cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peripheral biomarkers do not correlate with cognitive impairment in highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated subjects with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

Neuropsychological (NP) impairments in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals remain high despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We sought to determine whether or not a monocyte gene expression profile along with other peripheral factors would correlate with neuropsychological impairment among HIV-infected individuals. Forty-four HIV-1-seropositive subjects (HIV+) on HAART and 11 HIV-1-seronegative controls (HIV−) had NP testing and blood drawn for monocyte gene expression analysis. All HIV+ subjects were assessed for CD4 counts, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, viral load, and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble CD14 (sCD14). NP scores were normalized to age, gender, and education. Twenty-five percent of HIV+ individuals showed abnormal NP testing results (>1.5 SD below normal in two domains). HIV+ individuals had deficits in attention/working memory, verbal learning, and information processing speed compared to HIV− controls. There was no correlation between overall NP impairment and plasma viral load, level of education, age, ethnic diversity, sCD14, plasma LPS, CD4 cell count, ApoE genotype, or years of infection. However, greater years of infection had worse visual learning performance. sCD14 and CD4 nadir positively correlated with information processing speed and fine motor skills, respectively. LPS correlated with viral load but not cognitive impairment. Monocyte gene expression confirmed a chronic inflammatory profile that correlated with viral load but not cognition. No blood index or profile was associated with overall NP impairment.
Contrasting Effects of WIN 55212–2 on Motility of the Rat Bladder and Uterus

Both the uterus and bladder contain cannabinoid (CB) receptors whose functions are poorly understood. Here, in urethane-anesthetized female rats in metestrus, we simultaneously compared the effects of close-arterial injections of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212–2 (WIN2) on uterine contractions (amplitude and rate) and micturition thresholds (MT) assessed by cystometry. Five doses of WIN2 were delivered (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 μmol/kg) in three groups: (1) controls; (2) after bladder inflammation with intravesicular turpentine; and (3) after bilateral hypogastric neurectomy (HYPX). In some rats, drugs were delivered via the tail vein. Regarding bladder, WIN2 dose-dependently reduced MTs in all groups. Both bladder inflammation and HYPX significantly increased this effect. Regarding uterus, WIN2 dose-dependently increased uterine contraction amplitude. Bladder inflammation or HYPX significantly decreased this effect. Coinjection of the CB1 antagonist SR141716A (SR) (1.5 μmol/kg) and WIN2 (0.5 μmol/kg) abolished or reduced the effects of WIN2 in both organs. SR alone had significant effects only after HYPX, reducing both MT and uterine contraction amplitude. The vehicle (0.4% DMSO) and inactive enantiomerS(−)-WIN 55,212–3 were both ineffective. Close-arterial injections of WIN2 (0.5 μmol/kg) produced significantly larger effects in both organs than tail vein injections. These results indicate that, whereas WIN2 reduces bladder motility, it mainly increases uterine motility, likely via CB1 receptors located in the two organs. The opposing effects of bladder inflammation and HYPX on the potency of WIN in the two organs suggest a neurally mediated viscero-visceral interaction in which bladder inflammation influences uterine CB1 sensitivity, possibly by inhibiting adrenergic input to the uterus.
Two Aspects of the Therapeutic Alliance: Differential Relations with Depressive Symptom Change.

Objective: The therapeutic alliance has been linked to symptom change in numerous investigations. Although the alliance is commonly conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, few studies have examined its components separately. The current study explored which components of the alliance are most highly associated with depressive symptom change in cognitive therapy (CT). Method: Data were drawn from 2 published randomized, controlled clinical trials of CT for major depressive disorder (n 105, mean age 40 years, female 62%, White 82%). We examined the relations of 2 factoranalytically derived components of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI; Horvath & Greenberg, 1986, 1989) with symptom change on the Beck Depression Inventory—II (BDI–II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) that occurred either prior to or subsequent to the examined sessions. WAI ratings were obtained at an early and a late session for each therapist–patient dyad. Results: Variation in symptom change subsequent to the early session was significantly related to the WAI factor that assesses therapist–patient agreement on the goals and tasks of therapy but not to a factor assessing the affective bond between therapist and patient. In contrast, both factors, when assessed in a late session, were significantly predicted by prior symptom change. Conclusions: These findings may reflect the importance, in CT, of therapist–patient agreement on the goals and tasks of therapy. In contrast, the bond between therapist and patient may be more of a consequence than a cause of symptom change in CT. The implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed.
Undertreatment of panic disorder in primary care: role of patient and physician characteristics.

BACKGROUND In contrast with many studies describing the usual care for major depression in the primary care setting, there are few data on treatment received by primary care patients with panic disorder. METHODS This prospective cohort study describes the self-reported medication use, at 3-month intervals for 1 year, of 58 patients with panic disorder and predictors of the use of appropriate (type, dose, and duration) medication. RESULTS Approximately one half the patients received some type of antipanic medication at each interval, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) the most common. Pharmacy records indicate that about 40% of patients not taking medication had received an initial physician prescription. Adequacy of dose and duration was achieved in only two thirds of the medication trials, usually with an SSRI. Patient characteristics (agoraphobia and low neuroticism) but not physician characteristics (eg, specialty, level of training, or years in practice) predicted those patients who had an adequate trial during at least one time interval. The relation between adequacy of medication and outcome was minimal. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the continued undertreatment of panic disorder in primary care but suggest that focused efforts at physician education about diagnosis and treatment are less likely to increase rates of treatment compared with efforts to educate patients and improve the care process with more frequent visits and monitoring.
Fast Measurement of Intracardiac Pressure Differences With 2D Breath-Hold Phase-Contrast MRI

Intracardiovascular blood pressure differences can be derived from velocity images acquired with phase-contrast (PC) MRI by evaluating the Navier-Stokes equations. Pressure differences within a slice of interest can be calculated using only the in-plane velocity components from that slice. This rapid exam is proposed as an alternative to the lengthy 3D velocity imaging exams. Despite their good spatial coverage, the 3D exams are prone to artifacts and errors from respiratory motion and insufficient temporal resolution, and are unattractive in the clinical setting due to their excessive scan times (>10 min of free breathing). The proposed single-slice approach requires only one or two breath-holds of acquisition time, and the velocity data can be processed for the calculation of pressure differences online with immediate feedback. The impact of reducing the pressure difference calculation to two dimensions is quantified by comparison with 3D data sets for the case of blood flow within the cardiac chambers. The calculated pressure differences are validated using high-fidelity pressure transducers both in a pulsatile flow phantom and in vivo in a dog model. There was excellent agreement between the transducer and PC-MRI results in all of the studies.
The application of collision/reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to multi-element analysis in variable sample matrices, using He as a non-reactive cell gas

The development of collision and reaction cells for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has extended the capability of the technique by allowing the selective attenuation or removal of previously problematic spectral interferences. However, many of the reported applications of collision and reaction cell ICP-MS have required the adoption of operating conditions that are so specific to the selected analyte and/or target interference that the multi-element capability of the instrument has been compromised, or the conditions have been applicable only to a well-defined and consistent sample type. This work demonstrates the application of an ICP-MS, fitted with a collision/reaction cell, to perform multi-element analysis at the single ng ml−1 level in multiple sample types. A single set of operating conditions was used for all selected analytes across a diverse range of sample matrices. The capability of an octopole-based collision/reaction cell ICP-MS, operated using He as the inert collision gas, was demonstrated for the removal of unidentified polyatomic species arising from variable Cl−, S− and C-based synthetic matrices and round-robin samples comprising a range of clinical matrices. Compared to the standard (no cell gas) mode, the He cell gas mode improved the accuracy of spike recoveries at the 5 ng ml−1 level for all the measured isotopes of all the transition metals investigated (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) in the synthetic matrix samples, using the same cell gas and voltage conditions for all analytes in all matrices. Where reference values were available for the clinical samples, analyte recoveries were typically within the range of the expected concentrations, when calibrated using simple (not matched for sample matrix) calibration standards and using operating conditions that were constant for all analytes and all matrices. Additional benefits of using an inert cell gas such as He were the complete absence of newly formed interfering product ion species and freedom from analyte signal reduction through loss by reaction. This is in contrast to the reported generation of new, cell-formed polyatomic ions and the loss of some analytes by reaction, which can occur when highly reactive cell gases are used, and suggests that the use of an inert collision gas may be suitable for the analysis of complex and variable sample matrices, where the identity of any potential interfering species is not known in advance.
A content analysis of posthumous sperm procurement protocols with considerations for developing an institutional policy

Objective To identify and analyze existing posthumous sperm procurement (PSP) protocols in order to outline central themes for institutions to consider when developing future policies. Design Qualitative content analysis. Setting Large academic institutions across the United States. Patient(s) N/A. Intervention(s) We performed a literature search and contacted 40 institutions to obtain nine full PSP protocols. We then performed a content analysis on these policies to identify major themes and factors to consider when developing a PSP protocol. Main Outcome Measure(s) Presence of a PSP policy. Result(s) We identified six components of a thorough PSP protocol: Standard of Evidence, Terms of Eligibility, Sperm Designee, Restrictions on Use in Reproduction, Logistics, and Contraindications. We also identified two different approaches to policy structure. In the Limited Role approach, institutions have stricter consent requirements and limit their involvement to the time of procurement. In the Family-Centered approach, substituted judgment is permitted but a mandatory wait period is enforced before sperm use in reproduction. Conclusion(s) Institutions seeking to implement a PSP protocol will benefit from considering the six major building blocks of a thorough protocol and where they would like to fall on the spectrum from a Limited Role to a Family-Centered approach.
Phylogeographic patterns in the great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major across Eurasia

We sequenced parts of three mitochondrial genes in 67 great spotted woodpeckers Dendrocopos major taken from 17 sites across Eurasia and Japan. Two groups, differing by ca. 3% sequence divergence, were determined to have had independent evolutionary histories: samples from the southeast (Sakhalin, Primor'e, Hokkaido), and the rest of Eurasia. The southeastern group corresponds to the subspecies D. m. japonicus, which will likely merit species status upon study of all subspecies; at present it should be considered an evolutionarily significant unit. From the United Kingdom to the Russian North Pacific, no phylogeographic divisions were found, which is likely a result of recent range expansion following retreat of permafrost after the last ice age.
Single-pulse Raman scattering studies of heterogeneous explosive materials

Raman scattering from ambient and shock-loaded heterogeneous (compressed pure polycrystalline) explosive materials has been examined using single-pulse laser excitation. In the case of triamino-trinitrobenzene (TATB), intense nonlinear scattering at 1170 cm−1 has been observed.
Advanced Residual Stress Analysis and FEM Simulation on Heteroepitaxial 3C–SiC for MEMS Application

SiC is a candidate material for microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems, but the high residual stress created during the film grow limits the development of the material for these applications. To understand the stress relaxation mechanism in hetero-epitaxial 3C-SiC films, different micromachined free-standing structures have been realized. In this paper, assisted by finite-element method (FEM), a micromachined planar rotating probe was developed for residual stress analysis to split the stress into the following two components: 1) the gradient residual stress (σ1) related to the film defects and 2) the uniform stress (σ0) related to the substrate. Transmission electron microscopy characterization studies about the defect formation and the defect evolution as a function of thickness on 3C-SiC on the Si substrate revealed the problems due to the incorrect linear stress approximation in a heteroepitaxial thin film. With FEM, an exponential approximation of the stress relationship was studied, yielding a better fit with the experimental data. This paper shows that the new approximation of the total residual stress function reduces the actual disagreement between experimental and simulation data.
Sprinkler: a reliable and energy efficient data dissemination service for wireless embedded devices

We present Sprinkler, a reliable data dissemination service for wireless embedded devices which are constrained in energy, processing speed, and memory. Sprinkler embeds a virtual grid over the network whereby it can locally compute a connected dominating set of the devices to avoid redundant transmissions, and a transmission schedule to avoid collisions. Sprinkler transmits O(1) times the optimum number of packets in O(1) of the optimum latency; its time complexity is O(1). Thus, Sprinkler is suitable for resource-constrained wireless embedded devices. We evaluate the performance of Sprinkler in terms of the number of packet transmissions and the latency, both in an outdoor and an indoor environment. Our indoor evaluation is based on an implementation in the Kansei testbed that houses 210 XSSs whose transmission power is controllable to even low ranges. We compare Sprinkler with the existing reliable data dissemination services, analytically or using simulations also. Our evaluations show that Sprinkler is not only energy efficient as compared to existing schemes but also have less latency. Further, the energy consumption of nodes and the latency grows linearly as a function of newly added nodes as network grows larger
Death with tuberculosis in california, 1994-2008.

BACKGROUND Identifying factors associated with tuberculosis (TB) deaths will inform efforts to prevent deaths. METHODS We examined deaths among patients with culture-confirmed TB reported to the California TB Registry during 1994-2008. We calculated the age-adjusted percentage of deaths before and during TB treatment and estimated trends. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with death during treatment. RESULTS Of 40 125 patients with culture-confirmed TB, 4565 (11%) died: 1146 (25%) died before treatment started, and 3419 (75%) died during treatment. The age-adjusted percentage of patients who died before and during treatment declined from 1994 to 2008 (3.5% to 2%, and 10.4% to 7.2%, respectively, both P < .0001). We identified several risk factors for death that may be addressed with public health efforts: acquired multidrug resistance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.09-10.45); care in the private sector (aOR = 3.08; 95% CI, 2.75-3.44); and an initial treatment regimen of <3 drugs (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.63-2.64). We identified other risk factors for death that could be used as markers for intensified diagnostic and treatment processes in hospital: human immunodeficiency virus coinfection; meningeal, peritoneal, and disseminated TB; substance use; and abnormal chest radiograph without cavities. CONCLUSIONS In California, 1 in 9 TB patients died with a potentially curable disease. Public health departments might prevent deaths in patients with TB by strengthening partnerships with private providers, intensifying diagnostic and treatment processes for patients at risk of death in hospital, optimizing treatment regimens for patients with comorbidities, and preventing the acquisition of drug resistance.
Fertilizer and lime‐pellet requirements for seed of white clover used for improving permanent pastures†

Permanent pastures on acid soils in the northeastern USA produce far below their potential due to lack of legumes in the swards. This experiment was done to study the effects of lime-pelleted white clover seed and fertilizer combinations (B, Cu, K, Mg, Mo, P, S and Zn) on clover nodulation and growth in four acid (pH 4.3–4.9), Vermont permanent-pasture soils in the greenhouse. Potassium was applied in all treatments. Lime pelleting and Mg and P fertilization increased both proportion of plants nodulated and seedling weight. Lime pelleting resulted in the largest increase in nodulation but P application produced the greatest gain in seedling weight. Molybdenum interacted with P to enhance seedling nodulation more than either element applied alone. Phosphorus also interacted with Mg to increase seedling weight more than either one applied alone. Sulphur had no influence on seedling nodulation or yield. Applications of B, Cu and Zn depressed nodulation and yield, possibly because excessively high levels were applied. Using lime-pelleted seed and a fertilizer combination of K. Mg. Mo and P could improve white clover establishment and growth on permanent-pasture soils in the northeast.
Unusual Presentation of Lemierre's Syndrome Due to Fusobacterium nucleatum

We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome due to Fusobacterium nucleatum in a previously healthy 19-year-old male. This is the first case report of Lemierre's syndrome due to thrombophlebitis of the external jugular vein. The patient had a rapid clinical response to anticoagulation and antibiotics, as supported by anecdotal evidence.
Academic Achievement and Course Taking Among Language Minority Youth in U.S. Schools: Effects of ESL Placement:

English as a second language (ESL) is meant to provide a meaningful education for students learning English (ELLs); however, its effects remain largely unexplored. Using longitudinal, nationally representative data from the Educational Longitudinal Study, the authors estimate the effects of ESL placement on language minority (LM) adolescents’ college preparation and academic achievement. Findings indicate that LM students who most closely fit the EL profile (recent immigrant, relatively low English proficiency) experience positive math outcomes and null effects in other academic areas; however, LM students who fit this profile less well experience negative effects. Results suggest that although ESL placement may benefit students most in need and for a limited time after arrival, considerable caution is advised in students’ placement and retention in ESL.
Assessment of the biodistribution of an [(18) F]FDG-loaded perfluorocarbon double emulsion using dynamic micro-PET in rats.

Perfluorocarbon (PFC) double emulsions loaded with a water-soluble, therapeutic agent can be triggered by ultrasound in a process known as acoustic droplet vaporization. Elucidating the stability and biodistribution of these sonosensitive vehicles and encapsulated agents is critical in developing targeted drug delivery strategies using ultrasound. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was encapsulated in a PFC double emulsion and the in vitro diffusion of FDG was assessed using a Franz diffusion cell. Using dynamic micro-positron emission tomography and direct tissue sampling, the biodistribution of FDG administered as a solution (i.e. non-emulsified) or as an emulsion was studied in Fisher 344 rats (n = 6) bearing subcutaneous 9L gliosarcoma. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) and area under the curve of the SUV (AUCSUV) of FDG were calculated for various tissues. The FDG flux from the emulsion decreased by up to a factor of 6.9 compared with the FDG solution. FDG uptake, calculated from the AUCSUV, decreased by 36% and 44% for brain and tumor, respectively, when comparing FDG solution vs FDG emulsion (p < 0.01). Decreases in AUCSUV in highly metabolic tissues such as brain and tumor demonstrated retention of FDG within the double emulsion. No statistically significant differences in lung AUCSUV were observed, suggesting minimal accumulation of the emulsion in the pulmonary capillary bed. The liver AUCSUV increased by 356% for the FDG emulsion, thus indicating significant hepatic retention of the emulsion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CLEF 2005: multilingual retrieval by combining multiple multilingual ranked lists

We participated in two tasks: Multi-8 two-years-on retrieval and Multi-8 results merging. For the multi-8 two-years-on retrieval work, algorithms are proposed to combine simple multilingual ranked lists into a more accurate ranked list. Empirical study shows that the approach of combining multilingual retrieval results can substantially improve the accuracies over single multilingual ranked lists. The Multi-8 results merging task is viewed as similar to the results merging task of federated search. Query-specific and language-specific models are proposed to calculate comparable document scores for a small amount of documents and estimate logistic models by using information of these documents. The logistic models are used to estimate comparable scores for all documents and thus the documents can be sorted into a final ranked list. Experimental results demonstrate the advantage of the query-specific and language-specific models against several other alternatives.
ACE I/D genotype, adiposity, and blood pressure in children

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a possible candidate gene that may influence both body fatness and blood pressure. Although several genetic studies have been conducted in adults, relatively few studies have examined the contribution of potential candidate genes, and specifically ACE I/D, on adiposity and BP phenotypes in childhood. Such studies may prove insightful for the development of the obesity-hypertension phenotype early in life. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body fatness and resting blood pressure (BP) by ACE I/D genotype, and determine if the association between adiposity and BP varies by ACE I/ D genotype in children. Methods: 152 children (75 girls, 77 boys) were assessed for body composition (% body fat) using dual energy x-ray absorbtiometry and resting BP according to American Heart Association recommendations. Buccal cell samples were genotyped using newly developed PCR-RFLP tests for two SNPs (rs4341 and rs4343) in complete linkage disequilibrium with the ACE I/D polymorphism. Partial correlations were computed to assess the ociations between % body fat and BP in the total sample and by genotype. ANCOVA was used to examine differences in resting BP by ACE I/D genotype and fatness groups. Results: Approximately 39% of youth were overfat based on % body fat (>30% fat in girls, 25% fat in boys). Body mass, body mass index, and fat-free mass were significantly higher in the ACE Dcarriers compared to the II group (p < 0.05). BP was not significantly different by ACE I/D genotypes. In the total sample, correlations between adiposity and BP ranged from 0.30 to 0.46, and were not significantly different between genotypes. When grouped by genotype and body fat category, the overfat D-carrier subjects had significantly higher SBP and MAP compared to the normal fat D-carrier and normal fat II groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ACE D-carriers are heavier than ACE II children; however, BP did not differ by ACE I/D genotype but was adversely influenced in the overfat D-carriers. Further studies are warranted to investigate the genetics of fatness and BP phenotypes in children.
Linear and structural event sequence analysis

An approach to systematic informal program analysis is discussed in which comments that describe hypotheses and assertions about the behavior of programs are analyzed. Event sequence comments analysis methods analyze the consistency of comments that describe events. Two event sequence analysis methods are discussed, one of which uses a linear event sequence model, and which has been applied to the analysis of large data processing systems. The other uses a new approach involving rule-based structural models, and has been applied to the analysis of Ada programs.
Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes on guinea pig gastric and colonic smooth muscle cells.

In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that somatostatin can influence motility and smooth muscle contractility of the stomach and colon. Recent studies have proposed that some of these eff...
The Reputation Trap of NGO Accountability

In this paper we examine the role of reputation in the behavior of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Can the pursuit and maintenance of a reputation cause NGOs to change their behavior in meaningful ways ?O r are the norms and institutions that motivate and govern NGOs the sole drivers of behavior? To answer these questions, we focus on the relationship between NGOs and their donors. Our theoretical model reveals that reputation can be a key piece of information in the decision to fund the activities of a non-governmental organization. Indeed, reputation can become so important to the survival of the NGO that it interferes with the long-term policy goals of the organization. The resulting short-term NGO behavior is often misconstrued as incompetent or ine! cient, but it is actually motivated by the structural constraints of the relationship with donors. We illustrate this strategic dynamic here with a focus on three types of NGO activity: international crisis mediation, ameliorating poverty ,a nd water improvement.
Insights into the Morphology and Kinetics of Growth of Silver Metal–Organic Nanotubes

The kinetics of the formation of novel porous metal organic nanotubes, [Ag2(4,4′-(1,4-(xylene)diyl)bis(1,2,4-triazole) (NO3)2]·NMP, was investigated by means of ex-situ time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SAXS results were modeled using the Gualtieri model, which decouples the nucleation and growth processes giving additional insight into the crystal formation mechanism. The results show that the semirigid 4,4′-(1,4-(xylene)diyl)bis(1,2,4-triazole) ligand (L) binds with silver ions, adopting a seesaw geometry to form a polydisperse isotropic framework immediately after mixing the ligands and metal ions. In addition, the SEM imaging demonstrates that the microcrystals grow anisotropically, with nucleation along the edge of the 3D aggregate. These combined data demonstrate that the growth of this MONT occurs in two steps: a rapid formation of an isotropic porous structure immediately after mixing the reactant, which then develops anisotropically as t...
Guarding the Republican Interest: The Western Pennsylvania Democratic Societies and the Excise Tax

In 1793 Democratic societies emerged and spread quickly throughout the new nation. These clubs numbered as many as forty-two and ranged in location from Massachusetts to Georgia. The societies saw themselves as watch dogs of republican virtue, ready to inform the public of any indiscretions that might threaten liberty by either state or federal government. The Pennsylvania Democratic-Republican societies?despite differences in levels of activity, or ganizational structure, and community interests?used issues such as the Proc lamation of Neutrality, the Jay Mission, and most especially the excise tax, to define and to draw distinctions between themselves and the Washington ad ministration. Rather than producing uniform and rigid ideological organiza tions, the unity that was forged around principles and ideals both allowed, and sometimes required, club leaders to respond pragmatically to local and regional needs and interests. The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 was a case in point. Historians have previously underestimated and misunderstood the role of the western Democratic Societies in the rebellion. The records of local soci
Nuclear localization of androgen receptor in heterogeneous samples of normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic human prostate.

AbstractTo facilitate an understanding of how androgens participate in the genesis of human benign hyperplasia and carcinoma we assayed androgen receptor in the epithelium and stroma of human prostatic tissue from 57 patients. Immunohistochemical staining of human androgen receptor was performed on 106 sections of normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. To determine variability of androgen receptor staining sections taken from different portions of the gland were studied. Frozen tissue sections were incubated with monoclonal antiandrogen receptor antibodies and staining was completed by the indirect avidin-biotin peroxidase method. Antibody staining was found mainly in the nucleus of prostatic epithelial cells, although some stromal cells also showed positive staining. Unlike normal prostate, there was a heterogeneous distribution of androgen receptor in BPH and prostate cancer. The androgen receptor content in well differentiated adenocarcinoma epithelium was significantl...
Beta globin gene inhibition by antisense RNA transcripts

Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the β globin gene leading to hemoglobin S (Hb S) production. Several approaches have been explored to prevent Hb S polymerization in red blood cells and the symptoms associated with this disorder. To this end we tested a mammalian expression vector carrying a human β globin antisense cDNA (pZeoβAS) fragment in a mouse erythroleukemia cell line expressing the human γ and β globin genes. We observed a relative reduction in β globin mRNA levels compared with γ mRNA levels in the presence of pZeoβAS. Moreover, analysis at the protein level showed an average 76% decrease in β chains and a 517% increase in γ chain biosynthesis. The inhibitory effect of the antisense vector on globin expression was maintained long term in culture. The expression vector pZeoβAS was also transfected into primary erythroid progenitors to test its effects on globin genes undergoing normal developmental switching during differentiation. We observed a relative reduction of β globin mRNA levels compared with γ mRNA levels. These results support a novel role for antisense cDNA expression vectors as an alternative gene therapy strategy to inhibit βs gene expression in sickle cell disease.
Preliminary Tests with Insecticides for the Control of the Little Blue Cattle Louse

Test areas, 4×8 in., located on the muzzles of cattle infested with Solenopotes capillatus Enderlain were used to evaluate the effectiveness of 25 chemicals to control this louse. The procedure consisted of spraying 10 ml of a 0.5% acetone solution on the test area. Methoxychlor was used as the standard for comparison. Four chemicals: American Cyanamid 12503, O,O -dicthyl O -[6-(3(2-phenyl)-pyridazinonyl)] phosphorothioate; General Chemical 3582, 2,2-dichloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)vinyl diethyl phosphate; Famophos® O-p -(dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl O,O -dimethyl phosphorothioate; and Bayer 37342, O,O -dimethyl O -4-(methylthio-3,5-xylyl phosphorothioate excelled the standard in preventing reinfestation of the test area.
A Grammatical Approach to Support Real-Time Design of Customized Products

In order to support design of customized products requires generating models of the customized product, performing analysis of these customized products to determine feasibility, and optimization to increase performance. Internet based mass customization systems can be used to not only gather information from the customer, but also to provide real-time feed-back to the customer with product model and analysis information. Consequently, the design analysis, evaluation and optimization need to be automated and enhanced to enable operation over the internet. In this paper product family architecture information are first categorized and then utilized to develop a grammatical approach that captures both configuration and scaling information for entire range of possible customized products to generate detail CAD and FEA models. Analysis, selection of components, and optimization are automatically performed on the models of user-customized products. Solid model of the customized product, along with analysis results, are shown back to the user in real-time as feedback. The proposed setup is demonstrated through the use of a bicycle frame family.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Competition Among Insurers and Consumer Welfare

This article presents a model to analyze consumer welfare, price, and competition in a three-way market among consumers, medical providers, and insurers. While insurers compete with each other for customers, they also act as collective bargaining agents on behalf of consumers in determining the equilibrium price of health care with providers. The entry of an additional insurer thus has contradictory effects on welfare, reducing premiums through competition but increasing price through reduced bargaining power of incumbent insurers. Moreover, the more favorable contracts allow consumers to purchase care more often, shifting out the demand curve for care and increasing price.
Tipping a favorable CNS intratumoral immune response using immune stimulation combined with inhibition of tumor-mediated immune suppression

High-grade gliomas are notoriously heterogeneous regarding antigen expression, effector responses, and immunosuppressive mechanisms. Therefore, combinational immune therapeutic approaches are more likely to impact a greater number of patients and result in longer, durable responses. We have previously demonstrated the monotherapeutic effects of miR-124, which inhibits the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) immune suppressive pathway, and immune stimulatory 4-1BB aptamers against a variety of malignancies, including genetically engineered immune competent high-grade gliomas. To evaluate potential synergy, we tested an immune stimulatory aptamer together with microRNA-124 (miRNA-124), which blocks tumor-mediated immune suppression, and found survival to be markedly enhanced, including beyond that produced by monotherapy. The synergistic activity appeared to be not only secondary to enhanced CD3(+) cell numbers but also to reduced macrophage immune tumor trafficking, indicating that a greater therapeutic benefit can be achieved with approaches that both induce immune activation and inhibit tumor-mediated immune suppression within the central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Children

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) is an important pathogen of congenital and postnatal infections in children,which causes a series of acute and chronic infectious diseases and nervous system sequelaes.Early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric CMV infection is an effective way to improve health in children.This paper will introduce the types,laboratory techniques and diagnostic strategies of CMV infection based on the diagnostic standards at home and abroad,and also focus on current progress in diagnosis of pediatric CMV infection.
EVALUATION ON MOLLUSCICIDAL EFFECT OF QIANGLUOCIDE POWDER BY DUSTING IN FIELDS

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect and the using value of qiangluocide powder by dusting in the fields. Methods The two different ways of dusting with qiangluocide and spraying with luomiecide for controlling snails were compared in the fields, and the cost-effectiveness was analysed. Results The corrected mortalities and the reduced rates for density of snails were 88.48%, 96.26%, 96.96%, 95.67%, and 87.58%, 95.40%, 96.14%, 96.67%, respectively, on the marshland in Longtan, Nanjing, 73. 65% , 98. 31% , 99. 22% , 99. 26% and 69. 30% , 98.14%, 98.84%, 98. 60% , respectively, on the marshland in Yizheng, Yangzhou, on 1 d, 3d, 7 d, 15 d after dusting with qiangliocide power; and those on 1d, 3d, 7d, 15d after the spraying with luomiecide were 69.15%, 88.01%, 86.46%, 85.56% and 75.27%, 84.99%, 87.50%, 87.96% on the marshland in Longtan, Nanjing, 18.70%, 63.11%, 1.25%, 12.60% and 34. 88% , 89. 02% , 45.37% , 46. 59% , respectively, on the marshland in Yizheng, Yangzhou. The st of dusting with qiangluocide powder was 0. 20 yuan/m2, and that of spraying with luomiecide as 0. 21 yuan/m2 for snail control in the fields. The costs of reduced one percentage for the cor rected mortalities and the density of snail were 6. 27-10. 07 yuan and 6. 21-10. 14 yuan, respectively, on 15 d after dusting with qiangluocide power and those on 15 d after spraying with luomiecide were 7. 36-83. 33 yuan and 7. 16-22. 54 yuan , respectively. Conclusion The dusting with qiangluocide powder is a promising new formulation, which is suitable for the areas without water resource and possessed of high effectiveness against snails. The method ofdusting with qian-gluocide powder for controlling snails is simple, convenient, cheap and easy to be carried out for the inspection and quality control.
Of Kith and Kin: Perceptual Enrichment, Expectancy, and Reciprocity in Face Perception:

Race powerfully affects perceivers’ responses to faces, promoting biases in attention, classification, and memory. To account for these diverse effects, we propose a model that integrates social cognitive work with two prominent accounts of visual processing: perceptual learning and predictive coding. Our argument is that differential experience with a racial ingroup promotes both (a) perceptual enrichment, including richer, more well-integrated visual representations of ingroup relative to outgroup faces, and (b) expectancies that ingroup faces are normative, which influence subsequent visual processing. By allowing for “top-down” expectancy-based processes, this model accounts for both experience- and non-experience-based influences, such as motivation, context, and task instructions. Fundamentally, we suggest that we treat race as an important psychological dimension because it structures our social environment, which in turn structures mental representation.
Countermeasures for loss of situation awareness: Error filtering strategies for 3-dimensional audio

The U. S. Army has proposed incorporating 3-dimensional (3-D) audio displays into the cockpit as a technological countermeasure for spatial disorientation (SD). We evaluated the effectiveness of a 3-D audio display and found localization accuracy for discrete, short-duration signals fell short of previously published literature. The present investigation explored the extent to which this discrepancy was due to differences in error filtering strategies used during the data screening process. Error filtering is the common practice of eliminating from analysis trials with fore/aft reversals. We applied conservative and liberal error filtering to two comparable datasets from experiments on 3-D audio cue localization accuracy. Conservative error filtering consisted of eliminating from analysis any trial characterized by a 180-degree reversal for the fore and aft positions. Liberal error filtering eliminated trials characterized by hemispheric reversals (i.e., fore/aft), inclusive of central (0/180 degrees) and offset (45 degrees left or right of center) positions. One experiment had been conducted in a quiet environment; the other was conducted in the presence of loud, operationally-relevant ambient noise. Compared to raw, unfiltered performance data, conservative and liberal error filtering led to a 2 and 4% difference, respectively, in accuracy. A significant interaction between error filter type and ambient environment was found (p < .01). Conservative error filtering resulted in a significant increase in apparent accuracy (over unfiltered data) for localization data from the quiet environment (p < .05). Liberal error filtering significantly improved apparent accuracy for data from the noisy environment. Error filtering caused the appearance of better performance than was actually present in the data. Further, even these small increases in mean accuracy are sufficient to alter the outcome of null-hypothesis-significance-testing, potentially leading to faulty conclusions through Type I error. Based upon this evidence, we strongly support an approach that retains all fore/aft reversals for experiments on 3-D audio localization accuracy. Doing so will improve the accuracy and validity of such investigations. Instead of focusing on error-screened data, we advocate actually improving 3-D audio localization performance through redundant vibrotactile cueing, where possible, particularly for noisy environments.
The Tumor Microenvironment Represses T Cell Mitochondrial Biogenesis to Drive Intratumoral T Cell Metabolic Insufficiency and Dysfunction

Although tumor-specific T cells recognize cancer cells, they are often rendered dysfunctional due to an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here we showed that T cells demonstrated persistent loss of mitochondrial function and mass when infiltrating murine and human tumors, an effect specific to the tumor microenvironment and not merely caused by activation. Tumor-infiltrating T cells showed a progressive loss of PPAR-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC1α), which programs mitochondrial biogenesis, induced by chronic Akt signaling in tumor-specific T cells. Reprogramming tumor-specific T cells through enforced expression of PGC1α resulted in superior intratumoral metabolic and effector function. Our data support a model in which signals in the tumor microenvironment repress T cell oxidative metabolism, resulting in effector cells with metabolic needs that cannot be met. Our studies also suggest that modulation or reprogramming of the altered metabolism of tumor-infiltrating T cells might represent a potential strategy to reinvigorate dysfunctional T cells for cancer treatment.
Effects of Your Emerging Identity

The teacher’s process of developing personae and identities can be surprising, exciting, challenging, frustrating–and is, most likely, all of these. Taking on a role and displaying the features and trappings of that role in person and on social media is a harrowing journey for any teacher to navigate. It can feel and appear triumphant and honest or terrible and fake, as evidenced by the above quote.
Role of Intrinsic Ion Accumulation in the Photocurrent and Photocapacitive Responses of MAPbBr3 Photodetectors

We studied steady state and transient photocurrents in thin film and single-crystal devices of MAPbBr3, a prototype organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite. We found that the devices’ capacitance is abnormally large, which originates from accumulation of large densities of Pb2+ and Br– in the active perovskite layer. Under applied bias, these ions are driven toward the opposite electrodes leading to space-charge fields close to the metal/perovskite interfaces. The ion accumulation, in turn, causes photocurrent reversal polarity that depends on the history of the applied bias and excitation photon energy with respect to the optical gap. Furthermore, the large capacitive response dominates the transient photocurrent and, therefore, obscures the weaker contribution from the photocarriers’ drift. We show that these properties depend on the ambient conditions in which the measurements are performed. Understanding these phenomena may lead to better control over the stability of perovskite photodetectors for visible...
Functional Brain Stimulation in a Chronic Stroke Survivor With Moderate Impairment.

Objective To determine the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with repetitive, task-specific training (RTP) on upper-extremity (UE) impairment in a chronic stroke survivor with moderate impairment. Method The participant was a 54-yr-old woman with chronic, moderate UE hemiparesis after a single stroke that had occurred 10 yr before study enrollment. She participated in 45-min RTP sessions 3 days/wk for 8 wk. tDCS was administered concurrent to the first 20 min of each RTP session. Results Immediately after intervention, the participant demonstrated marked score increases on the UE section of the Fugl-Meyer Scale and the Motor Activity Log (on both the Amount of Use and the Quality of Movement subscales). Conclusion These data support the use of tDCS combined with RTP to decrease impairment and increase UE use in chronic stroke patients with moderate impairment. This finding is crucial, given the paucity of efficacious treatment approaches in this impairment level.
Abstract P143: Connecting Quality to Outpatient Practice: Implementing Office-Guideline Applied in Practice Program in Cardiac Care in a Federally Qualified Community Health Center

Background: Much work has been done to improve the quality of care delivered to hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, innovative approaches to quality improvement in of...