cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3H-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 3H-cannabinol and 3H-cannabidiol: Penetration and regional distribution in rat brain

3H-delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (3H-delta 9-THC), 3H-cannabidiol (3H-CBD) and 3H-cannabinol (3H-CBN) were administered (1 mg/kg) to male rats which were decapitated either 0.5, 1, 15, 30 or 90 min later. The plasma concentration was similar for all cannabinoids throughout the time course. After 5 min greater than 80% of the plasma radioactivity in each treatment was due to metabolites. Radioactivity rapidly entered brain after the administration of 3H-CBD, 3H-CBN, and 3H-delta 9-THC. The concentrations of unchanged 3H-CBD aand 3H-CBN in whole brain were higher than that of 3H-delta 9-THC 5 min after administration. Regional distribution of radioactivity in the brain after 5 min was similar for all three cannabinoids, the only significant difference being in hypothalamus. Coadministration of 3H-delta 9-THC with a five-fold excess of either CBD or delta 9-THC did not produce any significant alteration in the levels of radioactivity in brain or plasma 5 min after their injection. The difference in behavioral activity of delta 9-THC, CBD and CBN cannot be explained by penetrability or regional distribution in the brain.
Sibling differences in empathic style.

The present study proposed that empathy as postural inference may characterize second-borns, while empathy defined as verbal understanding of the role of another may be more characteristic of first-borns. The former is likened to Miller and Dollard's “matched-dependent” behavior, the latter follows the principle of “copying.” Results with males tend to confirm the superiority of the verbal-understanding type of empathy in first-born males, while second-born males are superior on empathy measures which rely on postural cues. Results for females suggest that superiority on postural inference is affected by the presence of a brother, not ordinal position, while superiority on empathy as verbal understanding is an accompaniment of having a sister.
Examining Scientific and Technical Writing Strategies in the 11th Century Chinese Science Book Brush Talks from Dream Brook

This article examines the influential Chinese science book Brush Talks from Dream Brook, written by Shen Kuo in the 11th century. I suggest that Brush Talks reveals a tension between institutionalized science and science in the public, and a gap between the making of scientific knowledge and the communication of such knowledge to the general public. In writing Brush Talks, Shen preserved and popularized grassroots science and technology in the most respected medium of his time—the printed book. In the article, I ask what formal elements of this book reveal about the choices Shen made as a literati author to connect to his primary readers, most of which were middle and lower class lay audiences. As I will argue, he used three approaches that aided him in speaking to the public about science and technology—an ethnographic approach to knowledge, innovative uses of genre, and a straightforward writing style.
Effects of six weeks of quercetin supplementation on physical performance in ROTC cadets.

ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the effects of 6 weeks of quercetin supplementation on physical performance during military physical training. Methods: Using a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures, placebo-controlled design, 58 healthy, moderately trained men and women were randomly assigned to quercetin (Q) or placebo (P) groups. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during maximal effort uphill treadmill running and four physical performance measures (Army Physical Fitness Test, [APFT], Baumgartner Modified Pull-Up Test [BMPU], Wingate Anaerobic Test [WanT], and a 36.6-m sprint) were evaluated before and after 42–54 days of supplementation with 1 g/d of quercetin with vitamins and other substances in a soft chew or placebo chew. Results: Pretreatment-to-posttreatment changes in VO2peak and physical performance were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in Q and P. Conclusions: Six weeks of dietary quercetin supplementation in moderately trained individuals conducting military physical training did not ...
Notes from the EC'14 program chairs

This short document describes the process used to create the EC'14 program, as well some comments on our experience. This year the conference, which had been called the ACM Conference on Electronic Commerce, was renamed the ACM Conference on Economics and Computation to better reflect the actual makeup of the papers to be presented at the conference. The acronym EC was retained and EC'14 is the fifteenth iteration of the conference.
The asymptotic probability that a random graph is a unit interval graph, indifference graph, or proper interval graph

Let G be a graph on v labelled vertices with E edges, without loops or multiple edges. Let v -> ~ and let E=E(v) be a function of v such that lim E(v)v^2^3=c. The limit of the probability that a random graph is a unit interval graph, indifference graph or proper interval graph is exp(-43c^3).
Confusion-limited Galaxy Fields. II. Classical Analyses

Chokshi and Wright presented a detailed model for simulating angular distribution of galaxy images in fields that extended to very high redshifts. Standard tools are used to analyze these simulated galaxy fields for the Omega(O) = 0 and the Omega(O) = 1 cases in order to test the discriminatory power of these tools. Classical number-magnitude diagrams and surface brightness-color-color diagrams are employed to study crowded galaxy fields. An attempt is made to separate the effects due to stellar evolution in galaxies from those due to the space time geometry. The results show that this discrimination is maximized at near-infrared wavelengths where the stellar photospheres are still visible but stellar evolution effects are less severe than those observed at optical wavelenghts. Rapid evolution of the stars on the asymptotic giant branch is easily recognized in the simulated data for both cosmologies and serves to discriminate between the two extreme values of Omega(O). Measurements of total magnitudes of individual galaxies are not essential for studying light distribution in galaxies as a function of redshift. Calculations for the extragalactic background radiation are carried out using the simulated data, and compared to integrals over the evolutionary models used.
Inclusion relations among families of context-free languages

The inclusion relations of the families of regular matching-choice sets, meta-linear languages, standard matching-choice sets, and context-free languages are studied. It is shown that, each family in the sequence of families just named, is a proper subset of the family named after it. The closure properties of these families under the regular operations and the operation of forming matching-choice sets are also considered.
Bayesian Semiparametric Density Estimation and Model Verification Using a Logistic–Gaussian Process

This article proposes a semiparametric model, which consists of parametric and nonparametric components, for density estimation. The parametric component represents the researcher's a priori beliefs about a likely family of density functions. The nonparametric component, which is modeled by a logistic–Gaussian process, allows the predictive distribution to deviate from the parametric family if it is inadequate. Bayesian hypothesis testing is used to examine the adequacy of the parametric model relative to the flexible alternative provided by the semiparametric model. The article presents a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm that efficiently handles the large number of parameters.
Chemistry and phytotoxicity of thaxtomin A alkyl ethers.

The thaxtomin phytotoxins (1 and 2) from scab-producing Streptomyces pathogens of the potato are 2,5-dioxopiperazines consisting of modified l-tryptophanyl and l-phenylalanyl units. Thaxtomin A (1) is hydroxylated at C-14, the α carbon of the modified l-phenylalanyl moiety. Refluxing thaxtomin A in acidified MeOH, EtOH, and i-PrOH afforded C-14 thaxtomin A methyl- (3a and 3b), ethyl- (4a and 4b), and isopropyl- (5a and 5b) ethers, respectively, in both the 11S,14R (3a, 4a, and 5a) and 11S,14S (3b, 4b, and 5b) configurations. Crystal structures were determined for 3a and 4a. Extensive NMR as well as other spectroscopic data supported structural assignments for all of the derivatives. The 11S,14R-configured derivatives were slightly less potent than the natural products (1 and 2) as inhibitors of lettuce seedling root growth, whereas the activity of the 11S,14S epimers was much reduced, indicating that the configuration at C-14 found in the naturally occurring thaxtomins is essential for biological activity...
Sex differences in activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis by methamphetamine

Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation is associated with changes in addiction-related behaviors. In this study, we tested whether sex differences in the acute effects of methamphetamine (MA) exposure involve differential activation of the HPA axis. Male and female mice were injected with MA (1 mg/kg) or saline for comparison of plasma corticosterone and analysis of the immediate early gene c-Fos in brain. There was a prolonged elevation in corticosterone levels in female compared to male mice. C-Fos was elevated in both sexes following MA in HPA axis-associated regions, including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), central amygdala, cingulate, and CA3 hippocampal region. MA increased the number of c-Fos and c-Fos/glucocorticoid receptor (GR) dual-labeled cells to a greater extent in males than females in the cingulate and CA3 regions. MA also increased the number of c-fos/vasopressin dual-labeled cells in the PVN as well as the number and percentage of c-Fos/GR dual-labeled cells in the PVN and central amygdala, although no sex differences in dual labeling were found in these regions. Thus, sex differences in MA-induced plasma corticosterone levels and activation of distinct brain regions and proteins involved in HPA axis regulation may contribute to sex differences in acute effects of MA on the brain. Methamphetamine induces a prolonged plasma corticosterone response in females compared to males. This may be mediated by increased neural activation, involving a greater activation of glucocorticoid receptor-positive cells, in males in the CA3 and cingulate brain regions, which are involved in negative feedback functions. These findings indicate a sex difference in the neural regulation of methamphetamine-induced plasma corticosterone release.
Estado de Graça: A Utopia Teológico-Política do Padre António Vieira

This essay discusses Jesuit Priest Antonio Vieira's (1608–1697) Messianic writings, specifically the texts in which he comments on the impending arrival of the Kingdom of Christ, described as a most happy state suffused with divine grace. This Kingdom would be perfect and complete, and it would take place on earth, not in the purely spiritual sphere of heaven. I argue that the earthly dimension of Vieira's conception of the Kingdom of Christ opens his Messianism to a political dimension. It will lead him to consider the coexistence of nations during this Millenarian Kingdom in terms of “perpetual peace,” a notion later secularized by the thinkers of the Enlightenment.
Double Drell-Yan annihilations in hadron collisions: Novel tests of the constituent picture

The production in hadron collisions of a pair of virtual photons, each having a large invariant mass, proceeds via two mechanisms: (a) two independent Drell-Yan-type annihilations of quark pairs in a single interaction and (b) the pair annihilation process qq-bar..--> gamma..*..gamma..*. We argue that both mechanisms allow intriguing tests of constituent structure and its associated scaling laws and we show that, despite their ..cap alpha../sup 4/ production rate, events of this type are accessible with existing ..pi.. and proton beams.
Intrauterine devices for adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract Background The appropriateness of IUDs for adolescents remains unsettled, as does the definition of the term adolescent. Unplanned pregnancy among teenagers remains epidemic, and long-acting methods, such as IUDs, offer the promise of top-tier effectiveness. Study Design We conducted a systematic review of the literature concerning IUD use in adolescents using MEDLINE, Popline, EMBASE and CINAHL databases. Results Six cohort studies and seven case-series reports met our inclusion criteria; none included IUDs in current use in the United States. Overall, continuation rates were high and cumulative pregnancy rates low, ranging from 2% at 6 months to 11% at 48 months. Compared with combined oral contraceptives, IUDs had similar or better continuation rates; pregnancy rates were similar at 2 years. IUD expulsion rates may be inversely related to age. Conclusions The literature on IUD use among adolescents is scanty and obsolete. Nevertheless, published reports were generally reassuring. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing contemporary IUDs with other methods are urgently needed.
Effects of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment on the plasma half-life and urinary excretion profile of theophylline and its metabolites in rats.

Abstract The effects of the inducers of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene, on theophylline plasma half-life and on the elimination of theophylline and its metabolites in urine and feces have been examined. The results indicate that induction of the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme system significantly decreases plasma theophylline half-life. In this respect, 3-methylcholanthrene was more effective than phenobarbital. Control theophylline half-life was 3.5 hr. After phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment, the theophylline half-life was 2.6 and 0.8 hr respectively. Thin-layer Chromatographie analysis of the urine showed three radioactive peaks corresponding to 1,3-dimethyluric acid, 1-methyluric acid and unchanged theophylline. Both inducing agents significantly increased the urinary elimination of 1,3-dimethyluric acid above that seen in control animals throughout the 24-hr collection period, but only 3-methylcholanthrene increased the total amounts of 1-methyluric acid excreted. Urinary elimination of unchanged theophylline was decreased from control values by both agents. A small, but not statistically significant, increase in the fecal elimination of radioactive material was also noted in the animals pretreated with phenobarbital. The results indicate that alteration in hepatic drug-metabolizing activity may markedly affect the in vivo biotransformation of theophylline.
Assembly of an Activated Rhodopsin–Transducin Complex in Nanoscale Lipid Bilayers

The formation and characterization of an activated complex of the visual pigment rhodopsin and its downstream signaling partner transducin have been the subject of intense focus by several research groups. While the subunit composition of the activated complex is still the subject of some controversy, our laboratory [Xie, G., D'Antona, A. M., Edwards, P. C., Fransen, M., Standfuss, J., Schertler, G. F. X., and Oprian, D. D. (2011) Biochemistry 50, 10399-10407] and that of Ernst et al. [Ernst, O. P., Gramse, V., Kolbe, M., Hofmann, K. P., and Heck, M. (2007) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104, 10859-10864] find that the two proteins are present in a 1/1 molar ratio. Unfortunately, these data could not distinguish a ratio of 1/1 from ratios of 2/2, 3/3, etc. For this reason, we reinvestigated the issue of stoichiometry of the activated complex, exploiting the ability of Nanodisc lipid bilayers to isolate single molecules of rhodopsin. We show here that the purified complex in Nanodiscs contains an activated rhodopsin with a covalently bound all-trans-retinal chromophore, that transducin has an empty nucleotide-binding pocket, that the isolated complex is active and dissociates upon addition of guanine nucleotide, and that the stoichiometry corresponds to exactly one molecule of rhodopsin and one molecule of transducin.
Hidden by HIPAA: The Costs of Cure

In the second half of the last century, there were dramatic improvements in the management of advanced cancers of the genitourinary tract, with particular progress in the management of germ cell tumors. The management of metastatic testicular germ cell tumors has become one of the paradigms of successful cancer treatment, reflecting progress in the development of chemotherapy and an improved understanding of the principles of tumor biology, and of the importance of multidisciplinary management. Withincreasingexperience,wehavecometorecognizethat theseapproachestotreatmenthavesomeflaws,particularly with respect to the creation of late iatrogenic effects, and this has become the focus of intense scrutiny. An increased understanding of risk factors has allowed us to tailor our treatments to the level of risk, such as reducing the number of cycles of chemotherapy required for good-risk metastatic disease, based on randomized trial data. We have attempted to avoid some of the late complications of treatment by modifying some treatment approaches. However, some of these attempts to improve treatmentoutcomesbyreducingtoxicityhavefailed,largely becauseofareductionintheinitialcurerate—forexample, the attempt to avoid the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin by the
Projecting Tetrahedra without Rendering Artifacts

Hardware-accelerated direct volume rendering of unstructured volumetric meshes is often based on tetrahedral cell projection, in particular, the Projected Tetrahedra (PT) algorithm and its variants. Unfortunately, even implementations of the most advanced variants of the PT algorithm are very prone to rendering artifacts. In this work, we identify linear interpolation in screen coordinates as a cause for significant rendering artifacts and implement the correct perspective interpolation for the PT algorithm with programmable graphics hardware. We also demonstrate how to use features of modern graphics hardware to improve the accuracy of the coloring of individual tetrahedra and the compositing of the resulting colors, in particular, by employing a logarithmic scale for the pre-integrated color lookup table, using textures with high color resolution, rendering to floating-point color buffers, and alpha dithering. Combined with a correct visibility ordering, these techniques result in the first implementation of the PT algorithm without objectionable rendering artifacts. Apart from the important improvement in rendering quality, our approach also provides a test bed for different implementations of the PT algorithm that allows us to study the particular rendering artifacts introduced by these variants.
Non-robust tests for stuck-fault detection using signal waveform analysis: feasibility and advantages

In this paper we propose to use an output signal waveform analysis method called signal waveform integration for detection of stuck-at failures in combinational circuits. Non-robust tests are applied at-speed or faster to achieve high fault coverage, low test application time and detectability of redundant faults using directed random test generation techniques.
Methadone: applied pharmacology and use as adjunctive treatment in chronic pain

This article reviews the unique pharmacological properties of methadone and outlines its appropriate clinical application, with focus upon its use in the treatment of chronic pain. Although methadone is most widely known for its use in the treatment of opioid dependence, methadone also provides effective analgesia. Patients who experience inadequate pain relief or intolerable side effects with other opioids or who suffer from neuropathic pain may benefit from a transition to methadone as their analgesic agent. Adverse effects, particularly respiratory depression and death, make a fundamental knowledge of methadone's pharmacological properties essential to the provider considering methadone as analgesic therapy for a patient with chronic pain.
On the effects of non-homogeneous materials on the vibrations and static stability of tapered shafts

Shafts loaded by axial compressive forces constitute an area of considerable technical importance. The static stability and transverse vibrations of such shafts are the subjects of this work. Occas...
Timing-driven partitioning for two-phase domino and mixed static/domino implementations

Domino logic is a high-performance circuit configuration that is usually embedded in a static logic environment and tightly coupled with the clocking scheme. In this paper the timing-driven partitioning algorithms that partition a logic network between (1) static and domino implementations, and (2) the phases of a two-phase clock, are provided In addition, an efficient static mapping algorithm is described.
Accelerated recovery of postischemic stunned myocardium after induced expression of myocardial heat-shock protein (HSP70)

Abstract In vitro studies suggest that interventions targeted at myocardial gene regulation of endogenous cytoprotective elements, such as heat-shock protein, may attenuate myocardial ischemic injury. We tested the hypothesis that heat shock-induced expression of myocardial heat-shock protein before ischemia accelerates functional recovery of postischemic stunned myocardium in the intact circulation. Sixteen dogs underwent partial femoral arteriovenous bypass and core temperature was raised to 42° C for 15 minutes in eight dogs (heat-shocked) and maintained at 37° C in eight dogs (nonheat-shocked). After 24 hours dogs were studied to measure myocardial segment length in the circumflex artery region with ultrasonic dimension transducers, left ventricular pressure with a micromanometer, and circumflex coronary flow with an ultrasonic probe. Regional contractile function was quantified by the area beneath the linear preload recruitable stroke work relationship at baseline and at intervals during reperfusion after a 15-minute circumflex artery occlusion followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. Baseline and peak reperfusion hyperemic circumflex flows were 37 ± 9 ml/min and 154 ± 33 ml/min, respectively, in heat-shocked dogs ( p p p = not significant) at any time during reperfusion. Heart rate and left ventricular peak pressure, end-diastolic pressure, and first derivative of left ventricular pressure were similar (all p = not significant) in heat-shocked and nonheat-shocked dogs during ischemia and reperfusion. Before ischemia, preload recruitable stroke work relationship did not differ ( p = not significant) in heat-shocked and nonheat-shocked dogs. Ischemia reduced preload recruitable stroke work relationship to 32% ± 8% control ( p p p = not significant) initial degree of injury. During 3 hours of reperfusion, preload recruitable stroke work relationship returned to 80% ± 38% control in heat-shocked dogs but to only 33% ± 13% control in nonheat-shocked dogs ( p p HORAC C ARDIOVASC S URG 1995;109:753-64)
Dog Mast Cell α-Chymase Activates Progelatinase B by Cleaving the Phe88-Gln89 and Phe91-Glu92 Bonds of the Catalytic Domain

Abstract In prior work we showed that a metallogelatinase is secreted from dog mastocytoma cells and directly activated by exocytosed mast cell α-chymase. The current work identifies the protease as a canine homologue of progelatinase B (92-kDa gelatinase, MMP-9), determines the sites cleaved by α-chymase, and explores the regulation of gelatinase expression in mastocytoma cells. To obtain a cDNA encoding the complete sequence of mastocytoma gelatinase B, a 2.3-kilobase clone encoding progelatinase was isolated from a BR mastocytoma library. The sequenced cDNA predicts a 704-amino acid protein 80% identical to human progelatinase B. Regions thought to be critical for active site latency, such as the Cys-containing propeptide sequence, PRCGVPD, and the catalytic domain sequence, HEFGHALGLDHSS, are entirely conserved. Cleavage of progelatinase B by purified dog α-chymase yielded an ∼84-kDa product that contained two NH2-terminal amino acid sequences, QTFEGDLKXH and EGDLKXHHND, which correspond to residues 89–98 and 92–101 of the cDNA predicted sequence, respectively. Thus, α-chymase cleaves the catalytic domain of gelatinase B at the Phe88-Gln89 and Phe91-Glu92 bonds. Like BR cells, the C2 line of dog mastocytoma cells constitutively secrete progelatinase B which is activated by α-chymase. By contrast, non-chymase-producing C1 cells secrete a gelatinase B (which remains in its proform) only in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Whereas 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate stimulation of BR cells produced a ∼15-fold increase in gelatinase B mRNA expression, dexamethasone down-regulated its expression by ∼5-fold. Thus, extracellular stimuli may regulate the amount of mast cell progelatinase B expressed by mast cells. These data further support a role for mast cell α-chymase in tissue remodeling involving gelatinase B-mediated degradation of matrix proteins.
Rate-Limiting Step of the Rh-Catalyzed Carboacylation of Alkenes: C–C Bond Activation or Migratory Insertion?

Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular carboacylation of alkenes, achieved using quinolinyl ketones containing tethered alkenes, proceeds via the activation and functionalization of a carbon–carbon single bond. This transformation has been demonstrated using RhCl(PPh3)3 and [Rh(C2H4)2Cl]2 catalysts. Mechanistic investigations of these systems, including determination of the rate law and kinetic isotope effects, were utilized to identify a change in mechanism with substrate. With each catalyst, the transformation occurs via rate-limiting carbon–carbon bond activation for species with minimal alkene substitution, but alkene insertion becomes rate-limiting for more sterically encumbered substrates. Hammett studies and analysis of a series of substituted analogues provide additional insight into the nature of these turnover-limiting elementary steps of catalysis and the relative energies of the carbon–carbon bond activation and alkene insertion steps.
Simulation of a finished goods allocation system

This paper describes an extensive project conducted to provide an independent assessment of the proposed major change in the way an electronics assembly firm would manage the production of their major product--modems. Whereas the current system handled, manufactured, and tested units in batches that corresponded to shipping orders, the proposed system would process individual product units singly, as in a hybrid flow shop. Microcomputer-based simulation models were developed, tested, and used to model proposed system changes. It was concluded that the proposed system would have no adverse effects on finished goods inventory, and that it could be implemented and used with other modifications planned for the production system.
Applying the Realism-Based Ontology-Versioning Method for Tracking Changes in the Basic Formal Ontology

Changes in an upper level ontology have obvious consequences for the domain ontologies that use it at lower levels. It is therefore crucial to document the changes made between successive versions of ontologies of this kind. We describe and apply a method for tracking, explaining and measuring changes between successive versions of upper level ontologies such as the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO). The proposed change-tracking method extends earlier work on Realism- Based Ontology Versioning (RBOV) and Evolutionary Terminology Auditing (ETA). We describe here the application of this evaluation method to changes between BFO 1.0, BFO 1.1, and BFO 2.0. We discuss the issues raised by this application and describe the extensions which we added to the original evaluation schema in order to account for changes in this type of ontology. The results of our study show that BFO has undergone eight types of changes that can be systematically explained by the extended evaluation schema. Finally, we discuss problematic cases, possible pitfalls and certain limits of our study that we propose to address in future work.
Centralized Motion Planning for a Group of Micro Agents Manipulating a Rigid Object

In the past few years, research on micro-robotic systems has flourished. Technological limits are being constantly broken and the size of micro-robots is being reduced year after year. In these sizes, a number of control problems arise, which are much more important than in the field of 'macro'-robotic systems. Among these are the limited computational, sensing and acting capabilities of micro-robots, the influence of adhesion forces, the large number of simultaneously acting robots etc. In this work, we are studying aspects of the problem of cooperative-multiagent manipulation of a rigid body, constrained by micro-robot limitations. We model the object-agent contact as a 'ball and socket' joint, and the agents as unicycles. The object of our study is to find algorithms for breaking a given object trajectory into agent control inputs. These algorithms should be simple (i.e. computationally tractable), and should scale up well with the number of agents
Outpatient Provider Concentration and Commercial Colonoscopy Prices

The objective was to evaluate the magnitude of various contributors to outpatient commercial colonoscopy prices, including market- and provider-level factors, especially market share. We used adjudicated fee-for-service facility claims from a large commercial insurer for colonoscopies occurring in hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center from October 2005 to December 2012. Claims were matched to provider- and market-level data. Linear fixed effects regressions of negotiated colonoscopy price were run on provider, system, and market characteristics. Markets were defined as counties. There were 178 433 claims from 169 providers (104 systems). The mean system market share was 76% (SD = 0.34) and the mean real (deflated) price was US$1363 (SD = 374), ranging from US$169 to US$2748. For every percentage point increase in a system or individual facility’s bed share, relative price increased by 2 to 4 percentage points; this result was stable across a number of specifications. Market populatio...
Training Requirements for DXA Technologists in the United States

Abstract The purposes of this study were to determine, by state, the requirements for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) operators' training, knowledge of these state requirements, and factors that predicted state and International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) certification of DXA technologists. Seventeen states required registered technologist (RT) certification or authorized/licensed limited certification for DXA operators, 16 had no certification requirements, 12 required RT certification, and 5 had state-specific requirements. There were 9745 surveys mailed to DXA users including 50% Hologic Inc., 50% GE Lunar, and 100% Norland; 3148 surveys are included in this analysis. Among responders who indicated that their state did not have any certification requirements ( n = 1673), 1095 (65.5%) were incorrect; there were requirements. Possession of state and ISCD certification was significantly correlated with the number of patients scanned per week ( p > 0.05), the number of technologists employed within a center ( p p > 0.02). Our study uncovered a lack of uniformity among states with respect to central DXA operator training requirements. Additionally, in those states with requirements, DXA operators were often unaware of these requirements. Uniform national training requirements for central DXA operators to ensure adequate DXA scan quality are urgently needed.
Implicit plasma simulation

Implicit time integration methods have been used extensively in numerical modelling of slowly varying phenomena in systems that also support rapid variation. Examples include diffusion, hydrodynamics and reaction kinetics. This article discusses implementation of implicit time integration in plasma codes of the “particle-in-ce1l” family, and the benefits to be gained.
MicroPET/SPECT/CT Imaging of Small Animal Models of Disease

For the greater part of the last century, basic science research has been limited to in vitro studies of cellular processes and ex vivo tissue examination from suitable animal models of disease. In the last three decades, however, new techniques have been developed that permit the imaging of live animals using X-rays, radiotracer emissions, magnetic resonance signals, sound waves and optical fluorescence, and bioluminescence. The objective of this review is to provide a broad overview of common animal imaging modalities, with a focus on positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and computed tomography (CT). Important examples, benefits, and limits of microPET/SPECT/CT technologies in current use, and their central role in improving our understanding of biological behavior and in facilitating the development of treatments from bench to bedside are included.
Analysis of IL-12 p40 subunit gene and IFN-γ G5644A polymorphisms in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background Genes encoding cytokine mediators are prime candidates for genetic analysis in conditions with T-helper (Th) cell disease driven imbalance. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a predominantly Th2 mediated disease associated with a paucity of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The paucity of IFN-γ may favor the development of progressive fibrosis in IPF. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a key role in inducing IFN-γ production. The aim of the current study was to assess whether the 1188 (A/C) 3'UTR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the IL-12 p40 subunit gene which was recently found to be functional and the 5644 (G/A) 3' UTR SNP of the IFN-γ gene were associated with susceptibility to IPF.
A Review of “Unpacking My Library: Architects and Their Books”

Edited by Jo Steffens; featuring an essay by Walter Benjamin. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press/New York: Urban Center Books, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-300-15893-9, $20.00. Architects, on the whole, ten...
The Improper Temple Offering of Ananias and Sapphira

In Acts 1–7, the Holy Spirit functions as the restored temple presence of the Lord that will restore the kingdom to Israel via the Ekklesia. The Holy Spirit acts through the Ekklesia as one would expect the Lord's temple presence to act. When Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira bring their offerings to the temple, they place them at the feet of the leadership of the new religio-fiscal center of restored Israel. As proof that the Lord's presence has indwelled this eschatological temple community, an improper act can, and does in this case, result in immediate death.
Control of asgE Expression during Growth and Development of Myxococcus xanthus

One of the earliest events in the Myxococcus xanthus developmental cycle is production of an extracellular cell density signal called A-signal (or A-factor). Previously, we showed that cells carrying an insertion in the asgE gene fail to produce normal levels of this cell-cell signal. In this study we found that expression of asgE is growth phase regulated and developmentally regulated. Several lines of evidence indicate that asgE is cotranscribed with an upstream gene during development. Using primer extension analyses, we identified two 5' ends for this developmental transcript. The DNA sequence upstream of one 5' end has similarity to the promoter regions of several genes that are A-signal dependent, whereas sequences located upstream of the second 5' end show similarity to promoter elements identified for genes that are C-signal dependent. Consistent with this result is our finding that mutants failing to produce A-signal or C-signal are defective for developmental expression of asgE. In contrast to developing cells, the large majority of the asgE transcript found in vegetative cells appears to be monocistronic. This finding suggests that asgE uses different promoters for expression during vegetative growth and development. Growth phase regulation of asgE is abolished in a relA mutant, indicating that this vegetative promoter is induced by starvation. The data presented here, in combination with our previous results, indicate that the level of AsgE in vegetative cells is sufficient for this protein to carry out its function during development.
Supersymmetric contribution to the W propagator

Supersymmetric particles in supersymmetricS U2,L sU1,Y theory are considered as contributing radiative corrections to the charged gauge boson propagator. The results are finite and additive. The supersymmetric limit of the W propagator correction is discussed.
Analytical solution for a self-phase-modulated and self-steepened pulse in a nonlinear medium with material relaxation

We derive an analytical solution for a self-phase-modulated and self-steepened pulse propagating in a nonlinear medium with material relaxation. We use this solution to obtain the pulse spectrum and the Fourier transform of the Young interferometric intensity distribution.
A sequence-specific gene correction by an RNA-DNA oligonucleotide in mammalian cells characterized by transfection and nuclear extract using a lacZ shuttle system.

A sequence-specific gene correction by an RNA-DNA oligonucleotide in mammalian cells characterized by transfection and nuclear extract using a lacZ shuttle system
The effect of uremia on the pyrogenic response of rabbits.

SummaryIn order to determine the effect of uremia on the febrile response to pyrogen-ic stimuli, normal rabbits and animals made uremic with cephaloridine were challenged with endotoxin and leukocyte pyrogen and their febrile response was recorded. In addition, the ability of granulocytes from untreated and uremic antimals to elaborate leukocyte pyrogen in vitro was evaluated. No difference was observed in the febrile response of normal or uremic animals to these pyrogens nor was any impairment noted in the ability of granulocytes from uremic animals to generate leukocyte pyrogen. A correlation between high levels of blood urea nitrogen, low values of serum calcium, and a lowered basal body temperature was found.
Financial Burden and Impoverishment Due to Cardiovascular Medications in Low and Middle Income Countries: An Illustration from India.

Background Health expenditures are a major financial burden for many persons in low and middle-income countries, where individuals often lack health insurance. We estimate the effect of purchasing cardiovascular medicines on poverty in low and middle-income populations using rural and urban India as an example.
Structure analysis of Si(111)2©1 with low-energy electron diffraction

A structure analysis of the Si(111)2\textcopyright{}1 surface is performed using extensive new low-energy electron-diffraction data (12 beams). Although the $\ensuremath{\pi}$-bonded chain model in its original form shows gross disagreement with low-energy electron diffraction, a modification of that structure gives moderate agreement. The major modifications are a buckling in the outer chain and an overall compression.
Advances of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

The emerging techniques,such as thrombolysis,artery bypass grafting and angioplasty,restore blood flow to the ischemic organs and restore lives of life-threatening patients.However,it accompanies ischemia-reperfusion injury while the ischemic organs are re-irrigated.It is essential to reduce myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury(MI/RI) in the intervention of cardiovascular diseases.Accumulating data demonstrates that there is close relationship between MI/RI and overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS).It is validated that iNOS has myocardial protection but myocardial injury either.Thus,the application of inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may alleviate the MI/RI and improve myocardial protection.
Feeding assemblages of mammals at fruiting Dipteryx panamensis (Papilionaceae) trees in Panama: seed predation, dispersal, and parasitism

Fruiting almendro trees, Dipteryx panamensis, are visited by sixteen species of mammals that eat the fruits exocarp or seed. Seeds are susceptible to predation by granivorous rodents and peccaries. Most mammals that visit Dipteryx trees act as commensals·, eating only the fleshy exocarp and dropping the endocarp with its enclosed seed below the parent tree. So me primates, tayras, coatis, and kinkajous occasionally disperse Dipteryx seeds, but only Artibeus lituratus, Dasyprocta punctata, and Sciurus granatensis disperse large numbers of seeds. Whether D. punctata or S. granatensis act as seed predators or dispersal agents depends on the behavioral context in which they handle fruits.
Time Series Models for Multiresolution Images

This paper is concerned with representing multiresolution images using 1-D time series models. We assume that the given high resolution image {y0(t)} obeys an autoregressive model of order pand analyzes the structure of the models obeyed by low resolution copies of {y0(t)}. The problem of estimating the parameters of the model generating {y0(t)} given its low-resolution sequence is also considered. Applications to spectral feature extraction and image synthesis are indicated.
Circadian and circatidal rhythms of protein abundance in the California mussel (Mytilus californianus).

Coastal habitats fluctuate with the 12.4 h tidal and 24 h light/dark cycle to predictably alter conditions such as air exposure, temperature, and food availability. Intertidal sessile bivalves exhibit behavioural and physiological adjustments to minimize the challenges of this environment. We investigated a high-resolution time course of the changes in protein abundance in the gill tissue of the intertidal mussel Mytilus californianus in a simulated tidal environment of 12:12 h light:dark cycles and a matching 6:6 h high:low tide cycle within each 12 h period. Approximately 38% of detected proteins showed significant rhythms in their abundances, with diversity in the phases of rhythmic isoforms. The circadian rhythm was dominant in protein abundance changes, particularly with oxidative metabolism. A tidal cycle elicited changes within functional groups, including in cytoskeletal proteins, chaperones, and oxidative stress proteins. In addition to protein abundance changes, we found the possibility for post-translational modifications driving rhythms, including methylation, mitochondrial peptide processing (proteolysis), and acylation. Dynamic changes in the proteome across functional categories demonstrate the importance of the tidal environment in entraining cellular processes, confirming that differential expression studies should not assume a static baseline of cellular conditions in intertidal organisms.
Functional Outcomes of Elderly Patients With Nonoperatively Treated Acetabular Fractures That Meet Operative Criteria.

Objectives To report functional outcomes of displaced acetabular fractures treated nonoperatively in the geriatric patient population. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Two Level I trauma centers. Patients Twenty-seven patients 60 years of age or older who sustained displaced acetabular fractures during an 11-year period. Intervention Nonoperative treatment. Main outcome measurements Primary outcome measurements were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and Short Form 8 (SF-8) scores. Secondary outcome measurements were conversion to open reduction and internal fixation or total hip arthroplasty and 1-year mortality. Results Twenty-six patients completed the WOMAC and SF-8 surveys. The overall WOMAC score was 12.9 ± 15.6 (range, 0-59.4). The average physical SF-8 was 51.1 ± 8.7 (range, 30.4-58.6), and the average mental SF-8 was 55 ± 6.2 (range, 30.4-58.6). The 1-year mortality rate was 24%. Conversion of treatment occurred in 15% of patients. Conclusions Elderly patients with fracture patterns that would qualify for operative treatment in younger healthy patients had surprisingly good outcome scores when treated nonoperatively. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Anti-angiogenesis Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy

Angiogenesis plays a central role in the development of diabetic retinopathy and its visually debilitating complications diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Inflammation and ischemia, which result from hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, are primary drivers of diabetic retinopathy and vision loss. Several chemokines and cytokines are upregulated in eyes with diabetic retinopathy, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal to the development of DME and PDR. Three VEGF inhibitors (aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab) and three corticosteroids (triamcinolone, dexamethasone, and fluocinolone) are commonly used to treat the retinal complications of angiogenesis. Several phase III trials that were used to obtain regulatory approvals have produced level I evidence showing that these drugs are superior to standard therapy (laser photocoagulation or observation). Research into new anti-VEGF and corticosteroid drugs and formulations, delivery routes and devices, and molecular targets, promises to provide physicians and patients with additional treatment options in the future.
Oncologic outcomes in patients with nonurothelial bladder cancer.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the relative prognostic impact of the most common variant histologies on disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. Materials and Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database was used to identify patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer from 1990 to 2007. Patients with urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (AC), sarcoma, small cell carcinoma, signet ring carcinoma, and spindle cell carcinoma were included in the study. Multivariable analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model to assess independent predictors of disease-specific survival (DSS). Mortality rates were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analyses. Results: A total of 14,130 patients met inclusion criteria with the following histologies: UCC (90.1%), SCC (4.6%), AC, (2.3%), sarcoma (0.8%), small cell carcinoma (0.8%), signet ring carcinoma (0.5%), and spindle cell carcinoma (0.9%). Three-year DSS was most favorable in patients with UCC (63.7%; 95% confidence interval [62.9%–64.8%]) and AC (65.3% [59.3%–70.6%]), whereas 3-year DSS was the least favorable for small cell carcinoma (41.6% [31.3%–51.6%]) and sarcoma (45.4% [35.1%–55.1%]). In the multivariable analysis, independent predictors of DSS were age, marital status, grade, T-stage, N-stage, and variant histology. With respect to UCC, there was an increased risk of disease-specific death associated with all variants except AC. Sarcoma and spindle cell carcinoma were associated with the highest risk of death. Conclusions: With the exception of AC, the most common variant bladder cancer histologies are all independently associated with worse DSS relative to UCC in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.
Manipulating entitativity affects implicit behavioral and neural attentional biases toward gay couples

This study investigated whether attentional bias toward homosexual couples differs as a function of the manipulation of perceived entitativity, the degree to which group members are perceived to share common values and pursue common goals. Across two experiments, heterosexual college students were randomly assigned to read statements that suggested that homosexual and heterosexual couples were either high or low in entitativity. Following this task, 199 participants completed a dot probe task in Experiment 1 and electroencephalogram (EEG) activity was recorded for 74 participants in Experiment 2 to measure the implicit attentional processing that resulted from viewing pictures of gay, lesbian, and straight couples. Results indicated that participants exposed to low entitativity statements directed less behavioral and neural attention toward gay relative to straight couples compared to those exposed to high entitativity statements. Given the apparent malleability of attentional biases, future research shou...