cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RELATION OF PARTICLE SIZE OF C POLYSACCHARIDE COMPLEXES OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI TO TOXIC EFFECTS ON CONNECTIVE TISSUE

The component of Group A streptococci which is responsible for the chronic, remittent, multinodular lesion of connective tissue is derived from the cell wall. Further evidence is given to support the essential role of the group-specific C polysaccharide in the production of this lesion. A series of particles containing the group-specific C polysaccharide was prepared, ranging in size from large cell wall fragments to the relatively small hapten. A comparison of the lesion producing capacity of the particles in this spectrum revealed that maximum toxic activity is associated with C polysaccharide complexes of intermediate size. The discussion considers colloidal properties associated with C polysaccharide complexes of a certain size, and the influence particle size has on persistence in tissue, as possible explanations of the relationship between the size of the C polysaccharide complex and its ability to produce the chronic lesion of connective tissue.
Animal models of heart failure recent developments and perspectives.

Abstract Heart failure is a complex syndrome characterized by inability of the heart to supply sufficient cardiac output to meet the metabolic needs of the body. Over the past few decades, a number of animal models of heart failure have been developed to study questions that cannot be readily studied in the clinical setting. Because the syndrome of heart failure in humans has many underlying causes, ranging from primary myocardial disease (often of unknown etiology) to myocardial failure consequent to ventricular overload with secondary cardiac hypertrophy (as in hypertension, valvular heart disease, or myocardial infarction), no single animal model can successfully mimic the pathophysiology of these clinical settings. Regardless of the original cardiac abnormality, however, the end-stage heart failure syndrome generally presents a picture of cardiac dilation and circulatory congestion associated with maladaptive neurohumoral responses affecting the heart and peripheral circulation, which provide prime targets for new treatment strategies. An ideal animal model of heart failure should mimic the clinical setting as closely as possible, be accessible and reproducible, relatively stable under chronic conditions, and sufficiently economical to permit experiments in a large number of animals. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of naturally occurring models of heart failure and models in which heart failure is induced in normal animals, focusing in particular on models that are useful for exploring disease mechanisms and interventions to prevent or treat heart failure. Much is being learned from large animals such as the dog and pig, although small animal models (rat and hamster) have many favorable features, and as genetic methods and miniaturized physiologic techniques mature, the mouse is beginning to provide gene-based models of cardiac failure aimed at better understanding of molecular mechanisms. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1997;7:161–167). © 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
The role of immunohistochemical analysis in the evaluation of EML4-ALK gene rearrangement in lung cancer.

Background Among the mutations described in non-small cell lung carcinoma is a rearrangement resulting from an inversion within chromosome 2p leading to the formation of a fusion gene, echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the gold standard for the detection of ALK gene rearrangements. However, molecular methods are not readily available in all pathology laboratories. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using an antibody directed against the EML4-ALK fusion protein provides a widely available alternative method of detection. We assessed whether IHC is a comparable and cost-effective alternative to FISH analysis for the detection of ALK gene rearrangements. Design A total of 110 non-small cell lung carcinoma cases (63 surgical/biopsy and 47 cytology specimens), previously tested for ALK gene rearrangements by FISH [7 (6.4%) positive for the rearrangement], were probed for the EML4-ALK fusion protein using a monoclonal EML4-ALK antibody, clone 5A4. Cells were considered to stain positive for ALK if >5% of cells showed cytoplasmic staining of at least grade 1 intensity (scale: 0 to 3). A cost analysis was performed using ALK IHC as a screening test. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the EML4-ALK IHC stain compared with ALK FISH analysis were 100% and 96%, respectively. All 7 FISH-positive cases stained positive by IHC, whereas 4 FISH-negative cases demonstrated positive staining. One of the 4 FISH-negative, IHC-positive cases harbored an EML4-ALK rearrangement by RT-PCR yielding 3 false-positive results overall. The κ agreement between IHC and FISH methods is 0.76 (substantial/excellent). The potential savings of implementing the ALK IHC as a screening method would be $10,418.21. Conclusions Sensitivity of the EML4-ALK IHC stain is excellent (100%) but due to its suboptimal specificity, IHC cannot reliably supplant FISH analysis for the detection of ALK gene rearrangements. IHC shows promise as a screening tool to prevent unnecessary costly FISH analysis.
Women's resistance and empowerment through wheelchair sport.

Abstract This study investigated the experiences of participating in elite-level sport for women with physical disabilities. Ten Paralympic wheelchair basketball players aged 18 to 32 years were interviewed about their experiences in elite-level sport. A semi-structured interview format was utilized and constant comparison with a grounded theory approach was used throughout (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). A poststructural feminist framework that incorporates Foucault's concept of resistance (Foucault, 1979) is used for interpretation. Two themes from the data are addressed in this paper: (a) resistance to disability and, (b) empowerment, both physical and mental. The majority of the women interviewed had acquired disabilities and were reluctant participants in sport initially, or were determined to ‘beat’ their disability by pursuing competitive sport. Either way, the women felt that their involvement in high-level sport was a way of regaining control over their bodies. They also felt that by mastering the skil...
Perinatal Aromatase Activity in Male and Female Rats: Effect of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Fetal alcohol exposure has been shown to produce long-term feminizing and demasculinizing effects on male rat behaviors which are organizationally dependent upon perinatal androgen levels. Such exposure has previously been shown to suppress the normal surge of testosterone during the critical prenatal period. Since defeminization of male rat behavior is dependent upon estrogen derived from the aromatization of testosterone in brain, brain aromatase activity was measured during the perinatal period in males and females exposed to alcohol beginning on Day 14 of gestation. Aromatase activity was measured in whole hypothalamus of fetuses from Day 16 through 20 of gestation and in the hypothalamic preoptic area and amygdala of animals 6-12 hr postparturition. Hypothalamic aromatase activity was elevated in fetal alcohol exposed males compared to controls on Days 18 and 19 of gestation and on postnatal Day 1. No effect of prenatal alcohol exposure was found in females. A sex effect in aromatase activity in the amygdala was evident on Day 1 when activity was found to be greater in males than females. Overall, these findings indicate that fetal alcohol exposure will elevate regional brain aromatase activity in males, but not females during the perinatal period of neurobehavioral sexual differentiation.
Local theorems and group extensions

The concept of a local system of a set W is defined in ((8), p. 166) and ((12), p. 126). Recall that a set ℒ of subsets of W is a local system if Uℒ = W and ℒ is directed in the following sense: for every finite set H1, …, Hn of elements of ℒ, there is an M∈ℒ such that Hi⊂M for 1≤i≤n. If Σ is a class of groups, L(Σ) is the class of all groups G that possess a local system of Σ subgroups. Σ satisfies the local theorem, or is L-closed, if L(Σ)⊂Σ. Many classes of groups which satisfy the local theorem are discussed in ((12), pp. 126–144).
An integrated environment for requirements engineering

An integrated environment for requirements engineering that supports participatory development activities is described. The environment helps ensure quality by supporting and encouraging group participation and interaction. The computer-supported cooperative-work environment supports the development and analysis of system-and-software-level requirements for large, complex applications. It encompasses and coordinates all aspects of requirements development, from conceptual inspiration, through planning, to specific project details. Case studies of groups using this environment show it can support requirements engineering for groups of users determining system-level requirements for large, complex systems. >
Facial canal decompression leads to recovery of combined facial nerve paresis and trigeminal sensory neuropathy: Case report

BACKGROUND Trigeminal sensory neuropathy is often associated with facial idiopathic nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy). Although a cranial nerve viral polyneuropathy has been proposed as the usual cause, in many instances the etiology remains unclear. This case report of recovery of both trigeminal and facial neuropathy after surgical decompression of the facial nerve suggests an anatomic link. METHODS A case of a 39-year-old woman presenting with recurrent unilateral facial paralysis is summarized. Her fifth episode, which did not spontaneously recover, was associated with retroorbital and maxillary pain as well as sensory loss in the trigeminal distribution. RESULTS A middle cranial fossa approach for decompression of the lateral internal auditory canal, labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and the geniculate ganglion was performed. The patient's pain and numbness resolved immediately postoperatively, and the facial paralysis improved markedly. CONCLUSION This result implicates a trigeminal-facial reflex as hypothesized by others. It suggests that decompression of the facial nerve can lead to improvement in motor and sensory function as well as relief of pain in some patients with combined trigeminal and facial nerve dysfunction.
Pulse injection for real-time monitoring of tunable high-Q filters

A new measurement technique for monitoring the frequency of high-Q microwave tunable filters in real time is presented in this work. Relying on the natural response of a cavity resonator, the technique provides the operating frequency information in a binary digital format, making it easy to read and process. The presented methodology is experimentally demonstrated on band-stop filters, implemented by highly loaded substrate-integrated cavities in the 1.5 GHz range. Measured results show that the changes in frequency as small as 2–20 MHz (0.13–1.3%) can be detected for a tunable cavity filter (1.42–1.65 GHz) within 1 ms, based on commercial-off-the-shelf components. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:761–764, 2014
Improving TLB energy for java applications on JVM

Java platforms are widely deployed and used ranging from ultra-mobile embedded devices to servers for their portability and security. The TLB, a content addressable memory, can consume a significant power in these systems due to the nature of its associative search mechanism. In this paper, we propose and investigate three different optimizations for the TLB design, aiming to improve its power consumption for Java applications running on top of Java virtual machines. Our techniques exploit unique memory reference characteristics demonstrated by the JVM and its interaction with the Java applications running atop. Our first technique J-iTLB shows an average of 12.7% energy reduction in the iTLB with around 1% performance improvement for eliminating conflict misses between the JVM code and the Java application code. The second technique combines the J-iTLB with an object iTLB scheme and achieves an energy savings of 51% with a small 1% performance impact. Our third technique, a read-write partitioned J-dTLB, shows an average of 34% energy savings in the dTLB with 1% performance impact. Finally, when the J-iTLB with an object iTLB is combined with the J-dTLB, we obtained 42% overall TLB energy savings.
Urinary conduit formation using retubularized bowel from continent urinary diversion or intestinal augmentations: I. A multi-institutional experience

Abstract Objectives To present our multi-institutional experience with retubularized bowel conduits. Some patients with augmentation cystoplasty, augmented rectal bladder, or continent urinary reservoirs require conversion to an ileal conduit for various reasons. This is generally accomplished by construction of a de novo ileal conduit. We retubularized the bowel segment used in the augmented bladder or the urinary reservoir to form the intestinal urinary conduit. Methods A total of 29 patients (mean age 42 years) underwent conduit formation using the augmentation patch of enterocystoplasty, the segment of cutaneous urinary diversion reservoir or orthotopic neobladder, or the augmentation patch of an augmented rectal bladder. Patients were followed up with history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Results The follow-up ranged from 12 to 130 months (mean 42). One patient developed small bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy with lysis of adhesions. None of the other patients had bowel complications. Two patients developed ureteral obstruction with hydronephrosis. One had pyocystitis requiring simple cystectomy. One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions Retubularization of previously used bowel segments to construct a urinary conduit is feasible and has several advantages. It is possible to perform this procedure after several types of reconstructive procedures in which bowel was incorporated into the urinary tract.
Testis-Isolated Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Unique Case

Introduction Approximately 1%-2% of all lymphoma cases are primary testicular lymphoma. Testicular lymphoma usually arises in older men, nd the histiologic subtype is most often diffuse large B-cell lymhoma (DLBCL). Other histologies, for example, mantle cell lymhoma, are very rare. A relatively large series from Massachusetts eneral Hospital was published in 1994 that describes 69 cases of alignant lymphoma of the testis, epididymis, and spermatic cord. There was only 1 tumor consistent with the currently recognized entity of mantle cell lymphoma (described as centrocytic lymphoma histology Kiel subtype, diffuse small cleaved cell histology by Working Formulation). In a recently published series of 18 primary testicular lymphomas diagnosed over a 2-year period at an Austrian center, all were DLBCL except for 1 lymphoma, not otherwise specified (sparse biopsy material available), and 2 mantle cell lymphomas, pleomorphic subtype. The lymphoma group at MD Anderson Caner Center identified 1 case of mantle cell lymphoma with testicular nvolvement in more than 300 testicular lymphoma cases seen over a ecade at that institution. All 4 of the above testicular mantle cell ymphomas were at advanced stage. At our center, we recently evaluated a patient with mantle cell ymphoma localized to the testis. We systematically surveyed our
Regulation of breast cancer metastasis by Runx2 and estrogen signaling: the role of SNAI2.

In contrast to its role in breast cancer (BCa) initiation, estrogen signaling has a protective effect in later stages, where estrogen receptor (ER)α loss associates with aggressive metastatic disease. We asked whether the beneficial effect of estrogen signaling in late-stage BCa is attributable to the recently reported estrogen-mediated antagonism of the pro-metastatic transcription factor Runx2. MCF7/Rx2dox breast cancer cells were engineered with a lentivirus expressing Runx2 in response to doxycycline (dox). Cells treated with dox and/or estradiol (E2) were subjected to genome-wide expression profiling, RT-qPCR analysis of specific genes, and Matrigel™ invasion assays. Knockdown of genes of interest was performed using lentiviruses expressing appropriate shRNAs, either constitutively or in response to dox. Gene expression in BCa tumors was investigated using a cohort of 557 patients compiled from publicly available datasets. Association of gene expression with clinical metastasis was assessed by dichotomizing patients into those expressing genes of interest at either high or low levels, and comparing the respective Kaplan-Meier curves of metastasis-free survival. Runx2 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) evidenced by acquisition of a fibroblastic morphology, decreased expression of E-cadherin, increased expression of vimentin and invasiveness. Runx2 stimulated SNAI2 expression in a WNT- and transforming growth factor (TGF)β-dependent manner, and knockdown of SNAI2 abrogated the pro-metastatic activities of Runx2. E2 antagonized the pro-metastatic activities of Runx2, including SNAI2 upregulation. In primary BCa tumors, Runx2 activity, SNAI2 expression, and metastasis were positively correlated, and SNAI2 expression was negatively correlated with ERα. However, the negative correlation between SNAI2 and ERα in bone-seeking BCa cells was weaker than the respective negative correlation in tumors seeking lung. Furthermore, the absence of ERα in primary tumors was associated with lung- and brain- but not with bone metastasis, and tumor biopsies from bone metastatic sites displayed the unusual combination of high Runx2/SNAI2 and high ERα expression. E2 antagonizes Runx2-induced EMT and invasiveness of BCa cells, partly through attenuating expression of SNAI2, a Runx2 target required for mediating its pro-metastatic property. That ERα loss promotes non-osseous metastasis by unleashing Runx2/SNAI2 is supported by the negative correlation observed in corresponding tumors. Unknown mechanisms in bone-seeking BCa allow high Runx2/SNAI2 expression despite high ERα level
Common Variants in Epithelial Sodium Channel Genes Contribute to Salt-Sensitivity of Blood Pressure: The GenSalt Study

Background— Rare mutations of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) lead to mendelian forms of salt-sensitive hypertension or salt-wasting hypotension. We aimed to examine the association between common variants in the ENaC genes and salt sensitivity of blood pressure (BP). Methods and Results— A total of 1906 Han Chinese participated in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt Sensitivity (GenSalt) study, which includes a 7-day low-sodium intake (51.3 mmol sodium/d) followed by a 7-day high-sodium intake (307.8 mmol sodium/d). Nine BP measurements were obtained at baseline and each intervention period using a random-zero sphygmomanometer. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms, both tagging and functional, from the 3 ENaC subunits, α, β, and γ ( SCNN1A, SCNN1B , and SCNN1G ), were genotyped. Multiple common single-nucleotide polymorphisms in SCNN1G were significantly associated with BP response to low-sodium intervention (rs4073930, P =1.7×10−5; rs4073291, P =1.1×10−5; rs7404408, P =1.9×10−5; rs5735, P =3.0×10−4; rs4299163, P =0.004; and rs4499238, P =0.002) even after correcting for multiple testing. For example, under an additive model, the minor allele G of SNP rs4073291 was associated with 1.33 mm Hg lower systolic BP reduction during low-sodium intervention. Conclusions— This large dietary sodium intervention study indicates that common variants of ENaC subunits may contribute to the variation of BP response to dietary sodium intake. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings in an independent population and to identify functional variants for salt sensitivity. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: . Unique identifier: [NCT00721721][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00721721&atom=%2Fcirccvg%2F4%2F4%2F375.atom
Tight glucose control in the intensive care unit: are glucose meters up to the task?

Many institutions use tight glycemic control (TGC)1 protocols in their intensive care units (ICUs). TGC protocols became standard of care after the initial, very promising, studies demonstrating that it improved patient outcomes (1). For instance, Van den Berghe et al. (1) demonstrated that TGC reduced mortality by one-third in surgical intensive care patients. Other early studies of TGC also demonstrated marked and significant benefits in infection rates and mortality. Typical TGC protocols consist of placing postoperative and critically ill patients on a continuous intravenous insulin infusion, checking their blood glucose concentrations on an hourly basis (or other schedule), and giving a bolus of insulin and/or changing the infusion rate of insulin based on the glucose concentration, with a goal of maintaining glucose between 4.4 and 6.7 mmol/L (80 and 120 mg/dL). Of the numerous variations in protocols regarding timing and frequency of glucose measurements, insulin infusion rates, and target glucose values, all have a goal of maintaining tight glycemic control in critically ill patients. A new metaanalysis has suggested that TGC protocols offer limited if any benefits in critically ill adults and revealed that these protocols resulted in a 3- to 5-fold increased risk of hypoglycemia (2). The metaanalysis examined 29 randomized controlled trials that met predefined inclusion criteria. Of the 27 trials that examined mortality as an endpoint, 16 favored TGC and 11 favored usual care, but the reductions in relative risk were statistically significant (95% confidence) in only 2 of the 16 favoring TGC and in none of the 11 favoring usual care. The only outcome for which TGC demonstrated a significantly reduced risk was the development of septicemia; this was seen in surgical intensive care patients but not in medical ICU patients. The metaanalysis concluded that TGC may not be as beneficial as predicted from some …
Assessment of Photosensitizer Dosimetry and Tissue Damage Assay for Photodynamic Therapy in Advanced-stage Tumors¶

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy is a complex function of tissue sensitivity, photosensitizer (PS) uptake, tissue oxygen concentration, delivered light dose and some other parameters. To better understand the mechanisms and optimization of PDT treatment, we assessed two techniques for quantifying tissue PS concentration and two methods for quantifying pathological tumor damage. The two methods used to determine tissue PS concentration kinetic were in vivo fluorescence probe and ex vivo chemical extraction. Both methods show that the highest tumor to normal tissue PS uptake ratio appears 4 h after PS administration. Two different histopathologic techniques were used to quantify tumor and normal tissue damage. A planimetry assessment of regional tumor necrosis demonstrated a linear relationship with increasing light dose. However, in large murine tumors this finding was complicated by the presence of significant spontaneous necrosis. A second method (densitometry) assessed cell death by nuclear size and density. With some exceptions the densitometry method generally supported the planimetry results. Although the densitometry method is potentially more accurate, it has greater potential subjectivity. Finally, our research suggests that the tools or methods we are studying for quantifying PS levels and tissue damage are necessary for the understanding of PDT effect and therapeutic ratio in experimental in vivo tumor research.
Improving Reading with QuikScan: Introduction and Experimental Validation

QuikScan is an innovative enhancement to conventional document formatting that employs within- document summaries formatted as numbered list items. QuikScan enables readers to read summaries instead of the detailed content, use the summaries as previews, thereby increasing retention, and use the summaries to quickly find more detailed information in the body of the document. In an empirical study, 38 students at the University of Washington read either a QuikScan or control version of a document dealing with international trade and answered test questions. The QuikScan document showed 13% better comprehension. In a follow- up study measuring retention, results approached significance. When surveyed, users of the QuikScan document indicated that QuikScan improved their reading.
Molecular Cloning of Apobec-1 Complementation Factor, a Novel RNA-Binding Protein Involved in the Editing of Apolipoprotein B mRNA

The C-to-U editing of apolipoprotein B (apo-B) mRNA is catalyzed by a multiprotein complex that recognizes an 11-nucleotide mooring sequence downstream of the editing site. The catalytic subunit of the editing enzyme, apobec-1, has cytidine deaminase activity but requires additional unidentified proteins to edit apo-B mRNA. We purified a 65-kDa protein that functionally complements apobec-1 and obtained peptide sequence information which was used in molecular cloning experiments. The apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF) cDNA encodes a novel 64.3-kDa protein that contains three nonidentical RNA recognition motifs. ACF and apobec-1 comprise the minimal protein requirements for apo-B mRNA editing in vitro. By UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, we show that ACF binds to apo-B mRNA in vitro and in vivo. Cross-linking of ACF is not competed by RNAs with mutations in the mooring sequence. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments identified an ACF-apobec-1 complex in transfected cells. Immunodepletion of ACF from rat liver extracts abolished editing activity. The immunoprecipitated complexes contained a functional holoenzyme. Our results support a model of the editing enzyme in which ACF binds to the mooring sequence in apo-B mRNA and docks apobec-1 to deaminate its target cytidine. The fact that ACF is widely expressed in human tissues that lack apobec-1 and apo-B mRNA suggests that ACF may be involved in other RNA editing or RNA processing events.
School‐Age Adopted Chinese Girls' Behavioral Adjustment, Academic Performance, and Social Skills: Longitudinal Results

Longitudinal data on 177 school-age adopted Chinese girls (Time 1: mean age = 8.92 years, SD = 1.76; Time 2: mean age = 11.18 years, SD = 1.79) were analyzed to determine their long-term outcomes in behavioral adjustment, academic performance (measured with the Child Behavior Checklist/6-18), and social skills (measured with the Social Skills Rating System) and how these outcomes were related to preadoption adversity. More than 90% of the girls were adopted at 24 months or younger (M = 19.25, SD = 21.67). Results revealed that over a 2-year period, there was a moderate to strong stability in the children's behavioral adjustment and academic performance. However, there was a significant increase in the number of children with deviant internalizing problems. At both times, higher degrees of preadoption adversity were related to more internalizing problems and poorer academic performance. Children who were adopted at older ages had poorer academic performance. Children who were older had a lower level of assertion and a higher level of responsibility. Children's attention problems at Time 1 mediated the effect of preadoption adversity on academic performance at Time 2.
Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling contributes to Caco-2 cell growth inhibition induced by 1,25(OH)2D3

Growth of Caco-2 and many cancer cells is inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3. Whereas TGF-β1 inhibits normal colonic epithelial cell growth, most human colon cancer-derived cells, including Caco-2 and SW480 ...
Taxonomy of faculty assumptions about students

If you are part of a faculty meeting, a committee, or a learning community of instructors, you will sooner or later hear the same conversation — the conversation that begins with complaints about students. The attributions about lack of engagement, focus on grades, or the entitlement of this generation are common, and though typically unexamined such complaints are not completely ungrounded. This narrative creates a community around a shared “problem.” This camaraderie is natural, but what are the consequences? Beyond whether such statements are “true,” we believe these assumptions about students are affecting student learning. There is a phenomenon in education known as “self-fulfilling prophesy” where what we believe about students becomes manifest in part because instructors behave in ways that bring about what the instructor initially expects. As a first step in exploring these assumptions, 150 participants in a Teaching Professor Conference in May 2014, generated a list of assumptions they held about students. These assumptions were categorized into four dimensions: Motivation, Behavior, Preparation, and Systems with each dimension having a continuum. This paper describes the taxonomy and references theories to support the organization. The paper will give examples of the assumptions and discuss the next steps to validate the ideas.
Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis of Neonatal and Juvenile Mouse Serum

AbstractIn male and female A/J mouse sera taken at intervals from birth through early adulthood, 16 antigens were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Only 3 (α1-antichymotrypsin, α2-macroglobulin, C-3 globulin) began and remained at normal adult levels. Another 3 (α1-lipoprotein, ceruloplasmin, transferrin) began slightly low, rose above normal levels at 2–3 weeks, then returned to normal. Eight (albumin, No. 26, α1-antitrypsin, inter-α-inhibitor, No. 21, Gc globulin, hemopexin, and IgG) were very low or undetectable at birth, then rose in various nonparallel ways to, or sometimes, above normal. Two (α2-HS glycoprotein, No. 10) began above normal and then rose higher before falling back to normal as the mice entered adolescence. The natures and functions of the numbered antigens are unknown. Serum concentrations of 4 antigens (α1-lipoprotein, α1-antitrypsin, Nos. 21 and 10) were significantly different in 6-week-old males and females, and this difference persisted i...
POD based spectral Higher-Order Stochastic Estimation

A new and unique analytical approach, capable of identifying both linear and higherorder coherences in multiple-I/O systems, is presented here in the context of turbulent flows. The technique is formed by combining two well-established methods: Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Higher-Order Spectra Analysis; both of which were developed independently in the field of turbulence and system identification, respectively. The latter of these is based on known methods for characterizing nonlinear systems by way of Volterra functional series. In that, both linear and higher-order kernels are formed to quantify the nonlinear spectral transfer of energy between the system’s input and output. This reduces essentially to spectral Linear Stochastic Estimation (LSE) when only the first-order terms are considered, and is therefore presented in the context of stochastic estimation as spectral Higher-Order Stochastic Estimation (HOSE). However, the trade-off to seeking higher-order transfer kernels is that the increased complexity restricts the analysis to single-I/O systems. Low-dimensional (POD based) analysis techniques are inserted to alleviate this void as the POD coefficients represent the dynamics o the so-called spatial structures (modes) of a multi degree-of-freedom system. At first, a Monte Carlo Simulation is performed to demonstrate the validity and characteristics of the higher-order Volterra series model. Next, the POD based spectral HOSE method is applied to an experimental data set comprising synchronous measures of the near-field pressure and far-field acoustics of a coaxial jet flow. Both near-field (line array of microphones) and far-field (arc array of microphones) signatures are decomposed independently using POD in order to obtain frequency dependent POD coefficients. The linear and quadratic kernels are computed using different combinations of POD coefficients. The results indicatethat the acoustic signatures in the far-field of the jet are linearly related to the pressure signatures in the near-field pressure, as is expected in a subsonic Mach number jet flow.
Shifting electronic structure by inherent tension in molecular bottlebrushes with polythiophene backbones

Bottlebrush macromolecules can be regarded as molecular tensile machines, where tension is self-generated along the backbone due to steric repulsion between densely grafted side chains. This intrinsic tension is amplified upon adsorption of bottlebrush molecules onto a substrate and increases with grafting density, side chain length, and strength of adhesion to the substrate. To investigate the effects of tension on the electronic structure of polythiophene (PT), bottlebrush macromolecules were prepared by grafting poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) side chains from PT macroinitiators by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The fluorescence spectra of submonolayers of PT bottlebrushes were measured on a Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) trough with the backbone tension adjusted by controlling the side-chain length, surface pressure, and chemical composition of a substrate. The wavelength of maximum emission has initially red-shifted, followed by a blue-shift as the backbone tension increases from 0 to 2.5 nN, whic...
Oxygen consumption monitoring by oxygen saturation measurements in mechanically ventilated premature neonates.

PURPOSE To assess oxygen consumption VO2) with arterial and venous oxygen saturation SaO2 and SvO2) from blood measurements for continuous monitoring of mechanically ventilated preterm neonates. METHOD Twelve preterm neonates with gestational ages ranging from 27 to 34 weeks at birth, who were mechanically ventilated and had umbilical arterial and venous lines in place, were investigated. Analyses were performed with blood samples and continuous monitoring of VO2 from SaO2 and SvO2 measurements. RESULTS Mean VO2 from blood samples was 3.3 mL/(kg min) (+/-2.49), and that from monitor readings was 8.8 (+/-4.49). Using curve fit analysis to predict the stability of monitor reading, the period from 8 to 28 hours following blood validation was most stable for SvO2 (cubic curve, R=0.5, P<.001). There is a considerable mix of arterial blood in the venous blood, which increased SvO2 and decreased VO2 in the blood samples during first 8 hours of monitoring following blood draws. A multivariate linear mixed model was established for VO2 measurements including related parameters. Ventilatory weaning was associated with decreased VO2. CONCLUSIONS These findings warrant caution against interpreting VO2 from blood SvO2 and subsequent monitoring readings during mechanical ventilation for preterm neonates.
Determinants of preventive practices in fee-for-service primary care.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has funded the Preventive Cardiology Academic Award (PCAA) for more than a decade. The background for focusing on physicians in training and prevention is reviewed, as well as the status of the 49 medical schools that have received the award. This report presents a synthesis of the objectives for the award, curricular approaches, and teaching strategies employed by awardees and also the framework for program evaluation. The degree of institutionalization of the programs and the diffusion nationally as well as trends in the program over the past decade are examined.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE BI-SPECTRUM OF ECONOMIC TIME SERIES

The main motivation of the analysis presented here is to investigate certain non-linear properties of the mechanism which may be supposed to generate a time series. I investigate specifically quadratic terms in the generating model. For a wide-sense stationary process the spectrum describes the linear mechanism. For a third moment stationary process the bi-spectrum describes the quadratic terms in the mechanism. I will discuss the derivation of the bi-spectrum. The interpretation of the bi-spectrum in terms of certain non-linear transformations will also be discussed. As I have chosen to compute bi-spectra by means of complexdemodulation, there will be a major digression into the computation and analysis of complex-demodulates. For background information concerning the estimation of spectra the reader is referred to Blackman and Tukey (1959). Analysis of certain non-linear systems is discussed in Wiener (1958), while the statistical theory of higher order spectra (polyspectra) is treated in Brillinger (1964). An extremely interesting application of the bispectrum is given in Hasselman et al. (1963).
Diets and Stable Isotope Derived Food Web Structure of Fishes from the Inshore Gulf of Maine

In the nearshore Gulf of Maine, a combination of factors (overfishing, ecosystem change, and ocean warming) is thought to govern groundfish recovery. We analyzed feeding habits of demersal predatory fish from Midcoast Maine (abundant river herring) and Passamaquoddy Bay (low river herring) in eastern Maine, using stomach content and stable isotope analyses, to determine the prevalence of river herring (alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, and blueback herring, A. aestivalis) in nearshore (<4.5 km) groundfish diets. Invertebrates dominated all predator diets at all sites. At Midcoast sites, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of Atlantic cod was higher, and fish predators showed a strong seasonal pattern in river herring consumption compared to Passamaqouddy Bay. Cod, pollock (Pollachius virens), and sculpins (Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus and M. scorpius) from Midcoast sites tended to be enriched in δ15N relative to Passamaquoddy Bay. Contrasting fast vs. slow turnover tissue (fin vs. muscle) indicated that focal species migrated or food availability changed seasonally and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in Passamaquoddy Bay were assimilating into a trophically depleted food web. We posit that lack of forage fish in Passamaquoddy Bay contributed to conditions that encourage an invertebrate based diet. River herring are also an order of magnitude less abundant in Passamaquoddy Bay than at Midcoast sites, limiting the availability of this seasonal food source. River restoration may contribute to recovery of groundfish stocks nearshore by increasing the availability of high lipid, seasonally available prey.
Explorando aprendo: Learning object to enhance language development in children with specific language impairment

The integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education allows generate learning resources, providing educational materials to teach and improve cognitive development. In Chile the language schools are responsible for teaching children between 3 to 6 years, with difficulties in expression and understanding of language. These children have a degree of specific language impairment (SLI). The integration of ICT in learning activities has a great importance to enhance the skills of children. There are mobile applications that perform these activities, but most of them don't reflect the Chilean culture. This paper describes a learning object called Explorando Aprendo, which contains different educational activities, fostering phonological, semantic and morphosyntactic levels of language. The main result was the Exlorando Aprendo creation with an architecture that integrates recreational activities for language improvement, implemented under an structure that allows integration of new activities. Currently the learning object is available in Google Play with over 100 downloads.
TSV front end design, integration, and process development

an innovative TSV approach that removes the historical limitations of Cu and W filled TSVs, making W TSVs once again attractive. Both films have their own advantages and disadvantages. Cu TSVs has two major advantages, one Cu electroplating has the ability to fill high aspect ratio vias enabling a wider via compared to W, and two Cu resistivity is much lower than W enabling a lower resistance via. The primary advantage that W has over Cu is that the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is much closer to that of silicon. This can enable larger TSVs with higher current carrying capability and reduced reliability/stress risk. The unique and innovative TSV cell design that's presented in this paper includes a central silicon support structure. The unit cell can then be expanded into multi-cell arrays. The approach allows increased via area decreasing the overall via resistance with higher current carrying capability and reduced reliability/stress risk than has previously been available.
Effects of Preoperative Curcumin on the Inflammatory Response During Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Porcine Model.

Background: Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the turmeric plant which may have anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that curcumin pretreatment would result in a reduction in inflammatory markers in a large animal model of extracorporeal support. Methods: A total of seven samples were obtained from three swine treated with curcumin and 16 samples were obtained from six swine in the control group (procedure terminated in two swine before last sample could be obtained). Results: Samples for interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-1b had concentrations below the limit of detection at all points and were discarded from further analysis. IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 concentrations were lower in curcumin pretreated animals when compared to control animals. This decrease was statistically significant for TNF-alpha, and ICAM-1. Conclusions: This project may provide information for the development of a translational study in humans as we noted that curcumin pretreatment in a large animal model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal support resulted in a decrease in TNF-alpha and ICAM-1 expression compared to control animals. Cardiol Res. 2018;9(1):7-10 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr677w
Anthropology in a Neoliberal World

The global economy does not serve, sustain, or provision any society, but erodes solidarity and community and exposes people to precarious livelihoods. I review the ethnographic findings of these chapters, all of which point to the increasing polarisation of wealth as the capitalist class transfers value from its producers to itself, thereby creating deindustrialized zones across the world. The question for anthropologists is whether we want to serve solidarity in a war between classes or perpetuate illusions to serve the capitalist class. I discuss how these issues are also playing out in the United States and review the ethnographic findings on the papers of this volume.
Outcomes following surgical management of femoral neck fractures in elderly dialysis-dependent patients

Proximal femur fractures are one of the most common fractures observed in dialysis-dependent patients. Given the large comorbidity burden present in this patient population, more information is needed regarding post-operative outcomes. The goal of this study was to assess morbidity and mortality following operative fixation of femoral neck fractures in the dialysis-dependent elderly. The full set of medicare data from 2005 to 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. Elderly patients with femoral neck fractures were selected. Patients were stratified based on dialysis dependence. Post-operative morbidity and mortality outcomes were compared between the two populations. Adjusted odds were calculated to determine the effect of dialysis dependence on outcomes. A total of 320,629 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of dialysis-dependent patients, 1504 patients underwent internal fixation and 2662 underwent arthroplasty. For both surgical cohorts, dialysis dependence was found to be associated with at least 1.9 times greater odds of mortality within 1 and 2 years post-operatively. Blood transfusions within 90 days and infections within 2 years were significantly increased in the dialysis-dependent study cohort. Dialysis dependence alone did not contribute to increased mechanical failure or major medical complications. Regardless of the surgery performed, dialysis dependence is a significant risk factor for major post-surgical morbidity and mortality after operative treatment of femoral neck fractures in this population. Increased mechanical failure in the internal fixation group was not observed. The increased risk associated with caring for this population should be understood when considering surgical intervention and counseling patients.
Beta s-gene-cluster haplotypes in sickle cell anemia. Clinical and hematologic features.

Clinical expression of sickle cell anemia is the result of the interaction of the ss-gene-cluster haplotype and the gene status in the individual patient. Sickle cell anemia is never benign. In American, African, Arabian, Indian, and Turkish patients, hemoglobin concentration, MCV, Hb F, and Gγ reflect the genetic mix of the ss-gene-cluster haplotypes and a-thalassemia-2. Both in America and Africa, the CARss-gene cluster haplotype is a genetic marker for high risk and more rapid progression of irreversible organ damage. In SS patients, comparing those with Senegal, Benin, and CAR haplotypes, the lifetime severity of illness increases from Sen to Ben to CAR.
The Zen of Model Anomalies – Correct Most of Them. Treasure the Meaningful Valid Few. Live Serenely with the Rest!

Historically, validation has been considered primarily as a gatekeeping function done at the end of a structure solution. Currently, the most interesting and important part of validation is the opportunity to correct diagnosed errors, provided mainly by local as opposed to global criteria, and available to you throughout the crystallographic process. Elsewhere in this book, you will hear about up-to-date methods in the data and model-to-data aspects of validation. This chapter addresses model validation and model improvement, first about current best-practice methodology (as done on the MolProbity website and elsewhere), and second about some important developments to anticipate in the near future.
Loading Rates and the Dynamic Initiation Toughness in Brittle Solids

The experimentally determined marked rise of the stress intensity factor required to initiate crack propagation in brittle solids under variably high loading rates, is analyzed. This problem of fracture initiation at the tip of a crack is considered in terms of activating a flaw at some distance away from the tip. By using a semi-infinite crack in an unbounded two-dimensional solid subjected to spatially uniform but temporally varying crack-face pressure, we consider the evolution of stress at the failure initiation site. Fracture initiation is assumed synonymous with attaining a critical stress at the fracture site. The results conform to typical experimental data of dynamic crack initiation in brittle solids.