cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertebral Brown Tumors Causing Neurologic Compromise

Objective Brown tumors are nonneoplastic lesions that occur only in the setting of hyperparathyroidism. Although vertebral brown tumors are relatively rare pathologic entities, their incidence seems to be on the rise, as evidenced by multiple case reports published during the past four decades. An extensive review of these lesions is lacking in the literature. We present a case of paraparesis secondary to vertebral brown tumor followed by a detailed review of the literature. Methods We performed a review of the literature to locate all reported cases to date of vertebral brown tumors resulting in neurologic sequelae. In addition, we present the case of a 33-year-old female with end-stage renal disease and previous subtotal parathyroidectomy who presented with acute-onset paraparesis from an expansile L1 brown tumor and was treated successfully by laminectomy and bracing. Results Thirty cases of vertebral brown tumor resulting in neurologic deficit were located in our literature search. Most occurred in women (63%), those aged 40 to 49 years (27%), and in the thoracic spine (57%). Lesions occurred roughly equally in primary (47%) and secondary (53%) hyperparathyroidism. Most patients demonstrated either symptomatic or radiographic improvement after neurosurgical intervention and/or subtotal or total parathyroidectomy. Conclusion In patients presenting with a lytic vertebral lesion and known hyperparathyroidism or end-stage renal disease, brown tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In select cases with minimal neurologic symptoms, parathyroidectomy may be warranted prior to neurosurgical intervention.
Integrated Hollow-Core Waveguides Made by Sputter Deposition

A new fabrication method for hollow core waveguides based on sputter deposition is demonstrated. Arched-core waveguides were constructed on silicon with a low-temperature sacrificial etching technique that lends itself to high-volume production.
Parallel evolution of a self-signal: humans and new world monkeys independently lost the cell surface sugar Neu5Gc

Human sialic acid biology is unusual and thought to be unique among mammals. Humans lack a functional cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) protein and cannot synthesize the sugar Neu5Gc, an innate mammalian signal of self. Losing this sugar changed how humans interact with some of our deadliest pathogens: malaria, influenza, and streptococcus among others. We show that the New World monkeys, comprising the third of all primate species, have human-like sialic acid biology. They have lost Neu5Gc because of an independent CMAH inactivation ~30 million years ago (mya) (compared to ~3 mya in hominids). This parallel loss of Neu5Gc opens sialic acid biology to comparative phylogenetic analysis and reveals an unexpected conservation priority. New World monkeys risk infection by human pathogens that can recognize cells in the absence of Neu5Gc. This striking molecular convergence provides a mechanism that could explain the long-standing observation that New World monkeys are susceptible to some human diseases that cannot be transmitted to other primates.
Almost Stable Regions for an Area-Preserving Mapping

The area preserving mapping x′ = x + a(y − y 3), y′ = y − a(x′ − x′3), for 0.3 ≤ a ≤ 2.0 has been studied to locate approximately the x-axis points bounding almost stable regions. For each value of a, these are fixed points with variational trace just greater than 2.0. Transition to chaos can occur rapidly as a increases (with n/k fixed).
Down syndrome (DS) peripheral blood contains phenotypically mature CD3+TCRα,β+ cells but abnormal proportions of TCRα,β+, TCRγ,δ+, and CD4+CD45RA+ cells: Evidence for an inefficient release of mature T cells by the DS thymus☆

Abstract Down syndrome (DS) thymocytes have a markedly diminished proportion of cells expressing high levels of the α,β T cell receptor (TCRα,β) and the associated CD3 molecule. Thus, we examined the surface expression of TCRα,β and CD3 as well as TCRγ,δ, CD4, CD8, Cd16, and CD45RA on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 13 noninstitution-alized subjects with DS and 13 closely age-matched sibling controls using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. DS PBL expressed high surface levels of TCRα,β and CD3, but, as compared to controls, they had a lower proportion of cells expressing TCRα,β (61% vs. 68%, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the absolute number of TCRα,β+ cells was considerably lower for DS subjects than for controls (1634 ± 229 vs. 2763 ± 530, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). DS subjects had a markedly higher proportion of cells expressing TCRγ,δ than did the controls (12% vs. 7%, respectively; P ≤ 0.02). In addition, DS subjects had a lower proportion of CD4+CD45RA+ cells than controls (22% vs. 35%, respectively; P ≤ 0.02), representing naive T cells which have recently emigrated from the thymus. The imbalance in the proportions of T cell subpopulations we have observed in DS PBL may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection associated with DS and may represent a diminished efficiency in the production of newly differentiated T cells by the DS thymus.
Linking Home-School Dissonance to School-Based Outcomes for African American High School Students:

The current study examined associations between home-school dissonance and several academic and psychological variables among 239 African American high school students. Regression analyses revealed that home-school dissonance significantly predicted multiple academic and psychological variables, including academic cheating, disruptive classroom behavior, performance avoidant and performance approach goal orientations, and poor self-reported English and math grades. Implications of this research include a more systematic incorporation of African American high school students’ out-of-school experiences into their classroom learning experiences.
The Practice of "Approximate Original Contour" in the Central Appalachians. II. Economic and Environmental Consequences of an Alternative

Zipper, C.E., Daniels, W.L. and Bell, J. C., 1989. The practice of “approximate original contour” in the central Appalachians. II. Economic and environmental consequences of an alternative. Landscape Urban Plann., 18:
Parents Who Abuse: What Are They Thinking?

Child abuse is a major social concern around the world. Important to tackling the problem is an understanding of the mechanisms contributing to abusive parenting. This article brings together research on the cognitive variables associated with abusive or high-risk parenting. Considered are dysfunctional child-centered and parent-centered cognitions as potentially critical correlates of abusive behavior. The development of dysfunctional cognitions is also explored. Cognitive vulnerabilities alone are typically not sufficient for the occurrence of abuse. Interactions with additional factors, such as an ability to inhibit aggression, problem-solving capabilities, parenting skills, social isolation, and societal context are examined.
Comparison of 25, 23 and 20-gauge vitrectomy

Purpose of reviewThe history and development of 25-gauge and 23-gauge vitrectomy are reviewed in this paper and compared with 20-gauge vitrectomy, the historical gold standard. Current advantages and disadvantages of each are delineated.Recent findingsTransconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy continue
A Simplified Gas Turbine Engine Model With Heat Storage/Tip Clearance Effects

A simplified turboshaft gas turbine engine model called the direct transient method (DTM) model has been developed. The DTM model consists of table look-up data generated from the actual engine data or the transient engine simulation. The DTM model accounts for heat storage, tip clearance and volume dynamics effects. It can, therefore, better predict engine transient responses and turbine metal temperature than the traditional engine horsepower extraction (HPX) model. This paper presents in detail the DTM methodology for generating accurate simplified engine models of transient performance. Comparisons of engine transient responses between the DTM and HPX models are provided.Copyright © 1993 by ASME
Cholesterol homeostasis markers are localized to mouse hippocampal pyramidal and granule layers.

Changes in brain cholesterol homeostasis are associated with multiple diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's; however, controversy persists as to whether adult neurons produce their own cholesterol, or if it is outsourced to astrocytes. To address this issue, we analyzed 25 genes most immediately involved in cholesterol homeostasis from in situ data provided by the Allen Brain Mouse Atlas. We compared the relative mRNA expression in the pyramidal and granule layers, populated with neurons, with the rest of the hippocampus which is populated with neuronal processes and glia. Comparing the expression of the individual genes to markers for neurons and astrocytes, we found that cholesterol homeostasis genes are preferentially targeted to neuronal layers. Therefore, changes in gene expression levels might affect neuronal populations directly. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone for primary central nervous system lymphoma: Short–duration response and multifocal intracerebral recurrence preceding radiotherapy

The activity of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) in the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) prior to radiotherapy was studied in six patients. Primary lesions were reduced by 80% or more on contrast-enhancing cross-sectional area in four patients and to a lesser extent in two others after two cycles of chemotherapy. The primary lesion sites demonstrated no contrast enhancement in the three patients who completed four cycles of therapy. However, concurrent with response at the primary disease sites, multiple lesions occurred at distant, noncontiguous CNS parenchymal sites in five patients after two to four cycles of chemotherapy. Median survival was 8.5 months for the six enrolled patients and 16.5 months for the four patients completing craniospinal radiotherapy. PCNSL is highly responsive to standard systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma chemotherapy regimens, but the pattern and rapidity of relapse suggest mechanisms of failure including inherent or rapidly evolving antineoplastic drug resistance and perhaps limited drug delivery to occult sites of disease in the brain.
Increased Virulence of Coxsackievirus B3 in Mice Due to Vitamin E or Selenium Deficiency

Nutrition has long been known to affect the ability of the host to respond to infectious disease. Widespread famines are often accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases. The currently accepted view of the relationship between nutrition of the host and its susceptibility to infectious disease is one of a direct relationship with host immune status. That is, if the nutritional status of the host is poor-due to either single or multiple nutrient deficiencies-then the functioning of the host immune system is compromised. This impairment of the immune response will lead to an increased susceptibility to infectious disease. Clearly, the immune response has been shown to be weakened by inadequate nutrition in many model systems and in human studies. However, what about the effect of host nutrition on the pathogen itself? Our laboratory has shown, using a mouse model of coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis, that a host deficiency in either selenium or vitamin E leads to a change in viral phenotype, such that an avirulent strain of the virus becomes virulent and a virulent strain becomes more virulent. The change in phenotype was shown to be due to point mutations in the viral genome. Once the mutations occur, the phenotype change is stable and can now be expressed even in mice of normal nutriture. Our results suggest that nutrition can affect not only the host, but the pathogen as well, and demonstrate a new model of relating host nutritional effects to viral pathogenesis.
COMPARISON WITH EXPERIMENT FOR TVD CALCULATIONS OF BLAST WAVES FROM A SHOCK TUBE

Harten's second-order-accurate total-variation-diminishing (TVD) scheme is applied to calculation of flow from the open end of a shock tube. Comparison of numerical results with available experimental data for overpressure at selected points around the shock tube exit shows good agreement. Numerically indicated positions of the moving shock front and Mach stem also compare well with flow shadowgraph data. Where the problem geometry is sufficiently simple and rectangular gridding can be used, Harten's method affords a good choice for blast wave calculations.
Computational Approach To Characterize Causative Factors and Molecular Indicators of Chronic Wound Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is rapidly becoming recognized as a key contributor to numerous pathologies. Despite detailed investigations, understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating inflammation is incomplete. Knowledge of such critical regulatory processes and informative indicators of chronic inflammation is necessary for efficacious therapeutic interventions and diagnostic support to clinicians. We used a computational modeling approach to elucidate the critical factors responsible for chronic inflammation and to identify robust molecular indicators of chronic inflammatory conditions. Our kinetic model successfully captured experimentally observed cell and cytokine dynamics for both acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Using sensitivity analysis, we identified macrophage influx and efflux rate modulation as the strongest inducing factor of chronic inflammation for a wide range of scenarios. Moreover, our model predicted that, among all major inflammatory mediators, IL-6, TGF-β, and PDGF may generally be considered the most sensitive and robust indicators of chronic inflammation, which is supported by existing, but limited, experimental evidence.
Complex laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal hilar tumors

Abstract Objectives To evaluate our experience with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for tumors located adjacent to the renal hilum. Continued advances in laparoscopic technology and technique have made LPN feasible for increasingly anatomically complex tumors. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent LPN at Washington University. We identified 8 patients who had undergone LPN between December 2001 and September 2004 for hilar tumors that were defined as those located within 5 mm of the renal hilar vessels. The data were retrospectively analyzed for parameters, including operative time, morbidity, and postoperative course. Results LPN was successfully completed in all 8 patients without conversion to an open or hand-assisted approach. The indication for nephron-sparing surgery was elective in 6 patients and imperative in 2. The mean operative time was 3.0 hours (range 2.5 to 3.5), and the mean estimated blood loss was 188 mL (range 30 to 700). All patients had negative margins on the final pathologic examination. No intraoperative complications occurred. Nine postoperative complications developed in 6 patients. They included hemorrhage in 1, fever in 1, ileus in 1, urinary tract infection in 1, urine leak in 4, and transient postoperative neuropathy in 1 patient. Conclusions With adequate laparoscopic experience, LPN for hilar tumors is a reasonable surgical option. In our experience, the procedure was associated with an increased risk of urine leak. Preoperative placement of a ureteral catheter to help delineate collecting system violations and routine postoperative stenting may reduce the incidence of this complication.
Coupling Control in Polymer Microring Based High-Q Filters and Electro-Optic Modulators Using Photobleaching

Precise and fast post-fabrication trimming of coupling has been demonstrated using high-intensity laser photobleaching of the coupling region in high-Q passive polymer microrings vertically coupled to chromophore-doped waveguides, and in laterally coupled electro-optic ring modulators.
Effects of aprotinin on plasma coagulation kinetics determined by thrombelastography: role of Factor XI.

Background: Aprotinin is commonly administered in settings involving cardiopulmonary bypass and liver transplantation to decrease peri-operative bleeding. Thrombelastography has been utilized to monitor coagulation in these settings, and aprotinin delays clot initiation, presumably by inhibiting kallikrein; however, aprotinin also inhibits Factor XI (FXI), a contact system protein. Thus, it was hypothesized that celite-activated thrombelastography coagulation kin-etics would be decreased via aprotinin-mediated FXI inhibition. Methods: Citrated normal plasma and prekallikrein-deficient (<1% normal activity) plasma were exposed to 0, 200, 400 or 800 kallikrein inhibitory units (KIU)/ml (n = 6 per condition). Samples were recalcified and celite-activated in a thrombelastograph, with clot initiation (R, s) determined. To confirm contact system specificity, additional prekallikrein-deficient samples with 0 or 800 KIU/ml aprotinin were activated with tissue factor (n = 4 per condition). Results: Exposure of celite-activated, normal plasma to aprotinin 0, 200, 400 or 800 KIU/ml resulted in R values of 167 ± 14, 253 ± 10, 293 ± 22 and 349 ± 21 s, respectively, which were significantly different from one another (P < 0.05). Exposure of celite-activated, prekallikrein-deficient plasma to aprotinin 0, 200, 400 or 800 KIU/ml resulted in R values of 366 ± 15, 630 ± 64, 698 ± 46 and 850 ± 47 s, respectively, which were significantly different from one another (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in R values between tissue factor-activated, prekallikrein-deficient plasma samples with 0 or 800 KIU/ml aprotinin. Conclusions: These data support a role for the inhibition of FXI as the mechanism for aprotinin-mediated delayed contact system clot initiation determined by thrombelastography.
The Precautionary Approach at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: the Southern Bluefin Tuna cases

The Southern Bluefin Tuna cases offer a rare judicial pronouncement on the application of the Precautionary Principle in marine conservation. Specifically, the 1999 application for provisional measures to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), initiated by Australia and New Zealand to limit a unilateral Japanese experimental fishing programme, yielded reasoned judicial guidance on Precaution in the law of the sea and marine fisheries. Apart from the contribution of the ITLOS' order of provisional measures itself, the separate opinions of Judges Laing, Treves and Shearer helped to define the contours of a "Precautionary approach" in a modern fisheries dispute. The fact that the order of provisional measures was ultimately dissolved by the later constituted arbitral tribunal for lack of jurisdiction need not detract from the ITLOS' important legal reasoning on the issue of Precaution. The enduring legacy of the cases will be their impact on the availability of ITLOS provisional measures to address fisheries' disputes in their preliminary phases, as well as illuminative judicial reasoning which will help to shape the application of the Precautionary Principle for many years to come.
Non-rigid registration algorithm with spatially varying stiffness properties

Non-rigid registration algorithms have been proposed over the years to register medical images to each other. One class of applications for these algorithms is the automatic segmentation of structures and substructures using a predefined atlas. But these algorithms have been limited to image volumes without gross abnormalities or pathologies and have thus been of limited use for applications such as the automatic segmentation of radiation sensitive structures for radiation therapy planning. The algorithm we present in this paper is an extension of a non-rigid registration algorithm we have previously developed (the adaptive basis algorithm). This extension permits the use of the algorithm for the automatic segmentation of medical images even when structures have been displaced substantially. The algorithm automatically adjusts the stiffness of the transformation to permit larger displacements over regions that are known to be very compliant and smaller displacements over regions that are known to be less compliant. The stiffness map can be defined once and for all in an atlas. The algorithm has been tested and evaluated on head image volumes with large ventricular enlargements and head image volumes with large space-occupying lesions.
Periodate oxidative decrystallization of cotton cellulose

Cotton cellulose is decrystallized by periodate oxidation to essentially zero crystallinity index (CI) at 100% oxidant consumption. The decrease in CI is pseudo zero-order over 60% of the reaction and consistent with a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The attack on regions of high order is indicated to be 100% in the latter phase of oxidation and 13% in the initial phase. Data allow an estimate that approximately 60% of the structural segments of the cotton cellulose under investigation lies in highly ordered arrangements.
HERG-like K+ Channels in Microglia

A voltage-gated K+ conductance resembling that of the human ether-a-go-go -related gene product (HERG) was studied using whole-cell voltage-clamp recording, and found to be the predominant conductance at hyperpolarized potentials in a cell line (MLS-9) derived from primary cultures of rat microglia. Its behavior differed markedly from the classical inward rectifier K+ currents described previously in microglia, but closely resembled HERG currents in cardiac muscle and neuronal tissue. The HERG-like channels opened rapidly on hyperpolarization from 0 mV, and then decayed slowly into an absorbing closed state. The peak K+ conductance–voltage relation was half maximal at −59 mV with a slope factor of 18.6 mV. Availability, assessed by a hyperpolarizing test pulse from different holding potentials, was more steeply voltage dependent, and the midpoint was more positive (−14 vs. −39 mV) when determined by making the holding potential progressively more positive than more negative. The origin of this hysteresis is explored in a companion paper (Pennefather, P.S., W. Zhou, and T.E. DeCoursey. 1998. J. Gen. Physiol . 111:795–805). The pharmacological profile of the current differed from classical inward rectifier but closely resembled HERG. Block by Cs+ or Ba2+ occurred only at millimolar concentrations, La3+ blocked with K i = ∼40 μM, and the HERG-selective blocker, E-4031, blocked with K i = 37 nM. Implications of the presence of HERG-like K+ channels for the ontogeny of microglia are discussed.
Perceived Symbols of Authority and Their Influence on Compliance1

There are many variables that influence compliance. With regard to individuals making requests of others, Bickman (1974) found that the apparel of the person making the request significantly influenced whether another person complied with the request. This study evaluates other factors such as sex, age, and altruism in compliance. Subjects were involved in a replication of Bickman's dime and parking meter study. Results showed that the dress of the perceived authority not only affected the number of subjects who complied but also the type of compliance, the type of noncompliance, and the latency between request and compliance. Also, older subjects complied significantly more often than younger subjects in the role authority condition.
Unmanned air vehicle testbed for cooperative control experiments

This paper describes the MAGICC Lab unmanned air vehicle (UAV) testbed at Brigham Young University. Motivation for pursuing experimental research with UAVs is given as well as a historical perspective of the UAV testbed is developed. Lessons learned through the development and use of the testbed over the past several years are summarized.
Transgenic expression of human MGMT blocks the hypersensitivity of PMS2-deficient mice to low dose MNU thymic lymphomagenesis.

Mice deficient in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene, PMS2, develop spontaneous thymic lymphomas and sarcomas. We have previously shown that PMS2(-/-) mice were hypersensitive to a single i.p. injection of 50 mg/kg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) for thymic lymphoma induction. We postulated that MNU sensitivity was due to formation of O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-mG), which, if unrepaired by O(6)-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), leads to apoptosis in MMR competent cells and O(6)-mG:T mismatches in MMR deficient cells. Tumor induction is less in MMR(+/+) mice because cells with residual DNA adducts die, whereas mutagenized cells survive in MMR(-/-) mice. Overexpression of AGT (encoded by the methylguanine DNA methyltransferase-MGMT-gene) is known to block MNU induced tumorigenesis in mice with functional MMR. To further determine the sensitivity of PMS2(-/-) mice to MNU and the protective effect of hAGT overexpression, a low dose of MNU (25 mg/kg) was studied in PMS2(-/-) mice and PMS2(-/-)/hMGMT(+) mice. No thymic lymphomas were found in MNU-treated PMS2(+/+) and PMS2(+/-) mice. At 1 year, 46% of the MNU-treated PMS2(-/-) mice developed thymic lymphoma, compared with an incidence of 25% in both untreated PMS2(-/-) mice and MNU treated PMS2(-/-)/hMGMT(+) mice. In addition, a significantly shorter latency in the onset of thymic lymphomas was seen in MNU-treated PMS2(-/-) mice. K-ras mutations were detected almost equally in the thymic lymphomas induced by MNU in both PMS2(-/-) and PMS2(-/-)/hMGMT(+) mice, but not in the spontaneous lymphomas. These data suggest that PMS(-/-) mice are hypersensitive to MNU, that there are different pathways responsible for spontaneous and MNU induced thymic lymphomas in PMS2(-/-) mice, and that overexpression of hMGMT protects the mice by blocking non-K-ras pathways.
An improved CMOS ring oscillator PLL with less than 4ps RMS accumulated jitter

This paper describes a low jitter phase-locked-loop (PLL) with a 4/sup th/ order control path, and a dual control voltage ring oscillator. Near constant voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) gain over process variations, in addition to compensation for feedback ratio variation, allows improved control of the PLL bandwidth. The PLL exhibits improved noise immunity with a wide (5:1) VCO frequency range, without the need for band switching or calibration routines. This PLL is fabricated in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS logic process and exhibits <4 ps rms accumulated jitter.
Surgical and anaesthetic capacity of hospitals in Malawi: key insights

Background Surgery is increasingly recognized as an important driver for health systems strengthening, especially in developing countries. To facilitate quality improvement initiatives, baseline knowledge of capacity for surgical, anaesthetic, emergency and obstetric care is critical. In partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health, we quantified government hospitals’ surgical capacity through workforce, infrastructure and health service delivery components. Methods From November 2012 to January 2013, we surveyed district and mission hospital administrators and clinical staff onsite using a modified version of the Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment and Supplies (PIPES) tool from Surgeons OverSeas. We calculated percentage of facilities demonstrating adequacy of the assessed components, surgical case rates, operating theatre density and surgical workforce density. Results Twenty-seven government hospitals were surveyed (90% of the district hospitals, all central hospitals). Of the surgical workforce surveyed (n = 370), 92.7% were non-surgeons and 77% were clinical officers (COs). Of the 109 anaesthesia providers, 95.4% were non-physician anaesthetists (anaesthesia COs or ACOs). Non-surgeons and ACOs were the only providers of surgical services and anaesthetic services in 85% and 88.9% of hospitals, respectively. No specialists served the district hospitals. All of the hospitals experienced periods without external electricity. Most did not always have a functioning generator (78.3% district, 25% central) or running water (82.6%, 50%). None of the district hospitals had an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Cricothyroidotomy, bowel resection and cholecystectomy were not done in over two-thirds of hospitals. Every hospital provided general anaesthesia but some did not always have a functioning anaesthesia machine (52.2%, 50%). Surgical rate, operating theatre density and surgical workforce density per 100 000 population was 289.48–747.38 procedures, 0.98 and 5.41 and 3.68 surgical providers, respectively. Conclusion COs form the backbone of Malawi’s surgical and anaesthetic workforce and should be supported with improvements in infrastructure as well as training and mentorship by specialist surgeons and anaesthetists.
Differing patterns of altered glucocorticoid secretion in experimental malignant and benign hypertension. Influences upon the lymphoid system and on arterial connective tissue metabolism.

Alterations in plasma glucocorticoid levels and in the evolution of the thymus gland were studied in groups of malignant (MHY) and benign (BHY) hypertensive rats sacrificed at 6, 9, 12 and 24 days after aortic ligation between the renal arteries. Although the degree of blood pressure elevation was similar in MHY and BHY animals, MHYs were characterised by severe weight loss, increased plasma renin activity and elevated blood urea nitrogen. MHY animals sacrificed at day 6 showed markedly increased plasma corticosterone (PC) levels (PC: 604 ± 3·9 μg/dl) accompanied by severe thymus atrophy (123 ± 19 mg). In 6-day BHY animals elevated plasma corticosterone and thymus atrophy were also present but were not as marked as in MHY (BHY: PC: 38·8 ± 4·6 μg/dl, thymus wt: 244 ± 33 mg). Values from BHYs were, however, significantly different from sham-operated (Sham-op) controls (Sham-op: PC: 22·6 ± 1·4 μg/dl; thymus wt: 631 ± 32 mg). In BHY animals sacrificed at day 9, plasma corticosterone had returned to baseline levels. From this time period onward, in BHY animals normal plasma corticosterone was accompanied by a steady recovery of the thymus gland, generalised lymphoid proliferation, and by the proliferation of collagen and elastin (measured by the in-vitro incorporation of 14C-l-proline into both proteins) in the intima-media and adventitia of the thoracic aorta. Contrary to the normalisation of plasma corticosterone and thymus recovery observed in BHYs, corticosterone remained chronically elevated in MHYs and thymus atrophy was present throughout the entire evolution oif the disease. In MHYs, the arterial connective tissue proliferation was repressed and the synthesis of collagen and elastin was similar to normotensive controls. A. Statistically significant decrease in collagen concentration was present in both intima-media and adventitia of MHYs when compared to either BHMs or normotensive controls. Impaired vascular hypertrophy in MHYs coexisted with marked alterations in the lymphoid system. In the thymus severe atrophy, thymocyte depletion and a reverse corticomedullary pattern were observed. When the thymocytes remaining in the organ were challenged with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A they showed an impaired proliferative response. In the blood a significant reduction in circulating lymphocytes and marked neutrophilia were observed. These findings suggest that increased glucocrticoid secretion marks important modifications in cells and tissues involved in the production of necrotising arterial lesions during the evolution of malignant hypertension.
Assessing Children with Language Impairments: A Study on Kannada, a South Indian Language

Purpose: This is one of the first comprehensive studies to assess receptive and expressive language skills in a South Indian language, Kannada. It demystifies language impairments and provides a model for future research to understand other languages in India and in countries around the world. Method: Language impairments were identified in 68 students of Grades 3 and 4, in elementary schools where Kannada was the medium of instruction. The children were assessed in different language components. The results were analysed in terms of their ages and their levels of functioning in each language component and sub-component. Results: As a group, the subjects showed no significant deficits in phonological and semantic skills; however, individual deficits and deficits within sub-component skills of semantics were noted. Mean and individual deficits in auditory reception, aural comprehension and receptive vocabulary were also noted. Deficits in syntax & verbal expression were notably significant. The extent of language delay increases with age, and plateaus at higher ages. Conclusion: Children with language impairments in Kannada, display many similar characteristics in terms of problems in different components of language. Early intervention is called for because the language delay increases as age advances. A thorough assessment reveals specific strengths and weaknesses in language components and skills. This can be used as a starting point to base remediation activities. doi: 10.5463/dcid.v23i3.134
Synergistic Interactions among Antiinsulin Hormones in the Pathogenesis of Stress Hyperglycemia in Humans

We infused epinephrine, glucagon, and cortisol in combination into health y overnight-fasted subjects in doses designed to simulate changes in severe stress. Whenall three hormones were infused simultaneously, glucose levels rose above 200 mg/dl in spite of a 100–200% increase in plasma insulin. In contrast, infusion of each hormone individually produced eithera mild (<120 mg/dl) or a transient elevation in the plasma glucoseconcentration. With the combined hormone infusion,the increment in plasmaglucose was 3-fold greater than the sum of the responses to the individual hormones (< 0.001). The marked hyperglycemia in this setting is a resultof ongoing glucose overproduction which is stimulated by epinephrine and glucagon and sustained by cortisol. Furthermore, epinephrine(and possibly cortisol) inhibited glucose disposal despite concomitant hyperinsulinemia. In contrast to their effects on glucoseregulation, the simultaneous infusion of epinephrine, glucagon, and cortisol failed to cause hyperketonemia. W...
Service Constructs as Foundations for Advertising Themes

In 1981, William George and Leonard Berry observed that "despite the growth and importance of service industries, there has been little work published specifically on the advertising of services" [1981, p. 52]. That observation remains mostly true today, with scattered attention to the subject in both the advertising and services management literature. However, it is fundamental that advertising of products tends to focus on the object, while that for services tends to focus on its very nature, that of a performance. This means that the demarcation between corporate advertising and that for specific offerings of the firm, is less clear. The quality of the performance by the service provider is mostly inseparable from the quality of the service provider itself.
Brief Output feedback controllers for disturbance attenuation with actuator amplitude and rate saturation

Output feedback controllers for disturbance attenuation of linear systems with constraints on inputs are studied. The constraints are limited actuator capacity as well as limits on the actuator rates. The main features include guaranteed performance levels that depend on both actuator magnitude and rate limits, and controllers that operate at, or close to, maximum actuator capacity. The controllers have a structure similar to those used in the linear parameter varying (LPV) approach. Sufficient conditions for finding appropriate nonlinear control laws are expressed in terms of a convex search.
Quality Measurement in Wonderland: The Curious Case of a Dialysis Readmissions Measure

The standardized readmission ratio is a new quality measure for dialysis facilities that will affect public reporting and payment beginning in 2017. Like all quality measures affecting public reporting and payment, the standardized readmission ratio was vetted by a process that included a technical expert panel convened by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and, then, the National Quality Forum. Unlike previous measures, standardized readmission ratio followed a tortuous path that exposed problems in the development and endorsement process. Although it is acknowledged that processes in the dialysis facility can be improved to decrease readmissions, multiple objections to the implementation of the standardized readmission ratio measure existed. This review discusses the standardized readmission ratio measure and issues related to quality metric development that are important for the nephrology community to consider.
Chronic NMDA Exposure Accelerates Development of GABAergic Inhibition in the Superior Colliculus

Maturation of excitatory synaptic connections depends on the amount and pattern of their activity, and activity can affect development of inhibitory synapses as well. In the superficial visual laye...
Rheology of Partially Molten Rocks

Melt and water are two of the most important elements governing the viscosity of the rocks in regions of Earth’s upper mantle such as beneath a mid-ocean ridge and in the mantle wedge above a subducting plate. Over the past five years, laboratory deformation experiments under controlled thermodynamic conditions have yielded quantitative relationships describing the dependence of strain rate, \( \dot{\varepsilon } \) and, thus, viscosity, η, on melt fraction, ф, and hydrogen or hydroxyl concentration, C OH, as well as on differential stress, σ, grain size, d, temperature, T, pressure, P, oxygen fugacity, f O2, and silica or pyroxene activity, a opx. These constitutive equations provide a critical part of the framework necessary for modeling processes such as convective flow in the mantle and melt extraction from partially molten environments. To extend flow laws to low differential stresses important in the mantle and to compare the high-temperature rheological behavior of partially molten rocks at total pressures 0.1 and 300 MPa, recent creep experiments were carried out on samples of olivine plus 3 vol% basalt with an average grain size of ~30 µm under anhydrous conditions in compressive creep. In experiments performed at 0.1 MPa, relatively small differential stresses of 0.5 to 3 MPa were used in order to minimize microcracking that can occur in rock samples at low confining pressures. These 0.1-MPa experiments yield a stress exponent of n = 1.0, an f O2 exponent of 1/7 and an activation energy of 530 kJ/mol. To eliminate the cavitation and microcracking that can occur during deformation at 0.1 MPa, creep tests were performed at 300 MPa; in this case the differential stresses were in the range 14 to 224 MPa. At 1250°C, a transition from diffusion creep (n ≈ 1.0.) to dislocation creep (n ≈ 3.5) occurs at a differential stress of ~70 MPa. The f O2 exponent determined at 300 MPa agrees well with that measured at 0.1 MPa. Creep rates obtained in experiments at 0.1 MPa are in good agreement with those determined at 300 MPa when normalized to the same T-σ- f O2 conditions, indicating that contributions due to cavitation and microcracking are, at most, minor in the lower pressure experiments. The viscosities measured for partially molten olivine-basalt aggregates with 3 vol% melt deformed in both the diffusion and the dislocation creep regime are 3 to 5 time smaller than values published for melt-free samples. These results imply that, if the melt fraction remains small in the upwelling source rock beneath mid-ocean ridges, partial melting will not dramatically modify the rheological behavior of this region of the mantle except as the melt depletes the hydroxyl content of the host minerals and thereby eliminates water-weakening of the rock.
Evidence for lactate uptake after rat fluid percussion brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) places enormous early energy demand on brain tissue to reinstate normal ionic balance. Glucose declines and lactate increases after TBI as demonstrated in clinical and lab studies, suggesting increased glycolysis. This led us to hypothesize that high extracellular fluid (ECF) lactate may be beneficial after TBI. We measured cerebral dialysate lactate and glucose, and arterial lactate and glucose, before & after rat Fluid Percussion Injury (FPI) (2.06 ±0.13 atm) with and without IV lactate infusion (100 mM x 4.5 hours) to test the hypotheses that arterial lactate determines ECF lactate. 14C-lactate autoradiography was also performed, to demonstrate whether lactate is taken up by traumatized brain. RESULTS: Dialysate lactate was always significantly higher than arterial. After lactate infusion, both the dialysate and the arterial lactate were significantly increased (P < 0.0001). Dialysate lactate increased within 10 min. following FPI, with significantly higher values in the lactate infusion group (82% higher with lactate infusion after FPI). Dialysate glucose fell following FPI, with a more severe decline in the saline group (129% lower), suggesting lactate infusion preserves or “spares” glucose in ECF. In our autoradiographic study, IV 14C-lactate accumulated at the injury site, with levels 2–4 times higher than in contralateral cortex. In conclusion, arterial lactate augmentation thus increases brain dialysate lactate and results in less reduction in ECF glucose, after FPI. Infused lactate accumulates at the injury site, where metabolism is probably the greatest.
Association of Specific Cytomegalovirus Genotypes With Death From Myelosuppression After Marrow Transplantation

A retrospective analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) genotype was conducted on 281 CMV isolates obtained from marrow transplant recipients. The genotyping was based on sequence variations in the gene encoding envelope glycoprotein B (gB) as detected by restriction analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified gB DNA. Among all isolates studied, the distribution of gB types 1-4 was 48.4%, 16.4%, 24.6%, and 8.2%, respectively, with only 2.5% of all isolates containing more than one gB type. The association of gB types with acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) and death related to myelosuppression was examined using appropriate multivariable regression models. Covariables in addition to gB type included underlying disease type, donor-recipient HLA matching, donor CMV serostatus, and age as a continuous variable. Death associated with myelosuppression occurred in 2.9% or 4 of 136 patients with gB1, 0% or 0 of 46 patients with gB2, 21.7% or 15 of 69 patients with gB3, and 17.4% or four of 23 patients with gB4. The significant association of CMV gB type with death due to myelosuppression was maintained in a multivariable analysis (P < .001). In addition, the data also suggested that gB types 3 and 4 may be associated with a reduced hazard of grades II to IV acute GVHD.
Teacher candidates' mastery of phoneme-grapheme correspondence: massed versus distributed practice in teacher education.

Matching phonemes (speech sounds) to graphemes (letters and letter combinations) is an important aspect of decoding (translating print to speech) and encoding (translating speech to print). Yet, many teacher candidates do not receive explicit training in phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Difficulty with accurate phoneme production and/or lack of understanding of sound-symbol correspondence can make it challenging for teachers to (a) identify student errors on common assessments and (b) serve as a model for students when teaching beginning reading or providing remedial reading instruction. For students with dyslexia, lack of teacher proficiency in this area is particularly problematic. This study examined differences between two learning conditions (massed and distributed practice) on teacher candidates’ development of phoneme-grapheme correspondence knowledge and skills. An experimental, pretest-posttest-delayed test design was employed with teacher candidates (n = 52) to compare a massed practice condition (one, 60-min session) to a distributed practice condition (four, 15-min sessions distributed over 4 weeks) for learning phonemes associated with letters and letter combinations. Participants in the distributed practice condition significantly outperformed participants in the massed practice condition on their ability to correctly produce phonemes associated with different letters and letter combinations. Implications for teacher preparation are discussed.
Femtosecond-Level Synchronization Over Kilometer-Scale Turbulent Air Paths

We have demonstrated synchronization of two optical oscillators over a turbulent 4-km air path with sub-femtosecond short timescale time offset. Over a 50-hour measurement the long timescale wander in the time offset is <±20 fs. Work of the U.S. government, not subject to copyright.
Ecological reinterpretation of the dysaerobic Leiorhynchus fauna; Upper Devonian Geneseo Black Shale, central New York

The anomalous Leiorhynchus brachiopod fauna of the Upper Devonian Geneseo Shale, formerly considered an epiplanktonic biota, is here reinterpreted as a gregarious and opportunistic epifaunal suspension-feeding assemblage that inhabited dysaerobic environments within the Appalachian Basin. This reinterpretation is based on detailed paleoecology, petrography, x-radiography, scanning electron microscopy, and organic analyses of the upper portion of the Geneseo Shale. Available evidence indicates a reclining mode of life for Leiorhynchus quadracostatus, with the brachial valve oriented up. Abundant Leiorhynchus occur in aggregates or clumps with a mean density of 14/i2. The zone of abundant Leiorhynchus also correlates with the highest measured weight percent of organics (6.0%o) within the section. The Leiorhynchus are also strongly aligned to a weak current within the basin; mean direction of Leiorhynchus beaks is 420, mean hinge direction is 1220. The presence of a weak current is also supported by small-scale cross-laminations and small starved ripples in silty layers. These suspension-feeding gregarious brachiopods may have obtained some benefit from occupying the fringes of an ancient oxycline. Water-mass stratification makes probable the development and propagation of internal waves and their interaction with sediments at sites where the waves strike the sea floor (Woodrow, 1985). Material suspended by these internal waves may have contained abundant organic matter and bacteria that accumulated on the fringes of the oxycline boundary, creating an ideal situation for gregarious, opportunistic suspension-feeding taxa capable of withstanding lower oxygen levels.
Fast Transients in Gas Insulated Substations - An Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation

The response of gas insulated substations to fast transients is being investigated in a programme at the National Grid Research and Development Centre, UK. Previously, workers in the area have relied on numerical models based on equivalent circuit or transmission line techniques. In the present work, a greater insight is obtained by using field theory to simulate the electrical stresses that occur under dynamic conditions. In particular, the field structure resulting from the interaction of a propagating pulse with an insulating barrier has been studied.