cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Willingness to use couples HIV testing and discussion of sexual agreements among heterosexuals

Couples HIV Testing and Counseling (CHTC) has been used as an HIV prevention strategy in Africa for over 20 years where the HIV epidemic is largely concentrated among sexually active heterosexuals. In recent years, CHTC has been adapted for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the US. A central element of the CHTC intervention as adapted for male couples in the US is the discussion of sexual agreements by the dyad during the CHTC session. Given the success of CHTC for heterosexual couples in Africa, it seems appropriate that CHTC could also be provided to heterosexual couples in the US. However, little is known about heterosexual’s willingness to utilize CHTC services including discussion of sexual agreements. This small, preliminary qualitative study sheds new light on the potential for CHTC adoption among heterosexuals in the US. Four focus groups were conducted with heterosexual men and women attending a publicly-funded STI clinic, to explore the potential feasibility and acceptability of CHTC with heterosexuals. The results are similar to those seen for MSM: high levels of willingness to use CHTC, perceptions of the advantages of using CHTC, and willingness to discuss sexual agreements; all necessary conditions for the successful roll-out of CHTC. Further work is now needed with larger samples of high-risk heterosexuals to more completely understand the typologies of sexual agreements and the common language used for sexual agreements in heterosexual relationships. These early data show great promise that CHTC can achieve the same levels of willingness, fit, and acceptability among heterosexual couples as currently experienced by male couples in the US.
Changes in hepatitis A and B vaccination rates in adult patients with chronic liver diseases and diabetes in the U.S. population.

Professional societies recommend hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunization for individuals with chronic liver disease (CLD), but the degree of implementation is unknown. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted in 1999-2008. For the entire study population and for those with CLD and diabetes, we determined the rates and independent predictors of history of hepatitis A and hepatitis B (HepA and HepB) vaccinations, of their effectiveness, and of seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibody and anti-HB surface antibody. In total, 24,871 participants from NHANES were included: 14,886 (1999-2004) and 9,985 (2005-2008). Of these individuals, 14.0% had CLD and 8.6% had diabetes. During the study period, HepA vaccination in CLD increased from 13.3% ± 1.0% to 20.0% ± 1.5%, HepB vaccination increased from 23.4% ± 1.2% to 32.1% ± 1.5%. Of subtypes of CLD, HepA vaccination rates increased only in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whereas HepB vaccination increased for patients with hepatitis C and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In the diabetic cohort, HepA vaccination rates increased from 9.3% ± 1.1% to 15.4% ± 1.7% and HepB rates increased from 15.2% ± 1.5% to 22.4% ± 1.7%. All changes were similar to those observed in the general population. The quality measure (QM) for HepA in the general population decreased from 44.4% ± 1.2% in 1999-2004 to 41.7% ± 1.9% in 2005-2008, and similar changes were noted for all subcohorts. On the other hand, QM for HepB increased from 31.7% ± 0.9% to 40.7% ± 1.0% in the population, whereas no changes in QM were noted in any diagnostic cohort except for NAFLD. Conclusions: Although vaccination rates in CLD and diabetic cohorts are increasing, they remain low. Given the public health implications of acute hepatitis A and hepatitis B in patients with CLD, better implementation of the vaccination recommendations for these populations is warranted. (HEPATOLOGY 2011)
Optical and photochemical properties of C60 films

Results of optical studies of thin solid C60 films are presented which highlight some of the unusual optical phenomena observed in fullerene-derived materials. Results of several experiments to determine quantitatively the optical dielectric function are first presented and discussed. We also present results on two different phototransformations of C60 films from a toluene-soluble to a toluene-insoluble state. These processes may have photolithographic application. The first involves the photopolymerization of C60, and the second is a photo-induced intercalation of di-oxygen into the C60 lattice leading to a film with composition C60(O2).© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Management of HIV Infection in Persons Co-infected With Hepatitis:

Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) is becoming a rampant disparity in HIV-infected patients. The advent of antiretroviral therapy has led to agents that are ef...
Cardioprotective effects of individual conjugated equine estrogens through their possible modulation of insulin resistance and oxidation of low-density lipoprotein

Objective: To examine the independent effects on insulin sensitivity and antioxidative activity of the three most prevalent constituents in Premarin (Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA): estrone sulfate (E 1 S), 50%; equilin sulfate (EqS), 25%, and 17 α -dihydroequilin sulfate (17 α -ES), 15%. Design: Prospective randomized cross-over study. Setting: University of Southern California Medical Center. Patient(s): Eight healthy postmenopausal women, mean age 53 ± 2 years, and mean body mass index, 26 ± 2 kg/m 2 , were enrolled. Intervention(s): Each woman received, in randomized succession, daily oral doses of 17 α -ES (0.2 mg), E 1 S (0.625 mg), and EqS (0.3 mg) for 30 days. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by negatively charged LDL (LDL-) and lag phase duration and measured the plasma glucose disappearance after insulin administration (K itt ). Result(s): All three estrogen preparations demonstrated antioxidant effects with E 1 S demonstrating the most significant changes, followed by EqS and 17 α -ES. Using E 1 S, LDL- levels decreased from a baseline of 3.91 ± 0.9 to 2.05 ± 0.32 mg/dL and the lag time increased from 24.5 ± 6.0 to 87.8 ± 11.8 minutes. Changes in insulin tolerance tests revealed improved insulin action with the various estrogens. With EqS, K itt increased from 3.1% ± 0.3% to 4.3% ± 0.3% glucose/min, was intermediate with E 1 S and was least with 17 α -ES. Conclusion(s): All three conjugated equine estrogens demonstrated antioxidant activity. Also, some improved insulin action was demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study to examine the effects of these components which may help explain, in part, some of the cardioprotective properties ascribed to Premarin.
Phase control of a micropatch antenna element

We will describe an effort that to date has produced a working prototype of a micropatch antenna incorporating a single-dollar- per-bit phase shifter. In this paper we will describe a method of controlling a micropatch antenna to provide phase only variation of the antenna characteristics using a similar device to that used for the frequency control experiments. We have successfully varied the phase of the antenna element without significantly changing the operating frequency. This work has led us to pursue further the design and fabrication of an array of such phase adjustable element to test the hypothesis that such phase- controlled micropatch elements can be used to fabricate a low- cost phased-array antenna.
Spatial Variations in the Relationships between Land Use and Water Quality across an Urbanization Gradient in the Watersheds of Northern Georgia, USA

A spatial statistical technique, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is applied to study the spatial variations in the relationships between four land use indicators, including percentages of urban land, forest, agricultural land, and wetland, and eight water quality indicators including specific conductance (SC), dissolved oxygen, dissolved nutrients, and dissolved organic carbon, in the watersheds of northern Georgia, USA. The results show that GWR has better model performance than ordinary least squares regression (OLS) to analyze the relationships between land use and water quality. There are great spatial variations in the relationships affected by the urbanization level of watersheds. The relationships between urban land and SC are stronger in less-urbanized watersheds, while those between urban land and dissolved nutrients are stronger in highly-urbanized watersheds. Percentage of forest is an indicator of good water quality. Agricultural land is usually associated with good water quality in highly-urbanized watersheds, but might be related to water pollution in less-urbanized watersheds. This study confirms the results obtained from a similar study in eastern Massachusetts, and so suggest that GWR technique is a very useful tool in water environmental research and also has the potential to be applied to other fields of environmental studies and management in other regions.
How do managers conceptualise international human resource policy?: presenting and validating a typology of human resource management identity

Recent rapid growth in international business has business people and academicians alike concerned with the creation of new competitive advantages through international operations (Bartlett and Ghoshal, 1989; Schuler and Florkoswski, 1994). This study attempts to address current weaknesses in the research through an integrative approach to the fundamental question, "What influences HRM strategic intent in the MNE?" The approach taken here is to synthesise environment, organisation and individual into one typology, which will explain the relationships between the three levels and their interactive influence on strategic decision-making. To be clear, the key assumption of this research is that not one variable previously studied acts alone to influence organisational strategy, and the only way to come to any meaningful (and therefore instructive) conclusion is to integrate several closely related variables into one conceptual whole. Thus, this study attempts to bridge the gap in the current conceptualisation of HRM strategy by examining the influence of the environmental, organisational and individual influences on HRM strategic decision-making in the in the MNE. This will be accomplished through the proposed typology of HRM identity, which represents a synthesis of human resource management and organisational behaviour perspectives.
Gating and permeation properties of two types of calcium channels in neuroblastoma cells.

The gating and permeation properties of two types of calcium channels were studied in the neuroblastoma cell line N1E-115. Calcium channel currents as carried by Ba2+ (50 mM) were recorded using the whole-cell variation of the patch electrode voltage-clamp technique. The two types of calcium channels showed similar membrane potential dependence with respect to the steady-state activation and inactivation gating properties. However, the properties of the long-lasting type II channels were shifted approximately 30 mV in the depolarizing direction compared with those of the transient type I channels. Activation of type I channels developed with a sigmoidal time course which was described by m2 kinetics, whereas the activation of type II channels was described by a single exponential function. Tail current upon repolarization followed an exponential decay in either type of calcium channels. In comparison to type I channels, the activation process of type II channels was shifted approximately 30 mV in the positive direction, while the deactivation process showed a 60 mV shift in the positive direction. The rate constants of activation obtained from the activation and deactivation processes indicated that under comparable membrane potential conditions, type II channels close 2.4 times faster than type I channels upon repolarization. When external 50 mM Ba2+ was replaced with Ca2+ or Sr2+ on the equimolar basis, the amplitudes of transient and long-lasting currents were altered without a significant change in their time courses. The ion permeability ratios determined from the maximum amplitude of the inward current were as follows: Ba2+ (1.0) = Sr2+ (1.0) greater than Ca2+ (0.7) for type I channels, and Ba2+ (1.0) greater than Sr2+ (0.7) greater than Ca2+ (0.3) for type II channels. Replacement of Ba2+ with Ca2+ caused a 10–12 mV positive shift in the current-voltage relation for type II channels. However, the shift for type I channels was much less. This suggests that negative surface charges are present around type II channels. After correction for the surface charge effect on the ion permeation, there was no significant difference between the permeability ratios of these cations for the two channel types. It was concluded that the two types of calcium channels have many common properties in their gating and permeation mechanisms despite their differential voltage sensitivity and ion selectivity.
Performance evaluation of position-sensitive silicon detectors with four-corner readout

Abstract We report on a recently developed large-area position-sensitive silicon detector type with four-corner readout. It consists of a square-shaped ion-implanted resistive anode framed by additional low-resistivity strips with resistances smaller than the anode surface resistance by a factor of two. The detector-position linearity, position resolution and energy resolution were measured with α-particles and accelerated heavy ions. In-beam experimental results reveal a position resolution below 1 mm (FWHM) and a very good non-linearity of less than 1% (rms). The energy resolution determined from 228Th alpha source measurements corresponding to an alpha line energy of 6778 keV is 155 and 68 keV (FWHM) for detectors with geometric areas of 62 mm×62 mm and 20 mm×20 mm, respectively.
Phosphate-assisted phytoextraction in as-contaminated soil

In this paper, the effect of phosphate on As phytoextraction was examined. The effect of phosphate on As dissolution, the As uptake of plants, the internal plant translocation, and phytotoxic effect were investigated. Lupine plants were grown on As-contaminated soil collected from an industrial site containing 670 mg/kg As and were treated with biammonium phosphate (BAP). Two different BAP application procedures were tested: single-dose and multiple split additions. BAP was found to be effective in increasing the water-soluble As concentration in the test soil. As the concentration of water-soluble As increased, the Lupine plants responded accordingly with an increased As uptake. The As content in the shoots and the translocation factor were the highest when BAP was added in multiple split additions. On the contrary, a single application caused the highest As content in the roots and consequently the lowest translocation factor. In addition, it was established that the single-application method significantly reduced the plant biomass by twofold, this reduction being an evident phytotoxic symptom. Measurements of the combined biomass production and As content values revealed that the highest As phytoextraction is obtained with BAP applied in multiple doses which is about 14-fold higher than in the control plants, whereas a single-dose BAP application increased the phytoextraction rate only 1.6 times. These results demonstrate that significant improvements in the current phosphate-assisted phytoextraction of As could be achieved.
The state of sulfhydryl groups in normal and cataractous human lens proteins. I. Nuclear region.

Abstract The level of water-insoluble proteins in the nuclear region of the human lens increases progressively with aging. Increases beyond the normal level occur with opacifications until more than 90% of the proteins in the nuclear region are water-insoluble in severe cataracts. The level of nuclear protein disulfide groups in cataract also is dramatically higher than that found in aged, normal lenses. More than 90% of the water-insoluble protein sulfhydryl groups are oxidized in advanced cataracts. Although water-soluble nuclear proteins of certain cataracts contain high levels of protein disulfide groups, the total amount of protein disulfides in the nuclear region that are soluble stay within the range of normal values. Part of the large increases from normal levels in acid-soluble sulfhydryl groups released by borohydride reduction of the insoluble fraction of advanced cataracts is probably due to an increased number of particular nondisulfide bonds susceptible to reductive cleavage. In spite of differences in the distribution of nuclear sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in aged, normal and cataractous lenses, the total amount of lens nuclear sulfhydryl plus disulfide groups remains reasonably constant.
Transient photoconductivity in glassy CdGexAs2

Abstract The CdGe x As 2 glasses are tetrahedral materials which can be obtained in bulk k amorphous form. We have studied two compounds in this system, x = 0.2 and x = 0.6, using the method of transient photoconductivity (TPC). TPC, like the dc conductivity, is almost identical for both compositions, despite the large difference in Ge content. The power-law decay of the TPC corresponds to an exponential density of localized band-tail states of width kT o ∼ 40 meV. The TPC has an exponential cutoff at the time when the traps closest to the Fermi energy come into thermal equilibrium.
H−ZSM-5 for the Removal of Ethylene Oxide: Effects of Water on Filtration Performance

Zeolite H−ZSM-5 with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 25 was evaluated for its ability to remove ethylene oxide (EtO) from streams of air at 25 °C and between 15 and 90% relative humidity (RH). The primary mechanism for the removal of ethylene oxide using H−ZSM-5 involves a catalyzed hydrolysis reaction initiated by the adsorption of EtO onto a Bronsted acid site. Secondary addition reactions leading to the formation of polyglycols are also occurring. The reaction is poisoned by the accumulation of reaction products within the pores of the zeolite, which ultimately leads to elution of EtO from the filter bed. The ability of H−ZSM-5 to remove EtO decreased significantly as the relative humidity increased from 50 to 90%. For example, the EtO breakthrough time decreases from 220 min at 50% RH to 57 min at 90% RH. The decrease in the EtO breakthrough time over the stated RH range is attributed to the increased hydration of the Bronsted acid site. As the extent of Bronsted acid site hydration increases, the reactivity of...
Sarcoidosis and malignancy

Malignancy in patients with sarcoidosis occurs in 3 settings. The first setting relates to patients with hematologic malignancies. It includes the sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome, which refers to the development of lymphoma at least 1 to 2 years after the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. It also includes patients with sarcoidosis who develop other hematologic malignancies. In addition, this subset of individuals includes patients with cancer and hematologic malignancies who subsequently develop sarcoidosis. The second setting consists of patients with sarcoidosis who develop solid tumors and oncologic patients in whom sarcoidosis subsequently appears; in addition to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, the neoplasms most commonly associated involve the cervix, liver, lung, testicles, and uterus. The third setting of malignancy-related sarcoidosis occurs when sarcoidosis presents as a paraneoplastic syndrome for the associated cancer, specifically when the discovery of cancer is concurrent with or within 1 year of the diagnosis of sarcoidosis or vis-a-vis. Antineoplastic treatment of either the hematologic malignancy or the solid tumor has also been observed to either induce the initial onset or flare the activity of sarcoidosis. Malignancy can also be associated with the occurrence of sarcoid reactions that typically are restricted to the regional lymph nodes or the visceral organ of tumor origin; rarely, the sarcoid reaction can also be observed in the skin or is only limited to the skin.
Short-term recovery after orthognathic surgery: a medical daily diary approach.

This study assessed the utility of a quality-of-life diary for the assessment of postoperative recovery following orthognathic surgery. A 20-item daily recovery diary was designed to assess the patients’ perception of recovery in 4 domains (postoperative sequelae; pain/discomfort; oral function; daily activities) during each of the first 90 days after surgery. Fifteen of 185 patients who had agreed to participate did not return any portion of the diary. Of the remaining patients, 87% returned the full 90 days requested. Younger patients were more likely to complete the entire protocol (P = 0.01). At 30 days, a lower percentage, in general, of patients who completed all 90 days reported recovery in oral function and general activity compared with those who did not complete all diary days. This study confirms that patients will cooperate with the completion of structured medical / health-related quality-of-life diaries during the first few months after orthognathic surgery. Information from such diaries would be valuable to patients deciding on treatment options and to the clinicians counseling them.
Reproductive isolation and genetic variation between two "strains" of Bracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Abstract Bracon hebetorSay(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is known primarily as a parasitoid of pyralid moth larvae infesting stored grain. In the 1970s, a parasitoid identified asB. hebetorwas released for control ofHeliothis/Helicoverpaspp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on the island of Barbados. Because life-history traits of this parasitoid differed from those reported forB. hebetorfrom the United States, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments to determine whether this parasitoid was (i) a population ofB. hebetorthat attacks noctuids in the field or (ii) a different species fromB. hebetor.We confirmed thatHeliothis virescens(F.) was a more suitable host for the Barbados strain than forB. hebetor.However, a stored-grain infesting pyralid,Plodia interpunctella(Hubner), was a more suitable host for the Barbados strain than wasH. virescens.Reciprocal crosses between the Barbados strain andB. hebetorshowed that the two populations were reproductively isolated. No mating was observed during a series of 30-min observations of reciprocal crosses, and the crosses produced only male offspring. Examination of each female's spermatheca confirmed that females were not fertilized. Sequence analysis of a 517-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene revealed that two populations ofB. hebetorfrom our laboratory were identical but differed in sequence by 2% from the Barbados strain. Collectively, our results indicate that the Barbados strain is a distinct species fromB. hebetor.
Acoustic characteristics and variations in grunt vocalizations in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau

Acoustic communication is critical for reproductive success in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau. While previous studies have examined the acoustic characteristics, behavioral context, geographical variation, and seasonality of advertisement boatwhistle sound production, there is limited information on the grunt or other non-advertisement vocalizations in this species. This study continuously monitored sound production in toadfish maintained in an outdoor habitat for four months to identify and characterize grunt vocalizations, compare them with boatwhistles, and test for relationships between the incidence of grunt vocalizations, sound characteristics and environmental parameters. Oyster toadfish produced grunts in response to handling, and spontaneous single (70% of all grunts), doublet (10%), and trains of grunts (20%) throughout the May to September study period. Grunt types varied in pulse structure, duration, and frequency components, and were shorter and of lower fundamental frequency than the pulse repetition rate of boatwhistles. Higher water temperatures were correlated with a greater number of grunt emissions, higher fundamental frequencies, and shorter sound durations. The number of grunts per day was also positively correlated with daylength and maximum tidal amplitude differences (previously entrained) associated with full and new moons, thus providing the first demonstration of semilunar vocalization rhythms in the oyster toadfish. These data provide new information on the acoustic repertoire and the environmental factors correlated with sound production in the toadfish, and have important implications for seasonal acoustic communication in this model vocal fish.
Fc function of a new intravenous immunoglobulin product: IGIV 10% triple virally inactivated solution

Background and Objectives Baxter AG has developed a new liquid intravenous immunoglobulin product [Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) 10%] using a new manufacturing procedure. A modified Cohn fractionation and ion exchange chromatography is used to produce an IgG solution with no alterations to the Fc region. Three dedicated virus reduction steps are included: solvent-detergent treatment, nanofiltration, and incubation at low pH and elevated temperature in final formulation. We applied the reference method of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) together with a flow-cytometric binding assay for the evaluation of the Fc function of the new product. Materials and Methods The EP reference method was done as described in the EP. The flow-cytometric method measured binding of IgG to Fc receptors of human monocytic THP-1 cells after exclusion of apoptotic cells. Results Sixteen lots of the new product expressed Fc functions between 84% and 110% when analysed with the EP reference method and Fc-binding activities between 82% and 121% when determined by the flow-cytometric method. Conclusion All tested lots of the new product demonstrated a high level of Fc activity and met the requirements of the EP for Fc function.
Target-site mutation associated with glufosinate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum).

BACKGROUND: Studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of glufosinate resistance in an Italian ryegrass population. RESULTS: Glufosinate rates required to reduce growth by 50% (GR50) were 0.15 and 0.18 kg AI ha−1 for two susceptible populations C1 and C2 respectively, and 0.45 kg AI ha−1 for the resistant population MG, resulting in a resistance index of 2.8. Ammonia accumulation after glufosinate treatment was on average 1.5 times less for the resistant population than for the susceptible populations. The glufosinate concentrations (µM) required to reduce the glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activity by 50% (I50) were 31 and 137 for C1 and C2 respectively, and 2432 for the resistant population MG. One amino acid substitution in the plastidic GS2 gene, aspartic acid for asparagine at position 171, was identified in the resistant population. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of glufosinate resistance in a weed species that involves an altered target site. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Two-dimensional electron spin echoes: magnetization transfer and molecular dynamics

Abstract The utility of inversion recovery and stimulated echoes in studying slow motional dynamics is analyzed. A comparison between theory and experiment is provided for a nitroxide radical in viscous solvent. A new two-dimensional stimulated echo technique, suggested by the theory, is applied to study NO2 physisorbed on vycor.
Africanized Honey Bees in the Human Domain: Issues of Social and Political Adaptation in Southern Nevada

Exhilaration is felt after a successful removal of bees with no further hazards to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife. Upon viewing all the little dead bodies of the bees once a communal intelligence potentially threatening yet in turn, so helpful to humankind, sadly while reflecting upon this outcome, I take this into my awareness and contemplate according to Vedic scripture: "I am become death, a destroyer of worlds."
The Emergency Medicine Foundation: 25 years of advancing education and research.

Abstract [Pollack CV Jr, Cairns CB: The Emergency Medicine Foundation: 25 years of advancing education and research. Ann Emerg Med April 1999;33:448-450.]
Professor Burke's “Bennington Project”

Kenneth Burke claimed in 1952 that he viewed his rhetorical theory and critical method as a "Bennington Project," a sign that he attributed a measure of his intellectual success to teaching at pragmatist-inspired Bennington College. Studying Burke's teaching at Bennington can help scholars to better understand his theory and method because Burke taught undergraduates his own critical reading practices, ones that he believed heightened students' awareness of terministic screens and deepened their appreciation for the consequences of human symbol-use. Burke's teaching practices and his comments on student essays reveal that he taught indexing and charting to his undergraduates because he believed everyone can and should use them throughout their lives to examine—and, when necessary, revise—the often unexpressed assumptions that propel so much human activity toward competition and, ultimately, physical and social destruction.
The tell-tale heart: molecular and cellular responses to childhood anthracycline exposure

Since the modern era of cancer chemotherapy that began in the mid-1940s, survival rates for children afflicted with cancer have steadily improved from 10% to current rates that approach 80% (60). Unfortunately, many long-term survivors of pediatric cancer develop chemotherapy-related health effects; 25% are afflicted with a severe or life-threatening medical condition, with cardiovascular disease being a primary risk (96). Childhood cancer survivors have markedly elevated incidences of stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease, and valvular disease (96). Their cardiac mortality is 8.2 times higher than expected (93). Anthracyclines are a key component of most curative chemotherapeutic regimens used in pediatric cancer, and approximately half of all childhood cancer patients are exposed to them (78). Numerous epidemiologic and observational studies have linked childhood anthracycline exposure to an increased risk of developing cardiomyopathy and CHF, often decades after treatment. The acute toxic effects of anthracyclines on cardiomyocytes are well described; however, myocardial tissue is comprised of additional resident cell types, and events occurring in the cardiomyocyte do not fully explain the pathological processes leading to late cardiomyopathy and CHF. This review will summarize the current literature regarding the cellular and molecular responses to anthracyclines, with an important emphasis on nonmyocyte cardiac cell types as well as those that mediate the myocardial injury response.
Effect of Temperature on Collagen Extractability and Kramer Shear Force of Restructured Beef

Collagen extractability and Kramer shear force were measured for raw and heated restructured beef products made with trimmed (epimysium removed) and untrimmed clods (triceps brachii, infraspinatus, and supraspinatus). Collagen extractability was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for untrimmed samples heated at 50°C than for trimmed samples. Kramer shear forces were significantly higher (p < 0.01) for untrimmed than trimmed when raw or heated at 35°C, 45°C, WC, and 55°C. Collagen extractabilities showed no distinct changes with temperature for trimmed samples. Collagen extractability of untrimmed samples increased then decreased as heating temperature increased. Kramer shear forces decreased between 55°C and 60°C for both trimmed and untrimmed samples.
Knockout mice lacking steroidogenic factor 1 are a novel genetic model of hypothalamic obesity

Knockout (KO) mice lacking steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) exhibit a phenotype that includes adrenal and gonadal agenesis, impaired gonadotropin expression, and abnormalities of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH). Studies in rodents with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus have implicated the VMH in body weight regulation, suggesting that SF-1 KO mice may provide a genetic model of obesity. To prevent death, SF-1 KO mice were rescued with corticosteroid injections, followed by syngeneic adrenal transplants from wild-type (WT) littermates. Corticosterone and ACTH levels in WT and SF-1 KO mice were indistinguishable, documenting restoration of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. Although weights at earlier ages did not differ significantly from WT littermates, SF-1 KO mice were significantly heavier by 8 wk of age and eventually weighed almost twice as much as WT controls. Obesity in SF-1 KO mice predominantly resulted from decreased activity rather than increased food intake. Leptin was increased markedly, insulin was modestly elevated, and glucose was indistinguishable from WT mice. Although sex steroids in rodents affect weight, ovariectomy did not abolish the weight difference between WT and SF-1 KO mice. These SF-1 KO mice are a genetic model of late-onset obesity that may help elucidate the role of the VMH in weight regulation.
Trade Books in the Mathematics Classroom: The Impact of Many, Varied Perspectives on Determinations of Quality

The integration of children's trade books in the mathematics classroom has experienced a dramatic surge in its popularity; yet, though the positive benefits of this strategy have been well documented, these benefits may only be realized if the literature is of high quality. Utilizing a mathematics trade book evaluation instrument, this inquiry explored the impact of varied backgrounds and perspectives on determinations of quality. Utilizing 30 reviewers from five distinct groups and conducting more than 180 evaluations of six trade books, it was found that the background of the reviewer and the number of reviewers involved in the evaluation affected quality determinations. The results indicate that though instruments such as Hunsader's provide a valuable tool for evaluating mathematics literature, the evaluation process, including the number and the background of those involved in the review, greatly affects evaluation results. Subsequently, it is vital that teachers and other educators who either incorpo...
A review of family-based tests for linkage disequilibrium between a quantitative trait and a genetic marker.

Quantitative trait transmission/disequilibrium tests (quantitative TDTs) are commonly used in family-based genetic association studies of quantitative traits. Despite the availability of various quantitative TDTs, some users are not aware of the properties of these tests and the relationships between them. This review aims at outlining the broad features of the various quantitative TDT procedures carried out in the frequently used QTDT and FBAT packages. Specifically, we discuss the “Rabinowitz” and the “Monks-Kaplan” procedures, as well as the various “Abecasis” and “Allison” regression-based procedures. We focus on the models assumed in these tests and the relationships between them. Moreover, we discuss what hypotheses are tested by the various quantitative TDTs, what testing procedures are best suited to various forms of data, and whether the regression-based tests overcome population stratification problems. Finally, we comment on power considerations in the choice of the test to be used. We hope this brief review will shed light on the similarities and differences of the various quantitative TDTs.
Influence of Previous Night Call and Sleep Deprivation on Screening Colonoscopy Quality

OBJECTIVES:There are few studies evaluating the influence of sleep deprivation on endoscopic outcomes. To evaluate the effect of a previous night call on the quality of screening colonoscopies performed the following day.METHODS:Average-risk patients undergoing screening colonoscopies were included.
The forbidden bandgap characteristic of EBG structures

The bandgap characteristics of several electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures are compared, and parametric studies of a wideband uniplanar compact photonic bandgap (UC-PBG) structure are carried out. It has been presented that the bandgap bandwidth of the mushroom type EBG structure increases when a lower dielectric constant substrate is used or when a larger substrate thickness is used. However, for the UC-PBG structures, which do not have shorting vias, the bandgap characteristic does not follow the trend as it is in the EBG structure with shorting via. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the bandgap frequency varies with the dielectric constant of the substrate, but the bandgap bandwidth does not have particular trend with the dielectric constant of the substrate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2965–2967, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23804
Targeted Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging aims to visualize the cellular and molecular processes occurring in living tissues, and for the imaging of specific molecules in vivo, the development of reporter probes and dedicated imaging equipment is most important. Reporter genes can be used to monitor the delivery and magnitude of therapeutic gene transfer, and the time variation involved. Imaging technologies such as micro-PET, SPECT, MRI and CT, as well as optical imaging systems, are able to non-invasively detect, measure, and report the simultaneous expression of multiple meaningful genes. It is believed that recent advances in reporter probes, imaging technologies and gene transfer strategies will enhance the effectiveness of gene therapy trials.
Laboratory and field validation of multiple molecular biomarkers of contaminant exposure in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Novel primers for three different genes (CYP1A1, vitellogenin, and metallothionein) for use in reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were developed and tested in laboratory flow-through experiments using model compounds benzo[a]pyrene, estradiol, and cadmium. Field validations of the molecular biomarkers were performed using 8-d or 48-h in situ, caged exposure of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Expression levels of gene transcription (messenger RNA [mRNA]) were monitored in gill and liver tissue after exposure at sites downstream of a known source of creosote contamination in the Little Scioto River (Marion, OH, USA) and metals and hydrocarbon contamination in Dick's Creek (Middletown, OH, USA). Significant increases of liver cytochrome P4501A1 gene (CYP1A1) and vitellogenin were measured in both streams at sites downstream of contaminant sources. Significant increases of gill CYP1A1 were also observed. Significant increases of gill and liver metallothionein occurred in Dick's Creek. A sample of gill tissue taken from each fish prior to placement in the Little Scioto River provided a preexposure control measurement for each individual. Expression of CYP1A1 and vitellogenin in trout at both streams indicated that exposure to bioavailable hydrocarbons and endocrine-disrupting compounds had taken place. Previous to this study, estrogenic compounds had not been detected in the Little Scioto River. Metallothionein expression confirmed the presence of metals in Dick's Creek. These results suggest a mixed contaminant environment that poses physiological hazard to existing teleost populations. Multiple molecular biomarkers provided a sensitive, physiologically based method of determining contaminant presence and bioavailability to aquatic organisms.
Randomized Trial on Mindfulness Training for Smokers Targeted to a Disadvantaged Population

Wereporttheresultsofarandomizedtrialcomparinga novel smoking cessation treatment Mindfulness Training for Smokers (MTS) to a usual care therapy (Controls), which included the availability of a tobacco quit line and nicotine patches. Data were collected from 196 low socioeconomic status smokers in 2010–2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. Participants were randomized to either MTS or a telephonic quit line. The primary outcome was 6-month smoking abstinence measured by carbon monoxide breath testing and Time-Line Follow-Back.Amongtreatmentinitiators(randomized participants who participated in the intervention), abstinence rates were significantly different between the MTS (38.7%) and control (20.6%, p = .05) groups. Study limitations are also discussed. Results suggest that further study is warranted.
Win 32,729, a new, potent interceptive agent in rats and rhesus monkeys

Abstract Win 32,729 {(2α,4α,5α,17β)-4,5-epoxy-17-hydroxy-4, 17-dimethyl-3-oxoandrostane-2-carbonitrile} is an orally active interceptive agent in rats and rhesus monkeys ( M. mulatta ). A single oral dose of 48 mg/kg terminated gestation when given on Day 10 of pregnancy. When given orally for up to 5 days to pregnant monkeys, it terminated pregnancy in 26 of 34 animals at a dose of 50 mg/monkey (ca 7 mg/kg), in 18 of 24 at a dose of 100 mg/monkey (ca 14 mg/kg) and in all 6 at 250 mg/monkey (ca 35 mg/kg). It did not inhibit ACTH-stimulated glucocorticoid production at 50 mg/monkey but did at a dose of 250 mg/monkey. This preferential gonadal inhibition was not evident in rodents. While in most cases five oral medications of 50–100 mg were required to terminate gestation in 50-day pregnant monkeys, a single subcutaneous medication with 250 mg was also effective, terminating pregnancy in 7 of 7 monkeys.
Glucocorticoids have a role in renal cortical expression of the SNAT3 glutamine transporter during chronic metabolic acidosis.

Glucocorticoids are involved in many aspects of regulation of acid-base homeostasis, including the stimulation of renal ammoniagenesis during chronic metabolic acidosis. Plasma glutamine is the pri...
Optimizing energy harvesting parameters using response surface methodology

Energy harvesting is a process in which energy that would otherwise be wasted is stored and then used to power a system. Due to their unique properties piezoelectric materials are ideal for energy harvesting applications. In this study a pre-stressed piezoelectric composite was pressure loaded dynamically to harvest energy. The objective of this study was to optimize, using piezoelectric diaphragms, relevant parameters that have an effect on the energy harvesting process. Parameters considered were temperature, pressure, resistance and frequency. Response surface methodology was used to develop models to identify optimal parameter ranges and also to predict power conversion capabilities for specific parameter levels. Power densities of approximately 24.27 muW/mm3 were measured at optimal conditions. The model identified an optimal temperature of 12degC and a pressure of 240 kPa, which are in agreement with experimental results.
Wellness in adult gay males: Examining the impact of internalized homophobia, self-disclosure, and self-disclosure to parents

Adult gay males face significant social stigma, internalize negative societal messages related to their sexual orientation, and experience difficulties related to disclosing their sexual orientation to others, particularly to parents. Although the effects of these challenges in terms of pathology have been established, the relationship among internalized homophobia, self-disclosure, self-disclosure to parents, and wellness has not been examined. The results of a study of these variables among 217 gay males are presented and discussed.
Transient expression of synaptic zinc during development of uncrossed retinogeniculate projections.

The transition metal zinc is an essential dietary constituent that is believed to serve an important intercellular signaling role at certain excitatory synapses in the central nervous system. In the present study, we used histochemical techniques to investigate the distribution of synaptic zinc during postnatal development of retinogeniculate projections in rats. From postnatal day (P) 1 until P-21, the pattern of zinc histochemical staining in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) precisely matched the distribution of axon terminals from the ipsilateral eye that were labeled by anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Regions of the LGNd that contained only crossed axons were devoid of zinc staining. Abnormalities in the distribution of uncrossed retinogeniculate projections in albino versus pigmented rats were paralleled by identical variations in localization of synaptic zinc. Unilateral enucleation on P-10 was followed within 5 days by loss of zinc staining in the LGNd ipsilateral to the removed eye without affecting staining in the contralateral nucleus. Finally, the ability to detect zinc histochemically in the LGNd ceased at approximately P-24. These findings provide evidence that zinc is sequestered within synaptic boutons of a subpopulation of retinal ganglion cells whose axons terminate on the ipsilateral side of the brain. The duration of zinc staining overlaps with the major period of axonal remodeling in the LGNd, suggesting that synaptically released zinc may play a role in postnatal refinement of retinogeniculate projections.
Management of Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

Of the nearly 233,000 patients in the United States who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, 10 % will have locally advanced disease. Locally advanced prostate cancer is defined as clinically localized stage T3 (extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion) or T4 (fixed tumor or invasion of adjacent structures) disease. Patients with localized T1 or T2 disease with high risk disease features (Gleason 8–10 or PSA >20 ng/mL) are treated similarly. In a study comparing outcomes of immediate vs. deferred treatment in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, patients who deferred treatment had higher rates of progression to metastatic disease, development of metastatic pain, development of extra-skeletal metastases, cancer related complications (pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, urethral obstruction), and prostate cancer-specific mortality compared with patients who received immediate treatment. Therefore, definitive therapy is recommended for these patients, unless it is not feasible due to age and/or comorbidities and life expectancy is less than 5 years.
An Example of How Rural Clinical Laboratories Can Introduce HIV Testing Cost Effectively

Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital is a rural critical care facility. The laboratory and emergency department were interested in implementing rapid HIV testing in-house, as there is an average of 8 to 12 health care provider needlesticks annually. A rapid HIV test offers a quick result to rule out HIV transmission to health care providers and can expedite appropriate treatment when warranted.
Five cases of Thermopsis poisoning.

Various Thermopsis species are found in the foothills and plains of the Rocky Mountains. There are no reported cases of human ingestion to Thermopsisreported in the literature. We report 5 cases of ingestion of seeds or flowers where the primary symptoms were nausea, vomiting and headache of several hours duration. As few as 6 seeds produced symptoms. The common names used by parents when calling the poison center could have easily lead to misidentification and a careful history and subsequent professional identification were required to ascertain the actual plant involved.