cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-based insulin infusion protocol improves glycemia control over manual protocol.

Abstract Objective Hyperglycemia worsens clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Precise glycemia control using intravenous insulin improves outcomes. To determine if we could improve glycemia control over a previous paper-based, manual protocol, authors implemented, in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU), an intravenous insulin protocol integrated into a care provider order entry (CPOE) system. Design Retrospective before-after study of consecutive adult patients admitted to a SICU during pre (manual protocol, 32 days) and post (computer-based protocol, 49 days) periods. Measurements Percentage of glucose readings in ideal range of 70–109 mg/dl, and minutes spent in ideal range of control during the first 5 days of SICU stay. Results The computer-based protocol reduced time from first glucose measurement to initiation of insulin protocol, improved the percentage of all SICU glucose readings in the ideal range, and improved control in patients on IV insulin for ≥24 hours. Hypoglycemia ( Conclusion The CPOE-based intravenous insulin protocol improved glycemia control in SICU patients compared to a previous manual protocol, and reduced time to insulin therapy initiation. Integrating a computer-based insulin protocol into a CPOE system achieved efficient, safe, and effective glycemia control in SICU patients.
Does the Choice of Renal Replacement Therapy Affect Renal Recovery

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients with multiple organ failure (MOF) and is an under-recognized independent predictor of mortality [1]. AKI severe enough to necessitate renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the critically ill patient is associated with a mortality rate over 60 % [2]. Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown no difference in survival between RRT modalities, renal recovery is another important outcome for patients with AKI and may be affected differently by RRT modality. Roughly 10–20 % of patients who survive an episode of AKI remain dialysis dependent [3]. Failure to recover renal function after AKI has both short-term and long-term implications with respect to morbidity and health care costs. We review the data regarding RRT modality and renal recovery in patients with AKI.
Thermodynamic stability of the fluorite phase in the CeO2 − CaO − ZrO2 system

Abstract The fluorite phase in CeO2 − CaO − ZrO2 is important in nuclear energy and fuel cell applications yet one lacks quantitative evaluation of its composition range and thermodynamic properties. Using experimental thermodynamic data from binary systems ZrO2 − CeO2, CaO − CeO2 and CaO − ZrO2, the present work fitted the enthalpies of mixing to regular solid solution models. The interaction parameters for binary systems are ΩCeO2-ZrO2 = 49.9 ± 2.4 kJ mol−1, ΩCaO-ZrO2 = −78.0 ± 16.7 kJ mol−1 and ΩCaO-CeO2 = 53.1 ± 21.5 kJ mol−1. Enthalpies of transformation of monoclinic zirconia to the cubic fluorite phase (stable at high temperature) and of rocksalt calcia to the hypothetical fluorite phase were constrained by experimental data. Enthalpies of mixing in the ternary CeO2 − CaO − ZrO2 system were calculated from enthalpies of drop solution measured by high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry for a set of newly synthesized ternary fluorite samples. Comparison of measured values with those predicted from the binary systems using the Kohler equation suggests that the ternary excess term is zero within experimental error. Thus simple equations could be derived for heats of formation, mixing and phase transition in this system which can be used in the future in CALPHAD type calculations of phase equilibria that obtain the extent of fluorite solid solution at different temperatures.
A phase Ib trial of anti-VEGFR/PDGFR vorolanib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in solid tumors.

TPS472Background: Immune CPIs have become a standard treatment option for many advanced malignancies, including gastric (G)/GE junction (GEJ) and hepatocellular cancer (HCC), but resistance is inev...
Variation in tolerance mechanisms to fluazifop-P-butyl among selected zoysiagrass lines

Breeding herbicide tolerance into new cultivars can improve safety and weed control in turfgrass systems. The sensitivity to fluazifop-P-butyl of 27 zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) lines was screened under greenhouse conditions to identify potential tolerant germplasm for breeding programs. The herbicide rate that caused 50% biomass reduction (GR50) and the rate that caused 50% injury (ID50) were calculated to select the three most-tolerant and the five most-susceptible lines for studying the physiological mechanisms responsible for fluazifop-P-butyl tolerance. The differences in GR50 and ID50 between susceptible and tolerant lines ranged from 4-fold to more than 10-fold. Cytochrome P450–mediated metabolism was not detected in fluazifop-P-butyl–tolerant lines. Sequencing of the ACCase gene confirmed that none of the seven previously reported mutations conferring resistance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides in other species were present in any of the tolerant or susceptible zoysiagrass lines studied. An Ala-2073-Thr substitution was identified in two tolerant lines, but this mutation did not completely explain the tolerant phenotype. No clear differences in absorption and translocation rates of 14C-radiolabeled fluazifop-P-butyl were observed among most lines, with the exception of a susceptible line that exhibited greater translocation than two of the tolerant lines. Metabolite profiles did not differ between tolerant and susceptible lines. Our results suggest that the diversity in tolerance to fluazifop-P-butyl in zoysiagrass germplasm is most likely the result of a combination of different, minor, additive non–target site mechanisms such as translocation rate and compartmentation after absorption.
Abstract 4189: Limited-versus-extensive staging system for small cell prostate cancer

Introduction: Small cell prostate cancer (SCPC) is one of the most common extrapulmonary small cell cancers as well as one of the most common histology type among non-adenocarcinoma prostate cancers. While small cell lung cancer follows a limited-versus-extensive staging system which is different from the stage I to IV system used for non-small cell lung cancer, the prostate adenocarcinoma staging system is used in SCPC despite its distinct clinical feature and aggressive disease course. Limited by the rarity of SCPC, the optimal staging strategy for SCPC remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of limited-vs-extensive staging system in SCPC patients. Method: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to analyze the incidence and outcome of small cell prostate cancer. Patients diagnosed between the year 2004 through 2015 were included. Limited stage is defined as those without metastasis regardless of degree of local invasion. Extensive stage is defined as any metastasis to locoregional lymph node, to distant lymph node, or to distant organs. Result: A total of 364 SCPC patients are included in the study cohort, accounting for 0.05% of all prostate cancer cases (n=665,054). Age adjusted incidence of SCPC was 0.959 per 1,000,000 per year over the whole study period. The median age at diagnosis of SCPC is 71 years. The median overall survival is 9 months. In the 322 patients with known metastasis status, 243 (75.5%) patients are in extensive stage, whereas 79 patients are in limited stage. Patients in extensive stage are more likely to have PSA level greater than 20 than those in limited stage (26.3% vs 6%), but a similar proportion of patients in both groups have PSA level less than 4 (44.3% vs 40.0%). Compared to patients with extensive stage, those with limited stage disease had a significantly better overall survival (17 months vs 9 months, p Conclusion: SCPC patients can be staged to limited stage and extensive stage based on the absence versus presence of metastasis. T stage in limited stage patient and type of metastasis in extensive stage patient is not associated with different outcome. Citation Format: Salman Syed, Faisal Ali, Spyridon Basourakos, Zimu Gong. Limited-versus-extensive staging system for small cell prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4189.
The Rhythm of the Bass

In the first book of the best-selling Harry Potter series, on the first day of school, all the students, as well as faculty and staff, rise and sing the school’s song. To match the quirky and magical setting of the book’s universe, the school’s song has a definitive set of lyrics, but each student is allowed to add their own unique tune to the words. In the story, some students chose upbeat and happy songs, while two characters, the Weasley twins, decided on a long and slow funeral march. The eccentric headmaster of the school, Albus Dumbledore, conducts the twins all the way to the final note as they are the last ones to finish. After the twins complete their version, Dumbledore proclaims, “Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!”
Ethical Governance in the Indian Construction Industry: A Case Study of Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

Governance has moved beyond mere fulfilment of legal requirements. The corporate debacles of the last decade and more have indicated how very respectable corporate organisations across the globe succumbed to greed and compromised on ethics and organisational value systems. Corporate Governance is mainly concerned with the intrinsic nature, purpose, integrity, and identity of an organisation. It encompasses the entire gamut of organisational stakeholders. While a lot of literature is available in the field of Corporate Governance, an analysis of corporate organisations in terms of their stakeholder-related initiatives has hitherto not been attempted. In this paper, the author has used the case study of an Indian multinational corporation — Larsen & Toubro’s Engineering, Construction and Contracts Division (ECC) — and has attempted to study its practices with respect to two major stakeholders: the Shareholder and the Government. ECC is a market leader in the Indian construction industry and has been associated with some of the most prestigious governmental, commercial, and religious construction projects in the country over the last six decades. Triangulation of data has been gathered for this case study primarily through personal interviews with top executives of the Company and responses to an Executive Perception Survey on the Shareholders and the Government. This has been supplemented through other information available in the public domain. Company Introduction1 Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a US $11.7 billion technology, engineering, construction, and manufacturing company and is one of the largest and highly respected companies in India’s private sector. Headquartered in Mumbai, the Company operates primarily in India but its operations extend across the globe. It markets plant and equipment in over 30 countries, 1 The Company introduction is based on a case study written by the author on Larsen & Toubro for another journal.
Chapter 8 – Produce Contamination by Other Wildlife

The list of zoonotic pathogens that have the potential to infect humans through a fresh produce vehicle is extensive. The following zoonotic pathogens have been reported to be carried by one or more species of wildlife and have the potential to be transmitted to humans through fresh produce: Viruses – Hepatitis E; Bacteria – Campylobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, pathogenic E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Arcobacter spp.; Protozoa – Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii; and Helminthes – the nematodes Ascaris suum, Toxocara canis and cati, Tosascaris leonine, Lagochilascaris minor, and both Angiostrongylus catonensis and costaricensis, and the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and gigantica and Fasciolopsis buski. Many of these organisms are rarely associated with human illness; however, several are among those currently listed as the most significant emerging foodborne pathogens. Establishing the role that wildlife and feral domestic animals play in produce-borne human illness is very difficult, as evidenced by the number of outbreak investigations that imply involvement of wildlife in spite of a lack of conclusive evidence that this has indeed occurred. Almost certainly, some human illnesses with zoonotic pathogens are directly linked to wild animals; however, the frequency with which this occurs is unknown.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Adolescents: Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis B infection has often been considered one of the most common sexually transmitted viral hepatitides. However, there have been several recent outbreak reports of sexual transmission of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C infection in men who have sex with men, usually in the context of receptive anal intercourse and/or HIV co-infection. Testing for Hepatitis A, B or C infections relies on either serological diagnosis or nucleic acid testing. Since symptoms can be non-specific, a clinician will need to have a high level of suspicion to test for and diagnose these infections. Vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B are routinely recommended for all newborns in the United States as well as for individuals with chronic liver disease or risk factors for viral hepatitis acquisition. While the management for hepatitis A infection is supportive, antiviral medications are available for treatment of Hepatitis B and C.
Nanoformulation design and therapeutic potential of a novel tubulin inhibitor in pancreatic cancer

Abstract Successful treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a challenge due to desmoplasia, development of chemoresistance, and systemic toxicity. Herein, we synthesized (6-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl) (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone (CH-3-8), a novel microtubule polymerization inhibitor with little susceptible to transporter-mediated chemoresistance. CH-3-8 binding to the colchicine-binding site in tubulin protein was confirmed by tubulin polymerization assay and molecular modeling. CH-3-8 disrupted microtubule dynamics at the nanomolar concentration in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. CH-3-8 significantly inhibited the proliferation of these cells, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, and led to apoptosis. CH-3-8 is hydrophobic with an aqueous solubility of 0.97 ± 0.16 μg/mL at pH 7.4. We further conjugated it with dodecanol through diglycolate linker to increase hydrophobicity and thus loading in lipid-based delivery systems. Hence, we encapsulated CH-3-8 lipid conjugate (LDC) into methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate-graft-dodecanol) (mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC) polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) by solvent evaporation, resulting in a mean particle size of 125.6 ± 2.3 nm and drug loading of 10 ± 1.0% (w/w) while the same polymer could only load 1.6 ± 0.4 (w/w) CH-3-8 using the same method. Systemic administration of 6 doses of CH-3-8 and LDC loaded NPs at the dose of 20 mg/kg into orthotopic pancreatic tumor-bearing NSG mice every alternate day resulted in significant tumor regression. Systemic toxicity was negligible, as evidenced by histological evaluations. In conclusion, CH-3-8 LDC loaded NPs have the potential to improve outcomes of pancreatic cancer by overcoming transporter-mediated chemoresistance and reducing systemic toxicity.
Reliability theory for microbial water quality and sustainability assessment.

Abstract Microbial surface water contamination can disrupt critical ecosystem services such as recreation and drinking water supply. Prediction of water contamination and assessment of sustainability of water resources in the context of water quality are needed but are difficult to achieve – with challenges arising from the complexity of environmental systems, and stochastic variability of processes that drive contaminant fate and transport. In this paper we use reliability theory as a framework to address these issues. We define failure as exceedance of regulatory water contamination limits, and system components as reaches in the surface water network. We then methodically study the reliability of each component in the context of water quality, as well as the impact of individual components on overall water quality and sustainability. We obtain spatially distributed probability- and physics-based sustainability measures of reliability, vulnerability, resilience and the sustainability index. Finally, we use GIS as a platform to present these measures as geospatial products in an effort to foster public acceptance of probability-based methods in contaminant hydrology.
Comparison of echocardiographic criteria for diagnosing left ventricular noncompaction in patients with clinical cardiomyopathy

Background: Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM) is a cardiomyopathy characterized by an excessive number of prominent trabeculations with deep intertrabecular recesses in the left ventricular apex. Associated findings include systolic dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias, and systemic emboli. Management of patients with INVM is challenging not only because of the variability in developing clinical myopathy, but also because multiple diagnostic criteria are in use. INVM remains most commonly diagnosed by echocardiography with three criteria in use. These include the criteria proposed by Lai based …
Tankyrase interacts with the allosteric site of glucokinase and inhibits its glucose-sensing function in the beta cell

Insulin secretion in the pancreatic beta cell is rate-limited by glucokinase (GCK), the glucose sensor that catalyzes the first step of glucose metabolism. GCK consists of two lobes connected by a flexible hinge that allows the kinase to sample a spectrum of conformations ranging from the active, closed form to several inactive, less-compact forms. Activating GCK mutations can cause hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia in infants. A similar phenotype is exhibited in mice deficient in tankyrase (TNKS), prompting us to investigate whether TNKS might modulate the glucose-sensing function of GCK. We found that TNKS colocalizes and directly interacts with GCK. Their interaction is mediated by two ankyrin-repeat clusters (ARC-2 and -5) in TNKS and a tankyrase-binding motif (TBM, aa 63-68) in the GCK hinge. This interaction is conformation sensitive: human GCK variants that cause hyperglycemia (V62M) or hypoglycemia (S64Y) enhance or diminish the interaction respectively, even though they have no impact on TNKS interaction in the context of a GCK peptide (V62M) or a peptide library (S64Y). Moreover, the TNKS-GCK interaction is inhibited by high concentrations of glucose, which are known to stabilize GCK in the active (closed, glucose-avid) conformation. Conversely, glucose phosphorylation by GCK in vitro is inhibited by TNKS. To validate this in vitro inhibitory effect in the MIN6 beta cells, we showed that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is suppressed upon stabilization of the TNKS protein and conversely is enhanced upon TNKS knockdown. Based on these findings as well as by contrasting with hexokinase-2, we propose that TNKS is a physiological GCK inhibitor in pancreatic beta cells that acts by trapping the kinase in an open (inactive) conformation.
Learning-based blockage prediction for robust links in dynamic millimeter wave networks

To employ millimeter wave technology in 5G networks, two inherent challenges need to be addressed in dynamic outdoor environments. Firstly, different types of obstacles can easily block the links. Secondly, the link quality can drop significantly in a mobile environment. It is critical to discriminate between the two different situations to take appropriate actions. Existing work makes the distinction based on RSSI variation measured in a time window, which is very time-consuming, leading to a large volume of data loss to achieve high accuracy. This paper proposes a learning-based prediction framework to classify link blockage and link movement efficiently and quickly. A classifier is trained with data blockage instances using different learning methods. It is used to make a prediction based on diffraction values on different multipath components formed around a receiver. Simulation results for both blockage and link movement show that the prediction framework can predict blockage with close to 90% accuracy. The accuracy of detecting the blockage (not the link movement) is measured in the experiments as well to analyze the feasibility of the method. The prediction framework can eliminate the need for having time-consuming methods to discriminate between link movement and link blockage. The simulations show that our framework does not need a large amount of training data to achieve the desired prediction accuracy. The experiments using commodity millimeter wave radios demonstrate a very high prediction accuracy.
A Prescription for Peace

No More Killing Fields Preventing Deadly Conflict. David A. Hamburg. Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, MD, 2002. 391 pp. $39.95. ISBN 0-7425-1674-1. The best approach to preserving peace and preventing war and terrorism, Hamburg argues, lies in cooperative, international efforts that support preventative diplomacy, build democratic institutions, and upgrade socioeconomic development.
Biosynthesis of streptothricin F

Abstract dl -[2,3,3,5,5- 2 H 5 ]Arginine was synthesized, fed to Streptomyces L-1689-23, and incorporated into the antibiotic streptothricin F, 1 . Deuterium was retained at C-5, but completely lost from C-2 and C-3. Erythro- and threo - dl -[5,5- 2 H 2 ]-β-hydroxyarginines were synthesized and fed to S . L-1689-23, but neither was incorporated into 1 , and isotope-trapping experiments failed to detect de novo biosynthesis of either β-hydroxyarginine. dl -[4,4- 2 H 2 ]-, l [4,4- 2 H 2 ]-, l -[4 R - 2 H]-, and l -[4 S - 2 H]arginines were synthesized and fed to S . L-1689-23, as well. The results of these latter feedings revealed that hydroxylation during the biosynthesis of 1 occurs with retention of configuration at C-4 of arginine.
Irreversible antagonism of receptors accelerates rat cocaine self-administration behavior (848.4)

A pharmacological model of self-administration can be explained by the equation T=ln(1+Du/Dst)/k, where T=time between self-administrations, Du=unit dose, Dst=satiety threshold, and k=first order elimination rate constant, predicts that increasing the pharmacodynamic parameter Dst accelerates self-administration. Competitive dopamine receptor antagonists temporarily increase cocaine intake implicating dopamine receptor fractional occupancy by dopamine as a mediator of the behavior. Competitive antagonists do not alter the number of receptors, so they cannot be used to study spare receptors or to differentiate between fractional occupancy of receptors and absolute numbers of receptors occupied. Rats that reliably self-administered cocaine were injected with the non-specific irreversible antagonist, N-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (1mg/kg i.v.). Attempts were made every 8 hours to reinstate self-administration and once reinstated self-administration was regular but was initially 2-fold higher...
Preoperative factors associated with postoperative gait kinematics and kinetics after total hip arthroplasty

Summary Objective To determine how patient factors: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), clinical scores and physical exam findings, are associated with gait recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Method 145 subjects, who were evaluated with standard gait analysis, the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and a physical exam including passive range of motion (ROM), hip abductor strength assessment, before and after primary unilateral THA, were identified from an IRB-approved repository. Sagittal plane dynamic ROM and 3D peak external moments were averaged from operated-side normal-speed trials at each visit. We used linear regression analysis to evaluate the association among preoperative clinical factors and postoperative gait, with and without controlling for the influence of preoperative gait variables. Results Sagittal and transverse plane moments, and the peak abduction moment seen in early stance, significantly improved after THA ( p d = 0.22–1.04). The peak adduction moment did not change significantly ( p = 0.646), although the change ranged from −2.7 to + 4.0 %Body weight × height (−80% to +315%). Preoperative gait, clinical factors and patient characteristics predicted up to 33% of the variability in postoperative gait. Notably, greater preoperative abductor strength was associated with higher postoperative adduction and external rotation moments ( R = 0.197–0.266, p Conclusion Preoperative clinical factors predicted several specific aspects of objectively-characterized postoperative gait function. Physical exam findings can augment the predictive ability of clinical outcome measures, and potentially help guide rehabilitation plans.
Responses to exclusion are moderated by its perceived fairness

Experimental exclusion manipulations may induce exclusion in a way that participants perceive as unfair. Groups often use exclusion punitively to correct inappropriate behavior, however, which may lead to perceptions that it is potentially justified or fair. The current studies examined if individuals' perceptions of fairness with respect to an exclusion experience moderated their reactions. Participants wrote about or imagined a time in which they were excluded after they did something wrong (fair exclusion) or excluded even though they did nothing wrong (unfair exclusion) or about a mundane experience unrelated to exclusion (control). Compared with fair exclusion, unfair exclusion resulted in significantly weaker efficacy needs satisfaction (Studies 1, 2, and 4), greater antisocial intent (Study 3), and greater sensitivity to signs of interpersonal acceptance and rejection in a visual search task (Study 4). These results suggest that it is important to consider the role of perceived fairness in shaping responses to exclusion.
The Making of a Myth: John Leddy Phelan and the “Hispanization” of Land Tenure in the Philippines

For close to fifty years, the accepted wisdom on land tenure in the colonial Philippines derives from a book written by John Leddy Phelan. Phelan claims that the Spanish regime radically transformed the nature of land tenure in the archipelago by substituting the "European" concept of private ownershipfor the pre-Hispanic arrangement, which emphasized communal ownership. He tells us further that one result of the change was a concentration of land in the hands of an indigenous elite. Phelan's thesis has been widely adopted by historians of the Philippines. This article argues that much of Phelan's formulation is myth.
Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy

Thyroid disease is common in younger women and may be a factor in reproductive dysfunction. This probably only applies to severe cases of hyper- or hypothyroidism. Once adequately treated, neither of these disorders significantly impacts on fertility. The key is to recognize and to treat thyroid disorders in the reproductive-age woman before conception. Thyroxine therapy and even antithyroid drug therapy should be continued during pregnancy as necessary. Pregnancy is a euthyroid state that is normally maintained by complex changes in thyroid physiology. The fetal and neonatal hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system develops independently, but it may be influenced by thyroid disease in the mother. Early pregnancy is characterized by an increase in maternal T4 secretion stimulated by hCG and an increase in TBG, resulting in the elevated total serum T4 in pregnancy. The debate continues as to whether maternal T4 is important in early or late fetal brain development. If so, the physiologic changes in thyroid hormone secretion and transport in early pregnancy would help to ensure that a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone was available. There is new evidence in human subjects that substantial maternal T4 can cross the placenta during pregnancy, and this may be particularly important when fetal thyroid function is compromised as a result of congenital hypothyroidism. Maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes in pregnancy are adversely affected if severe hypothyroidism is undiagnosed or inadequately treated. Thyroid function tests should be obtained during gestation in women taking T4 and appropriate dose adjustments should be made for TSH levels outside a normal range. The TSH-receptor blocking antibodies from the mother are a recognized cause of congenital hypothyroidism in the fetus and neonate that can be permanent or transient. If neonatal hypothyroidism is detected through neonatal screening programs, and prompt and adequate T4 replacement therapy is instituted as soon as possible following delivery, subsequent growth and development are usually normal. Paradoxically, pregnancy often has a favorable effect on the course of maternal Hashimoto's disease, although there is the risk of relapse postpartum. Pathophysiologic conditions of hCG secretion such as gestational trophoblastic disease and hyperemesis gravidarum may present as thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy, but the main cause of this syndrome is Graves' disease. The mainstay of treatment is antithyroid drugs and either propylthiouracil or methimazole may be used safely. Subtotal thyroidectomy, after medical control, is the alternative treatment, but radioiodine ablation is contraindicated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Piloting a Nationally Disseminated, Interactive Human Subjects Protection Program for Community Partners: Design, Content, and Evaluation

Funders, institutions, and research organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for human subjects protections training programs for those engaged in academic research. Current programs tend to be online and directed toward an audience of academic researchers. Research teams now include many nonacademic members, such as community partners, who are less likely to respond to either the method or the content of current online trainings. A team at the CTSA-supported Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research at the University of Michigan developed a pilot human subjects protection training program for community partners that is both locally implemented and adaptable to local contexts, yet nationally consistent and deliverable from a central administrative source. Here, the developers and the analysts of this program discuss its development, its content, and the results of its evaluation.
A high frequency link direct dc-ac converter for residential fuel cell power systems

This paper describes a boost converter cascaded high frequency link direct dc-ac converter suitable for fuel cell power sources. A new multi-loop control for a boost converter to reduce the low frequency input current harmonics drawn from the fuel cell is proposed. A new PWM technique for the cycloconverter at the secondary to reject the low order harmonics in the output voltages is presented in detail. The front-end boost converter regulates the dc bus voltage effectively where the fuel cell voltage varies widely depending on the power demand, and provides a constant dc voltage to the high frequency link dc-ac converter. The proposed multi-loop control reduces the low frequency (120 Hz) input current harmonic of the boost converter without additional filter requirement in order to improve the performance of fuel cell system. The proposed PWM technique for the cycloconverter cancels the low order harmonics in the output voltage caused by the low frequency voltage ripple in the dc bus and guarantees the high quality of the output voltage. The trade-offs of proposed scheme are described in detail with mathematical evaluation approach.
IL6-Mediated Suppression of miR-200c Directs Constitutive Activation of Inflammatory Signaling Circuit Driving Transformation and Tumorigenesis

Abnormal inflammatory signaling activation occurs commonly in cancer cells. However, how it is initiated and maintained and its roles in early stages of tumorigensis are largely unknown. Here, we report that the monocyte-derived MCP-1-induced transformation of immortal breast epithelial cells is triggered by transient activation of MEK/ERK and IKK/NF-κB pathways and maintained by constitutive activation of a feed-forward inflammatory signaling circuit composed of miR-200c, p65, JNK2, HSF1, and IL6. Suppression of miR-200c by IL6 constitutively activates p65/RelA and JNK2, and the latter phosphorylates and activates HSF1. In turn, HSF1 triggers demethylation of the IL6 promoter that facilitates the binding of p65 and c-Jun, which together drive constitutive IL6 transcription. Importantly, this signaling circuit is manifest in human cancer cells and in a mouse model of ErbB2-driven breast cancer, where IL6 loss significantly impairs tumorigenesis. Therefore, targeting this signaling circuit represents an effective therapeutic avenue for breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Problems in testing clinical ethicists' competence in health law.

White and colleagues’ article (2014) about a potential examination for clinical ethics consultants is a helpful contribution to the discussion about assuring that consultants are competent. ASBH ha...
High- and low-affinity NMDA receptor-binding sites in rat spinal cord: effects of traumatic injury

Abstract N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated events have been implicated in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic spinal cord injury. In the present study, [ 3 H]MK801 was used to analyse the changes in NMDA receptor-binding sites in rat spinal cord after impact trauma at T9. In contrast to brain, which showed only a single binding site, spinal cord showed both high-affinity ( K d1 = 0.47 ± 0.24nM ) and low-affinity ( K d2 = 7.75 ± 1.82nM ) binding sites with relatively low binding density ( B max1 = 0.11 ± 0.04pmol/mg protein and B max2 = 0.84 ± 0.11pmol/mg protein ). Time-course studies demonstrated significant decreases in the binding of [ 3 H]MK801 at the thoracic and lumbar segments at 4 h after spinal cord injury with recovery by 24 h. Scatchard analyses indicate that these changes likely involve both high- and low-affinity binding sites. The transitory reduction in [ 3 H]MK801-binding after trauma may reflect downregulationn of NMDA receptors as a consequence of posttraumatic glutamate release and may serve to limit excitotoxin-induced injury.
Interactions Between Myxobacteria, Plant Pathogenic Fungi, and Biocontrol Agents.

Bull, C. T., Shetty, K. G., and Subbarao, K. V. 2002. Interactions between myxobacteria, plant pathogenic fungi, and biocontrol agents. Plant Dis. 86:889-896. Myxobacteria are soil dwelling gram-negative gliding bacteria that form fruiting bodies containing myxospores. Although myxobacteria produce a wide range of antibiotics and lytic enzymes that assist in their ability to prey on other microorganisms, their role in agriculture has received little attention. Myxococcus spp. were isolated from soils in organic and conventionally managed strawberry production and transplant fields in the absence of soil fumigation. Fumigation with methyl bromide and chloropicrin virtually eliminated these organisms from soil. However, soil fumigation had no effect on the frequency of isolation of Myxococcus spp. from strawberry roots. Six Myxococcus spp. were tested in vitro against eight soilborne plant pathogenic fungi (Cylindrocarpon spp., Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii, Phytophthora capsici, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia spp., Sclerotinia minor, Verticillium albo-atrum, and V. dahliae) and against two fungal biological control agents (Gliocladium virens and Trichoderma viride). Phytophthora capsici, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia spp., S. minor, and T. viride were completely inhibited by all of the Myxococcus spp. tested. F. oxysporum f. sp. apii was the least sensitive to the myxobacteria, and no inhibition occurred with some Myxococcus spp. Inhibition of the other fungi tested was variable. Myxococcus coralloides inhibited nearly all the fungi tested. The ability of bacterial biological control agents to produce antibiotics and other secondary metabolites determined whether or not they were lysed by myxobacteria. Secondary metabolite production regulated by gacS protected Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 from lysis by myxobacteria. More specifically, phenazine antibiotics produced by Pseudomonas aureofaciens strain 30-84 protected it from lysis.
Al- Al 2 O 3 interface study using surface soft-x-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy

The local structure and the electronic states of a thin oxide layer on a single-crystal Al (111) surface has been studied using surface soft-x-ray absorption and soft-x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Unoccupied interface states are found in the oxide band gap. The local structure of the thin oxide layer is compared with the structure of bulk ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The effect on the electronic states of an amorphous to crystalline phase transition is shown. The crystalline oxide-metal interface has fewer unoccupied interface states in the ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ gap than the amorphous oxide-metal interface.
Optimal probe design for breast imaging using near-infrared diffused light

Shallow lesions less than 1.5-cm deep are frequently seen in breast patients when they are scanned in reflection geometry. Two boundary conditions are compared for imaging shallow lesions, and a new probe design is introduced. A partial reflection boundary condition is suitable for imaging shallow lesions less than 1.0-cm deep; whereas an absorption boundary condition is desirable for imaging lesions more than 1.5-cm deep. Our new probe design incorporates either a partial reflection boundary or an absorption boundary based on a priori knowledge of lesion depth provided by coregistered real-time ultrasound images. An angled source is introduced to further improve the illumination of the region between 1.0- to 1.5-cm depths. Simulation, phantom, and freshly excised mouse tumor experiments demonstrate that targets located at different depths can be uniformly reconstructed. A clinical example is given to demonstrate the utility of this new approach for optimally probing lesions located at different depths.
Accelerating Scientific Applications with Reconfigurable Computing: Getting Started

High-performance reconfigurable computing combines the advantages of the coarse-grain parallel processing provided in conventional multiprocessor systems with the fine-grain parallel processing available in field-programmable gate arrays.
Every discrete input machine is linearly simulatable

This paper extends the work of Herman (1971) to show that all discrete input sequential machines (whether finite or infinite state) are linearly simulatable over fields of infinite characteristic. Since this permits the computation of nonrecursive functions, it is concluded that allowing nonlinear output decoding with infinite state linear machines leads to a triviality (as opposed to the case of finite state linear machines where it does not).
Behavioral performance effects of nicotine in smokers and nonsmokers.

Abstract Performance on finger-tapping and handsteadiness, tasks opposite in response requirements, was compared between male smokers and nonsmokers (n = 10 each) on two occasions, once following intake of nicotine (15 μg/kg) by measured-dose nasal spray and once following placebo. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers had significantly greater increase in finger-tapping speed due to nicotine. On the other hand, smokers tended to have improved performance on handsteadiness (i.e., less involuntary movement) due to nicotine, while nonsmokers had impaired performance, although this difference was not significant. Nicotine-induced changes in performance on each task were inversely related, suggesting specificity of the behavioral effects of nicotine depending on task demands, rather than a generalized effect. These effects of nicotine on behavioral performance may be important in understanding the reinforcing value of nicotine intake, and differences in effects as a function of smoking history may suggest chronic adaptation to nicotine.
Age-related loss of nerve growth factor sensitivity in rat basal forebrain neurons.

Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) has recently been implicated as a trophic agent in the survival and maintenance of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. To test the hypothesis that NGF may play a role in the age-related degeneration of basal forebrain neurons and decline of cerebral cholinergic function, we have used a monoclonal antibody to the NGF receptor, 192 IgG, to immunocytochemically visualize and compare rat basal forebrain neurons responsive to NGF in aged (30 months) and young adult (10 months) rats. In a subpopulation of aged rats, NGF receptor-immunoreactive cells in the basal forebrain appear vacoulated and shrunken, and the neuropil staining is markedly reduced. While no substantial decline in cell density is apparent in Nissl-stained sections, the number of NGF receptor-positive cell profiles within the vertical limb of diagonal band nuclei is reduced by an average of 32% in aged rats. Marked reduction in the expression of NGF receptors in aged rats may signify loss of capacity of the basal forebrain neurons to bind and transport NGF from their terminals in the hippocampus and cortex, subsequent decrease in NGF delivered to the cell bodies, and eventual cellular dysfunction and death of neurons in aging.
Assessment of the pilot implementation of a game-based gear design laboratory

Taking advantage of game technology for offering truly immersive and interactive learning experiences to undergraduate engineering and science students has now become a real possibility. An immersive interactive virtual laboratory environment has been created for the laboratory component of a junior-level undergraduate mechanical engineering course on mechanisms and machine dynamics. For instance, a laboratory system implemented using a multi-player computer game engine provides the students with the flexibility to perform various experiments related to the concepts of the fundamental law of gearing and to the planetary motion of gears. Assessment tools such as pre- and post-experiment tests are an integral part of this game-based laboratory environment and form the basis for providing different levels of support to the students at every step of the laboratory exercise. Furthermore, the game environment can be equipped with functionality for monitoring the students' progress and learning outcomes, thus enabling skill-based assessment. This paper will report on the learning assessment conducted as part of a pilot implementation of this gear design laboratory. The evaluation metrics for the virtual laboratory environment as well as the collected data on learning effectiveness will be presented and the general student feedback will be discussed.
Birdsong's clockwork

Recordings from song premotor circuits in singing birds show how a population of neurons may form an explicit representation of time in a motor sequence.
Caveolae, estrogen and nitric oxide

Estradiol has numerous physiological and pathophysiological effects on the cardiovascular system, and the ongoing controversy surrounding estrogen replacement therapy clearly illustrates the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms of estrogen action. Many recent mechanistic studies have focused on the ability of estradiol to stimulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the subsequent generation of nitric oxide (NO). NO is centrally involved in many processes such as mitogenesis, cell adhesion, thrombosis, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms whereby estradiol influences NO production will directly impact on our understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of estrogen replacement therapy. An exciting aspect of this emerging area of study is that the estrogen, NO and caveolae research fields have merged to identify a novel and clinically relevant molecular process. The goal of this review is to highlight the recent findings in this area and to point out areas of controversy and areas where more studies are needed.
Vapor pressure studies of hydrophobic interactions. formation of benzene-benzene and cyclohexane-cyclohexanol dimers in dilute aqueous solution

A new, highly sensitive vapor pressure apparatus has been used to study very dilute solutions of benzene, of cyclohexane, and of mixtures of cyclohexane and cyclohexanol in water at temperatures from 15 to 45°C. The results have been used to calculate the enthalpy, free energy, and heat capacity of transfer of benzene and of cyclohexane from the vapor phase into water at infinite dilution. Values of the equilibrium constant and the enthalpy change have been determined for the reactions $$2{\text{ benzene = (benzene)}}_{\text{2}} $$ (A) and $${\text{cyclohexane + cyclohexanol = cyclohexane }} \cdot {\text{ cyclohexanol}}$$ (B) occurring in dilute aqueous solution. Of particular interest is the result that the enthalpy of dimerization is positive for the two association reactions [4.0±1.0 kcal-mol−1 for reaction (A) and 3.45±0.16 kcal-mol−1 for reaction (B) at 25°C]. The heat capacity change for reaction (B) is −61±39 cal-K−1-mol−1. The results are discussed in relation to current theories and descriptions of hydrophobic interactions.
Concentration Effects of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Degradation Products on Oxygen Reduction Activity for Three Platinum Catalysts

A rotating disk electrode (RDE) along with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), were used to investigate the impact of two model compounds representing degradation products of Nafion and 3M perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes on the electrochemical surface area (ECA) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of polycrystalline Pt, nano-structured thin film (NSTF) Pt (3M), and Pt/Vulcan carbon (Pt/Vu) (TKK) electrodes. ORR kinetic currents (measured at 0.9 V and transport corrected) were found to decrease linearly with the log of concentration for both model compounds on all Pt surfaces studied. Ultimately, model compound adsorption effects on ECA were more abstruse due to competitive organic anion adsorption on Pt surfaces superimposing with the hydrogen underpotential deposition (HUPD) region.
Diagnostic accuracy of the structured photographic expressive language test: third edition (SPELT-3).

Purpose: This study examined the empirical evidence for using the Structured Photographic Expressive Language Test: Third Edition (SPELT-3; Dawson, Stout, & Eyer, 2003) to diagnose language impairm...
Incomplete data in repeated measures analysis

Complete (or balanced) repeated measures data arise when all subjects in a study are measured at the same set of time points. Data are often incomplete, because measurements are missed, or the design of the study results in subjects being measured at different sets of time points. This article reviews methods of analysis for incomplete repeated-measures data of this form, from an applied statistician's perspective. Limitations of approaches that (a) ignore between-subject variation, or (b) impute for missing values are discussed. Two methods are advocated that are relatively easy to implement using existing software, namely between-subject analysis of within-subject summary measures, and maximum likelihood based on a model for the data. Methods are applied and compared on four real-data examples with varied analytical objectives.