cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeting Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolases in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension A New Approach to Improve Vascular Dysfunction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating and life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressures leading to progressive symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and a decline in functional ability. The hemodynamic definition of PAH is a mean pulmonary artery pressure of >25 mm Hg at rest or >30 mm Hg during exercise, with a normal pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≤15 mm Hg.1 Recent data from a French registry suggests that the prevalence of PAH is about 15 cases per 1 million,1 and the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management (REVEAL) demonstrates that the mean age at diagnosis is 48 years and that mostly women (80%) are affected.2 The pathophysiology of PAH includes endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling with progressive obstruction and obliteration of pulmonary arteries, and ultimately, high right atrial pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular failure, and death.1 Endothelial dysfunction is believed to be an early event in PAH, and is characterized by overproduction of vasoconstrictor/mitogenic compounds, such as endothelin and thromboxane A2, and by insufficient production of vasodilators, such as prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO). These observations led to the development of 3 different classes of therapies that are currently in clinics, either alone or in combination: prostacyclin analogs, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Although current therapies can improve symptoms and reduce severity of the hemodynamic disorders, gradual deterioration of pulmonary and cardiac functions often necessitates lung transplantation. The prognosis of PAH is reportedly poor, with ≈15% mortality within 1 year of modern therapy.1 Therefore, a renewed interest has been focused on the mechanisms of PAH pathogenesis to identify a novel therapeutic target. Article see p 1194 It is now well established that disruption or dysfunction of the endothelium promotes vascular lesion formation. This …
Bilane synthesis through bilene-a: An alternative approach

Abstract An alternative approach to bilanes has been developed which involves reduction of a bilene-a derivative with an unprotected terminal α position. The required bilene-a was constructed by acid-catalyzed condensation of an appropriate tripyrrane carboxylic acid with a formylpyrrole. The new route is demonstrated by the syntheses of aminomethylbilane and 18-butyrate aminomethylbilane.
SPECTROMICROSCOPY OF BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AT STONY BROOK: INSTRUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Soft X-ray microscopy allows one to study nanoscale heterogeneities in dry and wet environmental science, biological, polymer, and geochemical specimens. Recent advances in instrumentation at the X-1A beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory are described. Spectromicroscopy data analysis methods including component mapping and principal component analysis (PCA) are then discussed.
Interobserver Variability of Sonography for Prediction of Placenta Accreta

OBJECTIVES The sensitivity of sonography to predict accreta has been reported as higher than 90%. However, most studies are from single expert investigators. Our objective was to analyze interobserver variability of sonography for prediction of placenta accreta. METHODS Patients with previa with and without accreta were ascertained, and images with placental views were collected, deidentified, and placed in random sequence. Three radiologists and 3 maternal-fetal medicine specialists interpreted each study for the presence of accreta and specific findings reported to be associated with its diagnosis. Investigator-specific sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. κ statistics were used to assess variability between individuals and types of investigators. RESULTS A total of 229 sonographic studies from 55 patients with accreta and 56 control patients were examined. Accuracy ranged from 55.9% to 76.4%. Of imaging studies yielding diagnoses, sensitivity ranged from 53.4% to 74.4%, and specificity ranged from 70.8% to 94.8%. Overall interobserver agreement was moderate (mean κ ± SD = 0.47 ± 0.12). κ values between pairs of investigators ranged from 0.32 (fair agreement) to 0.73 (substantial agreement). Average individual agreement ranged from fair (κ = 0.35) to moderate (κ = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS Blinded from clinical data, sonography has significant interobserver variability for the diagnosis of placenta accreta.
Adventitial fibroblasts: backstage journeymen.

Although it has been 20 years since the acceptance of the endothelial layer as more than a hemostatic barrier in the blood vessel, the adventitia continues to be primarily considered a supporting structure, and its role in vascular disease has been easily dismissed. However, there is increasing support for the adventitia as a mediator of vascular dysfunction and a potential therapeutic target.1 2 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Shi et al3 report elevated superoxide levels in coronary adventitial fibroblasts within 1 day of balloon injury. The source of superoxide appears to be NAD(P)H oxidase. The observation that adventitial fibroblasts generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to vessel injury is not necessarily surprising. After injury, growth factors and cytokines are released from platelets and cell debris. NAD(P)H oxidase expression and superoxide production in fibroblasts increase within hours after exposure to angiotensin II.4 If vessel injury is severe and there is medial disruption, adventitial cells are activated, whereas when injury is mild, without rupture of the internal elastic membrane, adventitial activation is modest.5 6 These observations suggest that in response to endoluminal injury, locally released substances activate fibroblasts. How can cells in the adventitia, which are relatively distant from the endothelium and subendothelial space, …
I'm Hot, So I'd Say You're Not: The Influence of Objective Physical Attractiveness on Mate Selection

Four studies investigated the importance of objective and subjective attributes to mate selection. This research tested whether perceivers' objective physical attractiveness influenced how they evaluated the physical attractiveness of others and, if considered, may provide a parsimonious account for matching in mate selection. Study 1 (N = 102) demonstrated that ratings of targets' attractiveness decreased as perceivers' objective physical attractiveness increased. Studies 2 (N = 89) and 3 (N = 68) revealed that as perceivers' objective physical attractiveness increased, reductions in expected satisfaction and rejection were mediated by perceivers' reduced assessments of targets' attractiveness. Study 4 (N = 114) produced patterns of matching by finding that attractive perceivers expected to date more attractive targets while unattractive perceivers expected to date less attractive targets. This research emphasizes the importance of objective physical attractiveness to target evaluations and describes how matching results from the combined influence of objective and subjective attributes.
Wavelength division multiplexing in local area networks

Summary form only given, as follows. Transmitting and processing large blocks of data in real time will require broad-bandwidth networks. Next generation networks must also provide fault tolerance, flexibility, and scalability. Furthermore, future networks must avoid packet contention and minimize packet latency required by user applications such as image and voice transmission. To meet the foregoing new challenges, WDM networks are under intense investigation. These multi-channel networks can potentially achieve higher throughputs, lower delays and greater reliability than single channel optical networks. Two experimental high-speed WDM networks, STARNET and CORD, are being developed at Stanford University. Both networking experiments deal with the issues of signaling, contention resolution, synchronization and computer interfacing. In this talk, both projects will be described.
Sarcoma of the leg in a newborn infant

Summary 1. A case of sarcoma of the leg in a newborn infant is presented. 2. The rarity of this type of case makes it difficult to set rigid criteria for modes of therapy. Treatment must be individualized after all known factors are weighed. 3. Wide local en bloc dissection with regional lymph node dissection appears to be a satisfactory mode of treatment for sarcoma of the newborn.
Primary subcutaneous Alternaria alternata infection of the hand in an immunocompromised host

We describe a case of a progressive subcutaneous Alternaria alternata infection in the hand of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The diagnosis was based upon the examination of tissue biopsy and isolation of the etiologic agent in culture. The identity of the isolate was determined by phenotypic characteristics and by sequencing the ITS and D1/D2 regions of the rDNA. Despite combination therapy with voriconazole and micafungin, the lesion continued to progress. Posaconazole therapy, along with surgical excision of the infected tissue, resulted in the eradication of infection. The limitations of the clinical management of invasive Alternaria infections are discussed.
High Quality MPCVD Epitaxial Diamond Film for Power Device Application

As a wide bandgap (5.47 eV) semiconductor material, single crystal diamond has high electron mobility (reportedly between 2000 and 4400 cm2V-1s-1), high electron saturation velocity (2×107 cms-1), high breakdown voltage (>107 Vcm-1), and high thermal conductivity (>21 Wcm-1K-1). Diamond-based semiconductor devices offer the potential of operation at high voltages, power levels, temperatures and under extreme radiation conditions. In this work, we present our effort to grow high quality homo-epitaxial diamond films on (100)-single crystal diamond substrates by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The growth rate can vary from 0.01 to 100 micrometers per hour, depending on growth conditions, doping, and quality; and using a “lift-off” process, free-standing homo-epi films with remarkably low p-type doping (1×1014–1×1017 cm-3) and exceptionally low compensation ∼ 1×1013 cm-3 have been made. Vertical and lateral structure high voltage diamond Schottky rectifiers have been built for frequency dependent capacitance-voltage (C-V), and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. A breakdown voltage of 8 kV at 100 μm distance and 12.4 kV at 300 μm distance is recorded for lateral structure devices without Ohmic contact (back to back Schottky contacts), while an un-optimized vertical device with an back-side Ohmic contact has demonstrated a forward voltage drop of 7 V at 18 A/cm2 in a device that can only block 600 V. New test results show 3.7 kV blocking voltage vertical devices on 20 μm freestanding MPCVD diamond film. This data shows that the quality of diamond film extremely affect the electrical properties of the built devices.
Classifier Swarms for Human Detection in Infrared Imagery

In this paper, we describe a new method for visual recognition of objects in an image that combines feature-based object classification with efficient search mechanisms based on swarm intelligence. Our approach utilizes the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), a population based evolutionary algorithm, which is effective for optimization of a wide range of functions. PSO searches a multi-dimensional solution space for a global optimum using a population of "particles" in which each particle has its own velocity vector. In our approach, we extend PSO using sequential niching methods to handle multiple minima. Also, in our approach, each particle in the swarm is actually a self-contained classifier that "flys" through the solution space seeking the most "object-like" regions. By performing this optimization, the classifier swarm simultaneously finds objects in the scene, determines their size, and optimizes the classifier parameters.
Vasoprotective Effects of Life Span-Extending Peripubertal GH Replacement in Lewis Dwarf Rats

In humans, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and low circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) significantly increase the risk for cerebrovascular disease. Genetic growth hormone (GH)/IGF-1 deficiency in Lewis dwarf rats significantly increases the incidence of late-life strokes, similar to the effects of GHD in elderly humans. Peripubertal treatment of Lewis dwarf rats with GH delays the occurrence of late-life stroke, which results in a significant extension of life span. The present study was designed to characterize the vascular effects of life span-extending peripubertal GH replacement in Lewis dwarf rats. Here, we report, based on measurements of dihydroethidium fluorescence, tissue isoprostane, GSH, and ascorbate content, that peripubertal GH/IGF-1 deficiency in Lewis dwarf rats increases vascular oxidative stress, which is prevented by GH replacement. Peripubertal GHD did not alter superoxide dismutase or catalase activities in the aorta nor the expression of Cu-Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase in the cerebral arteries of dwarf rats. In contrast, cerebrovascular expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 was significantly decreased in dwarf vessels, and this effect was reversed by GH treatment. Peripubertal GHD significantly decreases expression of the Nrf2 target genes NQO1 and GCLC in the cerebral arteries, whereas it does not affect expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular expression of IGF-1, IGF-binding proteins, and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interluekin-6, interluekin-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1). In conclusion, peripubertal GH/IGF-1 deficiency confers pro-oxidative cellular effects, which likely promote an adverse functional and structural phenotype in the vasculature, and results in accelerated vascular impairments later in life.
Bidirectional TSH and IGF-1 receptor cross talk mediates stimulation of hyaluronan secretion by Graves' disease immunoglobins.

Context: There is no pathogenetically linked medical therapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Lack of animal models and conflicting in vitro studies have hindered the development of such therapy. Recent reports propose that Graves' Igs bind to and activate thyrotropin receptors (TSHRs) and IGF-1 receptors (IGF-1Rs) on cells in orbital fat, stimulating hyaluronan (HA) secretion, a component of GO. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate potential cross talk between TSHRs and IGF-1Rs in the pathogenesis of GO using a sensitive HA assay. Design/Setting/Participants: Orbital fibroblasts from GO patients were collected in an academic clinical practice and cultured in a research laboratory. Cells were treated with TSH, IGF-1, and a monoclonal Graves' Ig M22. Main Outcome Measures: HA was measured by a modified ELISA. Results: Simultaneous activation by TSH and IGF-1 synergistically increased HA secretion from 320 ± 52 for TSH and 430 ± 65 μg/mL for IGF-1 alone, to 1300 ± 95 μg/mL. IGF-1 shifted...
Estradiol enhances learning and memory in a spatial memory task and effects levels of monoaminergic neurotransmitters.

The effects of chronic estrogen treatment on radial arm maze performance and on levels of central monoaminergic and amino acid neurotransmitters were examined in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. In an eight arms baited paradigm, choice accuracy was enhanced following 12 days but not 3 days of treatment. In addition, performance during acquisition of the eight arms baited maze task was better in estrogen-treated Ovx rats than in Ovx rats. Performance of treated rats was also enhanced in win-shift trials conducted 12 days postestrogen treatment. Working, reference, and working-reference memory was examined when four of the eight arms were baited, and only working memory was improved by estrogen and only after long-term treatment. Activity of Ovx rats on an open field, crossings and rearings, was increased at 5 but not at 35 days following estrogen treatment. In medial prefrontal cortex, levels of NE, DA, and 5-HT were decreased but glutamate and GABA levels were not affected following chronic estrogen treatment. Basal forebrain nuclei also showed changes in monoamines following estrogen. Hippocampal subfields showed no effects of estrogen treatment on monoaminergic or amino acid transmitters. Levels of GABA were increased in the vertical diagonal bands following chronic estrogen. Results show that estrogen enhances learning/memory on a task utilizing spatial memory. Effects in Ovx rats appear to require the chronic (several days) presence of estrogen. Changes in activity of both monoaminergic and amino acid transmitters in the frontal cortex and basal forebrain may contribute to enhancing effects of estrogen on learning/memory.
Sources of salmonellas in market swine.

A commercial swine fattening ration containing animal origin ingredients was shown to be related to the salmonella excretion of market pigs being sent to slaughter from a well-managed farm. When similar animals from this farm were fed a ration of much lower salmonella content, due to exclusion of ingredients of animal origin, their excretion declined as measured by both rectal and caecal swabs. When subsequent lots of pigs consumed a pelleted weaner ration and the special supplement only, before being exposed to a supplement containing the usual level of contamination, they seemed to be refractory to infection. Probably, this was a function of age at first exposure. With prospective methods it was possible to show that salmonellas from the abattoir environment could infect pigs, that they would excrete them within a very short time, and that organisms from this source could be demonstrated at slaughter and shown to be a cause of carcass contamination. While these findings support the view that the build-up of salmonellas hi pigs is by contact with a contaminated environment, they indicate that the primary source of the contamination is most probably the salmonella-excreting pig which has consumed contaminated feed ingredients on its farm of origin. If the great majority of pigs went to slaughter salmonella-free they would not serve as a source of infection to other pigs being sent to slaughter. Their intestinal contents could not contaminate carcass sides in the slaughtering process. This should help to prevent the contamination with salmonellas of the food preparation area of both homes and commercial eating establishments.
Loss of the EP2 prostaglandin E2 receptor in immortalized human keratinocytes results in increased invasiveness and decreased paxillin expression.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor subtype EP2, which is coupled to cAMP metabolism, is known to mediate proliferation of primary human keratinocytes in vitro. The effect of gain or loss of EP2 receptors in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCat cells) was examined. HaCat keratinocytes were transfected with sense or anti-sense constructs of the EP2 receptor. Loss or gain of EP2 expression was documented by immunoblot and associated changes in agonist-stimulated cAMP production. Loss or gain of EP2 receptor expression correlated with alterations in plating efficiencies but with modest affects on growth. When cell lines were studied in an organ culture model, anti-sense clones were highly invasive compared with vector controls and sense transfectants. A marked increase in prostaglandin production is commonly seen in malignant lesions. Because prostaglandin receptors are known to undergo ligand-induced receptor down-regulation, we sought to determine whether EP2 receptor down-regulation results in increased invasiveness. In vector controls, invasiveness was reproduced by ligand-dependent EP2 receptor down-regulation as assessed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, loss of EP2 receptor expression was associated with decreased paxillin expression, a critical component of focal adhesion assembly. Thus, down-regulation of EP2 receptors represents a potential mechanism for neoplastic progression to an invasive phenotype.
The Minimum Legal Drinking Age and Crime

We use variation from the minimum legal drinking age to estimate the causal effect of access to alcohol on crime. Using a census of arrests in California and a regression discontinuity design, we find that individuals just over age 21 are 5.9% more likely to be arrested than individuals just under 21. This increase is mostly due to assaults, alcohol-related offenses, and nuisance crimes. These results suggest that policies that restrict access to alcohol have the potential to substantially reduce crime.
Evolution of NN for the Design of Virtual Agents under Limited Resources Constraints

This paper reports findings on a process for evolving neural networks capable of designing virtual agents. In particular, these virtual agents operate on a system of constrained resources, making the allocation of resources among them an important design consideration. The evolution system optimizes both neural network topologies and connection weights. The experimental results included indicate that the problem cannot be satisfactorily solved by independently evolving topologies or weights. In addition, because there is lack of a priori evidence pointing towards an optimal solution, the evolutionary process used here is able to find better solutions than either global (back propagation) or local (Hebbian) neural network learning algorithms.
A multi-loop vibration control of a torsional plant

This paper addresses the problem of suppressing torsional vibration induced by a disturbance torque in a high performance two-disk system. The plant consists of two inertia disks connected by a weakly damped link and is driven by a brushless DC motor connected to one of the disks. A distributed parameter model of the system is developed and a lumped parameter model including the dominant torsional modes is then extracted. A multi-loop controller is designed on the basis of the lumped parameter model and is shown to be capable of suppressing the vibration to a reasonable level and over a wide frequency range.
Regulation of Glutamine Synthetase Degradation

There is considerable evidence that the synthesis and degradation of proteins is a dynamic process which governs the steady-state level of enzymes in the cell. Although a great deal is known about the factors that regulate the rates of enzyme synthesis, relatively little is known about the mechanism involved in the regulation of enzyme degradation. It is known that various enzymes are degraded at different rates which are determined in part by undefined nutritional factors and that degradation is dependent upon a supply of metabolic energy (ATP) (Goldberg and St. John 1976; Holzer and Heinrich 1980). To gain more insight in to this problem, studies in our laboratory (Fulks 1977; Maurizi 1980; Oliver and Stadtman 1980) have been directed toward the development of cell-free enzyme preparations that catalyze the selective proteolysis of individual enzymes.
Employee Layoffs And Earnings Management

This paper analyzes the accounting choices of firms in periods surrounding large work-force reductions (layoffs). Layoffs provide an incentive for managers to use accounting choices to manage earnings. Accrual analysis is performed on a sample of firms that announce large layoffs. Discretionary accruals are regressed on indicator variables for years associated with large layoffs. The results indicate that firms make accounting choices to reduce reported income in the years in which they announce large layoffs.
Role of the Ketogenic Diet in Children with Intractable Seizures

OBJECTIVE:To provide a review of the mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, drug interactions, and therapeutic considerations associated with the use of a ketogenic diet to manage patients with intractable seizures.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search from January 1966 to the present and relevant articles from journals were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESIS:The ketogenic diet has been used as a treatment modality since the early 1920s to control intractable seizures. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Overall, uncontrolled clinical studies have reported that approximately one-third of patients with intractable seizures have become seizure-free on the ketogenic diet. Common adverse events attributed to the diet include dehydration, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypoglycemia, as well as carnitine and vitamin deficiencies. Cognitive effects, hyperlipidemia, impaired neutrophil function, urolithiasis, optic neuropathy, osteoporosis, and protein deficiency may also occur in some patients. Carbohydrate con...
Breakdown Time of a Triggered Vacuum and Low-Pressure Switch

Characterization of a triggered vacuum and lowpressure switch has been performed with breakdown performance data obtained for different trigger locations and current levels, gas pressures, and main gap voltages and currents. Results presented reveal a dependence of breakdown, or switch closure time, on the switched current level, rather than main gap voltage, for gap spacings from 1.5 to 10 mm. Breakdown time has been found to increase sharply with increases in switched current levels up to 0.8 kA, then remains constant or changes slightly for current level increases up to 6 kA. In other tests, increasing the trigger current from 0.23 to 0.7 kA has been found to halve the breakdown time of the switch over a wide operating range. The introduction of H2, N2, or A at pressures >1 Pa, resulted in shorter total breakdowntimes.
8H‐Indeno[1,2‐d]oxazole, 2,2′‐methylenebis[3a, 8a‐dihydro‐, (3aR, 3′aR, 8aS, 8′aS)] and 8H‐Indeno[1,2‐d]oxazole, 2,2′‐methylenebis[3a, 8a‐dihydro‐, (3aS, 3′aS, 8aR, 8′aR)]

[180186-94-1] C21H18N2O2 (MW 330.38) InChI = 1S/C21H18N2O2/c1-3-7-14-12(5-1)9-16-20(14)22-18(24-16)11-19-23-21-15-8-4-2-6-13(15)10-17(21)25-19/h1-8,16-17,20-21H,9-11H2/t16-,17-,20+,21+/m0/s1 InChIKey = BDHSVQLSNIGJNC-ZCLUNYJNSA-N [175166-49-1] C21H18N2O2 (MW 330.38) InChI = 1S/C21H18N2O2/c1-3-7-14-12(5-1)9-16-20(14)22-18(24-16)11-19-23-21-15-8-4-2-6-13(15)10-17(21)25-19/h1-8,16-17,20-21H,9-11H2/t16-,17-,20+,21+/m1/s1 InChIKey = BDHSVQLSNIGJNC-JYWFKMLOSA-N (functions as a chiral ligand in promoting a variety of enantioselective reactions, which include aldol, conjugate additions, cyclopropanations, and radical reactions) Physical Data: mp 224 °C; (c 1.0, CH2Cl2) (Isomer II). Form Supplied in: white crystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.40–7.36 (m, 2H), 7.22–7.14 (m, 6H), 5.50 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 5.27 (m, 2H), 3.32 (dd, J = 7.0, 18.0 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (m, 2H), 3.10 (dd, J = 1.5, 18.0 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 161.4, 141.2, 139.2, 128.2, 127.1, 125.1, 124.9, 83.5, 76.6, 39.8, 28.9. Preparative Methods: 1 chiral IndaBox ligand was synthesized1a by adding TfOH to a mixture of malononitrile and 1S,2R-aminoindanol in dichloromethane at −40 °C. Warming the reaction mixture to room temperature leads to IndaBox ligand II in 60% yield. It can also be synthesized1b by the treatment of malononitrile and ethanol with anhydrous HCl in dioxane to afford amide enol ether hydrochloride salt. Further treatment of the salt with 1R,2S-aminoindanol in DMF at 23 °C gave IndaBox I in 60%. Barnes et al.1c reported a high yield synthesis of IndaBox ligand via condensation of aminoindanol with diethyl malonimidate in THF. IndaBox ligand was isolated in 81% yield after precipitation of the reaction mixture by the addition of an aqueous solution of NaHCO3 (eq 1). (1) Purification: recrystallization from CHCl3–CH3OH (1:1 v/v).1b
Mesh use in surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

Despite many advances, outcomes after surgery remain far from perfect By age 80 years, one in eight women will undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a condition where the pelvic organs descend into or through the vaginal canal.1 In the United States, about 80% of procedures are performed transvaginally.2 3 4 Building on the experience of general surgeons and the treatment of abdominal hernias, pelvic surgeons began using synthetic mesh to augment prolapse repairs to reduce prolapse recurrence seen frequently after native tissue (non-mesh) repairs. However, use of synthetic mesh also results in increased adverse events, in some cases with serious consequences.2 5 As a result, the use of mesh for transvaginal POP surgery has been the source of much scrutiny, including two public health notifications from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a change in the US regulatory process for mesh devices, and substantial litigation.2 6 In a linked article (doi:10.1136/bmj.h2685), Chughtai and colleagues report on mesh use and risk of complications and reintervention of POP surgeries from a large, population based cohort from New York state between 2008 and 2011. Overall, 26% of the 27 991 patients in the cohort received mesh as part of their …
Benign Fibroepithelial Polyps as a Cause of Intermittent Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

AbstractA 10-year-old boy had intermittent ureteropelvic junction obstruction that proved to be owing to benign fibroepithelial polyps. The clinical features and management of this rare lesion are discussed.
Personality, social support, and loneliness among centenarians: A comparison between self- and proxy reports

Personality and social provisions as important personal and environmental resources have important effects on loneliness. The purpose of this study was to compare selfand proxy reports about centenarians concerning the relationship among personality, social support and loneliness. The mediating and moderating effects of social provisions between personality and loneliness were also examined. The sample included 124 centenarians and their proxies in the Georgia Centenarian Study. Demographic variables, education, subjective health, depression, Extraversion, Neuroticism and social provisions were included as measurements. Paired t-tests, bivariate correlations, multiple regression analyses and path models were computed. Results indicated that proxies reported significantly higher scores on social provisions and loneliness than centenarians themselves. The structural models for selfand proxy reports were quite similar. Neuroticism and social provisions predicted loneliness in both centenarian selfand proxy reports. Extraversion affected loneliness indirectly through social provisions in both selfand proxy report models. No moderating effects of social provisions were found in selfor proxy reports. There are commonalities between centenarian selfand proxy reports but there are also important differences that suggest unique variance to each perspective. Results indicate that proxy reports should be viewed as supplemental information for researcher and practitioners. Knowing the differences of centenarian selfand proxy reports could help caregivers realize the difference in perspective and help them learn about the centenarians’ loneliness better and thus provide improved quality of care and help.
Neuro-, cardio-, and immunoplasticity: effects of early adversity

The relationship between early adversity and outcomes across the lifespan is apparent in a striking range of measures. Evidence suggests that many of these outcomes can be traced to the impacts of early adversity on multiple and integrated biological systems mediated by the brain. In this review, we integrate empirical and theoretical advances in the understanding of relationships among the brain and the functions of the endocrine, autonomic, and immune systems. We emphasize the effects of environmental experiences related to caregiver relationships because it is these experiences, in particular, that shape regulatory and threat response systems in ways that increase vulnerability and may underlie the wide range of poor outcomes associated with early adversity. Thus, we metaphorically extend the concept of plasticity to highlight our goal of a broader consideration of these interconnected mechanisms. We conclude by discussing implications for neurobiologically informed interventions that can potentially ameliorate the broad and costly effects of early adversity.
From FISH to Proteomics

Technological milestones in genomics have initiated a new approach in the development of novel anticancer drugs to specific genes. However, the heterogeneity of cancer involving multigene complexity calls upon a complementary approach to effectively develop novel anticancer drugs either to specific tumors or with broad range of anti-tumor activity. Among various techniques, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) provides the opportunity to identify mRNA sequences at the subcellular level and has, therefore, become an important tool in gene expression studies. In our drug discovery and development program, we adopt a new hypothesis focusing on the whole cancer cell as a single target. A component of our unique developmental paradigm includes a drug-action profile paradigm defining the drug-specific antiproliferative effects of newly discovered investigational agents, at the molecular level using a genomic-proteomic interface. Such an approach using multicolor fluorescence hybridization on cDNA microarray and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis called, Painting with a Molecular Brush, has been successfully adopted to unravel the mechanism of action of a new anticancer agent, XK469.
Seeing Is Believing: Helping Students Visualize Multithreaded Behavior

Multicore processors are now the standard CPU architecture, and parallel and distributed computing (PDC) is in the CS2013 core curriculum [9]. It is now the task of CS educators to begin creating pedagogical materials that will help their students understand PDC concepts. In this paper, we present TSGL (the thread-safe graphics library), a C++11 library that safely supports multithreaded graphics. We also present several multithreaded visualizations that illustrate how TSGL can be used to visualize the Parallel Loop design pattern, and present evidence that TSGL can improve student mastery of this parallel abstraction.
Experimental Tests and Simulations of A 1.5 cc Miniature Glow-Ignition Two-Stroke Engine

Miniature size internal combustion (IC) engines with displacements in the neighborhood of 1 cc have the potential to function as high power and energy density miniature power supplies. The engines, which are currently used in model airplanes, have higher power and longer run times than a battery coupled to an electric motor. The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP), a seven university research consortium in the United States, is developing miniature IC engines for applications in human size mobile devices such as robots and medical assistive devices, aiming at more compact design and longer operation time. To advance the development of new compact power supplies, it is necessary to understand the performance characteristics of current miniature engines. As the scale of an engine gets smaller, surface effects such as friction, heat loss, and leakage get more significant [1]. To measure those effects, a test bench was built for a 1.5 cc displacement AP .09 model engine. During motoring and firing tests, cylinder and crankcase pressures, engine brake torque, fuel flow rate, air flow rate and emissions were measured. From the measured data, a piston-cylinder blow-by model, suitable for miniature engines, was developed and verified. A scavenging model was developed and tuned according to experimental data. The friction was estimated by comparing indicated power calculated from in-cylinder pressure trace and brake power calculated from brake torque and speed measurements. Model engines utilize glow-ignition combustion, rather than spark ignition or fuel injection. Fuel and air are premixed and an incandescent platinum wire is used to catalyze the combustion. Combustion analysis was carried out to investigate the combustion process. A combustion model was established.
Influence of residence time of reclaimed water within distribution systems on water quality

The influence of residence time of reclaimed water within water distribution systems on microbial water quality was evaluated in two wastewater reclamation facilities in southern Arizona over a 15-month period. These utilities differed in age, geographic location, means of treatment, and disinfection (i.e. UV versus chlorine). At both facilities, samples were collected from the point of compliance (POC) directly after disinfection, and at discrete locations with increasing distance from the POC. Following entry into reclaimed water distribution systems, overall microbial water quality decreased rapidly due to microbial regrowth. However, following such regrowth, microbial concentrations remained relatively constant. Water-based opportunistic pathogens ( Legionella, Mycobacterium , and Aeromonas ) were frequently detected in both reclaimed water systems. In contrast, waterborne indicators such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were rarely detected, and only at low concentrations. These dates suggest the need for new indicators of water-based pathogens to be developed. Rechlorination in one of the distribution systems only reduced the concentration of bacteria temporarily due to rapid dissipation of chlorine, and subsequent regrowth of both water-based pathogens and indicators. Amoebic activity was detected in approximately one-third of all samples tested from both utilities, but was not correlated with either water-based pathogens or indicators.
The Mathematicians' Statistics Has a Subsidiary Role…

(1988). The Mathematicians' Statistics Has a Subsidiary Role… The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 14-15.
A Report on High-yielding Cultivation Technique of New Transgenic Herbicide-resistant Two-line Early Season Hybrid Rice Combination

The studies on high-yielding cultivation techniques of herbicide-resistant two-line early season hybrid rice Zhu S/Bar68-1 and Zhu S/Z003 were reported.The results showed that the two combinations were stable in economic characters and synchronous in growth.Compared with the control hybrid rice Zhu-liang-you 819,Zhu S/Bar68-1 and Zhu S/Z003 were better in lodging resistance and their yields increased by 2.4% and 8.2% respectively.The keys of high-yielding cultivation techniques of herbicide-resistant two-line early season hybrid rice were sowing in the last ten days of March;spraying 0.045% glufosinate(w/v) at the three-leaf and one-bud stage for controlling weeds;transplanting in density of 16.5 cm×16.5 cm;and fertilizing nitrogen 186 kg/hm2,phosphorus 47 kg/hm2 and potassium 131 kg/hm2 per hectares in total.Water management and pests control were followed as routine procedures.
Research about the controller of directional magnet field of permanent-magnet synchronous motor based on DSP

Introduce the principle that is used to realize the control of directional magnet field, adopting the advanced DSP chip TMS320LF2407A.The hardware structure of controller and software design-process are given at the same time. The controller is designed with the strategy of directional magnet field.
Cranial Autonomic Symptoms in Pediatric Migraine

Investigators at the University of California, San Francisco, examined the frequency of cranial autonomic symptoms in all pediatric and adolescent patients with migraine seen in 4 different clinical settings during July 2010 to June 2012.
Noninvasive modalities. Cardiac MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a well-established technique for diagnostic imaging that is now beginning to make an impact on cardiovascular diagnosis in addition to more established applications, such as central nervous system (CNS) imaging. Investigators have used MR imaging to study cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, including diastolic function, since the clinical introduction of MR imaging in the early 1980s. Although MR imaging has some advantages over other imaging modalities used in the heart, it has not yet achieved widespread use for cardiovascular imaging. Reasons for this are complex, including technical limitations that have only recently been overcome, limited access by cardiovascular practitioners to MR imaging, lack of education, and relatively long examination times with MR imaging. Nonetheless, MR imaging provides multiple ways to assess diastolic function, and many investigators have used it to study diastolic function. Most methods used to assess diastolic function with MR imaging are now mature, leading the way for more routine application of this imaging modality. In this article, the authors present some of the basic techniques used in MR imaging for assessment of diastolic function, followed by a review of current clinical and research applications. The authors also present some newer techniques that may allow closer evaluation of the underlying structure of the myocardium and its influence on diastolic function.
White-Black Differences in Cancer Incidence, Stage at Diagnosis, and Survival Among Older Adults.

Objective: To identify potential White–Black differences in cancer incidence rates, stage at diagnosis, and relative survival probabilities among older adults using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Method: Differences in cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and 5-year relative survival probability were examined for cases diagnosed within the most recent 5-year period and over time for cases diagnosed from 1973 to 2013 (incidence only) for older White and Black adults. Results: Among adults aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 years and older, Black adults had higher cancer incidence rates per 100,000 than White males from 1973 to 2013, respectively. Late stage and unstaged cancers were more common among Black adults in each of the three age groups compared with Whites. Five-year relative survival probability for all invasive cancers combined was higher for Whites than Blacks in each of the three age groups. Discussion: Continued efforts are needed to reduce racial disparities in cancer...
Chronic Deep Periprosthetic Infection

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a successful and durable operation for end-stage arthritis of the hip. Chronic, deep periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare, but devastating, complication of THA that is associated with increased perioperative costs, extended duration of hospital stays, and compromised patient outcomes. Preventative strategies targeting the modifiable preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors are paramount to minimizing the risk of infection. When chronic PJI does occur, however, treatment with a two-stage exchange protocol provides an excellent treatment strategy that has demonstrated consistently good results in eradicating periprosthetic hip infection.
Loss of Phospholipid Membrane Integrity Induced by Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

The interaction of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with biological membranes has important implications for ecotoxicity and human health. In this study, we use a dye-leakage assay to quantitatively assess the disruption of a model phospholipid bilayer membrane (i.e., lipid vesicles) by five emerging 2D nanomaterials: graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), copper oxide (CuO), and iron oxide (α-Fe2O3). Leakage of dye from the vesicle inner solution, which indicates loss of membrane integrity, was observed for GO, rGO, and MoS2 nanosheets but not for CuO and α-Fe2O3, implying that 2D morphology by itself is not sufficient to cause loss of membrane integrity. Mixing GO and rGO with lipid vesicles induced aggregation, whereas enhanced stability (dispersion) was observed with MoS2 nanosheets, suggesting different aggregation mechanisms for the 2D nanomaterials upon interaction with lipid bilayers. No loss of membrane integrity was observed under strong oxidative condi...
Forecasting bifurcations in parametrically excited systems

Forecasting bifurcations in parametrically excited systems before they occur is an active area of research both for engineered and natural systems. In particular, anticipating the distance to critical transitions, and predicting the state of the system after such transitions, remains a challenge, especially when there is an explicit time input to the system. In this work, a new model-less method is presented to address these challenges based on monitoring transient recoveries from large perturbations in the pre-bifurcation regime. Recoveries are studied in a Poincare section to address the challenge caused by explicit time input. Both numerical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the proposed technique. A discussion of the accuracy of the proposed approach is included also.
Chronic Heart Failure in Congenital Heart Disease Including Single Ventricle Circulation

Abstract Mortality associated with surgical repair of congenital heart disease has improved remarkably over the past 75 years. In the current era, surgical mortality in pediatric cardiovascular centers approaches 4.1%, and virtually all forms of congenital heart disease have a defined surgical approach (Jacobs et al., 2012). As there are approximately 32,000 infants with congenital heart disease born annually in the United States, there is now a large and expanding population of children and adults with repaired congenital cardiac lesions (Simeone et al., 2015). However, because of complexities of the initial cardiac anatomy, residual pathology, and multiple derangements in cardiac physiology, up to 50% of this population suffers from chronic heart failure (Stout et al., 2016). Heart failure, in turn, is responsible for up to 40% of observed mortality attributable to congenital heart disease (Nieminen et al., 2007; Oechslin et al., 2000). Treatment for heart failure associated with congenital heart disease remains challenging, with few validated therapies. Further investigation into this area is of great importance.
The Importance of Property-Specific Factors in the Estimation of a Term Structure of Lease Rates

I explore the effect of latent property characteristics on the estimation of the term structure of lease rates. Using data on Central London office leases, OLS specifications yield estimates of a significantly positive term structure, which is consistent with similar regressions documented in the literature. However, the effect is confounded by heterogeneity at the property level. Aggregating leases without regard to these important property-specific factors results in a spurious term effect. Specifically, the age of the space is shown to correlate not only with the contract rent, but also with the lease term. Long leases in older properties command higher lease rates, consistent with premiums required to compensate landlords for encumbered redevelopment options.
Clarification and confocal imaging of the non-human primate placental micro-anatomy

Placental function is essential for the development of the fetus, and is - in part - related to the 3D arrangement of the villous and vascular geometry. Recent advances in tissue clarification techniques allow for deep high-resolution imaging with confocal microscopy without altering the spatial characteristics of the tissue. These image stacks can be analyzed quantitatively to provide insights regarding the villous and vascular micro-anatomy as well as the interrelationships between the two. However, such analyses require optimization of the tissue preparation, immuno-labeling, and clarification protocol in order to provide reliable results suitable for the detection of subtle differences in pathologic pregnancies. Placental and fetal development are similar between human and non-human primate pregnancies, with the latter serving as a reliable, validated, highly-controlled, well-characterized translational model for the former. We present a protocol for the preparation, immuno-labeling, and clarification of the non-human primate placenta optimized for confocal microscopy and subsequent quantification of the micro-anatomic structures.