cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Refractory overactive bladder after urethrolysis for bladder outlet obstruction: management with sacral neuromodulation

Refractory overactive bladder (OAB) after urethrolysis for iatrogenic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a clinical dilemma without established guidelines for management. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the management of this complex patient population. Retrospective review identified eight patients who underwent SNM secondary to refractory OAB after urethrolysis or sling take-down. SNM was performed with the Interstim® device (Medtronic, Minneapolis) using a two-stage implant technique. SNM outcomes were determined subjectively during follow-up. Validated questionnaires were completed to assess symptom bother, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata® version 9.0. Six patients had a favorable response to SNM during test stimulation and underwent implantation of the implantable pulse generator (IPG). With follow-up of 15.7 ± 11.1 months (6–34), all patients significantly improved, with three patients being dry and three patients having one to two urgency incontinence episodes per week. Patient-reported outcomes indicated that patients perceived themselves as very much improved (3) or much improved (3) after SNM, while those failing test stimulation perceived no change. Quality of life and symptom bother were significantly better in SNM responders vs nonresponders. SNM appears to be an effective and viable treatment option in this complex patient population. Further work is needed to determine clinical factors predictive of outcome and durability of response.
p53 from complexity to simplicity: mutant p53 stabilization, gain-of-function, and dominant-negative effect

Increasing the complexity of their models, p53s are stabilized either in order to function (wt p53) or due to the loss of function (mutant p53) with acquiring a mysterious prion-like ability to drive the normal p53 into the abnormal conformation to gain new functions. As already recognized, the loss of trans-activating function leads to a stabilization of mutant p53 because of the disappearance of the p53-inducible proteins, which otherwise directly (Mdm-2) or indirectly (p21) target p53 for degradation. Simplifying further, I will discuss that the loss of function results in a dominant-negative effect and gain-of-function (a dominant-positive effect). Thus, mutant p53 lacking trans-activation function nevertheless may retain the ability to repress transcription due to its competition with numerous transcription factors for their coactivators. When mutant p53 competes with wt p53, the inhibition of the wt p53-dependent transcription is perceived as a dominant-negative effect. Just like trans-repression, a dominant-negative effect requires an excess of p53 and, therefore, a 'dominant'-negative effect is not dominant. Furthermore, the stabilization of an endogenous mt p53 due to the loss of wt functions cannot occur in the presence of the wt p53 allele. Given the inability of mutant p53 to accumulate in the presence of wt p53, a dominant-negative effect does not naturally occur and, not surprisingly, heterozygous mt/wt cells are rare. The detection of a dominant-negative effect simply indicates that mutant p53 indeed has lost its function. Last, since mutant p53 loses some or most but not all activities and accumulates in the absence of wt allele, gain-of-function can be considered as an exaggeration of the remaining functions. Applications to cancer therapy are discussed. -Blagosklonny, M. V. p53 from complexity to simplicity: mutant p53 stabilization, gain-of-function, and dominant-negative effect.
Order preferencing, adverse-selection costs, and the probability of information-based trading

Although prior studies offer various conjectures on the causes and consequences of order preferencing, there is only limited empirical evidence. In this study, we show that the extent of order preferencing is significantly and negatively related to both the adverse-selection component of the spread and the probability of information-based trading. This result is consistent with the prediction of the clientele-pricing hypothesis that dealers (brokers) selectively purchase (internalize) orders based on information content. Our results suggest that order preferencing may not be as harmful as some researchers have suggested and offer some rationale for its prevalence in securities markets with heterogeneously informed traders.
Preparation, Reactions, and NMR Studies of 4-Methyl-4-Phospha-Tetracyclo [3.3.0.02,8.03,8] Octane 4-Oxide and Derivatives

Abstract The title compound which we1 and others2 have previously synthesized has now been extensively investigated. The tetracyclic phosphonium chloride 1 was prepared by treatment of norbornadiene with CH3PCl2 at 65–80°C for one week. Treatment of 1 with AICl3/CH2CI2 gave 2. Direct or “Inverse” addition at water to 2 dictated the stereochemistry of the oxide 3. Stereoassignments of 3 were made based on lanthanide shift −1H and 13C nmr studies studies. Extensive 2-D nmr studies (HETCOR, COSY) and triple irradiation experiments enabled chemical shift and coupling constant assignments.
Temperament of the infant with myelomeningocele

This preliminary study examined the temperament of infants with myelomeningocele. Mothers of infants with myelomeningocele rated their infants as less active, more adaptable, and more approachable than mothers of matched control infants, and tended to rate their infants as more positive in mood. In addition, the older the mother, the more likely she was to see her infant as more approachable, more adaptable, less intense, less negative, and with a higher threshold for stimulation. Older mothers also tended to rate their infants as less active and more rhythmical. Mothers with more education rated their infants as more positive in mood and with a higher threshold to stimulation than mothers with less education.
Urinary estrogens and related compounds in postmenopausal women with mammary cancer: effect of cortisone treatment.

SummaryIn 7 postmenopausal women with mammary cancer the urinary output of estrogens and related compounds has been studied under various conditions and compared with that of 8 normal postmenopausal women. Five of the 7 cancer patients were found to excrete excessive amounts. In these 5, when not receiving cortisone, the output of estrogens excreted as such averaged nearly 5 times the mean normal, and that of compounds estrogenic after Zn-HCl hydrolysis averaged 16 times the mean normal. Cortisone therapy markedly lowered these titres and reduced them to normal levels in 3 of 4 patients so treated. Except when under cortisone treatment the titres of estrogen and related compounds rose with advancing disease. The surgical removal of X-rayed ovaries lowered the titres of estrogens excreted as such but not of the unknown compounds rendered estrogenic by Zn-HCl treatment.
Do we perceive natural kind properties

I respond to three arguments aimed at establishing that natural kind properties occur in the experiential content of visual experience: the argument from phenomenal difference, the argument from mandatory seeing, and the argument from associative agnosia. I conclude with a simple argument against the view that natural kind properties occur in the experiential content of visual experience.
Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme activities in cultured rat and mouse liver slices.

1. The objective of this study was to determine the basal and inducible activities of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes and monitor the acinar and hepatocyte morphology in precision cut, cultured rat and mouse liver slices. 2. The slices were cultured up to 96 h in Chee's essential medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, selenium, DMSO, dexamethasone and epidermal growth factor. A dynamic roller system was used to incubate the slices at 37 C in an atmosphere of 95% O2 :5% CO2. 3. Histopathology of the liver slices revealed maintenance of normal hepatic lobular architecture with time in culture. 4. CYP isozyme activities were measured at various times of culture. In rat liver slices, at72 h, CYP1A1 1A2 activity was induced 4-fold by beta NF and 37-fold by dioxin (TCDD) whereas in mouse liver slices, 1A1 1A2 activity was not inducible by beta NF but was induced 19-fold by TCDD. At 72 h, CYP2A5 (coumarin-7-hydroxylase) activity was not detected in rat liver slices but in mouse liver slices, 2A5 w...
Dipole-moment derivative of LiF

The dipole-moment derivative $\frac{d\ensuremath{\mu}}{\mathrm{dr}}$ has been calculated for LiF from available Hartree-Fock and configuration-interaction wave functions. Calculated values of $\frac{d\ensuremath{\mu}}{\mathrm{dr}}$ are not in agreement with the value determined from a measurement of the first vibrational state lifetime by Bedding and Moran. Other calculated molecular properties are also compared with the available data.
Scaling and profiles of heat flux during partial detachment in DIII-D

We examine the scaling of the peak divertor heat flux and total divertor plate power in partially detached divertor (PDD) discharges in DIII-D, as a function of input power and radiated power. The peak divertor heat flux in the attached plasma increases linearly with input power, but saturates in the detached cases. The total divertor plate power remains linear with input power in both the attached and detached plasmas. This is consistent with the fact that the heat flux peak is reduced from the attached case but other areas receive increased radiant heating from the detached plasma. The divertor plate radiant heating is linear with input power because the total radiated power from the entire plasma is a linear function of input power in both attached and detached plasma. In the private flux region, radiated heat flux absorbed on the target plate calculated from bolometer data is enough to account for the measured plate heating. Approximately half of the overall plate heating power in detached plasma is due to absorbed radiation.
Secretion of hypothalamic dopamine into pituitary stalk blood of aged female rats

Abstract Dopamine secreted into the pituitary stalk blood of old constant estrous rats (20–24 months of age) was significantly less than that of young estrous rats (3–4 months of age). Reduced concentrations of dopamine were also observed in the median eminence and in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary gland of old female rats compared to those of young female rats. The low rate of secretion of dopamine into pituitary stalk blood of old female rats was associated with high secretion of prolactin into arterial blood. The impaired hypothalamic secretion of dopamine observed in old rats was not affected by increased availability of L-tyrosine. However, when L-DOPA was given to old rats, very high concentrations of dopamine were measured in pituitary stalk blood, whereas the concentrations of dopamine in the arterial blood were very low. On the basis of these data, it is concluded that the neurosecretory activity of the dopaminergic neurons of the hypothalamus is impaired in old constant estrous rats. This impaired activity can be overcome by increasing the availability of L-DOPA but not L-tyrosine.
A theory for the use of visual orientation information which exploits the columnar structure of striate cortex

A neural model is constructed based on the structure of a visual orientation hypercolumn in mammalian striate cortex. It is then assumed that the perceived orientation of visual contours is determined by the pattern of neuronal activity across orientation columns. Using statistical estimation theory, limits on the precision of orientation estimation and discrimination are calculated. These limits are functions of single unit response properties such as orientation tuning width, response amplitude and response variability, as well as the degree of organization in the neural network. It is shown that a network of modest size, consisting of broadly orientation selective units, can reliably discriminate orientation with a precision equivalent to human performance. Of the various network parameters, the discrimination threshold depends most critically on the number of cells in the hypercolumn. The form of the dependence on cell number correctly predicts the results of psychophysical studies of orientation discrimination. The model system's performance is also consistent with psychophysical data in two situations in which human performance is not optimal. First, interference with orientation discrimination occurs when multiple stimuli activate cells in the same hypercolumn. Second, systematic errors in the estimation of orientation can occur when a stimulus is composed of intersecting lines. The results demonstrate that it is possible to relate neural activity to visual performance by an examination of the pattern of activity across orientation columns. This provides support for the hypothesis that perceived orientation is determined by the distributed pattern of neural activity. The results also encourage the view of neural activity. The results also are determined by the responses of many neurons rather than the sensitivity of individual cells.
Vendor availability: a key factor for outsourcing in Chilean ICT sector

Purpose – Currently, in various reports, Chile has been receiving better rankings than other Latin American countries, identifying it as a nation for offshoring many of the business process outsourcing (BPO) and information and communication technology (ICT)‐related services. So, it has become important to analyze the Chilean ICT sector and the maturity of the outsourcing industry internally, to consider Chile as an ICT outsourcing destination. This paper seeks to address this matter.Design/methodology/approach – A survey questionnaire is developed based on the ICT outsourcing literature, prior empirical research and outsourcing case studies. This questionnaire is translated into Spanish and distributed to CIOs of the 200 largest companies in Chile. The responses from the CIOs are used as the proxy measures and are analyzed for evaluation.Findings – This study is conducted to understand and analyze the strategy adopted by Chilean companies to evaluate the need for ICT outsourcing. Also, the outsourcing ca...
Metal-Polymer Interactions in a Polymer/Metal Nanocomposite

A poly(t-butyl acrylate)/gold nanocomposite sandwich was annealed to induce diffusion of the gold particles, which was monitored using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Marker motion experiments were also performed to probe particle and polymer mobilities independently. The experiments revealed that particle mobility was decreased by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude compared with the predictions by Stokes-Einstein theory. Diffusion of polymer molecules through a gold particle layer is decreased by a much smaller extent. These results are attributed to bridging between particles arising from slow exchange kinetics of polymer segments at the polymer/metal interface.
Practical Speckle Interferometry for Measuring In-Plane Deformation

Speckle interferometry involves making a high resolution double-exposure photograph of an object that is illuminated with coherent light. When observed in a Fourier optical data processor, fringes are observed that are indicative of the changes, such as displacements, occurring in the body between exposures. Sensitivity of the measurement is variable and may be chosen after the data are recorded. A simple calibration procedure is described and its use in measuring in-plane displacements in deformable solids is demonstrated. Also given are some limitations on the range of sensitivity that can be effectively utilized with holographic films, simple procedures, and a small laser.
Use of Ground Clay Brick as a Pozzolanic Material in Concrete

This study investigates the suitability of using ground clay brick (GCB) as a pozzolanic material in concrete. Crushed clay brick originating from demolished masonry was ground in the laboratory and used as a cement replacement in paste and concrete. Hydration characteristics of paste mixtures were investigated for a better understanding in concrete application. The effect of ground brick replacement for cement on concrete’s mechanical properties and chloride ion penetration resistance, as a measure of durability, were also studied. Two replacement levels, 15 % and 25 %, were compared with the control (0 % GCB). The study on the cementitious pastes showed that the ground brick slightly increased the water demand for normal consistency, delayed the time of setting, reduced the temperature rise during hydration, and decreased the calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) content. The tests on concrete showed that the mechanical properties (i.e., compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strengths, and modulus of elasticity) of concrete containing ground brick were comparable to those of the concrete without GCB. Furthermore, the GCB increased the resistance of concrete to chloride ion penetration. The study undertaken proved that, when it is finely ground, clay brick obtained from demolished masonry can be recycled as a pozzolanic cementitious material in concrete.
Effects of diabetes and insulin on expression of kallikrein and renin genes in the kidney

Effects of diabetes and insulin on expression of kallikrein and renin genes in the kidney. We previously showed that renal prokallikrein synthesis is reduced in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Plasma renin activity is also reduced in diabetic rats. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes, we examined the effects of diabetes and insulin treatment on renal kallikrein and renal renin mRNA levels and the activities of these enzymes. Rats made diabetic by STZ were either treated with 1.5 to 1.75 U PZI insulin daily to maintain moderate hyperglycemia (plasma glucose 200 to 300 mg/dl, D + I) or left untreated to produce severe hyperglycemia (plasma glucose > 400 mg/dl, D). Control (C) rats were also studied. After three weeks, renal kallikrein mRNA was reduced 50% in D rats. A proportional reduction in immunoreactive kallikrein was also observed (37.8 ± 2.5 vs. 55.8 ± 6.8ng/mg protein, D vs. C, P
SMART Imagebase: Peer-Reviewed Medical Images

Electronic resources in the health sciences have historically been bibliographically based, but the need for image content is growing. The SMART Imagebase from EBSCO is a peer-reviewed source for high quality medical images, animations, videos, and monograph content. Nucleus Medical Art, a publisher of online medical illustrations, animations, interactive media, and educational materials for patients, consumers, and health care professionals, has teamed up with EBSCO to fill this need with the SMART Imagebase. This review will provide a profile of the features, search capabilities, and content of this resource.
Two preference metrics provide settings for the study of properties of binary relations

The topological structures imposed on the collection of binary relations on a given set by the symmetric difference metric and the Hausdorff metric provide opportunities for learning about how collections of binary relations with various properties fit into the collection of all binary relations. For example, there is some agreement and some disagreement between conclusions drawn about the rarity of certain properties of binary relations using first the symmetric difference metric and then the Hausdorff metric.
Corticostriate projections from area 6 in the raccoon

Corticostriate projections from area 6 in the raccoon were studied using the autoradiographic tracing method. Following injections of tritiated amino acids into two different cytoarchitectonic subdivisions of area 6, widespread and dense anterograde label was found in both the ipsilateral and contralateral caudate nucleus and putamen. The densest label was located adjacent to the internal capsule in the lateral part of the head of the caudate nucleus. This bilateral projection pattern from area 6 to the caudate nucleus and putamen is consistent with the hypothesis that the neostriatum maintains a close anatomical and functional relationship with area 6.
Determination of carbonyl acids formed upon periodate oxidation. I. Assay procedure.

Abstract A method is described for the quantitative analysis of 0.02–0.2 μmole of glyoxylate or pyruvate formed upon periodate oxidation of certain compounds such as gluconic acid and α-acetolactic acid, respectively. Reduction with sodium borohydride, prior to periodate oxidation, eliminates interference from free carbonyl acids and also makes possible the assay of compounds such as 2-ketogluconate and hydroxypyruvate by converting them to glyoxylate precursors. The procedure developed for the determination of carbonyl acids can be used in the absence of periodate and has several advantages over existing methods for analysis of these acids.
Preliminary experience with a prospective protocol for planned vaginal delivery of triplet gestations

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate a protocol for vaginal delivery of triplet gestations. Study Design: All women with triplet gestations managed between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1997, by University Medical Center's perinatal practice were offered enrollment in our vaginal delivery protocol. Our protocol offered attempt of vaginal delivery if triplet A was in vertex presentation, fetal monitoring was possible, and there were no other obstetric contraindications. Twenty-three triplet gestations were identified; 8 achieved vaginal delivery. Outcome parameters investigated included neonatal mortality, Apgar scores, neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, arterial cord pH, neonatal weight, and length of postpartum hospital stays of mother and neonates. All parameters were analyzed with analysis of variance and the Student t test as appropriate with the JMP 3.1 statistics program (Cary, NC). Results: Twenty-three sets of triplets were enrolled. Eight sets were delivered vaginally. Eight of 9 patients (88.9%) who attempted trial of labor were delivered vaginally, 1 of which was a vaginal birth after cesarean section. The remaining triplet gestation failed to progress at 4-cm dilation. Twelve sets of triplets had a nonvertex-presenting triplet and were delivered by the cesarean route. The remaining 2 triplet gestations were delivered by the cesarean route because of inadequate fetal monitoring. Neonatal survivals were 100% for both groups. No significant differences in neonatal mortality, Apgar scores, intracranial hemorrhage, arterial cord blood pH, hospital or neonatal intensive care unit stay of neonate, neonatal weight, and change in maternal or neonatal blood cell count were noted. There were no cases of grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage in either group. A significant reduction in postpartum hospital stay of mother was noted in the vaginal delivery group (2.8 vs 4.5 days, P P P Conclusion: In selected cases vaginal delivery of triplet gestations can be accomplished without increased maternal or neonatal morbidity and mortality and may significantly decrease maternal hospital stay and postoperative morbidity. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1133-5.)
Reflection and transmission of equatorial Rossby waves

Abstract The interaction of equatorial Rossby waves with a western boundary perforated with one or more narrow gaps is investigated using a shallow-water numerical model and supporting theory. It is found that very little of the incident energy flux is reflected into eastward-propagating equatorial Kelvin waves provided that at least one gap is located within approximately a deformation radius of the equator. Because of the circulation theorem around an island, the existence of a second gap off the equator reduces the reflection of short Rossby waves and enhances the transmission of the incident energy into the western basin. The westward energy transmitted past the easternmost island is further reduced upon encountering islands to the west, even if these islands are located entirely within the “shadow” of the easternmost island. A localized patch of wind forcing was also used to generate low-frequency Rossby waves for cases with island configurations representative of the western equatorial Pacific. For ...
Plant viruses: a tool-box for genetic engineering and crop protection

Traditionally, plant viruses are viewed as harmful, undesirable pathogens. However, their genomes can provide several useful 'designer functions' or 'sequence modules' with which to tailor future gene vectors for plant or general biotechnology. The majority (77%) of known plant viruses have single-stranded RNA of the messenger (protein coding) sense as their genetic material. Over the past 4 years, improved in vitro transcription systems and the construction of partial or full-length DNA copies of several plant RNA viruses have enhanced our ability to manipulate and study their genomes, particularly in the context of their pathogenic interactions with host plants. Recently, two forms of genetically engineered protection against plant virus infections have been reported. In both, a virus-related 'interfering' molecule was stably introduced into plants via the DNA-transfer mechanism of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. To date, the choice of 'interfering' molecule has been guided by empirical field-observations and each is effective against only a narrow range of closely-related viruses. As yet, we do not fully understand the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the observed protection. The ability to manipulate the plant-pathogen relationship is a powerful tool to increase our knowledge and improve future strategies for unconventional cropprotection by genetic engineering techniques.
Disordered eating and injuries among adolescent ballet dancers.

BACKGROUND: Ballet dancers are at elevated risk for eating disorders, but the extent to which disordered eating attitudes and behaviors represent a relatively benign adaptation to an environment that values extreme thinness, or a functionally impairing form of psychopathology, has sparked considerable debate. METHOD: To determine whether disordered eating is associated with role impairment in dancers, we evaluated its association with musculoskeletal injuries among 239 adolescent female ballet students. RESULTS: Dance students reported a variety of lifetime disordered eating behaviors to control weight including fasting (29.3%), vomiting (9.6%), and laxative use (4.2%). More than half (52.3%) reported a lifetime history of injury (stress fracture, broken bone, and/or medically treated tendonitis). A greater number of lifetime disordered eating behaviors was associated with a greater number of lifetime injuries (p=0.01). Moreover, vomiting history was associated with greater likelihood of injury (p=0.004) and increased time to recover from injury (median difference=22.8 days, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Although the direction of causality cannot be determined from this retrospective design, these results suggest that disordered eating is associated with role-relevant functional impairment, even among members of a subculture that values extreme thinness.
Steroid induction of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase in adrenomedullary explants: independence of adrenal innervation.

Unilateral explants of rat adrenal medullas grown in the anterior chamber of the eye contained very low phenylethanolamine-Nmethyl transferase (PNMT) activity. When animals were treated with dexamethasone for 7 days, PNMT activity rose more than 10-fold. These findings suggest that the increase in PNMT activity produced by glucocorticoids does not require an intact adrenal innervation. (Endocrinology 86: 1466, 1970)
Neoplastic and nonneoplastic responses to chronic feeding of diethylstilbestrol in C3H mice

Over 3000 female C3H/Hen‐MTV+ mice continuously received graded dietary levels (0, 2.5, 5, JO, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 ppb) of diethylstilbestrol (DES) beginning at weaning. Mice were scheduled to be killed after 3 or 26 wk of exposure and were palpated weekly and removed for histological evaluation when subcutaneous masses reached 1 cm diameter. Mammary tumors were more prevalent than in controls only at 320 and 640 ppb DES. However, palpable mammary tumors appeared significantly earlier than in controls in mice fed 80 ppb and above. Mice killed at 3 wk and later showed a dose‐response for several nonneoplastic endpoints. At 3 wk, moderate to severe uterine glandular hyperplasia, lack of corpora lutea, and vaginal keratinization were more prevalent than in controls at 80 ppb; cervical adenosis was more prevalent than in controls at 160 ppb and above. Generally, the prevalence of other nonneoplastic responses such as uterine fibrosis, stromal mucoid changes, and bony trabecular proliferation were in...
In Situ Replication Techniques: I. Preliminary Screening and the Negative Replication Technique

Fourteen commercially available elastomeric materials were investigated for their suitability as in vivo replication media. After a preliminary screening on an annotated specimen, three materials were chosen for further study. Of all materials evaluated, Xantopren Blue and Silene silicone impression materials provided the best results in vivo. This study demonstrates that a high resolution (ca 1 micron) negative replication technique may prove useful for the clinical evaluation of single-surface phenomena.
When computer security crashes into multimedia

Summary form only given. A casual glance on the Web, or in your local newspaper, quickly convinces a reader that the two of the hottest fields in computer science right now are computer security and multimedia. Unfortunately, these fields often seem at odds with each other. This talk takes two case studies and shows how the fields cause problems for each other. First, the author discusses how multimedia can cause problems for computer security. He shows how we are able to take recordings of a user typing at a keyboard and using only a generic $10 microphone and an assumption that the user is typing English, we can from the recording alone determine the text being typed with 96% accuracy. In fact, after training this system on English text, we can accurately recover passwords typed by the user. (This is joint work with L. Zhuang and F. Zhou (2005).) Second, he discusses how security can cause problems for multimedia. Taking the example of filtering for copyright protected content, the author discusses a variety of proposed schemes for restricting distribution of audio files. He concludes with an overview of other research areas where the fields computer security and multimedia jointly have significant contributions to make.
Neocortical and hippocampal amyloid-β and tau measures associate with dementia in the oldest-old

The emergence of longevity in the modern world has brought a sense of urgency to understanding age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, there is a lack of consensus regarding the correlation between the pathological substrates of neurodegeneration and dementia status, particularly in the oldest-old. To better understand the pathological correlates of dementia in the oldest-old, we characterized the topographical spread and severity of amyloid-β, tau, TDP-43 and α-synuclein pathologies in the 90+ Study, a prospective longitudinal population-based study of ageing and dementia. Neuropathological analysis with immunohistochemically labelled sections was carried out blind to clinical diagnosis on the first 108 participants of the 90+ Study who came to autopsy including participants with dementia (n = 66) and without dementia (n = 42). We used quantitative and/or semi-quantitative measures to assess the burden of amyloid-β, tau, TDP-43 and α-synuclein pathologies as well as hippocampal sclerosis. Amyloid-β and tau were the predominant pathologies in the 90+ Study cohort and both amyloid-β area and tau area occupied measures were strongly associated with the presence of dementia, as was Braak staging but semi-quantitative plaque scores were not. Notably, TDP-43 pathology also correlated with dementia, while α-synuclein distribution did not. In addition, hippocampal sclerosis was specific to participants with dementia and correlated with the presence of limbic TDP-43. In contrast to previous reports, we found that tau and amyloid-β continue to be robust pathological correlates of dementia, even in the oldest-old. While individuals with no dementia had limited hippocampal tau and neocortical amyloid-β pathology, dementia associated with an expansion in pathology, including increased neocortical tau and hippocampal amyloid-β plaques, more abundant neocortical amyloid-β deposition and hippocampal sclerosis with its attendant TDP-43 pathology.
The simplest formal argument for fitness optimization

The Formal Darwinism Project aims to provide a formal argument linking population genetics to fitness optimization, which of necessity includes defining fitness. This bridges the gulf between those biologists who assume that natural selection leads to something close to fitness optimization and those biologists who believe on theoretical grounds that there is no sense of fitness that can usefully be said to be optimized. The current paper’s main objective is to provide a careful mathematical introduction to the project, and it also reflects on the project’s scope and limitations. The central argument is the proof of close ties between the mathematics of motion, as embodied in the Price equation, and the mathematics of optimization, as represented by optimization programmes. To make these links, a general and abstract model linking genotype, phenotype and number of successful gametes is assumed. The project has begun with simple dynamic models and simple linking models, and its progress will involve more realistic versions of them. The versions given here are fully mathematically rigorous, but elementary enough to serve as an introduction.
Stability of potential function formation control with communication and processing delay

We derive conditions for which a circular formation of nonholonomic robots under potential function control is stable, where robots assume a radially-directed pose at equilibrium. In addition to the delay-free case, we investigate the stability of the equilibrium when communication and local processing introduce delay. It is shown that while sufficiently large processing delay always leads to instability, with the right choice of control parameters, the system can tolerate unbounded communication delay. The analytical results are compared with simulations of a fleet of nonholomonic robots as well as with experimental data.
Systems Thinking About Systems Thinking A Proposal for a Common Language

The concept of systems thinking (and its embodiment in systems approach and systems science) dates from the historical origins of engineering, policy, and philosophy. However, unlike mathematics, physics, biology, and other fields with similar histories, systems thinking lacks a common language that facilitates transparent communication across domains. Examples from the authors' research and from literature show that research in and the practice of systems thinking would benefit from a common language and foundation of systems thinking. We present for discussion the results of our metathinking approach to a standard lexicon of systems thinking, i.e., the Dimensions of Systems Thinking. We also introduce key concepts including the observer effect of systems thinking, the difference between the scope of the analysis and the boundaries of the system, and the distinction between the metrics and indices of performance of a system. The way forward will be to discuss and debate the elements of the language of systems thinking, to establish criteria for evaluating the quality of systems thinking, and to test this methodology on case studies.
Doing Business with the Dictators: A Political History of United Fruit in Guatemala, 1899-1944

Chapter 1 Acknowledgments Chapter 2 Figures and Maps Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 The Liberals Lay the Foundations Chapter 5 An Empire Is Born Chapter 6 Minor Keith and Caudillo Politics Chapter 7 United Fruit, Cuyamel, and the Battle for Motagua, Part I Chapter 8 The Democratic Interlude Chapter 9 The Puerto Barrios Strike Chapter 10 The Battle for Motagua, Part II Chapter 11 Expansion to the Pacific Chapter 12 The Octopus Chapter 13 The United States versus United Fruit Chapter 14 Epilogue
Simultaneous consideration of multiple candidate protein biomarkers for long-term risk for cardiovascular events.

Background— Although individual protein biomarkers are associated with cardiovascular risk, rarely have multiple proteins been considered simultaneously to identify which set of proteins best predicts risk. Methods and Results— In a nested case–control study of 273 death/myocardial infarction (MI) cases and 273 age- (within 10 years), sex-, and race-matched and event-free controls from among 2023 consecutive patients (median follow-up 2.5 years) with suspected coronary disease, plasma levels of 53 previously reported biomarkers of cardiovascular risk were determined in a core laboratory. Three penalized logistic regression models were fit using the elastic net to identify panels of proteins independently associated with death/MI: proteins alone (Model 1); proteins in a model constrained to retain clinical variables (Model 2); and proteins and clinical variables available for selection (Model 3). Model 1 identified 6 biomarkers strongly associated with death/MI: intercellular adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloproteinase-3, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, interleukin-6, soluble CD40 ligand, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2. In Model 2, only soluble CD40 ligand remained strongly associated with death/MI when all clinical risk predictors were retained. Model 3 identified a set of 6 biomarkers (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloproteinase-3, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, interleukin-6, soluble CD40 ligand, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2) and 5 clinical variables (age, red-cell distribution width, diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin, and New York Heart Association class) strongly associated with death/MI. Conclusions— Simultaneously assessing the association between multiple putative protein biomarkers of cardiovascular risk and clinical outcomes is useful in identifying relevant biomarker panels for further assessment.
Prevalence and selected characteristics of childhood vision impairment.

The objective of this study was to examine the descriptive epidemiology of vision impairment among 6- to 10-year-old children in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Children with vision impairment (n=310; 42% black, 56% white; 57% male, 43% female), defined as a best corrected visual acuity in the better eye of 20/70 or worse, were identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program. The overall prevalence was 10.7 per 10 000 children. Fifty-nine percent had low vision; nearly two-thirds had coexisting disabilities. Educational program varied by vision impairment severity and presence of coexisting disabilities. The common presence of coexisting disabilities emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary services. The inclusion of case ascertainment sources other than vision impairment classes is critical to ensure an accurate prevalence rate and unbiased description of children with vision impairment.
On the controlled agreement problem

Our work examines the controlled agreement problem over a network of interconnected dynamic units. The agreement protocol has recently been a focus of a large number of research work in systems and control community. Most of the existing work in this area, however, consider the uncontrolled agreement protocol. In this work, we consider the controlled agreement problem and introduce algebraic and graph theoretic conditions for its controllability. We then proceed to provide a graphical interpretation of these controllability conditions. In addition, we explore the role of anchored vertex position in the information structure to improve the convergence properties of the controlled agreement protocol.
Pre-treatment with candesartan protects from cerebral ischaemia.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates cerebral blood flow by stimulating cerebral vasoconstriction via AT1- receptors. In adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the cerebrovascular autoregulatory curve is shifted to the right, in the direction of higher blood pressures, an indication of excessive cerebrovascular vasoconstriction. A restricted capacity to dilate cerebral blood vessels may be responsible for the enhanced vulnerability to cerebrovascular ischaemia during hypertension. We found that chronic treatment with the AT1-receptor antagonist, candesartan, (0.5 mg/kg/day for 14 days, via osmotic minipumps implanted in the subcutaneous tissue) blocked Ang II binding to AT1-receptors in cerebral blood vessels and in brain areas involved in the regulation of cerebrovascular flow, and increased the ratio of lumen-wall area in the middle cerebral artery. Candesartan treatment normalised the lower part of the autoregulatory curve in SHR, and markedly decreased cerebral ischaemia as a consequence of middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion. Protection from ischaemia is related to arterial remodelling, enhanced compensatory vasodilatation in the peripheral area of ischaemia, decreased reduction in cerebral blood flow following the occlusion of a major cerebral blood vessel, and protection from injury in the periphery of the lesion. Our results indicate that pre-treatment with AT1-antagonists such as candesartan could be of benefit in the prevention and treatment of brain ischaemia.
Unsupervised validity measures for vocalization clustering

This paper describes unsupervised speech/speaker cluster validity measures based on a dissimilarity metric, for the purpose of estimating the number of clusters in a speech data set as well as assessing the consistency of the clustering procedure. The number of clusters is estimated by minimizing the cross-data dissimilarity values, while algorithm consistency is evaluated by calculating the dissimilarity values across multiple experimental runs. The method is demonstrated on the task of Beluga whale vocalization clustering.
Effects of interaction between Marangoni and double-diffusive instabilities

The effect of surface tension on the onset of convection in horizontal double-diffusive layer was studied both experimentally and by linear stability analysis. The experiments were conducted in a rectangular tank with base dimension of 25×13 cm and 5 cm in height. A stable solute (NaCl) stratification was first established in the tank, and then a vertical temperature gradient was imposed. Vertical temperature and concentration profiles were measured using a thermocouple and a conductivity probe and the flow patterns were visualized by a schlieren system. Two types of experiments were carried out which illustrate the effect of surface tension on the onset of convection. In the rigid–rigid experiments, when the critical thermal Rayleigh number, RT, is reached, large double-diffusive plumes were seen simultaneously to rise from the heated bottom and descend from the cooled top. In the rigid–free experiments, owing to surface tension effects, the first instability onset was of the Marangoni type. Well-organized small plumes were seen to emerge and persist close to the top free surface at a relatively small RTM (where subscript M denotes ‘Marangoni’). At larger RTt > RTM (where subscript t denotes ‘top’) these plumes evolved into larger double-diffusive plumes. The onset of double-diffusive instability at the bottom region occurred at a still higher RTb > RTt (where subscript b denotes ‘bottom‘). A series of stability experiments was conducted for a layer with an initial top concentration of 2 wt% and different concentration gradients. The stability map shows that in the rigid–free case the early Marangoni instability in the top region reduces significantly the critical RT for the onset of double-diffusive convection. Compared with the rigid–rigid case, the critical RT in the top region is reduced by about 60% and in the bottom region by about 30%. The results of the linear stability analysis, which takes into account both surface tension and double-diffusive effects, are in general agreement with the experiments. The analysis is then applied to study the stability characteristics of such a layer as gravity is reduced to microgravity level. Results show that even at 10 −4g0, where g0 is the gravity at sea level, the double-diffusive effect is of equal importance to the Marangoni effect.
Changes in winter snowfall/precipitation ratio in the contiguous United States

[1] The precipitation falling as rain or snow has different impact on regional water resources and their annual distribution. Shift from solid to liquid form of precipitation following the increase of the surface air temperatures could be quite important because such change could influence the timing of spring runoff and cause water shortage in summer. In this study, the ratio of snowfall to precipitation (S/P) for November–March in the contiguous United States is analyzed and temperature effects on the changes of S/P are examined for 1949–2005. Major results show that the S/P ratio has been decreasing strongly in the Pacific Northwest and the central United States. The S/P decreased slightly in the eastern United States. In the Pacific Northwest, the changes of S/P are attributed to decrease of both snowfall and precipitation with snowfall decreasing at a greater rate. In the central United States, decrease of the S/P ratio resulted primarily from the decrease of snowfall and increase of the winter precipitation. Averaged over the contiguous United States, the changes of S/P are mainly related to the changes of the snowfall and with little effect from changes of winter precipitation. Decreases of the S/P ratio are largest in March and least in January. The significant decreases of the S/P ratio are associated with large increase in mean winter wet-day temperatures in the western and central United States. Weak warming in the eastern United States concurred with weak and no change of S/P.
Mechanical Properties of Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Thin Films Relevant to MEMS/NEMS Devices

The mechanical properties of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin films were measured using microcantilever deflection and membrane deflection techniques. Bending tests on several free-standing UNCD cantilevers, 0.5 μm thick, 20 μm wide and 80 μm long, yielded elastic modulus values of 916–959 GPa. The tests showed good reproducibility by repeated testing on the same cantilever and by testing several cantilevers of different lengths. The largest source of error in the method was accurate measurement of film thickness. Elastic modulus measurements performed with the novel membrane deflection experiment (MDE), developed by Espinosa and co-workers, gave results similar to those from the microcantilever-based tests. Tests were performed on UNCD specimens grown by both micro and nano wafer-seeding techniques. The elastic modulus was measured to be between 930–970 GPa for the microseeding and between 945–963 GPa for the nanoseeding technique. The MDE test also provided the fracture strength, which for UNCD was found to vary from 0.89 to 2.42 GPa for the microseeded samples and from 3.95 to 5.03 for the nanoseeded samples. The narrowing of the elastic modulus variation and major increase in fracture strength is believed to result from a reduction in surface roughness, less stress concentration, when employing the nanoseeding technique. Although both methods yielded reliable values of elastic modulus, the MDE was found to be more versatile since it yielded additional information about the structure and material properties, such as strength and initial stress state.