cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship of dietary selenium concentration; chemical cancer induction; and tissue concentration of selenium in rats.

(1973). Relationship of Dietary Selenium Concentration; Chemical Cancer Induction; and Tissue Concentration of Selenium in Rats. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 487-495.
RELIGION AND STATE POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA

One of the most challenging issues confronting leaders in Central Asia is deciding what religious groups and forces pose a threat to international or domestic security.1 The question of where to se...
Glucose Sensing Network in Candida albicans: a Sweet Spot for Fungal Morphogenesis

Glucose, a ubiquitous carbon source preferred by most cells ([96][1]), was first identified by Andreas Marggraf in 1747 ([67][2]). Even though it is the most abundant hexose on earth ([33][3]), glucose is often a limiting nutrient in biological systems ([2][4]); it is a precious resource for which
The characterization of biodegradable polymers with different process histories

Understanding the characteristics of biomaterials that have been processed for fabricating implantable devices is of great importance. The order of the material and the processing history may play a role in how cellular attachment proteins adsorb and subsequently, how cells attach and form tissue. This study investigates the behavior of three biopolymers-poly(l)-lactic acid, 12,10 polyarylate, and 2,4 polyarylate-processed into four variants-undrawn, drawn, annealed at constant length, and annealed but free-to-shrink. Using DSC, we analyzed the spectra of the materials, relating peaks to changes in molecular structure. We also simulated the in vivo environment using a 37/spl deg/C water bath, measuring the response of materials as a change in length. From the DSC spectra, poly(l)-lactic acid contained a well defined glass transition, crystallization, and melting region, 12,10 polyarylate was drastically affected by the processing conditions in the number and temperatures at which conversion took place, and 2,4 polyarylate remained relatively benign to processing conditions except at conversion temperatures. This analysis correlated the molecular configuration of the biopolymers to the behavior under different processing and environmental conditions. The influence of intrinsic properties of each variant on cellular proliferation will be the focus of future study.
Chromium in Rainbow Trout from an Exposed Dunite Formation, Twin Sisters Mountain, Washington

ABSTRACT Twin Sisters Mountain, Washington, is dominated by a dunite rock formation containing the mineral chromite (iron magnesium chromium oxide: (Fe, Mg)OCr2O3). We sampled rainbow trout and collected water samples from Howard Creek, a Twin Sister watershed. From 0.5 to 3.7 mg Cr/kg fresh weight was found. However, concentration of Cr was not related to fish size. Since Cr was not detected in the water, the route of uptake by fish is likely through ingestion. Since the range of concentrations of Cr in these fish overlaps with those that have been found to adversely affect health, these fish may have adapted to tolerate Cr.
Adiabatic Eastern Boundary Currents

AbstractThe dynamics of the eastern boundary current of a high-resolution, idealized model of oceanic circulation are analyzed and interpreted in terms of residual mean theory. In this framework, it is clear that the eastern boundary current is adiabatic and inviscid. Nevertheless, the time-averaged potential vorticity is not conserved along averaged streamlines because of the divergence of Eliassen–Palm fluxes, associated with buoyancy and momentum eddy fluxes. In particular, eddy fluxes of buoyancy completely cancel the mean downwelling or upwelling, so that there is no net diapycnal residual transport. The eddy momentum flux acts like a drag on the mean velocity, opposing the acceleration from the eddy buoyancy flux: in the potential vorticity budget this results in a balance between the divergences of eddy relative vorticity and buoyancy fluxes, which leads to a baroclinic eastern boundary current whose horizontal scale is the Rossby deformation radius and whose vertical extent depends on the eddy buo...
Rapsyn may function as a link between the acetylcholine receptor and the agrin-binding dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex

The 43 kDa AChR-associated protein rapsyn is required for the clustering of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the developing neuromuscular junction, but the functions of other postsynaptic proteins colocalized with the AChR are less clear. Here we use a fibroblast expression system to investigate the role of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) in AChR clustering. The agrin-binding component of the DGC, dystroglycan, is found evenly distributed across the cell surface when expressed in fibroblasts. However, dystroglycan colocalizes with AChR-rapsyn clusters when these proteins are coexpressed. Furthermore, dystroglycan colocalizes with rapsyn clusters even in the absence of AChR, indicating that rapsyn can cluster dystroglycan and AChR independently. Immunofluorescence staining using a polyclonal antibody to utrophin reveals a lack of staining of clusters, suggesting that the immunoreactive species, like the AChR, does not mediate the observed rapsyndystroglycan interaction. Rapsyn may therefore be a molecular link connecting the AChR to the DGC. At the neuromuscular synapse, rapsyn-mediated linkage of the AChR to the cytoskeleton-anchored DGC may underlie AChR cluster stabilization.
“I can't tell you all my troubles”: conflict, resistance, and metacommunication in Bangladeshi illness interactions

Months after falling from the rafters above her single-room house, Yasmin came to Ali, an Ayurvedic kabiraj (traditional healer)1 and maker of herbal remedies. She complained of sleeplessness, loss of appetite-and a growing "tumor" near the site of her fractured collarbone. She had already visited many other practitioners and had an X ray taken at a government hospital; they reportedly found evidence of a fracture, ulcers, and cancer. Her husband's resources exhausted, Yasmin had turned to her brother. He had brought her to Ali and would pay the expenses. Ali listened to Yasmin and her brother telling her troubles at some length. About five minutes into the consultation, Yasmin turned to a new facet of her trouble, asserting, "I haven't yet told you; I haven't told the half of it yet!" A bit later as Yasmin began to express despair, Ali cut her off; before she could finish saying, "My life is beginning to be erased," he stepped in to ask, "Then your appetite and thirst are weak?" In this article I explore a pattern in Bangladeshi medicine in which the right to tell one's own troubles is contested and accommodation between patients and their interlocutors is tenuous. My findings illustrate the claim that "discourse is not simply talk about conflict and accommodation-it embodies them" (Briggs 1992:356; emphasis in original). I stake out common ground between linguistic and medical anthropology as I demonstrate how illness interactions reflect and construct relations between patients, kin, and practitioners in their sociocultural context.2 More specifically, I make three major interrelated points. First, illness interactions in the rural Matlab area of Bangladesh are often adversarial, as they can be in Western countries. Patients' talk disturbs and moves others. It may point to conflict external to the "medical situation" as much as it points to "symptoms." But medical encounters themselves always involve negotiation and often fail to resolve discord. Conflict internal to Matlab medical encounters centers not
Java-based query driven simulation environment

The concept of Web-based simulation can be finally realized using Java. We have used Java to create a powerful simulation modeling library which is based on the process interaction paradigm. Java threads make it easy for us to implement each process (or active entity) as a thread. Our library, JSIM, supports both simulation and animation thus rendering the model developer's job easier. An important component of our approach is that we integrate our Java Simulator with a Database Management System (DBMS). The conceptual basis for this integration is an environment based on Query Driven Simulation, which allows simulation analysts to study the performance of systems simply by querying a database. Simulation inputs and outputs are stored in databases, and simulation models can be launched as a part of query processing. This integration also resolves a security restriction problem which Java imposes. Most browsers (e.g., Netscape Navigator) restrict Java applets from writing into a file which may be necessary to make simulation results available to the user. Our approach bypasses this problem by writing into a database. Databases are much less of a security concern since they already have substantial authorization mechanisms.
Avoiding Complications and Technical Variability During Arthroscopically Assisted Transtibial ACL Reconstructions by Using a C-Arm With Image Intensifier.

Background:Surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be complicated by incorrect and variable tunnel placement, graft tunnel mismatch, cortical breaches, and inadequate fi...
Ecosystems and famine

In discussing famine, its causes and its results, we immediately run into problems of terminology. It seems to me, however, to be useful to think of the ontogeny of famine as involving three major sets of factors: first, background factors; second, pathological factors (precursors); and third, precipitating factors. (See Table I). For example, the 1974 famine in Rangpur District of Bangladesh, was precipitated by flooding of the Brahmaputra River. The flooding, in turn, had its causes in a set of pathological factors (meteorological, ecological, geographical), which were the precursors of the famine and which were pathological because they were distortions of the basic ecological relationships (background factors). Reading the chain of causation of the famine forward, rather than backward, we have a situation in which a fairly stable ecosystem (background factor) becomes diseased and produces a series of pathological biotic and social conditions (the pathologies, the precursors). The stage is set for the ...
Role of Nitric Oxide, Adenosine, and ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Insulin-Induced Vasodilation

The resistance of various tissues to the vasodilator and metabolic effects of insulin may be an important risk factor in the genesis of hypertension observed in several pathological states. Because of this, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which insulin causes vasodilation. Because insulin is known to raise metabolism, one mechanism by which insulin causes vasodilation could be through metabolic vasodilation. Recently, however, it has been suggested that the insulin-induced vasodilation is mediated by the release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. Using a model of muscle microcirculation (hamster cremaster), we examined the interactions between insulin, nitric oxide, and tissue metabolism to understand the potential mechanisms by which insulin causes vasodilation. Topical application of insulin (200 μU/mL) to the cremaster resulted in significant increases in arteriolar diameter. Second-order arteriolar diameter increased from 69.6±6 to 79.8±5 μm and fourth-order arteriolar diameter from 11.3±1 to 15.1±2 μm (n=8). During nitric oxide synthase inhibition, topical application of insulin caused significant vasodilation in both second- and fourth-order arterioles. In contrast, both adenosine receptor antagonism and blockade of ATP-sensitive potassium channels prevented insulin-induced increases in arteriolar diameter. Our findings suggest a role for increased tissue metabolism, particularly the metabolite adenosine, in mediating insulin-induced vasodilation.
The relationship of defibrillation and stimulation: design implications for the optimum defibrillation waveform.

The major point of contention in the exchange of letters to the editor by Dr Irnich and Dr Efimov and colleagues is the relationship between cardiac stimulation and defibrillation. Irnich states that the mechanisms of stimulation and defibrillation are identical while Efimov et al . state that the two phenomena are governed by fundamentally different mechanisms. We believe the relationship between stimulation and defibrillation falls between these two extremes. Specifically, we believe experimental evidence indicates that the mechanism of defibrillation encompasses the mechanism of stimulation but also includes additional factors related to the reinduction of fibrillation by the shock. At the most basic level, stimulation and defibrillation both require the electrical pulse to alter the transmembrane potential and, thus, are similar in this respect. In both cases, the electric pulse creates regions of hyperpolarization and of depolarization, called virtual electrodes, which are important determinants of whether stimulation and defibrillation occur. Defibrillation involves extinguishing the activation fronts present during fibrillation via stimulation of excitable and partially excitable myocardium. In addition, refractory myocardium …
X-ray interferometry: exciting science and feasible technology

Imagine a telescope with resolution so fine it can image the event horizon of a black hole in a quasar, resolve the disk of a star in another galaxy, or measure parallax to the Virgo Cluster. Such is the promise of X-ray interferometry. Because of the short wavelength of X-rays, interferometer baselines can be much shorter and more practical than systems in the visible. Intercontinental baseline interferometry now practiced in the radio can be matched with just a 10 cm baseline in the X-ray. With a 100 m baseline in space, an X-ray interferometer can resolve features finer than one micro-arc second. We believe we have found a practical approach to X-ray interferometry, and here discuss efforts to build and demonstrate a prototype X-ray interferometer with resolution near one milli-arcsecond. The prototype will demonstrate the feasibility of this technical path to the nano-arcsecond range.
Microfilaments and cell locomotion.

The role of microfilaments in generating cell locomotion has been investigated in glial cells migrating in vitro. Such cells are found to contain two types of microfilament systems: First, a sheath of 50–70-A in diameter filaments is present in the cytoplasm at the base of the cells, just inside the plasma membrane, and in cell processes. Second, a network of 50-A in diameter filaments is found just beneath the plasma membrane at the leading edge (undulating membrane locomotory organelle) and along the sides of the cell. The drug, cytochalasin B, causes a rapid cessation of migration and a disruption of the microfilament network. Other organelles, including the microfilament sheath and microtubules, are unaltered by the drug, and protein synthesis is not inhibited. Removal of cytochalasin results in complete recovery of migratory capabilities, even in the absence of virtually all protein synthesis. Colchicine, at levels sufficient to disrupt all microtubules, has no effect on undulating membrane activity, on net cell movement, or on microfilament integrity. The microfilament network is, therefore, indispensable for locomotion.
Metabolic effects of low-dose insulin therapy on glucose metabolism in diabetic ketoacidosis

The effect of low-dose insulin treatment (5–10 U/h) on hepatic glucose production (HGP) and peripheral glucose disposal was determined in 5 insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) subjects who were admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA; plasma glucose 598 ± 50 mg/dl, blood p H 7.20 ± 0.06, plasma bicarbonate 12 ± 2 meq/L). Basal hepatic glucose production (4.3 ± 0.5 mg · kg 1 min 1 ) in the DKA patients was 1.5- to 2-fold greater ( P −1 · min −1 ) and nonketotic IDDM subjects (2.9 ± 0.3 mg · kg −1 · min −1 ), whereas tissue glucose disposal was significantly reduced (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 mg kg −1 min −1 P −1 · min −1 ), the plasma glucose concentration fell at the rate of 60 ± 5 mg· dl −1 h −1 to reach a value of 220 ± 10 mg/dl, which was maintained constant for 2 h (insulinclamp technique). Blood p H (7.21 ± 0.06 to 7.35 ± 0.05) and plasma bicarbonate (12 ± 3 to 18 ± 2 meq\L) both increased during insulin therapy ( P −1 min −1 P −1 min −1 P −1 min −1 . During the 2-h period of the insulin clamp (steady-state plasma glucose 220 ± 1 0 mg/dl, plasma free insulin 85 ± 5 (ill/ml), HGP in the DKA patients was further suppressed (1.70 ± 0.20 to 1.00 ± 0.20 mg · kg −1 min −1 1) but remained well above (P −1 · min −1 ) and nonketotic diabetic subjects (0.2 ± 0.1 mg · kg −1 · min −1 ). At the end of the 2-h insulin-clamp period, the rate of tissue glucose uptake (3.2 ± 0.3 mg kg −1 · min −1 ) had not increased significantly above the rate observed at the start of the clamp (2.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg). Urinary glucose losses during the insulin-clamp period averaged 0.10 ± 0.01 mg · kg −1 · min −1 . In summary, in DKA, 1) hyperglycemia results from both a markedly increased rate of HGP and a modest decrease in tissue glucose uptake, 2) the ability of insulin to suppress HGP and to stimulate tissue glucose uptake is severely impaired, and 3) during the initial 6-h period of insulin therapy, urinary glucose losses (0.4 mg kg −1 min −1 ), stimulation of tissue glucose uptake (increment 1.5 mg kg −1 min −1 ), and suppression of HGP (decrement 3.3 mg · kg −1 · min −1 ) all contributed to the decline in plasma glucose. However, from the quantitative standpoint, inhibition of HGP is the most important determinant in the decline in plasma glucose concentration after institution of insulin therapy.
The Strategic Levers of Yield Management

Yield management, controlling customer demand through the use of variable pricing and capacity management to enhance profitability, has been examined extensively in the services literature. Most of...
Electromyographic and Cinematographic Analysis of Elbow Function in Tennis Players with Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis occurs frequently in tennis players and appears to be caused by tears in the extensor aponeurosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic activities of 5 muscles in players with lateral epicondylitis with those of injury-free players during the single-handed backhand tennis stroke. Finewire electrodes were placed into the extensor digitorum communis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, pronator teres, and flexor carpi radialis muscles in competitive tennis players; 8 players had lateral epicondylitis and 14 had normal upper extremities. The backhand stroke then was recorded on high-speed film and synchronized with the electromyographic signal. The injured players had significantly greater activity for the wrist extensors and pronator teres muscles during ball impact and early follow-through. This activity increase may have been caused by the abnormal mechanics evident on film, including a "leading elbow," wrist extension and an open racquet face near the time of ball impact, and ball contact in the lower half of the strings. These mechanics not only result in a lower level of play but also leave the wrist extensors and the pronator teres muscles vulnerable to injury. This is the first study that documents increased activity in muscles that have been previously injured.
Efficient global optimization using SPSA

A desire with iterative optimization techniques is that the algorithm reach the global optimum rather than get stranded at a local optimum value. One method used to try to assure global convergence is the injection of extra noise terms into the recursion, which may allow the algorithm to escape local optimum points. The amplitude of the injected noise is decreased over time (a process called "annealing"), so that the algorithm can finally converge when it reaches the global optimum point. In this context, we examine a certain gradient-free method, simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA), that has performed well in complex optimization problems. We develop a proof of conditions under which SPSA will converge globally. We argue that, in some cases, the naturally occurring error in the SPSA gradient approximation effectively introduces injected noise that promotes convergence of the algorithm to a global optimum (obviating the necessity for injecting extra noise). The discussion is supported by a numerical study.
IPAC — an interface software system for model development

Abstract IPAC is an interface software system which allows a user to access other finite element program through minimum input instructions. The system is built around GIFTS5—a modular and interactive graphics oriented finite element program. The dual system provides many user-oriented features and much flexibility of use to meet a wide variety of applications. Variable node 3-D isoparametric element generation capability has been introduced for bodies of revolution. Wheels, torus, rings or similar bodies of irregular cross-sections can now be easily modelled using this feature and can be analysed under nonaxisymmetric loadings. The system allows selected input and calculated data to be extracted, manipulated and displayed via on-line or off-line prints or plots for monitoring and verifying model generations. IPAC is intended for use in a production environment where the case studies are to be done on the geometry requiring creation of several finite element models with variations in elements, grid size or boundary conditions. The system is organized to be machine independent and modular to facilitate its maintenance and to render new developments quickly and easily.
LPS activation of Toll-like receptor 4 signals CD11b/CD18 expression in neutrophils.

We identify herein a novel signaling function of the Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor mediating the innate immune response, in inducing the expression of CD11b/CD1...
Mobility of a Base Station for Simultaneous Multiple Events in a Static Wireless Sensor Network

Energy constrained nature and unattended deployment of sensors motivates the need of special techniques for designing reliable wireless sensor networks. Recently many approaches are considering mobile sensor nodes to deal with this problem. But making all the sensors mobile involves more signaling overhead for network maintenance. It is energy efficient to move the base station which has no power limitations. Also, there are many real life applications in which event based approach is more appropriate. In this paper, we propose an adaptive scheme for a mobile base station that moves according to the occurrence of events. We propose two optimization schemes: moving the BS towards the event centroid and moving the BS towards distance based weighted centroid. Simulation results show that moving the base station adaptively significantly prolongs the network lifetime.
VARIATION IN THE ABUNDANCE OF SYNECHOCOCCUS SP. CC9311 NARB MRNA RELATIVE TO CHANGES IN LIGHT, NITROGEN GROWTH CONDITIONS AND NITRATE ASSIMILATION(1).

Synechococcus- and Prochlorococcus-specific narB genes that encode for an assimilatory nitrate reductase are found in coastal to open-ocean waters. However, it remains uncertain if these picocyanobacteria assimilate nitrate in situ. This unknown can potentially be addressed by examining narB mRNA from the environment, but this requires a better understanding of the influence of environmental factors on narB gene transcription. In laboratory experiments with Synechococcus sp. CC9311 cultures exposed to diel light fluctuations and grown on nitrate or ammonium, there was periodic change in narB transcript abundance. This periodicity was broken in cultures subjected to a doubling of irradiance (40-80 μmol photons · m(-2) · s(-1) ) during the mid-light period. Therefore, the irradiance level, not circadian rhythm, was the dominant factor controlling narB transcription. In nitrate-grown cultures, diel change in narB transcript abundance and nitrate assimilation rate did not correlate; suggesting narB mRNA levels better indicate nitrate assimilation activity than assimilation rate. Growth history also affected narB transcription, as changes in narB mRNA levels in nitrogen-deprived CC9311 cultures following nitrate amendment were distinct from cultures grown solely on nitrate. Environmental sampling for narB transcripts should consider time, irradiance, and the growth status of cells to ecologically interpret narB transcript abundances.
The potential role of chemically induced hyperplasia in the carcinogenic activity of the hypolipidemic carcinogens.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizing agent resulting in substantial human exposure and environmental contamination. In a chronic bioassay, high doses of DEHP induced hepat...
Mapping Shoreline Position Using Airborne Laser Altimetry

This paper examines the feasibility of using LIDAR surveys to update existing historical shoreline data sets by comparing contour shorelines and the high water line (HWL) at eight study locations in North and South Carolina. The analysis was based on airborne LIDAR topography and orthoimagery collected simultaneously during June 2000. The popular method of digitizing the wet-dry line from orthoimagery was used to measure the HWL. Contour shorelines were derived by using the previous high tide (HW), the mean high water datum (MHW), and the mean higher high water datum (MHHW) of nearby tide gauges. A method was developed to quantitatively compare the positions of the HWL and the contour shorelines in a GIS. The mean high water and mean higher high water contour shoreline positions were the best match to the high water line at 7 of 8 locations, and differed by less than 5.4 meters from the digitized high water line positions. This difference is well within the errors associated with past methods for measuring shoreline position. Therefore, it is deemed practical to use LIDAR data to estimate the HWL.
Epithelium--the primary building block for metazoan complexity.

SYNOPSIS. In simplest terms, the complexity of the metazoan body arises through various combinations of but two tissue types: epithelium and mesenchyme. Through mutual inductions and interactions, these tissues produce all of the organs of the body. Of the two, epithelium must be considered the default type in the Eumetazoa because it arises first in embryonic development and because mesenchyme arises from it by a switching off of the mechanisms that underly differentiation and maintenance of epithelial cells. In the few model metazoans whose epithelia have been studied by molecular techniques (largely Drosophila, Caenorhabditis, mouse), the molecular mechanisms underlying differentiation of epithelia show remarkable similarity. Extrapolating from these studies and from comparisons of the morphology of epithelia in lower metazoans, I propose how epithelia arose in the stem metazoan. Steps in epithelial differentiation include 1) establishment of cell polarity by molecular markers confined to either apical or basolateral domains in the plasma membrane; 2) aggregation of cells into sheets by localization of cell-adhesion molecules like cadherin to the lateral membrane; 3) formation of a zonula adherens junction from the cadherins by their localization to a discrete belt; 4) cell-to-cell linking of certain transmembrane proteins (primitively in the septate junction) to produce gates that physiologically isolate compartments delimited by the cells; and 5) synthesis of a basal lamina and adaptation of receptors (integrins) to its components. Despite morphological differences in the variety of cell junctions evident in various epithelia, the underlying molecular markers of these junctions are probably universally present in all eumetazoan epithelia.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy With Conduction Disease and Arrhythmia

case presentation: A 48-year-old woman presents with exertional dyspnea and recurrent syncope. One year earlier, a permanent pacemaker was placed after she complained of fatigue and was found to have high-grade atrioventricular block. Now, she has echocardiographic evidence of moderate to severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with regional wall-motion abnormalities. Nuclear imaging is notable for heterogeneous myocardial uptake of technetium Tc99m sestamibi, and coronary angiography reveals widely patent epicardial vessels. Multiple episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) are documented on continuous ECG monitoring. What are the diagnostic considerations for this patient, and what further evaluations are indicated? This patient presents with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with electric instability (DCM+E), which we define as conduction disease and arrhythmia out of proportion to the severity of LV systolic dysfunction. Diverse causes can result in DCM+E and fall into general categories of inflammatory, infectious, hereditary, and infiltrative processes. Cardiac presentation associated with these conditions is distinct from more common causes of DCM such as ischemic heart disease, viral myocarditis, valvular dysfunction, pregnancy, or substance abuse. Clinical features that are suggestive of DCM+E include supraventricular arrhythmias or conduction disease that precedes cardiomyopathy, multiple VT morphologies, and features suggestive of ischemic heart disease (Q waves, regional wall-motion abnormalities, perfusion defects, ventricular aneurysm) in the absence of epicardial stenoses. In this Clinician Update, we focus on the diagnostic approach to patients with DCM+E. Emphasis is placed on diagnoses that are relatively common or for which the clinical management would be impacted significantly by recognition of the underlying cause. Ischemic heart disease may present with conduction disease and a high burden of arrhythmia, especially in the setting of acute myocardial ischemia/infarction. The exclusion of obstructive coronary artery disease is strongly recommended in patients with DCM+E because atherosclerosis is so prevalent, evidence-based treatment is readily available, and the …
Brief History of DICOM

Because the DICOM standard is some 30 years old, its history has become an integral part of its being; and knowing DICOM’s past can help answer many current questions. Moreover, despite having undergone frequent revisions, the standard has never truly been revolutionized. It has continually evolved, adjusting itself to current practices, yet preserving many original historical features.
Battery-Based Intrusion Detection: A Focus on Power for Security Assurance

An intrusion detection system (IDS) for mobile devices is at odds with itself: IDS should run continuously and remain transparent to the system and the user(s); however, the IDS should use as little system resources as possible to detect and prevent intrusions. This paper proposes an efficacious early warning system via a mobile host-based form of intrusion detection that can alert security administrators to protect their corporate network(s). This innovative technique operates through the implementation of battery-based intrusion detection (B-bid) on mobile devices by correlating attacks with their impact on device power consumption using a rules-based host intrusion detection engine (HIDE). HIDE monitors power behavior to detect potential intrusions by noting irregularities of power consumption and works in conjunction with a scan port intrusion engine (SPIE) and a host analysis signature trace engine (HASTE) to provide protection to both mobile hosts and, by extension, their affiliated network(s).
Manganese Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) in Murine CNS Inflammatory Disease Models (S21.007)

Objective: MEMRI is a unique tool typically utilized in CNS tract visualization. Manganese crosses the blood-brain barrier, is taken up by neurons, passes through synaptic junctions, and possesses T1 relaxation enhancement properties. MEMRI has never been utilized in Theiler9s Murine Encephalitis Virus (TMEV) MS models. While DTI scrutinizes "physical connectivity" by assessing water diffusion directionality, MEMRI provides "functional tractography" by visualizing tract connectivity via transsynaptic uptake. Injury to functionally important pathways might be sensitively assessed by MEMRI in neuroinflammatory models. Background Manganese can be directly injected to CNS foci for connectivity studies. When administered IV or IP, it crosses the BBB at specific locations and visualizes corresponding tracts and neuronal structures. Dose dependent toxicity limits its long-term use. We studied IP administration in TMEV infected C57BL6/J mice, in uninfected controls, and in a previously reported TMEV induced severe hemorrhagic demyelinating model. Design/Methods: 5 TMEV infected C57BL/6J mice, 5 infected C57BL/6J mice undergoing immunodominant peptide induced hemorrhagic demyelination, and 5 uninfected control mice were studied on days 7-8 post infection. Mice were IP injected with 140 mg/kg manganese MnCl 2 24 hours before imaging. T1 and T2 maps and T1 weighted 3D scans were acquired at 7 Tesla. Results: Tract enhancement was noted at 24 hours with maximal uptake in hippocampi, olfactory bulbs, and cerebellum. In infected mice, characteristic T1 black holes, thinning and focal disruption of tracts were detected. BBB disruption and resultant Mn uptake were demonstrated in additional areas. Surprisingly, manganese exerted an unexpected therapeutic effect: hemorrhagic demyelination was suppressed in the presence of manganese, likely as a result of its effects on infected neurons. Conclusions: MEMRI enables unique functional tractography, with a capacity to provide important structural and functional information. The demonstrated unexpected therapeutic effect is a focus of additional experiments, in addition to establishing methods of quantification of MEMRI detectable CNS damage. Supported by: NIH NINDS R01 NS58698 and Mayo Clinic intramural research funds. Disclosure: Dr. Pirko has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine. Dr. Gamez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shearier has nothing to disclose. Dr. Raman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Macura has nothing to disclose.
Why the large-angle twist-boundaries in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ can carry super-current?

Our recent investigation on superconducting properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ bicrystals showed that the [001] twist grain-boundaries, regardless of their misorientation angle, can carry the same critical current as their constituent single crystals. To find the origin of the absence of the weak-link behavior of the boundaries, we studied the structure of these electromagnetically characterized bicrystals using advanced transmission electron microscopy. The robust superconductivity at these boundaries was found mainly due to the high anisotropy of the crystals and the softness of the double BiO layers at the boundaries, which result the presence of the undisturbed CuO2 layers adjacent to the boundary plane. The structural characteristics of these boundaries are identical to those found in Bi-based tapes, suggesting that the large-angle twist boundaries are not a current-carrying barrier in this important material.
Aquatic Hyphomycetes from North America. I. Aleuriosporae (Part I), and Key to the Genera

(1962). Aquatic Hyphomycetes from North America. I. Aleuriosporae (Part I), and Key to the Genera. Mycologia: Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 117-151.
Research on spatial decision-making support system for digital agriculture based on web service

As the next generation GIS technology,GIS web service is able to effectively cope with several problems of traditional GIS applications,such as difficult to maintain,lacking of good interoperability and hard to integrate with other systems,etc.How to construct a spatial decision-making support system(SDSS) for precision agriculture(PA) based on GIS web service is studied,main components of the system and the decision-making workflows are discussed.As examples,Precision fertilization and precision irrigation are used to explain key technologies of the SDSS construction based on GIS web service.The research result shows that GIS web service is suitable for developing spatial decision-making support system for precision agriculture,and GIS web service based applications has obvious advantages in dealing with problems such as sharing spatial data,software reuse and reducing the cost of system integration.
“Be Your Own Man”: Student Activism and the Birth of Black Studies at Amherst College, 1965–1972

Abstract Historians have examined how social movements influenced African American student activism in mid-to-late twentieth century America. This essay extends the scholarship by telling the story of African American male student activists who led the fight for curricular reform at Amherst College, then an all-male liberal arts college in Massachusetts. This local story reveals that African American student activism was driven by social movements as well as the distinctive mission of the liberal arts college.
T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 deficiency eliminates airway hyperreactivity triggered by the recognition of airway cell death

Background Studies of asthma have been limited by a poor understanding of how nonallergic environmental exposures, such as air pollution and infection, are translated in the lung into inflammation and wheezing. Objective Our goal was to understand the mechanism of nonallergic asthma that leads to airway hyperreactivity (AHR), a cardinal feature of asthma independent of adaptive immunity. Method We examined mouse models of experimental asthma in which AHR was induced by respiratory syncytial virus infection or ozone exposure using mice deficient in T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM1/HAVCR1) , an important asthma susceptibility gene. Results TIM1 −/− mice did not have airways disease when infected with RSV or when repeatedly exposed to ozone, a major component of air pollution. On the other hand, the TIM1 −/− mice had allergen-induced experimental asthma, as previously shown. The RSV- and ozone-induced pathways were blocked by treatment with caspase inhibitors, indicating an absolute requirement for programmed cell death and apoptosis. TIM-1–expressing, but not TIM-1–deficient, natural killer T cells responded to apoptotic airway epithelial cells by secreting cytokines, which mediated the development of AHR. Conclusion We defined a novel pathway in which TIM-1, a receptor for phosphatidylserine expressed by apoptotic cells, drives the development of asthma by sensing and responding to injured and apoptotic airway epithelial cells.
Additive Combinatorics: Fourier-analytic methods

In Chapter 1 we have already seen the power of the probabilistic method in additive combinatorics, in which one understands the additive structure of a random object by means of computing various averages or moments of that object. In this chapter we develop an equally powerful tool, that of Fourier analysis . This is another way of computing averages and moments of additively structured objects; it is similar to the probabilistic method but with an important new ingredient, namely that the quantities being averaged are now “twisted” or “modulated” by some very special complex-valued phase functions known as characters . This gives rise to the concept of a Fourier coefficient of a set or function, which measures the bias that object has with respect to a certain character. These coefficients serve two major purposes in this theory. Firstly, one can exploit the orthogonality between different characters to obtain non-trivial bounds on these coefficients; this orthogonality plays a role somewhat similar to the role of independence in probability theory. Secondly, Fourier coefficients are very good at controlling the operation of convolution , which is the analog of the sum set operation, but for functions instead of sets. Because of this, the Fourier transform is ideal for studying certain arithmetic quantities, most notably the additive energy introduced in Definition 2.8. Using Fourier analysis, one can essentially divide additive sets A into two classes. At one extreme are the pseudo-random sets, whose Fourier transform is very small (except at 0); we shall introduce the linear bias ∥ A ∥ u and the Λ ( p ) constants to measure this pseudo-randomness.
Innovative Method for Remotely Fine-Tuning Offsets Along a Diverging Diamond Interchange Corridor

Diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs) are relatively new in the United States, and signal coordination between the crossovers and adjacent intersections is challenging. This paper provides a method for remotely fine-tuning offsets for a DDI and its adjacent intersections. The proposed method uses the dynamic bandwidth analysis tool (DBAT). The tool uses actuated phase times from the signal controller to optimize the dynamic bandwidth on the basis of that entry data set. Four performance measures evaluated the proposed method: delay, stop severity index, maximum queue, and vehicle trajectory plots. The test results confirmed that DBAT provided a better offset solution than other bandwidth optimization tools that generally optimized programmed bandwidth only and did not account for early return to green caused by skipped or gapped-out movements. Under the DBAT offsets, delay for the through movements on the corridor decreased by 52.8% for northbound vehicles and 46.83% for southbound vehicles. The average d...
LCIS and tamoxifen use: A single institution review

1527 Background: Results of the NSABP-P1 trial were published in 1998 showing a 50% reduction in breast cancer in the high- risk population with the use of tamoxifen. The use of tamoxifen is individualized, and depends on both patient and physician factors. We looked at the recommendations for and the use of tamoxifen in women with LCIS. Methods: A retrospective chart review at a single institution was performed from March 27, 1980 through September 19, 2005 for patients diagnosed with LCIS. Pathology and operative reports, as well as patient notes were reviewed for discussions about tamoxifen. Data was collected on whether a discussion took place, whether tamoxifen was or was not advised, whether the patient declined to take tamoxifen, whether they took it in the past or were currently on tamoxifen. We also examined the rate of DCIS and invasive cancer in this population. Results: There were 321 patients diagnosed with LCIS. Of those patients 193 were diagnosed after the publication of the P1 trial. Of t...
Insights into the manufacture of laced watercraft through a pollen analysis of the fibrous materials from Roman-era laced boats of the upper Adriatic, Italy

This study seeks to understand the season and location of manufacturing of Roman-era north-western Adriatic laced vessels through an analysis of the pollen trapped inside the cordage and seam wadding used to hold these boats together. Samples were collected from three separate hull remains of this tradition of boatbuilding. Results suggest that, in most instances, the esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) cordage was manufactured in Spain and then shipped to Italy, while the seam wadding (bast fibres) was likely processed in close proximity to the shipyard. By expanding pollen analysis, especially of seam wadding material, it may be possible to distinguish various building locations within this region of Italy in antiquity.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutations in asbestos exposed non-smokers: A case series

Background Cigarette smoke and asbestos are recognized causes of lung carcinoma and together promote carcinogenesis. Adenocarcinoma is currently the most common cause of lung cancer in the USA and it has been linked to both smoking and asbestos exposure. Mutations in the epidermal growth factor gene receptor (EGFR) occur predominantly in non-smokers with adenocarcinoma. Methods Mutations in the EGFR gene were investigated using next-generation sequencing. Results We report the presence of EGFR exon point mutations in the pulmonary adenocarcinomas of three never-smokers occupationally exposed to asbestos. Conclusion The role of asbestos as a possible cause of EGFR mutagenesis requires further investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:306–309, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Intervention Designed to Reduce Plagiarism in a Research Methods Classroom

Research has shown that plagiarism is on the increase in higher education. Some state that this is due to poor knowledge rather than intentional cheating. Other researchers explain that plagiarism ...
Taking Care of Disadvantaged Patients.

No single person can be responsible for the health of a population. However, there are a number of strategies for taking care of members of disadvantaged populations. These range from targeted compassion and interventions for the individual patient to broad advocacy for disadvantaged groups.
Sucrose-induced plasticity in the basolateral amygdala in a ‘comfort’ feeding paradigm

A history of intermittent, limited sucrose intake (LSI) attenuates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis stress response, and neuronal activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is necessary for this HPA-dampening. LSI increases the expression of plasticity-associated genes in the BLA; however, the nature of this plasticity is unknown. As BLA principal neuron activity normally promotes HPA responses, the present study tests the hypothesis that LSI decreases stress-excitatory BLA output by decreasing glutamatergic and/or increasing GABAergic inputs to BLA principal neurons. Male rats with unlimited access to chow and water were given additional access to 4 ml of sucrose (30%) or water twice daily for 14 days, and BLA structural and functional plasticity was assessed by quantitative dual immunolabeling and whole-cell recordings in brain slices. LSI increased vesicular glutamate transporter 1-positive (glutamatergic) appositions onto parvalbumin-positive inhibitory interneurons, and this was accompanied by increased expression of pCREB, a marker of neuronal activation that is mechanistically linked with plasticity, within parvalbumin interneurons. LSI also increased the paired-pulse facilitation of excitatory, but not inhibitory synaptic inputs to BLA principal neurons, without affecting postsynaptic excitatory or miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, suggesting a targeted decrease in the probability of evoked synaptic excitation onto these neurons. Collectively, these results suggest that LSI decreases BLA principal neuron output by increasing the excitatory drive to parvalbumin inhibitory interneurons, and decreasing the probability of evoked presynaptic glutamate release onto principal neurons. Our data further imply that palatable food consumption blunts HPA stress responses by decreasing the excitation–inhibition balance and attenuating BLA output.
More of the Same?: Influences on source use and source affiliation diversity in for-profit and nonprofit news organizational content

Sources are an indicator of news quality. They cue readers to the extent that journalists are invested in reporting a topic. Moreover, a diversity of sources may help readers reach more informed decisions. This study investigates the amount and diversity of sources nonprofit and for-profit news organizations use and what factors affect sourcing behaviors. Results indicate that nonprofit organizations use more, but not more diverse sources. In addition, journalists more often covering conflict and enacting roles beyond dissemination are likely to use more and more diverse sources. Increased workload, though, predicts stories with fewer and less-diverse sources.