cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adequacy of chest compressions performed by medical housestaff.

AbstractBackground: Chest compressions (CCs) are a critical part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We studied the presence and duration of adequate CCs performed by medical housestaff, and correlated our findings with gender and body mass index. Methods: Fifty-eight first-postgraduate-year medical housestaff performed CCs on a computerized patient simulator equipped with a calibrated CC measurement device. Following initial testing, subjects were trained to perform adequate CCs. Subjects were retested 2 weeks later. Presence and duration of adequate CCs were measured during a 120-second endurance test. Results: Before training, 14/28 (50%) of the male housestaff performed adequate CCs and 0/30 (0%) of the female housestaff performed adequate CCs. After training, 25/28 (89%) of the male housestaff and 16/30 (53%) of the female housestaff performed adequate CCs. Body mass index and height were not related to adequacy of CCs. After training, 7/28 (25%) of the male subjects and 1/30 (3%) of the female subject...
Brassica: Characteristics and Properties

The phytochemical-rich brassicas (also called cole crops, crucifers, or mustards) are one of the most economically important plant families in the world. They are very significant global contributors to the foodscape from both a nutritional perspective and a culinary perspective, being viewed variously as vegetables, starchy staples, condiments, or even medical foods. They include many green leafy vegetables (e.g., cabbage, kale, arugula, cress, and broccoli sprouts), fleshy vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts), starchy root and stem crops (e.g., radish, daikon, wasabi, horseradish, rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, maca, and mashua), and seed crops (e.g., mustard seed and rapeseed).
Hepatocellular oxidant stress following intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Reperfusion of ischemic intestine results in acute liver dysfunction characterized by hepatocellular enzyme release into plasma, reduction in bile flow rate, and neutrophil sequestration within the liver. The pathophysiology underlying this acute hepatic injury is unknown. This study was undertaken to determine whether oxidants are associated with the hepatic injury and to determine the relative value of several indirect methods of assessing oxidant exposure in vivo. Rats were subjected to a standardized intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Hepatic tissue was assayed for lipid peroxidation products and oxidized and reduced glutathione. There was no change in hepatic tissue total glutathione following intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increased significantly following 30 and 60 min of reperfusion. There was no increase in any of the products of lipid peroxidation associated with this injury. An increase in GSSG within hepatic tissue during intestinal reperfusion suggests exposure of hepatocytes to an oxidant stress. The lack of a significant increase in products of lipid peroxidation suggests that the oxidant stress is of insufficient magnitude to result in irreversible injury to hepatocyte cell membranes. These data also suggest that the measurement of tissue GSSG may be a more sensitive indicator of oxidant stress than measurement of products of lipid peroxidation. o
Perceived Value of Research Preparation Opportunities for Future Music Education Professors

The purpose of the study was to describe research leaders’ perceptions of the relative importance of various research preparation opportunities for future music education professors. The 122 questi...
Sounding sea ice thickness using a portable electromagnetic induction instrument

Field trials using a man‐portable, commercially available, electromagnetic induction (EMI) sounding instrument, with a plug‐in data processing module for the remote measurement of sea ice thickness, are discussed. The processing module was made to allow for the direct determination of sea ice thickness and to show the result in a numerical display. The processing module system was capable of estimating ice thickness within 10 percent of the the true ice value for ice from about 0.7 to 3.5 m thick, the thickest of undeformed ice in our study area. However, since seawater under the Arctic pack ice has relatively uniform conductivity (2.55 ± 0.05 S/m), a simplified method can be used for estimating sea ice thickness using just an EMI instrument. This technique uses only the EMI conductivity measurement, is easy to put into use, and does not rely on theoretically derived look‐up tables or phasor diagrams, which may not be accurate for the conditions of the area.
Recent Advances in the Hydrosilylation and Related Reactions

1 Introduction 2 Hydrosilylation of Alkenes 3 Hydrosilylation of Alkynes 4 Hydrosilylation of Carbonyl and Related Compounds 5 Asymmetric Hydrosilylation 6 Syntheses of Silicon-Containing Dendrimers and Polymers Using Hydrosilylation 7 Silylcarbonylation and Silylcarbocyclization Reactions Keywords: hydrosilylation and carbon carbon multiple bonds; alkene hydrosilylation; acrylate hydrosilylation and Group VIII transition metal catalysts; alkene hydrosilylation mechanism; alkyne hydrosilylation; carbonyl and related compound hydrosilylation; catalytic asymmetric intramolecular hydrosilylation; novel carbonylative carbocyclizations of 1,6-diynes
THE EFFECT OF YOUTH POVERTY RATES AND MIGRATION ON ADULT WAGES

We created a migration and earnings history from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to analyze the effects of youth county poverty rates on the adult earnings of white male migrants. We estimate a log wage equation that includes human capital measures, migration types, county poverty rates, and a rural–poverty rate interaction variable. Growing up in a rural county has a negative impact on adult wages independent of youth county poverty rates, but the rural effect is significantly greater for those who grew up in high poverty counties. Youth county poverty rates indirectly affect wages through the returns to migration.
Reshaping the 'Grotesque' Doctrine of Character Evidence: The Reform Implications of the Most Recent Psychological Research

One of the arguments in favor of the enactment of Federal Rules of Evidence 413-15 was that recent psychological research indicated that a person's character traits are more predictive of conduct than had previously been assumed. The advocates of the new statutes pointed to the emergence of the interactionist school in psychology. The proponents of interactionism asserted that given an adequate sample of a person's conduct in similar situations, a reasonably confident prediction of the person's behavior in an analogous situation can be made. The purpose of this article is to update the psychological research on personality and explore the implications of the most recent research for Evidence law. After surveying the 21st century psychological literature, the article initially finds that the most recent research essentially confirms the interactionist position. However, the article also points out that modern psychologists have largely abandoned attempts to predict future conduct on the basis of a single other instance of the person's conduct - the very type of inference that Rules 413-15 allow the trier of fact to draw. Thus, the article concludes that the behavioral assumption underlying Rules 413-15 remains suspect. In addition, the article notes that interactionists reject notions of global character traits and have in effect redefined character traits as behavioral tendencies in particular types of situations. That redefinition has several implications for evidence doctrine: The minority view on character evidence, permitting an accused to introduce testimony about general, moral, law-abiding character, is unsound; it is equally indefensible to permit impeachment with convictions for conduct unrelated to truthfulness; and in determining under Rule 403 whether conduct otherwise admissible under Rules 413-15 is sufficiently similar to the charged offense, the trial judge should consider the situational cues presented by the two fact situations.
Simulation study of a time-of-flight, depth of interaction PET insert detector

2386 Objectives We investigate the design of a very high spatial resolution PET detector with time-of-flight (TOF) and depth of interaction (DOI) positioning capability. The detector is designed as an insert device to improve spatial resolution for limited volume imaging within a PET system’s field of view. The optimization of TOF performance is critical as TOF improves image quality for the limited angle PET imaging geometry. Methods Two detector designs were investigated. They each consisted of a 25.6 by 25.6 by 12.8 mm^3 monolithic LYSO crystal readout by arrays of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) devices. For one design SiPM arrays were coupled to all six sides of the detector. For the second design SiPM arrays were only coupled to the two 25.6 by 25.6 mm^2 surfaces. Simulation studies using DETECT and GEANT were used to investigate the intrinsic spatial resolution of the detectors. 2D and 3D calibration procedures were used for the two-sided and six-sided readout designs, respectively. Simulation studies using SCOUT were used to investigate the arrival times of the first through tenth detected light photons. Effects of DOI resolution were included in the simulation of photon arrival times. The FWHM of the arrival times combined with the intrinsic timing capabilities of a SiPM device establishes the intrinsic timing capability of a detector. Results Performance results are listed in Table 1. The main advantage of the six-sided readout was improved positioning along the edge of the detector and significantly better DOI spatial resolution. The average FWHMs of the arrival times of the 4th detected light photon for two different regions of the detector are listed in Table 1. Depending upon the photon origination point, the six-sided detector had 31-38% better timing performance. Conclusions An ultra high performance, TOF, DOI PET insert detector can be designed using a monolithic crystal detector readout by SiPM arrays. Six-sided readout with fully 3D calibration provides optimum performance. Research Support NIH grants NCI CA136569, NIBIB EB001563 and EB200117 and DOE DE-FG02-05ER1570
Low-Temperature Metastable Lifetimes of the Square-Lattice Ising Ferromagnet

We compare computer calculations of the lifetimes of the metastable state of the square-lattice Ising model at low temperatures with exact predictions. The computer simulations are obtained using the MCAMC algorithm, which combines Monte Carlo with absorbing Markov chains (MCAMC). Additional exact calculations using absorbing Markov chain matrices are also reported. It is found that for most values of the applied magnetic field there is a temperature-independent prefactor which must be included in order to compare theoretical predictions with the calculated lifetimes.
Supersonic Jet Noise Reduction Using Fluidics, Mechanical Chevrons and Fluidically Enhanced Chevrons

This paper presents observations and simulations of the impact of several technologies on modifying the flow field and acoustic emissions from supersonic jets from nozzles typical of those used on military aircraft. The flowfield is measured experimentally by shadowgraph and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The acoustics are characterized by near and far-field microphone measurements. The flow and near-field pressures are simulated by monotonically integrated large-eddy simulation (MILES). Use of unstructured grids allows accurate modeling of the nozzle geometry. The nozzle geometries used in this research are representative of practical engine nozzles. The emphasis of the work is on “off-design” or non-ideally expanded flow conditions. The technologies applied to these nozzles include chevrons, fluidic injection and fluidically enhanced chevrons. The fluidic injection geometry and fluidic enhancement geometry follow the approach found successful for subsonic jets by Alkislar, Krothapalli & Butler [1] employing jets pitched 60° into the flow, impinging on the shear layer just past the tips of the chevrons, or in the same axial position when injection is without chevrons.© 2010 ASME
Successful Eculizumab Therapy in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Refractory to Plasma Exchange, Steroids and Rituximab

Abstract Introduction We present a case of TTP refractory to usual therapies treated successfully with eculizumab. Case presentation A 64 year-old African American female with history of diabetes and hypertension presented with left sided weakness and seizure-like activity preceded by 2 days of headaches and 2 weeks of easy bruising. On admission her vital signs and physical exam were unremarkable. Her basic metabolic panel, ANA panel, hepatitis panel, HIV, and anti-phospholipid panel was negative. Her hemoglobin was 9.0 g/dL, platelets were 13K/uL, LDH was 954IU/L, haptoglobin 100% and there is no inhibitor. Discussion TTP and aHUS are both thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA). TTP is caused by acquired or inherited deficiency of the ADAMTS 13 protein or due the formation of an inhibitor to the ADAMTS13 protein. aHUS results, in most cases, from a genetic mutation in complement factor H in the alternative pathway of the complement cascade. Recent studies have described the importance of the complement system in all forms of TMA (Update on the role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of thrombotic microangiopathies. Prilozi. 2014;35(1):115-22). While plasma exchange is the cornerstone of TTP treatment, complement inhibition with drugs such as eculizumab is the treatment of choice for aHUS. The use of complement inhibiting drugs has not yet been studied in TTP. We report an unusual case of TTP, with confirmed ADAMTS 13 inhibitor and low activity, which did not respond to conventional treatment for TTP. Theorizing that this patient either had concurrent aHUS or had TTP with a dysregulated alternate complement pathway, we used eculizumab, to which the patient had a remarkable and persistent response. There are other reports in literature of patients with aHUS having reduced levels of ADAMTS13 protein; however, these patients did not have an inhibitor as was seen in our patient (Partial ADAMTS13 deficiency in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Blood. 2013 Aug 22;122(8):1487-93). There is one other case in the literature where TTP was treated successfully with eculizumab. In that case, discontinuation of eculizumab was associated with a relapse of TTP and so had to be continued (Eculizumab in the treatment of refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Br J Haematology. 2012 June;157 (6):772-4). To our knowledge, we report the first case of a confirmed diagnosis of TTP treated successfully with eculizumab with remission continuing 3 months after discontinuation of the drug. The use of eculizumab and the role of the complement pathway in TTP deserves further study. Download : Download high-res image (73KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Download : Download high-res image (74KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2 . Download : Download high-res image (75KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 3 . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Classification and grading of soft-tissue sarcomas. A comment

A contrary viewpoint concerning certain issues in soft-tissue sarcoma pathology is presented. Three issues emphasized are (1) the role of immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy in diagnosis, (2) the classification of liposarcomas and atypical lipomatous tumors, and (3) the validity and usefulness of histologic grading.
MicrobeJ, a tool for high throughput bacterial cell detection and quantitative analysis

Single-cell analysis of bacteria and subcellular protein localization dynamics has shown that bacteria have elaborate life cycles, cytoskeletal protein networks and complex signal transduction pathways driven by localized proteins. The volume of multidimensional images generated in such experiments and the computation time required to detect, associate and track cells and subcellular features pose considerable challenges, especially for high-throughput experiments. There is therefore a need for a versatile, computationally efficient image analysis tool capable of extracting the desired relationships from images in a meaningful and unbiased way. Here, we present MicrobeJ, a plug-in for the open-source platform ImageJ(1). MicrobeJ provides a comprehensive framework to process images derived from a wide variety of microscopy experiments with special emphasis on large image sets. It performs the most common intensity and morphology measurements as well as customized detection of poles, septa, fluorescent foci and organelles, determines their subcellular localization with subpixel resolution, and tracks them over time. Because a dynamic link is maintained between the images, measurements and all data representations derived from them, the editor and suite of advanced data presentation tools facilitates the image analysis process and provides a robust way to verify the accuracy and veracity of the data.
Successful Black Men from Absent-Father Homes and Their Resilient Single Mothers: A Phenomenological Study

The phenomenon of absent fathers is a common occurrence in today's homes that appears to be escalating, especially in Black households across the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of successful Black men who were raised in absent-father homes as well as the lived experiences of their resilient single mothers. The authors share themes that captured the participants' experiences and provide recommendations for community counselors, school counselors, and counselor educators. El fenomeno de padres ausentes es una situacion comun en los hogares actuales que parece estar en crecimiento, especialmente en hogares de familias negras en Estados Unidos. El proposito de este estudio era describir las experiencias vividas por hombres negros exitosos que fueron educados en hogares con padres ausentes, ademas de las experiencias vividas por sus resilientes madres solteras. Los autores comparten temas que capturaron las experiencias de los participantes y proporcionan recomendaciones para consejeros comunitarios, consejeros en escuelas y capacitadores de consejeros.
Ocean spectral data assimilation without background error covariance matrix

Predetermination of background error covariance matrix B is challenging in existing ocean data assimilation schemes such as the optimal interpolation (OI). An optimal spectral decomposition (OSD) has been developed to overcome such difficulty without using the B matrix. The basis functions are eigenvectors of the horizontal Laplacian operator, pre-calculated on the base of ocean topography, and independent on any observational data and background fields. Minimization of analysis error variance is achieved by optimal selection of the spectral coefficients. Optimal mode truncation is dependent on the observational data and observational error variance and determined using the steep-descending method. Analytical 2D fields of large and small mesoscale eddies with white Gaussian noises inside a domain with four rigid and curved boundaries are used to demonstrate the capability of the OSD method. The overall error reduction using the OSD is evident in comparison to the OI scheme. Synoptic monthly gridded world ocean temperature, salinity, and absolute geostrophic velocity datasets produced with the OSD method and quality controlled by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) are also presented.
The Judge Advocate General Conducts Sidebar with Army Young Lawyer's Advisory Council

Major General Wilton B. Persons, Jr., primarily responsible for the existence of the Army Young Lawyer's Advisory Council, graciously served as the first speaker in a series of seminars presented by AYLAC, on February 2, 1978. Aiming to provide those in attendance with the latest information on recent developments, General Persons opened the seminar with a short statement, and then fielded numerous questions from the audience. From the outset of his comments, General Persons was very positive about the current posture of the Corps. Indicating that military justice matters still occupy a majority of the Corps business, General Persons stressed that greater professional service to commanders and their troops will now be possible since the court martial rate has dropped substantially over the past ten years.While the court martial rates have been dropping, every other legal mission has been on the increase. General Persons specifically addressed civilian litigation responsibilities. That particular division of his office has grown so drastically in recent years that a large segment of its obligations must now be shifted to field Staff Judge Advocate offices. While the Chief, Litigation Division, will make the ultimate decision as to which cases are forwarded to the field, captains will now play a greater role in this area. The benefits of this development are obvious. Civilian litigation is exciting, involving issues of great complexity and impact on the military community.In keeping with his interest in AYLAC, Major General Persons stressed that the council function is to (1) provide an organization through which Army young lawyers, particularly captains, may address The Judge Advocate General directly on professional matters concerning the practice of law as members of The Judge Advocate General's Corps; (2) stimulate the interest of Army young lawyers in the programs and activities of the American Bar Association, the National Conference of Black Lawyers, the Judge Advocates Association, and other professional organizations, and provide assistance to these organizations; (3) conduct programs and activities of value to Army young lawyers and the legal profession; and (4) initiate public service programs of interest and value to the communities in which Army young lawyers serve. AYLAC's membership is open to all JAGC officers under 36 years of age, regardless of rank.
Changes in vascular reactivity and endothelial Ca2+ dynamics with chronic low flow

Disruption of blood flow promotes endothelial dysfunction and predisposes vessels to remodeling and atherosclerosis. Recent findings suggest spatial and temporal tuning of local Ca2+ signals along the endothelium is vital to vascular function. In the current study, we examined whether chronic flow disruption causes alteration of dynamic endothelial Ca2+ signal patterning associated with changes in vascular structure and function. For these studies, we performed surgical partial-ligation (PL) of the left carotid arteries of mice to establish chronic low flow for 2 weeks; right carotid arteries remained open and served as controls (C). Histological sections showed substantial remodeling of PL compared to C arteries, including formation of neointima. Isometric force measurements revealed increased phenylephrine-induced contractions and decreased KCl-induced contractions in PL verses C arteries. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh; 10-8 - 10-5 M) was significantly impaired in PL verses C vessels. Evaluation of endothelial Ca2+ using confocal imaging and custom analysis exposed distinct impairment of Ca2+dynamics in PL arteries, characterized by reduction of active sites and truncation of events, corresponding with attenuated vasorelaxation. Our findings suggest that endothelial dysfunction in developing vascular disease may be characterized by distinct shifts in the spatial and temporal patterns of localized Ca2+ signals. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Measuring the Earth

The precise shape of the Earth is now remarkably well known, but it was first measured by perhaps the oldest and most humble of instruments – the pendulum.
Disclosing Study Information to Children and Adolescents: Is What They Want, What Their Parents Think They Want?

Abstract Objective Despite the importance of child assent, there is little consensus on what information should be disclosed and what information is most important to children for decision-making. This study was designed to compare children's/adolescents' priorities for research information with the information parents believe is most important to their children. Methods Child-parent dyads completed separate and independent surveys regarding information (risks, benefits, etc) that they perceived to be most important to the child to make decisions about participating in a hypothetical randomized controlled trial. Parents responded in the context of what information they believed their child (not themselves) would think important. Results Fifty-five parent-child dyads completed surveys. Although all information was deemed important, children/adolescents put greater emphasis on privacy and less on knowing the purpose of the study and the benefits compared with what their parents believed was important to their child. Adolescents (13–17 years old) placed greater importance on knowing the procedures, direct benefits, and the voluntary nature of participation compared with younger children (8–12 years old). Parents of older girls in particular placed greater emphasis on their daughter's need to know the purpose of the study, the procedures, benefits, and voluntary nature, compared with parents of boys. Conclusions Results show that the information priorities of children/adolescents considering participation in a randomized controlled trial differ from that which their parents think is important to them. Pediatric researchers can use this knowledge to ensure that parents do not conflate their own expectations/priorities with those of their child and that children receive the information they need.
Progression of Local Glaucomatous Damage Near Fixation as Seen with Adaptive Optics Imaging.

PURPOSE Deep glaucomatous defects near fixation were followed over time with an adaptive optics-scanning light ophthalmoscope (AO-SLO) to better understand the progression of these defects and to explore the use of AO-SLO in detecting them. METHODS Six eyes of 5 patients were imaged with an AO-SLO from 2 to 4 times for a range of 14.6 to 33.6 months. All eyes had open-angle glaucoma with deep defects in the superior visual field (VF) near fixation as defined by 10-2 VFs with 5 or more points less than -15 dB; two of the eyes had deep defects in the inferior VF as well. AO-SLO images were obtained around the temporal edge of the disc. RESULTS In 4 of the 6 eyes, the edge of the inferior-temporal disc region of the retinal nerve fiber (RNF) defect seen on AO-SLO moved closer to fixation within 10.6 to 14.7 months. In 4 eyes, RNF bundles in the affected region appeared to lose contrast and/or disappear. CONCLUSIONS Progressive changes in RNF bundles associated with deep defects on 10-2 VFs can be seen within about 1 year with AO-SLO imaging. These changes are well below the spatial resolution of the 10-2 VF. On the other hand, subtle thinning of regions with RNF bundles is not easy to see with current AO-SLO technology, and may be better followed with OCT. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE AO-SLO imaging may be useful in clinical trials designed to see very small changes in deep defects.
The role of the nutritional support team in preventing and identifying complications of parenteral and enteral nutrition

As the technology of parenteral and enteral nutrition advances, a multidisciplinary nutritional support team (NST) can be used to assure quality care. NST functions include developing and using standard protocols and solutions, monitoring patients, and preventing complications. Interventions by NSTs can save money for the hospital as well. Examples from Truman Medical Center (Kansas City, Missouri) illustrate how the NST can perform these functions.
Non-bullous Skin Diseases: Alopecia Areata, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, and Urticaria

In alopecia areata (AA), hair follicle-specific T cells and innate immunity cause reversible hair loss. AA frequently resolves spontaneously, but persistent disease is often resistant to treatment. In vitiligo, destruction of skin melanocytes is induced by melanocyte-specific T cells, innate immunity, and melanocyte-specific antibodies. Immunosuppressive drugs can reverse the disease, but repigmentation of established disease requires activation of hair follicle melanocyte stem cells by drugs and/or ultraviolet light, a classic example of regenerative medicine. Psoriasis is a T cell-dependent disease characterized by epidermal thickening, alterations in epidermal differentiation, and vascular activation. Treatment with modern biologics targeting tumor necrosis factor, T helper, or T helper-17 cell pathways is highly effective in psoriasis; affected skin returns to normal with appropriate treatment. Urticaria is a common disease characterized by immunologic control of mast cells in the skin. A subset of chronic urticaria is clearly an autoimmune disease characterized by IgE antibodies to FceRI, or antibodies to the Fc portion of IgE, and response to immunosuppressive drugs or biologics specific for FceRI.
Evaluation of a Plasmodium-Specific Carrier Protein To Enhance Production of Recombinant Pfs25, a Leading Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate

ABSTRACT Challenges with the production and suboptimal immunogenicity of malaria vaccine candidates have slowed the development of a Plasmodium falciparum multiantigen vaccine. Attempting to resolve these issues, we focused on the use of highly immunogenic merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) as a vaccine carrier protein. Previously, we showed that a genetic fusion of the C-terminal 19-kDa fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) to P. falciparum MSP8 (PfMSP8) facilitated antigen production and folding and the induction of neutralizing antibodies to conformational B cell epitopes of MSP119. Here, using the PfMSP1/8 construct, we further optimized the recombinant PfMSP8 (rPfMSP8) carrier by the introduction of two cysteine-to-serine substitutions (CΔS) to improve the yield of the monomeric product. We then sought to test the broad applicability of this approach using the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs25. The production of rPfs25-based vaccines has presented challenges. Antibodies directed against the four highly constrained epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains of Pfs25 block sexual-stage development in mosquitoes. The sequence encoding mature Pfs25 was codon harmonized for expression in Escherichia coli. We produced a rPfs25-PfMSP8 fusion protein [rPfs25/8(CΔS)] as well as unfused, mature rPfs25. rPfs25 was purified with a modest yield but required the incorporation of refolding protocols to obtain a proper conformation. In comparison, chimeric rPfs25/8(CΔS) was expressed and easily purified, with the Pfs25 domain bearing the proper conformation without renaturation. Both antigens were immunogenic in rabbits, inducing IgG that bound native Pfs25 and exhibited potent transmission-reducing activity. These data further demonstrate the utility of PfMSP8 as a parasite-specific carrier protein to enhance the production of complex malaria vaccine targets.
Imaging the Role of Inflammation in Mood and Anxiety-related Disorders

Background Studies investigating the impact of a variety of inflammatory stimuli on the brain and behavior have reported evidence that inflammation and release of inflammatory cytokines affect circuitry relevant to both reward and threat sensitivity to contribute to behavioral change. Of relevance to mood and anxiety-related disorders, biomarkers of inflammation such as inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins are reliably elevated in a significant proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods This review summarized clinical and translational work demonstrating the impact of peripheral inflammation on brain regions and neurotransmitter systems relevant to both reward and threat sensitivity, with a focus on neuroimaging studies involving administration of inflammatory stimuli. Recent translation of these findings to further understand the role of inflammation in mood and anxiety-related disorders is also discussed. Results Inflammation was consistently found to affect basal ganglia and cortical reward and motor circuits to drive reduced motivation and motor activity, as well as anxiety-related brain regions including amygdala, insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which may result from cytokine effects on monoamines and glutamate. Similar relationships between inflammation and altered neurocircuitry have been observed in MDD patients with increased peripheral inflammatory markers, and such work is on the horizon for anxiety disorders and PTSD. Conclusion Neuroimaging effects of inflammation on reward and threat circuitry may be used as biomarkers of inflammation for future development of novel therapeutic strategies to better treat mood and anxiety-related disorders in patients with high inflammation.
Imaging of Gynecologic Malignancies

Gynecologic neoplasms are a major contributor to female mortality and morbidity worldwide. Diagnostic imaging has become an essential tool in the staging of gynecologic malignancies. State of the art imaging techniques provide valuable information that allows clinicians to employ the most appropriate treatment regimen for patients with gynecologic neoplasms. Ultrasound has been traditionally employed as a first-line imaging modality in a suspected gynecologic malignancy. CT and FDG PET-CT provides an indispensable means of staging gynecologic malignancies. However, MR has emerged in recent years as the gold standard in the staging, pretreatment planning and therapeutic monitoring of gynecologic malignancies.
Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Older Patients Can Decrease Renal Function.

In this post-hoc analysis of the previously published SPRINT trial, lowering the systolic blood pressure of patients who are at increased risk of cardiovascular events (average age = 66 years) will decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease but increase their likelihood of developing moderate renal dysfunction.
The Conditional Spatial Correlations between Racial Prejudice and Racial Disparities in the Market for Home Loans

Many studies have shown the existence of disparities in loan denial rates between blacks and whites that cannot be accounted for by observable applicant characteristics. Examining the link between ...
Isolation and characterization of Micrococcus plasmids

Plasmids were detected in a small to moderate percentage of strains in the speciesMicrococcus kristinae (7%)M. agilis (20%),M. luteus (20%),M. varians (23%),M. nishinomiyaensis (41%), andM. roseus (55%). Plasmids were not detected inM. lylae (0/16) orM. sedentarius (0/20). Plasmid molecular sizes ranged from 1 to ca. 90 MDa. Most of the strains carrying plasmids exhibited only one or two types. Plasmid patterns appeared to be slightly more complex inM. nishinomiyaensis, which usually carried 2–3 different plasmids. The various plasmids detected remained cryptic, with the possible exception of a lincomycin resistance plasmid pWE2205 present inM. roseus strain KH6. DNA hybridization with Southern blots indicated that extensive deoxyribonucleotide sequence homologies were restricted to certain plasmids within a given species, e.g., withinM. nishinomiyaensis orM. roseus. Several plasmids ofM. nishinomiyaensis sharing extensive homology could be distinguished on the basis of restriction endonuclease analysis.
Endovascular Management of a Ruptured Basilar Perforator Artery Aneurysm Associated with a Pontine Arteriovenous Malformation: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)-associated aneurysms are common, reported in 15% of cases. Regarding the ruptured posterior fossa AVMs, associated aneurysms are present in 48% of cases and are the cause of the bleed in 37%. We present a 75-year-old female who presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured aneurysm arising from a flow-related basilar perforator artery feeder of an anterior pontine AVM. We report the successful treatment of the aneurysm with coil embolization. Case Description A 75-year-old female presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage primarily contained within the posterior fossa. Angiography demonstrated a 2 × 3-mm fusiform aneurysm arising from a basilar perforator feeding pedicle of an anterior 1 × 2-cm pontine AVM. Venous drainage from the AVM was predominantly to the superior petrosal vein. Under roadmap guidance, super-selective catheterization of the basilar perforator aneurysm was performed. Three HydroSoft 3D coils were deployed within the aneurysm, resulting in complete obliteration. The patient was discharged on postbleed day 15 to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Follow-up angiography at 5 months demonstrated stable complete obliteration. The patient made a complete recovery and was living independently at the time of this report. Conclusions Basilar trunk perforator aneurysms are rare lesions, particularly in the setting of brainstem AVMs. We report successful endovascular treatment of a flow-related ruptured basilar perforator aneurysm associated with an anterior pontine AVM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report addressing this scenario. We hope that the information presented here serves to guide future surgical decision making and management.
Prognostic Significance of Serial EBV Antibody Titers in Treated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients may fluctuate during the course of disease. An assay pattern that is predictive of treatment effectiveness would be very useful for monitoring patients. Analyses of serial antibody titers are often complicated by censorship of the time to response. All patients will not experience the response of interest, e.g., death or disease recurrence, before the time of analysis. Another problem is that serial antibody titers are only measured at relatively infrequent intervals during follow-up. These problems are accommodated by the proportional hazards model with titer measurements treated as a time-dependent covariate. This model was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of antibody titers to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) and early antigen (EA) in treated NPC patients.
Development of a LIBS system for in situ surface measurements during plasma exposure in PISCES-A.

A laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system has been developed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (wavelength = 1064 nm and pulse width ∼5 ns) to conduct in situ surface measurements during plasma exposure in the PISCES-A linear divertor plasma simulator. The LIBS signal enhancement is obtained with both the magnetic field normal to the surface of a target and steady-state background plasma. Migration of sputtered Ta impurities onto the neighboring Cr surface is identified during He plasma exposure, only when cone structures are formed on the Cr surface. D retention in W during D plasma exposure is observed to decrease with increasing the sample temperature. The temporal evolution of D outgassing from W is measured in a time range of ∼10-420 s right after D plasma exposure. A power law fit, t -α , yields α ∼ 0.34 ± 0.09, which is nearly consistent with calculated and measured values.
"Carving out" conditions from global capitation rates: protecting high-cost patients, physicians, and health plans in a managed care environment.

The purposes of this study were (1) to develop a method for identifying individuals with high-cost medical conditions, (2) to determine the percentage of healthcare spending they represent, and (3) to explore policy implications of "carving out" their care from managed care capitation. Annual payments over a 2-year period to enrollees of three health plans--a traditional managed care organization, and a state Medicaid program--were determined by using a cross-sectional analysis of insurance claims data. The main outcome measures were the number of enrollees with total annual payments in excess of $25,000 and the contribution of these high-cost enrollees to each health plan's total costs. Forty-one groups of diagnosis and procedure codes representing a combination of acute and chronic conditions were included on the list of carve-out conditions. Pulmonary insufficiency and respiratory failure together accounted for the largest number of high-cost individuals in each health plan. Solid organ and bone marrow transplants, AIDS, and most malignancies that required high-dose chemotherapy were also important. The carve-out list identified more than one third of high-cost individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program, approximately 20% of high-cost managed care enrollees, and 10% of high-cost fee-for-service enrollees. These data confirm that it is possible to identify high-cost individuals in health plans by using a carve-out list. Carving out high-cost patients from capitation risk arrangements may protect patients, physicians, and managed care organizations.
X-Ray Microprobe Analysis of Subcellular Elemental Distribution in Normal and Injured Peripheral Nerve Axons

Studies involving X-ray microanalysis of liver, heart, and other nonneuronal cells have contributed significantly to our understanding of submembrane distribution of elements (e.g., Na, K, Ca) and their role in cellular injury (Trumpet al., 1979). However, with respect to elemental distribution in nerve cells, there is little direct information available from either X-ray microprobe analysis or biochemical studies. Relevant data from the few published microprobe studies are difficult to interpret due to certain methodological problems. In some cases the results were not quantitated (Ricket al., 1976; Schloteet al., 1981), whereas in other studies the tissue was chemically fixed and/or cytochemical markers such as pyroantimonate were used (Hillman and Llinas, 1974; Oschmanet al., 1974; Duce and Keen, 1978; Ellismanet al., 1979; Chanet al., 1984). These chemical procedures can produce artefactual translocation of elements (Morgan, 1979; Somlyo, 1985). To provide information concerning the subcellular distribution of elements in nerve cells, electron probe X-ray microanalysis was used in this study. The microprobe data are generated by visually identifying a cellular compartment, followed by manual placement of the microprobe electron beam over the compartment and subsequent analysis. However, subtle patterns of elemental distribution which might exist within a compartment cannot be determined conveniently because the beam is placed manually and the large amount of time required to produce the necessary data. To circumvent this problem, digital X-ray imaging with computer-controlled beam placement was used. This method can analyze a cellular region point by contiguous point and thereby provide a chemical map of elemental distribution. In the present study, selected compartments of normal rat sciatic nerve axons were examined by both X-ray microprobe analysis and digital imaging. In addition, we determined how elemental distribution was altered in axons injured by hypoxia or transection. To prevent artefactual translocation of elements, frozen, unfixed sections of nerves were analyzed. The results from this study indicate that each axonal compartment examined displayed a characteristic distribution of elemental content and that following injury this distribution was altered.
Music and Talent: An experimental project for personal development and well-being through music:

“Music and Talent” is an educational project for children between 3 and 9 years old. The aim of the project is to use music and musical intelligence as resources for enhancing important skills in s...
Extreme weight loss behaviors in racially diverse urban adolescents

Abstract Purpose Extreme weight loss behaviors (EWLBs) pose a serious health risk to adolescents. Studies suggest a link between EWLBs and other health-compromising behaviors. Extending these findings, this study examines correlates of EWLB in a predominantly minority adolescent population. Methods A secondary analysis of EWLB data from adolescents in an inner city pediatric emergency department was conducted. The sample (n = 3,876) included 60% African-American, 20% Hispanic, 16% Caucasian, and 4% Asian-Pacific Islander individuals. Comparative analyses and multivariate logistic regressions were applied. Results Fifteen percent of the sample endorsed use of EWLBs; endorsement did not differ between minority and Caucasian groups, or among minority subgroups. EWLB correlates included female gender, hopelessness, abuse history, current smoking, and alcohol use. Conclusions Endorsement of EWLBs is not different between minority and Caucasian adolescents surveyed in an emergency department. Identified correlates are potential targets for prevention and early intervention.
One-year follow-up of a sit-stand workstation intervention to decrease sedentary time in office workers

Abstract Background Prolonged sedentary time is associated with adverse health outcomes, after controlling for the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. We previously reported on a four-week randomized trial using a sit-stand desk (SSD) intervention that decreased sedentary time at work without changing activity level during non-work hours. Purpose The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of the SSD on sitting time and activity level one year after the original intervention. Methods A pre-post design was used where the control period from the original study was regarded as “pre” and the measurements made in the follow-up study as “post.” The follow-up study was conducted in the same office workers over a two-week period in June 2013. Results Fifteen out of the 23 participants took part in the follow-up study. Self-reported sitting time during work-hours was decreased by 22% (95% CI: 15% to 29%; p Conclusion One year following the original intervention, participants continue to have increased activity and decreased sedentary time at work with the use of SSDs.
N -atom collective-state atomic interferometer with ultrahigh Compton frequency and ultrashort de Broglie wavelength, with N reduction in fringe width

We describe a collective-state atomic interferometer (COSAIN) with the signal fringe as a function of phase difference or rotation narrowed by $\sqrt{N}$ compared to a conventional interferometer, $N$ being the number of atoms, without entanglement. This effect arises from the interferences among collective states, and is a manifestation of interference at a Compton frequency of $10\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{10}^{30}$ Hz, or a de Broglie wavelength of 4.5 femtometer, for $N={10}^{6}$ and $v=1$ m/s. The population of the collective state of interest is detected by a null measurement scheme, in which an event corresponding to detection of zero photons corresponds to the system being in that particular collective state. The signal is detected by collecting fluorescence through stimulated Raman scattering of Stokes photons, which are emitted predominantly against the direction of the probe beam, for a high enough resonant optical density. The sensitivity of the ideal COSAIN is found to be given by the standard quantum limit. However, when detection efficiency and collection efficiency are taken into account, the detection scheme of the COSAIN increases the quantum efficiency of detection significantly in comparison to a typical conventional Raman atomic interferometer employing fluorescence detection, yielding a net improvement in stability by as much as a factor of 10. We discuss how the inhomogeneities arising from the nonuniformity in experimental parameters affect the COSAIN signal. We also describe an alternate experimental scheme to enhance resonant optical density in a COSAIN by using cross-linearly polarized counterpropagating Raman beams.
Performance of Oncotype Dx test in patients with T1bN0, grade 1, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

e12043Background: NCCN (National comprehensive cancer network) recommends to consider Oncotype DX testing for patients diagnosed with T1bN0 stage 1A breast cancers that are hormone receptor positiv...