cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cortical Development: Transplantation and Rewiring Studies

The cerebral cortex is formed by discrete functional subregions that have distinct patterns of connections, cell types, and molecular organization. These distinct properties allow the subregions to perform distinct functions. During development, the unique projections and neural activity act to shape fundamental properties of areal organization. Perturbation of these projects can profoundly alter both the organization and function of cortical regions. Such changes can be induced by transplanting one developing cortical patch to another region, surgically induced rewiring of the developing cortex, or more naturally by auditory or visual deprivation in development.
Abstract 66: Is Hospital Discharge Day of the Week Associated with Measures of Care Continuity for Stroke Patients?

Background: Facilitating care continuity from hospital to home has been shown for other disease states to reduce adverse health events. In this study we examined whether weekend discharges were less likely to have a follow-up appointment scheduled with either primary or specialty care for acute stroke patients discharged home. Methods: We examined data from 44 hospitals participating in the Ohio Coverdell Stroke program to determine the proportion of adult stroke patients discharged home who had a follow-up appointment scheduled with primary care or with specialty care (neurology, neurosurgery, or neurology provider) and whether this varied by patients’ hospital discharge day of the week (weekday vs. weekend). Facilitators and barriers to scheduling appointments prior to discharge were reported by stroke team members at a meeting of participating hospitals. Results: Among 44 hospitals, there were 4,635 patients discharged home from April-December 2013. Prior to discharge, hospital staff scheduled follow-up appointments for post-discharge care with a primary care provider for 15.2% of patients and with a specialty care provider for 27.2% of patients. A higher proportion of patients with a weekday discharge compared with weekend discharge had a follow-up appointment with primary care (16.4% vs. 8.5%, p<0.001) and specialty care (29.6% vs. 17.5%, p<0.001). Reported barriers to facilitating care continuity for weekend patient discharges included lack of availability of dedicated weekend hospital personnel to plan appointments with the patient and family, and limited or no access to online or electronic appointment scheduling or primary or specialty care office staff to schedule appointments. Conclusions: Although a significant number of patients were discharged home without a primary or specialty care appointment, patients discharged on the weekend were at a disadvantage for having a follow-up appointment scheduled prior to hospital discharge. Discharge planning earlier in the hospital stay and creative approaches to improving appointment scheduling with community-based providers could be explored as options for promoting improved care continuity for weekend discharges.
Detection of Neospora caninum tachyzoites in cerebrospinal fluid of a dog following prednisone and cyclosporine therapy.

Abstract: A 9-year-old female spayed Shetland Sheepdog was presented to the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation following a 3-week history of left rear limb lameness that had progressed to generalized ataxia. Multifocal or diffuse brain lesions were suspected based on physical examination findings. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contained 52 nucleated cells/μL composed of mixed inflammatory cells. Treatment with prednisone and cyclosporine was initiated based on a presumptive diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalitis. Thirteen days later the dog was nonambulatory and mentally obtunded. Repeat CSF analysis revealed 298 nucleated cells/μL with 61% eosinophils. Rare protozoal tachyzoites consistent with Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, or Sarcocystis spp. were found extracellularly and within macrophages and an eosinophil. Despite cessation of prednisone and cyclosporine therapy and provision of supportive care, the dog died 6 days later. Examination of brain tissue sections revealed multifocally extensive, necrotizing, histiocytic, and lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis with numerous protozoal zoites and cysts. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue using a monoclonal antibody specific for N. caninum confirmed the diagnosis of neosporosis. Similar but less severe lesions were noted in the spinal cord, although organisms were not found. This case emphasizes the value of repeated CSF analysis when therapy is ineffective and the importance of excluding infectious causes of meningoencephalitis before commencement of immunosuppressive therapy.
Sharks in the Water: Battling an Activist Investor for Corporate Control (B)

In July 2006, Barracuda became the largest investor in Tarco International. In a meeting with management, Barracuda’s managing director advised that strong measures needed to be taken to improve operating performance. If management failed, Barracuda would force a sale of the company. In response, the board of Tarco hired FD, a leading financial communications consultancy specializing in strategic investor relations. The board asked FD to compile extensive research on the Tarco’s shareholder base, investor perception of the company and management performance, predictive voting on potential proxy proposals, and tactics used by Barracuda in previous activist engagements. Armed with this data, the board had to decide what steps to take, if any, to keep Barracuda at bay and ensure that Tarco retained the support of its investors.Also see CG20B Sharks in the Water: Battling an Activist Investor for Corporate Control (B).
TRENDS IN OKLAHOMA'S AGING PRISON INMATES

Prison populations are aging and Oklahoma's is no exception. Currently seven percent of Oklahoma's prison population is 50 years old or more, and this older population is growing at a faster rate than their younger counterparts. Changes in statutes related to sentencing, longer life expectancy, and an increase in crime committed by older individuals are all contributing to the situation. As prison populations age, the problems facing corrections officials will also change. The specialized needs of this particular segment of the prison population are not only different from those of traditionally younger inmates, but they are also diverse within the group. This trend towards a growing elderly prison population and its associated concerns and problems is forcing new thinking about incarceration.
A deletion in the ornithine aminotransferase gene in gyrate atrophy

Gyrate atrophy (GA) is an autosomal recessive chorioretinal degenerative disease of the eye caused by an inborn defect of the nuclear encoded mitochondrial enzyme ornithine aminotransferase (OAT). We have described previously a GA patient with a 5.0-kilobase pair truncated EcoRI OAT gene fragment and the absence of OAT mRNA on Northern blot analysis. Cloning and sequencing analysis of the truncated gene fragment revealed a 1,072-base pair (bp) deletion including the entire exon 6, starting in intron 5, 172 bp upstream of exon 6 and ending in intron 6, 772 bp downstream of exon 6. A short direct repeat sequence (AGGAGC), resembling the sequence shown to cause DNA polymerase alpha to pause, and sequences capable of forming hairpin loops were both present at the 5‘ and 3‘ break-points of the deletion. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification of the patient's RNA with OAT primers yielded DNA fragments of two different sizes, consistent with a low level expression of OAT mRNA. Direct sequencing of the smaller fragment demonstrated the complete absence of exon 6 sequence in the mRNA predicted from the deletion, causing a reading frame shift which results in a premature termination codon at position 192. The mutation in the other allele has been demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and direct sequencing also to be a premature termination codon in exon 6. The absence of detectable OAT mRNA in this patient is consistent with these premature termination mutations because they have been shown to decrease the level of mRNA, especially if present early in the coding sequence.
Machine perfusion following static cold storage preservation in kidney transplantation: donor‐matched pair analysis of the prognostic impact of longer pump time

The impact of machine perfusion (MP) time on kidney transplant outcome is mixed in previous studies using multivariable analyses. In an analysis of 66 pairs of donor-matched adult, first transplant recipients (N = 132) with identical donor characteristics except for pump time, tests of association of shorter versus longer pump time (first versus second kidney removed) by delayed graft function(DGF), slow graft function(SGF), and biopsy proven acute rejection(BPAR) were performed using McNemar's test. Freedom-from-BPAR, graft and patient survival, and renal function were also compared. Mean ± SD pump times for paired recipients with first and second kidneys were 22.7 ± 7.3 h and 31.2 ± 7.9 h, respectively (mean difference: 8.5 ± 4.5 h, P < .000001). There was no significant impact of pump time on DGF or SGF, with discordant pairs favoring less SGF with longer pump time (N.S.). The incidence of BPAR during the first 12 months post-transplant yielded a borderline difference favoring longer pump time (P = .09), and freedom-from-BPAR during the first 12 months was significantly more favorable for longer pump times (95% vs. 84%, P = 0.04). No differences were observed in graft and patient survival, and renal function. While offering significantly favorable protection from BPAR, this analysis of donor-matched recipient pairs corroborates longer MP (pump) times having no unfavorable effect on other clinical outcomes.
Conflict, Social Identity, and Violence in the World of Russian Rural Medicine: Two Chekhov Stories

Anton Chekhov’s stories “An Unpleasantness” (1888) and “Thieves” (1890) provide nuanced portrayals of the world of rural medicine in late tsarist Russia. The stories, which are rooted in the historical experience of zemstvo medicine, explore the conflicts and everyday travails that physicians and feldshers encountered in their zemstvo service. This article locates the stories in the historical environment of the time in which they are set. Chekhov focuses particular attention upon physicians’ and feldshers’ preoccupation with their status and social identity together with their relationships both with one another and with their zemstvo employers. The stories suggest the ways in which the frustrations and conflicts of rural practice fostered an undercurrent of despair or even violence within the zemstvo medical world itself. Within the stories, Chekhov explicitly links his protagonists’ everyday experience to the transformations that occur in their overall consciousness.
Automated recognition of cognitive impairments

This study investigates the ability of a system, using sensors to observe the performance of a simple task, to automatically recognize which individuals have a cognitive impairment, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or dementia, and which do not. The study uses data collected from five individuals with a cognitive impairment and five unimpaired individuals, and extends previous work that looked only at impaired individuals to assess the severity of their impairments. One of the metrics presented is able to completely separate the impaired individuals from the unimpaired individuals, with statistically significant differences between the two sets of individuals.
Conformational exchange in the mechanism of multidrug efflux by EmrE (470.3)

EmrE is a small multidrug resistance efflux pump found in the inner membrane of E. coli. As a secondary active transporter, it imports two protons down their electrochemical gradient to drive the e...
Evidence for calibration of magnetic migratory orientation in Savannah sparrows reared in the field

The orientation system of migratory birds consists of a magnetic compass and compasses based upon celestial cues. In many places, magnetic compass directions and true or geographic compass directions differ (referred to as magnetic declination). It has been demonstrated experimentally in several species that the innate preferred direction of magnetic orientation can be calibrated by celestial rotation, an indicator of geographic directions. This calibration process brings the two types of compass into conformity and provides the birds with a mechanism that compensates for the spatial variation in magnetic declination. Calibration of magnetic orientation has heretofore been demonstrated only with hand–raised birds exposed to very large declination (90° or more). Here we show that the magnetic orientation of wild birds from near Albany, New York, USA (declination = 14° W) was N–S, a clockwise shift of 26°from the NNW–SSE direction of birds raised entirely indoors. Hand–raised birds having visual experience with either the daytime sky or both day and night sky orientated N–S, similar to wild–caught birds. These data provide the first confirmation that calibration of magnetic orientation occurs under natural conditions and in response to modest declination values.
Distribution of the generation of air pollution

Abstract Consumer spending creates pollution both directly and indirectly, through derived demand relationships. This paper estimates total generation of five air pollutants by family income class based on a large-scale input-output model of production, consumption, family income, and rediduals relationships. Pollution generation is shown to be disproportionately attributable to the number of families in the higher-income classes. However, it is closely correlated with the level but not the pattern of consumer spending. Comparisons are also made between distribution of pollution generation and estimates of exposure to pollution by income class as reported in the literature.
Provenience, age and associations of archaic Homo sapiens crania from Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

Abstract Fifty years ago, an ethnographic expedition found primitive human fossils at Lake Eyasi, Tanzania. Subsequent emphasis has centered almost exclusively on cranial morphology, neglecting the discovery site and associated finds. Fauna has been deemed “essentially modern” and racemization dates suggest a late Pleistocene age for the hominid remains; these assessments have been advanced as consistent with a “terminal Middle Stone Age” antiquity. Based on recent observations at the site and new sediment analyses, a provisional sequence is now proposed: an earlier formation, the Eyasi Beds, is distinguished from later Pleistocene deposits, the Mumba Beds, the latter being partially calibrated by uranium series and radiocarbon dates. This evidence indicates that the Eyasi Beds, the probable source of the human fossils, are older than 130,000 years, and the fauna may include seven extinct large mammal species. Documented Eyasi Beds artifacts are mostly unspecialized Middle Stone Age types; no typological or technical features suggest later MSA specializations or innovations foreshadowing Later Stone Age industries. A series of core tools from the lakeshore suggests an industry of Sangoan aspect. All lines of evidence from the locality contradict the young amino acid racemization dates; artifacts and fauna, including archaic Homo sapiens remains, are of probable Middle Pleistocene age.
Retention Tactics for Seasonal Employers: An Exploratory Study of U.S.-Based Restaurants:

Research and current practice in many organizational settings suggest that high retention ratios result from positive work environments. For the majority of organizations with seasonal business, ho...
The II-III Loop of the Skeletal Muscle Dihydropyridine Receptor Is Responsible for the Bi-directional Coupling with the Ryanodine Receptor

The dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) in the skeletal muscle plasmalemma functions as both voltage-gated Ca2+ channel and voltage sensor for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. As voltage sensor, the DHPR regulates intracellular Ca2+ release via the skeletal isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR-1). Interaction with RyR-1 also feeds back to increase the Ca2+ current mediated by the DHPR. To identify regions of the DHPR important for receiving this signal from RyR-1, we expressed in dysgenic myotubes a chimera (SkLC) having skeletal (Sk) DHPR sequence except for a cardiac (C) II-III loop (L). Tagging with green fluorescent protein (GFP) enabled identification of expressing myotubes. Dysgenic myotubes expressing GFP-SkLC or SkLC lacked EC coupling and had very small Ca2+currents. Introducing a short skeletal segment (α1Sresidues 720–765) into the cardiac II-III loop (replacing α1C residues 851–896) of GFP-SkLC restored both EC coupling and Ca2+ current densities like those of the wild type skeletal DHPR. This 46-amino acid stretch of skeletal sequence was recently shown to be capable of transferring strong, skeletal-type EC coupling to an otherwise cardiac DHPR (Nakai, J., Tanabe, T., Konno, T., Adams, B., and Beam, K.G. (1998) J. Biol. Chem.273, 24983–24986). Thus, this segment of the skeletal II-III loop contains a motif required for both skeletal-type EC coupling and RyR-1-mediated enhancement of Ca2+ current.
Inactivation of p27Kip1 promotes chemical mouse liver tumorigenesis in the resistant strain C57BL/6J

The biochemical function of p27Kip1 as an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases is well-established, but the role of p27 as a tumor suppressor depends on specific cellular contexts. Previous studies using p27 knockout mice on mixed C57BL/6J × 129/Sv strain background did not find a tumor suppressor role of p27 in the liver. An important feature of mouse liver tumorigenesis is strain-dependent tumor susceptibility. Here, we determined the role of p27 in liver tumorigenesis in C57BL/6J mice, a liver tumor resistant strain, in response to a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenolbarbital (PB) two-stage carcinogenesis protocol. At 6 mo of age, while livers of DEN–PB treated p27+/+ and p27−/− C57BL/6J mice appeared morphologically normal, p27−/− livers, but not p27+/+ livers, contained readily detectable glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase)-deficient foci. At the 9-mo time point, p27−/− mice developed significantly enhanced liver tumor phenotypes than p27+/+ mice as demonstrated by increased numbers and sizes of liver surface nodules, increased liver-to-body weight ratios, and increased numbers of G6Pase-deficient nodules and histologically diagnosed foci and adenomas in liver sections. Hepatic lesions in p27−/− livers contained more proliferating hepatocytes than lesions in p27+/+ livers, while the numbers of apoptotic cells appeared similar in lesions of both genotypes. Unexpectedly, tumors in p27−/− livers contained only slightly elevated Cdk2 kinase activity compared with normal livers. These results reveal a liver tumor suppressor role of p27 in this resistant mouse strain, and the need to further study the role of Cdk2 kinase in liver tumor promotion by p27 inactivation. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electrical conductivity of dense plasmas

Abstract A Chapman-Enskog-type solution to the kinetic equation of Gould and DeWitt has been used to calculate the electrical conductivity of argon and xenon plasmas. Reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained.
Analytical Magnetapheresis of Ferritin-Labeled Lymphocytes

Analytical magnetapheresis is a technique for analyzing magnetic particles in suspension. The magnetically susceptible particles form a deposition pattern from the suspending medium under carefully controlled flow and magnetic field conditions. This technique was used to determine the effective magnetic volumetric susceptibility, delta chi, of human lymphocytes labeled with an iron-rich protein, ferritin. Dynabeads M450, monodisperse polymeric beads doped with magnetite, of a diameter 4.5 microns, close to that of human lymphocytes, were used as a reference. The experiment showed an almost complete deposition of ferritin-labeled lymphocytes at an average flow velocity of 0.28 mm/s, a representative magnetic field of 1.67 T, and a magnetic field gradient of 2.57 T/mm. The calculated delta chi was (2.92 +/- 0.24) x 10(-6)[SI] (ferritin-labeled lymphocytes), and the corresponding number of ferritin molecules per lymphocyte was (1.75 +/- 0.44) x 10(7). In comparison, an almost complete deposition of the Dynabeads was observed at a much higher average flow velocity, 15 mm/s, a much lower field, 0.164 T, and a much lower field gradient, 0.025 T/mm. These results corresponded to a much higher delta chi = 0.245[SI] (Dynabeads M450). These results offer important guidelines in evaluating the use of ferritin as a soluble magnetic cell label.
A comprehensive performance assessment study of pilot-scale Pd and Pd/alloy membranes under extended coal-derived syngas atmosphere testing

Abstract The present study encompasses the results of a comprehensive performance assessment of different pilot-scale Pd/Alloy composite asymmetric membranes under long-term coal-derived syngas atmosphere testing. The membranes were developed and tested first at the CIMS-WPI laboratory under pure H2 and later at NCCC under a mixture of N2/H2 and H2 enriched syngas coming from a TRIG™ gasification system. Thirteen membranes were examined for 4275 h and classified in four types: Pd, Pd/Au, Pd/Pt and Pd/Au/Pt membranes. Their respective H2 permeance and purity profiles, permeance difference under pure hydrogen and syngas conditions as well as stability of operation were assessed. The membranes showed good stability in syngas although exhibiting an initial drop in permeance when compared to that under pure hydrogen. Pure Pd membranes displayed the highest permeability, but showed pinholes after being exposed to syngas. Pd/Pt membranes showed a reduced permeance drop under syngas conditions, indicating sulfur resistance properties. Furthermore, Pd/Au/Pt membranes, presented for the first time in the literature, displayed stable permeance and purity profile. The inhibition of the initial permeance drop and the long-term operation of these ternary membranes were demonstrated. Finally, Pd/Au membranes were shown to display the most stable permeance and purity characteristics. In this case, the initial permeance drop was significantly reduced, exhibiting the lowest decline amongst all cases considered. It is hypothesized that Au may act as a patch paste blocking defects on the Pd layer.
Strong decimation of the Betchov model of turbulence

Abstract The Constrained Decimation Scheme (CDS) of Kraichnan has been applied to the Betchov model of turbulence. In the CDS approach to turbulence the large intractable set of equations describing the dynamics is replaced by a smaller set. This smaller decimated system is driven by stochastic forces which model the couplings to the degrees of freedom which have been removed. Previous work on the application of the CDS to the Betchov model focused on the weak decimation regime ( N S ≈ 3) , where N is the size of the original system and S is the size of the decimated system). Here results are reported for the strong decimation limit ( N S ≈ 10 4 ) .
Impact of a Palliative Care Consultation Team on Cancer-Related Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Patients Referred to an Outpatient Supportive Care Clinic

Abstract Context Patients with advanced cancer may develop severe physical and psychosocial symptoms. There are limited data on the impact of an outpatient palliative consultation (PC) team on cancer-related symptoms. Objectives To study the impact of the PC on symptoms in patients with advanced cancer receiving outpatient palliative care. Methods Four hundred six consecutive patients referred to a supportive care outpatient center (OPC) from January 2006 to June 2007 with complete Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (0–10 scale) at the initial and follow-up visits were reviewed. Patient characteristics, change of symptoms at follow-up visit, and response rate were analyzed. Using logistic regression models, the predictors of improvement of pain and fatigue were assessed. Results Median age was 59 years; 53% were female. Median interval between visits was 15 days. Mean scores at baseline and follow-up visits were fatigue 6.8 and 5.3 (P Conclusion The initial consult by PC achieved significant symptom improvement in patients receiving treatment in the OPC. Further prospective studies are needed.
Radar Waveform Selection-A Simplified Approach

Radar measurement and resolution performance, as well as target detection in clutter, depend largely on the transmitted waveform. This explains the sizable effort that has gone into studies of radar waveforms, including attempts at the synthesis of optimum waveforms. This paper shows that, despite the unlimited variety of radar signals, waveform selection is a straightforward process. There are only four classes of waveforms, each with distinct resolution properties. When the target environment is analyzed for a particular application, it is rather evident which of these classes will fit the situation best. Choice of the specific waveform within the selected class then is merely a matter of practical implementation. Although the facts used in developing the unified theory of this paper are not new, it is demonstrated that these facts can be combined into an extremely simple theory of waveform design. Much of today's work is guided by past approaches to a particular problem, and when a design is completed there may be a question as to how close to the optimum it is. The theory presented here permits a systematic approach to waveform selection, with the important benefit that the designer knows exactly where and how much he may have deviated from the best design, and why this was done.
Controllability of delay systems with restrained controls

Using a geometric growth condition, both the function space and Euclidean controllability of a nonlinear delay system which has a compact and convex control set are characterized. This extends analogous results for ordinary differential systems, and it yields conditions under which perturbed nonlinear delay controllable systems are controllable.
System for rapid detection and mapping of gas plumes on 100 m scales: examination of some technical and economic issues

We consider the design of a system combining computed tomography and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (CT/FTIR) to detect and map the concentration of multicontaminant gas plumes in ambient air over a 100 m square area. Several factors affecting the accuracy of the reconstructed map and the detection limits that can be achieved in the field are discussed. The estimated cost and capabilities of the system are compared with those of a more conventional gas monitoring system that might operate over a similar spatial extent. The paper includes a description of a proposed system that is designed to produce a map of multiple gaseous contaminants with a resolution of 12 m X 12 m in a time of approximately 10 minutes by sequentially measuring the contaminant concentrations along 48 intersecting beam paths and then reconstructing the map using a CT algorithm adapted to detect Gaussian plumes. The optical elements consist of an FTIR mounted on a steerable telescope platform, a second remote steerable mirror platform, and 32 fixed retro-reflectors.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Interaction between the TolC and AcrA Proteins of a Multidrug Efflux System of Escherichia coli

This paper provides the biochemical evidence for physical interactions between the outer membrane component, TolC, and the membrane fusion protein component, AcrA, of the major antibiotic efflux pump of Escherichia coli. Cross-linking between TolC and AcrA was independent of the presence of any externally added substrate of the efflux pump or of the pump protein, AcrB. The biochemical demonstration of a TolC-AcrA interaction is consistent with genetic studies in which extragenic suppressors of a mutant TolC strain were found in the acrA gene.
Coloring n-sets red and blue

Abstract A short proof is given of the following result of J. Beck. Given any m = 2 n n 1 3 +o(1) sets of cardinality n, there exists a 2-coloring of the underlying points so that no set is monochromatic.
Differences in betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase expression, endoplasmic reticulum stress response, and liver injury between alcohol-fed mice and rats

Chronic ethanol infusion resulted in greater serum ALT elevation, lipid accumulation, necroinflammation, and focal hepatic cell death in mice than rats. Mice exhibited a remarkable hyperhomocysteinemia but no increase was seen in rats. Similarly, a high methionine low folate diet (HMLF) induced less steatosis, serum ALT increase, and hyperhomocysteinemia in rats than in mice. Western blot analysis of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) expression showed that rats fed either ethanol or HMLF had significantly increased BHMT expression which did not occur in mice. Nuclear NFκB p65 was increased in mouse in response to alcohol feeding. The human BHMT promoter was repressed by homocysteine in mouse hepatocytes but not rat hepatocytes. BHMT induction was faster and greater in primary rat hepatocytes than mouse hepatocytes in response to exogenous homocysteine exposure. Mice fed ethanol i.g. exhibited an increase in GRP78 and IRE1 which was not seen in the rat and SREBP-1 was increased to a greater extent in mice than rats. Thus, rats are more resistant to ethanol induced steatosis, ER stress and hyperhomocysteinemia and this correlates with induction of BHMT in rats. These findings support the hypothesis that a critical factor in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury is the enhanced ability of rat or impaired ability of mouse to up-regulate BHMT which prevents hyperhomocysteinemia, ER stress and liver injury.
Phase II Randomized Study of Dose-Dense Docetaxel and Cisplatin Every 2 Weeks With Pegfilgrastim and Darbepoetin Alfa With and Without the Chemoprotector BNP7787 in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (CALGB 30303)

Introduction We investigated dose-dense docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with measurable non-small cell lung cancer in a randomized phase II study without [A] or with [B] a putative chemoprotective agent, BNP7787. Patients and Methods Chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IIIB (effusion) or IV, performance status 0 to 1, and adequate organ function were eligible. Treatment with docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 over 1 hour day 1 with darbepoetin 200 μg day 1 and pegfilgrastim 6 mg day 2 without/with BNP7787 before cisplatin was repeated every other week for up to 6 cycles. The primary end point was to differentiate between grade ≥2 neurotoxicity rates of 30% on [A] and 10% on [B]. Feasibility was prospectively defined as febrile neutropenia in Results Of 160 patients enrolled, 5 never started therapy and 4 were ineligible. Neurotoxicity grade ≥2 occurred in 32% on [A] and 29% on [B]. The incidence of febrile neutropenia was 4% on [A] and 3% on [B]. Treatment delays occurred in 13% and 20% of patients on [A] and [B], respectively. Completion rates for 3/6 cycles were 84%/51% on [A] and 84%/53% on [B]. Objective response rates were 55% on [A] and 51% on [B]. Median progression-free/overall survival times were 5.5/10.7 on [A] and 6.5/14.1 month on [B]. Conclusions This dose-dense treatment regimen is active, feasible, and tolerable. Its further investigation in the curative setting in non-small cell lung cancer should be considered. BNP7787 did not result in significant protection from neurotoxicity.
The growth of carbon nanotube stacks in the kinetics-controlled regime

A CNT stack formation technique is used for the pseudo in-situ monitoring of CNT growth in the kinetics-controlled regime. CNT stacks are fabricated by water-assisted selective etching and the cyclic introduction of ethylene into the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. By varying the growth temperature and the ethylene flow rate within growth cycles, the reaction was shown to be first order with an activation energy of 201.2 kJ/mol. This technique can be implemented to monitor the initial stage of CNT growth by deceasing the ethylene flow time in growth cycles. Within one minute, the CNT growth reaches steady state. The formation of CNT stacks could be tailored to investigate the effects of growth parameters, such as pressure, temperature, and carbon source flow rate, on the CNT growth.
Using refactorings to automatically update component-based applications

Frameworks and libraries change their APIs during evolution. Migrating an application to the new API is tedious and disrupts the development process. Although some tools and techniques have been proposed to solve the evolution of APIs, most updates are done manually. Our goal is to reduce the burden of reuse on maintenance by reducing the cost of adapting to change. We studied the API changes of three frameworks and one library and discovered that over 80% of the changes the break existing applications are refactorings. This suggests that refactoring-based migration tools should be used to effectively update applications. We propose a methodology to automatically and safely update component-based applications with no overhead on the component producers.
Supervision in Schools: Building Pathways to Excellence

The authors summarize the special section in the journal of Counselor Education and Supervision (Vol. 45, No. 4, June 2006) on school counseling supervision and present implications to guide the practice of school counselor supervision. The implications for practice, training, research, and professional standards for school counselors are discussed.
Does Increased Topside Conformity in Modular Total Knee Arthroplasty Lead to Increased Backside Wear

Modular metal-backed tibia components allow surgeons intraoperative flexibility. Although it is known that modular tibia components introduce the possibility for backside wear resulting from relative motion between the polyethylene insert and the tibial baseplate, it is not known to what degree variability in the conformity of the tibial polyethylene liner itself might contribute to backside wear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a flat, cruciate-retaining tibial polyethylene bearing generates less backside wear than a more conforming (curved) tibial polyethylene bearing in an analysis of specimens explanted during revision surgery. The study included 70 total knee inserts explanted at revision surgery, all implanted and explanted by the same surgeon. Two different cruciate-retaining insert options in an otherwise similar knee system were used: one with a curved-on-flat (17) articular geometry and one with a highly conforming curved-on-curved design (53); both groups were sequential cohorts. The composite backside wear depth for the insert as well as the volume of backside wear was measured and compared between groups. The median linear backside-normalized wear for the posterior lipped inserts was 0.0063 mm/year (range, 0–0.085 mm/year), which was lower than for the curved inserts at 0.05 mm/year (range, 0.00003–0.14 mm/year) (p < 0.001). The median calculated volumetric backside-normalized wear for the posterior lipped inserts was 14.2 mm3/year (range, 0–282.8 mm3/year) compared with 117 mm3/year (range, 2.1–312 mm3/year) for the curved inserts (p < 0.001). In this retrieval study, more conforming tibial inserts demonstrated more backside-normalized wear than the flatter designs. This suggests that in this modular total knee arthroplasty design, higher articular conformity to address the issues of high bearing contact stress comes at a price: increased torque transmitted to the backside insert-to-tray interface. We suggest further work be undertaken to examine newer insert designs to evaluate if our conclusions hold true with the newer generation locking mechanism, tibial tray finish and polyethylene designs, as more highly conforming tibial inserts are introduced into the market. Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Human neuropsychology and the concept of culture

American anthropology is distinguished by a four-fields approach in which biological, cultural, archaeological, and linguistic dimensions of behavior are examined in evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective. Nevertheless, assumptions of mind-body dualism pervade scholarly thinking in anthropology and have prevented the development of a truly integrated science of human experience. This dualism is most exemplified by the lack of consideration of the role of the brain in both “physical” and “mental” processes, including phenomena labeled as cultural. In this paper, I review neural mechanisms of learning, communication, and emotion, and discuss the implications of these findings for culture theory.
Taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in higher serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D

Many patients treated for vitamin D deficiency fail to achieve an adequate serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] despite high doses of ergo- or cholecalciferol. The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of vitamin D supplement with the largest meal of the day would improve absorption and increase serum levels of 25(OH)D. This was a prospective cohort study in an ambulatory tertiary-care referral center. Patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Bone Clinic for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency who were not responding to treatment make up the stugy group. Subjects were instructed to take their usual vitamin D supplement with the largest meal of the day. The main outcome measure was the serum 259(OH)D level after 2 to 3 months. Seventeen patients were analyzed. The mean age (±SD) and sex (F/M) ratio were 64.5 ± 11.0 years and 13 females and 4 males, respectively. The dose of 25(OH)D ranged from 1000 to 50,000 IU daily. The mean baseline serum 25(OH)D level (±SD) was 30.5 ± 4.7 ng/mL (range 21.6 to 38.8 ng/mL). The mean serum 25(OH)D level after diet modification (±SD) was 47.2 ± 10.9 ng/mL (range 34.7 to 74.0 ng/mL, p < .01). Overall, the average serum 25(OH)D level increased by 56.7% ± 36.7%. A subgroup analysis based on the weekly dose of vitamin D was performed, and a similar trend was observed. Thus it is concluded that taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in about a 50% increase in serum levels of 25(OH)D levels achieved. Similar increases were observed in a wide range of vitamin D doses taken for a variety of medical conditions. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Differential effects of luminal arginine and glutamine on metalloproteinase production in the postischemic gut

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of endopeptidases induced under inflammatory conditions in the intestine which possess the capacity to degrade components of the extracellular matrix. We have previously demonstrated that MMP-2 expression correlates with increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production in the stomach and that iNOS is upregulated in the postischemic gut by the luminal nutrient arginine and repressed by luminal glutamine. We therefore hypothesized that arginine would enhance expression of MMP-2 in the postischemic gut. METHODS Jejunal sacs were created in rats at laparotomy and filled with either 60 mM glutamine, arginine, or magnesium sulfate (osmotic control) followed by 60 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) and 6 hours of reperfusion and compared with shams. Jejunum was harvested, and membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), MMP-2, and iNOS protein expression was determined by Western analysis and MMP-9 production by gelatin zymography. RESULTS MMP-2, MT1-MMP, MMP-9, and iNOS were all increased after SMAO compared with shams. Arginine maintained while glutamine inhibited the increase in iNOS, MT1-MMP, and MMP-2 expression in the postischemic gut. Pretreatment of the arginine group with a selective iNOS inhibitor blunted the induction of MMP-2 in the postischemic gut. There was no differential modulation of MMP-9 by the luminal nutrients. CONCLUSIONS The arginine-induced upregulation of iNOS may contribute to increased activity of MT1-MMP and MMP-2. The mechanism for this differential regulation by arginine warrants further investigation.
PHARMACOKINETICS AND EFFICACY OF ONCE DAILY CEFTRIAXONE

Because of its spectrum and prolonged half-life ceftriaxone (RO) has been shown to be particularly useful in the treatment of pediatric infections including meningitis. In the United States it has been administered twice daily and the major side effect encountered has been diarrhea. RO 50mg/kg, administered once daily, was used to treat 18 non-meningitic infections in children aged 2.5 M to 13 yr. Etiologic agents included Staphylococcus aureus (9), Streptococcus pyogenes (8), non-enterococcal group D Streptococcus (1), Hemophilus influenzae b (3) (1 ampicillin resistant), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2), E. coli (2), Proteus vulgaris (1). Several patients had 2 organisms isolated. Infections seen included cellulitis (13)-periorbital (3), septicemia (2), urinary tract infections (4), epiglottitis (1). One patient had both a UTI and septicemia. Duration of therapy ranged from 5 to 9 days. The mean plasma RO concentrations obtained one hour after and within one hour before a dose were 193.8 ± 101μg/ml and 8.6 ± 6μg/ml. The mean half-life was 5.13 h ± 1.05. All patients had trough RO concentrations ⩾ 3.4μg/ml exceeding the minimal inhibatory concentration of the infecting organism. All patients were cured. No patients developed diarrhea although 2 patients had eosinophilia, 2 thrombocytosis and 3 elevated transaminases. Ceftriaxone appears safe and effective when used at the lower dose of 50mg/kg administered once daily to treat infections with susceptible organisms.
Sample matrix effects on glycopeptide stability by high performance capillary electrophoresis

High performance capillary electrophoresis (CE) of glycoprotein digests frequently reveals extensive microheterogeneity associated with specific protein glycosylation sites. The choice of the sample matrix can influence the electrophoretic migration time, peak shape and resolution, as well as the physical stability of the product glycopeptides. Acetic acid is a frequently employed sample matrix for both capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Acetic acid appears to enhance the spontaneous hydrolysis of sialic acids from the nonreducing termini of glycopeptides in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, even at 5 degrees C, as evidenced by changes in the electrophoretic mobility and ESI-MS spectra of the resulting glycopeptides. The observed parallel electrophoretic mobility changes for specific glycoforms are consistent with the induction of peptide structure with time. Asialoglycopeptide mobilities were stable in acetic acid. Electrophoretic mobilities can be stabilized with propionic acid sample matrix with no apparent structural changes observed by ESI-MS within 31 h. Migration time reproducibility was in the range of 0.1% relative standard deviation (N = 7) with excellent peak shapes and enhanced glycopeptide resolution.
Introduction to geothermal exploration on Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean

The exploration for a geothermal resource on Ascension Island utilized a strategy that initially employed geologic mapping. On the basis of this, subsurface faults were mapped using an aeromagnetic survey. The faults were then explored using electrical resistivity surveys to define areas of potential hydrothermal fluid up-welling. The results of all of these techniques were used to site temperature gradient holes. A deep geothermal exploration well was then drilled in the area with highest heat flow adjacent to a rhyolite-to-trachyte volcanic complex.
Novel Techniques to Study Colonic Motor Function in Children

Colonic motility is an essential component of normal colonic physiology and it controls essential bodily functions such as stool propulsion, storage, and expulsion. Disordered colonic motility may present with constipation or diarrhea as well as associated symptoms such as bloating, gas, pain, incontinence, and others. In order to assess colonic motor function, practitioners may use studies that either investigate transit time or that evaluate peristaltic activity. Transit time is the result of both the effectiveness of propulsive pressures and the physical characteristics of the stools. Its measurement allows one to quantify the extent and severity of the colonic dysfunction and permits the assessment of response to therapy. Various methods exist to investigate colon transit time and motility. In this review, we will focus on newer techniques for these investigations, including: scintigraphic transit studies, anorectal manometry, colonic manometry, and studies using a wireless motility capsule.
Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme from venom of the southern copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix).

Abstract A fibrinolytic enzyme present in Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix (southern copperhead) venom has been purified by combination of CM-cellulose chromatography, molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-100, p-aminobenzamidine-agarose affinity chromatography, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme, fibrolase, has a molecular weight of 23,000–24,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 6.8. It is composed of approximately 200 amino acids, possesses a blocked NH2-terminus and contains little or no carbohydrate. The enzyme shows no activity against a series of chromogenic p-nitroanilide substrates and is not inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate, soybean trypsin inhibitor, Trasylol, or p-chloromercuribenzoate. However, the enzyme is a metalloproteinase since it is inhibited by EDTA, o-phenanthroline and tetraethylenepentamine (a specific zinc chelator). Metal analysis revealed 1 mol of zinc/mol of protein. Study of cleavage site preference of the fibrinolytic enzyme using the oxidized B chain of insulin revealed that specificity is similar to other snake venom metalloproteinases with cleavage primarily directed to an X-Leu bond. Interestingly, unlike some other venom fibrinolytic metalloproteinases, flbrolase exhibits little if any hemorrhagic activity. The enzyme exhibits direct fibrinolytic activity and does not activate plasminogen. In vitro studies revealed that flbrolase dissolves clots made either from purified fibrinogen or from whole blood.
Assessing the generalizability of the CSAT-sponsored GAIN dataset: Are the CSAT sites representative of adolescent treatment programs in the U.S.?

The CSAT-sponsored GAIN dataset represents one of the largest longitudinal datasets of adolescent substance use treatment currently available. Understanding the characteristics of the included treatment programs is needed to help inform whether the data are generalizable to adolescent treatment more broadly. Data from a national sample of adolescent treatment programs were compared to the CSAT-funded programs to assess generalizability and understand trends over time in quality service provision. The results indicated that CSAT-funded programs had higher rates of comprehensive mental health assessments, discharge planning, HIV, STD and TB testing, and HIV/AIDS education and support. Conversely, CSAT and non-CSAT-funded programs had similar rates of comprehensive substance use screening and assessment, family and aftercare counseling, drug and alcohol urine screening, case management support, and licensing. The results also showed that service provision has not changed much over the past decade and is in critical need of improvement to reflect expert-informed quality standards.
Absolute value equations

Abstract We investigate existence and nonexistence of solutions for NP-hard equations involving absolute values of variables: Ax − ∣ x ∣ = b , where A is an arbitrary n × n real matrix. By utilizing an equivalence relation to the linear complementarity problem (LCP) we give existence results for this class of absolute value equations (AVEs) as well as a method of solution for special cases. We also give nonexistence results for our AVE using theorems of the alternative and other arguments.