cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical Reasoning: Multifocal neuropathies in a patient with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and prior borreliosis.

A 77-year-old man presented with 1 week of back pain, night sweats, confusion, jaundice, and pruritus with patchy, blanchable erythematous lesions over his trunk (figure 1). Neurologic examination was normal, but a lumbar spine MRI showed diminished bone marrow signal. He was thrombocytopenic (13 × 109/L) and anemic (7.2 g/dL) with an immunoglobulin M (IgM) kappa monoclonal gammopathy and bone marrow biopsy consistent with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). He was initiated on 60 mg prednisone daily and rituximab. Skin biopsy revealed nonspecific dermal edema with perivascular inflammation. Two weeks into admission, he developed left lower motor neuron facial droop, and was kept on the prednisone started 2 days prior for his WM. Shortly after that, it was noted that his Borrelia burgdorferi enzyme immunoassay (EIA) screen and supplemental B burgdorferi IgM immunoblot were positive, while the immunoglobulin G immunoblot was negative. Three weeks later, his facial palsy had resolved, but given extensive tick exposure history, he was treated with 3 weeks of doxycycline. CSF collection was deferred due to thrombocytopenia.
A New Open-Access Online Database for Resistive-Type Gas Sensor Properties and Performance

Abstract A new database has been established which will allow the gas sensor researcher to quickly and effectively compare published data to evaluate the state-of-the-art, identify deficiencies in the field, and discover trends in properties and performance that would otherwise be unidentifiable from the efforts of any one research group. This Open-access Database Of Resistive-type Sensors (ODORS) will remain openly accessible through a web browser at ( www.odorsdatabase.com ). The interface allows the user to search for, filter, and sort results based on materials composition, gas analyte, response magnitude, morphology, synthesis method, and many other relevant properties. The database has been established with data from over 150 recently published papers, but its further growth will rely on researchers around the world submitting their own published data via an easy-to-use form also available on the website. It is to the benefit of all researchers that they submit their own published data for inclusion in the database to increase discoverability and citations of their papers and exposure to their work.
Structures of fluoride containing aluminosilicate low activity nuclear waste glasses: A molecular dynamics simulations study

Abstract Fluorine and other halides commonly exist in nuclear waste forms, and due to their volatile nature, halide retention poses an issue affecting waste loading during vitrification. The compositional effect on fluorine incorporation in aluminosilicate glasses is investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. Oxygen and fluorine coordination numbers around glass former and modifier cations, bond angle distributions, and medium range structure features such as Qn distributions, ring size distributions and neutron diffraction structure factors were calculated. It was found that fluorine has higher preference to bond to Ca2+ than to Na+, both in the melt and the glass, and there is no Si-F bond formation in the glass but they do exist in the melt. Consequently, CaO for Na2O substitution can be an effective way to help fluorine retention without significantly changing the glass chemistry. These results thus provide insights on fluorine incorporation in the aluminosilicate nuclear waste glasses and the strategy on how to improve fluorine retention both in the glass and the melt.
Localized phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II by G1 cyclin-Cdk promotes cell cycle entry

Abstract The cell cycle is thought to be initiated by cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) inactivating transcriptional inhibitors of cell cycle gene-expression(1, 2). In budding yeast, the G1 cyclin Cln3-Cdk1 complex is thought to directly phosphorylate Whi5, thereby releasing the transcription factor SBF and committing cells to division(3-7). Here, we report that Cln3-Cdk1 does not phosphorylate Whi5, but instead phosphorylates the RNA Polymerase II subunit Rpb1’s C-terminal domain (CTD) on S5 of its heptapeptide repeats. Cln3-Cdk1 binds SBF-regulated promoters(8) and Cln3’s function can be performed by the canonical S5 kinase(9) Ccl1-Kin28 when synthetically recruited to SBF. Thus, Cln3-Cdk1 triggers cell division by phosphorylating Rpb1 at SBF-regulated promoters to activate transcription. Our findings blur the distinction between cell cycle and transcriptional Cdks to highlight the ancient relationship between these processes.
Exploring the Relationships Between Resilience and News Monitoring with COVID Distress in Health Profession Students

Alarming rates of anxiety and burnout in pre-clinical health profession trainees are now challenged by additional COVID-19 stressors. This study explored COVID-related stressors among first-year medical, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and veterinary medical students. The authors examined associations between resilience, news monitoring, and COVID stress. Students completed an online questionnaire that included the Brief Resilience Scale at their matriculation in August 2019. Survey results were linked to demographic information collected by all schools. A follow-up survey in May 2020 included original questions on COVID-19 stressors and news monitoring. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models. Across schools, 74% (266/360) provided consent for the 2019 survey, and 76% (201/264) responded to COVID-19 questions in the follow-up 2020 survey. Students were “extremely” or “very” concerned about family members getting infected (n = 71, 76% School of Medicine (SOM); n = 31, 76% School of Nursing (SON); n = 50, 75% School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM)) and curriculum schedule changes (n = 72, 78%, SOM; n = 28, 68% SON; n = 52, 79% SVM). Greater frequency of COVID news monitoring was associated with greater COVID-related stress (p = 0.02). Higher resilience at matriculation was associated with lower COVID-related stress ten months later (p < 0.001). Amid COVID-19 uncertainty, health science schools should address the immense student stress regarding curriculum disruptions. The results of this study underscore the powerful role of resilience in protecting against stress not only during the known academic rigor of health professions training but also during unprecedented crises.
Abstract 191: Selective Frontal Lobe Metabolic Dysfunction After Sub-arachnoid Hemorrhage

Aneurysmal SAH results in high morbidity. Patients who make a good neurological recovery report significant neuropsychological impairment such as loss of motivation, interests, and concentration, a...
Secure, Privacy Preserving and Verifiable Federating Learning using Blockchain for Internet of Vehicles

Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has been sought as a solution to realize an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for efficient traffic management. Data driven ITS requires learning from vehicular data and provide vehicles with timely information to support a wide range of safety and infotainment ITS applications. IoV is vulnerable to multitude of cyber-attacks and privacy concerns. Feder-ated Learning (FL) is on the verge of delivering the collab-orative learning by exchanging learning model parameters instead of actual data which is expected to provide privacy in IoV. However, despite featuring an inherently secure and privacy-preserving framework, FL is still vulnerable to poisoning and reverse engineering attacks. Blockchain technology (BC) has already demonstrated a zero-trust, fully secure, distributed, and auditable information recording and sharing paradigm. In this paper, we present a practical prospect of blockchain empowered federated learning to realize fully secure, privacy preserving and verifiable FL for the IoV that is capable of providing secure and trustworthy ITS services.
Deportation of criminals and immigration back to the United States: evidence from Central America and Mexico

We show that the deportation of criminals from the United States increased subsequent migration from Central America and Mexico. We focus on a time period in which U.S. policy led to significant in...
Information Needs Assessment for Coastal and Marine Management and Policy: Ecosystem Services Under Changing Climatic, Land Use, and Demographic Conditions

Changing climatic, demographic, and land use conditions are projected to alter the provisioning of ecosystem services in estuarine, coastal, and nearshore marine ecosystems, necessitating mitigation and adaptation policies and management. The current paradigm of research efforts occurring in parallel to, rather than in collaboration with, decision makers will be insufficient for the rapid responses required to adapt to and mitigate for projected changing conditions. Here, we suggest a different paradigm: one where research begins by engaging decision makers in the identification of priority data needs (biophysical, economic, and social). This paper uses synthesized interview data to provide insight into the varied demands for scientific research as described by decision makers working on coastal issues in Oregon, USA. The findings highlight the need to recognize (1) the differing framing of ecosystem services by decision makers versus scientists; and (2) the differing data priorities relevant to inland versus coastal decision makers. The findings further serve to highlight the need for decision makers, scientists, and funders to engage in increased communication. This research is an important first step in advancing efforts toward evidence-based decision making in Oregon and provides a template for further research across the US.
Null Messages Cancellation Through Load Balancing in Distributed Simulations

This paper presents the results of an emperical study of the effects of null messages cancellation through load balancing in distributed simulations. Our null-message-cancellation scheme is a modification of the Chandy-Misra protocol, wherein old null messages are discarded. We propose two load balancing strategies based upon a process migration and study its scalability on an Intel paragon machine. The experimental results show the impact of our load balancing schemes on the null message concellation protocol, where a significant reduction of the null-message overhead was observed.
Designing Intergovernmental Equalization Transfers with Imperfect Data: Concepts, Practices, and Lessons

The design of intergovernmental equalization transfer mechanisms, whether as the result of the introduction of a new transfer scheme or as part of the revision of an existing one, is a key element of local government finance reform around the world. While the basic elements and principles of designing intergovernmental fiscal transfer schemes apply universally, less developed and transition countries (LDTCs) often face the additional challenge of designing their transfer mechanisms in the absence of substantial relevant data on local fiscal, demographic, and socio-economic variables. The absence of the necessary data to adequately quantify local equalization grants in an efficient, equitable and transparent manner forms an additional hurdle in the implementation of a sound system of intergovernmental fiscal relations in many developing and transition economies.
Deliberative Democracy or Market Democracy: Designing Institutions to Aggregate Preferences and Information

I consider the design of policy making institutions to aggregate preferences and information. The mechanism design approach makes it possible to consider a large set of institutions or game forms in which participants take observable actions prior to voting. A pervasive incentive problem is found; participants that expect to have the minority preference type will have an incentive to misrepresent their information. Consequentially, if some policy relevant information is observed by fewer than three individual participants and ideological types are not highly correlated no institution can fully aggregate the information and preferences without distributing transfers. Contrary to conventional wisdom, diversity may hurt deliberation as the incentives for information transmission are worse in groups with heterogenous sources of information or low levels of ideological correlation. Institutions that distribute transfers conditional on either the validity of agent reports of facts (like information markets), or the frequency of each type of report (like clubs) can truthfully implement the full information majority rule core policy. Overall, expectations of full information and preference aggregation with strategic participants require either strong correlation of preferences, the presence of external interests to structure incentives or information structures in which each piece of information is observed by several participants.
The End of the Suffolk System

During the early years of the nineteenth century the mercantile community of Boston suffered the inconvenience of a double currency system. Boston banks accepted for deposit only “Boston money,” bank notes issued by Boston banks and readily redeemable in specie on demand at the counter of the issuing bank. But the common currency for all ordinary transactions was “foreign money” or “current money,” bank notes issued by out-of-town banks usually called country banks. Originally the Boston banks had accepted the notes of country banks at par or at a small discount and had returned them to the issuing banks for redemption rather than placing them back into circulation in Boston in competition with Boston bank notes. This policy had to be abandoned because of the inability of some country banks to redeem their excessive issues and the subterfuges adopted by other banks to avoid or delay redemption on the ground that the request for redemption was an imposition which restricted their legal circulation of bank notes. Moreover, there was always the risk that a country bank might fail before its notes could be presented for redemption by the Boston banks.
Conducting causal effects studies in science education: Considering methodological trade‐offs in the context of policies affecting research in schools

This paper focuses on the trade-offs that lie at the intersection of methodological requirements for causal effect studies and policies that affect how and to what extent schools engage in such studies. More specifically, current federal funding priorities encourage large-scale randomized studies of interventions in authentic settings. At the same time, policies that require schools to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) on state achievement tests make it risky for them to participate in trials of unproven interventions. Researchers attempting to balance rigorous study designs with the pressures felt by school districts must thoughtfully balance validity threats that are introduced in the negotiations with those districts. In this article, we draw on our experience conducting several randomized trials to discuss how these factors can be balanced. Specifically, we discuss necessary trade-offs in causal effects studies related to statistical power, measurement sensitivity, research ethics, minimizing bias, and addressing the interests of all stakeholders. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 50: 1127–1141, 2013
3-D Mechanical Analysis of the ECR Source Magnet for FRIB

The ECR source magnet of the FRIB facility has been designed by the Superconducting Magnet Program at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The magnetic parameters are close to the VENUS magnet (sextupole-in-solenoids) operated at LBNL. The mechanical assembly concept, however, is different and uses a shell-based support structure. The main advantage of this structure is the ability to finely tune the sextupole prestress both azimuthally (by way of bladder and key technology, and axially by means of end plates. This method of structural pre-loading applies the desired compression on the sextupole coils while maintaining acceptable peak stresses. Also, bladder and key technology is a reversible assembly process allowing fast and easy coil replacement, when necessary. This paper also describes the mechanical analysis required to estimate the sextupole and solenoids preloads. The stress distribution in the windings and structural components are presented during assembly, cool-down, and magnet excitation.
Monophyly of the Citharidae (Pleuronectoidei: Pleuronectiformes: Teleostei) with considerations of pleuronectoid phylogeny

The monophyly of Citharidae, the pleuronectoid family thought to be a transitional group between the Psettodoidei and other typical pleuronectoids, has been in question mainly because of the lack of recognized synapomorphies for the family. In this study, the citharid skeleton is described, and the monophyly of the family and its phylogenetic position within the Pleuronectoidei are reassessed following a phylogenetic analysis based on 45 osteological, myological, and external characters. The Citharidae was found to represent a monophyletic group, supported by six synapomorphies (e.g., first dorsal proximal radials firmly wedged into notch of blind side lateral ethmoid; anterior dorsal proximal radials tightly mutually attached; blind side posterior nostril considerably enlarged). Two previously recognized subfamilies, sinistral Citharinae and dextral Brachypleurinae, are invalid because of their nonmonophylies. Interrelationships of the pleuronectoids shown herein are discussed.
Angular — momentum — bearing modes in fission

The angular-momentum-bearing degrees of freedom involved in the fission process are identified and their influence on experimental observables is discussed. The excitation of these modes is treated in the ''thermal'' limit, and the resulting distributions of observables are calculated. Experiments demonstrating the role of these modes are presented and discussed. 61 refs., 12 figs.
Functionality of casein precipitated by carbon dioxide

Abstract The functionality of casein that was precipitated by batch by a novel process using CO 2 was investigated for solubility in water and NaCl, foam stability, overrun, emulsion activity index, and emulsion stability. These properties were compared with those of acidified casein and Na caseinate prepared in the laboratory, commercial acid casein, and commercial Na caseinate and Ca caseinates. The pH of the CO 2 casein was 6.61 in water and 6.51 in 0.1 M NaCl; only 65.5% of the casein dissolved in water, which was significantly less than the 97.5% that dissolved in NaCl. The precipitated casein had better foam stability (29min instead of 1 to 20min) than did the other caseins, although the percentage overrun was lower (397% compared with 511 to 868%; 15-min whipping time). Emulsion stability (222min) and emulsion activity index (56m 2 /g) of the precipitated casein were not significantly different from those of caseins prepared in the laboratory but were significantly different from those of commercial caseins. All properties except foam stability were not significantly affected by variations between batches or days. The precipitated casein had functional properties that were significantly different from caseins and caseinates that were produced commercially or in the laboratory.
Light scattering properties of kidney epithelial cells and nuclei

Enlargement of mammalian cells nuclei due to the cancerous inflammation can be detected early through noninvasive optical techniques. We report on the results of cellular experiments, aimed towards the development of a fiber optic endoscopic probe used for precancerous detection of Barrett's esophagus. We previously presented white light scattering results from tissue phantoms (polystyrene polybead microspheres). In this paper, we discuss light scattering properties of epithelial MDCK (Madine-Darby Canine Kidney) cells and cell nuclei suspensions. A bifurcated optical fiber is used for experimental illumination and signal detection. The resulting scattering spectra from the cells do not exhibit the predicted Mie theory oscillatory behavior inherent to ideally spherical scatterers, such as polystyrene microspheres. However, we are able to demonstrate that the Fourier transform spectra of the cell suspensions are well correlated with the Fourier transform spectra of cell nuclei, concluding that the dominate scatterer in the backscattering region is the nucleus. This correlation experimentally illustrates that in the backscattering region, the cell nuclei are the main scatterer in the cells of the incident light.
The value implications of the practice of paid search

La pratique croissante de la recherche payee au sein de l'industrie des moteurs de recherche du Web remet en cause des valeurs ethiques tenues pour vitales dans une societe democratique : la liberte par rapport aux partis pris, la vie privee et la confiance. La protection de ces valeurs n'est pas incompatible avec les objectifs de la recherche payee et doit etre integree des la conception.
Survey of metals in sediments near Quonset Point, Rhode Island

Abstract Elevated levels of silver, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc were observed in sediments collected from Narragansett Bay off Quonset Point during autumn of 1973. The probable source of the metals contamination was an electroplating facility on Quonset Point, in continuous operation from 1943 until it was closed in spring of 1973. Data on elemental composition of surficial sediments collected from various geographical locations reported by other investigators are presented and compared to those reported herein.
Vegetation and Climate of the Southern Chilean lake District During and Since the last Interglaciation

Abstract The palynology of stratigraphic sections from road-cut and gravel-pit exposures and from a fen and sphagnum bogs in the southern part of the Chilean lake district (40° 53′ S, 72°37′ W-41°24′ S, 72°53′ W) is the basis for interpreting vegetation and climate during the last interglaciation and glaciation (named Llanquihue Glaciation) and during the post-glacial. To help interpretation, modern pollen rain was studied in relation to vegetation and altitude along a transect on the west slope of the Andes, and average January (summer) temperatures were interpreted. The upper limit of closed Andean forest, where wind is a determinant, appears to be close to the 12°C January isotherm; parkland in southern Chile does not exceed the January isotherm of 9°C. Grassland and later southern beech forest are evident during the interglaciation that is dated at more than 39,900 radiocarbon yr. Climate of the grassland was relatively dry; during the forest phase, it was wet, cool, and approximately the same as at present. During Llanquihue Glaciation, average January temperature is estimated to have been about 8°C colder than today at 19,450 BP, some 5° colder shortly before 36,300 BP, and around 4° colder at 10,000 BP. Antarctic-alpine tundra or parkland, under colder, drier climate, is mostly in evidence in the vicinity of the study sites before about 12,000 BP. During the postglacial, forest communities occupied the lake district, and temperatures there were probably 1–2°C above (by 6500 BP) and as much as 2° below (4500-0 BP) the present-day average of about 16°. This pattern of climatic changes finds accord, in general terms, in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere where palynological, chronological, and glacial geological studies are reported. Postulated as a cause of these changes are shifts in the intensity of air mass circulation in antarctic latitudes.
Quantitative evaluation of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P levels in rat spinal cord following peripheral nerve injury

Levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) and substance P immunoreactivity (SP-ir) in the lumbar dorsal spinal cord of rats with either sciatic nerve transection or chronic constriction injury (CCI) were measured using radioimmunoassay. Significant decreases in CGRP-ir and SP-ir occurred in the ipsilateral spinal cord at 10 and 31 days after nerve transection. An ipsilateral decrease in SP-ir occurred 60 days after CCI. In addition, contralateral decreases in CGRP-ir and SP-ir occurred 31 days after transection and 60 days after CCI. Transection of the sciatic nerve produced greater decreases in peptide levels than did the CCI. Changes in spinal levels of these peptides may be involved in the appearance of neuropathic signs associated with nerve injury.
Immunoglobulin determinations for the detection of perinatal infections

IgM immunoglobulin levels are often elevated in infants in association with congenital and perinatal infections. When these children are identified, specific studies can be conducted to attempt to identify the cause of the immune response. The gel diffusion technique is useful to determine IgM levels; however, there is some variation and reference standards need to be improved. The study of immunoglobulin levels is useful for research on perinatal infections and the causes of congenital malformations and neurological and sensory disorders. The tests of IgM are also of supplemental value for clinical use in the identification of congenital and newborn infections.
Cereal ingestion and catecholamine excretion

Abstract We have identified a group of cereal foodstuffs that contain an enzyme, presumably a tyrosinase, which converts dietary tyrosine to dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). Nabisco Wheat Thins and Kretchmer's Wheat Germ are good sources of this enzyme. Urinary catecholamines and their metabolites were measured in subjects ingesting either a cereal-rich diet or a control diet containing milk or eggs as their only protein source. Consumption of the cereal diet was associated with a fourfold increase in the excretion of conjugated dopamine (DA), and a two-fold increase in conjugated dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Homovanillic acid (HVA) excretion was not significantly influenced by diet. These findings suggest that DOPA is synthesized in the human gastrointestinal tract following the consumption of a cereal-containing diet. Cereal ingestion is thus a potential source of error in clinical studies of catecholamine metabolism.
Local estimates for the Hausdorff dimension of an attractor

On the other hand, the hyperbolic equations fail to exhibit a similar behaviour. However, in the model equation u+αu˙-Δu+g(u)=f, u(O)=u 0 (1.1) the solution operator S(t) can be decomposed into the sum of two operators S 1 (t) and S 2 (t). In this decomposition, S 2 (t) denotes the solution operator for the linear problem
Ground and Triplet Excited Structures and Spectroscopic Properties of Halogenated Zinc meso-Tetraphenylporphyrin

Structures of the ground and triplet excited state of zinc meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) and its β-octahalogenated derivatives (ZnTPPX8 with X = F, Cl, and Br) have been predicted using density functional theory (DFT) with Becke's three-parameter functional. The excitation energies, computed by singles CI and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), are consistent with the observed trends, with TDDFT values in near quantitative agreement with experiment. For ZnTPPBr8, we found that geometry distortion contributes about one-third of the redshifts observed for the Q and B bands in the ground-state spectrum. The results for ZnTPPX8 and the nonphenylated ZnPX8 provide insightful accounts of effects of phenyl, fluoro, chloro, and bromo substituents on the excitation energies of these systems. The computed singlet−triplet (S0−T1) splitting of ZnTPP is in excellent agreement with experiment. The S0−T1 splitting is predicted to be significantly (0.4−0.5 eV) redshifted upon β-chlorination and β-bromination.
A new method for the detection of enolase activity on polyacrylamide gels.

Abstract A method for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of enolase on polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis or isoelectricfocusing is described. The procedure is based upon the acid hydrolysis of the primary reaction product, phosphoenolpyruvate, to pyruvate which then is detected as its phenylhydrazone. The method has been successfully applied to crude and homogeneous preparations of enolase from yeast, the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti , and rat liver and muscle. Enolase levels as low as 0.2 unit (approximately 0.2 μg) can be readily detected. Though there is an inherent problem of diffusion in the postincubation coupling technique, isozymes can be accurately assayed on gels when separated to the extent of 1 cm.
HuR Is Necessary for Mammary Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Polarity at Least in Part via ΔNp63

HuR, a RNA binding protein, is known to function as a tumor maintenance gene in breast cancer and associated with tumor growth and poor prognosis. However, the cellular function of this protein remains largely unknown in normal mammary epithelial cells. Here, we showed that in immortalized MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, HuR knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and enhances premature senescence. We also showed that in three-dimensional culture, MCF10A cells with HuR knockdown form abnormal acini with filled lumen and an aberrant expression pattern of the extracellular matrix protein laminin V. In addition, we showed that HuR knockdown increases ΔNp63, but decreases wild-type p53, expression in MCF10A cells. Moreover, we showed that ΔNp63 knockdown partially rescues the proliferative defect induced by HuR knockdown in MCF10A cells. Consistent with this, we identified two U-rich elements in the 3′-untranslated region of p63 mRNA, to which HuR specifically binds. Finally, we showed that HuR knockdown enhances ΔNp63 mRNA translation but has no effect on p63 mRNA turnover. Together, our data suggest that HuR maintains cell proliferation and polarity of mammary epithelial cells at least in part via ΔNp63.
Hypothalamic factors differentially affect the proportions of cells that secrete growth hormone or prolactin.

Hypothalmic factors have been shown to regulate acutely the synthesis and release of adenohypophyseal hormones, yet few studies have investigated the long term effects of these agents on adenohypophyseal cell types. In the present study, we assessed the chronic influence of selected hypothalamic factors on the relative proportions of GH- and PRLsecreting cells in pituitary cultures derived from 5-day-old rats. Primary cultures were established and incubated for 6 days in the presence or absence of 0.1-μM doses of GH-releasing factor, LHRH, CRF, TRH, or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and then subjected to reverse hemolytic plaque assays for analysis of the percentages of cells that released GH or PRL. In cultures from males, GH-releasing factor and LHRH treatment caused an increase in the proportion of PRL secretors and a commensurate decrease in the GH population. CRF increased PRL cells without affecting the GH secretors, while TRH reduced the percentages of both cell types, and vasoactive intestinal ...
The age-dependent decline of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis of follow-up studies

Background. This study examined the persistence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adulthood.Method. We analyzed data from published follow-up studies of ADHD. To be included in the analysis, these additional studies had to meet the following criteria: the study included a control group and it was clear from the methods if the diagnosis of ADHD included subjects who did not meet full criteria but showed residual and impairing signs of the disorder. We used a meta-analysis regression model to separately assess the syndromatic and symptomatic persistence of ADHD.Results. When we define only those meeting full criteria for ADHD as having ‘persistent ADHD’, the rate of persistence is low, ~15% at age 25 years. But when we include cases consistent with DSM-IV's definition of ADHD in partial remission, the rate of persistence is much higher, ~65%.Conclusions. Our results show that estimates of ADHD's persistence rely heavily on how one defines persistence. Yet, regardless of definition, our analyses show that evidence for ADHD lessens with age. More work is needed to determine if this reflects true remission of ADHD symptoms or is due to the developmental insensitivity of diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
Spontaneous Healing of Mohs Wounds of the Cheek: A Cosmetic Assessment

background Facial defects after Mohs surgery may be closed at the time of surgery, shortly thereafter, or allowed to heal spontaneously. Selection of appropriate management options requires accurate prediction of the final cosmetic result. objective To determine the relative merits of treatment options for facial defects resulting from Mohs surgery. methods We prospectively and retrospectively analyzed outcomes for 132 wounds of the cheek resulting from Mohs surgery and allowed to heal spontaneously. The cheek was delineated into topographic areas and the wound location, size, and depth were recorded. Patients were observed intermittently, and a final evaluation of cosmesis was made after ≥6 months. results Most wounds in the nasolabial fold and preauricular areas healed with excellent results and half the wounds in the medial area of the cheek healed with good or excellent results. Central and mandibular areas of the cheek healed unpredictably, and results were unsatisfactory for most of these wounds. conclusion Final cosmetic results of Mohs surgery in the cheek area can be predicted on the basis of location, size, and depth of the wound, enabling physicians to knowledgeably select the most suitable treatment option.
Analysis of Flow Physics and Jet-Mainstream Interaction in Leading Edge Filmcooling Using Large Eddy Simulation

A numerical investigation is conducted to study leading edge film cooling at a compound angle with Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The domain geometry is adopted from an experimental set-up (Ekkad et al. [14]) where turbine blade leading edge is represented by a semi-cylindrical blunt body. The leading edge has two rows of coolant holes located at ±15° of the stagnation line. Coolant jets are injected into the flow field at 30° (spanwise) and 90° (streamwise). Reynolds number of the mainstream is 100,000 and jet to mainstream velocity and density ratios are 0.4 and 1.0, respectively. The results show the existence of an asymmetric counter-rotating vortex pair in the immediate wake of the coolant jet. In addition to these primary structures, vortex tubes on the windward side of the jet are convected downstream over and to the aft- and fore-side of the counter-rotating vortex pair. All these structures play a role in the mixing of mainstream fluid with the coolant. A turbulent boundary layer forms within 2 jet diameters downstream of the jet. A characteristic low frequency interaction between the jet and the mainstream is identified at a non-dimensional frequency between 0.79 and 0.95 based on jet diameter and velocity. The spanwise averaged adiabatic effectiveness agrees well with the experiments when fully-developed turbulence is used to provide time-dependent boundary conditions at the jet inlet, without which the calculated effectiveness is overpredicted.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Arachidonic acid metabolites do not mediate toluene diisocyanate-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in Guinea pigs

Arachidonic acid metabolites have previously been demonstrated to mediate the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in guinea pigs and dogs after exposure to ozone. Guinea pigs were treated with indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), U-60,257 (piriprost, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor), or BW775c (a lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitor) and exposed to air or 3 ppm TDI. Airway responsiveness to acetylcholine aerosol was examined 2 h after exposure. In control animals, the provocative concentration of acetylcholine which caused a 200% increase in pulmonary resistance over baseline (PC200) was significantly less (p less than 0.05) after exposure to TDI (8.6 +/- 2.0 mg/ml, geometric mean + geometric SE, n = 10) than after exposure to air (23.9 + 2.5 mg/ml, n = 14). The airway responsiveness to acetylcholine in animals treated with indomethacin or piriprost and exposed to TDI was not different from that of control animals exposed to TDI. Treatment with BW755c enhanced the airway hyperresponsiveness observed in animals exposed to TDI without altering the PC200 of animals exposed to air. The PC200 of animals treated with BW755c and exposed to TDI (2.3 + 0.8 mg/ml, n = 8) was significantly lower than the PC200 of control animals exposed to TDI (p less than 0.025). Thesemore » results suggest that products of arachidonic acid metabolism are not responsible for TDI-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs. BW755c, however, appears to potentiate the TDI-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine by an as yet unidentified mechanism.« less
Optimization of an External Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser for Chemical Sensing Applications

We describe and characterize an external cavity quantum cascade laser designed for detection of multiple airborne chemicals, and used with a compact astigmatic Herriott cell for sensing of acetone and hydrogen peroxide.
Product variety and manufacturing complexity in assembly systems and supply chains

Mixed-model assembly systems and modular supply chains are enablers to high product variety. However, as variety gets very high, the assembly and supply processes can become very complex. In assembly systems, the complexity may cause human errors and in turn impacts system performance. The complexity also impacts supply chain configuration and inventory control policy. This paper proposes a unified measure and models of complexity to assist in designing systems with robust performances. Complexity is defined as an entropy function of product variety and models are developed to describe the complexity propagation in multi-stage assembly systems and multi-echelon supply chains. Applications of the models are presented for complexity mitigation.
Structural features required for the binding of tRNATrp to avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase.

Abstract The basis of the specific binding of tRNATrp by avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase was studied by chemical and enzymatic modification of the RNA. Binding does not depend on recognition of the tryptophan anticodon since molecules cleaved in the anticodon are stably bound by the enzyme. Modification of pseudouridine residues in the tRNA destroys binding to reverse transcriptase. These results are consistent with a model in which reverse transcriptase-tRNATrp interaction occurs not at the anticodon, but at regions in the tRNA which contain or are stabilized by pseudouridine residues.
Current techniques in preoperative imaging for abdomen-based perforator flap microsurgical breast reconstruction

Perforator-based microsurgical reconstruction of the breast has steadily increased since the introduction of the technique in the 1990s. The procedure appears to offer less postoperative pain, lower abdominal morbidity, and better preservation of the rectus muscles than the more conventional flaps. However, the major disadvantage of these flaps that they can be difficult to harvest, resulting in a longer operative times. The challenges in flap dissection are a result of the variability in the vascular anatomy of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and its perforating branches through the rectus muscle. The location, number, and caliber of the perforators and the intramuscular trajectory of the DIEA branches vary greatly not only from individual to individual, but from one hemiabdomen to the other. The establishment of a presurgical map of the vessels on the abdomen facilitates surgical planning and may decrease operating room time, reduce intraoperative complications, and possibly improve outcomes. This article reviews the available techniques for preoperative planning with the currently available imaging modalities of handheld Doppler, color Doppler (duplex) ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography.
The Phagocytosis and Toxicity of Amorphous Silica

Background Inhalation of crystalline silica is known to cause an inflammatory reaction and chronic exposure leads to lung fibrosis and can progress into the disease, silicosis. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Methodology/Principal Findings Amorphous silica particles are phagocytosed by macrophage cells and a single internalized particle is capable of killing a cell. Fluorescent dextran is released from endo-lysosomes within two hours after silica treatment and Caspase-3 activation occurs within 4 hours. Interestingly, toxicity is specific to macrophage cell lines. Other cell types are resistant to silica particle toxicity even though they internalize the particles. The large and uniform size of the spherical, amorphous silica particles allowed us to monitor them during the uptake process. In mCherry-actin transfected macrophages, actin rings began to form 1-3 minutes after silica binding and the actin coat disassembled rapidly following particle internalization. Pre-loading cells with fluorescent dextran allowed us to visualize the fusion of phagosomes with endosomes during internalization. These markers provided two new ways to visualize and quantify particle internalization. At 37°C the rate of amorphous silica internalization was very rapid regardless of particle coating. However, at room temperature, opsonized silica is internalized much faster than non-opsonized silica. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcγRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis.
Pharmacy student self-perception of weight and relationship to counseling patients on lifestyle modification.

Objective. To assess the accuracy of pharmacy students’ self-assessment of body mass index (BMI) and determine the relationship of this to comfort level in counseling patients regarding lifestyle modification. Methods. A prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted that included first-, second-, and third-year pharmacy students who had previously undergone training in BMI self-assessment. Data on students’ weight and height were collected and a survey that contained questions on self-perception of body weight and comfort with lifestyle counseling was conducted. Perceived BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese) were then compared to actual calculated BMI to determine the accuracy of the student’s self-perception. Results. At baseline, participants’ accuracy in self-assessment of BMI was 74%, 73.3%, and 75.6% respectively, for first-, second-, and third-year students (p=0.911). Students accuracy increased but not significantly as they progressed through the curriculum (7.2% and 13.3%, respectively; p=0.470 and p=0.209). Neither accuracy in self-assessment of BMI nor students’ actual BMI significantly affected students’ comfort level with lifestyle modification counseling within healthy weight, overweight, or obese patient categories. However, as the patients’ BMI category increased, comfort level differences were observed among students of normal and overweight categories. Conclusion. Patients’ BMI category may be a significant barrier to pharmacy students’ comfort level in providing lifestyle modification counseling. This finding suggests the need to implement curriculum changes to better prepare students for lifestyle modification counseling.
SOYBEAN OIL PLASTICIZERS AS REPLACEMENT OF PETROLEUM OIL IN RUBBER

ABSTRACT Polymerized soybean oils of different molecular weights were used as plasticizers in NR/SBR compositions. The oils of different molecular weights and viscosities were synthesized by cation...
The Outpatient Clinic as a Critical Setting for Surgical Clerkship Teaching

To define the role of the outpatient clinic in the teaching of surgery, third‐year medical students participated in a pilot program of an entirely outpatient multispecialty clinic experience. Patient encounters (total 1, 532) were logged as inpatient or outpatient by established criteria. Overall, 61% of patient encounters in the outpatient clinic involved a surgical diagnosis currently managed entirely on an outpatient basis. Data illustrate the importance of the outpatient setting in providing a complete and broad exposure to surgery and the surgical specialties.
Tyrosine hydroxylase in rat brain--cofactor requirements, regional and subcellular distribution.

Abstract A sensitive, radiochemical assay for tyrosine hydroxylase in rat brain is described. The enzyme is stimulated by catalase, dihydropteridine reductase and ferrous ion; maximal activity was found by homogenization in hypotonie buffer containing Triton X-100. Milligram quantities of rat brain tissue could be assayed at saturating concentrations of l -tyrosine. The enzyme is concentrated in the nerve terminal fractions as demonstrated by subcellular distribution studies. Seventy per cent of the activity can be released into the soluble fractions by hypotonie shock.
Voluntary Human Engineering, Climate Change, and N-Person Prisoners Dilemmas

I agree with Liao et al. (2012) that anthropogenic global climate change (AGCC) is an urgent problem, and I am inclined to agree with them that we should take seriously the possibility of human eng...
Changes in enzymes (GOT and GDH) and metals (Zn, Mn, and Mg) in liver of rats during endocrine imbalance and caloric restriction.

Extract: Restriction of essential trace metals in the diet interferes with growth. In this study the converse conditions pertained. Livers from calorie-restricted and hypophysectomized rats (with or without hormone treatment) were analyzed for protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid DNA), Mn, Zn, and Mg content and for enzyme activity of glutamic oxalic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH). The data are expressed per unit of DNA in liver. Hypophysectomized rats had reduced amounts of metal and enzyme activity in liver and also decreased protein and RNA: DNA ratios. Calorie-restricted rats with adequate protein intake showed opposite findings. GOT activity was not increased. Injection of insulin or bovine growth hormone into hypophysectomized rats increased liver weight and protein and RNA content, but injection of growth hormone only increased DNA content. Injection of insulin increased Zn, Mn, and Mg content and GDH activity per unit of DNA. These results closely resembled the analyses in liver of a previously reported calorie-restricted group. Injection of growth hormone decreased values per unit of DNA, but only significantly so for Zn, RNA, and protein. Conjoint injection of growth hormone and epinephrine inhibited accretion of protein and reduced expected increments in DNA. The RNA: DNA ratio increased, however, and presumably, Mg and Zn were taken up by the liver cell. Sympathetic stimulation inhibited growth. Activity of GDH in liver paralleled the Zn: DNA ratio, and the latter closely followed fluctuations in the RNA: DNA ratio. Activity of GOT, normally directed toward gluconeogenesis, increased in the absence of protein accretion. Speculation: Zn and Mn play important intermediate roles in the action of hormones, particularly growth hormone, at the cellular level. Zn is closely retarded to both enzyme activity and RNA activity and to protein synthesis. The Mn: DNA ratio in liver reaches constancy at weaning, and departures from expected values at postweaning may represent changes in mitochondrial mass under abnormal conditions. The similarity in the analyses of liver of hypophysectomized rats treated with insulin and of calorie-restricted rats may indicate that insulin activity is more influential than is growth hormone activity during caloric restriction with adequate protein intake.