cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple roles of a trimeric G protein in Drosophila cell polarization

Polarization of the cellular cytoskeleton underlies many cellular processes including axon growth cone guidance, chemotaxis and yeast mating. Planar cell polarity (PCP) is a similar phenomenon in which cells in an epithelium become uniformly polarized to generate a field of aligned structures such as the hair cells of the cochlea. In Drosophila PCP is under the hierarchical control of Frizzled (Fz)-a serpentine receptor (that also functions in the Wnt signaling pathway). Serpentine receptors are routinely transduced by trimeric G-proteins, but until recently the general consensus was that Fzs were not G-protein linked. In Drosophila a G-protein (Galpha(o)) has now been identified that functions in both the Wnt and PCP pathways. Here we review the cell polarity phenotypes of Galpha(o) mutants and discuss the evidence that it plays multifarious roles in PCP and the organization of the cytoskeleton.
EUS-guided FNA combined with flow cytometry in the diagnoses of suspected or recurrent intrathoracic or retroperitoneal lymphoma.

Background Limited data exist on the combined use of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) and flow cytometry (FC) in the diagnosis of lymphoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of EUS-FNA combined with FC in the diagnosis of primary or recurrent lymphoma. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of a prospective collection of data over a 3-year period. Over 3 years, 29 patients with lesions (n=31) suspicious for lymphoma underwent EUS-FNA and FC. Results Of the 29 patients, 10 patients had lymphoma and 17 patients had nonlymphoma lesions; for two patients, final diagnosis was indeterminate because of insufficient material for FC. The lymphoma cases included non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=6, including 3 recurrences), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (n=2), a non-GI lymphoma with mediastinal lymphadenopathy (n=1), and an uncharacterized lymphoma (n=1). Of the 31 lesions, 8 were true positive, 18 were true negative, and 3 were false negative; for two lesions, we could not determine the final diagnosis. No false-positive results were encountered. The sensitivity, the specificity, and the accuracy of EUS-FNA combined with FC for diagnosing lymphoma were 72.7%: 95% CI [43.3%, 90.3%], 100%: 95% CI [82.4%, 100.0%], and 89.7%: 95% CI [73.6%, 96.4%], respectively. Limitations to this study include a short duration of follow-up and a lack of a surgical criterion standard. Conclusions EUS-FNA in combination with FC allows the diagnosis of primary suspected or recurrent lymphoma. It also is an adjunct in staging MALT lymphoma and could direct clinicians toward further investigative procedures.
Thromboembolism Following Cardioversion of “Common” Atrial Flutter: Risk Factors and Limitations of Transesophageal Echocardiography

Based on multiple recent studies, anticoagulant therapy is recommended prior to elective cardioversion for patients with atrial fibrillation of more than 24 h duration. The value of anticoagulation in patients with atrial flutter, however, is less well established. Published recommendations for pericardioversion anticoagulation of atrial fibrillation often do not extend to patients with atrial flutter. We evaluated the risk of thromboembolism in our patient population undergoing cardioversion for atrial flutter. Over a period of 30 months, clinically indicated electrical cardioversions were performed in 41 patients with "common" atrial flutter. Sixteen of these patients underwent transesophageal echocardiograms immediately prior to cardioversion to exclude a left atrial thrombus. Three of the 41 patients with atrial flutter developed neurologic ischemic syndromes within 48 h of elective cardioversion. All three patients who developed ischemic neurologic complications had undergone transesophageal echocardiography immediately prior to cardioversion and did not have any evidence of left atrial clot. One patient had cardiomyopathy and the other two had left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, electrical cardioversion without anticoagulation in patients with atrial flutter and associated heart disease is associated with a risk of thromboembolic events. A normal transesophageal echocardiogram is of doubtful value in prevention of thromboembolic complications.
The relationship of optic nerve fiber groups activated by electrical stimulation to the consequent central postsynaptic events.

Abstract A physiological analysis is described for the major central projections in the cat of the three fiber-size components of the optic tract compound action potential produced by electrical stimulation of the contralateral optic nerve. The first two waves, T1 and T2, both project to layers A and B of the lateral geniculate body, and thence to visual cortex. The superior colliculus response has three components: C1 is a response to direct projection of T1 axons; C2 is relayed via geniculate and striate cortex, and accordingly is influenced by both T1 and T2 tract fibers; C3, the largest response, is fired directly by the smallest diameter tract fibers, T3. The region of the nucleus of the optic tract and the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus can be activated by T1 and T2 tract fibers relayed by both cortical and subcortical mechanisms. Phylogenetic and functional considerations of the data are discussed.
Reduced glutathione, dithiothreitol and cytochrome P-450 inhibitors do not influence hypoxic chemosensory responses in the rat carotid body.

Abstract Glomus cells and carotid sinus afferents are anatomically connected, and the chemical events in the glomus cells are expected to be conveyed reflexly as afferent signals. Accordingly, K+ channel inhibition of the glomus cell membrane is expected to be followed by excitation of the afferents. In order to test the redox inhibition of K+ channels of glomus cells by reduced glutathione (GSH), dithiothreitol (DTT) and by cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (clotrimazole and miconazole), we measured the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge using an in vitro perfused adult rat carotid body (CB) in the presence and absence of these chemicals which are expected to excite the afferents. Our findings were that these agents did not stimulate the CSN activities during normoxia and kept the hypoxic responses intact. These results led us to conclude that the redox modulation of glomus cells was not conveyed to the afferents, and this functional disconnection did not support the redox hypothesis of O2 chemoreception in the whole carotid body.
Role of thermalization phonons in producing the electron-hole droplet cloud

Abstract The phonon wind which generates the characteristics cloud of electron-hole droplets in Ge cannot be composed solely of phonons produced via Auger recombination in drops. The nearly constant droplet density in the cloud and the rapid expansion of the cloud both point to an extra source of phonons spatially localized near the crystal surface and formed during the initial thermalization of hot carriers. Most experiments, including recent measurements of droplet velocities, are consistent with about 10–20% of the wind phonons being of thermalization origin.
Measuring Social Intimacy in Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Contexts

A validation study of the social intimacy semi-structured interview, devised by Orlofsky, Marcia and Lesser (1973), was completed to establish predictive validity with self-reported loneliness, psychosocial intimacy capacity, and social interactions in same-sex and opposite-sex contexts. Twenty-three males and 25 females completed the intimacy interview, a loneliness scale, an intimacy scale, and the Rochester Interaction Record. Subjects were categorized using the intimacy interview into isolated, stereotyped and intimate statuses. The evidence suggests both divergence and convergence regarding expectations associated with predictive validity. The interview assessment showed strongest convergence with self-report scales measuring loneliness and intimacy capacity and weakest convergence with social behavior experiences.
Violent media games and aggression-Is it really time for a mea culpa?

Comments on the article, "Violent video games and the Supreme Court: Lessons for the scientific community in the wake of Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association," by C. J. Ferguson (see record 2013-04752-001). The recent article by Ferguson addressing the ongoing controversy regarding violent media games and aggression identified several important points that both advocates and opponents of media violence and behavior can agree on. The commenter agrees with Ferguson that several factors exist in the primary cause of increased aggression in our society today, as aggression can be linked to several sources and affects different people with different temperaments in a variety of ways. The purpose of this comment is not to further polarize and isolate research ideology in the controversy over violent media games and aggression but rather to find common ground in how to address the systemic problem of violence in our society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Investigation of norovirus replication in a human cell line

Noroviruses (NoVs) belong to the genus Norovirus and are members of the family Caliciviridae. NoVs are the dominant cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis, but progress in understanding the molecular characteristics of NoV and its replication strategies have been hampered by the lack of a cell culture system or a practical animal model, except for murine NoVs. To elucidate the transcription and replication of the NoV genome, a complete genome of a human NoV genogroup II strain was cloned downstream of a T7 RNA polymerase promoter and expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T/17 cells using a T7 vaccinia virus expression system. Bands for a 7.6-kb negative-strand RNA, a 7.6-kb positive-strand genomic RNA, and a 2.6-kb positive-strand subgenomic-like RNA were found in the infected cells. However, recombinant capsid protein (rVP1) and rVP2 were not detected by Western blotting. When a construct containing VP1 and VP2 genes was co-transfected with a full-length construct, the expression of virus-like particles (VLPs) with a buoyant density of 1.271 g/cm3 was observed. We also observed round particles, 20 to 80 nm in diameter, with a buoyant density of 1.318 g/cm3. Our results indicated that NoV RNA was incorporated into the heavier particles. However, further studies are needed to investigate the antigenicity of these particles and to determine if they represent undeveloped VLPs.
Architectural Predictors of Housing Satisfaction Among Urban Elderly Men

The purpose of this study was to identify in a comprehensive manner the architectural predictors of housing satisfaction among urban elderly men. Four architectural characteristics (i.e., moderness, familiarity, sense of community, safety) emerged as predictors of housing satisfaction but their combined predictive power was overshadowed by that of neighborhood satisfaction which explained over four-fifths of the variance accounted for in housing satisfaction. Higher levels of housing satisfaction among urban elderly men are likely to be triggered by planned housing developments which recognize the importance of the broader neighborhood environment on housing satisfaction and incorporate aesthetic as well as concrete, structural characteristics into the architectural design.
Dielectric Nanowire Composites: One-Pot Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Polyaniline Fibers

Nanocomposites of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in polyaniline fibers have been fabricated using a one-pot synthesis approach and in-situ polymerization. By using a combination of inorganic acids (e.g. HCl) and camphorsulfonic acid, polyaniline nanostructured fibers of high aspect ratio with diameters of 150 ± 50 nm and several micrometers in length were obtained. These fibers afforded high electrical conductivity of 4.2 ± 0.5 S/cm. Encapsulation of the AuNPs in the polyaniline fibers afforded nanocomposites with high electrical conductivity and dielectric constant of 34.0 ± 0.5 S/cm and 65.3 ± 5 respectively. The morphology of these materials was analyzed using SEM and HRTEM and electronic properties were analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Report on conference track 5: evaluation metrics and outcome

. Lack of resources for post-project assessment . Do not have enough professionals with specific evaluation training to do the job . IT projects do not budget enough for evaluation . Insufficient anticipation of evaluation during systems design . Management does not want it to be done: If no benefits, fear of blame If project shows benefits, the budget may be insufficient for further activities . People in power whose needs are being met by existing systems do not see the need for studies that might identify new needs . Reports may not communicate to the stakeholders . Studies that are done may not be published . Evaluation is not seen as progress for the field of informatics . The Hawthorne effect: ‘any evaluation distorts the system’
Molecular biology of the lactose carrier of Escherichia coli

3. Introduction 22 1.1. The chemiosmotic hypothesis 22 General features of the lactose carrier 22 2.1. Assays for transport 22 2.2. Discovery and demonstration of lactose-proton cotransport 22 2.3. Sequence and structure 23 2.4. Expression of two complementary protein fragments of the lactose carrier 23 2.5. Deletions in the lactose carrier 23 2.6. The role of phospholipids in lactose transport 23 Evolution of the lactose carrier 23 3.1. A superfamily of transporters 23 3.2. A family of homologous carriers within the supeffamily 24 3.3. The 'GRR' motif 24 3.4. Other amino acid motifs 24 4. The history of mutagenesis of the lactose carrier 24 5. The role of His-322 27 Sugar recognition mutants of the lactose carrier 27 Energy coupling and uncoupling in the lactose carrier 28 7.1. Mutants that transport sugars without protons 28 7.2. Mutants that transport protons without sugars 29 7.3. Mutants that 'leak' protons in the presence of sugar 29 Charged amino acids and salt-bridges 30 8.1. The Asp-237-Lys-358 salt bridge 30 8.2. The Asp-240-Lys-319 salt bridge 30 8.3. The Lys-319-Asp-240 and Lys-319-Glu-269 salt bridges 30 8.4. The His-322-Glu-325 salt bridge 31 Nature of the lactose carrier sugar- and cation-binding site(s) 32 9.1. A binding site for lactose 32 9.2. A binding site for protons 32 * Corresponding author. Fax: + 1 (617) 4321144; e-mail: twilson@warren.med.harvard.edu. 0005-2728/96/$15.00 © 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
Cooperative design, development, and management of interdisciplinary data to support the global environmental change research community.

Abstract This article describes the organizational, collaborative, and project management processes of a scientific data center that serves the interdisciplinary global environmental change research community. Collaborating with representatives of the user community, the data center identifies, acquires, ingests, manages, and disseminates research-related information (RRI), such as scientific data and documents. Users and software developers cooperatively design online applications that integrate these resources into a wide variety of information products and services to be disseminated through a digital library to the globally dispersed community. Results from these participatory design and cooperative development activities include Web-based resource catalogs, training, peer education, help desk, and reference services to support scientific communication and decision-making among members of the interdisciplinary community.
Transcranial direct current stimulation: a noninvasive tool to facilitate stroke recovery

Electrical brain stimulation, a technique developed many decades ago and then largely forgotten, has re-emerged recently as a promising tool for experimental neuroscientists, clinical neurologists and psychiatrists in their quest to causally probe cortical representations of sensorimotor and cognitive functions and to facilitate the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. In this regard, a better understanding of adaptive and maladaptive plasticity in natural stroke recovery over the last decade and the idea that brain polarization may modulate neuroplasticity has led to the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a potential enhancer of natural stroke recovery. We will review tDCS's successful utilization in pilot and proof-of-principle stroke recovery studies, the different modes of tDCS currently in use, and the potential mechanisms underlying the neural effects of tDCS.
Operational Challenges and Solutions with Implementation of an Adaptive Seamless Phase 2/3 Study:

A wide variety of operational issues were encountered with the planning and implementation of an adaptive, dose-finding, seamless phase 2/3 trial for a diabetes therapeutic. Compared with a conventional design, significant upfront planning was required, as well as earlier, more integrated cross-functional coordination. The existing infrastructure necessitated greater flexibility to meet the needs of the adaptive design. Rapid data acquisition, analysis, and reporting were essential to support the successful implementation of the adaptive algorithm. Drug supply for nine treatment arms had to be carefully managed across many sites worldwide. Details regarding these key operational challenges and others will be discussed along with resolutions taken to enable successful implementation of this adaptive, seamless trial.
Allowing for Zeros in Dichotomous-Choice Contingent-Valuation Models

Dichotomous-choice contingent-valuation data are modeled using a mixture distribution. The standard parametric survival model is modified such that respondents in the lowest willingness-to-pay category may have either zero willingness to pay or a small positive willingness to pay. In comparison to the standard model, the mixture model leads to a dramatic reduction in estimates of mean willingness to pay. Covariates such as income are found to be more significant in determining the positive portion of the distribution of willingness to pay.
Enhanced acousto-optic diffraction in electrostrictive media

We examine the phenomenon of light-induced enhancement of the acoustic waves traveling in electrostrictive materials. In particular, we consider the case of an acousto-optic Bragg cell illuminated by an intense optical beam and show that the diffraction efficiency of the device may exhibit an intensity dependence that is due to the electrostrictive nonlinearity of the acousto-optic medium. We describe experiments in which high-energy pulsed laser sources are used to show a 20% enhancement in the diffraction efficiency observed in a TeO2 acousto-optic modulator.
Estimation of angles of arrivals of multiple wideband sources

The authors have developed a data transformation matrix for the estimation of directions of arrival for multiple wideband sources when prior information about the source locations is not available. The proposed focusing matrix minimizes the average of the squared norm of focusing error over the angles of interest without prior knowledge of source locations. This data transformation matrix does not require the preestimates which existing focusing matrices need. Using this data transformation matrix, one can remove the computational burden of preestimation. Simulation examples are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. >
When human walking becomes random walking: fractal analysis and modeling of gait rhythm fluctuations.

Abstract We present a random walk, fractal analysis of the stride-to-stride fluctuations in the human gait rhythm. The gait of healthy young adults is scale-free with long-range correlations extending over hundreds of strides. This fractal scaling changes characteristically with maturation in children and older adults and becomes almost completely uncorrelated with certain neurologic diseases. Stochastic modeling of the gait rhythm dynamics, based on transitions between different “neural centers”, reproduces distinctive statistical properties of the gait pattern. By tuning one model parameter, the hopping (transition) range, the model can describe alterations in gait dynamics from childhood to adulthood — including a decrease in the correlation and volatility exponents with maturation.
Recent advances in the chemical modification of unsaturated polymers

The present discussion has the objective to update the most comprehensive reviews on the considered subject and to fill in the gaps of less complete, but more modern treatments. Only simple chemical functionalization or structural modification of unsaturated polymers are covered, and the literature of diene polymer modification since 1974 is emphasized. Attention is given to hydrogenation, halogenation and hydrohalogenation, cyclization, cis-trans isomerization, epoxidation, ene and other cycloaddition reactions, sulfonation, carboxylation, phosphonylation, sulfenyl chloride addition, carbene addition, metalation, and silylation. It is pointed out that modern synthetic reagents and catalysts have been advantageously employed to improve process and/or product quality. Synthetic techniques have been refined to allow the selective modification of specific polymer microstructures or blocks.
A HYBRID FORMULATION OF A COMPONENT MODE SYNTHESIS METHOD

Component mode synthesis is a substructuring technique frequently employed in structural dynamics. In this method, a given structure is subdivided into components or substructures, each of which is analyzed independently for natural frequencies and for mode shapes. The substructure mode shapes are then assembled to give displacement shapes or load patterns of the original structure. An analytical justification of the basic concept is presented using spectral decompositions, and a variant substructuring approach where intersubstructure continuity is enforced in a weak form is derived. This leads to a hybrid formulation of the basic method which is particularly suitable for assembling heterogeneous substructures and analyzing nonconforming and incompatible finite element substructure models. For problems where both the basic and hybrid methods are applicable, the hybrid variant can be computationally more advantageous.
Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality in western Pennsylvania.

The safe disposal of liquid wastes associated with oil and gas production in the United States is a major challenge given their large volumes and typically high levels of contaminants. In Pennsylvania, oil and gas wastewater is sometimes treated at brine treatment facilities and discharged to local streams. This study examined the water quality and isotopic compositions of discharged effluents, surface waters, and stream sediments associated with a treatment facility site in western Pennsylvania. The elevated levels of chloride and bromide, combined with the strontium, radium, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the effluents reflect the composition of Marcellus Shale produced waters. The discharge of the effluent from the treatment facility increased downstream concentrations of chloride and bromide above background levels. Barium and radium were substantially (>90%) reduced in the treated effluents compared to concentrations in Marcellus Shale produced waters. Nonetheless, 226Ra levels in stre...
Evaluation of power generation operations in response to changes in surface water reservoir storage

We used a customized, river basin-based model of surface water rights to evaluate the response of power plants to drought via simulated changes in reservoir storage. Our methodology models surface water rights in 11 river basins in Texas using five cases: (1) storage decrease of existing capacity of 10%, (2) storage decrease of 50%, (3) complete elimination of storage, (4) storage increase of 10% (all at existing locations), and (5) construction of new reservoirs (at new locations) with a total increase in baseline reservoir capacity for power plant cooling of 9%. Using the Brazos River basin as a sample, we evaluated power generation operations in terms of reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability. As simulated water storage decreases, reliability generally decreases and resiliency and vulnerability remain relatively constant. All three metrics remain relatively constant with increasing reservoir storage, with the exception of one power plant. As reservoir storage changes at power plants, other water users in the basin are also affected. In general, decreasing water storage is beneficial to other water users in the basin, and increasing storage is detrimental for many other users. Our analysis reveals basin-wide and individual power plant-level impacts of changing reservoir storage, demonstrating a methodology for evaluation of the sustainability and feasibility of constructing new reservoir storage as a water and energy management approach.
Doppler-free saturation spectroscopy of lutetium isotopes through resonance-ionization mass spectrometry

Saturation spectroscopy with resonance-ionization mass spectrometry detection was used to obtain Doppler-free spectra of the D23/2°←D23/2 transition of lutetium at 22 125 cm−1 in unenriched, naturally occurring samples. Analysis of the spectra yielded the hyperf ine coupling constants of 175Lu and 176Lu for this transition. Applications to isotopically selective photoionization and large-ratio isotopic analysis are discussed.
The alcohol-induced suppression of ovarian insulin-like growth factor-1 gene transcription is independent of growth hormone and its receptor.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in ovarian development and function. Alcohol (ALC) is a gonadal toxin and capable of causing depressed ovarian IGF-1 and suppressed estradiol. The mechanism by which ALC affects IGF-1 transcription is not well understood, and more information is needed to better understand the interrelationships between ALC, growth hormone (GH) and its ovarian receptor, and the gene expression of ovarian IGF-1. Methods: Prepubertal transgenic mice carrying the bovine GH (bGH) gene were fed either a liquid diet containing ALC, pair-fed the companion isocaloric control liquid diet, or fed chow and water. A fourth group consisted of normal (nontransgenic) littermates fed chow and water. Mice received their diets for 5 days, were then killed and tissues collected and frozen. Results: Alcohol did not alter circulating levels of bGH held constant by the promoter. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed elevated (p<0.05) ovarian IGF-1 mRNA levels in both groups of transgenic control mice, compared with normal mice. Insulin-like growth factor-1 expression in the ALC-treated transgenic mice was suppressed (p<0.01) compared with both transgenic controls. Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) gene expression was also decreased (p<0.01) in ALC-treated transgenic mice compared with transgenic controls. Growth hormone-receptor (GH-R) synthesis revealed that all transgenic mice, including those exposed to ALC, showed increased (p<0.05) GH-R mRNA compared with normal controls, and ALC did not alter protein levels of the GH-R. Conclusions: These results suggest that the ALC-induced suppression of ovarian IGF-1 gene transcription is independent of alterations in serum GH.
Effects of Supplemental Dietary Fat on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Swine1,2

Abstract An experiment consisting of six dietary treatments in four replications: 1) control (C); 2) 40% rice bran (RB); 3) 10% poultry fat (PF); 4) 10% lard (L); 5) 10% restaurant grease; and 6) 10% animal-vegetable fat blend (AV), was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary energy on growth and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. Ninety-six crossbred pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts) weighing approximately 25 kg were blocked on sex, weight, and litter, then assigned to treatments and fed their respective diets until slaughter at 105 kg. Pigs fed added dietary fat had improved ADG, FE, and lower ADFI (p Barrows grew faster (p 0.05). No differences were observed for ham or loin color, ham or loin firmness, loin marbling, or water holding capacity. Added dietary fat will improve performance without affecting pork quality; however, a decrease in percentage lean can be expected.
Inheritance of a Dark Mutant of the Cereal Leaf Beetle1,2

Dark mutant cereal leaf beetles, Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), have been isolated from the field with a frequency of 0.47%, and their frequency appears to be increasing when compared with that of normal-colored beetles. The mutant beetles have dark orange to reddish-brown legs and thorax. In normal-colored beetles, these structures are a more translucent reddish-orange. The mutant trait was found to be governed by a single autosomal recessive allele.
Educational and behavioral interventions for back pain in primary care.

Study Design and Objectives. A review of the literature was undertaken to identify and summarize randomized trials of educational, cognitive, and behavioral interventions for people with chronic low back pain. Summary of Background Data. Studies of back schools have varied widely in patient characteristics, back school length and content, and comparison treatment. The available evidence suggests that back schools do not affect long-term outcomes of people with back pain. Methods. MEDLINE and PsycLIT databases were searched to identify randomized trials of cognitive and behavioral treatments for chronic low back pain. Outcome data were extracted from articles that met the meta-analysis inclusion criteria. Results. The meta-analysis found that cognitive and behavioral treatments were superior to control conditions after treatment on measures of chronic low back pain, pain behavior, and disability. Follow-up comparisons of cognitive and behavioral treatments versus control conditions were not available. This meta-analysis did not find cognitive and behavioral therapies to differ from other active treatments on specific outcome measures, although only a few studies were available for each measure. Conclusion. It may be useful to incorporate cognitive-behavioral interventions in primary care settings, but additional research is needed to evaluate their efficacy in improving specific outcomes.
Cancer-specific promoters for expression-targeted gene therapy: ran, brms1 and mcm5.

Background To expand the library of promoters that can be used for expression-targeted gene delivery to cancer cells, the specificity and strength of expression of three cancer-related gene promoters was evaluated: RAS-related nuclear protein ((P) ran), breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 ((P) brms1) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 ((P) mcm5). Methods The expression of reporter genes under the control of these promoters demonstrated selectivity in cancer cell lines of breast, prostate and ovarian origins versus a panel of normal cell types. The (P) ran was next used to regulate the expression of a bioactive exon (a constitutively active form of human caspase 3) to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Further evaluation was performed in an orthotopic model of murine bladder cancer. Results The average strengths of reporter expression had relative intensities of 99.8% ((P) ran), 87.7% ((P) brms1) and 55.8% ((P) mcm5) versus the strong (P) cmv-driven positive control. Comparisons of expression-targeted reporter gene expression for these three promoters versus the clinically interesting promoter for the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene ((P) hTERT) yielded an improvement of two- to 15-fold. Following transfection, cell death was evident from morphologic observations and viability assays performed on the cancer cells lines, with little (if any) effects seen when the same genes were delivered to normal cells. Cell viability was reduced by up to 60% after one treatment, with cell death via apoptosis implied by caspase 3 detection. During the in vivo preclinical study, reduced tumor burden, lack of mineralization and decreased inflammation were demonstrated after only three treatments. Conclusions The ran, brms1, and mcm5 promoters have the specificity and strength needed for cancer-specific expression-targeted gene therapy. (p) ran in particular produced exciting results when coupled with a version of the caspase 3 exon to treat bladder cancer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severe Functional Tricuspid Stenosis Secondary to a Giant Saphenous Vein Bypass Graft Aneurysm

A 75-year-old man presented with dyspnea requiring home oxygen, on a background of partial colectomy for colon cancer, chronic renal failure, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 1978 (left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending graft and saphenous vein grafts [SVG] to the right coronary artery [RCA] and left circumflex artery). Clinically, he had jugular venous distension and bibasal crepitations, without overt ascites or peripheral edema. Chest x-ray demonstrated remote postoperative changes, cardiomegaly, mild pericardial calcification, and other radiographic findings of congestive heart failure, without apparent mediastinal mass (Figure 1). However, echocardiography revealed a large (9.4×8.7 cm), apparently extracardiac, mass compressing the right ventricle with severe functional tricuspid stenosis (mean gradient, 10 mm Hg) and turbulence of forward transtricuspid flow on color Doppler imaging (Figures 2A, 2B, and 3; Movie IA and IB in the online-only Data Supplement). Noncontrast cardiac MRI revealed a large (10.9×7.4×6.5 cm), relatively homogenous structure adjacent to the atrioventricular groove anteriorly, which was compressing the right heart and obstructing the tricuspid valve. The mass was distinct from adipose tissue, well circumscribed by overlying pericardium, and had no invasive characteristics. Cine imaging demonstrated flow within the mass. The structure location and characteristics were consistent with a partially thrombosed SVG aneurysm (Figure 4; Movie II …
Social Benefit Cost Analysis of Drip Irrigation

Micro irrigation has received much attention from the policy makers and others for its perceived ability to improve water productivity. Realising the significance of using micro irrigation system as a demand management strategy, an attempt has been made in this chapter to examine the social benefit-cost analysis of drip irrigation. As found in many earlier studies, the drip irrigation resulted in significant increase in yield over the flood method of irrigation. The analysis of economics of crop cultivation in drip and control villages revealed that the drip method of irrigation has significant impact on resource use, cost of cultivation, yield of crops and farm profitability. The social benefit-cost analysis revealed that the social benefits exceed the social costs in the water and labour scarce regions. Thus, one can conclude that the drip irrigation is a viable and more beneficial in regions where there is more water scarcity. The social benefit-cost ratio (SBCR) in over-exploited regions is 5.19 and 4.97 respectively without and with subsidy at a discount rate of 2 %, while it is 4.56 and 4.33 in the semi-critical regions. This clearly shows that wider adoption of drip irrigation produces sufficient social benefits and continuing support through subsidies will save water and energy and help achieve sustainable management of groundwater resources. Hence, continuing public support for the wider adoption and promotion of drip irrigation technologies appears warranted.
Objective Outcome Measurement After Upper Blepharoplasty: An Analysis of Different Operative Techniques.

Upper blepharoplasty is indicated in Asians for double-eyelid fold creation, periorbital rejuvenation, and functional visual field improvement. This article introduces a technical classification for blepharoplasty methods and investigates approaches to evaluate its outcomes. Of 535 patients undergoing aesthetic upper blepharoplasty in our institution in 1998–2011, 136 patients who were well followed up were retrospectively reviewed and categorized into four groups according to the techniques employed. Blepharoplasty with skin excision only was indicated for upper eyelid-skin redundancy patients with prominent double eyelids (n = 20). Blepharoplasty with skin excision and nonburied suture fixation was indicated for patients with upper lid-skin redundancy and weak double eyelids (n = 15). Blepharoplasty with skin excision and buried suture fixation was indicated for patients with upper lid-skin redundancy but no double-eyelid folds (n = 46). Finally, blepharoplasty with simultaneous ptosis correction was utilized for patients with senile or subclinical ptosis requesting upper blepharoplasty (n = 55). The mean age was 48.7 years at surgery; the mean follow-up period was 6 months. Digital photographs were used to compare changes in marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), percentage of the area of corneal exposure (%ACE), and brow height. MRD1 increased from 1.92 to 2.84 mm in the whole patient group after upper blepharoplasty; it increased the most in blepharoplasty with simultaneous ptosis correction (1.22 mm). %ACE increased from 62.1 to 76.6% (14.5%), whereas brow height decreased from 29.4 to 26.7 mm (9.2%). Upper blepharoplasty improves palpebral fissure. Numerically measured palpebral fissure changes facilitate operation outcome measurement. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Sources of Springtime Surface Black Carbon in the Arctic: An Adjoint Analysis

We quantify source contributions to springtime (April 2008) surface black carbon (BC) in the Arctic by interpreting surface observations of BC at five receptor sites (Denali, Barrow, Alert, Zeppelin, and Summit) using a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and its adjoint. Contributions to BC at Barrow, Alert, and Zeppelin are dominated by Asian anthropogenic sources (40–43 %) before April 18 and by Siberian open biomass burning emissions (29–41 %) afterward. In contrast, Summit, a mostly free tropospheric site, has predominantly an Asian anthropogenic source contribution (24–68 %, with an average of 45 %). We compute the adjoint sensitivity of BC concentrations at the five sites during a pollution episode (April 20–25) to global emissions from March 1 to April 25. The associated contributions are the combined results of these sensitivities and BC emissions. Local and regional anthropogenic sources in Alaska are the largest anthropogenic sources of BC at Denali (63 %), and natural gas flaring emissions in the Western Extreme North of Russia (WENR) are the largest anthropogenic sources of BC at Zeppelin (26 %) and Alert (13 %). We find that long-range transport of emissions from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (also known as Jing-Jin-Ji), the biggest urbanized region in Northern China, contribute significantly (~ 10 %) to surface BC across the Arctic. On average it takes ~ 12 days for Asian anthropogenic emissions and Siberian biomass burning emissions to reach Arctic lower troposphere, supporting earlier studies. Natural gas flaring emissions from the WENR reach Zeppelin in about a week. We find that episodic, direct transport events dominate BC at Denali (87 %), a site outside the Arctic front, a strong transport barrier. The relative contribution of direct transport to surface BC within the Arctic front is much smaller (~ 50 % at Barrow and Zeppelin and ~ 10 % at Alert). The large contributions from Asian anthropogenic sources are predominately in the form of ‘chronic’ pollution (~ 40 % at Barrow and 65 % at Alert and 57 % at Zeppelin) on 1–2 month timescales. As such, it is likely that previous studies using 5- or 10-day trajectory analyses strongly underestimated the contribution from Asia to surface BC in the Arctic. Both finer temporal resolution of biomass burning emissions and accounting for the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen (WBF) process in wet scavenging improve the source attribution estimates.
How to Learn from the Environment about the Environment — a Prerequisite for Organizational Well-Being:

Learning from the environment about the environment informs the organization not only about the organization, but also about itself.
Examining intersectionality and symbolic representation

ABSTRACTThis contribution highlights the need and benefits of a mixed methodological approach in intersectional studies of symbolic representation. Existing research concerning symbolic representation among traditionally marginalized groups such as women, racial and ethnic minorities focuses on the role either gender or race/ethnic identity plays in shaping symbolic forms of representation such as communication or presentation of self. However, extant literature tells us very little about the experiences of elected officials who are both women and racial and/or ethnic minorities, which are substantively different from those of either Anglo women or minority men. We will first argue for the benefits of an intersectional approach to studying symbolic representation in the U.S. that uses both quantitative and qualitative methods. Through the use of quantitative and qualitative content analysis in our own work, we were able to offer a more nuanced picture of how identity informs symbolic representation. As sc...
Functional Disorders of Elimination

Disorders of Defecation include inadequate evacuation of stool and/or age-inappropriate fecal soiling. Children with these symptoms may have abnormalities in the anatomy or physiology of the ano-rectum and/or psychological or developmental impediments to normal toileting.
The emergence of team science: understanding the state of adoption research through social network analysis:

The notion of team science has recently gained popularity in European and American health sciences reviewing the increasing evidence that scientific collaboration produces higher-impact research an...
Survey of haemosporidian parasites in resident and migrant game birds of illinois

Abstract Haemosporidian parasites are globally distributed in avian species, and are capable of leading to decreased reproductive success, weakness, and mortality. Bird conservation groups and organizations concerned with the health and immunological status of avian populations are interested in haemosporidian parasites that affect reproduction and population growth. Haemosporidian infection data are not yet always available for some avian species in specific regions. These data provide the starting points for researchers to evaluate geographical and temporal changes in the patterns of infection and prevalence across populations. We examined haemoparasite infections in four game bird species commonly hunted in Illinois. We calculated prevalence, mean intensity, median intensity, and mean abundance of haemosporidians, and evaluated the relation of these infection measures associated with age and sex of the avian hosts. Game species sampled (N = 237) included migrants such as mourning doves Zenaida macroura...
Etonogestrel implant migration to the vasculature, chest wall, and distant body sites: Cases from a pharmacovigilance database.

Abstract Objective To describe clinical outcomes of etonogestrel implant patients with migration to the vasculature, chest wall and other distant body sites spontaneously reported to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Study design We performed a standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) query in the FAERS database (through November 15, 2015), with reports coded with one or more MedDRA preferred terms that indicate complications with device placement or migration of the device from the original site of insertion to the vasculature, chest wall and other distant body sites. We excluded any cases previously described in the medical literature. Results We identified 38 cases of pronounced etonogestrel implant migration. Migration locations included the lung/pulmonary artery ( n =9), chest wall ( n =1), vasculature at locations other than the lung/pulmonary artery ( n =14) and extravascular migrations ( n =14) to other body sites (e.g., the axilla and clavicle/neck line/shoulder). The majority of cases were asymptomatic and detected when the patient desired implant removal; however, seven cases reported symptoms such as pain, discomfort and dyspnea in association with implant migration. Three cases also describe pulmonary fibrosis and skin reactions as a result of implant migration to the vasculature, chest wall and other distant body sites. Sixteen cases reported surgical removal in an operating room setting. Conclusions Our FAERS case series demonstrates etonogestrel implant migration to the vasculature, chest wall and other body sites distant from the site of original insertion. Implications statement As noted by the sponsor in current prescribing information, a key determinant in the risk for etonogestrel contraceptive implant migration appears to be improper insertion technique. Although migration of etonogestrel implants to the vasculature is rare, awareness of migration and education on proper insertion technique may reduce the risk.
Effects of Specimen Type, Size and Measurement Techniques on FCGR

The literature on fatigue and fracture is extremely extensive, mainly due to the large number of variables involved in the process. It is not possible to look at all the possible variables involved in the fatigue process. The present study is focussed on some of the aspects involved in generating fatigue crack growth data namely: specimen type, size, measurement techniques and test methods.
Blockade of GABA Transporter (GAT-1) Modulates the GABAergic Transmission in the Rat Globus Pallidus

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that application of SKF 89976A, a selective inhibitor of the GABA transporter GAT-1, reduces the activity of pallidal neurons in monkeys. However, the functional role of GAT-1 on GABAergic synaptic transmission in the globus pallidus (GP) is poorly understood. In the present study, we applied the whole-cell patch clamp recording technique to study the effects of blockade of GAT-1 on GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) recorded from rat GP slice preparations. Under maximal striatal stimulation (15–20 V) in parasagittal slices, SKF 89976A (10 μM) significantly prolonged the decay time, without significant effect on the amplitude, of IPSC. In contrast, SKF 89976A increased the amplitude, but did not prolong the decay time, of IPSCs under minimal striatal stimulation (2–5 V). We did not find any significant effect of SKF 89976A on IPSCs evoked locally from GP coronal slices. Furthermore, neither the amplitude nor the frequency of miniature IPSCs were changed following bath application of SKF 89976A. These results demonstrate that GABA reuptake through GAT-1 plays a major activity-dependent role in regulating GABAergic transmission at striatopallidal synapses in the GP.
VLSI Circuit Simulation

The field of VLSI circuit simulation addresses the problem of the inadequacy of standard circuit simulation programs to handle the large circuits that are now being designed. This chapter begins with a brief discussion of standard circuit simulators, and then proceeds to cover the two main approaches that have been taken to simulate VLSI circuits. The second section considers simulators that have been tailored to exploit the properties of large digital MOS networks, the major components of today’s VLSI circuits. A discussion of Waveform Relaxation, a specialized algorithm exploited later in this book, is included in this section. The third section considers algorithms that trade substantial accuracy to obtain increased speed. Rough timing simulators have been developed that use very simplifiied circuit models to inject unmeasured uncertainty, and bounds on the responses of very simple circuit models have been used to inject measured uncertainty.