cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pursuit speed compensation in cortical area MSTd.

When we move forward the visual images on our retinas expand. Humans rely on the focus, or center, of this expansion to estimate their direction of self-motion or heading and, as long as the eyes a...
Dlx gene expression during chick inner ear development

Members of the Dlx gene family play essential roles in the development of the zebrafish and mouse inner ear, but little is known regarding Dlx genes and avian inner ear development. We have examined the inner ear expression patterns of Dlx1, Dlx2, Dlx3, Dlx5, and Dlx6 during the first 7 days of chicken embryonic development. Dlx1 and Dlx2 expression was seen only in nonneuronal cells of the cochleovestibular ganglion and nerves from stage 21 to stage 32. Dlx3 marks the otic placode beginning at stage 9 and becomes limited to epithelium adjacent to the hindbrain as invagination of the placode begins. Dlx3 expression then resolves to the dorsal otocyst and gradually becomes limited to the endolymphatic sac by stage 30. Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression in the developing inner ear is first seen at stages 12 and 13, respectively, in the rim of the otic pit, before spreading throughout the dorsal otocyst. As morphogenesis proceeds, Dlx5 and Dlx6 expression is seen throughout the forming semicircular canals and endolymphatic structures. During later stages, both genes are seen to mark the distal surface of the forming canals and display expression complementary to that of BMP4 in the vestibular sensory regions. Dlx5 expression is also seen in the lagena macula and the cochlear and vestibular nerves by stage 30. These findings suggest important roles for Dlx genes in the vestibular and neural development of the avian inner ear.
Elevation of intracellular Ca2+ inhibits epithelial sodium channels by decreasing membrane phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in distal nephron plays an important role in regulating sodium balance to control systemic blood pressure and consequently affect cardiovascular function. Using patch-clamp techniques, we found that application of ionomycin (a Ca 2+ ionophore) to A6 cells reduced open probability of ENaC from 0.56±0.17 to 0.09±0.05 (initial inhibition; p 2 ), monitored by a GFP-tagged pleckstrin homology domain of PLC-d1. Like ENaC activity, the sustained decrease in membrane PIP 2 was abolished by inhibition of PKC, while the initial decrease in membrane PIP 2 induced by ionomycin was abolished by inhibition of PLC. Our results suggest that the secondary messenger Ca 2+ alters ENaC activity through both PLC- and PKC-dependent decreases in membrane PIP 2 .
Risk averse demand selection with all-or-nothing orders

Consider a firm that operates in consecutive single selling seasons, delivering its products across several markets with unique revenue and uncertain demands in each market. Using a profit maximization approach based on a newsvendor-type model, the firm may still incur several losses across consecutive periods in the short run. Risk analysis with demand selection has been modeled where customer/market demands follow a normal distribution. Often a firm faces a set of potential unconfirmed orders, where each order will either come in at a predefined level or it will not come in at all. In this paper, we consider these all-or-nothing (AON) demands and provide insights into their effect on expected profit and the frequency of extremely costly procurement policies. Instead of solely identifying the market/demand set and procurement quantity that maximizes expected profit, we use a conditional value-at-risk approach that allows a decision maker to control the number of profitable but risky demands to consider in the overall procurement policy. This approach is compared against an expected profit objective, and several managerial insights are provided.
Focal cerebral ischemia preferentially affects neurons distant from their neighboring microvessels.

Developing cerebral infarction obscures the relationship of neurons to their local supply microvessels. We tested the notion that in the basal ganglia (i) an ordered relationship between neurons and their nearest neighboring microvessel exists, and (ii) focal ischemia predictably affects neuron integrity based on microvessel–neuron proximity. Distances between individual microvessels and their nearest neurons ([m–n distance]s) were measured in normal primates and ischemic subjects undergoing middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hours. An ordered microvessel–neuron relationship exists in the normal nonischemic basal ganglia within the early hours of focal ischemia. During ischemia normal (n) and sensitive (n∗) neurons are interspersed. On average, neurons more distant from their nearest microvessel are most sensitive ([m–n distance]=16.2±11.2 μm versus [m–n∗ distance]=22.2±13.0 μm, 2P≪0.00000001). Neurons not expressing glutamic acid decarboxylase were more likely to be sensitive than those with a normal...
Preventable Hospitalizations of Dehydration: Implications of Inadequate Primary Health Care in the United States

Purpose This study is designed to describe the magnitude and economic burden of preventable hospitalizations primarily due to dehydration in the U.S. Prevention Quality Indicators (PQIs), developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) are based on hospital inpatient data to provide insight into the quality of the health care systems outside the hospital setting. Hospitalization due to dehydration is avoidable with timely primary care; therefore, it has been used as one of the PQI. Although the dehydration is a preventable condition, it can lead to costly emergency room and hospital visits, and even death. Methods The 2004 National Hospital Discharge Survey, containing 370,785 inpatient records, was analyzed. This nationally representative survey is conducted annually under the auspice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, the hospital response rate was 92%. Results In the year 2004, approximately 518,000 hospitalizations were primarily due to the dehydration. Nearly 5.5 billion dollars in hospital charges were resulted from dehydration admissions. Approximately 88% were either an emergency or urgent type admissions; over 54% were admitted to a hospital through the emergency room; nearly 2% of admissions died at the hospital. Conclusion Dehydration is a prime example of a preventable condition from hospitalization if the condition had been managed properly in primary health care. This study's results suggest that the cost burden resulting from avoidable hospitalizations due to dehydration is substantial. Improved primary health care would save substantial social and financial costs and possibly lives.
Evolution of primate θ-defensins: a serpentine path to a sweet tooth

Retrocyclins (ancestral human theta-defensins) are cyclic antimicrobial octadecapeptides that interfere with viral uptake and protect human cells from infection by T- and M-tropic strains of HIV-1 in vitro. As are other theta-defensins, retrocyclins are lectins that bind gp120, CD4, and galactosylceramide-all of which are implicated in HIV-1 uptake. Although theta-defensin mRNA transcripts are present in human bone marrow, spleen, thymus, testis, and skeletal muscle, a premature stop codon aborts their translation. We found six theta-defensin (DEFT) genes in the human genome; five on chromosome 8p23 and one on chromosome 1. All six of these pseudogenes, as well as their homologues in chimpanzees and gorillas, contained the same premature stop codon mutation. Whereas we found intact DEFT genes in DNA from several Old World Monkeys, Hylobates syndactylus (a lesser ape) and orangutans, no homologues were present in DNA from six New World Monkeys and five prosimians. We conclude that DEFT genes and theta-defensins arose in Old World Monkeys by mutation of a pre-existing alpha-defensin gene. Although intact DEFT genes survive in some nonhuman primates, our hominid ancestors lost their ability to produce theta-defensins after the orangutan and hominid lineages diverged. It is possible (but may be difficult to prove) that this mutation rendered our species more susceptible to infection by HIV-1.
Taste Receptor Cells That Discriminate Between Bitter Stimuli

Recent studies showing that single taste bud cells express multiple bitter taste receptors have reignited a long-standing controversy over whether single gustatory receptor cells respond selectively or broadly to tastants. We examined calcium responses of rat taste receptor cells in situ to a panel of bitter compounds to determine whether individual cells distinguish between bitter stimuli. Most bitter-responsive taste cells were activated by only one out of five compounds tested. In taste cells that responded to multiple stimuli, there were no significant associations between any two stimuli. Bitter sensation does not appear to occur through the activation of a homogeneous population of broadly tuned bitter-sensitive taste cells. Instead, different bitter stimuli may activate different subpopulations of bitter-sensitive taste cells.
Biology of Heterolaccus grandis in a Laboratory Culture and Its Potential as an Introduced Parasite of the Boll Weevil in the United States

Heterolaccus grandis Burks parasitizes the 3rd instar of Anthonomus grandis Boheman in parts of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico. It has been described as a primary parasite of this pest. In the laboratory, the developmental period was 15–17 days for males and 17–18 days for females at 24–27°C and 45±2% RH . The incubation period for the egg was 27–29 hours. The larvae, which were cannibalistic, have 3 stadia and a larval period of 4.5–5.5 days. The pupal stage was 6–7 days for males and 8 days for females. Oviposition began 3–4 days after adult eclosion. Females deposited an average 6.38 eggs per day, an average total of 315 eggs per female. Average longevity was 51.2 days for males and 65.0 days for females. The culture of H. grandis from Mexico gave no evidence of overwintering. After initial release in the field, percentages of parasitism of boll weevils by H. grandis increased progressively during the season.
Picosecond Investigations Of High-Density Carrier Dynamics In Alloy Semiconductors

We examine the influence of dense electron-hole plasmas on the optical properties of AlxGa1-xAs for a variety of x-values using transient transmission spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence. The measurements provide evidence for band-filling, nonlinear refraction, induced absorption, alloy disorder, and band-gap renormalization. The band gap renormalization is compared to existing theory, and good agreement is obtained by considering the influence of alloy disorder and the separate contributions of exchange and correlation.
Overview and Reflections

What seems to be a general dissatisfaction with the mental health system is discussed in the context of the inevitable problems created by chronic mental illness. Patients, families, and professionals can, instead of blaming each other for such problems, acknowledge the common difficulties and begin to seek new strategies. Each of us has unique strengths to share, but to do so requires moving beyond traditional roles.
The community perinatal health care system of urban Cape Town, South Africa—I. Characteristics of mothers and birth outcomes

Abstract Greater Cape Town has developed a geographical network of perinatal health care services for low-income mothers using community-based clinics with hospital referrals. This study analyzes 25,409 births recorded in 162 different urban residential areas during 1987. The data apply to two populations— black and mixed. Information on the mother, such as height, weight, education, parity, and prenatal visits is indicated by suburb, as well as birth outcomes such as gestational age, birthweight, and method of obstetrical delivery. Comparisons are drawn between black and mixed populations and among suburbs. High utilization rates and successful maternity and infant outcomes suggest that the outreach clinics of Cape Town could provide a model for urban agglomerations in other African countries.
Effects of naloxone, morphine and methionine enkephalin on serum prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone and growth hormone.

Abstract The response of 5 anterior pituitary hormones to single injections of naloxone, morphine and metenkephalin administration was measured in male rats. Morphine and met-enkephalin significantly increased serum prolactin and GH concentrations, and significantly decreased serum LH and TSH concentrations. Naloxone reduced serum prolactin and GH concentrations, increased serum LH and FSH, but had little effect on serum TSH concentrations. Concurrent injections of naloxone with morphine or met-enkephalin reduced the response to each of the drugs given separtely. These results suggest that endogenous morphinomimetic substances may participate in regulating secretion of anterior pituitary hormones.
Child maltreatment in European- and Hawaiian-Americans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and possible determinants of child abuse and neglect in European- and Hawaiian-Americans. Abuse was overrepresented in the Hawaiian-Americans while neglect was over-represented in the European-Americans. There were several significant results regarding stress and personal factors that played roles in the maltreatment of the children within each culture. For example, family discord, new baby/continuous child care, loss of control and lack of tolerance were important correlates of abuse for Hawaiian-Americans. The stresses of recent relocation, social isolation and family discord as well as the personal factors of mental health problems and alcohol/drug dependence were important correlates of neglect for European-Americans. The results indicate that to understand the patterns, causes, treatment and prevention of child maltreatment, cultural as well as individual factors must be assessed.
Modeling effects of bank friction and woody bank vegetation on channel flow and boundary shear stress in the Rio Puerco, New Mexico

[1] We have applied a physically based model for steady, horizontally uniform flow to calculate reach-averaged velocity and boundary shear-stress distributions in a natural stream with woody vegetation on the channel banks. The model calculates explicitly the form drag on woody plant stems and includes the effects of vegetation on the boundary shear stress, velocity, and turbulence fields. Average channel shapes, bed gradients, and shrub characteristics were determined for four long, internally similar reaches covering an 81-km segment of the lower Rio Puerco, in north-central New Mexico. Hydraulic geometries for each of three flow events were determined from reach-average channel shapes, slopes, and measured silt-line heights above the bed. Model results show that friction on the lateral boundaries reduced the boundary shear stress in the center of the Rio Puerco channel by as much as 20%. In reaches with moderate to dense bank shrubs, perimeter-averaged boundary shear stresses were reduced by almost 40% during near bankfull flows. Model-calculated discharges for all three flow events indicate there was a loss of about 40% of the upstream discharge through the 81-km river segment. Infiltration rates estimated from discharge losses during the quasi-steady peak flows and areas of the bed and banks suggest rates of flow loss into the silty sand of the upper banks are about 8 times greater than rates of loss into the clayey silt-covered bed and lower banks.
Resolving covert channels within a B2 class secure system

For a secure computer system in the B2, B3 and A1 classes (as defined by the DoD Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria), the problem of confining a process such that it may not transmit information in violation of the *-property is an analyzable and solvable problem.This paper examines the problem of covert channels and attempts to analyze and resolve them relative to satisfying the B2 security requirements. A novel solution developed for the Multics computer system for a class of covert channels is presented.
Middleware for dynamic adaptation of component applications

Component- and service-based software engineering approaches have been gaining popularity in high-performance scientific computing, facilitating the creation and management of large multidisciplinary, multideveloper applications, and providing opportunities for improved performance and numerical accuracy. These software engineering approaches enable the development of middleware infrastructure for computational quality of service (CQoS), which provides performance optimizations through dynamic algorithm selection and configuration in a mostly automated fashion. The factors that affect performance are closely tied to a component’s parallel implementation, its management of parallel communication and memory, the algorithms executed, the algorithmic parameters employed, and other operational characteristics. We present the design of a component middleware CQoS architecture for automated composition and adaptation of high-performance componentor service-based applications. We describe its initial implementation and corresponding experimental results for parallel simulations involving time-dependent nonlinear partial differential equations.
Political Compromise and Bureaucratic Structure: The Political Origins of the Federal Reserve System

What is the origin of the structural independence of the Federal Reserve System? Unlike existing explanations on central bank independence, we show that the structural independence of the Fed is not the result of intentional design but a product of compromise among disparate groups. Using agenda-constrained ideal point estimation techniques to estimate both the preferences of senators on key questions of Fed structure and the locations of alternative forms of the bill with respect to those preferences, we show that the structural features of the Fed in the final bill differed markedly from the original preferences of legislators representing competing groups. The result was a compromise that offered the prospect of significant independence for the new agency. The Fed case shows that political compromise can provide useful bureaucratic insulation when the short-term incentives of political principals promote unstable, self-seeking policy choices (JEL N41, N21). The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Unbalanced particle flux budgets in Crater Lake, Oregon: Implications for edge effects and sedimentfocusing in lakes

Flux estimates show that upward mixing of the deep-water nitrate pool accounts for more than 85% of the total new nitrogen input to the euphotic zone of Crater Lake. Because measured primary productivity (360 mg C m-2 d-l) is lo-30 times higher than a level supported solely by the input of new nitrogen into the euphotic zone, nitrogen must be recycled in the euphotic zone many times before it is transferred by particles to the deep lake. Nitrogen recycling in the deep lake is also very efficient. Sediment trap measurements of particulate nitrogen fluxes reveal a major imbalance in our estimates of the lake’s internal nitrogen budget. We propose the imbalance reflects an “edge effect,” whereby enhanced biological production occurs near the lake margin and the shallower portions of the lake. Our measurements also reveal that Al, an element carried by refractory phases, is accumulating in basin sediments at a rate 15-30 times higher than the flux we measure with sediment traps. This diRerence is maintained by the near-bottom transport of lithogenic particles from the lake margins to the deep basins of the lake. These comparisons of nutrient and refractory element fluxes reflect two important lake processes- enhanced productivity at the lake margin that may be due to greater availability of macro- and micronutrients at the lake edges and focusing of particulate material into the deep lake basins. Crater Lake, Oregon, is a deep (590 m) lake formed by caldera collapse following the explosive eruption of Mt. Mazama, 6950 B.P. (Bacon and Lamphere 1990). The spectacularly steep caldera walls surrounding the lake result in a very small watershed. The lake surface accounts for 78% of the total watershed resulting in a system in which external flows of nutrients to the lake are low and dominated by precipitation and dry deposition from the atmosphere. These conditions contribute to the oligotrophic nature and exceptional clarity of the lake. Dissolved nitrate concentrations in the upper 200 m of the lake are co.05 PM throughout most of the year, while phosphate concentrations are relatively high and nearly uniform throughout the water column (see Fig. 4). Also, the lake is well oxygenated, with deep-lake oxygen contents > 300 PM (McManus et al. 1996). To characterize the nutrient cycles and particle fluxes in the lake, we consider a budget for nitrogen-the dominant factor limiting primary production. The first step in developing the nitrate budget is to evaluate the allocthonous (external) fluxes into and out of the lake system.
Tipranavir: A Protease Inhibitor for HIV Salvage Therapy

Objective:TO review the efficacy, safety, pharmacology, virology, pharmacokinetics, and resistance of the nonpeptidic protease inhibitor (PI) tipranavir.Data Sources and Study Selection:A PubMed search (1966–February 2006) was conducted using the key words tipranavir or PNU-140690, with the limitation of English-language reports. Pharmacokinetic and randomized clinical trials originating from major HIV conferences, such as the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, International AIDS Society, European AIDS Conference, and Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, published only in abstract form, from 2000 to February 2006, were reviewed for relevance and included in this review.Data Synthesis:Phase III studies have shown that tipranavir is effective in the treatment of PI-resistant HIV compared with other PI-containing regimens. Adverse effects associated with tipranavir/ritonavir therapy include gastrointestinal reactions, hepatotoxicity, and elevations in choles...
The chronically critically ill patient: pediatric considerations

Whether defined as chronically critically ill, long-term mechanical ventilator dependent (or otherwise chronically medically supported), or medically fragile, a population of infants and children with chronic illness clearly exists. Infants and children with chronic healthcare needs are at an increased risk for physical, developmental, behavioral, and/or emotional conditions and generally require healthcare services of a type or amount beyond that of a general pediatric or adult population. This review will focus on the specific management and psychosocial needs associated with the healthcare of this subgroup of infants and children with chronic illness. Attention will be paid to defining the population, describing trends over time, reviewing their special needs, and discussing outcomes. Increased focus and an increasing quantity of resources for this subgroup of infants and children are needed, as the number of such pediatric patients continues to grow.
Keeping the rhythm: hERG and beyond in cardiovascular safety pharmacology.

Following its involvement in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, the catchword 'hERG' has become infamous in the drug discovery community. The blockade of the ion channel coded by the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) has been correlated to a prolongation of the QT interval in the ECG, which again is correlated to a potential risk of a life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia - torsades de pointes (TdP). Therefore, in vitro investigations for blockade of this ion channel have become a standard, starting early in most drug discovery projects and often accompanying the whole project; at some stage, scientists in many medicinal chemistry programs have to deal with hERG channel liabilities. Data for the compound effects on hERG channel activity are generally part of the safety pharmacology risk assessment in regulatory submissions and, at this stage, are ideally conducted in compliance with good laboratory practice. With the withdrawal of clobutinol from the market, owing to its perceived risk of introducing TdP, the importance of the hERG channel has very recently been reconfirmed. Despite being of such importance for drug discovery, the relevance and impact of hERG data are sometimes misinterpreted, as there are drugs that block the hERG-coded ion channel but do not cause TdP, and drugs that cause TdP but do not block the hERG channel. This review aims to provide an overview of TdP, including the cardiac action potential and the ion channels involved in it, as well as on the relevance and interpretation of in vitro hERG channel data and their impact for drug discovery projects. Finally, novel cardiac safety test systems beyond in vitro hERG channel screening are discussed.
Codings and operators in two genetic algorithms for the leaf-constrained minimum spanning tree problem

The features of an evolutionary algorithm that most determine its performance are the coding by which its chromosomes represent candidate solutions to its target problem and the operators that act on that coding. Also, when a problem involves constraints, a coding that represents only valid solutions and operators that preserve that validity represent a smaller search space and result in a more effective search. Two genetic algorithms for the leaf-constrained minimum spanning tree problem illustrate these observations. Given a connected, weighted, undirected graph G with n vertices and a bound ‘, this problem seeks a spanning tree on G with at least ‘ leaves and minimum weight among all such trees. A greedy heuristic for the problem begins with an unconstrained minimum spanning tree on G, then economically turns interior vertices into leaves until their number reaches ‘. One genetic algorithm encodes candidate trees with Prufer strings decoded via the Blob Code. The second GA uses strings of length n ‘ that specify trees’ interior vertices. Both GAs apply operators that generate only valid chromosomes. The latter represents and searches a much smaller space. In tests on 65 instances of the problem, both Euclidean and with weights chosen randomly, the Blob-Coded GA cannot compete with the greedy heuristic, but the subsetcoded GA consistently identifies leaf-constrained spanning trees of lower weight than the greedy heuristic does, particularly on the random instances.
Passive visual fingerprinting of network attack tools

This paper examines the dramatic visual fingerprints left by a wide variety of popular network attack tools in order to better understand the specific methodologies used by attackers as well as the identifiable characteristics of the tools themselves. The techniques used are entirely passive in nature and virtually undetectable by the attackers. While much work has been done on active and passive operating systems detection, little has been done on fingerprinting the specific tools used by attackers. This research explores the application of several visualization techniques and their usefulness toward identification of attack tools, without the typical automated intrusion detection system's signatures and statistical anomalies. These visualizations were tested using a wide range of popular network security tools and the results show that in many cases, the specific tool can be identified and provides intuition that many classes of zero-day attacks can be rapidly detected and analyzed using similar techniques.
Effects of menstrual cycle status and gender on human neutrophil phenotype.

Problem The effects of gender and fluctuating ovarian hormones on neutrophil phenotype have yet to be characterized. Method of study Neutrophils from females at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the menstrual cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface receptor, granule protein, and intracellular cytokine expression. Comparisons were made to neutrophils from males isolated at 7-day intervals during 1 month. Results Decreased MMP-9 and TNF-α expression by neutrophils from females was observed during the periovulatory period. Comparing the genders, cells from females during the periovulatory period expressed less CD11b and CD18 than those from males. CXCR1 surface levels were higher on neutrophils from female donors. Conclusions Neutrophil phenotype varies minimally during the menstrual cycle and between the genders. Our data provide support for a potential anti-inflammatory effect of ovarian hormones on neutrophils.
Changes in left ventricular function and remodeling after myocardial infarction in hypothyroid rats

It has been shown that hypothyroidism may lead to delayed wound healing after experimental myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and increased infarct size in dogs. However, the long-term effect of hy...
Low testosterone and risk of biochemical recurrence and poorly differentiated prostate cancer at radical prostatectomy.

Objectives To evaluate, in a prospective study, the association between low testosterone and pathologic endpoints and the risk of biochemical progression. Androgens play a key role in prostate cancer progression. The results from 3 retrospective studies have suggested that low pretreatment testosterone is an independent predictor of adverse pathologic features in patients with localized prostate cancer. Methods Routine preoperative total testosterone values were measured in 455 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. The association of low testosterone levels (defined a priori as Results No association between low testosterone and the predicted risk of biochemical recurrence (P = .159) or actual disease progression (P = .9) was observed. On multivariate analysis, low testosterone was associated with a predominance of Gleason pattern 4-5 cancer (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.7; P = .048). No association of low testosterone with tumor volume was observed (P = .9). Conclusions In this prospective study, low pretreatment total testosterone was associated with Gleason pattern 4-5 cancer at prostatectomy, but not with disease progression thereafter. The clinical utility of the serum testosterone level for patients with localized prostate cancer is therefore marginal. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that tumors arising in a low-androgen environment might appear to be of higher grade but are not at increased risk of progression.
Nonlinear ethotoin kinetics.

Five healthy subjects were given single 500-, 1500-, and 2500-mg doses of ethotoin as 250-mg tablets at 7-day intervals. Plasma samples were collected for 49 hr after dosing and were assayed by HPLC for ethotoin. The drug was more slowly absorbed after the two higher doses. There was a disproportionate increase in AUC in all subjects with the escalating doses. Individual subject data were fitted to a first-order model and one incorporating Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics. Eleven of the 15 data sets were best described by the nonlinear model. All subjects reported visual disturbances with the two higher doses, and four of five experienced dyscoordination of gait with the 2500-mg dose. These effects did not appear to be related to plasma ethotoin concentration. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1983) 33, 329–334; doi:10.1038/clpt.1983.41
Hypoxia inducible factor in hepatocellular carcinoma: A therapeutic target

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadly cancers worldwide; its incidence has been rising in the United States due to the increase in hepatitis C associated cirrhosis and the growing epidemic of obesity. There have been no effective therapeutic options in the advanced disease setting beyond sorafenib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that showed significant survival benefit. Because of this, there is an urgent need to search for novel pathways in sorafenib experienced patients. This review will focus on the role of hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-1α) in cancer development, specifically in HCC. We will discuss the biology of HIF-1α, the pathways with which it interacts, and the function of HIF-1α in HCC. Furthermore, we will review studies highlighting the relevance of HIF-1α in the clinical setting, as well as the pre-clinical data supporting its further investigation. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion of the potential role of a HIF-1α mRNA antagonist for the treatment of HCC, and hypothesize the ways in which such an inhibitor may be best utilized in the management of advanced HCC. Hypoxia plays a significant role in the development of HCC. HIF-1α is a key transcription factor involved in the hypoxic response of cancer cells. It activates transcription of genes responsible for angiogenesis, glucose metabolism, proliferation, invasion and metastasis in HCC. Its involvement in multiple, essential tumor pathways makes it an attractive potential therapeutic target in HCC.
MicroRNAs in Predicting Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Response

Currently, many of the standard first line treatments for cancer consist of a combination of surgical removal, chemotherapy (CT), and radiotherapy (RT) of diseased tissue. During disease progression, tumor cells evolve and adapt to physiological states of resistance. Tumor biomarkers are proven to be useful in predicting response to CT, RT, and risk of recurrence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous regulatory RNAs that are frequently dysregulated in cancer. A growing number of miRNAs are being identified in a variety of cancers with tumor suppressive and oncogenic functions. MiRNAs are also developing as a class of biomarkers that have been shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies to be useful in identifying malignant disease, classifying tumor subtypes, and as prognostic indicators. Additionally, circulating miRNAs are highly stable and detectable in tissue, urine, saliva, stool, sputum, and serum/plasma making them ideal candidates as cancer biomarkers. With these, a growing number of miRNAs have been identified as altering sensitivity to RT and CT. There is a number of previously established tumor suppressive and oncogenic miRNAs that function by regulating genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, multidrug resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Use of miRNAs in predicting response to chemotherapeutics may give clinicians more accurate and/or sensitive methods to determine appropriate treatment choices.
Characterization of Archaeological Sediments Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF): An Application to Formative Period Pyro-Industrial Sites in Pacific Coastal Southern Chiapas, Mexico

Archaeological sediments from mounds within the mangrove zone of far-southern Pacific coastal Chiapas, Mexico, are characterized in order to test the hypothesis that specialized pyro-technological activities of the region’s prehistoric inhabitants (salt and ceramic production) created the accumulations visible today. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is used to characterize sediment mineralogy, while portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) is used to determine elemental concentrations. Elemental characterization of natural sediments by both instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and pXRF also contribute to understanding of processes that created the archaeological deposits. Radiocarbon dates combined with typological analysis of ceramics indicate that pyro-industrial activity in the mangrove zone peaked during the Late Formative and Terminal Formative periods, when population and monumental activity on the coastal plain and piedmont were also at their peaks.
Formulation of an IPPD Methodology for the Design of a Supersonic Business Jet

Presented at the 1st World Aviation Congress and Exposition, Los Angeles, CA, October 21-24, 1996.
HOST EXPLOITATION OF TWO CLOSELY RELATED WATER MITES.

The first developmental stage of most water mites, the larva, parasitizes winged insects. After a brief interlude as a parasite the mite becomes an aquatic predator for the rest of its life. The fact that many isolated species by-pass the initial six-legged parasitic stage and hatch out as eight-legged predatory nymphs proves that parasitic feeding is not needed for the development of the nymph. The parasitic phase must make some important contributions to an evolutionary line because an overwhelming majority of the species of each family and genus (except the mussel parasites Najadicola and Unionicola) have a characteristic parasitic relation with a winged insect. If food is not essential, then dispersal between the relatively short-lived aquatic habitats and the outbreeding resulting from dispersal must represent the essential contribution of the parasitic stage. Formidable problems face the water mite larvae when they parasitize aerial insect imagoes. A larval mite cannot live more than a few days without food and, therefore, it has only a short time in which to discover a host which must be about to emerge from the penultimate instar to the adult. During host ecdysis the mites move from the nymph or pupa to the imago and attach for feeding. Mite survivorship depends first on how the load of parasitic mites affects the host behavior. Secondly the engorgement of mites may vary with the place of attachment or the exact location of mites on the host may influence the probability of their receiving the proper detachment stimulus. Detachment must occur over water. Finally the pattern of host exploitation may range from a uniform parasitism of all hosts to a clumped distribution in which a few hosts carry almost all the mites. These factors have been discussed in theoretical terms (Efford, 1963; Mitchell, 1964) but these data provide the first opportunity to compare the patterns of host exploitation and begin a test of the ideas.
Patient-Specific Total Knees Demonstrate a Higher Manipulation Rate Compared with “Off-the-Shell” Implants

Objective: Patient-specific or “custom” total knee replacements have been designed to fit the arthritic knee in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) better than “off-the-shelf” implants. Using computer technology, patient-specific cutting-blocks and custom-made implants are created to more accurately fit the contour of the knee and reproduce the anatomic J-curve with the hope of providing a better functional outcome. Purpose: This retrospective, matched-pair study evaluates manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) rates in cemented patient-specific cruciate-retaining (PSCR) TKA compared to that in both cemented posterior-stabilized (PS) and non-cemented cruciate-retaining rotating-platform (NC CR RP) TKA. Materials and Methods: From 2010 through November of 2012, 21 PSCR TKAs were performed in 19 patients. Using medical records from our patient database, these patients were matched for age, side, deformity, diagnosis, Charnley Class, and preoperative range of motion (ROM) with 42 PS TKAs performed during the same time period by the same surgeon using the same intra- and post-operative protocols. Additionally, 11 NC CR RP TKA were performed and evaluated based on the same criteria. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were performed using criteria as described by The Knee Society. Results: Preoperatively the custom CR RP TKA cohort had a larger average ROM compared to the PS TKA cohort (P-value = 0.006). Postoperatively, however, the custom CR RP TKA cohort overall was found to have a significantly decreased average ROM compared to both the PS and NC CR RP TKA cohorts (2.0°–110.6° P-value = 0.0002 and 2.4°–117.3° P-value = 0.0003, respectively). 6 of the 21 (28.6%) PSCR TKAs performed underwent MUA to improve postoperative ROM. One manipulation was unsuccessful and the patient is scheduled for revision for arthrofibrosis. No patients in either the matched PS group or the CR RP group underwent postoperative MUA. Clinical and radiographic analysis including pre-operative ROM, deformity, side, Charnley Class, posterior tibial slope angle, epicondylar axis and posterior condylar offsets provided no insight into the reason for this higher MUA rate in the PSCR knees. Conclusion: MUA rates in the patient-specific TKA group were significantly higher than that in the matched PS and NC CR RP groups. No correlations were found to clearly indicate the cause of the higher MUA rate among the PSCR knees. Early manipulation is recommended for stiffness with these custom devices. Level of Evidence: Level III, Retrospective comparative study Keywords: Patient-specific total knee, Manipulation, TKA
Exploring the association between organizational structure variables and work on family strain among Indian police officers

AbstractWork-family conflict occurs when the domains of work and home spill over into one another leading to conflict, which is a real possibility for the unique occupation of policing. Work on family conflict, a subdomain of work-family conflict, occurs when issues at work spill over impacting home life. One form of work on family conflict is strain-based conflict, which is when work problems results in conflict at home, such being irritable at home or arguments with family members and friends. This study examined the relationship between organizational structure variables and work on family conflict strain among Indian police officers. India is the most populous democracy in the world, but little has been published in Western journals of how workplace variables maybe related to work on family strain among Indian officers. Among the organizational structure variables, instrumental communication, organizational support, formalization, distributive justice, and procedural justice each had negative relation...
TECHNICAL PROGRESS IN WARM COMPACTION IN POWDER METALLURGY

Industrialization of warm compaction was emerged abroad in 1994.This technique through one compaction and one sintering is able to increase the density of part by 0.15～0.25 g/cm3.Based on the experiences since 1995 in China the warm compaction process,including design of P/M parts,warm compaction,sintering and post treatmen is discussed.For industrialization in China,the market demands,technical innovation and team spirits of manufactures should be emphasized.
Study of fire safety design and precautions of buildings for disabled elderly

From case analysis of fire accidents of buildings in disabled elder population and the current technical standards of firefighting,this paper studies the present deficiencies in the fire safety design of the buildings of disabled elderly people in terms of fire rating,layout,safe evacuation,fire fighting facilities etc.The importance and necessity of further improvement of the fire safety precautions of these special features are also discussed.Based on the researches and related standards of oversea countries,w e explore the safety performance of the buildings and propose the feasible designs of the optimal facilities as w ell as the technical preventive measures for the revision of standards of fire safety of buildings for disable elders.
Morphologists overestimate the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio.

BACKGROUND The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) has defined nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N:C) ratio cutoff values for several of its risk-stratified diagnostic categories. However, because pathologists are not trained to recognize strict N:C ratio cutoff values, a previously designed survey was used to determine whether pathologists could accurately identify N:C ratios according to TPS standards. METHODS Participants were instructed to estimate the N:C ratio of ideal (line drawing) and real (cell photograph) images presented via an online survey. Actual N:C ratios ranged from 0.3 to 0.8, and 3 answer choices were available: < 0.5, ≥ 0.5 and <0.7, and ≥0.7. The resulting data were analyzed to determine the accuracy and performance of the subgroups. RESULTS A total of 137 individuals completed the survey. Approximately 24.1% were cytopathologists, 18.2% were pathologists without formal cytopathology training, 18.2% were cytotechnologists, 24.1% were pathology residents, and 15.3% were nonmorphologists. Overall, 70.0%, 67.6%, and 93.3% of responses, respectively, were correct for images with an N:C ratio of 40.0% of responses overestimated the N:C ratio. As a whole, morphologists were significantly more accurate than nonmorphologists (P = .030). CONCLUSIONS Morphologists tended to overestimate the N:C ratio, particularly at ratios close to TPS-recommended cutoff values. Additional training regarding N:C ratio estimation may help pathologists to adapt to this new system. Cancer Cytopathol 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
More Brains are Better than One: The Call to Socialize Neuroscience in Southeast Asia

Since Southeast Asia is one of the richest regions in the world, consisting of 11 countries reaching from eastern India to China; it is generally divided into "mainland" and "island" zones. The mainland—comprising Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—is an extension of the Asian continent, while Island Southeast Asia includes Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and the new nation of East Timor. These countries' diversity lies at the heart of the region's rapid economic growth. Southeast Asia's 11 countries have a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.9 trillion; a population of almost 600 million people. Over the past decade, the countries have averaged a growth rate of more than five percent per year. If Southeast Asia were one country, it would be the world's ninth-largest economy. [10] It would also be the most trade-dependent, with a trade-to-GDP ratio in excess of 150 percent due to its resources and having the top population in the world, and as such, we should develop the center of excellent Human Brain Research based on above reasons; it is primarily "an integration project" to investigate everything that belongs to the human brain from molecular to whole brain and nervous system, and from neuron to the world.
Differentiation Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is undoubtedly the most common malignancy in light-skinned people. Because of the high incidence of this type of carcinoma, physicians should be familiar with its many clinical presentations. An understanding of the behavior, multiple histologic variations, and available therapeutic modalities is of great value in the diagnosis and treatment of this tumor.
AVRATAR: A virtual environment for puppet animation.

When it comes to three dimensional computer animations, the use of live actors to control the movements of onscreen characters produces a realism that is unsurpassed. But so are the costs, and that is why Avratar, a virtual environment for puppet animation, uses widely available products utilizing motion capture technology to control a real time puppet in a world limited only by the imagination of the user. This paper introduces Avratar, a virtual puppet animation system, where users are able to utilize the natural movements of their own body to create dazzling real time performances or animated cinema. The UML-based software model of Avratar is presented in this paper, in addition to examples of application, and planned future work.