cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulsed light imaging for wide-field dosimetry of photodynamic therapy in the skin

Photodynamic therapy using aminoluvelinic acid (ALA) is an FDA-approved treatment for actinic keratoses, pre-cancerous skin lesions which pose a significant risk for immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients. While PDT is generally effective, response rates vary, largely due to variations in the accumulation of the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) after ALA application. The ability to quantify PpIX production before treatment could facilitate the use of additional interventions to improve outcomes. While many groups have demonstrated the ability to image PpIX in the clinic, these systems generally require darkening the room lights during imaging, which is unpopular with clinicians. We have developed a novel wide-field imaging system based on pulsed excitation and gated acquisition to image photosensitizer activity in the skin. The tissue is illuminated using four pulsed LED’s to excite PpIX, and the remitted light acquired with a synchronized ICCD. This approach facilitates real-time background subtraction of ambient light, precluding the need to darken the exam room. Delivering light in short bursts also allows the use of elevated excitation intensity while remaining under the maximum permissible exposure limits, making the modality more sensitive to photosensitizer fluorescence than standard approaches. Images of tissue phantoms indicate system sensitivity down to 250nM PpIX and images of animals demonstrate detection of PpIX fluorescence in vivo under normal room light conditions.
Physical adsorption on poly(methylmethacrylate)

Abstract Isotherms for the adsorption of nitrogen and argon on poly(methylmethacrylate) were obtained at three temperatures over a pressure range from a few microns to the saturated vapor pressure of the adsorbing gas. Differential and integral enthalpies and entropies were calculated and indicate a heterogeneous surface with adsorption energies higher than those observed for unsubstituted hydrocarbons. Clustering functions were calculated and indicate that the adsorption occurred in clusters throughout the range investigated.
Detection of visual field progression in glaucoma with standard achromatic perimetry: A review and practical implications

Detection of visual field progression remains a challenging task despite the recent advances for better handling of longitudinal visual field data, some of which are incorporated in currently available perimeters. Standard achromatic perimetry remains the gold standard for detection of visual field progression. The authors present a practical and clinically relevant review of the main issues involved in detection of early glaucoma as well as detection of visual field progression in eyes with pre-existing glaucomatous damage. After discussing some basic concepts in perimetry, the authors present evidence-based recommendations for criteria to detect earliest evidence of glaucomatous damage with perimetry. The authors will review different event- and trend-based criteria and present data with regard to comparative performance of such criteria. Relevance of using absolute versus corrected threshold data with regard to different criteria is also addressed. At the end, the authors provide practical guidelines for detection of visual field progression in a clinical setting and review issues related to clinical trials.
Application of principal component analysis to lidar data filtering and analysis.

ABSTRACT Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has proven to be a valuable tool for remote sensing data compression, pattern recognition, and for filtering out measurement noise. In this pa per, we present preliminary results on the application of PCA technique to reduce random noise present in lidar observations. Typically, the SNR at a given range can be improved either by increasing the integration time of the meas urements or by applying spatia l averaging. Th is procedure, however, improves the SNR at the expense of the instruments temporal and spatial resolution. The number of range bins needed to characterize backscatter features is far less than the number of components needed to characterize the distribution of these features in the atmosphere. The higher-order PCA components, which mainly serve to characterize noise, can be eliminated along with the noise that they characterize. The results of PCA noise filtering of lidar observations strongly depend on the variability of aerosol plum es. To avoid loss of information in the presence of highly variable aerosol plumes, it is necessary to use a conservative number of principal components higher then optimum for maximum noise reduction. Nevertheless, noise reduction factors of 2-8, depending on the lidar range and atmospheric variability, can still be achieved. Keywords: Remote sensing, Principal Component Analysis, lidar, aerosols, pollution, air quality
An idealized model of dissolved sulfate distribution in recent sediments

Abstract An idealized model is proposed to illustrate the depth distribution of dissolved sulfate, in recent subaqueous sediments, that would be expected under steady state deposition. The processes considered by the model are ionic diffusion, deposition plus compaction, and bacterial sulfate reduction. Rate parameters (diffusion coefficient, rate of bacterial sulfate reduction) calculated from the model, for a sediment core from the Santa Barbara Basin of southern California, agree within an order of magnitude with values estimated by independent methods.
Alternating current studies of charge carrier transport in lipid bilayers. Pentachlorophenol in lecithin-cholesterol membranes.

Abstract Surface and interior electrical properties of lecithin-cholesterol bilayer membranes treated with the uncoupler pentachlorophenol have been determined on the basis of a.c. measurements over a wide range of frequencies (0.02 to 1000 kHz). The method used depends on accurately determining the resistance of the aqueous solution in series with each individual membrane by extrapolating admittance data to infinite frequency. Loss tangent vs. frequency curves are corrected by subtracting out a loss contribution which is present in untreated membranes and is due, presumably, to dielectric relaxation. The results, which are useful below 100 kHz, can be fitted to loss tangent curves computed for a three-element equivalent circuit consisting of frequency independent conductance-capacitance pairs, arranged in series to represent surface and interior properties of membranes. Interior conductances agree with net conductances obtained from d.c. measurements. The pH and concentration dependence of surface conductance is consistent with a scheme of transport in which a fixed number of surface binding sites are filled preferentially with neutral pentachlorophenol molecules, which in turn dissociate to supply protons to the aqueous phase. Surface capacitances range from 15 to 90 times that of interior capacitance and show a systematic increase with pentachlorophenol concentration at high pH, and a decrease with concentration at low pH.
Relationships between Temperament and Classroom Behavior, Teacher Attitudes, and Academic Achievement:

This paper investigates the concurrent validity of the Teacher Form of the Temperament Assessment Battery. This questionnaire was designed to measure activity level, adaptability, approach/withdraw...
Comparison of oxygen and water vapor permeabilities of whey protein isolate and β-lactoglobulin edible films

Oxygen permeability (OP) and water vapor permeability (WVP) of whey protein isolate (WPI) and β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) edible films were studied at three different levels of glycerol content. WVP and OP of WPI films were not statistically different from WVP and OP of β-Lg films. Although the presence of glycerol as plasticizer could have masked some differences between β-Lg and WPI films, β-Lg appears to contribute to the barrier properties of the protein matrix of WPI in a manner similar to the other whey protein fractions. Temperature had an exponential effect on the OP of WPI and β-Lg films. Results fitted the Arrhenius model with activation energies in the 10.5−13.5 kcal/mol range. Keywords: Whey protein; β-lactoglobulin; edible films; oxygen permeability; water vapor permeability
On Nevai's characterization of measures with almost everywhere positive derivative

Abstract It is known that if dμ is a finite positive Borel measure on the unit circle ∂Δ := {z ϵ C:¦z¦ = 1} with μ′ > 0 a.e. in [0, 2π], then lim n→∞ ∫ 2π 0 |ϑ n (z)| 2 | n+l (z)| 2 −1 dθ=0, z=e iθ (∗) uniformly in l ⩾ 0, where {ϑn(z)}n = 0∞ is the set of orthonormal polynomials with respect to dμ. Recently, Nevai proved that if (∗) holds uniformly in l ⩾ 0, then μ′ > 0 a.e. in [0, 2π]. In this note we establish another characterization of such measures in terms of Turan-type inequalities and we utilize it to give an alternative proof of Nevai's result.
Relative entropy between Markov transition rate matrices

The relative entropy between two Markov transition rate matrices is derived from sample path considerations. This relative entropy is interpreted as a level-2.5 large-deviations action functional. That is, the level-two large-deviations action functional for empirical distributions of continuous-time Markov chains can be derived from the relative entropy using the contraction mapping principle. >
NF-κB stimulates Akt phosphorylation and gene expression by distinct signaling mechanisms

While NF-kappaB may be a downstream target of Akt, Akt can also be regulated by NF-kappaB. Elevated expression of p65/RelA stimulates both phosphorylation and expression of Akt in NIH3T3 cells and primary endothelial cells. Both effects of p65 on Akt are blocked by transcriptional and translational inhibitors, suggesting the need for new gene expression. Elevated p65 expression leads to an activation of PI-3 kinase and PDK1. Treatment with antisense PDK1 oligonucleotides reduces PDK1 expression and inhibits the stimulation of Akt phosphorylation by p65. Pharmacological inhibition of PI-3 kinase blocks both PDK1 and Akt phosphorylation by p65, placing PI-3 kinase upstream of PDK1 in the signaling cascade leading to increased Akt phosphorylation. However, neither inhibition of PI-3 kinase or of PDK1 affected the ability of p65 to stimulate Akt expression, suggesting that distinct mechanisms underlie the two stimulatory effects of p65 on Akt. Increased Akt expression by p65 is mediated at the transcriptional level.
Bupropion improves attention but does not affect impulsive behavior in healthy young adults

Bupropion is an effective abstinence aid for cessation of smoking and possibly other drug use as well. There is evidence that bupropion improves attention and impulse control in certain patient populations, and improvements in these processes could mediate its efficacy as an abstinence aid. In the present study, we tested the effects of acute bupropion on measures of attention and impulsivity in healthy adults with d-amphetamine included as a positive control. Twenty-two nonsmokers (11 women) and 11 smokers (4 women) completed four 4-hr sessions where they received placebo, bupropion (150 or 300 mg), or d-amphetamine (20 mg) in capsules. Ninety minutes after capsule administration, participants were tested on attention with a simple reaction time task (SRT) and on impulsivity with the stop task, a delay and probability discounting task (DPD), and the balloon analogue risk task (BART). Participants also completed mood questionnaires during sessions. Bupropion (150 mg) decreased lapses in attention on the SRT, but did not affect performance on the stop task, DPD, or BART. Amphetamine decreased lapses in attention and speeded sensory motor processing time on the SRT but did not significantly affect responding on the stop task or DPD. On the BART, d-amphetamine tended to decrease risk taking in men but increased risk taking in women. Bupropion (300 mg) and d-amphetamine increased ratings of arousal. These results suggest that bupropion improves attention without affecting impulsive behavior in healthy adults. Improvements in attention may contribute to the effectiveness of bupropion as a pharmacotherapy for smoking.
Energetics of “double” charge transfer and two-to-one charge-transfer adducts

Abstract Second-order perturbation theory and Huckel approximation are used to estimate the charge-transfer stabilization energy due to the mixing-in of the following dative configurations into the neutral donor (D) and acceptor (A) systems, (1) A−D2+A−, (2) D+A2−D+, (3) D2+A2−, and (4) D+A−. General parametric energy formulas are derived in terms of orbital overlap (SDA), one- and two-electron electron affinities (EA(1) and EA(2)), and Coulomb energy differences (σUc). These parametric formulas will help the assessment of the occurence and relative importance of the “defect” dative structures necessary for conduction. The specific case of the BZ-I2 complexes studied show that (1), (2) and (3) exist with stabilization energies of less than 1% of that of (4). (4) is the conventionally known contributor to the usual “single” charge-transfer state.
P2-S9.05 Qualitative assessment of anal intercourse and rectal lubricant use among women in Los Angeles

Background There is increasing evidence that anal intercourse (AI) is a relatively common sexual practice among women. Although AI has a high probability of transmission of STIs/HIV, circumstances surrounding AI and the potential risk context among women are not well understood. Methods Between May and August 2008, we recruited 30 racially and ethnically diverse women (10 African American, 10 Latina, and 10 White) age 18 years and older through community outreach efforts in Los Angeles, CA. Women underwent an in-depth interview that examined their intravaginal and anal practices. In this analysis we focus on identifying differing contextual meanings associated with AI through emergent themes and explore differences in these themes by race/ethnicity. Results The majority of women reported experience with anal intercourse with a substantial number reporting recent experience with AI (ie, in the past year). While there were discussions of AI from women describing casual or transactional sexual partnerships, most women reported AI in the context of serious relationships. AI had varied meanings for women such as an expression of deeper intimacy, a representation of partner9s pleasure, and a method for increased sexual gratification. In terms of what AI means in relation to other sexual acts, very few women reported having only AI and in fact it was considered going all out" and generally followed oral and vaginal sex. It is unclear if the women associated STI risk with AI practices since consistent condom use with AI was rare and those who reported condom use noted it as a strategy to improve “cleanliness” (unrelated to STIs) and reduce discomfort so that AI was “not so rough.” Lubricant use for AI, including saliva, petroleum jelly, and baby oil was common and at least one woman specifically reported on the use of “spermicide jelly.” Each of the race/ethnic groups provided support for the themes identified suggesting that the groups may not differ much regarding some of the contextual factors surrounding anal intercourse. Conclusions These findings highlight that AI is common among women, particularly among those in serious relationships suggesting a need to reframe AI as not just risk behaviour but as a sexual health issue. While condom use with AI is not common, the use of anal lubricating products not specifically designed for intercourse is common. The frequency and potential health effects of AI lubricants warrant further study.
Decompression wave caused eruption chain reaction

The 2010 eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull proceeded through fits and starts. A new analysis by Tarasewicz et al. suggests that a downward propagating decompression wave triggered a cascade of explosive eruptions from sequentially deeper magma reservoirs. Drawing on detailed seismic measurements, the authors found that earthquake activity under the volcano propagated deeper into the subsurface as the eruption progressed. They found that at the onset of the explosive phase of the eruption on 14 April, magma was ejected from a chamber located 5 kilometers below the summit. Over subsequent weeks, the eruption calmed and the surface deflated as the subsurface magma chamber emptied. The authors suggest that the decreasing mass of the summit caused the pressure to drop in a subsurface pipeline that fed the main magma chamber.
Studies on Lake Erie's littoral algae; Host specificity and temporal periodicity of epiphytic diatoms

Substratum specificity and temporal periodicity of the attached diatom flora upon three aquatic vascular plants and an artificial substratum were examined in three Lake Erie marshes. No qualitative or quantitative specificity for substrata was observed. Variability of diatom assemblage structure within replicate samples of a particular substratum type was as great as, or greater than, variability between substrata. Diatom assemblages upon dowel rod displayed a mid to late summer density maximum. Variability of density maxima upon natural substrata was attributed to different growth rates of the host macrophytes. Diatom assemblages within each sampling site possessed a distinct temporal periodicity indicating that factors affecting diatom growth are heterogeneous in distribution throughout Lake Erie's littoral zone.
Water washing of Proterozoic oil in the Midcontinent rift system

Whole oil gas chromatography shows that petroleum inclusions trapped in 1.05 Ga veins in the Midcontinent rift experienced variable water washing but no significant biodegradation or phase separation. By comparing our results with published experimental data, we estimate that water:petroleum ratios varied from 200:1 to much greater than 9000:1. Extreme water washing with water:petroleum ratios very much greater than 9000:1 likely produced pyrobitumen (solid hydrocarbon) that was locally trapped as primary inclusions in vein calcite. Hydrothermal ore deposits, with their extremely high water:rock ratios, are one of the best places to search for end-member water-washed petroleum. Sedimentary basins, however, with their variable water:rock ratios, also have a wide range of water:petroleum ratios, which significantly affect the composition of crude oils along the flow path between source rock and trap. Water:petroleum ratios may be a useful concept to help evaluate crude oil compositions in a variety of settings.
The differentiation of cross-striated myofibrils in short term cell culture.

Abstract 1. 1. Despite culture conditions which usually lead to loss of differentiative character, ribbon-like multinuclear cells form in monolayer cultures of trypsinized embryonic skeletal muscle. 2. 2. Glycerol extraction of these multinuclear cells demonstrates the presence of cross-striated myofibrils within them. 3. 3. The degree of cross-striation as well as the number of cells in which cross-striation can be detected increases with time. 4. 4. The terminus of the multinuclear muscle cell appears to be a less well differentiated region of the cell by virtue of the sparcity of cross-striation as well as its primitive arrangement of nuclei.
Vitamin D status of children receiving chronic dialysis

Patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy are presumed to be at risk for 25(OH) D3 deficiency, but little information is available on its prevalence, manifestations of deficiency, and the impact of ergocalciferol supplementation. A single-center, retrospective study of 51 prevalent pediatric patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis was conducted to address these issues. Forty of 51 (78.4 %) patients had low ( 12 years, non-Caucasian race and > 12-month duration of dialysis were significantly associated with low 25(OH) D3 levels (p = 0.006, p = 0.05, and p = 0.04, respectively). Twenty-three of the 40 patients deficient in 25(OH) D3 received repletion therapy with ergocalciferol and had a follow-up level at an average of 2 months following completion of a single course of therapy; 14 (60 %) of the levels were normal. Mean baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) for patients with 25(OH) D3 levels ≤ 30 was 478.68 ± 474.01 pg/ml and treatment with ergocalciferol was not associated with a significant decrease in the mean iPTH value (p = 0.45). We conclude that low 25(OH) D3 levels are common in pediatric patients receiving dialysis and require attention in accordance with current practice guidelines.
Enterocyte Nutrient Transport Is Preserved in a Rabbit Model of Acute Intestinal Ischemia

Background. The use of enteral nutrition in patients with nonocclusive splanchnic hypoperfusion is controversial. This study aims to quantitate enterocyte nutrient transport and correlate function with morphology during intestinal ischemia. Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to control (celiotomy only) 60-minute infrarenal aortic clamp (IRC) or 60-minute supraceliac aortic clamp (SCC). Small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) were prepared by magnesium precipitation and serial differential centrifugation. Sodium-dependent uptake of glucose, glutamine, alanine, leucine, and arginine into BBMVs was quantitated by rapid mixing and filtration. Histologic examination of the intestine was performed by a pathologist blinded to groups. Data are reported as mean values ± SEM, with significance determined by analysis of variance at p <.05. Results: Villus heights in the IRC and SCC groups were 20% and 48% less than control, respectively. SCC histology was characterized by extensive epithelial denudation and necrosis, whereas IRC had mild focal villus edema only. Sodium-dependent glucose and leucine transport each exhibited nonsignificant increases of 20% to 25% in the IRC group and 30% to 55% in the SCC group. No changes were noted in sodium-dependent glutamine, alanine, and arginine uptake or sodium-independent transport. Conclusions: Enteral nutrient transport does not correlate with mucosal architecture, is maintained during splanchnic hypoperfusion states, and likely occurs via intact crypt cells.
Human-animal chimeras : Human dignity, moral status, and species prejudice

The creation of chimeras by introducing human stem cells into nonhu- man animals has provoked intense concerns. Addressing objections that appeal to human dignity, I focus in this essay on stem cell research intended to generate human neurons in Great Apes and rodents. After considering samples of dignity- based objections from the literature, I examine the underlying assumption that nonhuman animals have lower moral status than personsFwith particular attention to what it means to speak of higher and lower moral statusFbefore evaluating the chimera research in question. I argue that (1) such experiments involving Great Apes should be prohibited out of respect for the research subjects and (2) such experiments involving rodents may or may not be permissible, depending on how we answer unresolved questions regarding rodents' moral status. In the end, concerns about human dignity prove insignificant.
Hormonal Control of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Median Eminence: Demonstration of a Central Role for the Pituitary Gland*

In intact male rats the concentration of dopamine in hypophysial portal plasma of animals treated simultaneously with estradiol and progesterone was twice that of animals treated with the solvent vehicle. Treatment with estradiol or progesterone alone had no effect on dopamine in portal plasma. The rate of synthesis of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), the precursor of dopamine, in tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TID) neurites in the median eminence (ME) was 15 ± 1.0 (mean ± SE) pmol DOPA/ME·h in estradiol-progesterone- treated animals compared to 3.2 ± 0.02 in vehicle-treated controls. Treatment with estradiol or progesterone alone gave a result similar to that seen in controls. In hypophysectomized animals treated with estradiol and progesterone, DOPA synthesis in the ME was greatly attenuated compared to that in intact rats. The in situ activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; expressed as moles of DOPA per mol TH/h) in the ME was 178 ± 16.5 in estradiol-progesterone-treated intact rats, but was 27 ± 2.4, 5...
Improving Dyspnea Management in Three Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This case report describes occupational therapy intervention for three adult outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at one large urban hospital. The occupational therapy intervention was based on the Management of Dyspnea Guidelines for Practice (Migliore, in press). The learning and practice of controlled breathing were promoted in the context of physical activity exertion in a domiciliary environment. In addition to promoting dyspnea management, the controlled-breathing strategies aimed to facilitate energy conservation and to increase perceived breathing control. Although no causality can be determined in a case study design, the patients' dyspnea with activity exertion decreased and their functional status and quality of life increased following goal-directed, individualized occupational therapy intervention combined with exercise training.
Basic science of mesenchymal stem cells in spine surgery

Current research is trending toward tissue engineering and regeneration of mesenchymal tissues in treatment of disease, particularly degenerative musculoskeletal pathology. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a potential option for improving bone and cartilage growth and repair based on their underlying potency. MSCs are attractive for their multipotent and immunological properties and ease of bulk manufacturing. This article reviews the basic science of MSCs and obstacles to clinical use and discusses the potential application in spinal surgery.
Novel multireceiver communication systems configurations based on optimal estimation theory

A multireceiver configuration for the purpose of carrier arraying and/or signal arraying is presented. The configuration is arrived at by formulating the carrier and/or signal arraying problem as an optimal estimation problem and consists of two stages. The first stage optimally estimates various phase processes received at different receivers with coupled phase-locked loops, (PLL) wherein the individual PLLs acquire and track their respective receivers' phase processes but are aided by each other in an optimal manner via low-frequency error signals. The coupled PLL estimator is followed by a linear or nonlinear combining of the quadrature-phase components of the mixers from various receivers for the purpose of data detection. The proposed configuration results in the minimization of the effective radio loss as the combiner output and thus maximization of energy per bit to noise power spectral density ratio is achieved. An adaptive algorithm for the estimator of the signal model parameters when these are not known a priori is also presented. >
Polysemy and Conceptual Blending

In this article, we look at some aspects of polysemy which derive from the power of meaning potential. More specifically, we focus on aspects linked to the operation of conceptual blending, a major cognitive resource for creativity in many of its manifestations.
Biosensors on Enzymes, Tissues, and Cells

The first electrochemical biosensor for glucose was developed by Leland C. Clark in 1962. Driven by its huge success, fundamental and applied research has greatly expanded the concept of a biosensor since then. Today biosensors are widely used in biomedical, industrial, and environmental analysis. This chapter is focused on the fundamental concepts of biosensors and the most recent research results from electrochemical biosensors that are used for environmental analysis.
Effifacy of cold plasma in cancer therapy

Summary form only given. Plasma is an ionized gas that is typically generated in high-temperature laboratory conditions. Recent progress in atmospheric plasmas led to the creation of cold plasmas with ion temperature close to room temperature. We have demonstrated the efficacy of cold plasma in a pre-clinical model of various cancer types (long, bladder, and skin) [1]. Both in-vitro and in-vivo studies revealed that cold plasmas selectively kill cancer cells. We showed that: (a) cold plasma application selectively eradicates cancer cells in vitro without damaging normal cells. For instance a strong selective effect was observed; the resulting 60–70% of SW900 cancer cells were detached from the plate in the zone treated with plasma, whereas no detachment was observed in the treated zone for the normal NHBE cells under the same treatment conditions. (b) Significantly reduced tumor size in vivo. Cold plasma treatment led to tumor ablation with neighbouring tumors unaffected. These experiments were performed on more than10 mice with the same outcome. We found that tumors of about 5mm in diameter were ablated after 2 min of single time plasma treatment. The two best known cold plasma effects, plasma-induced apoptosis and the decrease of cell migration velocity can have important implications in cancer treatment by localizing the affected area of the tissue and by decreasing metastasic development. In addition, cold plasma treatment has affected the cell cycle of cancer cells. It was shown that reactive oxygen species metabolism and oxidative stress responsive genes are deregulated. We investigated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with cold plasma treatment as a potential mechanism for the tumor ablation observed.
The relationship between degree of facet tropism and amount of dynamic disc bulge in lumbar spine of patients symptomatic for low back pain

Facet tropism has been investigated as a predisposing factor for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine; however, no prior study has evaluated the relationship between disc bulge and facet tropism. In this study, we used kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI) to investigate the association between degree of facet tropism and amount of disc bulge in the lumbar spine in relation to age. kMRIs in the flexion, neutral, and extension positions were performed on 410 consecutive patients with low back pain. T2-weighted midsagittal and axial mid-disc cuts were analyzed to measure disc bulge and facet angle. Facet asymmetry was calculated and classified as: no facet tropism, <6°; mild facet tropism, 6–11°; or severe facet tropism, ≥11°. Maximal static bulge (MSB), maximal dynamic bulge (MDB), and age in the facet tropism groups were compared by age subpopulations and MDB categories, defined by the positions between which the largest change in disc bulge occurs. We found the severe facet tropism group to be associated with a nearly significant increase in MSB and MDB over the no facet tropism group in the older subpopulation at the L4–L5 level only, and a larger MDB in the L4–L5 MDB category [E–N], where the greatest change in disc bulge occurs between neutral and extension positions (p = 0.013). Our findings suggest that severe facet tropism is associated with increased disc bulge at L4–L5 in only a subset of older age patients, but may in large part be due to biomechanical factors that define the [E–N] category.
Vitamin C selectively kills KRAS and BRAF mutant colorectal cancer cells by targeting GAPDH

More than half of human colorectal cancers (CRCs) carry either KRAS or BRAF mutations and are often refractory to approved targeted therapies. We found that cultured human CRC cells harboring KRAS or BRAF mutations are selectively killed when exposed to high levels of vitamin C. This effect is due to increased uptake of the oxidized form of vitamin C, dehydroascorbate (DHA), via the GLUT1 glucose transporter. Increased DHA uptake causes oxidative stress as intracellular DHA is reduced to vitamin C, depleting glutathione. Thus, reactive oxygen species accumulate and inactivate glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Inhibition of GAPDH in highly glycolytic KRAS or BRAF mutant cells leads to an energetic crisis and cell death not seen in KRAS and BRAF wild-type cells. High-dose vitamin C impairs tumor growth in Apc/Kras(G12D) mutant mice. These results provide a mechanistic rationale for exploring the therapeutic use of vitamin C for CRCs with KRAS or BRAF mutations.
Use of an Artificial Nesting Mound by Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta): A Tool for Turtle Conservation

Abstract We constructed an artificial nesting mound for Glyptemys insculpta (Wood Turtle) in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NL The original nesting site was impacted by development and invasive plants. The new nesting mound was constructed from similar soil and was 100 m distant from the original site. The new mound was 50 m from stream habitat and in an old field where it received full sun for the entire day. The mound was 18 m long, 8 m wide, and had a maximum height of 1.5 m, with gently sloping sides. We encountered nest-searching female Wood Turtles on the impacted site during late May to early June for four years, 2007–2010. We carefully hand-carried females to the new nesting area and allowed them to choose whether or not to nest on the mound. We protected all nests from predators. Seventeen of 18 nests that were deposited and left on the nesting mound produced live hatchlings. Six clutches had 100% hatching success, with only one failing completely. At least nine different female Wood T...
MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA IN COTTONTOP MARMOSETS AFTER INOCULATION WITH EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS

Abstract Neoplasia resembling human malignant lymphoma, reticulum cell sarcoma type, occurred in cottontop marmosets inoculated with materials containing Epstein-Barr virus. One of four monkeys that received autologous cells transformed in vitro by Epstein-Barr virus developed lymphoma in mesenteric lymph nodes 7.5 months after inoculation. Three of four marmosets inoculated with cell-free Epstein-Barr virus developed lymphoma. The latent period for detectable tumor formation after addition of virus was 31-46 days. Immunosuppressive drugs given with the virus accelerated the course of disease. Nevertheless, malignant lymphoma occurred in an animal given only cell-free virus. Six of eight marmosets inoculated with the virus demonstrated antibodies to the virus. Four marmosets not exposed to the virus, including two that received immunosuppressive drugs, developed neither tumors nor antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. Virus antigen detectable by immunofluorescence was found in 5% of cells shed from one tumor maintained in organ culture. These results imply that Epstein-Barr virus is capable of inducing malignant lymphoma in at least one primate species. Additional evidence is required before its oncogenic capacity in this host can be accepted without reservation.
Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma: A case report and literature review

Abstract Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma is a rare neoplasm that most commonly affects children in the first year of life. However, cases in older individuals have been reported. This unusual lesion is benign in nature, but can be locally aggressive leading to complications. Only 23 cases have been reported, although cases in older literature may have been identified. We present the 24th case in a 3-year-old child with recurrent eye infections, congestion, and proptosis. This is the second case reported in children between the ages of 2 and 10 years, and also the second case of recurrence after complete initial resection.
Plant Body Weight-Induced Secondary Growth in Arabidopsis and Its Transcription Phenotype Revealed by Whole-Transcriptome Profiling

Wood is an important raw material and environmentally cost-effective renewable source of energy. However, the molecular biology of wood formation (i.e. secondary growth) is surprisingly understudied. A novel experimental system was employed to study the molecular regulation of secondary xylem formation in Arabidopsis. First, we demonstrate that the weight carried by the stem is a primary signal for the induction of cambium differentiation and the plant hormone, auxin, is a downstream carrier of the signal for this process. We used Arabidopsis whole-transcriptome (23 K) GeneChip analysis to examine gene expression profile changes in the inflorescent stems treated for wood formation by cultural manipulation or artificial weight application. Many of the genes up-regulated in wood-forming stems had auxin responsive cis-acting elements in their promoter region, indicating auxin-mediated regulation of secondary growth. We identified 700 genes that were differentially expressed during the transition from primary growth to secondary growth. More than 40% of the genes that were up-regulated (>5x) were associated with signal transduction and transcriptional regulation. Biological significance of these regulatory genes is discussed in light of the induction and development of secondary xylem.
Dietary supplement use in a pediatric inpatient population.

OBJECTIVES: Patients are assuming responsibility for their own health by self-medicating with dietary supplements, often without physician knowledge or oversight. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) pediatric dietary supplement use by surveying parents of children who were hospitalized in a university institution; 2) if any health care professional inquired about supplement use at the time the child was hospitalized; 3) whether the use of a supplement was documented in the patient's medical record; and 4) parents' attitudes about dietary supplements. STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 100 hospitalized pediatric patients (<18 years of age) were randomly selected to complete a survey about their child's use of dietary supplements prior to and during hospitalization. They were also asked if they intended to use these products after hospitalization. The purpose of the study was explained, informed consent was obtained, and parents were given ample time to complete the survey. RESULTS: Fifty percent of parents reported giving their child a dietary supplement prior to hospitalization; 17% reported use of an herbal supplement. Only 24% of parents reported being asked about supplement use by a health care professional upon admission or during the hospital stay. The response to only five of these queries was documented in the child's medical record. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing dietary supplement use mandates that all health care professionals elicit this information as part of the routine History and Physical Examination at the time a child is hospitalized. This information should also be documented in the patient's medical record. Likewise, parents should be encouraged to discuss the use of these products with their physician and pharmacist.
Estimating standard errors in spatial panel models with time varying spatial correlation

We connect time varying spatial correlation patterns to examples in the theoretical and empirical literature. Then we use simulation experiments to compare the performance of estimation techniques that use spatial weights matrices (W) and those that do not. The results suggest that the pattern of time varying correlation does impact inference, but not as much as the W misspecification literature suggests. We find choosing the appropriate inferential method is less of a concern if the data generating process follows a hub-spoke correlation structure. Finally, we confirm earlier results that the cluster robust modifications proposed by Bester et al. (2011) perform well if the group sizes are chosen appropriately.
Prototype rechargeable tag for acoustical neural telemetry.

overshooting in response to stimuli placed on the side of the lesion (P < 0.001 for both animals, Fig. IC). In contrast to VIIIth nerve lesions, turn amplitude did not increase on the side opposite the lesion. Complete VIIIth nerve lesions disrupt input from all end organs which may result in more widespread turning deficits. For escape, preand post-lesion turn amplitudes were not significantly different (Fig. 1D). While lesions to the peripheral vestibular system did not affect the turning component of escape, they may affect the airborne phase and landing. Following PC nerve lesion, the amplitudes of prey capture and escape turns did not change (data not shown). This result implies that the turning deficits described here for prey capture are specific to horizontal canal nerve lesion and not a result of non-specific damage to the nervous system or to general surgical trauma. These data support the idea that on-line vestibular input is required for prey capture turning and not required for escape turning. This is consistent with the fact that turn accuracy is of greater importance for prey capture than for escape. Since the HC measures angular acceleration in the horizontal plane, it is well suited to supply the animal with on-line information about the actual position and velocity of the body in space. This information could be used to guide the centrally generated movement of the body and head toward the prey target. For escape turns, the spatial organization is more variable and the peak velocity is greater than for prey capture turns (4). This suggests that the speed of the escape turn is more important than accuracy; thus vestibular input may not be required. The initial phase of the escape response, the turn, may be truly ballistic in nature allowing the frog to maximize the speed of the response. This work was supported by the Grass Foundation.
Reflections on a Portrait of Our Field

After providing summaries of the seven core chapters that follow, I discuss some common themes that run through them. As a framework I use the four-­component model of teacher, student, content, and environment, which continues to provide a useful way to talk about meta-issues in mathematics education. Chapters in this volume emphasize both the centrality of the acts of teaching that lie where the teacher and student components meet, and the importance of better understanding the ways in which students come to understand the content. These emphases and the educational problems that gave rise to them help paint a portrait of our field, and strongly suggest some necessary next steps. Although the seven core chapters place less emphasis on the need for careful attention to content and environment, they too need to play an important role as we move forward in our scholarly efforts.
Electronic State-Resolved Electron-Phonon Coupling in an Organic Charge Transfer Material from Broadband Quantum Beat Spectroscopy.

The coupling of electron and lattice phonon motion plays a fundamental role in the properties of functional organic charge-transfer materials. In this Letter we extend the use of ultrafast vibrational quantum beat spectroscopy to directly elucidate electron–phonon coupling in an organic charge-transfer material. As a case study, we compare the oscillatory components of the transient reflection (TR) of a broadband probe pulse from single crystals of quinhydrone, a 1:1 cocrystal of hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone, after exciting nonresonant impulsive stimulated Raman scattering and resonant electronic transitions using ultrafast pulses. Spontaneous resonance Raman spectra confirm the assignment of these oscillations as coherent lattice phonon excitations. Fourier transforms of the vibrational quantum beats in our broadband TR measurements allow construction of spectra that we show report the ability of these phonons to directly modulate the electronic structure of quinhydrone. These results demonstrate how ...
The effect of homatropine methyl bromide on human gastrointestinal motor activity.

Summary 1.The effects of the introduction of homatropine methyl bromide, an anticholinergic drug, into the stomach or intestine in amounts larger than those which have usually been used were evaluated on the balloon recorded motor activities of the human stomach, small intestine and sigmoid colon. In addition, the compound was administered in varying dosages over prolonged periods of time for the purpose of evaluating side-effects. 2.Varying degrees of suppression of motor activity of the gastric antrum were observed following instillation of 20- to 30-mg. doses of the drug into the duodenum in each of 8 subjects; of the upper small intestine in 4 of 6 subjects following instillation of the drug into the small intestine, and of the sigmoid colon in 15 of 18 experiments on 17 subjects following oral ingestion of the compound. 3.When effects of homatropine methyl bromide on motor activity of the sigmoid colon were compared with those of Banthine and atropine, it was found that in the dosage used the compound appeared to be about as effective as Banthine and somewhat more so than atropine. 4.The anticholinergic activity of the compound was sufficient to prevent the usual cholinergic effects of a single subcutaneous injection of 10 mg. of Urecholine. 5.The incidence of side-effects in patients receiving varying dosages over different periods of time varied directly with the size of the individual doses. They included dryness of the mouth, blurring of vision and, rarely, urinary retention. 6.The data suggest that the most effective safe dosage schedule of oral administration of homatropine methyl bromide in adults is 30 mg. four times per day, the amount being decreased if unpleasant side-effects occur.
On the Value Integration of Successfully Reformed Ex-Convicts A Comparison With Moral Exemplars

The issue of successfully reintegrating ex-prisoners into society is a critical one. To assess the process of successful reintegration, we interviewed five male ex-convicts about their past versus present lives. Their responses were coded for self-oriented (agency) and community-oriented values. We found a shift away from “unmitigated” agency, toward community values from past to present, and also an integration of agency with community similar to that found in moral exemplars. This increase in integration was not found in a demographically matched control group. The transitions exemplified in these ex-convicts’ narratives help define potential paths for successful reintegration into society.
The Course of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease usually has periodic exacerbations and remissions. Pain can disappear without total healing of the ulcer crater and can be absent when an ulcer is present. Changes in the incidence of ulcer disease have been noted in recent years. Genetic predisposition, infection with H. pylori, and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs are involved in causation. Stress; the use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine; and other diseases have been implicated as etiologic factors. Ulcer pain has a recognizable pattern, but the symptoms can be variable, particularly in older people and in patients taking ulcerogenic medications. The familiar complications of hemorrhage, perforation, and obstruction still occur, and nonulcer dyspepsia has not been fully explained. Duodenal ulcers have a disturbing tendency to return; new therapeutic approaches offer hope.