cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decadal shifts in ocean basin mass detected in satellite observations

Global warming is changing the sea level on a global scale by melting ice and snow, but sea level variations on smaller scales are linked to change in ocean circulation. From 2003 to 2012, observations show that some of the world's ocean basins have lost mass while others have grown. For instance, changing circulation patterns have caused the North Pacific to rise by an extra 1.9 centimeters per decade, irrespective of sea level rise caused by water additions from melting ice or groundwater depletion. Parts of the South Atlantic, the Arctic, and the southern Indian Ocean are also rising, while regions of the North Atlantic, South Pacific, and northern Indian Ocean are falling, according to an analysis by Johnson and Chambers of the most recent observations made by NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites.
A calorimeter for the temperature region 1–20°K—The specific heat of some graphite specimens

Abstract A high-precision isothermal calorimeter for specific-heat measurements in the temperature range 1–20°K is described. The calorimeter container and/or specimen can be cooled down to the lowest temperatures without the need of exchange gas, often a source of difficulty in precision measurements made on such materials as graphite. A detailed discussion is presented on the resistance-temperature data and their analysis concerning the use of commercially available carbon resistors as secondary thermometers in both the liquid-helium and liquid-hydrogen temperature regions. A method is demonstrated for evolving a “working” temperature scale in the region 4⋯2–9⋯5°K, using carbon resistors. Data on three graphite specimens, obtained in the temperature range 1⋯3–20°K, are reported. These samples, consisting of different crystallite sizes and “degree of faulting”, exhibit pronounced variations in their respective specific heats. The data for a natural graphite specimen can be expressed as a sum of two terms, aT 3 and γ T . The coefficient of the linear term (electronic specific heat) is ∼ 0.6 × 10 −5 cal/g atom deg 2 . Specific-heat measurements are also reported in the liquid-helium region for a boronated graphite sample.
Hadronic couplings via QCD sum rules using three-point functions: Vacuum susceptibilities

We develop a three-point formalism to treat vacuum susceptibilities used for the coupling of currents to hadrons within the method of QCD sum rules. By introducing nonlocal condensates, with the space-time structure taken from fits to experimental parton distrbutions, we show that one can treat hadronic coupling at zero or low momentum transfer as well as medium and asymptotic momentum transfers and obtain a general expression for the vacuum susceptibilities of the two-point formalism. The pion susceptibility, for which there has been a major uncertainty, is evaluated successfully with no new parameters. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
METANET: principles of an arbitrary topology LAN

The MetaNet is a scalable local area network (LAN) architecture with an arbitrary topology and a switch at each node (i.e., a switch based LAN). Its design provides on one hand a service in which any node can try to transmit asynchronously in a bursty manner without reservation as much as it can (as in traditional LAN), and on the other hand the network access and flow control ensure the following properties: (1) no packet loss due to congestion, (2) fair access to the network, (3) no deadlocks, and (4) self-routing with broadcast. The switching over this network requires only a (5) single buffer per input link. The MetaNet is asynchronous, distributed, and designed for transmission of fixed size cells or variable size packets. It can be viewed as a "general-topology buffer-insertion architecture with fairness," thus generalizing the MetaRing architecture. >
Patterns of growth and malnutrition among preschoolers in Belize

An anthropometric survey of 750 preschoolers was conducted during 1979 in Belize to assess nutritional status in 2 districts one coastal and the other inland. Mothers were interviewed concerning repreoductive history childs health and dietary history and associated factors. Analysis included the recongition of low arm circuference weight-for-age stature-for stature. Survey results indicate that about 25% of the children birth to 5 years old show evidence of stunting while 2.5% show evidence of wasting. Comparisons of rates of malnutrition by ethnic group reveal that the Maya and Garifuna (Black Carib) children are significantly more commonly malnourished than others. Applying a discriminant function to groups of children designated as poor and better-than-average growth classes reveals several factors which may be contributory to the etiology of preschool malnutrition in Belize. The frequency of diarrhea and age at introduction to solid foods are significantly related to growth retardation among preschoolers. Analysis of 24-hour-diet recalls corroborates the patterning of malnutrition among ethnic groups. (authors)
Color image retrieval using multispectral random field texture model and color content features

This paper describes a color-texture-based image retrieval system for query of an image database to find similar images to a target image. The color-texture information is obtained via modeling with the multispectral simultaneous autoregressive (MSAR) random field model. The general color content characterized by ratios of sample color means is also used. The retrieval process involves segmenting the image into regions of uniform color texture using an unsupervised histogram clustering approach that utilizes the combination of MSAR and color features. The color-texture content, location, area and shape of the segmented regions are used to develop similarity measures describing the closeness of a query image to database images. These attributes are derived from the maximum fitting square and best fitting ellipse to each of the segmented regions. The proposed similarity measure combines all these attributes to rank the closeness of the images. The performance of the system is tested on two databases containing synthetic mosaics of natural textures and natural scenes, respectively.
Response of the quiescent heart tube to mechanical stretch in the intact chick embryo.

Abstract Quiescent heart tubes in intact eight-somite chick embryos were mechanically stretched by injecting excess fluid into the heart lumen. The stretch stimuli sometimes caused precocious focal twitches in the ventricular portion of the primitive heart tube. The contractile response to mechanical stretch was confirmed by recording electrograms before, during, and after the pressure pulse injections. The results prompt us to suggest that the precise timing of the initial heartbeats in the intact embryo may involve an increase in the intraluminal fluid volume and pressure stretching the heart tube wall.
Model analysis of the nonleading twist contributions to the pion electromagnetic form factor

Abstract We study the large momentum transfer behaviour of the pion electromagnetic form factor in the spacelike region in terms of a Minkowski-space generalized perturbative integral representation for the covariant, gauge-invariant q q pion wave function. In particular, we focus on the magnitude of the leading (twist-2) perturbative QCD contribution compared to the model nonperturbative contributions. We find that at intermediate values of Q2(i.e.,Q2≅5 GeV2) the nonperturbative contribution has a magnitude comparable to the pure perturbative QCD one. We conclude that perturbative QCD cannot be expected to be reliable for this form factor at intermediate Q2.
Timing of patent ductus arteriosus treatment and respiratory outcome in premature infants: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective To determine whether "early" ibuprofen treatment, at the onset of subtle patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) symptoms, would improve respiratory outcome in premature infants compared with "expectant" management, with ibuprofen treatment only when the PDA becomes hemodynamically significant (HS). Study design We conducted a randomized double-blind controlled trial of infants with gestational ages 23 to 32 weeks and birth weights 500 to 1250 g who had echocardiography for subtle PDA symptoms (metabolic acidosis, murmur, bounding pulses). Infants were then randomized to "early" treatment (blinded ibuprofen; n=54) or "expectant management" (blinded placebo, n=51). If the PDA became HS (pulmonary hemorrhage, hypotension, respiratory deterioration), infants received open label ibuprofen. Infants with HS PDA at enrollment were excluded from the study. Respiratory outcomes and mortality and major morbidities were determined. Results "Early" treatment infants received ibuprofen at median age of 3 days; infants in the "expectant group" in whom HS symptoms developed (20%) received ibuprofen at median of 11 days. A total of 49% of "expectant" infants never required ibuprofen or ligation. No significant differences were found in the primary outcome (days on oxygen [O 2 ] during the first 28 days), death, O 2 at 36 weeks, death or O 2 at 36 weeks, intestinal perforation, surgical necrotizing enterocolitis, grades III and IV intracranial hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, sepsis or retinopathy of prematurity. Conclusion Infants with mild signs of PDA do not benefit from early PDA treatment compared with delayed treatment.
Inappropriate and cloned clinical histories on radiology request forms for sick children

Background An appropriate clinical history improves the perception and interpretation of radiographic examinations in children and adults. However, clinical history provided on radiology request has not been studied for its appropriateness and frequency of cloned clinical history.
Topotecan selectively enhances the radioresponse of human small-cell lung carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme xenografts in nude mice.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of different combinations of the DNA topoisomerase I-targeting drug, topotecan (TPT), with radiation for treatment of two human tumor xenografts. Methods and Materials: The small cell lung carcinoma 54A and glioblastoma multiforme U87 were transplanted into nude mice. Equal i.p. injections of TPT and/or equal fractions of tumor irradiation were administered daily, for 5 consecutive days. When combined, TPT was injected at different constant time intervals prior to or after each radiation fraction. The tumor growth delay and changes in skin radiation reaction by TPT were evaluated. Tumor oxygenation was measured using the Eppendorf pO 2 histography. Results: The tumor growth delay induced by such chemoradiotherapy was independent of interval and sequencing of the agents for either tumor model. The efficacy of TPT alone or in combination with radiation was always dose-dependent, although of different magnitude in the two xenografts. In 54A xenografts, TPT alone induced longer growth delay, but its combined effect with radiation was not more than additive. In contrast, U87 responded less to TPT alone, however the drug and radiation interacted synergisticly in this tumor model. Using both a radiobiological approach (tumor irradiation under normoxia vs. clamp hypoxia conditions) and the polarographic electrode measurements, it was shown that TPT did not modify tumor oxygenation and, thus, unlikely modulated oxygen-related tumor radiosensitivity. In contrast to tumors, TPT virtually unchanged skin radiation reaction. Conclusions: Our data suggest that TPT, when combined with radiation treatment of tumors, provides a therapeutic gain without substantial local and systemic adverse effects.
Increasing Seating Opportunities Using a Behavioral Prompt

Abstract The present study used a sign to increase the number of pushed in chairs within 2 sections of an undergraduate educational psychology course at a university in the southeastern United States. This may have increased the opportunity for students with mobility limitations to select from a wider variety of seating. After posting a sign, at least 20% more chairs were pushed in across each section. Following removal of the sign, chairs continued to be pushed in at a level consistent with intervention. Compared with other studies that have used signs to effect change, the fact that the same population of users was exposed to the sign may explain the discrepant results in the literature regarding level of behavioral persistence after signs had been withdrawn. Cost efficiency, support for using a behavioral prompt, and future research is discussed.
CREATING AND QUERYING LEXICAL DATA BASES

Users of computerized dictionaries require powerful and flexible tools for analyzing and manipulating the information in them. This paper discusses a system for grammatically describing and parsing entries from machine-readable dictionary tapes and a lexical data base representation for storing the dictionary information. It also describes a language for querying, formatting, and maintaining dictionaries and other lexical data stored with that representation.
A Review of Next-Generation Genetic Testing for the Dermatologist

Dermatologists have been placed in a prime position to make new genetic discoveries. Tissue is easily obtained from the skin or mucosa for the study of germline and somatic mosaic disorders. This, along with the recent development of next-generation sequencing, makes dermatology an exciting field with essentially endless possibilities for discovering genes responsible for disease, better understanding complex molecular pathways, and eventually developing targeted therapies. To take advantage of this great opportunity, a basic understanding of the advances in genetic testing is vital. Herein we give an overview of next-generation sequencing, including some of the applications it may be used for. We also review various study designs for genetic discovery, each of their benefits and downfalls, and how they may be applied to the study of dermatologic disease.
Steam distillation of phenolic compounds in the presence of a large amount of sodium chloride

Abstract The steam distillation of phenolic compounds in the presence of a large amount of sodium chloride was studied by use of a semimicro steam distillation apparatus and ultraviolet spectrometry. The recovery of many phenolic compounds in steam distillation was improved by the addition of the sodium chloride, particularly in the case of 3- and 4-methoxyphenol, 3-and 4-bromophenol, and 3- and 4-chlorophenol (essentially complete recovery was obtained with the latter four compounds). The recovery with 2-chlorophenol was about 5% lower. The recovery with 2-nitrophenol was about 10% lower and the results tended to be erratic (probably because the sodium chloride affects the intramolecular hydrogen bonding of this polar compound). The addition of sodium chloride did not improve the very low recoveries obtained with aminophenols and di- and trihydroxyphenols without sodium chloride. It is recommended that sodium chloride be used in the determination of total phenolic compounds in waters in procedures that require a steam distillation, since more complete recovery is obtained for the phenolic compounds that are likely to be found in waters.
Diffractive and non-diffractive ψ leptoproduction in QCD☆

Abstract First and second order QCD contributions are calculated for the process μN → μψX. Striking signature differences compel the identification of O(αs) QCD with diffractive and O(αs2) QCD with non-diffractive scattering: the O(αs) cross section peaks sharply at t = 0, and has large positive ψ rapidity and little hadronic energy recoil; the O(αs2) cross section has a flat t dependence, small ψ rapidity and large hadronic energy recoil.
Effect of Dietary Calcium-Phosphorus Adjustment and/or Supplementation with Terephthalic Acid upon Serum Antibiotic Levels of Chickens

Abstract It has been previously reported by Price et al. (1958a), using the ligated duodenal loop technique, that in chicks serum levels of oxytetracycline* (OTC) were significantly reduced by simultaneous administration of calcium chloride. Concurrent administration of calcium-binding agents, such as certain phosphates and citric acid, tended to overcome the depression in absorption produced by calcium. The fact that both calcium and phosphorus are present in poultry rations in fairly high concentrations suggested determining the influence of these elements on blood serum levels of orally administered tetracycline antibiotics. The effect of supplementing the ration with terephthalic acid (TA) also was determined, since Price et al. (1958b) have shown that TA markedly increases serum OTC levels in poultry by a mode of action apparently unrelated to cation depression of antibiotic absorption. This effect of TA is described in a recent patent (Kent and Peterson, 1958). In the present study, at least 5 …
Imagined Economies: The Sources of Russian Regionalism

List of tables List of figures and maps List of acronyms Note on transliteration Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Regionalism in the Russian Federation: theories and evidence 2. Imagined economies: constructivist political economy and nationalism 3. Breaking the Soviet doxa: perestroika, rasstroika, and the evolution of regionalism 4. To each his own: the development of heterogeneous regional understandings and interests in Russia 5. Imagined economies in Samara and Sverdlovsk: differences in regional understandings of the economy 6. Regional understandings of the economy and sovereignty: the economic basis of the movement for a Urals Republic 7. Regional understandings, institutional context, and the development of the movement for a Urals Republic Conclusion Appendix tables Index.
Effect of long-term thyroidectomy on post-prandial plasma calcium changes in man

Five totally thyroidectomized (TX) individuals were compared to age-matched controls and to 20 normal adults, 20 to 30 years of age. All subjects, after an overnight fast, were given a morning meal containing 563 mg calcium and an equal amount of phosphorus. In separate tests some of the young adults were given a meal containing only 280 mg of each of the two elements. Most individuals were studied twice: on one occasion salmon calcitonin (0.1 MCR U/kg body weight) was injected 30 min after the meal; on the other visit only the vehicle was injected. In normal individuals plasma calcium values fluctuated only slightly during the 8 hour post-prandial study period, showing no consistent deviation. In contrast, in the TX population, plasma calcium concentrations changed in a sigmoid pattern. They fell for the first hour after consumption of the meal, then rose gradually to a value statistically higher than controls by the fourth hour. This was followed by a drop in plasma calcium values to levels lower than those in their normal counterparts. A single injection of calcitonin reversed this sigmoid pattern to one not statistically different from normal. It is concluded that the post-prandial presence of calcitonin (secreted or injected) minimizes fluctuations in both directions in plasma calcium concentrations in human subjects.
Living with HIV and dying with AIDS: Diversity, inequality and human rights in the global pandemic

Living with HIV and dying with AIDS is written by two authors with strong global health research backgrounds, especially in the political economy of health. This broad examination of diversity (of ...
Biomarkers for Non-invasive Diagnosis of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Reply: We thank Dr. Yilmaz and co-authors for their interest in our research and their thoughtful comments describing common, but unavoidable, pitfalls on the road to developing clinically acceptable biomarkers for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and related fibrosis. We are fully aware of these drawbacks, especially those related to the performance of a biomarker panel in comparison to tests containing only a single biomarker. It is important to note that some of the variables included in a panel of biomarker such as ours (presence of diabetes, gender, BMI, triglycerides, and AST) are routinely available in clinical practice [1]. Therefore, adding these parameters to a “biomarker panel” should not increase the associated costs. On the other hand, ELISA assays for the other components of the biomarker panel such as M30, M65, and TIMP1 should be readily available at a cost of around US $35–40 (including the associated labor). We envision that biomarker panels such as the one reported by us should be fully validated and then be used as screening tools to identify patients at the highest likelihood of having NASH or NASH-related fibrosis. In addition, we would like to add that there are other pitfalls that could plague development and validation of these noninvasive biomarkers for liver diseases. One of these traps is the necessity to rely on the liver biopsy as the “gold standard” for validation of newly developed biomarkers. It is important to bear in mind that the biopsy itself has an area under the curve (AUC), which could be derived from the “true gold standard” using an entire section of the liver [2]. As clearly demonstrated by Bedossa et al., liver biopsy sampling variability is especially prominent in the cases of discriminating stages of fibrosis [1]. In fact, the METAVIR scoring system which was used for staging fibrosis on a typical 15-mm liver biopsy core was correct approximately 65% of the times, reflecting an AUC of only 0.82 [1]. Because of this relatively low performance, using core liver biopsy as a “gold standard” for validating non-invasive biomarkers is difficult at best. The study by Bedossa et al. illustrates the difficulty of using core liver biopsies for the validation of non-invasive biomarkers. To overcome this problem, the future biomarker validation studies need to be designed in a way that allows assessment of multiple biomarkers performances against each other as well as against the “imperfect gold standard” of liver biopsy. Most importantly, these studies must be designed to assess long-term outcomes of patients with liver diseases. After all, what looks bad to the pathologist under the microscope or to the clinician reviewing patients' medical records must be bad for the patient. Despite the difficulty in their design, only validation studies assessing the long-term outcomes can be designed to answer these clinically important questions.
Incorporating ancillary measures of process and quality change into a superlative productivity index

One of the persistent problems plaguing the measurement of productivity and output is accounting for changes in product quality. A similar problem arises in attempting to explain shifts in a production function using information on changes in the characteristics of the production process itself. We consider these problems under a behavioral model in which the firm chooses a profit-maximizing bundle of input/output/process characteristics as well as the profit maximizing levels of input and output. This view of quality change is similar to the endogenous design index advocated by Triplett [1983] for industrial prices and the endogenous quality indexes analyzed by Pollak [1983] for consumer prices. We show how a price-characteristics locus can be used to adjust the Tornqvist output- and input-oriented multifactor productivity indexes of Caves, Christensen and Diewert [1982] for changes in input, output and process characteristics. To show the applicability of the methodology to services, we apply the results in the framework of the commercial banking measurement of Fixler [1988] to measure the impact of bank branching on multifactor productivity.
The anorexic patient: what options do we have?

Anorexic patients are commonly seen in veterinary hospitals for a variety of reasons. Often the focus is rightly on finding and treating the underlying cause; however, in many instances, providing early and aggressive nutritional support can lead to improved and hastened recoveries as well as shorter hospital stays. This article discusses the management of anorexic patients, and reviews the placement of feeding tubes and the use of parenteral nutrition.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt nonautonomously promote perineurial glial growth in drosophila peripheral nerves

Drosophila peripheral nerves, structured similarly to their mammalian counterparts, comprise a layer of motor and sensory axons wrapped by an inner peripheral glia (analogous to the mammalian Schwann cell) and an outer perineurial glia (analogous to the mammalian perineurium). Growth and proliferation within mammalian peripheral nerves are increased by Ras pathway activation: loss-of-function mutations in Nf1 , which encodes the Ras inhibitor neurofibromin, cause the human genetic disorder neurofibromatosis, which is characterized by formation of neurofibromas (tumors of peripheral nerves). However, the signaling pathways that control nerve growth downstream of Ras remain incompletely characterized. Here we show that expression specifically within the Drosophila peripheral glia of the constitutively active RasV12 increases perineurial glial thickness. Using chromosomal loss-of-function mutations and transgenes encoding dominant-negative and constitutively active proteins, we show that this nonautonomous effect of RasV12 is mediated by the Ras effector phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream kinase Akt. We also show that the nonautonomous, growth-promoting effects of activated PI3K are suppressed by coexpression within the peripheral glia of FOXO + (forkhead box O) a transcription factor inhibited by Akt-dependent phosphorylation. We suggest that Ras–PI3K–Akt activity in the peripheral glia promotes growth of the perineurial glia by inhibiting FOXO. In mammalian peripheral nerves, the Schwann cell releases several growth factors that affect the proliferative properties of neighbors. Some of these factors are oversecreted in Nf1 mutants. Our results raise the possibility that neurofibroma formation in individuals with neurofibromatosis might result in part from a Ras–PI3K–Akt-dependent inhibition of FOXO within Schwann cells.
Factors Influencing the Decline in Stroke Mortality A Statement From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Background and Purpose—Stroke mortality has been declining since the early 20th century. The reasons for this are not completely understood, although the decline is welcome. As a result of recent striking and more accelerated decreases in stroke mortality, stroke has fallen from the third to the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. This has prompted a detailed assessment of the factors associated with the change in stroke risk and mortality. This statement considers the evidence for factors that have contributed to the decline and how they can be used in the design of future interventions for this major public health burden. Methods—Writing group members were nominated by the committee chair and co-chair on the basis of their previous work in relevant topic areas and were approved by the American Heart Association Stroke Council’s Scientific Statements Oversight Committee and the American Heart Association Manuscript Oversight Committee. The writers used systematic literature reviews, references to published clinical and epidemiological studies, morbidity and mortality reports, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, personal files, and expert opinion to summarize evidence and to indicate gaps in current knowledge. All members of the writing group had the opportunity to comment on this document and approved the final version. The document underwent extensive American Heart Association internal peer review, Stroke Council leadership review, and Scientific Statements Oversight Committee review before consideration and approval by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Results—The decline in stroke mortality over the past decades represents a major improvement in population health and is observed for both sexes and for all racial/ethnic and age groups. In addition to the overall impact on fewer lives lost to stroke, the major decline in stroke mortality seen among people <65 years of age represents a reduction in years of potential life lost. The decline in mortality results from reduced incidence of stroke and lower case-fatality rates. These significant improvements in stroke outcomes are concurrent with cardiovascular risk factor control interventions. Although
Breeding habitat use by colonially nesting waterbirds in two mid-atlantic US regions under different regimes of human disturbance

Abstract More than 80% of the beach-nesting seabirds (common tern, least tern, black skimmer, and herring gull) in coastal Virginia nest on natural barrier island beaches, while in New Jersey the vast majority nest on dredge deposition material or natural marsh islands. This contrast probably results from the differences in human disturbance in the two regions. Although 75% of all oceanfront in New Jersey allows unrestricted recreation, about 85% of the Virginia beaches are ‘protected’ under the ownership of several conservation agencies. Attendant with changes in habitat utilisation in New Jersey, competitive interactions have apparently intensified with herring gulls usurping tern and laughing gull nest sites. Other implications are discussed.
Predicting Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia at Any Time During Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

Abstract Background Current recommendations for monitoring patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) provide recommendations for response assessment and treatment only at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. These recommendations are based on clinical trial outcomes computed from treatment start. Conditional survival estimates take into account the changing hazard rates as time from treatment elapses as a continuum. Patients and Methods We performed conditional survival analyses among patients with CML to improve prognostication at any time point during the course of therapy. We used 2 cohorts of patients with CML in chronic phase: 1 treated in the frontline DASISION (Dasatinib versus Imatinib Study in Treatment – Naive CML) phase III study (n = 519) and another treated after imatinib treatment had failed in the dasatinib dose-optimization phase III CA180-034 study (n = 670). Conditional survival estimates were calculated. A modified Cox proportional hazards model was used to build a prognostic nomogram. Results As the time alive or free from events from commencement of treatment increased, conditional survival estimates changed. No differences were observed regarding future outcomes between patients treated with imatinib or dasatinib in the frontline setting for patients with the same breakpoint cluster region-abelson 1 ( BCR-ABL1 ) transcript levels evaluated at the same time point. Age older than 60 years greatly affected future outcomes particularly in the short-term. Conditional survival-based nomograms allowed the prediction of future outcomes at any time point. Conclusion In summary, we designed a calculator to predict future outcomes of patients with CML at any time point during the course of therapy.
UTILITY OF PROXY CHARACTERS FOR CLASSIFICATION OF FOSSILS: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE FOSSIL XANTHOIDEA (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

Abstract Diagnoses based upon preservable carapace features are provided for the brachyuran families Carpiliidae, Palaeoxanthopsidae new family, Pseudoziidae, and Zanthopsidae, newly raised to family status. In order to make family and generic level assignments, characters of the dorsal carapace can be used successfully as proxies for soft-part morphology that is not commonly or never preserved in fossils. The identification of carpiliids and pseudoziids in the fossil record yields critical information about the time of divergence of these groups, no later than Eocene, and the relationships between those two families, the Eriphiidae, and the extinct Zanthopsidae. Because the timing of divergence of at least two xanthoid families is now known more accurately, more constrained phylogenetic studies can result. The Eocene to Recent Carpiliidae is restricted to one extant genus and five fossil genera. The Eocene to Recent Pseudoziidae contains the fossil genera Archaeozius new genus, Priabonocarcinus, and Sant...
TLR9-dependent IL-23/IL-17 is required for the generation of Stachybotrys chartarum-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammatory lung disease that develops after repeated exposure to inhaled particulate Ag. Stachybotrys chartarum is a dimorphic fungus that has been implicated in a number of respiratory illnesses, including HP. In this study, we have developed a murine model of S. chartarum–induced HP that reproduces pathology observed in human HP, and we have hypothesized that TLR9-mediated IL-23 and IL-17 responses are required for the generation of granulomatous inflammation induced by inhaled S. chartarum. Mice that undergo i.p. sensitization and intratracheal challenge with 106 S. chartarum spores developed granulomatous inflammation with multinucleate giant cells, accompanied by increased accumulation of T cells. S. chartarum sensitization and challenge resulted in robust pulmonary expression of IL-17 and IL-23. S. chartarum–mediated granulomatous inflammation required intact IL-23 or IL-17 responses and required TLR9, because TLR9−/− mice displayed reduced IL-17 and IL-23 expression in whole lung associated with decreased accumulation of IL-17 expressing CD4+ and γδ T cells. Compared with S. chartarum–sensitized dendritic cells (DC) isolated from WT mice, DCs isolated from TLR9−/− mice had a reduced ability to produce IL-23 in responses to S. chartarum. Moreover, shRNA knockdown of IL-23 in DCs abolished IL-17 production from splenocytes in response to Ag challenge. Finally, the intratracheal reconstitution of IL-23 in TLR9−/− mice recapitulated the immunopathology observed in WT mice. In conclusion, our studies suggest that TLR9 is critical for the development of Th17-mediated granulomatous inflammation in the lung in response to S. chartarum.
Cross Cultural Differences in Online Learning Motivation.

Globalization and technology are two of the many drivers that impact today’s education, locally and internationally. The purpose of the research study was to identify how online learners in Korea a...
Identifying component-processes of executive functioning that serve as risk factors for the alcohol-aggression relation

The present investigation determined how different component-processes of executive functioning (EF) served as risk factors for intoxicated aggression. Participants were 512 (246 males and 266 females) healthy social drinkers between 21 and 35 years of age. EF was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) that assesses nine EF components. After the consumption of either an alcohol or a placebo beverage, participants were tested on a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm in which mild electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent. Aggressive behavior was operationalized as the shock intensities and durations administered to the opponent. Although a general BRIEF-A EF construct consisting of all nine components predicted intoxicated aggression, the best predictor involved one termed the Behavioral Regulation Index that comprises component processes such as inhibition, emotional control, flexible thinking, and self-monitoring.
Abnormal nondetect zone myocardial thallium washout ratio in patients with reversible thallium defects and normal coronary arteriograms

Abstract Thallium myocardial defects in patients with no angiographic coronary artery stenosis have been attributed to attenuation effects and other artifacts. Of 323 patients having thallium myocardial imaging following dipyridamole infusion, 10 of 159 patients with a segmental perfusion abnormality were found to have no luminal diameter stenosis >20% on coronary angiography and no electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of myocardial infarction or left bundle branch block. A time-standardized regional thallium washout ratio was calculated as thallium myocardial counts with dipyridamole to counts without dipyridamole. In comparison to 10 age-matched control patients with no evidence of cardiac disease and no myocardial thallium defect, study patients had a lower regional myocardial thallium washout ratio from both the defect and nondefect (1.57 ± 0.40 versus 2.27 ± 0.92, p = 0.041) zones. Nine of the 10 study patients had independent evidence of noncoronary heart disease, including echocardiographic or ECG evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy in six patients. In patients with thallium defects and normal coronary arteriograms, a time-standardized regional thallium myocardial washout ratio for the nondefect zone may aid in the differentiation of patients with noncoronary heart disease from those with soft tissue artifacts.
High-intensity interventions promote smoking cessation among hospitalized patients

Commentary on: Rigotti NA, Clair C, Munafo MR, et al. Interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalised patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 5: CD001837.[OpenUrl][1][PubMed][2] Hospitalisation represents a potent ‘teachable moment’ for the delivery of smoking cessation interventions. Many smokers are hospitalised for tobacco-related diseases that personalise the risks of persistent smoking and thereby enhance motivation to quit and receptivity to tobacco cessation assistance. Most hospitals are smoke-free and many have adopted broad, smoke-free campus policies that further restrict smoking on hospital grounds, making smoking during hospitalisation particularly difficult and inconvenient. These external restrictions increase the likelihood of smokers being amenable to the use of tobacco cessation medications to help manage symptoms of acute nicotine withdrawal. Recognising the potential value of promoting smoking cessation during hospitalisation, the US Joint Commission has established a set of tobacco cessation performance indicators in an effort to improve … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCochrane%2Bdatabase%2Bof%2Bsystematic%2Breviews%2B%2528Online%2529%26rft.stitle%253DCochrane%2BDatabase%2BSyst%2BRev%26rft.aulast%253DRigotti%26rft.auinit1%253DN.%2BA.%26rft.volume%253D5%26rft.spage%253DCD001837%26rft.epage%253DCD001837%26rft.atitle%253DInterventions%2Bfor%2Bsmoking%2Bcessation%2Bin%2Bhospitalised%2Bpatients.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22592676%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22592676&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F3%2Fe25.atom
Angiotensin II Modulates BBB Permeability via Activation of the AT1 Receptor in Brain Endothelial Cells

Hypertensive encephalopathy occurs when acute changes in blood pressure cause breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a role in this pathophysiology. We determined whether Ang II directly regulates endothelial cell function at the BBB. In BBB microvessel endothelial cells (MECs), the Ang II (100 nmol/L; 0 to 6 h) effects on permeability to 125I-albumin and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) were assessed. Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) caused significant time-dependent changes in both 125I-albumin permeability (25%) at 2 h and TEER (−8.87 Ω·cm2) at 6 h. Next, MECs were pretreated with the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker telmisartan (1 μmol/L) or the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor blocker PD123,319 (1 μmol/L) followed by treatment with Ang II (100 nm). Telmisartan completely inhibited the Ang II-induced increase in 125I-albumin permeability in MECs whereas PD123,319 had no effect. Using western blot analysis, we showed that MECs express AT1 receptors but not AT2 receptors. Treatment with Ang II (100 nmol/L; 0 to 6 h) also increased total protein kinase C activity. In contrast, Ang II had no effect on the expression of occludin, claudin 5, or actin. These results show that Ang II directly modulates transcytotic and paracellular permeability in BBB endothelial cells and could contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertensive encephalopathy.
Surface Radiation Budget Imagery

Linear regressions which summarize the relationships between the turbulent fluxes of heat and latent heat of vaporization leaving the surface and surface albedos are given. This observation is based on a semi-empirical analysis of the data collected from sets of Landsat/TM (Thematic Mapper) imagery as the top of the atmosphere images have been converted into maps of surface radiation budget. A preliminary analysis shows that in spite of the land surface's temporal and spatial variability, the transfer of latent and sensible heat into the atmosphere would appear to be governed by the land surface albedo.
Prevalence of intimate partner violence in patients presenting with traumatic injuries to a Guyanese emergency department

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs throughout the world, and has both short- term and long- term negative health effects. Little is know about the prevalence of IPV in patients presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) in the developing world. This information is needed to help delineate the scope of the problem and shape effective interventions to combat IPV. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence in adult patients with acute traumatic injuries presenting to an ED in Georgetown, Guyana. Retrospective descriptive analysis of a prospectively collected ED quality assurance database. Patients 18 years or older who presented with a traumatic injury and answered the question “Was the injury inflicted by a domestic partner?” were included in the analysis. Overall, 38 of 475 (8%) patients admitted to having injuries inflicted by a domestic partner. Thirty- one (81.6%) patients disclosing IPV were female and 7 (18.4%) were male. The self- reported prevalence of IPV in females presenting with traumatic injuries was 16% compared to 2% for males (RR 6.4; 95% CI 2.9-14.3). IPV was the cause of 31 of the 67 (46.3%) women presenting with assaults. IPV is thought to be a serious problem in Guyana, and this study confirms a high prevalence (16%) of IPV in women presenting with traumatic injuries to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation ED. This is likely a significant underestimate of the true prevalence.
Dynamic Overlay Single-Domain Contracting for End-to-End Contract Switching

The Internet’s simple design resulted in huge success in basic telecommunication services. However, in terms of providing end-to-end QoS services, the Internet’s architecture needs major shifts since it neither allows (i) users to indicate their value choices at sufficient granularity nor (ii) providers to manage risks involved in investment for new innovative QoS technologies and business relationships with other providers as well as users. To allow these much needed economic flexibilities, we envision contract-switching as a new paradigm for the design of future Internet architecture. Just like packet-switching enabled flexible and efficient multiplexing of data, a contract-switched inter-network will enable flexible and economically efficient management of risks and value flows with more tussle points.
A finite parametrization for constrained minimum norm interpolants

Signal reconstruction from a limited set of linear measurements of a signal and prior knowledge of signal characteristics expressed as convex constraint sets is discussed. The problem is posed in Hilbert space as the determination of the minimum norm element in the intersection of convex constraint sets and a linear variety with finite codimension. A finite parametrization for the optimal solution is derived, and the optimal parameter vector is shown to satisfy a system of nonlinear equations in a finite-dimensional Euclidean space. Iterative algorithms to determine the parameters are presented, and these results are applied to obtain a quadratically convergent algorithm solving a constrained power spectrum estimation problem. >
Validity and stability of self-reported health among adolescents in a longitudinal, nationally representative survey.

Objectives The goals of this study to assess (1) the stability of self-reported health among a nationally representative sample of youth in adolescence over a period of 6 years, (2) the concordance of self-reported health between parents and children, and (3) the validity of self-reported health across a range of physical and emotional indicators of adolescent well-being. Methods This study uses data from rounds 1 to 7 (1997-2003) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997 Cohort (NLSY97). The sample consists of 6748 youth born between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1984. Data on one of the youths' parents were also included in the baseline of the survey. Analyses were conducted using polychoric correlations and ordinal logistic regression. Results Self-reported health of adolescents over a 7-year period indicated moderate stability (40% agreement after 7 years for girls and 41% for boys). Concordance was also present between parents and their children, although the association was higher among same-gender pairings (mother-daughter and father-son concordances). Adolescents' self-reported health was also linked with the presence or absence of chronic health conditions, emotional problems, and with being overweight or obese but not with sensory conditions or physical deformity. Conclusions Self-reported health is stable from early and middle adolescence to young adulthood. Self-reported health is also a valid measure of a variety of physical and emotional dimensions of adolescent well-being. The stability and validity of self-reported health do not differ by the gender of the child, although there is slightly greater concordance when the reporting parent is the same gender as the child.
Walking Trail Use Among a Sample of Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian Adult Walkers.

Background: Walking trails are positively associated with physical activity; however, few studies have been conducted among diverse communities. We sought to describe trail use and the physical and social environmental correlates of trail use in a racially/ethnically diverse sample. Methods: We administered an on-site trail intercept survey to walkers on a trail (N = 175). We assessed frequency/duration of trail use, reasons for using the trail, perceptions of the trail, demographics and BMI. Results: Walkers were primarily young (mean age = 37.8 years, SD = 11.8) and overweight (mean BMI = 25.2 kg/m2, SD = 4.2). Time spent on the trail and frequency of trail use differed significantly by age (P = .004) but not race/ethnicity. Perceptions of the trail differed significantly by sex and race/ethnicity (P-values = .001, .014, respectively). In regression models, different factors predicted time spent on the trail and frequency of trail use. Conclusions: Walkers were frequent users of the trail and cited many...
Implications of vascular aging

Chronological age is a well-established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The changes that accumulate in the vasculature with age, however, are highly variable. It is now increasingly recognized that indices of vascular health are more reliable than age per se in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The variation in the accrual of these age-related vascular changes is a function of multiple genetic and environmental factors. In this review, we highlight some of the pathophysiological mechanisms that characterize the vascular aging phenotype. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the key outcome studies that address the value of these vascular health indices in general and discuss potential effects on perioperative cardiovascular outcomes.