cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary canola or soybean oil with two levels of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) alter profiles of 18:1 and 18:2 isomers in blood plasma and milk fat from dairy cows

Abstract To determine responses of enhanced ruminal supply of oleic or linoleic acid in combination with conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) on blood plasma and milk fatty acid profiles, four Holstein cows were fed diets containing supplemental (30 g/kg dry matter) canola oil (CAN) or soybean oil (SOY), and CAN plus (4 g/kg dry matter) CLA (90% pure) (CCLA) or SOY plus CLA (SCLA). A 4×4 Latin square design was used during 7-day experimental periods. Milk yield, dry matter intake, and percentages and yields of fat and protein in milk were not affected by treatments. Oleic acid intake when CAN or CCLA were fed, compared with SOY or SCLA, was 472 g per day greater. In contrast, linoleic acid intake was 362 g per day greater due to feeding SOY or SCLA. Intake of cis 9, trans 11-18:2 and trans 10, cis 12-18:2 averaged 28 and 30 g per day for CCLA or SCLA-fed cows ( P =0.01). Concentration (μg/ml) of trans 9-18:1 in blood plasma was 34% greater ( P =0.01) due to feeding CAN or CCLA compared with SOY or SCLA. In contrast, feeding SOY or SCLA increased ( P ≤0.05) trans 11-(+53%), trans 12-(+18%), and trans 16-18:1 (+33%) concentrations. Dietary CLA, regardless of oil, increased ( P =0.05) (+25%) trans 10-18:1 concentration. Trans 10, cis 12-18:2 also increased ( P =0.01) from not detectable levels to 2 μg/ml due to feeding CLA. Greater ( P =0.01) concentrations of trans 11-, trans 12-, trans 13/14-, and trans 16-18:1 in milk fat when SOY or SCLA were fed, compared with CAN or CCLA, led to greater yields in milk. Concentration and yield of trans 9-18:1, however, were greater ( P =0.01) in response to feeding CAN or CCLA. Trans 10-18:1 concentration and yield increased ( P ≤0.05) 27 and 17% when CLA was fed with either oil. Concentration and yield of cis 9, trans 11-18:2 in milk fat were greater ( P =0.01) due to SOY (7 mg/g, 8 g per day) compared with CAN (5 mg/g, 6 g per day). Supplemental CLA did not affect ( P =0.08) cis 9, trans 11-18:2 concentration, but reduced ( P =0.02) its yield in milk exclusively when fed with soybean oil. Trans 10, cis 12-18:2 increased ( P =0.01) from not detectable levels when CAN or SOY were fed to 1 mg/g and 1 g per day in response to CLA. Results suggest isomerization of cis 9-18:1 in the rumen increased output of trans 9-18:1. Hydrogenation of 18:2n-6, however, increased ruminal production of trans 11-18:1 and its bioconversion to cis 9, trans 11-18:2 in the mammary gland. Dietary CLA were extensively hydrogenated, but the extent of hydrogenation appeared lower for trans 10, cis 12-18:2.
Leiomyoma of the breast

Leiomyoma of the breast parenchyma proper is a rare neoplasm. This tumor occurs predominantly in late middle-aged women and can be clinically difficult to discern from carcinoma. Mammographically, the tumor lacks typical features of carcinoma, but this possibility cannot be absolutely excluded. Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA characteristics are reported in a new case. Mammographic findings are reported for the first time. Immunoperoxidase findings with antibodies to muscle-specific actin, desmin, vimentin, S-100 protein, and cytokeratins, as well as the ultrastructural features, suggest a pure smooth muscle cell origin and not a myoepithelial cell origin.
Obesidad y corazón

Excess weight is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor and certainly the factor that improves the least over time among those with established cardiovascular disease. The association between obesity and cardiovascular disease is complex and not limited to the standard risk factors like hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, multiple studies have shown that obesity may cause cardiovascular diseases via multiple disease mechanisms like subclinical inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, increased sympathetic tone, atherogenic lipid profiles, enhanced thrombogenic factors and also through obstructive sleep apnea. Despite the overwhelming data linking obesity to cardiovascular disease, several studies have shown a paradoxical association between obesity and prognosis among those with coronary disease and heart failure, which may be due to limitations of the way we currently define obesity. There is abundant data suggesting that measuring central obesity or total body fat content might be more appropriate than using the body mass index alone. The management of obesity is challenging and studies using lifestyle modification alone or with pharmacologic agents generally have limited success and high levels of weight regain. Bariatric surgery has proven to be an effective and safe way to induce and maintain significant weight loss but is limited to those with medically complicated obesity or people who are severely obese.
Fracture and Healing Effects in Mica Crystals

Crack propagation and healing in mica were studied by a fracture-mechanics approach. The energy/unit area for initial fracture, healing, and subsequent fracture was measured in He, air, H2O, H2, and vacuum under both humid and dry conditions. The recleaving energies observed were lower or higher than the original fracture energies, depending on the test conditions.
Temporal Patterns of Medications Dispensed to Children and Adolescents in a National Insured Population

UNLABELLED This study aimed to comprehensively describe prevalence and temporal dispensing patterns for medications prescribed to children and adolescents in the United States. Participants were 1.6 million children (49% female) under 18 years old enrolled in a nation-wide, employer-provided insurance plan. All medication claims from 1999-2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Drugs were assigned to 16 broad therapeutic categories. Effects of trend over time, seasonality, age and gender on overall and within category prevalence were examined. RESULTS Mean monthly prevalence for dispensed medications was 23.5% (range 19.4-27.5), with highest rates in winter and lowest in July. The age group with the highest prevalence was one-year-old children. On average each month, 17.1% of all children were dispensed a single drug and 6.4% were dispensed two or more. Over time, prevalence for two or more drugs did not change, but the proportion of children dispensed a single drug decreased (slope -.02%, p= .001). Overall, boys had higher monthly rates than girls (average difference 0.9%, p= .002). However, differences by gender were greatest during middle childhood, especially for respiratory and central nervous system agents. Contraceptives accounted for a large proportion of dispensed medication to older teenage girls. Rates for the drugs with the highest prevalence in this study were moderately correlated (average Pearson r.66) with those from a previously published national survey. CONCLUSION On average, nearly one quarter of a population of insured children in the United States was dispensed medication each month. This rate decreased somewhat over time, primarily because proportionally fewer children were dispensed a single medication. The rate for two or more drugs dispensed simultaneously remained steady.
E‐books and readers in public libraries: literature review and case study

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of current research on the use of e‐books and e‐book readers as they gain popularity in libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a literature review and a case study of a public library which has a Kindle lending program. An e‐book case study is examined, highlighting a mid‐sized public library which implemented a Kindle e‐book lending program. The article includes a follow‐up discussion as to how libraries are including digital content in their collections, and changing the way they do business to accommodate the new technologies that people are increasingly asking for. The paper also gives tools for librarians looking to start their own e‐book lending program, and provide additional information on what resources are currently available.Findings – One conclusion can be made. E‐books will not be going away any time soon. The Kindle lending program at the library has been extremely successful and well received by patronsResearch limitations/impli...
Therapeutic Inhibition of Pro-Inflammatory Signaling and Toxicity to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B by a Synthetic Dimeric BB-Loop Mimetic of MyD88

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) exposure triggers an exaggerated pro-inflammatory cytokine response that often leads to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated with organ failure and death. MyD88 mediates pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling induced by SEB exposure and MyD88−/− mice are resistant to SEB intoxication, suggesting that MyD88 may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention. We targeted the BB loop region of the Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain of MyD88 to develop small-molecule therapeutics. Here, we report that a synthetic compound (EM-163), mimic to dimeric form of BB-loop of MyD88 attenuated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and IL-6 production in human primary cells, whether administered pre- or post-SEB exposure. Results from a direct binding assay, and from MyD88 co-transfection/co-immunoprecipitation experiments, suggest that EM-163 inhibits TIR-TIR domain interaction. Additional results indicate that EM-163 prevents MyD88 from mediating downstream signaling. In an NF-kB-driven reporter assay of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated MyD88 signaling, EM-163 demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of reporter activity as well as TNF-α and IL-1β production. Importantly, administration of EM-163 pre- or post exposure to a lethal dose of SEB abrogated pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and protected mice from toxic shock-induced death. Taken together, our results suggest that EM-163 exhibits a potential for therapeutic use against SEB intoxication.
Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Tomography Studies Using a Novel Hand-Held Probe Based Optical Imager

A novel hand-held probe based optical imager is developed and used to demonstrate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3-D) tomography on slab phantoms. Fluorescence target localization in 3-D is also demonstrated without tomographic analysis.
The novel nature of scrapie

Abstract The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, scrapie of sheep, and kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) of man have altered our concepts of clinical disease and could, in the future, alter the basic tenets of molecular biology.
Strained heterocyclic systems. VIII. The mass spectral fragmentations of some arylquinolines and quinoline N-oxides†

High resolution mass spectra of compounds 1—8 were investigated. For the quinolines (1–3) the absence of major peaks other than M+ and (M-1)+ reflects the stability of those systems. The N-oxides (4–6) all exhibit major peaks at M+, (M-16)+, and (M-17)+. In addition, 4 shows prominent fragmentations reflecting loss of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The pathways are related to the geometries of the N-oxides; deuterated compounds (7–8) aided these assignments.
Grid-based collaboration in interactive data language applications

Interactive Data Language (IDL) is an array-oriented data analysis and visualization application, which is widely used in research, commerce, and education. It is meaningful to make user IDL applications collaborative between computers over networks, using a common message broker as the underlying communication system. In order to achieve the global collaboration, we have brought together in the research a Grid-based collaboration paradigm, a shared event model, different implementing structures, methodologies and technologies. We have succeeded in our prototype codes, and we are currently working on a real life IDL application package to make it collaborative. At the same time, we are trying to find better structures and methods for the collaboration in general user IDL applications.
Gap junctional communication between murine macrophages and intestinal epithelial cell lines.

In intestinal inflammation, inflammatory cells infiltrate the submucosa and are found juxtaposed to intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) basolateral membranes and may directly regulate IEC function. In this study we determined whether macrophage (M), P388D1 and J774A.1, are coupled by gap junctions to IEC lines, Mode-K and IEC6. Using flow cytometric analysis, we show bi-directional transfer of the fluorescent dye, calcein (700 Da) between IEC and M resulting in a 3.5–20-fold increase in recipient cell fluorescence. Homocellular and heterocellular dye transfer between M and/or IEC was detected in cocultures of P388D1, J774A.1, Mode-K, IEC6 and CMT93. However, transfer between P388D1 and Mode-K was asymmetrical in that transfer from P388D1 to Mode-K was always more efficient than transfer from Mode-K to P388D1. Dye transfer was strictly dependent on IEC-Mϕ adhesion which in turn was dependent on the polarity of IEC adhesion molecule expression. Both calcein dye transfer and adhesion were inhibited by the addit...
Integral ring homomorphisms

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to extend the classical notion of integral extensions of commutative rings to homomorphisms of affine pi rings. It generalizes previous work [ R. Pare and W. Schelter, J. Algebra 53 (1978) , 477–479; W. Schelter, J. Algebra 40 (1976) , 245–254; errata 44 (1979), 576], which assumed the existence of centralizing elements. Without such elements the close relation between integrality and module-finiteness breaks down (cf. Examples 1.3, 1.4), but the geometric implications of integrality remain. Our main result, Theorem 6.3, is an analogue of Chevalley's theorem that a homomorphism R → S is integral if and only if the induced map on spectra is proper. It is proved in Sections 6–8 by combining a geometric analysis with some explicit estimates of degrees. A corollary is that the composition of integral homomorphisms is integral (Proposition 6.10). The main new tools we use are central homomorphisms of a ring R to orders over Dedekind domains, which we call curves. We prove (Theorem 5.13) that the boundary of any constructible set in X = Spec R contains a dense set of points accessible along such a curve. This fact contains a description (Corollary 5.14) of the Zariski topology on X, as well as the theorem of Bergman and Small on degrees of representations (Corollary 5.15). Some of the results of this paper were announced in [M. Artin in “Proceedings, International Symposium on Algebraic Geometry, Kyoto, 1977,” pp. 237–247].
Surgical treatment of coronary sinus orifice atresia with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after total cavo-pulmonary connection

Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice is rare. We describe the surgical treatment of coronary orifice atresia in an infant with a persistent left superior vena cava after total cavo-pulmonary connection for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The diagnosis was made by cardiac catheterization after total cavo-pulmonary connection at 8 months of age. After surgery, cardiac performance deteriorated. At reoperation, the coronary sinus was fenestrated to the left atrium. The patient survived surgical treatment of coronary sinus ostial atresia unroofed to the left atrium, guiding the placement of the fenestration with a probe placed through the open cardiac end of left superior vena cava.
On the relation of mands and the function of destructive behavior

When standard analogue functional analysis procedures produce inconclusive results in children with conversational speech, the child's mands may help to identify the function of destructive behavior. In the current investigation, functional analyses conducted with 2 children who exhibited self-injury, aggression, and property destruction were undifferentiated across conditions. Based on informal observations and school and parental report, an analysis was conducted using mands to help determine the function of the destructive behavior. Using a multielement design, the therapist's compliance with the child's mands occurred either on a fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedule or contingent on destructive behavior. Destructive behavior occurred at high and consistent levels when reinforcement of mands was contingent on destructive behavior and at near-zero levels when reinforcement of mands occurred on the FR 1 schedule. Based on these results, a second analysis was conducted in which compliance to mands occurred only when the child appropriately requested it (i.e., functional communication training plus extinction) and, for 1 child, compliance with mands was terminated contingent upon destructive behavior (i.e., functional communication training plus response cost). For both children, the rates of destructive behavior decreased markedly. The results suggest that assessing the child's mands may be useful in decreasing destructive behavior when a functional analysis is inconclusive.
Coherent Electromagnetic Waves In The Presence Of A Half Space Of Randomly Distributed Scatterers

The present investigation of coherent field propagation notes, upon solving the Foldy-Twersky integral equation for a half-space of small spherical scatterers illuminated by a plane wave at oblique incidence, that the coherent field for a horizontally-polarized incident wave exhibits reflectivity and transmissivity consistent with the Fresnel formula for an equivalent continuous effective medium. In the case of a vertically polarized incident wave, both the vertical and longitudinal waves obtained for the coherent field have reflectivities and transmissivities that do not agree with the Fresnel formula.
Subcutaneous implantation method for chronic glucocorticoid replacement therapy.

Abstract A procedure is described for replacing glucocorticoids by subcutaneous implantation of pellets formed from molten corticosterone and cholesterol. Hormone dose is controlled by varying the ratio of these two substances in the pellet. The method produces stable blood and brain corticosterone levels in the physiological range within 3 days and is shown to reinstate normal brain glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase activity in previously adrenalectomized rats. The procedure appears to be well-suited to long-term psycho- and neuro-endocrine studies.
Observation of the Growth and Saturation of Ion Waves Generated by Optical Mixing

The first measurements of the growth and saturation of ion acoustic waves generated by optical mixing are presented. At lower power levels, the parameter dependence of the ion waves is shown to agree in detail with the predictions of optical mixing theory. However, at higher power levels a nonlinear saturation is observed and identified as increased Landau damping due to ion heating.
The Role of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Testing in Guiding Outpatient Heart Failure Treatment

While heart failure (HF) treatment guidelines exist, there are significant gaps in their implementation owing in part to the lack of objective data to help guide clinicians in their medical decision-making. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its amino-terminal equivalent (NT-proBNP) are objective markers of HF prognosis, are useful to monitor response to treatment in outpatients with HF, and may have a role in “guiding” HF care as well. Successful BNP or NT-proBNP guided HF treatment requires regular attempts to reach and maintain target values (BNP ≤ 125 pg/mL or NT-proBNP ≤ 1000 pg/mL). This may be achieved through lifestyle modifications, exercise programs, medication adjustments, and therapeutic interventions shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in HF patients. Failure to achieve biomarker targets portends a worse prognosis, proportional to the lowest achieved natriuretic peptide concentration; in those with significant biomarker “nonresponse,” prognosis is poor, and alternative therapeutic strategies should be considered.
Temporary vascular shunts

Temporary vascular shunts have been used for nearly 100 years in patients. Originally, they were used as vascular grafts that were likely to thrombose as collaterals would hopefully develop. More recently, they have been used as a device to be replaced by a permanent vascular graft during the same operation or at a reoperation. Indications for the use of shunts are a “damage control” procedure for a peripheral or truncal vascular injury, Gustilo IIIC fracture of an extremity, need for perfusion as a complex revascularization is performed, and planned replantation of a hand, forearm, or arm. They are used in approximately 8% of vascular injuries treated in urban trauma centers in the United States and have an excellent patency rate without heparinization.
Motivating goal pursuit: The role of affect motivational intensity and activated goals

Abstract Despite much interest in the operation of goals, there remains little understanding of how goal pursuit originates from the cognitive activation of a goal in memory. To address this knowledge gap, we examined how the motivational component of positive affect leads to the successful pursuit of primed goals. Experiment 1 found that people evidenced more successful pursuit of an action goal if the goal was primed as people experienced a positive state high in motivational intensity versus a positive state low in motivational intensity or a baseline state. Likewise, in Experiment 2, people showed more successful pursuit of an inaction goal if the goal was primed as people experienced a positive state high in motivational intensity. In sum, the motivational component of affect directed the pursuit of primed goals.
Myomectomy after a vaginal delivery to treat postpartum hemorrhage resulting from an intracavitary leiomyoma.

BACKGROUND Postpartum myomectomy is typically discouraged as a result of the risk of hemorrhage and longer operative times. However, myomectomy at the time of cesarean delivery or after a vaginal delivery is feasible and is sometimes necessary. CASE A 38-year-old multiparous woman with a 9-cm pedunculated submucosal leiomyoma presented in labor and underwent a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery with manual extraction of the placenta. In the immediate postpartum period she had bleeding and hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion. Examination under anesthesia demonstrated uterine atony and placental fragments adherent to the pedunculated leiomyoma. An abdominal myomectomy was performed, and the patient recovered normally. CONCLUSION Although it should not be recommended routinely, postpartum myomectomy is feasible and can be life-saving, even after a vaginal delivery.
Assessment of planning abilities in individuals with mild cognitive impairment using an open-ended problem-solving task

Introduction: There is currently limited research evaluating planning abilities, a core subcomponent of executive functioning, in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In the present study, we utilized the “Amap Task,” an open-ended problem-solving task, to separately evaluate the formulation and execution components of planning ability in individuals with MCI. Method: Thirty-seven cognitively healthy older adults and 37 individuals with MCI used a map layout of a university apartment to develop and write out a strategy (formulation stage) to successfully complete a list of tasks (e.g., retrieve and fill a water pitcher before placing it in the refrigerator). Subsequently, participants carried out the tasks in the apartment with the aid of their formulated plan (execution stage). Results: MCI participants performed more poorly than older adult (OA) controls during both the formulation and execution stages on measures of task accuracy and task efficiency. However, both groups were able to adjus...
1996 decision trees and management guidelines

The starting point for quality assessment for the Patterns of Care Study is to establish by consensus the current management guidelines for each site. This article presents decision trees, recommended treatment systems, and brief summaries of the guidelines developed for cancer of the esophagus, rectum, anus, breast, cervix, seminoma of the testis and prostate.
The Discounting Principle and Attitudes Toward Victims of HIV Infection1

Reactions to victims of HIV infection often encompass not only the stigma of disease, but also the stigma of membership in a high-risk group and the stigma of being held responsible for one's own illness. To examine the role the discounting principle might play in the evaluation of victims with multiple stigmas, 181 undergraduate students reacted to vignettes describing an HIV-positive male. Participants received information about the mode of transmission and the sexual preference of the described victim. Results suggested that the stigma of homosexuality had a greater effect when the victim was not viewed as behaviorally responsible than when he was considered to be responsible for the illness. This finding is explained in terms of both the discounting principle and the just world theory. Implications for attitude change are discussed.
Requirements and Recommended Dietary Intakes of Protein during Infancy

Two approaches have been used to arrive at estimates of the requirement for protein by infants. The factorial approach consists of adding the requirement for growth to the requirement for replacement of inevitable losses in urine and feces and from the skin. Protein requirement estimated in this way was 1.98 g.kg-1.d-1 during the 1st mo of life and decreased rapidly to 1.18 g.kg-1.d-1 by 4 to 5 mo of age, then remained at about that level to age 1 y. Believing that protein intakes of the breast-fed infant are near the level of the requirement, researchers used the intakes of breast-fed infants as a second estimate of requirement. Although intakes of protein by breast-fed infants during the first 2 mo of life are generally similar to the requirement values estimated by the factorial approach, intakes from 2 to 6 mo of age are less than the requirement values estimated by the factorial approach. Possible explanations for the discrepancy are presented. Recommended dietary intakes of protein somewhat greater than the requirements estimated by the factorial approach are proposed. These recommended intakes are less than those proposed by the FAO/WHO/UNU "safe levels of protein intake" and are less than the Recommended Dietary Allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board.
Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Western Prairie Clover Collections From the Western United States

Few North American legumes are available for rangeland revegetation in the semiarid western United States. Western prairie clover (Dalea ornata [Douglas ex Hook.] Eaton & J. Wright) is a perennial legume with desirable forage characteristics and is distributed in the northern Great Basin, Snake River Basin, and southern Columbia Plateau. Understanding the genetic and ecotypic variability of this species is a prerequisite for developing populations suitable for revegetation purposes. To address this need, we established two common-garden plots of western prairie clover from 22 sites in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Significant variation was detected among the collections for all traits measured. Among the measured traits, flowering date was correlated with collection-site temperature and elevation. Population structure estimates from 474 amplified-fragment length polymorphism markers resulted in two distinct, genetically differentiated groups and a third admixed group, and flowering date played a significant role in discriminating those genetic-based groupings of collections. Positive correlations were observed between phenotypic and genetic distance matrices (r = 0.33, P = 0.005), phenotypic and geographic distance matrices (r = 0.35, P = 0.002), and genetic and geographic distance matrices (r = 0.31, P = 0.009). Based on these results, we recommend that two germplasm sources of western prairie clover be developed for use across the collection area, one from the Deschutes River region and the other encompassing Idaho, Washington, and eastern Oregon collection sites.
Customized Feedback to Patients and Providers Failed to Improve Safety or Quality of Diabetes Care: A randomized trial

OBJECTIVE To assess whether providing customized clinical information to patients and physicians improves safety or quality of diabetes care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Study subjects included 123 primary care physicians and 3,703 eligible adult diabetic patients with elevated A1C or LDL cholesterol, who were randomly assigned to receive customized feedback of clinical information as follows: 1 ) patient only, 2 ) physician only, 3 ) both the patient and physician, or 4 ) neither patient nor physician. In the intervention groups, patients received customized mailed information or physicians received printed, prioritized lists of patients with recommended clinical actions and performance feedback. Hierarchical models were used to accommodate group random assignment. RESULTS Study interventions did not improve A1C test ordering ( P = 0.35) and negatively affected LDL cholesterol test ordering ( P P = 0.64), which improved in all groups over time. Interventions had a borderline unfavorable effect on A1C values among those with baseline A1C ≥7% ( P = 0.10) and an unfavorable effect on A1C values among those with baseline A1C ≥8% ( P P CONCLUSIONS Providing customized decision support to physicians and/or patients did not improve quality or safety of diabetes care and worsened A1C control in patients with baseline A1C ≥8%. Future researchers should consider providing point-of-care decision support with redesign of office systems and/or incentives to increase appropriate actions in response to decision-support information.
NMR characterization of calicheamicin γ1I bound to DNA

Abstract Calicheamicin γ1I is a diyne-ene antitumor antibiotic that binds preferentially to pyrimidine-rich sequences of DNA such as TCCT, ACCT, TCTC,
Breast Cancer-Specific miR Signature Unique to Extracellular Vesicles Includes "microRNA-like" tRNA Fragments.

Extracellular vesicles (EV), including exosomes and shed vesicles, have been implicated in intercellular communication; however, their biomarker potential is less clear. Therefore, EVs derived from MCF7 and MCF10A cells were analyzed to identify unique miRNA (miR) profiles that distinguish their origin. One characteristic common to the miR profiles of MCF7 EVs and their parent cells is the high abundance of miR-21 , let-7a , miR-100 , and miR-125b , and low levels of miR-205 . A second characteristic is the high abundance of “miRNA-like” tRNA fragments, which is unique to the MCF7 EVs, and is not found in comparing the cellular profiles. In addition, correlations were examined in the MCF7 cellular expression levels of these five miRs and two tRNA-derived miRNAs, miR-720 and miR-1274b , and compared with the correlations in MCF7 EV levels. Interestingly, correlations in the cellular expression of miR-125b , miR-100 , and let-7a are mirrored in the EVs. In contrast, correlations in tRNA-derived miRNA levels are found only in the EVs. The findings suggest that EV miR clusters can be defined based on functional miR interactions related to correlated cellular expression levels or physical miR interactions, for example, aggregation due to comparable binding affinities to common targets. Implications: These results point to using high levels of tRNA-derived small RNA fragments in combination with known miR signatures of tumors to distinguish tumor-derived EVs in circulation from EVs derived from other cell sources. Such biomarkers would be unique to the EVs where high abundances of tRNA fragments are amplified with respect to their cellular levels. Mol Cancer Res; 13(5); 891–901. ©2015 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 807][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/13/807?iss=5
Engineering Synergy: Energy and Mass Transport in Hybrid Nanomaterials

An emerging class of materials that are hybrid in nature is propelling a technological revolution in energy, touching many fundamental aspects of energy-generation, storage, and conservation. Hybrid materials combine classical inorganic and organic components to yield materials that manifest new functionalities unattainable in traditional composites or other related multicomponent materials, which have additive function only. This Research News article highlights the exciting materials design innovations that hybrid materials enable, with an eye toward energy-relevant applications involving charge, heat, and mass transport.
Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuit Technology

Within the last five years considerable research has focused on techniques to create “device-worthy” crystalline silicon films on insulators. Though several applications for such techniques have been proposed, none is more exciting than the prospect of “3-D Integration”, which has come to mean any IC technology that would yield more than one plane of active devices. This paper reviews the progress to date in this field by critically examining the merits and dismerits of the several silicon film preparation techniques, the several proposed 3-D device structures, and some possible applications of 3-D integration in electronic systems.
Vapour-liquid equilibria for some binary and ternary polymer solutions

Vapour-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for seven binary polymer + solvent systems and for one ternary polymer + mixed solvent system have been obtained using the gravimetric-sorption method at 50°C. The binary polymer + solvent mixtures studied include polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the random copolymer poly(styrene-co-50% methyl methacrylate) in acetone, methyl acetate and chloroform. Solvent absorption by the copolymer was inbetween those by PS and PMMA for chloroform, but it was less than those by either homopolymer for acetone and methyl acetate. A modification to the classic gravimetric-sorption technique was established for acquiring sorption data for polymer + mixed solvent systems. VLE data were obtained for polystyrene + chloroform + carbon tetrachloride. A perturbed hard-sphere chain (PHSC) equation of state was used to correlate binary and ternary VLE data.
Application of chromosomal substitution techniques in gene-function discovery

A consomic rat strain is one in which an entire chromosome is introgressed into the isogenic background of another inbred strain using marker assisted selection. The development and initial physiologic screening of two inbred consomic rat panels on two genetic backgrounds (44 strains) is well underway. The primary uses of consomic strains are: (1) to assign traits and quantitative trait loci (QTL) to chromosomes by surveying the panel of strains with substituted chromosomes; (2) to rapidly develop congenic strains over a narrow region using several approaches described in this review and perform F2 linkage studies to positionally locate QTL in a fixed genetic background. In addition, consomic strains overcome many of the problems encountered with segregating crosses where, even if linkage is found, each individual in the cross is genetically unique and the combination of genes cannot be reproduced or studied in detail. Consomic strains provide greater statistical power to detect linkage than traditional F2 crosses because of their fixed genetic backgrounds, and can produce sufficient numbers of genetically identical rats to validate the relationship between a trait and a particular chromosome. These strains allow studies to be performed in a replicative or longitudinal manner to elucidate in greater detail the sequential changes responsible for the observed phenotypes of these animals, and they enable one to assess the impact of a causal gene region in a genome by allowing comparisons of the effect of replacement of a specific chromosome upon a disease susceptible or resistant genomic background. Consomics can be used to quickly develop multiple chromosome substitution models to investigate gene–gene interactions of complex traits or diseases. Finally, they often provide the best available inbred control strain for particular physiological comparisons with the inbred parental strains. Consomic rat strains are proving to be a unique scientific resource that greatly extends our understanding of genes and complex normal and pathological function.
Dual-mode IVUS catheter for intracranial image-guided hyperthermia: Feasibility study

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of modifying 3-Fr IVUS catheters in several designs to potentially achieve minimally-invasive, endovascular access for image-guided ultrasound hyperthermia treatment of tumors in the brain. Using a plane wave approximation, target frequencies of 8.7 and 3.5 MHz were considered optimal for heating at depths (tumor sizes) of 1 and 2.5 cm, respectively. First, a 3.5-Fr IVUS catheter with a 0.7-mm diameter transducer (30 MHz nominal frequency) was driven at 8.6 MHz. Second, for a low-frequency design, a 220-μm-thick, 0.35 × 0.35-mm PZT-4 transducer - driven at width-mode resonance of 3.85 MHz - replaced a 40-MHz element in a 3.5-Fr coronary imaging catheter. Third, a 5 × 0.5-mm PZT-4 transducer was evaluated as the largest aperture geometry possible for a flexible 3-Fr IVUS catheter. Beam plots and on-axis heating profiles were simulated for each aperture, and test transducers were fabricated. The electrical impedance, impulse response, frequency response, maximum intensity, and mechanical index were measured to assess performance. For the 5 × 0.5-mm transducer, this testing also included mechanically scanning and reconstructing an image of a 2.5-cm-diameter cyst phantom as a preliminary measure of imaging potential.
A study on the humidity susceptibility of thin-film CIGS absorber

The susceptibility of a thermally co-evaporated CuInGaSe 2 (CIGS) thin-film absorber to humidity and its consequence on composition, morphology, electrical and electronic properties, and device efficiency was investigated. CIGS films on Mo-coated soda lime glass were degraded either in the ambient at ∼21°C and ∼21% relative humidity (RH) for a period of several months or in damp heat (DH) at 85°C and 85% RH briefly for 15–30 min; then the films were processed simultaneously into devices in a batch that included an unexposed control. In addition to severe delamination on some samples of the absorber films, prolonged ambient exposure resulted in numerous “spot” formations that lost CIGS with scale-like disintegration rippling around the spots and showed a significant presence of Na. Exposure in DH for 5 h was able to reproduce the spot formations on the CIGS films. A significant to large decrease of cell efficiency was observed from 14%–16% for the unexposed control to 8%–11% for the CIGS absorber exposed in DH for 15 and 30 min and 1%–4%% for the ambient-degraded CIGS with high series resistance and very low shunt resistance.
Do Your Homework! Investigating the Role of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Comprehensive School Reform Models Serving Diverse Student Populations

Like the African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, many educational researchers charge that it takes a comprehensive school reform to raise student achievement. With the passing of the No Child Left Behind legislation in 2002, national officials authorized the Comprehensive School Reform program to support low performing schools as they struggled to improve student achievement. As a result of this national effort, an increase in implementation of comprehensive school reforms is occurring in schools serving predominantly diverse student populations in urban areas. Therefore, this article explores the framework of comprehensive school reforms and challenges stakeholders to do their homework by investigating whether the school reform allows for the implementation of culturally responsive educational experiences for students.
Complexity, Efficiency, and Fairness in Multiproduct Liquor Pricing

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) controls the purchase and sale of alcoholic beverages across the state and is legally mandated to charge a uniform 30% mark-up on all products. This paper investigates the welfare implications of this uniform markup. We show that consumption patterns vary across the state and these variations are correlated with consumer demographics. Using detailed data on prices, quantities, and demographics across 499 local markets, we estimate a multiproduct discrete choice model of demand. We use the demand estimates and data on wholesale prices to assess the consumer welfare implications of the current uniform mark-up. We find that the current system transfers rents from high income and educated households to minorities by underpricing those liquor varieties that this latter group favors. We further show the returns (to welfare and profits) of more sophisticated pricing strategies are small.
Sox10-dependent neural crest origin of olfactory microvillous neurons in zebrafish

The sense of smell in vertebrates is detected by specialized sensory neurons derived from the peripheral nervous system. Classically, it has been presumed that the olfactory placode forms all olfactory sensory neurons. In contrast, we show that the cranial neural crest is the primary source of microvillous sensory neurons within the olfactory epithelium of zebrafish embryos. Using photoconversion-based fate mapping and live cell tracking coupled with laser ablation, we followed neural crest precursors as they migrated from the neural tube to the nasal cavity. A subset that coexpressed Sox10 protein and a neurogenin1 reporter ingressed into the olfactory epithelium and differentiated into microvillous sensory neurons. Timed loss-of-function analysis revealed a critical role for Sox10 in microvillous neurogenesis. Taken together, these findings directly demonstrate a heretofore unknown contribution of the cranial neural crest to olfactory sensory neurons in zebrafish and provide important insights into the assembly of the nascent olfactory system.
Environmental lead exposure and the kidney

Lead and its components remain widely distributed in the environment and in some workplaces. Lead serves no useful physiological function, yet is potentially toxic to several organ systems. For many years human health effects have been recognized after heavy lead exposure. Recently more subtle human effects have been suggested invoking nervous system, reproductive and kidney function. Assessing lead body burden and dose-response relationships of this metal by blood lead determination, porphyrin assessments, chelation testing or bone lead studies may be difficult. Quantitative assessment of subtle changes in kidney function by routine BUN, creatinine, or urinalysis also poses problems. There is now mounting evidence that chronic low level environmental lead exposure may subtly effect kidney function. This paper first examines the history of lead and kidney function and then examines critically the evidence associating low-level environmental lead exposure and effects on renal function.
Two-dimensional electronic correlation spectroscopy of the nπ∗ and ππ∗ protein backbone transitions: A simulation study

The two-dimensional (2D) photon echo spectrum of the amide ultraviolet (UV) bands of proteins are simulated. Two effective exciton Hamiltonian parameter sets developed by Woody and by Hirst, which predict similar CD spectra, may be distinguished by their very different 2DUV spectra. These differences are enhanced in specific configurations of pulse polarizations which provide chirality-induced signals.
Postural effects on blood pressure reactivity: implications for studies of laboratory-field generalization.

This study was designed as an in-laboratory evaluation of the significance of postural blood pressure (BP) adjustments in the investigation of laboratory-field generalization. Blood pressure responses were monitored while 20 subjects completed a mental arithmetic task in two postures, seated and standing. Baseline data were also collected in each posture. The standing challenge was regarded as a laboratory representation of real-world standing challenges. Reactivity scores for the seated stressor were calculated as seated task level minus seated baseline level. For the standing stressor, they were calculated in two ways; standing task level minus standing baseline, and standing task level minus seated baseline. It was hypothesized that the standing reactivity scores calculated from standing baselines (i.e. from the same-posture baselines) would be more highly correlated with seated reactivity than would the standing reactivity scores calculated using sitting baselines. This was not found to be the case for either SBP or DBP. Absolute task SBP levels were very similar in both postures, while they were significantly different for DBP, with standing task levels being higher. It was concluded that ignoring posture will not mask SBP reactivity associations between laboratory and field, but that it may do so for DBP, particularly in future studies as our overall understanding of laboratory-field generalization increases.
Differences in Calcium Homeostasis between Retinal Rod and Cone Photoreceptors Revealed by the Effects of Voltage on the cGMP-gated Conductance in Intact Cells

We measured currents under voltage clamp in intact retinal rod photoreceptors with tight seal electrodes in the perforated patch mode. In the dark, membrane depolarization to voltages > or = +20 mV activates a time- and voltage-dependent outward current in the outer segment. This dark voltage-activated current (DVAC) increases in amplitude with a sigmoidal time course that is voltage dependent. DVAC reaches its maximum enhancement of approximately 30% in 4-6 s at +60 mV. DVAC is entirely suppressed by light and its current-voltage curve and reversal potential are the same as those of the photocurrent. Therefore, DVAC arises from the opening in darkness of the cGMP-gated channels of the outer segment. DVAC is blocked by BAPTA loaded into the cell's cytoplasm and is enhanced by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Because the cGMP-gated channels are not directly gated by voltage and because BAPTA blocks DVAC, we suggest this signal arises from a voltage-dependent decrease in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration that, in turn, activates guanylyl cyclase and causes cGMP synthesis. In rods loaded with high cytoplasmic Na+, membrane depolarization in darkness to voltages > or = +20 mV inactivates the outward current in the outer segment with an exponential time course. We call this DVIC (dark, voltage-inactivated current). DVIC reflects voltage-dependent closing of the cGMP-gated channel in the dark. DVIC, too, is blocked by cytoplasmic BAPTA, and it arises from a voltage-dependent rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ in darkness, which occurs only if cytoplasmic Na is high. We develop a quantitative model to calculate the rate and extent of the voltage-dependent change in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in a normal rod. We assume that this concentration is controlled by the balance between Ca2+ influx through the cGMP-gated channels and its efflux through a Na+/Ca2+, K+ exchanger. Lowered cytoplasmic Ca2+ is linked to guanylyl cyclase activation with characteristics determined from biochemical studies. The model considers the cytoplasmic buffering of both Ca2+ and cGMP. Simulated data generated by the model fit well DVAC measured in rods and also DVAC previously measured in cones. DVAC in cones is larger in magnitude and faster in time course than that in rods. The successful fit of DVAC by the model leads us to suggest that the activity and Ca2+ dependence of the enzymes of transduction are not different in rods and cones, but the quantitative features of Ca2+ homeostasis in the outer segment of the two receptor types differ profoundly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)