cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal NMDA receptor mRNA undergoes subunit specific changes during developmental lead exposure.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has shown to play an important role in the cognitive deficits associated with developmental lead (Pb) exposure. In this study, we examined the effects of low-level Pb exposure on NMDA receptor subunit gene expression in the developing rat brain. The pattern of NR1, NR2A, NR2B, and NR2C subunit mRNA in situ hybridization was consistent with previous studies. Brain levels of NR1 and NR2A mRNAs were lowest shortly after birth, increasing to reach peak levels by 14 or 21 days of age and subsequently decreasing at 28 days of age. NR2B mRNA levels were highest during early development and decreased as the animals aged. NR2C subunit mRNA was restricted to the cerebellum and a signal was not detectable until the second week of life. Lead exposure resulted in significant and opposite effects in NR1 and NR2A subunit mRNA expression with no changes in NR2B or NR2C subunit expression. The Pb-induced changes in NR1 and NR2A subunit mRNA were mainly present in the hippocampus. Hippocampal NR1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the CA1 (15.3%) and CA4 (26.8%) pyramidal cells from 14-day-old Pb-exposed rats. At 21 days of age, only the NR1 mRNA at the CA4 subfield remained significantly elevated (10.3%). Lead exposure caused reductions of NR2A mRNA levels (11.9-19.3%) in the pyramidal and granule cell layers of the hippocampus at 14 and 21 days of age. NR1 mRNA levels were also significantly increased (14.0%) in the cerebellum of 28-day-old rats with no change in NR2A mRNA at any age. No significant changes in subunit mRNA levels were present in cortical or subcortical regions at any age. The Pb-induced changes in hippocampal NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression measured in the present study may lead to modifications in receptor levels or subtypes and alter the development of defined neuronal connections which require NMDA receptor activation.
Streptococcal population profiles as indicators of water quality

The streptococcal flora of two sewage treatment facilities, lakewater receiving effluent from a sewage treatment facility, and the feces of five animals were examined. An improved medium, designated M2 allowed the isolation of a total of 3314 streptococcal strains representing 17 species. Thirteen of these species were assembled into groups based upon similarities in ecology or physiology. Comparison of the proportions of these groups within samples from various sources allowed populations from human sources to be distinguished from animal derived populations. Finally, the streptococcal populations of three streams were examined and the concept of environmentally significant groups applied to define the types of contamination present.
Gαq G proteins modulate MMP-9 gelatinase during remodeling of the murine femoral artery.

Abstract Background Vessels heal after injury and G protein–coupled receptors are involved in the vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation required to form intimal hyperplasia. We have previously identified the role of Gαq in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro . This study now examines the role of Gαq in the developing intimal hyperplasia in a murine model and the impact of disruption of Gαq signaling on intimal hyperplasia development. Methods We employed a murine femoral wire injury model in which a micro-wire is passed through a branch of the femoral artery and used to denude the common femoral artery. We perfusion-fixed specimens and stained sections with hematoxylin-eosin and Movat's stains such that morphometric analysis could be performed using an Image-Pro system. We also harvested additional specimens of femoral artery and snap-froze them for Western blotting or zymography, to allow for the study of G protein expression and both protease expression and activity. We used contralateral vessels as controls. We immersed additional vessels in pluronic gel containing the chemical Gαq G protein inhibitors GP-2A, siRNA to Gαq or adenovirus containing mutant inactive Gαq. Results Gαq expression increased in a time-dependent manner after femoral artery injury. Sham-operated vessels did not produce such a response. Inhibition of Gαq reduced cell proliferation without affecting cell migration. Interruption of Gαq signaling also inhibited the development of intimal hyperplasia. Inhibition of Gαq did not alter peak urinary-type plasminogen activator activity and expression, but did increase early plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and expression. Inhibition of Gαq reduced peak metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity at Day 3 but did not influence peak MMP-2 activity at Day 7. Protein expression for MMP-9 was also decreased, but that of MMP-2 was not affected. There were no changes in the expression or the activity of the respective inhibitors for MMP-9 and MMP-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and -2. Conclusions These data demonstrate that femoral wire injury in the mouse is associated with a time-dependent increase in Gαq expression. Inhibition of Gαq alters cell proliferation and is associated with decreased MMP-9 expression and activity.
Occurrence and morphology of a fibrous body in the mitochondria of the slime mold physarum polycephalum.

Zu den Mitochondrien des SchleimpilzesPhysarum polycephalum wird ein fibroser Zentralkorper beschrieben. Zwischen seiner Form und derjenigen der Mitochondrien besteht eine Korrelation: In den Teilungsstadien der Mitochondrien scheinen diese Zentralkorper ebenfalls auf die beiden Teile im Sinne einer Durchschnurung aufgeteilt zu werden.
Dependence of quasiparticle recombination time on film thickness

Abstract We find that the measured recombination time of quasiparticles in superconducting aluminum films increases approximately linearly with film thickness as predicted by Rothwarf and Taylor, the lifetime for a thickness of 1000 A being approximately twice the extrapolated value at zero thickness. They suggest that the reabsorption of phonons, emitted during the recombination of quasiparticles, will lead to an enhancement of the measured quasiparticle recombination time proportional to the film thickness, if the main process competing with phonon reabsorbtion is the direct propagation of phonons into the substrate. Our results are in semi-quantitative agreement with a simple model based on their discussion. The enhancement is expected to depend on the phonon transmission coefficient. We observed essentially no effect when layers of WO3 or CeO2, having very high acoustic impedances, were interposed between the aluminum film and substrate. We have, at present, no convincing explanation for this result which casts considerable doubt on the above interpretation of our data.
Unsupervised consensus analysis for on-line review and questionnaire data

Abstract We describe a set of Cultural Consensus Theory (CCT) models for analyzing review and questionnaire data. The basic single culture/cluster model can be used to estimate user competencies, user biases, and aggregate review scores. The model is unsupervised and only utilizes the input review scores. A maximum likelihood approach is used to estimate the model. We expand existing work by developing a clusterwise multi-culture continuous CCT model, for which we use the acronym CONSCLUS (CONSensus CLUStering). The original single culture CCT model is a special one-cluster case of CONSCLUS. We show that when all user competencies are equal, CONSCLUS is equivalent to k-means clustering. CONSCLUS is estimated using an alternating least squares variant of the algorithm for k-means clustering, which we denote as CCT-Means. CONSCLUS is a partitioning clustering technique. We describe extensions to CONSCLUS to incorporate fuzzy clustering and overlapping clustering. We run a series of simulation experiments using generated data with random error. We test both the single cluster and multiple cluster models. These experiments show that CONSCLUS is able to recover aggregate rating values and latent cluster assignments better than a range of other aggregation methods. The performance increase over the other aggregation methods is particularly strong when the users have varying competencies. We give an illustrative example using the Movielens dataset. We give a set of recommendations for the practical implementation of CONSCLUS on real world data and show how the user competencies can be used to gain insight into these data that cannot be gained from simple partitioning clustering.
Alzheimer's disease: a cell biological perspective

An almost bewildering number of findings concerning Alzheimer's disease mask the significant recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of some inherited forms of this disease and the proteolytic processing of proteins related to the disease. Alzheimer's disease is an amyloidosis, a condition in which certain proteins or protein fragments precipitate in various tissues as amyloid, fibrillar aggregates with a beta-pleated sheet conformation. Alzheimer's is also characterized by neuritic lesions and cell death. Some rare forms of the disease are now known to arise from a mutation in an amyloidogenic protein. Another recent insight is the discovery of an endosomal-lysosomal processing pathway capable of generating protein fragments that can deposit extracellularly as amyloid fibrils. Key future directions for cellular-based research in Alzheimer's disease include the study of membrane trafficking and the passage of intracellular material to the extracellular milieu, molecular signaling among intracellular compartments, the interaction between organelles and the neuronal cytoskeleton, and the nature of cytoskeletal reorganization after neuronal injury.
Effect of Irrigant Characteristics on Lesion Formation After Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Using Ablation Catheters with Actively Cooled Tips

Irrigation Characteristics and Ablation Lesions Background The delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy through irrigated ablation catheters may be affected by irrigant osmolarity and by catheter position. We sought to characterize lesion formation characteristics using different irrigants in both open and closed irrigated catheter. Methods An ex vivo model consisting of viable bovine myocardium and a submersible load cell was assembled in a circulating saline bath at 37 °C. An externally irrigated ablation catheter and a closed irrigated catheter were positioned with 10 g of force in both perpendicular and parallel positions. A series of ablation lesions using different irrigants were delivered using a constant rate of irrigation (30 cc/min) at 50 W. Potential clinical applicability was evaluated in vivo by targeting porcine epicardium with different irrigants during open irrigation ablation and assessing lesion sizes. Results Ablation in the perpendicular position produced significantly larger lesions for all irrigants, compared to their respective parallel position ablation. For both open and closed irrigated ablation, half normal saline (HNS) ablation created larger lesions than normal saline (NS), and dextrose water (D5W) lesions were significantly larger than both HNS and NS lesions. Steam pops were mostly observed in the perpendicular position, and the rate of steam pops was statistically higher only for open irrigated D5W, but not for HNS, when compared to NS. Both open and closed irrigated ablation with D5W and HNS in the parallel position created larger lesions than parallel NS ablation without causing more steam pops. In an in vivo porcine model, open irrigated ablation with D5W created larger lesions compared to standard NS irrigation. Conclusions In ex vivo and in vivo models, decreased osmolarity and charge density increased RF energy delivery to tissue, resulting in larger lesions for both open and closed irrigated ablations. A perpendicular catheter position created larger lesions across all irrigants for both open and closed irrigation ablation. The incidence of steam pops was observed more frequently with high power open irrigated using D5W, especially if the catheter was in a perpendicular position. Further research is required to evaluate any clinical role for using different irrigants with an externally irrigated catheter.
Low temperature oxidation of silicon (111) 7 × 7 surfaces

Abstract The coverage dependent interaction of molecular oxygen with the Si (111) 7 × 7 surface at 20 K has been studied with high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction. These results provide a new view of the initial stages of oxidation of silicon. In addition to physisorbed molecular oxygen, two other oxide species occur at monolayer coverages: diatomic-like and bulk-like forms of silicon monoxide. Formation of the diatomic-like monoxide begins at the lowest coverages while the appearance of the bulk-like monoxide is delayed. The diatomic silicon monoxide is stable to a temperature between 475 and 575 K, and the bulk-like monoxide is stable to approximately 950 K. This latter oxide completely desorbs at approximately 975 K. The sticking coefficient for decomposition of molecular oxygen was found to be much greater at 20 K than at room temperature. This effect can be rationalized if it is assumed that a mobile precursor state, differing from those of metal surfaces, has a major role in the oxidation reaction. We also present evidence that the detailed vibrational spectra frequently observed for oxygen absorbed on Si (111) is complicated by the presence of a very small amount of hydroxyl contamination.
In defense of the “quantoids”: More on the reasons for the quantitative emphasis in criminal justice education and research

This article critiques DiCristina's (1977) JCJE article concerning the quantitative emphasis in criminal justice curriculums. I argue that he (1) overlooked one of the more profound merits associated with quantitative research when he proposed that both methods should receive equal attention, (2) underestimated the contribution quantitative methods have made to policy, and (3) confused theoretical problems with methodological problems when he evaluated the connection between quantitative methodology and crime control policy.
The 21.7 and 22.1 MeV states in 17O

Abstract Recently reported measurements of the 14C(3He, n)16O and 14C(3He, γ)17O sections have shown a strong resonance in 17O at 22.17 ± 0.05 MeV. Our detailed measurements of the 14C(3He, α)13Ccross sections indicate that there are two broad levels having Jπ values of 5 2 ± , 7 2 ∓ ) in this region. With the results of previous γ-ray measurements, the parity ambiguity can be resolved. We find the assignment to be ( 5 2 + , 7 2 − ). The level at 22.1 MeV appears to be a 3p−2h quasi-bound state.
Outcomes for patients with anaplastic astrocytoma treated with chemoradiation, radiation therapy alone or radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy: a retrospective review within the era of temozolomide

Treatment for anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) is controversial. To assess three primary treatment approaches, patients from a single institution were retrospectively evaluated. To represent modern treatment selection, patients diagnosed with AA from December 2003 to December 2009 were selected. Those with insufficient data, incomplete pathology, and transformation or reclassification to glioblastoma in fewer than 6 months were excluded. A total of 163 patients were included in the final analyses. Median follow-up time was 4.2 years (range 0.5-7.8 years). Median age and Karnofsky performance status at diagnosis were 39.2 years and 90, respectively. 23.6 % of patients underwent biopsy, and 72.2 % underwent resection. Approximately 31 % received concurrent chemoradiation (CRT), 26.1 % had radiation therapy alone (RT), 38.2 % had radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy (RT-C), and 3 % were treated only with chemotherapy. Temozolomide was used almost exclusively during CRT (94.2 %) and adjuvantly. A median of 9.5 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy was given. The combination of radiation and chemotherapy, either concurrent or sequential trended toward a higher rate of radiation necrosis. Median progression free survival (PFS) favored RT (not reached) over CRT (1.5 years) and RT-C (3.6 years) adjusted for pairwise comparison (p = 0.033, p = 0.050). Median overall survival (OS) was 5.7 years, and did not differ significantly by treatment group. OS for patients with AA did not vary by initial treatment selection. Although the longer PFS in those receiving RT versus CRT may be confounded by pseudoprogression, the equivalent OS among groups supports RT.
Toll-Like Receptor 7 Inhibits Early Acute Retroviral Infection through Rapid Lymphocyte Responses

ABSTRACT Early events during retroviral infection play a critical role in determining the course of infection and pathogenesis, but the mechanisms that regulate this phase of infection are poorly understood. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is required for promoting germinal center reactions and virus-specific neutralizing antibodies at later time points postinfection, but TLR79s role in early acute infection has not been determined. By infecting TLR7-deficient mice with a retroviral pathogen, Friend virus (FV), I determined that TLR7 potently inhibits retroviral replication during the first 5 days of infection and is required for rapid secretion of virus-specific IgM and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in response to infection. Although the IgM response was nonneutralizing, plasmas from wild-type mice but not TLR7-deficient mice inhibited FV replication when passively transferred to infected mice, suggesting an indirect mechanism of antibody function. Interestingly, IL-10 was secreted primarily by CD4 T cells, and IL-10-deficient mice also exhibited accelerated early virus spread, demonstrating that this response inhibits acute infection. Surprisingly, TLR7-deficient mice exhibited normal or elevated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines during acute infection, revealing the existence of a TLR7-independent retrovirus-sensing pathway that drives inflammatory cytokine secretion. Together, these results establish a previously unappreciated role for lymphocytes in mediating rapid TLR7-dependent inhibition of early retroviral infection through nonneutralizing IgM and IL-10.
The Relationship between Religious Beliefs and Attending the Fear-Provoking Religiously Oriented Movie - “The Exorcist”

The relationship between religious beliefs and attending the fear-provoking, religiously oriented movie “The Exorcist” was investigated. Subjects completed a Likert-type questionnaire which measured their attitudes toward various religious issues. The data showed that subjects who did not attend the movie believed more in prayer, believed less in exorcism, and attended church more than subjects who attended the movie. Furthermore, subjects who did not attend the movie scored higher on both internal and external religiosity items than subjects who did attend the movie.
Probing the big five in adolescence: personality and adjustment during a developmental transition.

ABSTRACT The present study probed the links among Big Five personality differences, self-reported personality differences, and adjustment to school among young adolescents. We used a multimethod converging analysis, with three sources of data: (a) adolescent self-report on standardized personality inventories; (b) classroom teacher trait ratings and evaluations of adjustment; and (c) school guidance counselor evaluations of adjustment. Evaluations of adolescent adjustment were systematically related to Big Five personality differences, as assessed by both classroom teachers' and school counselors' ratings. For classroom teachers, adjustment was closely related to evaluations on the Big Five dimension of Conscientiousness. Adolescent self-report on several standardized measures was not related to adult evaluation of school adjustment. We suggest that the five-factor model may be a useful tool for probing adjustment during the transition to adolescence.
Coherence of the electroencephalogram during the first sleep cycle.

Abstract Objective : The increasing amplitude of the electroencephalogram (EEG) during non-rapid eye movement sleep implies a progressive synchronization of neuronal activity. We sought to characterize the spatial relationship of cortical activity at different frequencies during the first sleep cycle, focusing on sleep stages 3 and 4 (slow wave sleep). Methods : Sleep EEGs were obtained at home from six adults using a portable recorder. Signal power and magnitude squared coherence were measured during the first sleep cycle. Spectra obtained from bipolar and common reference derivations were compared. Results : During slow wave sleep, signal power is highest in the delta frequency band and regional coherence below 5Hz is broadly distributed. Although signal power in the alpha and sigma frequency bands is lower, peaks of regional coherence in those bands are similar to or higher than delta-band coherence. Regional coherence during slow wave sleep is differentially distributed with a 14Hz component in central and posterior regions and a 10Hz component in frontal and central regions. Conclusions : Ten and 14Hz rhythms are an essential component of slow wave sleep. Significance : The interpretation of scalp EEG power and coherence spectra is limited by the lack of a satisfactory recording reference. However, conclusions can be made by comparing and contrasting results from both bipolar and common reference recordings.
Decreased GAD67 mRNA levels in cerebellar Purkinje cells in autism: pathophysiological implications

The recent identification of decreased protein levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65 and 67 isoforms in the autistic cerebellar tissue raises the possibility that abnormal regulation of GABA production in individual neurons may contribute to the clinical features of autism. Reductions in Purkinje cell number have been widely reported in autism. It is not known whether the GAD changes also occur in Purkinje cells at the level of transcription. Using a novel approach, the present study quantified GAD67 mRNA, the most abundant isoform in Purkinje cells, using in situ hybridization in adult autistic and control cases. The results indicate that GAD67 mRNA level was reduced by 40% in the autistic group (P < 0.0001; two-tailed t test), suggesting that reduced Purkinje cell GABA input to the cerebellar nuclei potentially disrupts cerebellar output to higher association cortices affecting motor and/or cognitive function. These findings may also contribute to the understanding of previous reports of alterations in the GABAergic system in limbic and cerebro-cortical areas contributing to a more widespread pathophysiology in autistic brains.
Dental hygiene's interdisciplinary relationship with dental public health: a position paper.

: Dental hygienists' collaboration with social institutions, health-care workers and organisations, educational institutions, and dentistry can prevent oral diseases. Dental hygienists working in these organisations can reach an unprecedented number of people, thereby increasing preventive oral care to many undeserved. Working within a dental public health career increases choices and opportunities for the dental hygienist and benefits the public.
Phase IB trial of chimeric antidisialoganglioside antibody plus interleukin 2 for melanoma patients.

We conducted a Phase IB trial of antidisialoganglioside chimeric 14. 18 (ch14.18) antibody and interleukin 2 (IL-2) to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD), immunological effects, antitumor effects, and toxicity of this treatment combination. Twenty-four melanoma patients received immunotherapy with ch14.18 antibody and a continuous infusion of Roche IL-2 (1.5 x 10(6) units/m2/day) given 4 days/week for 3 weeks. The ch14.18 antibody (dose level, 2-10 mg/m2/day) was scheduled to be given for 5 days, before, during, or following initial systemic IL-2 treatment. The ch14.18 MTD was 7.5 mg/m2/day, and 15 patients were treated with the ch14.18 MTD. Immunological effects included the induction of lymphokine-activated killer activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, serum samples obtained following ch14.18 infusions were able to facilitate in vitro antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Antitumor activity included one complete response, one partial response, eight patients with stable disease, and one patient with >50% decrease of hepatic metastases in the face of recurrence of a s.c. lesion. Dose-limiting toxicities were a severe allergic reaction and weakness, pericardial effusion, and decreased performance status. Most patients treated at the MTD had abdominal, chest, or extremity pain requiring i.v. morphine. One patient had an objective peripheral neuropathy. This IL-2 and ch14.18 treatment combination induces immune activation in all patients and antitumor activity in some melanoma patients. We are attempting to enhance this treatment approach by addition of the anti-GD3 R24 antibody to this IL-2 and ch14.18 regimen.
Examining some multi-cultural communication problems

Language, self-perception, humor, body language, and interpersonal expectations vary from culture to culture. The author examines some of the major problems of communicating in multicultural markets. There are a lack of knowledge of the culture and a lack of training in the culture. It is suggested that a closer look at the similarities and the differences in cultures can give a better grasp of communication tasks and ensure a greater degree of success. >
CW1103+254: The AM Her Object That Has Everything

With a dozen AM Her systems now known, each new object becomes less important in its own right, but each holds promise for presenting unusual variations or new perspectives on the phenomenon. The recently discovered binary CW1103+254 is particularly simple in its observed behavior, yet is proving to be a great aid in refining our understanding of accretion in these CVs with magnetic primaries.
Consumer concern, knowledge and attitude towards counterfeit apparel products

The purpose of this paper was to explore the relationship of three variables (concern with apparel industry issues, knowledge about counterfeiting and attitude towards counterfeit apparel products) with consumer willingness towards paying a premium for non-counterfeit goods. The intent of the research was to develop a theoretically based foundation from which educators and apparel industry leaders can develop policy regarding counterfeit goods. Will consumer concern and knowledge influence the behavioural intent of paying more for non-counterfeit goods? We surveyed 244 undergraduate students within a fashion and apparel programme at a large Midwestern university. In this study, willingness to pay more for non-counterfeit goods increased directly with greater concern, knowledge and attitude towards counterfeit apparel goods.
Pleural effusions in systemic amyloidosis

Purpose of reviewLarge, recurrent pleural effusions in systemic amyloidoses are rare but clinically challenging events predominantly affecting patients with primary systemic amyloidosis. Examining the mechanisms by which these effusions form and persist offers perspective on the pathophysiology and
Localized Cutaneous Fibrosing Disorders

This article acquaints the reader with disorders of the skin that might mimic systemic sclerosis but whose pathology is localized to the skin and/or has extracutaneous manifestations that are different than systemic sclerosis. These disorders include localized scleroderma (morphea), eosinophilic fasciitis, scleredema, scleromyxedema, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and chronic graft-versus-host disease. Particular emphasis is placed on clinical and histopathologic features that help the clinician differentiate between these disorders. Treatment options are briefly reviewed.
Heart Failure in the 21st Century A Cardiogeriatric Syndrome

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is principally a cardiogeriatric syndrome, and it has become a major public health problem in the 21st century due largely to the aging population. Age-related changes throughout the cardiovascular system in combination with the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases at older age predispose older adults to the development of CHF. Features that distinguish CHF at advanced age from CHF occurring during middle age include an increasing proportion of women, a shift from coronary heart disease to hypertension as the most common etiology, and the high percentage of cases that occur in the setting of preserved left ventricular systolic function. Although the pharmacotherapy of CHF is similar in older and younger patients, the presence of multiple comorbidities in older patients mandates a multidisciplinary approach to care. Manifest CHF is associated with a poor prognosis, especially in elderly persons, and there is an urgent need to develop more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of this increasingly common disorder to reduce the individual and societal burden of this devastating illness in the decades ahead.
The comparison of MODIS-Aqua (C5) and CALIOP (V2 & V3) aerosol optical depth

Abstract. We assess the consistency between instantaneously collocated level-2 aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from MODIS-Aqua (C5) and CALIOP (Version 2 & 3), comparing the standard MODIS AOD (MYD04_L2) data to the AOD calculated from CALIOP aerosol extinction profiles for both the previous release (V2) and the latest release (V3) of CALIOP data. Based on data collected in January 2007, we investigate the most useful criteria for screening the MODIS and CALIOP retrievals to achieve the best agreement between the two data sets. Applying these criteria to eight months of data (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct 2007 and 2009), we find an order of magnitude increase for the CALIOP V3 data density (by comparison to V2), that is generally accompanied by equal or better agreement with MODIS AOD. Differences in global, monthly mean, over-ocean AOD (532 nm) between CALIOP and MODIS range between 0.03 and 0.04 for CALIOP V3, with CALIOP generally biased low, when all available data from both sensors are considered. Root-mean-squares (RMS) differences in instantaneously collocated AOD retrievals by the two instruments are reduced from values ranging between 0.14 and 0.19 using the unscreened V3 data to values ranging from 0.09 to 0.1 for the screened data. A restriction to scenes with cloud fractions less than 1% (as defined in the MODIS aerosol retrievals) generally results in improved correlation (R2>0.5), except for the month of July when correlations remain relatively lower. Regional assessments show hot spots in disagreement between the two sensors in Asian outflow during April and off the coast of South Africa in July.
Identification of Risk Management System in Construction Industry in Pakistan

AbstractRisk management is a relatively new field in the construction industry of Pakistan, but it is gradually gaining prominence because of increased construction activity and competitiveness. This is an empirical survey-based study of risk management in the construction industry of Pakistan. It reports the findings of the importance of risks, their current management techniques, the existing status of risk management systems of the organizations, and barriers to effective risk management from the perspective of key stakeholders. The analysis of the results reveals that financial and economic factors, followed by quality, are the most important risks, and the industry generally tries to avoid or transfer these risks. Results indicated that the risk management system and practices of most of the organizations are reactive, semipermanent, informal, and unstructured with nonexistent and limited committed resources to deal with risks. Nonetheless, the results of interviews indicate that there is awareness a...
Biochemical studies of bacterial sporulation and germination. XXI. Temperature-sensitive mutants for initiation of germination.

Mutants of Bacillus megaterium have been isolated that are temperature-sensitive for the initiation of germination.
Improving the air coupling of bulk piezoelectric transducers with wedges of power-law profiles: A numerical study

An air-coupled ultrasonic transducer is created by bonding a bulk piezoelectric element onto the surface of a thick plate with a wedge of power-law profile. The wedge is used to improve the ultrasonic radiation efficiency. The power-law profile provides a smooth, impedance-matching transition for the mechanical energy to be transferred from the thick plate to the air, through the large-amplitude flexural waves observed in the thinnest region of the wedge. The performance of the proposed transducer is examined numerically and compared to that of a design where the piezoelectric element is isolated and where it is affixed to a thin plate of uniform thickness. The numerical analysis is first focused on the free-field radiation of the transducers. Then, time-reversal experiments are simulated by placing the transducers inside a cavity of arbitrary shape with some perfectly reflecting boundaries. In addition to time-reversal mirrors, the proposed concept could be integrated in the design of phased arrays and parametric arrays.
Ecology of Western equine encephalomyelitis in the eastern United States.

Publisher Summary Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) has been recognized as a serious public health problem in western North America for more than 30 years. WEE appears to exist endemically in numerous foci in that region, with a low incidence rate among humans. Severe outbreaks, however, have occurred periodically. For example, during 1941 a severe epidemic involving more than 3000 cases in humans occurred in North Dakota, Minnesota, and in the adjacent areas of Canada. The case fatality rate ranged from 8% to 15%. Epizootics among horses are more common. More than 600 cases of WEE were diagnosed among horses in the central and western United States during 1975. More recently, the virus of WEE has been found to be widely distributed in the eastern United States in regions along the Atlantic and Gulf seaboard; however, WEE has not been recognized as a public or veterinary health problem in the east. This situation presents an interesting epidemiological problem: a virus present in the different regions is causing disease in one area but not another area even though susceptible hosts are present. The reasons for the absence of WEE in humans and equines in the east are not clearly understood but probably are a reflection of parallel variations in the enzootic transmission cycles of this virus in different regions of the United States. Several reviews are available on the ecology of WEE virus in the areas of the western United States. This chapter examines data from studies on the ecology of WEE virus conducted in the eastern United States over the past two decades since the virus was first recognized in this region.
Teaching system administration

For the past twelve years I have taught a one-term college-level class introducing students to the discipline of system administration. I discuss how the class was created, the considerations that went into designing the class structure and assignments, student outcomes, how the class has evolved over time, and other observations on teaching. Links to detailed course materials and other resources are provided.
Estrogen promotes microvascular pathology in female stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Estrogen produces both beneficial and adverse effects on cardiovascular health via mechanisms that remain unclear. Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) maintained on Stroke-Prone Ro...
Induction of hepatoma cell apoptosis by c-myc requires zinc and occurs in the absence of DNA fragmentation

Since c-myc expression is increased during apoptosis in toxin-induced liver injury in vivo, the role of c-myc in liver cell apoptosis was investigated. The human hepatoma cell line HuH-7, which constitutively expresses c-myc, was stably transfected with sense and antisense c-myc expression vectors under the control of the zinc-inducible metallothionein promoter. None of the three cell types (wild-type, sense c-myc, or antisense c-myc) underwent apoptosis when cultured in serum-free medium (SFM). With the addition of SFM plus 37.5 microM zinc, wild-type and sense c-myc-expressing cells underwent rapid cell death, whereas antisense c-myc-expressing cells exhibited increased survival. This cell death had the light, fluorescent, and electron microscopic appearance of apoptosis, but did not result in DNA fragmentation. This apoptosis could be terminated by the addition of medium containing 2% fetal calf serum or the overexpression of bcl-2 but not by supplementation with specific growth factors. Altering c-myc expression did not affect cellular metallothionein mRNA levels or the rate of cell death from copper or cadmium. The requirement for zinc and absence of DNA fragmentation in c-myc-induced hepatoma cell apoptosis under serum-free conditions provides further evidence of the complex regulation of apoptosis in different cell types.
Two blood culture systems in detection of bacteria and fungi:a comparative study

OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of blood culture systems such as BacT/ALERT 3D of French bio-Merieux and Versa TREK of US in detecting bacteria and fungi.METHODS Blood culture systems were divided into the aerobic group,the anaerobic group and the antibiotics group.Bacteria,antibiotics and sterile blood blend were added to blood culture bottles.All the bottles were cultured in automations for five days,and then the time of the detection by the different blood culture bottles was compared.RESULTS Versa TREK bottles were superior in detecting bottles containing Escherichia coli(7.77±0.42/9.44±0.27)h,Staphylococcus aureus(9.73±0.12/11.92±0.14)h,Pseudomonas aeruginosa(9.44±0.69/12.48±0.00)h,Haemophilus influenzae(10.77±0.15/15.04±0.73)h,Clostridium difficile(18.00±0.87/20.88±4.34)h,the detection time of the Versa TRE was earlier than that of BacT/ALERT 3D,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).BacT/ALERT bottles were superior in detecting bottles containing Streptococcus penumoniae(17.83±0.31/15.84±2.70)h and ordinary bacteroidaceae(54.80±2.10/24.16±0.60)h,the detection time of BacT/ALERT was earlier than that of Versa TREK,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05);BacT/ALERT 3D needed less time than did the Versa TREK in detecting E.coli,P.aesuginosa and S.aureus in the bottles containing ciprofloxacin;there was no statistical difference in the detection time between the two blood culture systems for Bacteroides fragilis(21.90±0.30/21.84±1.73)h and Clostridium perfringens(11.10±0.46/11.04±0.00)h.Versa TREK needed less time in detecting E.coli,S.aureus,P.aeruginosa,Enterococcus faecium,S.pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis in the bottles containing ceftazidime,cefotaxime and vancomycin(P0.05).CONCLUSION Both of the two blood culture systems can effectively detect the blood stream infections caused by the bacteria or fungi,and Versa TREK needs less time than does BacT/ALERT 3D in detecting the pathogens.
Sexual responsibility: examining relationships.

(1986). Sexual Responsibility: Examining Relationships. Health Education: Vol. 17, Teaching Ideas, pp. 34-35.
Management of Gastric Injuries

The stomach, located in the intrathoracic portion of the abdomen, is well protected from injury. It has a thick wall that is easily mobilized and a rich blood supply that ensures rapid healing of wounds. Although the gastric contents may be contaminated by oral flora immediately after meals, in the resting state, the stomach has few, if any, endogenous organisms. All of these factors make morbidity and mortality associated with penetrating injuries low. In contrast, blunt injuries often cause extensive contamination of the peritoneal cavity with resultant high morbidity and mortality.
Predicting Future Demands for Water

Credible long-term forecasts of water demand are essential to all types of water planning. Without such forecasts water planners cannot achieve an efficient allocation of water supplies among competing uses or ensure their long-term sustainability. This chapter describes data and methods for developing a clear and credible forecast of future water demand which enhances its acceptability by decision makers. The main characteristics of such a forecast include a high level of disaggregation of demand, use of water-demand models which conform to the economic theories of production and consumption, and provision of explicit and plausible forecasting assumptions.
Two-dose seasonal influenza vaccine coverage and timeliness among children aged 6 months through 3 years: An evidence from the 2010–11 to the 2014–15 seasons in Zhejiang province, east China

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the coverage and timeliness of seasonal influenza vaccine vaccination (SIV) among children aged 6 months to 3 years from the 2010–11 through the 2014–15 seasons. Methods: Children registered in Zhejiang Provincial Immunization Information System (ZJIIS) and needed 2 seasonal influenza vaccine doses in a given season from 2010–11 to 2014–15 were enrolled. Socio-economic information and SIV records of target children were extracted from ZJIIS on 1 January 2016. Any (≥1 dose) and full (2 doses) vaccination coverage by December 1 and March 31 as well as interval between 2 doses were calculated. Trends of coverage over time and determinants on fully vaccination coverage and interval between 2 doses were assessed. Results: Full SIV overage by Mar 31 increased from the 2010–11 to the 2014–15 seasons (2.60% vs 2.92%). Less than 1% of children received 2 doses by December 1. The interval between 2 doses among fully vaccinated children decreased over time (2010–11: 68.32 days; 2014–15...
Bicycle helmet use among persons 5years and older in the United States, 2012.

Abstract Introduction In 2013, injuries to bicyclists accounted for 925 fatalities and 493,884 nonfatal, emergency department-treated injuries in the United States. Bicyclist deaths increased by 19% from 2010 to 2013. The greatest risk of death and disability to bicyclists is head injuries. The objective of this study was to provide estimates of prevalence and associated factors of bicycle riding and helmet use among children and adults in the United States. Method CDC analyzed self-reported data from the 2012 Summer ConsumerStyles survey. Adult respondents (18 + years) were asked about bicycle riding and helmet use in the last 30 days for themselves and their children (5 to 17 years). For bicycle riders, CDC estimated the prevalence of helmet use and conducted multivariable regression analyses to identify factors associated with helmet use. Results Among adults, 21% rode bicycles within the past 30 days and 29% always wore helmets. Respondents reported that, of the 61% of children who rode bicycles within the past 30 days, 42% always wore helmets. Children were more likely to always wear helmets (90%) when their adult respondents always wore helmets than when their adult respondents did not always wear helmets (38%). Children who lived in states with a child bicycle helmet law were more likely to always wear helmets (47%) than those in states without a law (39%). Conclusions Despite the fact that bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing the risk for head injuries, including severe brain injuries and death, less than half of children and adults always wore bicycle helmets while riding. Practical application States and communities should consider interventions that improve the safety of riding such as policies to promote helmet use, modeling of helmet wearing by adults, and focusing on high risk groups, including Hispanic cyclists, occasional riders, adults, and children ages 10 to 14.
Environmental safety review of methoprene and bacterially-derived pesticides commonly used for sustained mosquito control

Some pesticides are applied directly to aquatic systems to reduce numbers of mosquito larvae (larvicides) and thereby reduce transmission of pathogens that mosquitoes vector to humans and wildlife. Sustained, environmentally-safe control of larval mosquitoes is particularly needed for highly productive waters (e.g., catchment basins, water treatment facilities, septic systems), but also for other habitats to maintain control and reduce inspection costs. Common biorational pesticides include the insect juvenile hormone mimic methoprene and pesticides derived from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Saccharopolyspora spinosa (spinosad). Health agencies, the public and environmental groups have especially debated the use of methoprene because some studies have shown toxic effects on non-target organisms. However, many studies have demonstrated its apparent environmental safety. This review critically evaluates studies pertinent to the environmental safety of using methoprene to control mosquito larvae, and provides concise assessments of the bacterial larvicides that provide sustained control of mosquitoes. The review first outlines the ecological and health effects of mosquitoes, and distinguishes between laboratory toxicity and environmental effects. The article then interprets non-target toxicity findings in light of measured environmental concentrations of methoprene (as used in mosquito control) and field studies of its non-target effects. The final section evaluates information on newer formulations of bacterially-derived pesticides for sustained mosquito control. Results show that realized environmental concentrations of methoprene were usually 2-5µg/kg (range 2-45µg/kg) and that its motility is limited. These levels were not toxic to the vast majority of vertebrates and invertebrates tested in laboratories, except for a few species of zooplankton, larval stages of some other crustaceans, and small Diptera. Studies in natural habitats have not documented population reductions except in small Diptera. Bacterial larvicides showed good results for sustained control with similarly limited environmental effects, except for spinosad, which had broader effects on insects in mesocosms and temporary pools. These findings should be useful to a variety of stakeholders in informing decisions on larvicide use to protect public and environmental health in a 'One Health' framework.
NATIONAL TRENDS IN ADMISSIONS FOR CHEST PAIN EVALUATION: 2006 – 2013

Background: Use of improved early risk stratification protocols and chest pain observation units has reduced inpatient admissions for evaluation of chest pain. We sought to examine the trend in inpatient admissions for evaluation of chest pain and impact on healthcare cost in the US. Methods: We