cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of age-related communication in families: A three-generation study

Abstract This study examined how older family members' communication about age-related issues predicts younger family members’ age-related communication. Grandchildren were classified as solemn, media-related engaged, and bantering agers. Parents were classified as disengaged, gloomy, engaged, and bantering agers. Grandparents were classified as gloomy, engaged, and bantering agers. Relative to families with engaged grandparents, families with gloomy grandparents were (a) more likely to include gloomy parents, and (b) less likely to include solemn grandchildren. Relative to families with engaged grandparents, families with bantering grandparents were less likely to include solemn grandchildren. Findings are discussed in terms of the intergenerational transmission of age-related communication habits and the theoretical importance of examining moderators that might qualify the links between age-related communication in future research.
Effects of Histotripsy on Local Tumor Progression in an in vivo Orthotopic Rodent Liver Tumor Model.

Objective and Impact Statement This is the first longitudinal study investigating the effects of histotripsy on local tumor progression in an in vivo orthotopic, immunocompetent rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. Introduction Histotripsy is the first noninvasive, nonionizing, nonthermal, mechanical ablation technique using ultrasound to generate acoustic cavitation to liquefy the target tissue into acellular debris with millimeter accuracy. Previously, histotripsy has demonstrated in vivo ablation of noncancerous liver tissue. Methods N1-S1 HCC tumors were generated in the livers of immunocompetent rats (n = 6, control; n = 15, treatment). Real-time ultrasound-guided histotripsy was applied to ablate either 100% tumor volume + up to 2mm margin (n = 9, complete treatment) or 50-75% tumor volume (n = 6, partial treatment) by delivering 1-2 cycle histotripsy pulses at 100 Hz PRF (pulse repetition frequency) with p - ≥30MPa using a custom 1MHz transducer. Rats were monitored weekly using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for 3 months or until tumors reached ~25mm. Results MRI revealed effective post-histotripsy reduction of tumor burden with near-complete resorption of the ablated tumor in 14/15 (93.3%) treated rats. Histopathology showed <5mm shrunken, non-tumoral, fibrous tissue at the treatment site at 3 months. Rats with increased tumor burden (3/6 control and 1 partial treatment) were euthanized early by 2-4 weeks. In 3 other controls, histology revealed fibrous tissue at original tumor site at 3 months. There was no evidence of histotripsy-induced off-target tissue injury. Conclusion Complete and partial histotripsy ablation resulted in effective tumor removal for 14/15 rats, with no evidence of local tumor progression or recurrence.
Bringing Form, Content and Aesthetics Together: Preservice Teachers Reading Contemporary Picturebooks and Designing Multimodal Responses

This article draws on research with elementary preservice teachers (PSTs) in a children’s literature course focused on understanding and appreciating picturebooks as esthetic objects through multim...
Intentional retinal injury with handheld lasers is an underrecognized form of self-harm.

Abstract Self-inflicted damage to the retina using handheld lasers is a growing and underrecognized form of self-harm. Here was share retinal images from two patients with histories of major depressive disorder and self-harm behaviors that ultimately resulted in legal blindness. Mental health providers should be aware of this clinical entity as they are in the best position to screen for laser pointer access in at risk individuals and prevent permanent vision loss.
Financing Decisions and Signaling by Partially Acquired Firms

It is well documented that financing decisions by firms can signal valuable information about that firm. Our goal is to determine whether financing decisions by firms can signal valuable information about large stakeholders who have a substantial investment in those firms. In particular, we focus on financing decisions by firms after they had been partially acquired to determine whether these decisions signaled information that affected the values of their corresponding partial acquirers. We find that some financing policies by partially acquired firms may not only signal valuable information about themselves, but may also signal valuable information about their corresponding partial acquirers. We also find that the magnitude of the signal for the partially acquired firm that enacts a financing policy is dependent on the degree of monitoring imposed by the respective partial acquirer.
Interruption, Standardization, and Recognition after a Traumatic Brain Injury.

Nearly two months after a near-death car accident, I am in the passenger seat of my younger brother’s car. Two of our friends sit in the back. A crisp December day, we are heading to the local mall...
Technical perspective: eBP rides the third wave of mobile health

Imagine, for a second, that you suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, have a family history of heart disease, or have long battled with asthma. Unfortunately, most of you won't have to imagine this;according to the World Health Organization, over two billion people worldwide live with one of these chronic health conditions, so likely you or a close family member are afflicted. Treating these conditions requires frequent doctor visits and physical checks, both in and out of the clinic. Careful health maintenance and preventive care can lead to a happy and long life but is a lifelong burden on the patient and the doctor. Without it, however, these conditions can be deadly. The key problem, even in developed, rich countries, is access to continuous care;this can happen in a variety of ways, from inequitable healthcare systems, lack of trained professionals, distance from hospitals, lack of access to data, or patient non-adherence. These problems are now compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has overloaded hospital systems and reduced health infrastructure's ability to prioritize preventive care.
Kit-based synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-sorbitol for bacterial imaging.

Clinically available imaging tools for diagnosing infections rely on structural changes in the affected tissues. They therefore lack specificity and cannot differentiate between oncologic, inflammatory and infectious processes. We have developed 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-sorbitol (18F-FDS) as an imaging agent to visualize infections caused by Enterobacterales, which represent the largest group of bacterial pathogens in humans and are responsible for severe infections, often resulting in sepsis or death. A clinical study in 26 prospectively enrolled patients demonstrated that 18F-FDS positron emission tomography (PET) was safe, and could detect and localize infections due to drug-susceptible or multi-drug-resistant Enterobacterales strains as well as differentiate them from other pathologies (sterile inflammation or cancer). 18F-FDS is cleared almost exclusively through renal filtration and has also shown potential as a PET agent for functional renal imaging. Since most PET radionuclides have a short half-life, maximal clinical impact will require fast, on-demand synthesis with limited infrastructure and personnel. To meet this demand, we developed a kit-based solid phase method that uses commercially and widely available 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose as the precursor and allows 18F-FDS to be produced and purified in one step at room temperature. The 18F-FDS kit consists of a solid-phase extraction cartridge packed with solid supported borohydride (MP-borohydride), which can be attached to a second cartridge to reduce pH. We evaluated the effects of different solid supported borohydride reagents, cartridge size, starting radioactivity, volumes and flow rates in the radiochemical yield and purity. The optimized protocol can be completed in 70% radiochemical yield and >90% radiochemical purity. Mota et al. describe a protocol for the rapid, room-temperature, kit-based synthesis of 18F-FDS for positron emission tomography imaging.
Unlocking the Many Secrets of Noncoding RNA.

Sometimes, fields of scientific inquiry suddenly appear on the basis of a new piece of equipment, technique, or approach. The direction of such research is often dictated by the new tool’s nature rather than important scientific questions. This research will endure if it leads to subsequent
Age is an independent risk factor for the presence of clinically significant prostate pancer in men over the age of 75

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 2545 Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy affecting men and is the second-leading cause of cancer death. The incidence of prostate cancer increases dramatically with age. However, many health authorities advocate ceasing routine prostate cancer screening in men over 75 due to the belief that most patients will have a clinically insignificant cancer and will not benefit from therapy. The true prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer in elderly men is not known. Methods: We analyzed 1,446 needle biopsies of the prostate of men ages 75 or older. All pathologic reviews were conducted by the Pathology Department at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX. Data was collected from pathology reports, hospital and clinic databases, and medical records when available. Data obtained included age at biopsy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), number of positive core biopsies, and Gleason’s Score. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA (Stata Corp., College Station,TX). Clinically significant cancer is defined by the pathologic presence of Gleason’s score 6 adenocarcinoma in more than one biopsy core or the presence of any Gleason 4 or 5 component in the biopsy. Results: The average age of the patients included was 78.8 and 95% of the patients were between the ages of 75 and 85. Average PSA for patients biopsied was 12.8. Of all biopsies reviewed, 52.6% of biopsies were positive for prostate cancer and 78% of these would be defined as clinically significant cancer. Regression analysis revealed age to be a significant (p>0.05) factor for increased Gleason’s score found on positive biopsies. Logistic regression revealed age as a significant factor (p>0.05) for clinically significant prostate cancer even when controlling for PSA. A PSA threshold value of 6.5 would have missed 38% of significant cancer and a PSA threshold of 4.0 would have missed 8% of significant cancers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer in the elderly population may be higher than previously thought. As the population continues to live healthier longer, confronting prostate cancer morbidity in the elderly population will become more common. Using higher PSA thresholds to eliminate unnecessary biopsies in older men does not appear to help identify patients at greater risk of having clinically significant prostate cancer. Patients with prostate cancer having aggressive clinical features may benefit from treatment of their prostate cancer well into their eighth and ninth decades of life. Screening and diagnostic recommendations should reflect the potential benefit of identifying patients with aggressive prostate cancer even after age 75.
Agarose Derivatives of Uridine Diphosphate and N-Acetylglucosamine for the Purification of a Galactosyltransferase

Abstract The applicability of affinity chromatography for the purification of UDP-galactose: N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase has been evaluated. Three different types of specific adsorbents have been synthesized by reaction of a ligand structurally related to portions of the substrates of the transferase with cyanogen bromide-treated agarose. The synthesis of the ligands, P1-(6-amino-1-hexyl)-P2-(5'-uridine)-pyrophosphate, 6-amino-1-hexyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside and P1-(6-amino-1-hexyl)-P2-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)pyrophosphate is described. The galactosyltransferase from bovine milk has been found to bind to two of the adsorbents and some of the parameters influencing the binding have been evaluated. The affinity of the transferase for the UDP-hexanolamine-agarose adsorbent was enhanced by manganous ions whereas the affinity was decreased by EDTA, urea, borate, or magnesium ions. The affinity of the enzyme for N-acetylglucosamine hexanolamine-agarose was enhanced considerably by UDP or UMP and was decreased by borate, urea or N-acetylglucosamine. N-Acetylglucosamine-agarose also served as an acceptor substrate for the transferase. The galactosyl pyrophosphate-agarose was found to have a low capacity and specificity of binding for the galactosyltransferase. On the basis of the properties of the adsorbents, it has been possible to purify the galactosyltransferase from bovine milk to constant specific activity soley by affinity chromatography. The enzyme from the whey of bovine milk was first adsorbed on UDP-agarose and the eluate from this adsorbent then chromatographed on either N-acetylglucosamine-agarose or α-lactalbumin-agarose. The properties of the transferase are very similar to those reported earlier although at least three species of enzyme differing slightly in molecular weight have been found. The three species are glycoproteins and their amino acid compositions are very similar. The UDP-agarose adsorbent may be useful for purification of other UDP-glycosyltransferases as shown in preliminary studies with rabbit muscle glycogen synthetase. It is also possible that other nucleotide-agarose or glycosyl-agarose adsorbents may be used together for the purification of many nucleotide-sugar transferases.
Older Moms Deliver: How Increased Births to Older Mothers Can Impact School Enrollment

This paper is an outgrowth of demographic support provided to Portland Public Schools (PPS) by the Center for Population Research at Portland State University. The District’s enrollment began to decline in the mid 1990s, but in the mid 2000s some of the elementary schools in upscale established neighborhoods began to show modest increases in enrollment. We noted that there also was a shift in numbers of births from younger to older mothers in the District that outpaced national and regional trends.
Teaching Multimedia Commercial Production for Advertising and Publication Relations

With the growth of online advertising and social media, it is increasingly necessary that advertising and public relations integrate video messages into campaign efforts. Offering video production ...
Spectrum of cosmic-ray nucleons, kaon production, and the atmospheric muon charge ratio

Abstract Interpretation of measurements of the muon charge ratio in the TeV range depends on the spectra of protons and neutrons in the primary cosmic radiation and on the inclusive cross sections for production of π± and K± in the atmosphere. Recent measurements of the spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei are used here to estimate separately the energy spectra of protons and neutrons and hence to calculate the charge separated hadronic cascade in the atmosphere. From the corresponding production spectra of μ+ and μ− the μ+/μ− ratio is calculated and compared to recent measurements. The comparison leads to a determination of the relative contribution of kaons and pions. Implications for the spectra of νμ and ν ¯ μ are discussed.
Sequestration of Radiopharmaceutical in Spinal Needle Dead Space during Cisternography

Residual radioactive tracer, which may remain in the spinal needle after dose administration for a radionuclide cisternogram, is a problem. Several techniques to avoid this problem are considered. The percentage of dose sequestered in the needle as a function of spinal needle internal volume and initial tracer volume are also calculated.
SYTO11 staining vs FISH staining: a comparison of two methods to stain Wolbachia pipientis in cell cultures

Aims: The Aedes albopictus C7-10 cell line was infected with Wolbachia strains wRi and wAlbB to create C7-10R and C7-10B cell lines, respectively. We compared two different methods, fluorescence in situ hybridization staining and SYTO11 staining, to describe these new Wolbachia infections in C7-10. Methods and Results: Both staining methods were as efficient to stain Wolbachia. A formula was developed to quantify Wolbachia infection. The infection levels in C7-10B and C7-10R differed. The live stain SYTO11 was found to be useful to visualize Wolbachia in replicating host cells. Its potential cytotoxic effect at high concentration was investigated. Conclusions: C7-10 supported two Wolbachia infections, constituting new tools to study Wolbachia–host interactions. The different infection levels suggest that wRi and wAlbB have different requirements for their survival in C7-10 host cell line. Observation of SYTO11-stained live cells gave new insights on Wolbachia segregation pattern during host cell mitosis. Significance and Impact of the Study: Wolbachia-induced phenotypes in their arthropod and worm hosts could potentially be used to control pest populations. However, the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes are difficult to study because of Wolbachia’s intracellular lifestyle. The Wolbachia infections in C7-10 described here could be used as in vitro models to investigate Wolbachia biology.
Shifrin’s Method Applied to Scattering by Tenuous Non-Spherical Particles

Shifrin constructed an integro-differential equation to describe the scattering characteristics of an irregular particle and developed an iterative procedure for solving the equation. This procedure is fast enough to handle many physical problems that involve scattering by a cloud of particles with different sizes, shapes and orientations. In particular, the case of tenuous particles (small size or weakly refracting) will be considered, and Shifrin’s procedure will be shown to be a generalization of the Rayleigh-Gans approximation.
Endocrine studies of normal and polycystic ovarian tissues in vitro

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the steroidogenic potential of the granulosa, theca, and medullary tissues from polycystic and normal ovaries. These ovarian endocrine compartments were isolated from appropriate ovaries and were cultured in vitro for three days in the absence (control) and presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) (1 IU/ml), N 6 ,O 2 -dibutyryladenosine-3′:5′'-cyclic monophosphoric acid (Bu 2 cAMP) (10 −2 M), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (1.3 U/ml). After the incubation, steroids in the media were measured by radioimmunoassay. Granulosa cells (10 5 cells per dish) from 4 to 7 mm follicles of normal and polycystic ovaries secreted progesterone spontaneously during the culture period and the production of progesterone spontaneously during the culture period and the production of progesterone was markedly stimulated (between tenfold and thirtyfold) by gonadotropins and Bu 2 cAMP but not by ACTH. Little, if any, androgen (androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and testosterone) or estrogen (estrone and estradiol) accumulated in the media of any granulosa cell culture. The control cultures of theca tissue from normal and polycystic ovaries secreted large amounts of androstenedione and progesterone and the production of these steroids by normal and polycystic ovary theca was stimulated in most cases by LH/FSH and Bu 2 cAMP but not by ACTH. Both normal and polycystic ovary theca secreted some testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone but little, if any, estrone or estradiol accumulated in any theca culture. The medullary tissue of normal and polycystic ovaries produced only trace amounts of steroids in vitro except for the results from one polycystic ovary with hyperthecosis in which case significant quantities of C 19 and C 18 steroids were secreted. These experiments have demonstrated that isolated granulosa and theca cells from midantral follicles of normal and polycystic ovaries have a similar capacity to secrete C 21 and C 19 steroids in the absence and presence of trophic agents. Therefore, it seems probable that chronic anovulation in patients with polycystic ovaries is not caused by an obvious deficiency in the de novo steroidogenic potential of the multiple midantral follicles of the polycystic ovaries or by the absence of gonadotropin receptors on the polycystic ovary follicular cells.
Semiclassical perturbation method based on the lie transform for multidimensional systems

Abstract A semiclassical perturbation method based on the Lie transform is used to calculate vibrational energy levels for multidimensional systems. No trajectories, initial searches, iterative procedures, Fourier analyses, or reference Hamiltonian searches are needed and the results are in good agreement with Einstein-Brillouin-Keller based methods.
Metabolic disharmony and mortality.

Abstract The concept of ‘metabolic harmony' is introduced and conceptualized as the state in which indices of metabolic activity (i.e., serum glucose, cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index) within an individual attain their expected values given the individual values on related variables. Its complement, ‘metabolic disharmony' (i.e., the extent to which an individual's ‘profile' of metabolic variables is jointly unusual in relation to their expected values) is operationalized via Mahalanbis' D 2 statistic calculated on these indices of metabolic activity (plus age and sex). Analysis of a large (N = 5209) longitudinal (32 years) cohort study shows that, independent of the linear and quadratic effects of the aforementioned metabolic variables, the disharmony index (DI) significantly and strongly predicted hazard of death (χ 2 (1) = 20.05, P
Acute effects of electroconvulsive therapy on lymphocyte natural killer cell activity in patients with major depression.

Abstract Background: Major depression has been associated with a reduction in lymphocyte natural killer cell activity (NKCA). The effects of biological treatment of depression on the immune system have not been systematically investigated. The present study addresses the acute effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on NKCA. Methods: Thirteen patients undergoing ECT for major depression were studied. NKCA at four different effector:target (E:T) ratios (E:T=50:1; 25:1; 12.5:1 and 6.25:1, respectively) was assessed serially in relation to the first ECT session prior to and up to 1 h following treatment (−30′, −10′, −3′ before ECT and +3′, +10′, +30′ and +60′ following ECT). On several patients, NKCA data were also available in relation to the sixth ECT session. Comparisons between mean NKCA values for each of the E:T ratios at the different time points were made using ANOVA. Results: There were significant changes in NKCA values with time at E:T=25:1 (P
Bounds on the fixed point indices for self-maps of certain simplicial complexes

Abstract This paper gives a generalization of results concerning fixed point index bounds for self-mappings of surfaces with boundary. Consider the class of finite polyhedra which have no local separating points and are homotopy equivalent to a one-complex. Given a member X of this class and a fixed point minimal self-mapping f :X→X it is shown that the index of each fixed point is bounded above by 1 , and also that for any collection of those with index less than −1 their total index is bounded below by 2χ−N , where N denotes the number of fixed points in the collection.
Sex differences in the auditory system

A number of sex differences have been documented in the human auditory system. Females as a group have greater hearing sensitivity, greater susceptibility to noise exposure at high frequencies, shorter latencies in their auditory brain‐stem responses, more spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), and stronger click‐evoked otoacoustic emissions than males as a group. Males are better at sound localization, detecting binaural beats, and detecting signals in complex masking tasks than are females. During the first half of the menstrual cycle, several aspects of female hearing move in the male direction. The sex difference normally present in SOAEs is absent in females from opposite‐sex twin pairs. The implication is that their auditory systems have been masculinized prenatally by exposure to high levels of androgens produced by their male cotwins, analogous to an effect well established in other mammals. This suggests that some of the other sex differences in hearing are also attributable to differences in...
Role of lumbricus terrestris (L.) burrows on quality of infiltrating water

Abstract Long-term watershed studies at the North Appalachian Experimental Watershed, Coshocton, Ohio have shown that when corn ( Zea mays L.) is planted in soil covered by the residue of the previous crop (i.e. no-tillage management), surface runoff from summer storms is greatly reduced. In addition, the residue cover provides a favorable environment for various soil invertebrates, especially earthworms. During high-intensity rainstorms, some of the water that infiltrates in no-till corn fields moves rapidly downward in burrows made by the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris L. Samplers were developed for collecting infiltrating rain water flowing in L. terrestris burrows at a depth of 45cm below the soil surface. With annual surface applications of 175 kg N ha −1 as NH 4 NO 3 , concentrations of NO 3 -N in water flowing in individual burrows during growing season storms ranged up to 152 mg l −1 . Concentrations of NO 3 -N tended to be lowest after prolonged wet soil conditions and highest after intermittent warm, dry periods. Distilled water poured directly into the surface openings of L. terrestris burrows and immediately collected as it drained into samplers, contained up to 40 mg of NO 3 -N I −1 , a value greater than that measured in many of the samples resulting from natural rain storms. Water and herbicide mixtures poured through L. terrestris burrows showed that the linings of the burrow, or drilosphere, may contribute nitrogen to the infiltrating water while greatly reducing the concentrations of atrazine and alachlor.
Exploring the Meaning of “Underserved:” A Call to Action

This article explores the definition of health care in America in relation to the distribution of healthcare services. The concept of "underserved" is discussed within the context of a system that lacks a clear standard of full and comprehensive services. The author offers the argument that most Americans are "underserved" for health care, particularly for nursing care, and proposes a challenge to the limited definition of health care as "medical care."
Inequality and Insurgency in Vietnam: A Further Re-Analysis

In an examination of the ecological correlates of the Vietnamese insurgency, Edward Mitchell suggests the existence of some disquieting relationships between certain indicators of land tenure arrangements and insurgent activities. Briefly, he finds that the degree of control that the Government of the Republic of Vietnam exercises at the provincial level is positively associated with inequality. Areas that appear to have the most unequal land tenure arrangements are precisely those over which government control is greatest.
Leiterplattenfertigung-eine Herausforderung an die analytische Chemie

Die hohen Qualitatsanforderungen bei der Leiterplattenfertigung konnen nur durch moderne nasschemische Analysenverfahren sowie spezielle physikalische Methoden erfullt werden.
Migration of potent drugs in wet granulations.

Sodium warfarin tablets prepared by a wet granulation method were shown to be unsatisfactory as to content uniformity due to the migration of the drug substance during the drying period. By using a TLC method, additives were selected which inhibited the migration of the drug substance. The use of these additives with sodium warfarin gave satisfactory tablets as to content uniformity when a wet granulation method was employed.
A New Instrument to Assess Sibling Relationships in Antisocial Youth: The Social Interaction Between Siblings (SIBS) Interview: A Research Note

This paper presents psychometric information on a new interview (SIBS) designed to examine sibling influences on antisocial behavior. The feasibility of the instrument and internal consistency of the SIBS scales was documented in a sample of 29 children (ages 6-11) with a delinquent older brother. In addition, adequate to excellent test-retest reliability of the SIBS scales was demonstrated in an unselected sample. The potential utility of the SIBS interview for assessing the role of siblings in the development of antisocial behavior is discussed.
Opinions of People Who Self-Identify With Autism and Asperger’s on DSM-5 Criteria:

Purpose:Autistic disorder (AD), Asperger’s syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) have been removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Ment...
Transcriptional profiling of host gene expression in chicken embryo lung cells infected with laryngotracheitis virus

Infection by infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV; gallid herpesvirus 1) causes acute respiratory diseases in chickens often with high mortality. To better understand host-ILTV interactions at the host transcriptional level, a microarray analysis was performed using 4 × 44 K Agilent chicken custom oligo microarrays. Microarrays were hybridized using the two color hybridization method with total RNA extracted from ILTV infected chicken embryo lung cells at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post infection (dpi). Results showed that 789 genes were differentially expressed in response to ILTV infection that include genes involved in the immune system (cytokines, chemokines, MHC, and NF-κB), cell cycle regulation (cyclin B2, CDK1, and CKI3), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cellular metabolism. Differential expression for 20 out of 789 genes were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). A bioinformatics tool (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) used to analyze biological functions and pathways on the group of 789 differentially expressed genes revealed that 21 possible gene networks with intermolecular connections among 275 functionally identified genes. These 275 genes were classified into a number of functional groups that included cancer, genetic disorder, cellular growth and proliferation, and cell death. The results of this study provide comprehensive knowledge on global gene expression, and biological functionalities of differentially expressed genes in chicken embryo lung cells in response to ILTV infections.
An enhanced molecular dynamics study of HPPK-ATP conformation space exploration and ATP binding to HPPK.

HPPK (6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase) catalyzes the transfer of pyrophosphate from ATP to HP (6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin). This first reaction in the folate biosynthetic pathway is an important target for potential antimicrobial agents. In this work, the mechanism by which HPPK traps and binds ATP is studied by molecular dynamics (MD)-based methods. Based on the ternary crystal structure of HPPK with an ATP mimic and HP, a complex of ATPMg2 and HPPK is simulated and found to undergo small conformational changes with conventional MD, as does also conventional MD when started from the apo crystal structure. The introduction of restraints in the MD that serve to move HPPK−ATP from its ternary complex (closed) to apo-like (open) forms shows that throughout the restraint path ATP remains bound to HPPK. That ATP remains bound suggests that there is an ensemble of conformations with ATP bound to HPPK that span the apo to more ligand-bound-like conformations, consistent with the pre-ex...
Mega allantoic vesicles of the equine placenta

Summary An ultrasound examination of a pregnant 12-year-old Palomino mare's abdomen revealed multiple, variably sized, round, polypoid, cystic structures within the allantois. These cystic areas had clear hypoechoic centres and were surrounded by thin, irregular hyperechoic regions. The foaling was unremarkable. Grossly, the allantois was multifocally expanded by variably sized, 1–15 cm diameter, balloon-like allantoic vesicles containing clear watery or gelatinous fluid. Histological examination demonstrated marked separation of the allantoic surface from the chorionic surface by oedema fluid or gelatinous stroma. No other lesions were observed in the placenta. Similar lesions were observed in 2 other mares. No clinical complications were observed with the foals, fillies and mares after parturition. This is the first report of such large allantoic vesicles in the equine placenta.
Old and alone: surrogate health care decision-making for the elderly without families.

Abstract Investigated were elderly persons who live alone and do not have families to rely on for surrogate health care decision-making in events of decisional incapacity. Exploratory findings are presented from in-depth interviews of 20 men and women aged 65 to 91. Friends and physicians are the preferred surrogate resources for elderly people without families. Some participants, however, reported that they had no one to rely on. The findings revealed that elderly people without families have not engaged in much planning for long-term care and related health care decision-making. Instead, these people hope to continue as they have to make their own decisions and to care for themselves until the end of their lives. The study recommends that professionals should initiate discussions with family-less elderly concerning the use of planning measures, including utilization of proxy appointments, for future health care decisions.
Screening for group A streptococcus by means of anaerobic primary plate technique.

PROMPT, ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS is necessary for the adequate treatment of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infections. However, because of the protean presentation of streptococcal infection, a clinical diagnosis made without culture is only 43 to 75% accurate. ~ If we are to improve our ability to differentiate streptococcal infection from viral infection, we must employ an accurate, simple method of throat culture that is readily available to the office practitioner. Expenditure of time and money can be reduced and reliability maintained if physicians read their own cultures. There is an added bonus of rapid feedback in the evaluation of clinical impressions if cultures are read the following morning. Several studies support the value of the inhibition of hemolysis by bacitracin disc in identification of group A streptococcus on the primary culture plates incubated aerobically. 2' The purpose of this study is to point out that anaerobic culture with bacitracin disc on a primary plate enhances the yield of throat cultures positive for group A streptococcus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Throat cultures were taken from patients whose complaints or findings indicated the possibility of streptococcal infection. We attempted to create two identical plates for subsequent comparisons. Two cotton swabs, held in apposition, were used to collect material and then immediately streaked onto 5% sheep blood agar (Tryp-Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood, Catalogue No. 3000-1002, Scott Laboratories, lnc., Fiskeville, R. 1.). One swab was streaked onto an area of each of the two plates. The same areas were inoculated with the second swab but the second plate was streaked first. This technique was devised to reduce sampling error reported by an earlier investigator. 4 With the use of the remaining area of half a plate, or in some instances a full plate, substreaking was then carried out with a fresh sterile cotton swab. Neither plate was "stabbed." A 0.04 unit bacitracin disc (Taxo A, BBL Microbiology Systems, Division of Becton, Dickinson & Company, Cockeysville, Md.) was placed on the initial
Parry-Romberg syndrome: follow-up imaging during suppressive therapy.

Parry-Romberg syndrome is a poorly – understood disorder characterized by progressive hemifacial atrophy involving the skin, soft tissue, and bone. Involvement of the central nervous system with impairment in neurologic function occurs infrequently. We describe a child with this syndrome in whom central nervous system involvement, documented on serial MRI, played a prominent role. We have attempted to correlate the clinical course with the radiologic findings, and to determine the impact of prednisone and methotrexate on the intracranial lesions.
Comprehensive assessment of the two-flow model’s shape factors in aquatic environments

The applicability of the two-flow model to problems is dependent on assumptions that are used to reduce the model to two equations with two unknowns. Such a reduction requires proper parameterization of the shape factors. An extensive data set that reveals the relationships of shape factors to scattering-to-absorption ratios (0.1 ≤ b/a ≤ 30) and to the mean cosine of scattering (0.66 ≤ μ¯s ≤ 0.95) as obtained with a Monte Carlo model is presented. The sensitivity of the computed irradiance reflectance to the shape factors is also addressed. Results show increasing sensitivity of irradiance reflectance to the shape factors with increasing scattering-to-absorption ratio and with increasing anisotropy of the scattering phase function. For waters with highly anisotropic scattering phase functions, high scattering-to-absorption ratios, or both, the proper parameterization of the shape factors must be considered. A lookup table of the shape factors’ depth-dependent values for various optical conditions is also presented.
Alteration of Kupffer Cell Function and Morphology by Low Melt Point Paraffin Wax in Female Fischer-344 but Not Sprague–Dawley Rats

This study was conducted to compare the effects of 60-day dietary exposure (2%) to low melt point paraffin wax (LMPW) on both general liver morphology and Kupffer cell (KC) function and morphology in female F-344 and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Livers from only F-344 rats fed LMPW had granuloma formation/lymphoid cell aggregates with small areas of necrosis. Significant increases in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase as well as gamma-glutamyltransferase activities were detected only in treated F-344 rats. Additionally, detectable amounts of LMPW were present only in livers of treated F-344 rats. Because KC can be involved in granuloma formation, their morphology and function were examined. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of large, irregularly shaped, membrane-associated vacuoles in cells isolated from F-344 rats exposed to LMPW. These vacuoles were not seen in KC from control rats and rarely detected in KC isolated from LMPW-exposed SD rats. Moreover, indices of KC function including phagocytic activity and nitric oxide and superoxide anion production were significantly increased by KC isolated from F-344 rats exposed to LMPW (1.6-, 36-, and 2.2-fold increases, respectively) over untreated controls. In contrast, LPS-stimulated production of TNF and LTB4 was significantly decreased only in KC of LMPW-fed F-344 rats. No significant changes in these functions were observed in KC isolated from SD rats exposed to LMPW or from KC isolated from control F-344 or SD rats. These data provide evidence that dietary LMPW alters the morphology and functional capacity of KC of F-344 but not SD rats and these changes may ultimately lead to granuloma formation.
A study of raiders with disabilities in World of Warcraft

In the last decade, online video games in persistent virtual worlds have gained increasing popularity. Since some portion of the player population possesses a disability of some sort, as more players join in to play online games, the number of players with disabilities increases. To study how players with disabilities play and compete in games designed for mainstream, disability-free players, we conducted an online survey to gather information on how disabilities affect the ability to play, the steps players take to counter the impact of their disabilities, and the impact of disabilities on players' social interactions in raiding guilds.
Effect of lithium on prostaglandin E1- stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of human platelets

Abstract The effect of lithium (Li) on the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) was examined. In platelet sonicates, Li, as well as sodium (Na), potassium (K), and rubidium (Rb) significantly reduced the PGE 1 -induced stimulation of adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition due to Rb was significantly less than that produced by the other cations; at a high concentration, 64 mM, Li was a more potent inhibitor than the other cations. In intact platelets, only Li reduced the PGE 1 -enhanced accumulation of [ 3 H]cyclic AMP, K and Rb being ineffective. As little as 1 mM Li significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of PGE 1 on [ 3 H]cyclic AMP production in this sytem. The inhibition produced by Li was not blocked by phentolamine, whereas phentolamine did block the inhibition due to norepinephrine (NE). Magnesium enhanced the stimulatory effect of PGE 1 on the production of labeled cyclic AMP in intact platelets and antagonized the inhibition produced by Li on this process. These data show that Li antagonizes PGE 1 − induced stimulation of platelet adenylate cyclase at a site distinct from that at which NE acts.
Electrophoretic mobility of the rat blastocyst

Abstract The five-day rat blastocyst does not move in a charged field while covered by the oolemma, but does behave as a negatively charged body after loss of this coat; the charge is believed to be due to acidic groups on the surface of the ovum.
Secondary Instabilities and Spatiotemporal Chaos in Parametric Surface Waves.

A 2D model is introduced to study the onset of parametric surface waves, their secondary instabilities, and the transition to spatiotemporal chaos. We obtain the stability boundary of a periodic standing wave above onset against Eckhaus, zigzag, and transverse amplitude modulations (TAM), as a function of the control parameter $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ and the wavelength of the pattern. The Eckhaus and TAM boundaries cross at a finite value of $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$, thus explaining the finite threshold for the TAM observed experimentally. At larger values of $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$, a numerical solution reveals a transition to spatiotemporal chaotic states mediated by the TAM instability.
Acquired coronary cameral fistula--a report of two cases.

Abstract Background Coronary cameral fistulas (CCF) are an uncommon clinical entity; encountered occasionally during cardiac catheterization. These fistulas most commonly result from congenital abnormalities leading to neovascularization. Other possible etiologies include trauma during surgery or coronary intervention. These fistulas usually terminate directly in a cardiac chamber, most often in the right ventricle. Case presentation We describe two cases of CCF where a previous coronary angiogram did not show the presence of the abnormality. Cardiac catheterization in our first patient revealed the presence of a fistula from the right coronary artery draining into the right ventricle. A coronary angiogram performed three years prior to this procedure revealed no obstructive coronary artery disease and no evidence of this fistula. In contrast our second case had an aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. A cardiac catheterization prior to the surgery revealed normal coronaries with no fistula. The patient's subsequent angiogram three years later revealed the acute marginal branch of the right coronary artery draining into the right atrium. Conclusion Coronary cameral fistula is a rare clinical entity and can be acquired during an individual's lifetime. The puzzling presentation in our first patient is unique because CCF was acquired despite lack of previous instrumentation or trauma to the right coronary artery. The exact mechanism of fistula formation is unknown. However a possible hypothesis is secondary to hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, which has not been described to date.
Primary CNS lymphoma complicating treatment of myasthenia gravis with mycophenolate mofetil

Mycophenolate mofetil (MM), an immunosuppressant used after organ transplantation, is also used for treatment of autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). A patient with generalized MG was effectively managed with MM but developed CNS lymphoma after 3 years of treatment. Primary CNS lymphoma regressed on withdrawal of MM. Despite minimal short-term side effects and apparent efficacy, chronic treatment of MG with MM may be associated with increased risk of lymphoproliferative disorders.
More than Legitimacy: Local Governance and Variation in Human Development in Post-War Guatemala:

How do variations in state–society relations affect development outcomes locally? Specifically, do local, non-state actors and informal institutions, including indigenous elders and traditional aut...
On the attainable set of conditional probability measures in stochastic control problems

We considor a (non-linear) stochastic differential equation with control and study tho attainable set V(t/X0) of all conditional probability measures corresponding to tho solution at time t with initial value x0. Some properties of V(t/X0) are established which are analogous to the case for deterministic differential equations with control.
A simple function for the description of cyclotron magnetic fields

Abstract A simple one parameter function is shown to be an accurate representation of a strong focusing cyclotron magnetic field at all radii.
Note taking on lectures: An information‐processing approach

An information‐processing model is used as a framework for describing research findings concerned with note taking from lectures. Marly of the “no difference”; studies contain such serious weaknesses that they should not be used to attenuate the validity of the positive results on note taking. This model elaborates on existing information‐processing models by emphasizing the motor aspects of the sensory system. The relationship of entry behavior to the Search and Associate component is discussed. The role of encoding in problem solving is stressed. Information‐processing variables are strong ones that should either be consciously controlled or incorporated as research variables.
An iterative method for the extrapolation of band-limited functions

Abstract We derive an iterative algorithm to extrapolate band-limited functions using the operators of Fourier transform and projection on convex subsets. The algorithm allows the use of a priori knowledge in the extrapolation procedure.
Dynamical evolution of Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov mixing fronts.

Dynamic behavior of mixing fronts plays a crucial role in multifluid turbulent mixing. In this paper, we derive an analytic solution for the dynamic evolution of mixing fronts driven by constant acceleration Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) and impulsive acceleration Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities, from a simple physics model expressed as a pair of ordinary differential equations. An approximate closed form asymptotic evaluation of the RT solution is obtained, through terms of order $O(1),$ as $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{t}\ensuremath{\infty}.$ This three term expansion, including lower order terms, is used to interpret experimental and simulation data. Our solutions improve on previous analyses in their agreement with experimental data, in that we can fit both the slope and the intercept of the ${Z}_{b}$ vs ${\mathrm{Agt}}^{2}$ experimental plots by adjusting parameters in our model. Since the experimental data are close to self-similar, the improvement due to the lower order contributions in the asymptotic expansion is modest. We also apply this analysis to simulation data, for which preasymptotic data exist. We reexamine previous simulation data and determine an improved growth rate ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{b}=0.0625.$ The present paper provides concepts and tools to explore the preasymptotic aspects of these data.