cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Low-Dose Prednisone on Bone Metabolism†

Prednisone 5 mg/day suppresses multiple indices of bone formation in a randomized placebo-controlled trial in healthy postmenopausal females. This suggests that even low doses of prednisone may reduce bone repair or renewal and may have adverse effects on bone mass and/or bone strength. Introduction High doses of chronic glucocorticoids are known to have adverse effects on bone, and measures to prevent bone loss are well established for doses >7.5 mg daily, because these doses can cause premature or exaggerated osteoporosis. However, it is unclear if chronic prednisone doses of 5 mg daily have the same effects on bone. There are no established recommendations for preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in people taking prednisone 5 mg daily, a dose used frequently in medical practice to treat diseases of the lungs, joints, skin, muscles, eyes, nerves, etc. Our primary objective was to test whether prednisone 5 mg daily affects serum and urine indices of bone metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women. Our secondary objectives were to determine if prednisone 5 mg affected systolic or diastolic blood pressure or causes side effects. Materials and methods A double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled 8-week trial in 50 healthy postmenopausal women was conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital Outpatient General Clinical Research Center. Patients were randomly assigned to prednisone 5 mg daily or matching placebo for 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week recovery phase. Markers of bone formation and resorption were determined at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Indices of osteoblast activity included serum propeptide of type I N-terminal procollagen (PINP), propeptide of type I C-terminal procollagen (PICP), osteocalcin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP). Indices of osteoclast activity included urine and serum type I collagen N-telopeptide (NTX) and free urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD). Results and conclusions Prednisone rapidly and significantly decreased serum PINP (p
MicroRNA-Integrated and Network-Embedded Gene Selection with Diffusion Distance

Gene network information has been used to improve gene selection in microarray-based studies by selecting marker genes based both on their expression and the coordinate expression of genes within their gene network under a given condition. Here we propose a new network-embedded gene selection model. In this model, we first address the limitations of microarray data. Microarray data, although widely used for gene selection, measures only mRNA abundance, which does not always reflect the ultimate gene phenotype, since it does not account for post-transcriptional effects. To overcome this important (critical in certain cases) but ignored-in-almost-all-existing-studies limitation, we design a new strategy to integrate together microarray data with the information of microRNA, the major post-transcriptional regulatory factor. We also handle the challenges led by gene collaboration mechanism. To incorporate the biological facts that genes without direct interactions may work closely due to signal transduction and that two genes may be functionally connected through multi paths, we adopt the concept of diffusion distance. This concept permits us to simulate biological signal propagation and therefore to estimate the collaboration probability for all gene pairs, directly or indirectly-connected, according to multi paths connecting them. We demonstrate, using type 2 diabetes (DM2) as an example, that the proposed strategies can enhance the identification of functional gene partners, which is the key issue in a network-embedded gene selection model. More importantly, we show that our gene selection model outperforms related ones. Genes selected by our model 1) have improved classification capability; 2) agree with biological evidence of DM2-association; and 3) are involved in many well-known DM2-associated pathways.
Communication: X-ray scattering from ionic liquids with pyrrolidinium cations

We report the structure functions obtained from x-ray scattering experiments on a series of four homologous ionic liquids. The ionic liquids are 1-alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cations paired with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion, with alkyl chain lengths of n = 4, 6, 8, and 10. The structure functions display two intense diffraction peaks for values of the scattering vector q in the range from 0.6 to 1.5 A−1 for all samples. Both diffraction peaks shift to lower values of q for increasing temperature. First sharp diffraction peaks are observed in the structure functions for q < 0.5 A−1 for liquids with n = 6, 8, and 10.
Genotype/phenotype in tuberous sclerosis complex: associations with clinical and radiologic manifestations.

Summary Objectives Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently have autism spectrum disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) have been reported to occur in 5–20% of patients with TSC; however, the relationship between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in TSC remains unknown. We utilized a large multicenter database to study associations between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with TSC. Methods Associations between the presence of SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders were examined in a retrospective review of 916 patients enrolled in the TSC Natural History Database Project (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance). Results Among the 916 TSC patients, 226 had SEGAs (25%) and 155 had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (17%). Compared to patients without SEGAs, patients with SEGAs were 1.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–2.66) times more likely to have ASD. No significant relationship was found between SEGAs and intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder, or major depressive disorder. Significance The clinical presentation of TSC is highly variable and not well understood. These data show that SEGAs are associated with ASD in patients with TSC, suggesting that the pathologic changes leading to SEGA formation may also predispose patients to ASD. A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
The role of the thyroid in testicular function in the gecko, Coleonyx variegatus.

Abstract The effects of thyroidectomy and administration of thyroxine (200 μg/100 g body weight) on the functional integrity of the testis of the variegated ground gecko, Coleonyx variegatus , were studied. Thyroidectomy prevented the occurrence of normal spermatogenesis. Testes were devoid of all spermatogenic activity. Administration of thyroxine to thyroidectomized animals restored the level of testicular function to that seen in intact animals at that time of year. Injections of thyroxine to intact animals resulted in complete cessation of spermatogenic activity.
Hereditary disturbance of cholesterol metabolism: A factor in the genesis of atherosclerosis

Abstract Serum cholesterol was found to be elevated over 300 mg. per 100 c.c. in seventy-one members (58 per cent) of a group of 122 patients with proved coronary atherosclerosis whose disease began under the age of 50 years. The average serum cholesterol for the entire group of 122 patients was 316 mg. per 100 c.c. (±7.49 S.D.m). The average serum cholesterol for the seventy-one patients who exhibited hypercholesterolemia was 365 mg. per 100 c.c., and the average among the remaining fifty-one patients was 250 mg. per 100 cubic centimeters. Arcus senilis was exhibited by twenty-two, xanthelasma by twelve, and xanthomatosis by three of the group. The great majority with these stigmata had elevated serum cholesterol levels. Hypercholesterolemia (serum cholesterol of 300 mg. per 100 c.c. or more) was found in all or most of the siblings of one-third of fifty families of patients with coronary acherosclerosis. In nine more families, one-half of the siblings exhibited hypercholesterolemia. This study lends support to previous clinical investigations and indicates that a disturbance in cholesterol metabolism is probably concerned in the genesis of some instances of coronary atherosclerosis. It also suggests that altered cholesterol metabolism may be the common denominator in most patients who have coronary artery disease and arcus senilis, or coronary artery disease and xanthelasma. One of the hereditary factors responsible for arteriosclerotic heart disease may reside in abnormal cholesterol metabolism. Since therapeutic measures for correcting this metabolic disturbance may reasonably be anticipated, further investigations paralleling the present one are desirable.
Effect of flunarizine on canine cerebral cortical blood flow and vascular resistance post cardiac arrest.

Twelve dogs were anesthetized and instrumented for determination of CVP, arterial pressure, intracranial pressure, left atrial pressure, and frontal cerebral cortical blood flow (CCBF) by the thermal method. A catheter was introduced into the venous return of the cerebral confluence to allow determination of cerebral A–V oxygen saturation differences. The animals were placed on cardiac bypass using a circuit from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery and a second circuit from the left ventricular apex to the left femoral artery. A heat exchanger was used to maintain a constant blood temperature of 37 C in the output of the left side bypass circuit. All animals were heparinized during bypass. Ventricular fibrillation was induced after completion of the bypass surgery. Two dogs served as controls. Pre-arrest determinations of hemoglobin, glucose, CCBF, and cerebral A–V oxygen differences were taken. Full circulatory arrest was carried out for 20 minutes by shutting off the cardiac bypass. Resuscitation was achieved by resumption of bypass perfusion. Acid-base balance was corrected quickly, and pre-arrest perfusion pressure was achieved and maintained for 90 minutes. All pressure parameters were monitored continuously. All pre-arrest determinations were repeated at 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes post resuscitation. Five dogs were treated with 6 μg/kg flunarizine administered IV drip over 10 minutes immediately post reperfusion. Five dogs were not treated post arrest. Treated animals had a prompt return of CCBF rates equal to or greater than pre-arrest flow, which persisted throughout the period of post-arrest observation. Untreated animals had markedly reduced CCBF and increased resistance. CCBF uniformly proceeded to near zero flow by 90 minutes. The ICP was not significantly altered by treatment.
An established case of dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) with unusual features on muscle biopsy

Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) belongs to the group of autosomal dominant ataxias. Central nervous system pathology and inheritance are both well characterized, although the illness is rare. The presentation of a European child affected by this illness is described. He presented at 9 years of age with intractable progressive myoclonus epilepsy against a background of learning difficulties and developed progressive hypertonicity and dementia before his death at 15 years of age. Significant histological changes in a muscle biopsy were found. There was an absence of type IIB fibres and a predominance of type I fibres. Mean fibre diameter of all the fibre types was markedly reduced. All type I fibres showed an increase in lipid droplets. No previous descriptions exist of muscle histology in DRPLA. Although at least five adult family members have symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of DRPLA, their condition had not been recognized. We therefore describe the clinical picture and histological findings.
Time efficient data aggregation scheduling in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) have been proposed as a promising technology to alleviate the spectrum shortage and under-utilization problem. A large amount of research effort has been put on CRNs. However, little attention has been paid to data aggregation problem, one of the most important communication protocols in wireless networks due to its efficiency in both energy conservation and latency reduction. In this paper, we investigate the minimum latency data aggregation scheduling problem in CRNs. Considering the difficulty of this problem, two practical distributed algorithms under the Unit Disk Graph interference model and the Physical Interference Model are proposed. Extensive simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithms have good latency performance in various network scenarios.
Quenched narrow-line laser cooling of 40 Ca to near the photon recoil limit

We present a cooling method that should be generally applicable to atoms with narrow optical transitions. This technique uses velocity-selective pulses to drive atoms towards a zero-velocity dark state and then quenches the excited state to increase the cooling rate. We demonstrate this technique of quenched narrow-line cooling by reducing the 1D temperature of a sample of neutral ${}^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ atoms. We cool selected velocities with the ${}^{1}{S}_{0}{(4s}^{2}{)}^{3}{P}_{1}(4s4p)$ 657-nm intercombination line and quench with the ${}^{3}{P}_{1}{(4s4p)}^{1}{S}_{0}(4s5s)$ intercombination line at 553 nm, which increases the cooling rate eightfold. Limited only by available quenching laser power, we have transferred 18% of the atoms from our initial 2-mK velocity distribution and achieved temperatures as low as 4 \ensuremath{\mu}K, corresponding to a ${v}_{\mathrm{rms}}$ of 2.8 cm/s or 2 recoils at 657 nm. This cooling technique, which is closely related to Raman cooling, can be extended to three dimensions.
More on nonwhite migration welfare levels and the political process

In recent years a great deal of scholarly attention has been devoted to the relationship between migration flows and differential public assistance (welfare) levels within the U.S. [see, e.g., Cebula (1974), Clowered and Piven (1968), Gallaway, et. al. (1967) Sommers and Suits (1973), Pack (1973), and Cebula and Schaffer (1975)]. While several of these authors have persuasively argued that the relationship between migration flows and welfare is one of mutual interdependence, little empirical evidence has been generated to support this proposition. Thus, Prof. Cebula's recently published paper [this Journal (1976)] which empirically examines the impact of welfare on migration and, simultaneously, the impact of migration on welfare is a timely contribution. Estimating a two-equation system by two-stage least squares (TSLS), Cebula (1976, p. 119) finds that: "...results (3) and (4) clearly indicate that there exists a substantial interdependence between Wi and Mi...non-white magration is significantly affected by welfare levels and welfare levels are significantly affected by nonwhite migration." Unfortunately, the value of Cebula's results is marred by "specification errors" caused by omissions of some variables from his two-equation system. The purpose of this note, however, is not merely to find fault with Cebula's paper. Rather, it seeks to re-estimate Cebula's system after correcting for the possible shortcomings in his analysis with a view to ascertain whether or not his conclusions
Improved Local Control in Head-and-Neck Cancer With Post-Radiation Therapy Neck Dissection

Purpose/Objective(s): Patients with head and neck cancer (HNSCC) avoid post-radiation therapy neck dissection (PRND) when post-treatment imaging (PTI) is negative as the risk of regional failure is felt to be low. However, some suggest that negative PTI may not sufficiently predict relapse. We evaluated the therapeutic impact of PRND in those having a complete response by PTI. Materials/Methods: We reviewed patients treated for stage III/IV HNSCC with definitive RT at the University of Illinois from 1990-2012 (n Z 356), of whom 87 received PRND. We evaluated local (LC), regional (RC), locoregional (LRC), and distant control (DC) using first-failure analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Chi-squared analyses were performed to examine differences between groups. Results: Median follow-up was 17.5 months. Groups were balanced in terms of gender, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), marital status, and alcohol/tobacco use. Patients who underwent PRND were younger (54.6 vs 58.5 years, p < .01), less often had high or very high levels of comorbidities (24.1 vs 31.7%; p Z .03), had more advanced disease (stage IVA/ B: 90.8 vs 56.2%; p < .01), more oropharyngeal (48.3 vs 27.3%; p < .01) and less laryngeal primaries (14.9 vs 31.9%; p < .01). For those with involved lymph nodes, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for CT prior to PRND was 74.1% and 91.1%, respectively. The median time to PTI was 7.5 weeks. For all patients at 2 years, LC (84.6 vs 66.8%; p < .01), RC (92.0 vs 83.4%; p Z 0.02), and LRC (78.9 vs 61.4%; p < .01) were superior for PRND. This translated into improved 2 year PFS (62.6 vs 50.5%; p Z .01) but similar DC (78.4 vs 82.3%; p Z .40) and OS (80.0 vs 73.2%; p Z .31). The benefit in LC (85.7 vs 64.7%; p < .01) and RC (94.9 vs 79.9%, p < .01) persisted for those with negative PTI who underwent PRND. A planned subset analyses demonstrated that patients with advanced nodal disease ( N2b; n Z 204) had improved LRC with PRND (81.7 vs 42.1%; p < .01), whereas those with less nodal disease did not (61.0 vs 67.8%; p Z .62). Additionally, PFS (66.0 vs 30.3%; p < .01) was superior in those with advanced nodal disease who underwent PRND. On UVA, PRND, stage, primary site, alcohol use, and RT delay significantly impacted 2 year LC and/or PFS. These factors, as well as known prognostic factors of KPS and low neck disease, were included on MVA. Importantly, PRND remained strongly prognostic for 2 year PFS (HR 0.52; p < .01). Additionally, low neck disease (HR 1.67; p Z .01) impacted PFS adversely. Conclusions: In HNSCC with advanced nodal disease, PRND improved LC and RC despite negative post-radiation therapy imaging. Despite a complete clinical response, PRND may impact the control of non-nodal sites through possible mechanisms such as clearing incompetent lymphatics and preventing re-seeding of the primary site. Author Disclosure: M.C. Ranck: None. G.F. Liu: None. A.A. Solanki: None. B. Wenig: None. A. Kolokythas: None. M.T. Spiotto: None.
Effect of magnesium on early taro growth

Abstract Little research has been conducted on magnesium (Mg) nutrition of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott cv. ‘Bun Long']. In this study, we evaluated the effects of varying levels of Mg (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM) on taro plants grown hydroponically for 33 days. Magnesium treatment effects were evaluated for dry matter biomass, leaf area, and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B concentrations of old and young leaves. Dry matter of leaves (young, old, and total), roots, corms, petioles, and total biomass were significantly higher in all plus‐Mg treatments than in the zero‐Mg treatment. These same biomass parameters were not different among treatments with Mg (0.05 to 0.8 mM). Leaf area (young, old, and total) did not differ significantly with varying levels of Mg. A quadratic model described the relationship between Mg levels in leaves and solution Mg (r2 = 0.99). Young and old leaf Mg concentrations did not differ. Total leaf Mg concentration ranged from 0.07% to 0.42% for the lo...
The Bank of Stephen Girard, 1812–1831

The literature of economic history abounds with studies of nineteenth century banking. Unfortunately, most of these studies have drawbacks which make them of limited use to the modern student of economic history. The most serious drawback is their almost unanimously institutional character, punctuated here and there with biographical sketches of past bank presidents and directors. Those studies which do offer solid quantitative evidence on banking practice and performance are often based on aggregate statistics compiled by state or national banking commissions and thus preclude the study of individual institutions or small groups of institutions which may have played a key role in the development of early banking practices. This article represents a detailed investigation of the largest non-chartered bank of the early nineteenth century, the Bank of Stephen Girard.
Interplay of Ligand Binding, Domain Interaction and Chaperone Mediated Cu+ Delivery to Cu+ Transport ATPases

Cu+-ATPases receive Cu+ from specific chaperones via ligand exchange and subsequently drive the metal efflux from the cell cytoplasms. Cu+-ATPases have two transmembrane metal binding/transport sites (TM-MBS) and various cytoplasmic domains: the actuator (A-domain) and ATP binding domains (ATPBD), and regulatory N-terminal metal binding domains (N-MBD). Archaeoglobus fulgidus CopA, the Cu+-ATPase used in these studies, contains a single N-MBD and an apparently non-functional C-terminal MBD. The Cu+ dependent interaction of N-MBD and ATPBD was postulated as a possible mechanism for enzyme regulation (Tsivkovskii et al. JBC, 2001, 276: 2234). Similarly, we hypothesized that ligand (Cu+ or nucleotide) binding to cytoplasmic domains might be required for chaperone-Cu+-ATPase interaction. Testing these ideas the interactions among isolated cytoplasmic domains and the chaperone-Cu+ transfer to the TM-MBS in the full length ATPase were characterized. Studies using isolated domains showed that while the N-MBD interacts with ATPBD, the presence of Cu+ or nucleotide (ADP) prevents this interaction. The N-MBD does not interact with the A domain. Alternatively, the C-MBD interacts with both ATPBD and A-domains in a ligand independent fashion. The Cu+ transfer form the chaperone to CopA is independent of the N-MBD capability to bind Cu+. However, only one Cu+ is transferred to CopA in absence of nucleotides, while the presence of ADP allows full loading of TM-MBS. Since this effect of ADP was observed even when N-MBD was loaded with Cu+, the nucleotide role in TM-MBS Cu+ loading seems unrelated to the N-MBD-ATPBD interaction. Different from the well-described alkali metal transport by P-type ATPases, the requirement of nucleotide binding for Cu+ loading along with the practically irreversible binding of metal to the transport sites, appear as significant mechanistic elements necessary for Cu+ transport by these ATPases.
Binding of the Munc13-1 MUN domain to membrane-anchored SNARE complexes.

The core of the membrane fusion machinery that governs neurotransmitter release includes the SNARE proteins syntaxin-1, SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin, which form a tight “SNARE complex”, and Munc18-1, which binds to the SNARE complex and to syntaxin-1 folded into a closed conformation. Release is also controlled by specialized proteins such as complexins, which also bind to the SNARE complex, and unc13/Munc13s, which are crucial for synaptic vesicle priming and were proposed to open syntaxin-1, promoting SNARE complex assembly. However, the biochemical basis for unc13/Munc13 function and its relationship to other SNARE interactions are unclear. To address this question, we have analyzed interactions of the MUN domain of Munc13-1, which is key for this priming function, using solution binding assays and cofloatation experiments with SNARE-containing proteoliposomes. Our results indicate that the Munc13-1 MUN domain binds to membrane-anchored SNARE complexes, even though binding is barely detectable in solution...
Piecewise triangular C1 surface strips

We show how to solve a simple interpolation problem with triangular patches that is intractable with tensor product patches. The problem of fitting a C^1 surface strip between four boundary curves is described.
Whole School Reform in a Low-Income African American Community: The Effects of the CoZi Model on Teachers, Parents, and Students.

This article reports the results of a 1-year evaluation of the CoZi model, a whole school reform model that combines Edward Zigler’s School of the 21st Century (which includes on-site, daylong, and...
A Longitudinal Study of Language Acquisition in Autistic and Down Syndrome Children.

Findings from a longitudinal study of language acquisition in a group of autistic children are presented. Six autistic subjects and six children with Down syndrome, matched on age and MLU at the start of the study, were followed over a period of between 12 and 26 months. Language samples were collected in the children's homes while they interacted with their mothers. Samples of 100 spontaneous child utterances from the transcripts were analyzed using the following measures: MLU, Index of Productive Syntax, lexical diversity, and form class distribution. The results indicate that the majority of these autistic children followed the same general developmental path as the Down syndrome children in this study, and normal children reported in the literature, in the acquisition of grammatical and lexical aspects of language, and confirm previous findings suggesting that autism does not involve a fundamental impairment in formal aspects of language.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of suture granulomas of the breast: A potential pitfall in the cytologic diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer

The fine-needle aspirates of three cases of suture granulomas of the breast area following mastectomy, lumpectomy, or axillary node dissection were reviewed. The original histologic diagnoses were mucinous (colloid) carcinoma, intraductal carcinoma, and low-grade phyllodes tumor. In two patients a new nodule developed in the surgical scar, and in the third a nodule developed in the axilla 2 cm away from the scar. The cellularity of the aspirates ranged from low to moderate, and all three cases contained variable numbers of spindled cells and fragments of cellular stroma. Multinucleated giant cells characteristic of suture granulomas were absent in all cases. Abundant metachromatic amorphous background material was present in one case, which was interpreted as recurrent mucinous carcinoma. The remaining cases were interpreted as suspicious for recurrent neoplasm. Upon excision, all were suture granulomas with fibroblastic proliferation. Suture granulomas can both clinically and cytologically mimic recurrent malignancy. The predominance of spindled cells and dissimilarity to the original tumor appear to be the most helpful features to cytologically distinguish suture granuloma from recurrent carcinoma in the absence of the characteristic multinucleated giant cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Paul the Deacon’s Liber de episcopis Mettensibus and the role of Metz in the Carolingian realm

Circa 784, the Lombard Paul the Deacon wrote a history of the bishopric of Metz, commonly known as the Liber de episcopis Mettensibus, at the request of Angilram, bishop of Metz, whom Charlemagne had newly appointed head of the royal chapel. As has often been observed, the Liber differs in significant ways from other episcopal gesta: Paul does not seem interested in recounting a comprehensive history of the bishopric; rather, he lingers primarily on four bishops, to each of whom he dedicates a full entry. This article proposes a new reading of the Liber and examines how the combination of the four interrelated entries, by making Metz the birthplace of the Carolingian family and asserting the important contributions of the Austrasian city to the reform of the Frankish church, enhances the central role of the city within Charlemagne’s realm.
On the Proper Use of Compound Interest Factors—A Technical Note

Five of the seven factors in most common use for compound interest calculations involve a uniform series of payments (or receipts). These interest factors, for use when interest is compounded at discrete points in time, are commonly referred to as the uniform series present worth factor, the uniform series compound amount factor, the capital recovery factor, the sinking fund factor and the uniform series gradient conversion factor. The proper use of these five factors requires that the period of time between the compoundings of interest coincide with the period of time between the uniform payments. If the interest is compounded more frequently (assume by an integer number of times) than the payments, then the best way to apply the compound interest factors is to determine the effective interest rate between payments. If interest is compounded less frequently than the payments (assume there are an integer number of payment periods within each compounding period), the correct solution procedure is not well ...
EFFECT OF INTRAVESICAL CAPSAICIN AND VEHICLE ON BLADDER INTEGRITY IN CONTROL AND SPINAL CORD INJURED RATS

AbstractPurpose: To determine the acute effect of intravesical capsaicin on bladder mucosal integrity in normal and spinal cord injured (SCI) rats.Materials and Methods: Intravesical reagents were instilled in 5 groups of age and weight matched female rats: 1) control+normal saline solution (NSS), 2) control+ethanol (EtOH), 3) control+capsaicin/EtOH, 4) SCI+NSS, 5) SCI+capsaicin/EtOH. Intravesical instillations were performed 4 weeks after a standard T10 SCI. Intravesical capsaicin (1 mM.) was dissolved in 30% EtOH/NSS. The animals (n = 3 each group) were sacrificed at 30 minutes, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after intravesical instillation. Whole bladders were harvested, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and paraffin embedded. Tissue blocks were blind coded and sectioned (5 micro m. thickness) for histopathological analysis. All sections were initially stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E). Specific staining for mucin carbohydrate moieties included periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue. Also, i...
A Presumed Pdf Analysis of Partially Premixed Turbulent Combustion

The thermochemistry and chemical kinetics for a partially premixed system in turbulent reacting flows are discussed in terms of activation energy asymptotics and a simple presumed pdf based on two delta functions. The resulting analysis permits fuel and products to coexist, i.e., finite rate kinetic effects are incorporated. Emphasis is placed on lean mixtures since these are of greatest applied interest but the analysis pertains to both rich mixtures and those spanning equivalence ratio of unity. Assessment of the thermochemical model is carried out in two ways, the most comprehensive of which involves the flow in a slender channel. Although the fluid mechanical description of this flow is highly simplified, a large number of parameters are found to be needed to characterize the operative aerothermochemical conditions, the implication being that a wide variety of flows are susceptible to treatment.
Report of ITER Special Working Group 2

ITER Special Working Group 2 (SWG-2) was established by the terms of the ITER-EDA Agreement. According to that agreement, {open_quotes}SWG-2 shall submit guidelines for implementation of task assignments by the Home Teams to the Council for approval at its second meeting. This SWG shall also draft Protocol 2 to the ITER-EDA Agreement and submit a draft to the Council not later than by 21 May 1993.{close_quotes} The members of SWG-2 for Protocol 2 drafting are listed. The rest of this paper is the verbatim report of SWG-2 on Protocol 2.
The effects of physical activity and physical activity plus diet interventions on body weight in overweight or obese women who are pregnant or in postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective To review the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) and PA plus diet interventions in managing weight among overweight or obese (OW/OB) pregnant or postpartum women.
Cooperative multi-vehicle search and coverage problem in an uncertain environment

A distributed approach is proposed in this paper to address a cooperative multi-vehicle search and coverage problem in an uncertain environment such as forest fires monitoring and detection. Two different types of vehicles are used for search and coverage tasks: search and service vehicles. The search vehicles have a priori probability maps of targets in the environment. These vehicles update the probability maps based on their sensors measurements during the search mission. The search vehicles use a limited look-ahead dynamic programming algorithm to find their own path individually while their objective is to maximize the amount of information gathered by the whole team. The task of the service vehicles is to optimally spread out over the environment to cover the interested area for a mission. A Voronoi-based coverage control strategy is proposed to modify the configuration of service vehicles in such a way that a prescribed coverage cost function is minimized using the updated probability maps which are provided by the search vehicles. The improved performance of the proposed approach compared to conventional coverage methods is demonstrated by numerical simulation and experimental results. Language: en
How Can US Schools Desegregate After the End of Busing

The end of busing of primary and secondary school students has been a major setback for integration of public schools in the USA. The purpose of this paper is not to offer an alternative to busing; regrettably, no obvious alternative stands out. Rather, it is to offer some social, legal and economic background to help the reader consider, and perhaps propose, realistic alternatives that would reduce both racial and economic segregation in our schools and society. The paper is divided into three sections. The first offers background information useful for better understanding and evaluating the end of busing and school resegregation. The second section focuses on an important parallel between racial and economic discrimination. The closing section introduces considerations important for anticipating reactions to, and the costs and benefits of, alternatives to busing for reintegrating schools, as well as several recommendations to which those considerations can be applied.
Piling On: Multilevel Government and the Fiscal Common‐Pool

This article discusses the common-pool problems that arise when multiple territorially overlapping governments share the authority to provide services and levy taxes in a common geographic area. Contrary to the traditional Tiebout model in which increasing the number of competing governments improves efficiency, I argue that increasing the number of overlapping governments results in “overfishing” from the shared tax base. I test the model empirically using data from U.S. counties and find a strong positive relationship between the number of overlapping jurisdictions and the size of the local public sector. Substantively, the “overlap effect” amounts to roughly 10% of local revenue.
Medical school curriculum characteristics associated with intentions and frequency of tobacco dependence treatment among 3rd year U.S. medical students.

Objective Physicians play a critical role in addressing tobacco dependence, yet report limited training. Tobacco dependence treatment curricula for medical students could improve performance in this area. This study identified student and medical school tobacco treatment curricula characteristics associated with intentions and use of the 5As for tobacco treatment among 3rd year U.S. medical students.
A novel tilapia prolactin receptor is functionally distinct from its paralog

SUMMARY A novel tilapia prolactin (PRL) receptor ( Om PRLR2) was identified based on its induction during hyperosmotic stress. Om PRLR2 protein shows 28% identity to tilapia Om PRLR1 and 26% identity to human PRLR. Comparison of Om PRLR1 and Om PRLR2 revealed conserved features of cytokine class I receptors (CKR1): a WS domain and transmembrane domain, two pairs of cysteines and N-glycosylation motifs in the extracellular region, CKR1 boxes I and II, and three tyrosines in the intracellular region. However, Om PRLR2 lacked the ubiquitin ligase and 14-3-3 binding motifs. Om PRLR2 mRNA was present in all tissues analyzed, with highest expression in gills, intestine, kidney and muscle, similar to Om PRLR1. Transfer of fish from fresh water to sea water transiently increased gill Om PRLR2 mRNA levels within 4 h but decreased its protein abundance in the long term. Om PRLR2 is expressed in part as a truncated splice variant of 35 kDa in addition to the 55 kDa full-length protein. Cloning of the mRNA encoding the 35 kDa variant revealed that it lacks the extracellular region. It is expressed at significantly higher levels in males than in females. In stably transfected HEK293 cells over-expressing tetracycline-inducible Om PRLR1 and Om PRLR2, activation of these receptors by tilapia PRL 177 and PRL 188 triggered different downstream signaling pathways. Moreover, Om PRLR2 significantly increased HEK293 salinity tolerance. Our data reveal that tilapia has two PRLR genes whose protein products respond uniquely to PRL and activate different downstream pathways. Expression of a short PRLR2 variant may serve to inhibit PRL binding during osmotic stress and in male tissues.
An Integrated, Instrument Intensive Project-Based Biochemistry Laboratory for Enhanced Student Learning and Research

We have designed and implemented a two-semester instrument-intensive experimental biochemistry course. In the early part of the course, student training is focused on experimental design, calibration curves, and statistical analysis. Students study biologically significant small molecules using HPLC, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, and electrochemical biosensors. In the last half of the first semester, experiments grow in complexity and students become more independent as they use multiple spectroscopic techniques to study lipid membrane dynamics, protein structure, and enzyme activity. In the second semester, students study the impact of structure on protein function, use qPCR to quantitate relative gene expression in plants, and study the dynamics of tRNA structure upon ligand binding using fluorescence, absorbance, and electrophoresis. Throughout the course, students are trained in both formal and informal scientific writing. The culmination of both semesters is a student-designed inquiry-based independent project. We will describe the structure of the course, how learning outcomes are addressed, and report on initial student responses to this integrative instrument-based biochemistry experience. The authors gratefully acknowledge the NSF (DUE award # 1044737) for support of this project.
Oxidative enzymes in embryos from dams fed synthetic and practical type laying diets.

SummaryEnzymatic activity of embryos obtained from hens fed a synthetic-type laying diet, was compared to that of embryos from hens fed various supplements to the basal laying ration. Low hatchability of fertile eggs occurred in eggs of hens whose embryos had high cytochrome c reductase activity, high succinic dehydrogenase activity and high cytochrome oxidase activity. In all cases addition of corn, corn steepwater or a combination of soybean oil meal and corn to the hen basal diet improved hatchability of fertile eggs, and embryos from such groups exhibited lowered enzyme activity. Pyruvic reductase activity of embryos was increased when sources of unidentified factors were added to the basal diet of the dam. Increased hatchability of fertile eggs was also obtained from the dams fed these supplements. The embryos that hatched poorly seemed to be suffering from general debility rather than from any specific deficiency symptom.
Living Under the Muzzle of a Russian Gun: A Consideration of the Generalship of Paulus and Chuikov at Stalingrad

The purpose of this study is to explain the German failure at Stalingrad by comparing the opposing army commanders, Friedrich Paulus and Vasili I. Chuikov. In spite of how close Paulus came to accomplishing his mission, which was to take all of Stalingrad, in the end he failed either to take the city or save his army from destruction. A large part of the reason for this is to be found in Paulus’s leadership, which was far too passive and allowed his subordinates too much discretion. Paulus ensured he was unable to influence events quickly by locating his headquarters some 100 miles from Stalingrad at Nizhne-Chirskaya. Likewise, a large part of the Soviet victory can be attributed to Vasili Chuikov, who made sure, by his hands-on approach and active command style, that the tactical battle was fought his way. It was this difference in command styles that, ultimately, spelled victory for one side and defeat for the other.
Object user recognition in multi-person homes

In order for objects to perform personalized or contextual functions based on the object user's identity, they must solve what we call the object user recognition problem: understanding who is actually using them. In our research, we hypothesize that it is possible to perform object user recognition using sensors currently available in commercial smart wrist devices. These sensors provide rich information about the location and hand gestures of the device bearer. This information is sufficient to identify object users from a fixed set of people living in a home.
Manipulation of Disk-Shaped Islands on Freely Suspended Smectic Films and Bubbles Using Optical Tweezers

We have demonstrated that disk-shaped islands on freely suspended smectic films and bubbles can be manipulated using optical tweezers. We have measured the optical trapping forces experimentally and have studied the trapping properties theoretically using an optical model with ray, wave, and electromagnetic components. The observations confirm our prediction that the trapping force is maximized when the edge of the island finds itself in the focal region of a highly divergent laser beam.
Frailty and Chronic Kidney Disease: The Third National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey

Abstract Background Frailty is common in the elderly and in persons with chronic diseases. Few studies have examined the association of frailty with chronic kidney disease. Methods We used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the prevalence of frailty among persons with chronic kidney disease. We created a definition of frailty based on established validated criteria, modified to accommodate available data. We used logistic regression to determine whether and to what degree stages of chronic kidney disease were associated with frailty. We also examined factors that might mediate the association between frailty and chronic kidney disease. Results The overall prevalence of frailty was 2.8%. However, among persons with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate 2 ), 20.9% were frail. The odds of frailty were significantly increased among all stages of chronic kidney disease, even after adjustment for the residual effects of age, sex, race, and prevalent chronic diseases. The odds of frailty associated with chronic kidney disease were only marginally attenuated with additional adjustment for sarcopenia, anemia, acidosis, inflammation, vitamin D deficiency, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Frailty and chronic kidney disease were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion Frailty is significantly associated with all stages of chronic kidney disease and particularly with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Potential mechanisms underlying the chronic kidney disease and frailty connection remain elusive.
Sources of predatory mortality in the bay scallop Argopecten irradians (Lamarck): interactions with seagrass and epibiotic coverage

Field observations and experiments were conducted to identify the sources of predatory mortality in adult bay scallops Argopecten irradians concentricus Say and to determine the physical factors that affected the rate of predation. Ring-billed gulls Larus delawarensis Ord, herring gulls L. argentatus Coues, and knobbed whelks Busycon carica Gmelin were responsible for the mortality of scallops placed in the field. Predation intensity by these predators varied significantly with depth of water coverage and habitat type. Predation by gulls was more intense on intertidal scallops than on scallops that were barely subtidal (covered by <5 cm of water), and less intense on scallops within shoalgrass Halodule wrightii Acherson beds than on scallops on bare sand bottom. Predation by whelks was less intense on scallops within subtidal eelgrass Zostera marina L. beds than on unvegetated subtidal sand in April, but a similar pattern in August was not significant. Epibiotic coverage by macroalgae and invertebrates did not alter the rate of predation in any of the experiments. The results from these experiments suggest that seagrass acts as a partial refuge from predation for bay scallops, and in part explains the marked habitat preference of this species. While other costs and benefits may be associated with the symbiosis of scallops and their epibionts, epibiotic coverage does not confer any protection from predation, and so in the absence of further information the relationship should be classified as commensalistic.
Methodological Issues in Human Exposure Studies of Low Level Solvent Mixtures

The design of appropriate studies to assess the sensory irritant and neurobehavioral effects of exposure to complex VOC mixtures poses a variety of methodological challenges, particularly at the low levels found in new buildings. For instance, Otto et al (1989) exposed subjects to a 25 mg/m3 mixture of 22 VOCs representative of the highest concentration encountered in new homes. The concentration is equivalent, in mass, to about 7 ppm toluene. As one might predict, the mixture produced no consistent effects on the performance of an extensive neurobehavioral test battery, but did elicit classical SBS symptoms of eye and throat irritation, headache and fatigue. Failure to find functional deficits could be due to several factors. Perhaps the tests were not sensitive (or difficult) enough to detect effects. The authors used the neurobehavioral evaluation system which was designed for occupational field studies. Further study is needed to determine the optimal testing parameters for use in repeated-measure laboratory studies of university students. Further study is also needed to determine which subsets of the population are most vulnerable to adverse effects of VOC exposure. Finally, other physiological endpoints (e.g., measures of inflammation and pulmonary function) need to be explored.
Activity-Based Therapies

Therapeutic activity is a mainstay of clinical neurorehabilitation, but is typically unstructured and directed at compensation rather than restoration of central nervous system function. Newer activity-based therapies (ABTs) are in early stages of development and testing. The ABTs attempt to restore function via standardized therapeutic activity based on principles of experimental psychology, exercise physiology, and neuroscience. Three of the best developed ABTs are constraint-induced therapy, robotic therapy directed at the hemiplegic arm, and treadmill training techniques aimed at improving gait in persons with stroke and spinal cord injury. These treatments appear effective in improving arm function and gait, but they have not yet been clearly demonstrated to be more effective than equal amounts of traditional techniques. Resistance training is clearly demonstrated to improve strength in persons with stroke and brain injury, and most studies show that it does not increase hypertonia. Clinical trials of ABTs face several methodological challenges. These challenges include defining dosage, standardizing treatment parameters across subjects and within treatment sessions, and determining what constitutes clinically significant treatment effects. The long-term goal is to develop prescriptive ABT, where specific activities are proven to treat specific motor system disorders. Activity-based therapies are not a cure, but are likely to play an important role in future treatment cocktails for stroke and spinal cord injury.