to cholinergic stimulation. Both mediator release and bronchial irritability may be important causes of exercise induced asthma.
Differential effects of allopregnanolone on the escalation of cocaine self-administration and sucrose intake in female rats

Rationale Evidence suggests that the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO) decreases cocaine seeking in animal models of relapse. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ALLO on an animal model of cocaine and sucrose bingeing (escalation). Allopregnanolone's effects on yohimbine-induced sucrose intake were also examined. In a separate group of animals, dose interactions between ALLO and cocaine were examined with an abbreviated procedure, a short access progressive ratio (PR) schedule for cocaine reinforcement. Methods Female rats were treated with ALLO (15 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (VEH) and trained to lever press for cocaine infusions (0.4 mg/kg) under an extended-access procedure. In a separate condition, other ALLO- and VEH-treated female rats self-administered orally delivered liquid sucrose. Allopregnanolone and VEH treatment was then discountinued and the sucrose-maintained rats were administered priming injections of saline, yohimbine, or yohimbine+ALLO. For the PR condition, rats were first treated with VEH until reaching stability at four doses of cocaine (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/kg in mixed order). Subsequently, rats re-established their baseline cocaine intake at the four cocaine doses following treatment with each of two counterbalanced doses of ALLO (15 and 30 mg/kg). Results ALLO significantly blocked the escalation of cocaine self-administration but did not reliably affect intake of sucrose under a similar condition or affect cocaine intake at several doses under a PR schedule. Yohimbine significantly increased sucrose intake while ALLO failed to attenuate this increase. Conclusion These findings indicate that ALLO protects against binge-like patterns of cocaine intake but does not reduce sugar intake that is acutely increased by yohimbine in females.
The Kaleidic world of Ludwig Lachmann

THE MARKET AS AN ECONOMIC PROCESS by Ludwig M. Lachmann New York: Basil Blackwell, 1986. 173 pp., $29–95
SOS! An algorithm and software for the stochastic optimization of stimuli

The characteristics of the stimuli used in an ex- periment critically determine the theoretical questions the experiment can address. Yet there is relatively little meth- odological support for selecting optimal sets of items, and most researchers still carry out this process by hand. In this research, we present SOS, an algorithm and software pack- age for the stochastic optimization of stimuli. SOS takes its inspiration from a simple manual stimulus selection heuris- tic that has been formalized and refined as a stochastic relaxation search. The algorithm rapidly and reliably selects a subset of possible stimuli that optimally satisfy the con- straints imposed by an experimenter. This allows the exper- imenter to focus on selecting an optimization problem that suits his or her theoretical question and to avoid the tedious task of manually selecting stimuli. We detail how this opti- mization algorithm, combined with a vocabulary of con- straints that define optimal sets, allows for the quick and rigorous assessment and maximization of the internal and external validity of experimental items. In doing so, the algorithm facilitates research using factorial, multiple/ mixed-effects regression, and other experimental designs. We demonstrate the use of SOS with a case study and discuss other research situations that could benefit from this tool. Support for the generality of the algorithm is demon- strated through Monte Carlo simulations on a range of optimization problems faced by psychologists. The software implementation of SOS and a user manual are provided free of charge for academic purposes as precompiled binaries and MATLAB source files at http://sos.cnbc.cmu.edu.
A new Catasetum species (Catasetinae, Orchidaceae) from Goiás, Brazil

A new Catasetum species from Brazil,Catasetum confusum, is described and illustrated. This widely cultivated species had been referred previously toCatasetum ornithoides Pabst.
Abstract 5279: Imaging of pancreatic cancer with activated cell penetrating peptide dendrimers

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL We have recently described novel activatable cell penetrating peptides attached to dendrimers (ACPPDs) which can selectively label tumors for real-time imaging during surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Cy5-labeled ACPPDs to visualize primary tumors and their margins in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. BxPC-3 or BxPC-3-RFP-expressing human pancreatic cancer cells were injected into the pancreas of 6-week old athymic mice to establish the orthotopic mouse models. ACPPs were synthesized on an automated peptide synthesizer by using standard protocols for fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl solid-phase synthesis. Peptides were cleaved off the resin, purified by HPLC, and conjugated to a generation 5 PAMAM dendrimer. Cy5 labeling was performed directly on the dendrimer. Dendrimers were then capped completely with Peg4 NHS ester. Tumor-bearing mice were injected with 20 nmoles of ACPPDs via tail vein 48 hours prior to imaging. Mice were first imaged non-invasively using OV-100 (Olympus) or Maestro (CRI) small animal imaging systems. Mice then underwent laparotomy. Resection of the primary pancreatic tumor using fluorescence guidance was performed using a MVX-10 fluorescence-dissecting microscope (Olympus) customized to allow the surgeon to see white-light reflectance, fluorescence, or the two superimposed in real time. At the conclusion of the experiments, H&E staining was used to confirm the pathological diagnosis of cancer in the resected specimens. We found that in the orthotopic BxPC3 mouse model of pancreatic cancer, intravenous injection of ACPPD showed bright fluorescence labeling of tumors compared to surrounding normal tissue. Co-localization studies showed a good correlation between ACPPD uptake and RFP tumor expression. Tumor margins were more clearly delineated with fluorescence imaging using ACPPDs compared to with white light reflectance alone. Post resection, the tumor bed was examined and imaged for residual tumor. With fluorescence-guided resection, the tumor bed was free of residual tumor, which was confirmed histologically. In this study, we have shown that ACPPDs can accurately and effectively label primary pancreatic tumors in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. This technology has the potential to improve surgical outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5279. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5279
Clients as Change Agents: What Color Could My Parachute Be?.

Morrill and Forrest (1970) advocate an approach to career counseling (Type 4) that helps clients (a) understand career choice as a developmental process, (b) learn decision-making skills, and (c) become active change agents in their own lives. Referring to the Morrill and Forrest article as a benchmark statement about career counseling, Remer and O'Neill present a decision-making model that encompasses the tenets of Type 4 counseling. The model has 13 sequential steps; the authors indicate the role of the counselor and the objectives for the client at each. The article discusses the potential impact of this self-directed, decision-making model on career counseling. Specific counseling outcomes are discussed along with anecdotal evidence that supports the power of the model to create these outcomes.
Neurophysiological evaluation of the differential response model for orientation and spatial-frequency discrimination

Recent models have attempted to reconcile low psychophysical orientation and spatial-frequency discrimination thresholds with relatively broad orientation and spatial-frequency tuning of cortical neurons. These models have relied on the ability of the neurons to convert small stimulus changes into reliable response changes. We have examined this ability in a sample of neurons from the cat’s striate cortex. We present here data from two cells that reliably signaled the smallest orientation and spatial-frequency differences. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, we find that these cells could reliably signal orientation differences of 1.84 deg and spatial-frequency differences of 0.073 octave. We compare these single-cell results to cat and human behavioral discrimination thresholds.
A quick method for estimating the percentage of viable cells in a yeast population, using methylene blue staining

Yeast cells that are viable contain an enzyme that decolourises methylene blue, whereas dead cells do not. When cells from a yeast sample are suspended in the dye, it penetrates into all the cells, but is reduced only by the living cells. It is very simple, therefore, to distinguish between living and dead cells by examining them microscopically: dead cells are stained blue and living cells are unstained.
A circularly polarized mixed loop-dipole yagi antenna

A circularly polarized antenna was designed using dipoles for the driven elements, and loops for the reflector and director elements. The optimization of the antenna was performed using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Bounded Optimization By Quadratic Approximation algorithms (BOBYQA). Both algorithms yielded identical results, though the execution times for the BOBYQA routine proved to significantly shorter.
Social Predictors of Changes in Students' Achievement Goal Orientations☆☆☆

Abstract Declines in students' achievement motivation across the transition to middle school may be explained by characteristics of both the academic and social environment of the new school. This study proposes that students' sense of belonging in middle school and their endorsement of social responsibility, relationship, and status goals in that setting should explain, in part, changes in their achievement goal orientations between 5th and 6th grades. Longitudinal survey data from 660 students indicated that, on average, endorsement of personal task goals declined, whereas endorsement of ability goals increased across the transition. Increases in task goal orientation were associated with perceiving both a task and an ability goal structure in 6th grade classes, along with sense of school belonging, and endorsing responsibility goals. Increases in ability goal orientation were associated positively with perceiving an ability goal structure in classes, with relationship and status goals, and negatively with school belonging.
New Directions in American Educational History: Problems and Prospects:

This article, based on a Spencer Foundation sponsored conference on new directions in the history of education, examines the dilemma of audience and voice. It connects the "golden era" of American educational historiography to the education reforms of the 1960s and 1970s, and then discusses recent developments in the areas of people of color, history and policy, higher education, and a gender-based history. It suggests ways history might be connected to current educational research issues.
Antimicrobial activity of the Naja atra cathelicidin and related small peptides

We have identified an 11-residue pattern (KR(F/A)KKFFKK(L/P)K), which we have named the ATRA motif, within the sequence of the Chinese cobra (Naja atra) cathelicidin. A series of 11-residue peptides (ATRA-1, -2, -1A and -1P) were designed to probe the significance of the conserved residues within the ATRA motif, and their contributions to antimicrobial performance. The antimicrobial activities of the peptides were assessed against Escherichia coli K12 strain and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Y4. ATRA-1 and -1A, demonstrated potencies comparable to that of N. atra cathelicidin. Structural examination by circular dichroism of the four short peptides suggested the significance of specific amino acid positions within the motif by their contribution to helicity. The results of these studies indicate that short peptides derived from the repeated ATRA motif from the N. atra cathelicidin can demonstrate both low toxicity against host cells and high antimicrobial activity against the gram-negative bacteria used in this study. They constitute novel, effective antimicrobial peptides that are much shorter (and thus less expensive to produce) than the natural cathelicidins, and they may represent new templates for therapeutic drug development.
On the dynamics of necking and fragmentation – I. Real-time and post-mortem observations in Al 6061-O

In this series of papers, we investigate the mechanics and physics of necking and fragmentation in ductile materials. The behavior of ductile metals at strain rates of about 10,000 per second is considered. The expanding ring experiment is used as the vehicle for examining the material behavior in this range of strain rates. In the present paper, the details of the experiment and the experimental observations on Al 6061-O are reported. Specifically, the design of the expanding ring experiment is evaluated through an analysis of the electromagnetic and mechanical aspects of the problem. Then, through an innovative use of high-speed, high-spatial resolution imaging we determine the sequence of deformation and failure in the expanding ring. In particular, the high speed photographs reveal that multiple necks nucleate along the circumference of the ring near a critical strain level; this is followed by a sequence of fractures, and eventually the fragments are unloaded and move as a rigid body. The strain at the onset of localized deformation, the time of fracture initiation, and the sequence of fragmentation are~all quantified in these experiments. These experimental results facilitate detailed comparison to analytical and numerical models of the fragmentation process. Following this, quantitative interpretation of the experimental observations is pursued. First, the uniform expansion of the ring is considered; the observed radial expansion is shown to agree well with an analytical solution of the problem based on a strain-rate-independent plasticity model. The evolution of the strain in the specimen and the onset of necking are evaluated quantitatively and shown to exhibit no dependence on the applied strain rate for this material; the strain at final fracture, averaged over the entire ring, is shown to be an inadequate measure of the ductility of the material. The fragmentation process is modeled with finite element analysis, incorporating the concept of the Mott release waves; this simulation provides a detailed numerical characterization of the experimental observations. Finally, the statistics of the necking and fragmentation are evaluated; these are interpreted both with the predictions of the linear perturbation analysis and a Weibull/Mott model of necking and fragmentation. In the sequel, we will explore the effect of material ductility, strain rate dependence, the effect of geometry and constraint, and finally the effect of a compliant cladding or coating on the development of necking and fragmentation.
Replacement of homologous mouse DNA sequence with pathogenic 6‐base human CREB1 promoter sequence creates murine model of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Families with recurrent, early-onset MDD (RE-MDD), a severe, familial form of MDD, have provided an important resource for identifying and characterizing genetic variants that confer susceptibility to MDD and related disorders. Previous studies identified a rare, highly penetrant A(-115)G transition within the human CREB1 promoter that reduced promoter activity in vitro and was associated with depressive disorders in RE-MDD families. The development of an etiology-based recombinant animal model for MDD would facilitate the advancement of our limited understanding of the pathophysiology of MDD, as well as the development of improved treatments. Here we report the construction and initial characterization of a congenic mutant C57BL/6NTac mouse model that carries the human pathogenic sequence at the homologous position of the mouse Creb1 promoter. The recombinant strain exhibited decreases in reproductive capacity and pup survival that may be related to increased infant mortality observed in RE-MDD families; enlargement of the cerebral ventricles; reduced levels of CREB protein in the mouse cerebral cortex, as predicted from transfection experiments employing the pathogenic human CREB1 promoter; and alterations in two standardized behavioral tests, the forced swim and marble burying tests. These initial findings support the pathogenicity of the human A(-115)G promoter variant, and invite further characterization of this etiology-based recombinant animal model for MDD. Human promoter variants that have highly penetrant effects on disease expression provide an attractive opportunity for creating etiology-based mouse models of human diseases, with minimal disruption of the mouse genome. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Invasive Aspergillosis in Liver Transplant Recipients: Outcome Comparison of Therapy with Amphotericin B Lipid Complex and a Historical Cohort Treated with Conventional Amphotericin B

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) in liver transplant recipients is associated with poor response rates and a very high mortality rate, despite administration of therapy with conventional amphotericin B. We conducted a single-center, retrospective study to compare the outcome of liver transplant recipients with IA who received amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) or conventional amphotericin B. IA was present in 12 ABLC-treated patients (definite, 4; probable, 8) and 29 amphotericin B recipients (definite, 11; probable, 18) in the historical cohort. The 60-day mortality rate was lower in the ABLC cohort: 4 (33%) of 12 patients versus 24 (83%) of 29 patients (P=.006). Only 1 of 4 ABLC recipients with definite IA died, compared with all 11 in the amphotericin B group. Sixty-day survival probability curves was significantly lower in the amphotericin B cohort (P=.008). ABLC therapy was the only independent mortality-protective variable (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.44; P=.02). First-line or early salvage therapy for IA with ABLC was associated with significantly improved survival relative to a comparable historical group treated with amphotericin B.
Association of Body Composition with Outcome of Docetaxel Chemotherapy in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Review

Background Docetaxel, a lipophilic drug, is indicated for castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Most men with such disease would have had androgen-deprivation therapy, which decreases muscle and increases body fat. Obesity and body composition changes may influence the outcomes of docetaxel therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 333 patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel at a comprehensive cancer center between October 7, 2004 and December 31, 2012. Body composition parameters were measured based on the areas of muscle and adipose tissues in the visceral and subcutaneous compartments on CT images at L3-4 levels. Dose calculations, toxicity and adverse reaction profiles, and overall survival were analyzed. Results Obese patients were younger at the diagnosis of prostate cancer and had a shorter duration from diagnosis to docetaxel therapy. Analysis of body composition found that a high visceral fat-to-subcutaneous fat area ratio (VSR) was associated with poor prognosis but a high visceral fat-to-muscle area ratio (VMR) and high body mass index were associated with increased duration from starting docetaxel to death, allowing such men to catch up with patients with normal body mass index in overall survival from cancer diagnosis to death. Cox proportional hazard regression showed that age ≥65 years, high VSR, abnormal serum alkaline phosphatase, and >10% reduction of initial dosage were significant predictors of shorter time between starting docetaxel and death, and that high VMR, obesity, and weekly regimens were significant predictors of longer survival after docetaxel. Conclusion Obese and overweight patients may benefit more from weekly docetaxel regimens using the reference dosage of 35 mg/m2 without empirical dosage reduction.
Plutonium oxide benchmark problems for the SOURCES code

Abstract Neutron yields and spectra for nine plutonium oxide (PuO 2 ) compositions were calculated with the SOURCES 4C computer code. In addition to five experimental measurements serving as benchmarks for the SOURCES homogenous option, neutron production information for three postulated oxide compositions is also presented. Spectral information for neutrons originating from spontaneous fission and ( α ,n) reactions with light targets is presented in tabular format for further manipulation.
Analysis of a simple yet efficient convex hull algorithm

This paper is concerned with a simple, rather intuitive preprocessing step that is likely to improve the average-case performance of any convex hull algorithm. For n points randomly distributed in the unit square, we show that a simple linear pass through the points can eliminate all but O(√n) of the points by showing that a simple superset of the remaining points has size c√n + o(√n). We give a full implementation of the method, which should be useful in any practical application for finding convex hulls. Most of the paper is concerned with an analysis of the number of points eliminated by the procedure, including derivation of an exact expression for c. Extensions to higher dimensions are also considered.
Precision Stark spectroscopy of sodium 2 P and 2 D states

We report precision measurements of the energies of the Na $10{}^{2}P,$ $11{}^{2}P,$ and $10{}^{2}D$ states and their fine-structure intervals. The $P$-state results bridge the gap between earlier high- and low-$n$ measurements from other laboratories, thus facilitating calculation of quantum-defect parameters. Quantum-defect theory fits to all available data on Na are critically examined. Using the most reliable values at low, intermediate, and high $n$ leads to a single set of four quantum-defect parameters that is useful over the entire range of $n.$ Also, using the present $P$-state measurements, we extract a value of the ionization potential that is in exact agreement with our earlier determination.
Hybrid minimally invasive surgery—a bridge between laparoscopic and translumenal surgery

The peroral transluminal approach to the peritoneal cavity appears safe, feasible, and may further reduce the invasiveness of surgery. However, flexible endoscopes have multiple limitations inside the peritoneal cavity, which can potentially be overcome by blending the use of both a laparoscope and a flexible upper endoscope—a hybrid approach. The goal of the present study was to evaluate a hybrid minimally invasive technique for cholecystectomy in a porcine model. Hybrid cholecystectomies were performed in acute experiments on 50-kg pigs under general anesthesia. Pneumoperitoneum was created with a Veress needle, and a laparoscopic 10-mm port was inserted. Under laparoscopic observation, the gastric wall incision was done with an endoscopic needle-knife and sphincterotome, and the upper endoscope was advanced into the peritoneal cavity. A laparoscopic 10-mm port was inserted into the right upper quadrant of the abdomen for gallbladder traction to facilitate exposure of the cystic duct and artery. Via the biopsy channel of the flexible endoscope, and using a knife with an isolated tip, a needle knife, and clips, both the cystic duct and artery were identified, clipped, and transected. The gallbladder itself was then dissected and retracted through the mouth, and the gastric wall incision was closed with endoscopic clips. Five hybrid cholecystectomies were performed without complications. The laparoscopic port enabled a stable pneumoperitoneum, good traction and counter-traction, and improved spatial orientation and visualization. Necropsy did not reveal any intraperitoneal complications. The hybrid approach increases safety of initial gastric puncture and gastric wall incision, improves orientation and navigation of the flexible endoscope inside the peritoneal cavity, simplifies peroral transgastric cholecystectomy, and could be used to decrease invasiveness of laparoscopic surgery and to facilitate development and clinical introduction of transgastric endoscopic procedures.
Vinblastine in the management of testicular cancer.

The activity of vinblastine alone and in combination with melphalan was studied in 32 patients with metastatic testicular neoplasia of germinal origin. There was a total of 16 objective responses. Twenty-one patients received 0.4 to 0.8 mg/kg of vinblastine intravenously in 2 or 3 equal daily fractions, which was repeated at 3- to 4-week intervals. There were 4 complete and 7 partial responses, the longest being 42+ months. The combination of vinblastine, 3.5 to 4.0 mg/kg intravenously in one dose, followed in 24 to 48 hours with melphalan, 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg in 500 ml of 5% glucose in water, was given to 11 patients. Treatment was repeated at 4- to 6-week intervals. There were 2 complete and 3 partial responses, the longest being 66+ months. There was no significant difference in the number of responses or the median duration of response between the 2 treatment groups. Partial responses were seen in all histologic groups. Complete responses were limited to embryonal carcinoma, pure or mixed with seminoma, and teratoma, pure or mixed with embryonal carcinoma, seminoma or choriocarcinoma (Groups II and IV of Dixon and Moore). Statistical analysis of survival data shows a highly significant difference (P < 0.001) between responding and nonresponding patients.
Thermodynamic Estimations of Defect Equilibria and Vacancy Concentrations in ZnS

With the equilibrium constants for atomic vacancies, KS, for electronic charge carriers, Ki, and for the vaporization of ZnS, Kp, the densities of atomic point defects and of electronic charge carriers were obtained as a function of temperature. The computed metal vacancy concentrations of ZnS are in close agreement with independently reported experimental data. Combining KS and Ki values with vacancy formation reactions and with equilibrium partial pressures of the constituent species yielded the relative concentrations of doubly ionized metal and nonmetal vacancies and of electronic carriers as a function of pressure. The point of material stoichiometry is given by the expression Log(K8pM)stoich. = Log Ki + 1/2 Log KS, which is generally true, but different from that for singly ionized vacancies. With the stoichiometry relationship, derived in this work, and partial pressures of the relevant species, equilibrium constants for individual vacancy formation reactions are computed as a function of temperature. The resulting Zn vacancy densities are in close agreement with those based on the Schottky constant alone and with those of independent experimental data. In addition, the predominant vacancy type (conductivity) can be predicted from the individual reactions. These results are useful for the optimization of synthesis conditions, and for the characterization of materials.
Carbon-13 Isotopic Species of H2C3, H2C4, and H2C5: High-Resolution Rotational Spectra

Abstract The microwave rotational spectra of the carbon-13 isotopic species of H 2 C 3 , H 2 C 4 , and H 2 C 5 have been observed in a pulsed supersonic molecular beam by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. At high resolution all of the rotational lines exhibit hyperfine structure produced by the magnetic interaction between the nuclear spin of 13 C and the overall rotation of the molecule. The component of the nuclear spin–rotation tensor along the a -inertial axis is large for most isotopic species, especially at the carbene carbon; at this position C aa is two to three times larger than at other substituted positions along the chain. In contrast to both H 2 C 3 and H 2 C 3 , in H 2 C 4 C aa exhibits a pronounced alternation along the carbon chain backbone. Following detection of the five carbon-13 isotopic species and D 2 C 5 , an experimental structure ( r 0 ) has been determined to high accuracy for H 2 C 5 .
Plasmon-assisted photoemission from gold nanopillars in few-cycle laser fields

We report plasmon-assisted photoemission from gold nanopillars using few cycle near-IR laser pulses, along with simulations, showing strong acceleration and a scaling of the electron yield that indicates the transition into the strong-field regime.
Measuring orientation to population-based prevention.

Abstract Background Assessing orientation to population-based preventive alternatives is useful in the evaluation of preventive medicine curricula. Methods An instrument was developed using hypothetical situations describing a health issue that could be encountered by a primary care physician. Options to be selected were in three categories: (1) treatment, (2) clinical prevention, or (3) population-based prevention. Respondents allocated 900 points among alternatives for nine situations (100 points per situation). Pilot testing of the instrument was implemented, comparing the responses of public health physicians with two groups (Syracuse and Baltimore) of family medicine physicians. Results For the overall instrument, the scores on the population scale and population–treatment differential showed statistically significant differences between the public health physicians and both groups of family medicine physicians ( p p p Conclusions The development of a scenario-based tool to assess changes in population-based prevention orientation shows preliminary promise for future evaluation efforts involving preventive medicine curricula.
Americans' attitudes about internet behavioral advertising practices

This paper presents empirical data on American Internet users' knowledge about and perceptions of Internet advertising techniques. We present the results of in-depth interviews and an online survey focusing on participants' views of online advertising and their ability to make decisions about privacy tradeoffs. We find users hold misconceptions about the purpose of cookies and the effects of clearing them. Only 11% of respondents understood the text description of NAI opt-out cookies, which are a self-help mechanism that enables user choice. 86% believe ads are tailored to websites they have visited in the past, but only 39% believe there are currently ads based on email content, and only 9% think it is ok to see ads based on email content as long as their email service is free. About 20% of participants want the benefits of targeted advertising, but 64% find the idea invasive, and we see signs of a possible chilling effect with 40% self-reporting they would change their online behavior if advertisers were collecting data. We find a gap between people's willingness to pay to protect their privacy and their willingness to accept discounts in exchange for private information. 69% believe privacy is a right and 61% think it is "extortion" to pay to keep their data private. Only 11% say they would pay to avoid ads. We find participants are comfortable with the idea that advertising supports free online content, but they do not believe their data are part of that exchange.
In vivo human assessment of bladder elasticity and compliance using Ultrasound Bladder Vibrometry (UBV) and comparison with urodynamic studies

The bladder stiffens with age and various pathological processes. We have previously proposed the use of Ultrasound Bladder Vibrometry (UBV) to measure mechanical properties of the bladder wall. In UBV, ultrasound radiation force is focused at the bladder wall to excite impulsive anti-symmetric Lamb waves, and pulse-echo ultrasound is used to track tissue motion. Fourier-space analysis of tissue motion is used to calculate Lamb wave velocity dispersion, i.e. the change of Lamb wave velocity as a function of frequency. The Lamb wave velocity dispersion equation is fit to the dispersion data to estimate bladder viscoelastic parameters. Ex vivo formalin studies aimed at demonstrating the ability of UBV to detect bladder stiffening are demonstrated. UBV measurements of compliant and incompliant neurogenic patient bladders were compared with concomitant Urodynamic Cystometry Studies (UDS), which are the clinical gold standard for evaluation of bladder compliance. Results of UBV and UDS measurements in neurogenic patients were in good agreement. Healthy bladders were more compliant than the neurogenic bladders as their bladder elasticity does not increase significantly over the full range of bladder capacity. The results presented in this study demonstrate the potential of UBV serving as a surrogate to UDS studies.
Diagnosis and Empiric Therapy of Urinary Tract Infection in the Seriously Ill Patient

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most prevalent serious infections encountered by the typical physician. When these infections are an imminent threat, microscopic urinalysis rapidly provides sensitive and specific diagnostic information that can establish the diagnosis and guide initial therapy. Tests of localization of infection play no important role in early management decisions. The choice of empiric antibiotic therapy depends on the patterns of resistance in the patient's environment. Even when UTIs are nominally community acquired, an important minority of isolates are resistant to firstgeneration cephalosporins. Thus far the great majority of gram-negative urinary tract isolates have been susceptible to aminoglycosides and to third-generation cephalosporins. Appropriate therapy should promptly eradicate microscopically visible bacteriuria. Failure to do so after a day is presumptive evidence that the antibiotic is ineffective in vivo and is reason to change the antibiotic if the clinical condition warrants this. Conversely, the patient who fails to respond clinically despite eradication of microscopic bacteriuria is unlikely to fare better with a different antibiotic. In this setting, search for an isolated infected focus, such as an abscess, or for sites of dissemination of the infection is more likely to yield a solution.