cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating statewide HIV preexposure prophylaxis implementation using All-Payer Claims Data.

Abstract Purpose Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the form of daily emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) is effective for preventing HIV infection. Implementation has been limited by an inability to systematically evaluate uptake and use. All-Payer Claims Databases (APCDs) provide an opportunity to evaluate population-level PrEP implementation. Methods We used 2012–2017 data from Rhode Island's APCD and developed an algorithm to identify individuals prescribed FTC/TDF for PrEP. We describe PrEP implementation by patient demographics and provider type and mapped PrEP implementation across ZIP codes. We compared APCD data to electronic medical record data and comprehensive pharmaceutical claims data ( AIDSVu.org ). Results The Rhode Island APCD represented approximately 87% of the state's population. PrEP use increased 31-fold from 2012 to 2017. Users were predominantly privately insured, male, and concentrated in Providence County (76.6%). Infectious diseases providers had 3.2 times the odds of being a PrEP prescriber compared to primary care providers. Compared to other pharmaceutical and electronic medical record data, the APCD underestimated the number of PrEP users in Rhode Island but improved in capturing users over time. Conclusions APCDs are a useful data source for characterizing PrEP use across a state. There is a need to increase PrEP prescribing among primary care providers, especially in areas with underserved populations.
Outcomes of Cataract Surgery Complicated by Retained Lens Fragments Requiring Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

Objective To analyze outcomes and complications related to cataract surgery complicated by retained lens fragment (RLF) requiring pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in a county hospital where procedures are performed by trainees. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive patients who met inclusion criteria and underwent PPV for RLF in the vitreous cavity at an urban teaching hospital between January 2010 and January 2016 (N=20). Main Outcomes/Measures Visual acuity was recorded pre- and post-operatively over a follow-up period of 3 to 12 months. Complications and patient factors contributing to outcomes were assessed using paired and unpaired t-tests and multiple linear regression. Results The average rate of cataract surgery with RLF requiring PPV was 0.75%. Twenty patients met inclusion criteria. Mean pre-operative visual acuity (VA) was logMAR 1.7 (Snellen 20/1000). Nearly half (8/20) had nuclear cataracts grade 3+ or higher. The majority (14/20) had factors predisposing them to cataract surgery complications. Most patients underwent PPV within 1 week (median 6.5 days). At 12-month follow-up, significant (p=0.001) visual acuity (VA) improvement from initial VA was observed, with final mean logMAR 0.6 (± 0.75; Snellen 20/80) and median logMAR 0.35 (Snellen 20/45). Nearly half of the patients had a final Snellen VA ≥20/40. Factors associated with less VA improvement were older age and greater proportion of lens dropped (p<0.01). Complications following PPV included hypotony (5 patients), corneal edema (4), elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) (3), and cystoid macular edema (3). Conclusions/Relevance Despite patients with advanced pathology and trainee surgeons, rates of cataract surgery-associated RLF requiring PPV at a large tertiary care teaching hospital are similar to reported rates in the literature.
Shear Strength and Consolidation Characteristics of Calcium and Magnesium Illite

In recent soil mechanics literature attempts have been made to explain the engineering properties of clays in terms of surface chemical theories, particularly the Gouy—Chapman theory. Experimental confirmation of these theoretical predictions have been restricted almost exclusively to studies performed on fine grain size fractions of montmorillonite. It seemed desirable to determine experimentally the effect of physico-chemical variables on the engineering properties of a more typical engineering material. The < 2 μ fraction of Fithian illite was selected. A study was made of the effect of variations in the pore water electrolyte concentration on the engineering properties of homoionic Ca- and Mg-illite. Pore water electrolyte concentrations ranged from 1 N down to about 10-4 N. Engineering tests included Atterberg limits, one-dimensional consolidation tests, and effective stress triaxial tests. The electrolyte concentration was found to have only a small effect on the Atterberg limits, the maximum limits occurring at electrolyte concentrations between 0.01 N and 0.1 N. For virgin consolidation the soil seemed strongest at about the same range in electrolyte concentrations but the effect was not large. Electrolyte concentration had almost no effect on the position of the rebound (swelling) curves. The most important effect of electrolyte concentration seemed to be its effect on the geometric arrangement of the particles for samples that were sedimented from dilute suspension. The geometric arrangement of particles seems to be a more significant variable than the osmotic repulsion between particles. There still appears to be merit in the old mechanical approach where the compression characteristics are explained by elastic bending (reversible), slippage (partially reversible), and rupture (irreversible) of particles. Double layer phenomena seem to exert a much smaller influence on the engineering properites of nonexpanding lattice clay minerals than is commonly inferred in the literature.
An Evidence-Based Logic for the Use of Positive Reinforcement: Responses to Typical Criticisms:

In this article, we provide both a critical analysis of and logical response to a set of the most typical school-based objections to the effective use of positive reinforcement. For example, one ob...
1784-P: Liraglutide Treatment Stimulates Alpha Cells to Produce Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 via Expression of Prohormone Convertase 1/3 in Mice and Human

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates islet function by enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We previously found that the beta cell GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) contributes to improvements in glucose regulation and islet function in mice that have undergone bariatric surgery, specifically, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Further investigation revealed that VSG increases alpha cell GLP-1 production by turning on the expression of prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3, gene: Pcsk1) in a beta cell GLP-1R-dependent fashion. These findings lead us to hypothesize that beta cell GLP-1R signaling increases alpha cell GLP-1 production to augment GSIS in a paracrine positive feedback loop. In the current study, we tested whether the effects of VSG can be recapitulated by pharmacologic stimulation of the GLP-1R, using a GLP-1 analog, liraglutide. We found that liraglutide treatment increases alpha cell GLP-1 expression in a beta cell GLP-1R dependent fashion (GLP-1 area per islet (µm2): Vehicle WT = 132 ± 3, Vehicle KO = 73 ± 2, Liraglutide WT = 241 ± 15, Liraglutide KO = 67 ± 1; P Disclosure M. Saikia: None. M.M. Holter: None. D. Garibay: None. A. Garcia-Ocana: None. C.G. Danko: None. B. Cummings: None.
The role of dissonance reduction and co-creation strategies in shaping smart service satisfaction – the case of Uber

Ride-sharing apps have both positive and negative impact in our daily lives. To study the negative impacts especially personal safety issues, this study explores the reaction of ride-sharing app us...
Electromigration induced interfacial microstructure evolution of solder joints in electronic packaging

Electromigration (EM) of eutectic SnBi and SnCu solder joints with NiPdAu surface finish are studied at temperatures above their melting points. The interfacial microstructure evolutions are discussed in detail. EM induced quick cathode side metallization dissolution happens in both solder alloys. The dissolved metallization diffuses through liquid solder under EM and form thick IMCs on anode side. It is also observed that local self-heating can impact the cathode side interfacial microstructures. With oven temperature above melting points and uniform temperature distributions on the testing coupons, Ni-P and Cu metallization are fully dissolved in both SnBi and SnCu, replaced by a mixture of solder and IMCs. However, high self-heating can induce local deformation and induce NiSnP/Cu separation before EM can dissolve Cu in SnCu solder joints.
Increase in longevity and amelioration of pesticide toxicity by natural levels of dietary phytochemicals in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

For the past decade, migratory beekeepers who provide honey bees for pollination services have experienced substantial colony losses on a recurring basis that have been attributed in part to exposure to insecticides, fungicides, or their combinations applied to crops. The phytochemicals p-coumaric acid and quercetin, which occur naturally in a wide variety of bee foods, including beebread and many types of honey, can enhance adult bee longevity and reduce the toxicity of certain pesticides. How variation in concentrations of natural dietary constituents affects interactions with xenobiotics, including synthetic pesticides, encountered in agroecosystems remains an open question. We tested the effects of these two phytochemicals at a range of natural concentrations on impacts of consuming propiconazole and chlorantraniliprole, a triazole fungicide and an insecticide frequently applied as a tank mix to almond trees during bloom in California’s Central Valley. Propiconazole, even at low field concentrations, significantly reduced survival and longevity when consumed by adult bees in a sugar-based diet. The effects of propiconazole in combination with chlorantraniliprole enhanced mortality risk. The detrimental effects of the two pesticides were for the most part reduced when either or both of the phytochemicals were present in the diet. These findings suggest that honey bees may depend on non-nutritive but physiologically active phytochemical components of their natural foods for ameliorating xenobiotic stress, although only over a certain range of concentrations; particularly at the high end of the natural range, certain combinations can incur additive toxicity. Thus, efforts to develop nectar or pollen substitutes with phytochemicals to boost insecticide tolerance or immunity or to evaluate toxicity of pesticides to pollinators should take concentration-dependent effects of phytochemicals into consideration.
Redox signaling, mitochondrial metabolism, epigenetics and redox active phytochemicals.

Biological redox signaling plays an important role in many diseases. Redox signaling involves reductive and oxidative mechanisms. Oxidative stress occurs when reductive mechanism overwhelms oxidative challenges. Cellular oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RO/NS) exceed the cellular reductive/antioxidant capacity. Endogenously produced RO/NS from mitochondrial metabolic citric-acid-cycle coupled with electron-transport-chain or exogenous stimuli trigger cellular signaling events leading to homeostatic response or pathological damage. Recent evidence suggests that RO/NS also modulate epigenetic machinery driving gene expression. RO/NS affect DNA methylation/demethylation, histone acetylation/deacetylation or histone methylation/demethylation. Many health beneficial phytochemicals possess redox capability that counteract RO/NS either by directly scavenging the radicals or via inductive mechanism of cellular defense antioxidant/reductive enzymes. Amazingly, these phytochemicals also possess epigenetic modifying ability. This review summarizes the latest advances on the interactions between redox signaling, mitochondrial metabolism, epigenetics and redox active phytochemicals and the future challenges of integrating these events in human health.
Tax Offsets or Netting Operations in Post-Soviet Public Finance

Post-Soviet economies are plagued by a public sector practice whereby the Ministry of Finance cancels tax liabilities that enterprises owe it in exchange for debts the Ministry owes enterprises. Although the practice seems innocuous enough to its practitioners, it has multiple distorting effects. Netting operations distort prices, prevent increased monetization of the economy, and hinder the pace of economic transformation in post-Soviet economies. This paper describes the practice of netting operations, draws an analogy with input-output models used in planned economies, and reveals the multiple distorting effects of netting operations.
Translating nanoparticle dosimetry from conventional in vitro systems to occupational inhalation exposures

Abstract As encouraged by Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century, researchers increasingly apply high-throughput in vitro approaches to identify and characterize nanoparticle hazards, including conventional aqueous cell culture systems to assess respiratory hazards. Translating nanoparticle dose from conventional toxicity testing systems to relevant human exposures remains a major challenge for assessing occupational risk of nanoparticle exposures. Here, we explored existing computational tools and data available to translate nanoparticle dose metrics from cellular test systems to inhalation exposures of silver nanoparticles in humans. We used the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) Model to predict nanoparticle deposition of humans exposed to 20 and 110 nm silver nanoparticles at 0.9 μg/m3 over an 8 h period, the proposed National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL). MPPD predicts 8.1 and 3.7 μg of silver deposited in an 8 h period for 20 and 110 nm nanoparticles, respectively, with 20 nm particles displaying nearly 11-fold higher total surface area deposited. Peak deposited nanoparticle concentrations occurred more proximal in the pulmonary tract compared to mass deposition patterns (generation 4 vs. generations 20–21, respectively) due to regional differences in lung lining fluid volumes. Assuming 0.4% nanoparticle dissolution by mass measured in previous studies predicted peak concentrations of silver ions in cells of 1.06 and 0.89 μg/mL for 20 and 110 nm particles, respectively. Both predicted concentrations are below the measured toxic threshold of 1.7 μg/mL of silver ions in cells from in vitro assessments. Assuming 4% dissolution by mass predicted 10-fold higher silver concentrations in tissues, peaking at 10.6 and 8.9 μg/mL, for 20 and 110 nm nanoparticles respectively, exceeding the observed in vitro toxic threshold and highlighting the importance and sensitivity of dissolution rates. Overall, this approach offers a framework for extrapolating nanotoxicity results from in vitro cell culture systems to human exposures. Aligning appropriate dose metrics from in vitro and in vivo hazard characterizations and human pulmonary doses from occupational exposures are critical components for successful nanoparticle risk assessment and worker protection providing guidance for designing future in vitro studies aimed at relevant human exposures.
Counter-Terrorism and the Enabling Legal and Political Environment for Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis of

This article focuses on the legal and political environment for civil society in an era in which counter-terrorism policy and law have challenged civil society and civil liberties in a number of countries. The ways in which counter-terrorism law and policy affect civil society can differ dramatically by country and region. So this article seeks to provide some comparative analysis of the impact of counter-terrorism policy and law on civil society in several countries in which the 'war on terror' is being fought, emphasizing impacts on the enabling environment for civil society such as laws, regulations, policies, and practice influencing the existence, structure, activities, and vibrancy of civil society.
The Impact of Connecticut's Paid Sick Leave Law on the Use of Preventive Services

Introduction Paid sick leave laws have received more attention in recent years as a way to improve public health. This study estimates the impact of paid sick leave laws on the use of preventive services using a quasi-experimental design created by the implementation of Connecticut's paid sick leave law in 2012, the first statewide mandate in the U.S. Methods Data were obtained from the 2007–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The analyses were conducted from spring 2018 to fall 2019. This study applied a difference-in-differences model to examine preventive service use (routine checkups, influenza vaccinations, dental visits, Pap tests, mammograms, and clinical breast examinations) in Connecticut and other New England states before and after the implementation of Connecticut's paid sick leave law in 2012. Results The use of preventive services increased in Connecticut compared with other New England states after implementation of Connecticut's paid sick leave law. Specifically, the rate of routine checkups (2.7 percentage points, p Conclusions This study found that adult workers’ use of preventive services increased in Connecticut after implementation of its paid sick leave law. State-paid sick leave laws can improve public health by supporting the use of preventive care services among workers.
Unfalsified Adaptive Control for Nonlinear Time-Varying Plants

The Battistelli-Hespanha-Mosca-Tesi (BHMT) adaptive reset switching algorithm is enhanced to admit bumpless transfer and to control a nonlinear time-varying plant using the broad class of two-degree-of freedom nonlinear time-varying controllers. Performance including stability and exponential stability is proved given only that the adaptive stabilization problem is lambda-feasible which means at every time there exists at least one exponentially stabilizing controller. We relax two restrictive BHMT assumptions (i) the plant is LTI over most intervals and has finite-order and (ii) each controller is LTI. And, we expand the scope to include a broad class of bumpless switching algorithms. An example is provided to support improved results.
LPAAT-B is a prognostic and therapeutic target in epithelial ovarian cancer

3858 LPAAT-b (Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase-B) has been identified as a new target for cancer therapy after recent studies have revealed its impact on the RAS/RAF/ERK and AKT/mTOR pathway. Initially only recognized for its activity in lipid biosynthesis, LPAAT catalyzes the conversion of LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) to PA (phosphatidic acid), which has been implicated in a number of signaling pathways such as tyrosine kinase signaling, vesicle trafficking, cell motility, Raf translocation to membranes, mTOR activation, and EGFR internalization. H-Ras transformed Rat-1 Fibroblast cells have shown increased LPAAT and PA activity suggestive of the association of LPAAT in the cell signaling cascade. Further studies with Xenopus Oocytes have shown ectopic overexpression of LPAAT-B activates the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway and inhibition of LPAAT-b blocks signaling in both the Ras/Raf/Erk and PI3K/Akt pathways. LPAAT has been correlated with malignancy after several neoplastic tissues demonstrated increased expression of LPAAT. Lung, bladder, prostate, brain and cervical neoplasms immunostained (IHC) with isoform specific monoclonal antibody have shown to strongly express LPAAT-b with minimal expression in normal tissue. The strong correlation between LPAAT and tumor formation led to the development of specific inhibitors of LPAAT. CT-32228 (N-(4-bromo-phenyl)-6-(5-chloro-2-methyl-phenyl)-[1,3,5]triazine-2,4-diamine), a non-competitive allosteric LPAAT-b inhibitor, has resulted in mitotic catastrophe in tumor cells while most normal cells simply arrest or become quiescent. IHC expression of LPAAT-b was assessed for 87 ovarian cancers representing all major histological subtypes and grades including carcinomas and borderline tumors. IHC was performed with an LPAAT-b specific monoclonal antibody and results were correlated with patient outcome. 38 out of 87 tumors (44%) over-expressed LPAAT-b. 32 out of 70 carcinomas (46%) and 6 of 17 borderline tumors (35%) were LPAAT-b high. LPAAT-b was over-expressed by 12 of 18 (67%) of serous, 10 of 15 (67%) of clear cell, 7 of 13 (54%) of endometroid, 2 of 7 (29%) mixed histology, and 1 of 17 (6%) of mucinous carcinomas. The median follow-up of patients was 46 months (range, 1-241 months). Kaplan Meier analysis revealed that LPAAT-b over-expression was associated with poor survival compared to patients without over-expression (p = 0.007). Ovarian tumor cell lines (SKOV-3 and the primary MHOC-59 line) were exposed to CT-32228 or to the structurally similar analog CT-32212, which lacks LPAAT-b inhibitory potential. Both ovarian cell lines were killed by nM concentrations of CT-32228 with IC50 of 60nM and 100nM for SKOV-3 and MHOC-59, respectively. The analog CT-32212 did not kill the ovarian tumor cells. LPAAT-b is an emerging prognostic and therapeutic target in epithelial ovarian cancer and the LPAAT-b inhibitor CT-32228 has excellent in vitro activity against ovarian cancer.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Reservoir Hosts

This chapter identifies epidemiologic and ecologic factors within the animal reservoir that are insufficiently understood but which may offer potential for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7. O157:H7 has been isolated from a diverse set of animal host species, in which it generally is not associated with any clinical abnormalities. The chapter describes the role of the reservoir in the epidemiology of zoonotic O157:H7 infections, and discusses evolution of O157:H7 and the animal reservoir. Considerable emphasis has been placed on characterizing O157:H7 colonization of domestic ruminants, particularly cattle and sheep, compared to other host species due to their prominence as sources of human infection. This work has included prevalence; descriptive epidemiology of O157:H7 shedding; identifying farm management factors associated with high prevalence of animal infection; and investigating the effects of vaccines, probiotics, and other interventions. Seasonal variation of O157:H7 fecal shedding by cattle has been reported in geographically diverse regions. There is little evidence that O157:H7 is a ‘‘professional pathogen’’; rather, it is a well-adapted commensal of numerous animal hosts. It has considerable strain diversity within cattle, and only a subset of strains is strongly associated with human disease. As the agent first came to human attention due to the severity of disease, it is natural that research attention has been primarily focused on pathogenesis.
PROEDIT–a screen oriented Prolog programming environment

A screen oriented programming environment for Prolog was designed and implemented. To visualize the control flow of the execution of a Prolog program, A new execution model is proposed, which is based on the box model, but has been extended so that control flow between subgoals is displayed over time. It is written for VM/Prolog which runs under the VM/CMS operating system. The system is actually being used by researchers in IBM laboratories.
A glimpse into the proteome of phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus.

A first glimpse into the proteome of Rhodobacter capsulatus revealed more than 450 (with over 210 cytoplasmic and 185 extracytoplasmic known as well as 55 unknown) proteins that are identified with high degree of confidence using nLC–MS/MS analyses. The accumulated data provide a solid platform for ongoing efforts to establish the proteome of this species and the cellular locations of its constituents. They also indicate that at least 40 of the identified proteins, which were annotated in genome databases as unknown hypothetical proteins, correspond to predicted translation products that are indeed present in cells under the growth conditions used in this work. In addition, matching the identification labels of the proteins reported between the two available R. capsulatus genome databases (ERGO-light with RRCxxxxx and NT05 with NT05RCxxxx numbers) indicated that 11 such proteins are listed only in the latter database.
Using a semantic model and XML for document annotation

In this paper we discuss the use of a semantic model to describe the key terms of a text and the relationships between them. We show how this model can be represented by annotations of the existing text documents using XML approach. As a result, a new generation of search engines can be created that allows Internet users to find documents that satisfy structural requirements specified by the semantic model.
Level of ego development and bulimics' conceptualizations of their disorder

This study investigated whether level of ego development as explicated by Loevinger is predictive of bulimics' conceptualizations of their disorder. It was hypothesized that Postconformist bulimics exhibit more complex insight into the development, maintenance, and affective experience of their disorder. Forty women with bulimia completed Loevinger's Sentence Completion Test and were interviewed about their perceptions of their illness. Results showed that the sample was well above average in ego level. Perceived causations of bulimia revolved around intense feelings of emotional isolation and shame described as precipitating weight and food problems. Motivations for bulimic behavior included self-nurturance, relief of self-restraint, and management of anxiety and shame/anger. The stated hypothesis received moderate support. The significance of psychological isolation in the development of bulimia and the notion of binge-purge behavior as a coping mechanism for feelings and needs are discussed.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of PF‐04418948, a novel, potent and selective prostaglandin EP2 receptor antagonist

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Studies of the role of the prostaglandin EP2 receptor) have been limited by the availability of potent and selective antagonist tools. Here we describe the in vitro/in vivo pharmacological characterization of a novel EP2 receptor antagonist, PF-04418948 (1-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-3-{[(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)oxy]methyl} azetidine-3-carboxylic acid).
O131. Pravastatin protects against glucose-induced anti-proliferative, anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic milieu in cytotrophoblasts

Objective An increasing level of evidence supports the utility of pravastatin in prevention against preeclampsia (preE). We previously demonstrated that hyperglycemia induces cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) dysfunction characteristic of a preE-like phenotype. We sought to demonstrate the utility of pravastatin in rescuing CTBs from hyperglycemia induced dysfunction. Methods Human CTBs were treated with 100, 150, 200, 300, or 400 mg/dL glucose for 48h. Some cells were pretreated with pravastatin (1 ug/mL) for 2 h, while others were co-treated with pravastatin (1 ug/mL) prior to glucose treatment. Some cells were treated with D-Mannitol. Cell migration was performed by Matrigel migration assay kit according to manufacturer protocol. Cell lysates were utilized to evaluate the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p38 MAPK phosphorylation by western blot. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in culture media using ELISA kits. Statistical comparisons were performed using analysis of variance with Duncan’s post hoc test. Results Hyperglycemia inhibited CTBs migration, down-regulated uPA, PAI-1, PCNA and up-regulated p38 phosphorylation in CTBs treated with >150 mg/dL glucose compared to basal (100 mg/dL) ( ∗ p ∗ p p Conclusions Pravastatin mitigates the hyperglycemia-induced dysfunction of CTBs by attenuating the glucose-induced anti-proliferative, anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic phenotype. These data should alleviate critical concerns regarding pravastatin use on CTBs development early in pregnancy and support the current research to use of pravastatin in preE prevention.
A conditional entropy-coded multi-stage vector quantizer for image coding

Summary form only given. A vector quantization (VQ) algorithm that utilizes this interblock correlation is proposed. Despite its usefulness for low bit-rate applications, the standard, table-lookup VQ has the drawback of exponential growth of both storage and computation requirements with vector dimension. In practice, the vector size is typically from 3*3 to 5*5. With this size, it has been found that there is still strong correlation between neighboring blocks. Experiments have shown that the approach generally gives better coding performance than previously designed VQ codes. So far, experimental results for coding various digital images are in the range of 30 dB to 36 dB with about 0.5 b.p.p. >
Comments on a time-dependent version of the linear-quadratic model

Abstract The accuracy and interpretation of the "LQ + time" model ( E = D ( α + βd ) - γT ) are discussed. Evidence is presented, based on data in the literature, that this model does not accurately describe the changes in isoeffect dose occurring with protraction of the overall treatment time during fractionated irradiation of the lung. This lack of fit of the model explains, in part, the surprisingly large values of γ/α that have been derived from experimental lung data. The large apparent time factors for lung suggested by the model are also partly explained by the fact that γT / α , despite having units of dose, actually measures the influence of treatment time on the effect scale, not the dose scale, and is shown to consistently overestimate the change in total dose. The unusually high values of α/β that have been derived for lung using the model ( ≈5 Gy) are shown to be influenced by the method by which the model was fitted to data. Reanalyses of the data using a more statistically valid regression procedure produce estimates of α/β more typical of those usually cited for lung ( ≈ 3 Gy). Most importantly, published isoeffect data from lung indicate that the true deviation from the linear-quadratic (LQ) model is nonlinear in time, instead of linear, and also depends on other factors such as the effect level and the size of dose per fraction. Thus, we do not advocate the use of the "LQ + time" expression as a general isoeffect model.
Marlex mesh mimicking an adnexal malignancy

Hernia post-operative repair problems are infrequent and easily managed, but plug migration can be a more complicated event. Mesh plug migration is very uncommon and rarely presents as a suspected malignancy. We document a case involving a 79-year-old woman who exhibited a complex right-sided cystic mass that was presumed to be an adnexal malignancy. However, following surgery, the retroperitoneal mass was actually a PerFix mesh plug that migrated from an initial hernia surgery.
Role of Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide in Stabilization of Cytoskeleton of Chicken Muscle Cell

SUMMARY Aging of muscle had previously been shown in our laboratory to increase the propensity of properly treated muscle cell segments to empty on extraction with water. It has been suggested that this emptying is caused by breakdown of a cytoskeleton, and, further, that this cytoskeleton is stabilized by flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Due to the possible relationship of cytoskeletal breakdown to quality changes in meat post-mortem, the role of FAD in the preservation of cytoskeletal structure in chicken breast muscle was studied. No significant differences in FAD decomposition or extraction were found between samples handled in a manner such as to produce very large differences in the extent of emptying, the measure of cytoskeletal breakdown. Similarly, adding FAD to suspensions of muscle cell segments could not inhibit emptying under conditions where the supernatant fraction of a muscle homogenate could. It was concluded that FAD plays no role in the stabilization of the cytoskeleton of chicken breast muscle.
Zum aktuellen Stand der Ultraschalldiagnostik der Arteriitis temporalis

Die Arteriitis temporalis (AT) ist eine behandelbare systemische Vaskulitis mit einer besonderen Affinitat zu Asten der A. carotis externa und den Orbitalarterien. In einer prospektiven Untersuchung an 115 Patienten untersuchten wir den diagnostischen Beitrags der Duplexsonographie (FKDS) der A. temporalis superficialis (ATS), A. occipitalis (AOCC) und A. carotis und der Dopplersonographie der A. supratrochlearis (DSASTR) bei Patienten mit Verdacht auf Arteriitis temporalis. 47 Patienten hatten eine AT: Periarterielle hypoechogene Gewebsveranderungen (Halo) an der ATS wurden bei 60% (OCCA 48%), Halos und Stenosen bei 19% (OCCA 15%) der AT-Patienten und bei 4% der Patienten mit anderen Erkrankungen gefunden. 13% der AT Patienten hatten typische Anomalien der ASTR. Bei den 67 Patienten mit Biopsie betrug die Sensitivitat/Spezifizitat im Vergleich zum histologischen Befund 91/82%, im Vergleich zur Abschlussdiagnose 83/89%. An der ATS erreichte die FKDS eine Sensitivitat/Spezifizitat von 78/96% im Vergleich zur Diagnose und 91/82% im Vergleich zur Histologie. Damit hilft die FKDS der ATS/AOCC wie auch die DSASTR bei der Diagnose der AT.
Structural imprints in vivo decode RNA regulatory mechanisms

Visualizing the physical basis for molecular behaviour inside living cells is a great challenge for biology. RNAs are central to biological regulation, and the ability of RNA to adopt specific structures intimately controls every step of the gene expression program. However, our understanding of physiological RNA structures is limited; current in vivo RNA structure profiles include only two of the four nucleotides that make up RNA. Here we present a novel biochemical approach, in vivo click selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation and profiling experiment (icSHAPE), which enables the first global view, to our knowledge, of RNA secondary structures in living cells for all four bases. icSHAPE of the mouse embryonic stem cell transcriptome versus purified RNA folded in vitro shows that the structural dynamics of RNA in the cellular environment distinguish different classes of RNAs and regulatory elements. Structural signatures at translational start sites and ribosome pause sites are conserved from in vitro conditions, suggesting that these RNA elements are programmed by sequence. In contrast, focal structural rearrangements in vivo reveal precise interfaces of RNA with RNA-binding proteins or RNA-modification sites that are consistent with atomic-resolution structural data. Such dynamic structural footprints enable accurate prediction of RNA-protein interactions and N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification genome wide. These results open the door for structural genomics of RNA in living cells and reveal key physiological structures controlling gene expression.
Actinomycin D: Reversible inhibition of lordosis behavior and correlated changes in nucleolar morphology☆

Abstract Actinomycin D (Act D) infused into the preoptic area (POA) of ovariectomized estrogen-progesterone-primed rats inhibited sexual behavior and caused nucleolar segregation in neurons. When reprimed with estrogen and progesterone 7 days later the females displayed high levels of sexual behavior and the nucleolar structure was normal. Nucleolar segregation has been related to the inhibition of RNA synthesis. The findings indicate that Act D has a reversible effect on sexual behavior and nucleolar morphology. The data also indicate a correlation between normal levels of sexual receptivity and normal nucleolar morphology. The data, although circumstantial, are consistent with earlier studies indicating that estrogen may stimulate RNA and/or protein synthesis, in its facilitation of sexual receptivity in the female rat.
Red Blood Cell Fragility in Relation to Gestational Age, Maternal Smoking, Medication, and Type of Anesthesia. 950

Red Blood Cell Fragility in Relation to Gestational Age, Maternal Smoking, Medication, and Type of Anesthesia. 950
Isolation, purification and characterization of histidino-threosidine, a novel Maillard reaction protein crosslink from threose, lysine and histidine

Abstract We isolated a novel acid-labile yellow chromophore from the incubation of lysine, histidine and d -threose and identified its chemical structure by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy combined with LC-tandem mass spectrometry. This new cross-link exhibits a UV absorbance maximum at 305 nm and a molecular mass of 451 Da. The proposed structure is 2-amino-5-(3-((4-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-1 H -imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-2-formyl-1 H -pyrrol-1-yl)pentatonic acid, a cross-link between lysine and histidine with addition of two threose molecules. It was in part deduced and confirmed through synthesis of the analogous compound from n -butylamine, imidazole and d -threose. We assigned the compound the trivial name histidino-threosidine. Systemic incubation revealed that histidino-threosidine can be formed in low amounts from fructose, glyceraldehyde, methylglyoxal, glycolaldehyde, ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid, but at a much higher yield with degradation products of ascorbic acid, i.e. threose, erythrose, and erythrulose. Bovine lens protein incubated with 10 and 50 mM threose for two weeks yielded 560 and 2840 pmol/mg histidino-threosidine. Histidino-threosidine is to our knowledge the first Maillard reaction product known to involve histidine in a crosslink.
Test foods for measuring masticatory performance of denture wearers

M ODERN HEALTH FACILITIES LlSLlally Offer a battery of tests to aid in the complete and accurate diagnosis of patients’ problems. However, in the practice of dentistry the use of laboratory tests is uncommon. In the field of complete denture prosthesis, the decisions concerning choice of teeth, denture function, and whether or not to remake a denture, are usually based on opinion. No objective measurements of denture function have come into widespread use. Various techniques for measuring masticatory performance have been described by several investigators in subjects with complete and partial natural dentitions during periods of changing dentition, and in subjects with complete artificial dentures.‘.I” Numerous foods, including peanuts, carrots, ham, coconut, lettuce, apples, almonds, rice, and others have been utilized as test foods in these investigations. Yurkstas and Manly3 recommended the use of peanuts, ham, and carrots as test foods of choice. These investigators have shown a correlation between the chewing performance with soft and tough foods in persons with natural dentitions. However, in complete artificial denture subjects, no correlation was observed. Therefore, they recommended the use of one soft and one tough food for evaluating the masticatory function of denture wearers. The purpose of this study was to determine the procedures and test foods which would be most reliable+ for measuring the masticatory performance of denture wearers. Test foods were sought that would be palatable, homogenous, and inexpensive. Above all, they should offer an appropriate range of masticatory difficulty to measure the differences in masticatory performance among denture wearers. The development of a suitable test would help in the study of numerous problems relating to the complete denture patient.
The effect of seamount subduction on seismic coupling

It has long been speculated that the subduction of seamounts may have profound mechanical consequences, particularly on the generation of large subduction zone earthquakes. We consider this problem as a special case of the seismic coupling model of Scholz and Campos. The model predicts that the subduction of a large seamount will increase the normal stress across the subduction interface and hence will enhance seismic coupling. In the case of coupled arcs, this increased coupling will result in a large increase in the recurrence intervals of earthquakes. Such events will therefore appear rare in the instrumental record, as is observed. For decoupled arcs, the subduction of a large seamount should cause them to become locally coupled. Three of the latter localities have been found with satellite altimetry data, two on the Tonga-Kermadec Trench and one on the Izu-Bonin Trench. The diagnostic feature is a shallowing or obstruction of the trench axis adjacent to a chain or group of large seamounts on the subducting plate. In each case, the small to moderate plate-interface seismicity typical of decoupled seismic zones is almost completely absent in a 100–200 km arc segment, indicating that the subduction zone is locally locked, as predicted by the model. The occurrence of large interplate earthquakes at both Tonga sites confirms that they are seismically coupled.
How Did the Financial Crisis ImpactRetirees’ Safe Withdrawal Rate? A Markets-Based Answer

Individuals retiring in the aftermath of the financial crisis face an unprecedented market environment. Accommodative monetary policy and below-trend economic growth present retirees with historically low interest rates and the longest period of negative real short-term interest rates since the Great Depression. The result is likely a period of belowaverage, modest total portfolio returns that present a particular challenge to retirees. Most studies of safe retirement withdrawal rates have concluded that a 4% initial withdrawal adjusted for inflation over subsequent years provides a reasonable margin of safety over 30 years. However, these studies generally use historical analysis or forward-looking return analysis based on long-term return estimates and/or average realized returns. Because of this approach, an extended period of low nominal rates and negative real rates is not captured in traditional methodologies; therefore, these methodologies run the risk of overstating safe withdrawal rates. As an alternative, this article presents a market-based methodology for determining appropriate spending policy. Simulation analyses along with market-implied capital market assumptions (CMAs) are used to estimate feasible distribution rates for various portfolios over the next 30 years. The results imply that an initial withdrawal rate of 4% is unlikely to provide investors with a sufficient margin of safety. Instead, lowering initial withdrawal rates to 3.5% is likely to prove prudent.
Diffusional-thermal instability of diffusion flames

The diffusional-thermal instability, which gives rise to striped quenching patterns that have been observed for diffusion flames, is analysed by studying the model of a one-dimensional convective diffusion flame in the diffusion-flame regime of activation-energy asymptotics. Attention is focused principally on near-extinction conditions with Lewis numbers less than unity, in which the reactants with high diffusivity diffuse into the strong segments of the reaction sheet, so that the regions between the strong segments become deficient in reactant and subject to the local quenching that leads to the striped patterns. This analysis differs from other flame stability analyses in that the complete description of the dispersion relation is obtained from a composite expansion of the results of an analysis with the conventional convective-diffusive scaling and one with reaction-zone scaling. The results predict that striped patterns will occur, for flames sufficiently close to quasi-steady extinction, with a finite wavenumber that in convective-diffusive scaling is proportional to the cube root of the Zel'dovich number. The convective-diffusive response contributes to the stabilization of long-wavelength disturbances through positive excess enthalpies by which the flame becomes more resistant to instability, while the reaction-zone response provides stabilization of short-wavelength disturbances by transverse diffusion, within the reactive inner layer, which relaxes the perturbed scalar fields towards their unperturbed states. As quasi-steady extinction is approached, marginal stability arises first at an intermediate range between these two scalings. Parametric results for this bifurcation point are obtained through numerical solutions of the associated generalized eigenvalue problems. Comparisons with measured pattern dimensions for different sets of reactants and diluents reveal excellent qualitative agreement.
Metal-organic framework with rationally tuned micropores for selective adsorption of water over methanol

A microporous metal−organic framework 1, Cu(R-GLA-Me)(4,4′-Bipy)0.5·0.55H2O (R-GLA-Me = R-2-methylglutarate, 4,4′-Bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), with a primitive cubic net was synthesized and characterized. With pores of about 2.8 × 3.6 A, the activated 1a exhibits exclusive adsorption of water over methanol in a binary water−methanol (1:1) liquid mixture.
Reaction Pathways of GaN (0001) Growth from Trimethylgallium and Ammonia versus Triethylgallium and Hydrazine Using First Principle Calculations

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a wide bandgap semiconductor with many important applications in optoelectronics, photonics, and both high power and high temperature operation devices. Understanding the surface deposition mechanisms and energetics for different precursors is essential to improving thin-film crystalline quality and growth process requirements for extended engineering applications. Here, we use ab initio calculations to study the reaction mechanisms of GaN thin film growth on (0001) surface from ammonia (NH_3) and hydrazine (N_2H_4), nitrogen precursors, and trimethylgallium (TMG) and triethylgallium (TEG), gallium precursors. We find that the initial dehydrogenation of N_2H_4 is more facile than that of NH_3, at 1.15 versus 13.61 kcal/mol, respectively, and that neighboring adsorbed surface hydrogens reduce the barriers for further decomposition of NH_2 and NH. We also find that the growth of nitrogen layers is a reaction-limited process rather than diffusion-limited at low adsorbate coverage. On the other hand, the deposition of Ga on a nitrogen rich surface via TMG is limited by the abstraction reaction of the second methyl (CH_3) group in TMG, with a barrier of 42.54 kcal/mol. The mechanisms of adsorption of TMG and TEG are different, whereas TMG dissociatively chemisorbs releasing one methane group, the beta-hydrate elimination (C_2H_4 + H) in TEG is favored through surface interactions (without chemisorption) at a comparable energy barrier to the first CH3 dissociation in TMG. This does not suggest a more favorable thermodynamic route to low-temperature growth, but it does favor TEG for avoiding the explicit abstraction or insertion of C groups during metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques.
In vitro stimulation of hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity by epinephrine and glucagon in the brown bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosus.

Abstract In vitro studies with the brown bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosus , demonstrated that the addition of either epinephrine (20 μg/ml) or glucagon (20 μg/ml) to incubating liver pieces either prevented the decay of glycogen phosphorylase activity seen in controls after 30 min or, in some cases, increased the specific activity of phosphorylase above initial 0-min control levels. The stimulation of phosphorylase activity by hormones was effected both by an increase in total phosphorylase activity and by an increase in the percentage of this total phosphorylase in the active form. The stimulation of phosphorylase activity by hormones was accompanied by increased glucose liberation into the incubation medium, presumably as a result of glycogenolysis. Epinephrine was a more effective glycogenolytic agent than mammalian glucagon. All fish showed the same response regardless of acclimation temperature (20, 10, or 1°C).
The Effect of Diabetes On Lysyl Oxidase Activity and Extractability of Newly Synthesized Collagen in Rat Gingiva and Skin1

Lysyl oxidase activity and the extractability of recently synthesized collagen were measured in gingiva and skin, two tissues which exhibit altered pathophysiologic responses during diabetes. Both tissues showed a reduced content and extractability of newly synthesized, 14C-Hydroxyproline labeled, collagen after induction of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Diabetes increased lysyl oxidase activity in skin and gingiva but the effect on gingiva was much less dramatic. The altered characteristics of interstitial collagen in the diabetic rat, including aging-like changes, appear to reflect multiple alterations in collagen metabolism.