cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quadriceps myopathy caused by skeletal muscle-specific ablation of βcyto-actin

Quadriceps myopathy (QM) is a rare form of muscle disease characterized by pathological changes predominately localized to the quadriceps. Although numerous inheritance patterns have been implicated in QM, several QM patients harbor deletions in dystrophin. Two defined deletions predicted loss of functional spectrin-like repeats 17 and 18. Spectrin-like repeat 17 participates in actin-filament binding, and thus we hypothesized that disruption of a dystrophin-cytoplasmic actin interaction might be one of the mechanisms underlying QM. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice deficient for β(cyto)-actin in skeletal muscles (Actb-msKO). Actb-msKO mice presented with a progressive increase in the proportion of centrally nucleated fibers in the quadriceps, an approximately 50% decrease in dystrophin protein expression without alteration in transcript levels, deficits in repeated maximal treadmill tests, and heightened sensitivity to eccentric contractions. Collectively, these results suggest that perturbing a dystrophin-β(cyto)-actin linkage decreases dystrophin stability, which results in a QM, and implicates β(cyto)-actin as a possible candidate gene in QM pathology.
Thermal effects on liquid film dynamics in spin coating

We numerically and theoretically study thermoviscosity (temperature dependent viscosity) and thermocapillarity (temperature dependent surface tension) effects on thin liquid film dynamics in the spin coating process when the rotating disk is heated axisymmetrically in the radial direction. A nonlinear scalar equation for the film thickness profile evolution is derived under lubrication assumptions. Our numerical results show that both thermocapillarity and thermoviscosity effects can be harnessed to enhance the liquid films depletion during spin coating when the disk center is at a higher temperature than the disk outer edge. Thermoviscosity effect is important and dominates the external air shearing effect when the film thickness is relatively large. Thermoviscosity is shown to introduce unevenness to the spin coated film but the magnitude of unevenness decreases when the film thickness is reduced. When the liquid film is thin enough, thermocapillarity effect starts to dominate centrifugal force, external air shearing and thermoviscosity effects. A theoretical solution for the film thickness evolution is obtained when the thermoviscosity effect is negligible. When the applied disk temperature profile has a steep change, a double shock structure for the liquid film is generated. The new shock wave formation phenomenon is induced by a sudden viscosity change due to a sudden temperature change.
Cyclophosphamide in Multiple Sclerosis: Scientific Rationale, History and Novel Treatment Paradigms

For patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), there are currently six approved medications that have been shown to alter the natural course of the disease. The approved medications include three beta interferon formulations, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab and mitoxantrone. Treating aggressive forms of RRMS and progressive disease forms of MS still presents a great challenge to neurologists. Intense immunosuppression has long been thought to be the only feasible therapeutic option. In patients with progressive forms of MS, lymphoid tissues have been detected in the central nervous system (CNS) that may play a critical role in perpetuating local inflammation. Agents that are currently approved for patients with MS have no or very limited bioavailability in the brain and spinal cord. In contrast, cyclophosphamide (CYC), an alkylating agent, penetrates the blood—brain barrier and CNS parenchyma well. However, while CYC has been used in clinical trials and off-label in clinical practice in patients with MS for over three decades, data on its efficacy in very heterogeneous groups of study patients have been conflicting. New myeloablative treatment paradigms with CYC may provide a therapeutic option in patients that do not respond to other agents. In this article we review the scientific rationale that led to the initial clinical trials with CYC. We will also outline the safety, tolerability and efficacy of CYC and provide neurologists with guidelines for its use in patients with MS and other inflammatory disorders of the CNS, including neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Finally, an outlook into relatively novel treatment approaches is provided.
Enhanced registered nurse care coordination with sensor technology: Impact on length of stay and cost in aging in place housing.

Abstract Background When planning the Aging in Place Initiative at TigerPlace, it was envisioned that advances in technology research had the potential to enable early intervention in health changes that could assist in proactive management of health for older adults and potentially reduce costs. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare length of stay (LOS) of residents living with environmentally embedded sensor systems since the development and implementation of automated health alerts at TigerPlace to LOS of those who are not living with sensor systems. Estimate potential savings of living with sensor systems. Methods LOS for residents living with and without sensors was measured over a span of 4.8 years since the implementation of sensor-generated health alerts. The group living with sensors ( n = 52) had an average LOS of 1,557 days (4.3 years); the comparison group without sensors ( n = 81) was 936 days (2.6 years); p = .0006. Groups were comparable based on admission age, gender, number of chronic illnesses, SF12 physical health, SF12 mental health, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), activities of daily living, independent activities of daily living, and mini-mental status examination scores. Both groups, all residents living at TigerPlace since the implementation of health alerts, receive registered nurse (RN) care coordination as the standard of care. Discussion Results indicate that residents living with sensors were able to reside at TigerPlace 1.7 years longer than residents living without sensors, suggesting that proactive use of health alerts facilitates successful aging in place. Health alerts, generated by automated algorithms interpreting environmentally embedded sensor data, may enable care coordinators to assess and intervene on health status changes earlier than is possible in the absence of sensor-generated alerts. Comparison of LOS without sensors TigerPlace (2.6 years) with the national median in residential senior housing (1.8 years) may be attributable to the RN care coordination model at TigerPlace. Cost estimates comparing cost of living at TigerPlace with the sensor technology vs. nursing home reveal potential saving of about $30,000 per person. Potential cost savings to Medicaid funded nursing home (assuming the technology and care coordination were reimbursed) are estimated to be about $87,000 per person. Conclusions Early alerts for potential health problems appear to enhance the current RN care coordination care delivery model at TigerPlace, increasing LOS for those living with sensors to nearly twice that of those who did not. Sensor technology with care coordination has cost saving potential for consumers and Medicaid.
Motivators and barriers to Latinas' participation in clinical trials: the role of contextual factors.

Abstract Objective Latinas are underrepresented in clinical trials despite the rise in Hispanic population. This study examines the factors associated with Latinas' willingness to participate in preventive breast cancer randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods Women self-identifying as Latina, over age 40, with no prior history of breast cancer were eligible. Using the Behavior Model for Vulnerable Populations, we administered a survey ( n = 168) to assess predisposing (e.g., knowledge), enabling (e.g., trust) and need factors (e.g., risk perception). Intention to participate was defined using a lenient (maybe, probably or definitely) and a stringent criterion (probably and definitely). Chi-square tests and logistic regression models examined the associations of predisposing, enabling, and need factors with women's intentions to participate in RCTs. Results Most participants (74.9%) were monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrants. Most (83.9%) reported willing to participate in clinical trials using the lenient definition (vs. 43.1% under the stringent definition). Using the lenient definition, the odds of willing to participate in RCTs were significantly lower for unmarried women (OR = .25, 95% CI = .08–.79) and those with lower cancer risk perceptions (OR = .20, 95% CI = .06–.63), while being significantly higher for women with lower language acculturation (OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 1.8–20.9). Using the stringent definition, women who did not endorse a motivation to enroll to help family members (if they had cancer) had significantly lower odds to report intent (OR = .33, 95% CI = .13–.86). Conclusion Many RCTs may have limited generalizability due to the low representation of minorities. Culturally targeted interventions that address the importance of family for Latinos may ultimately increase their participation in RCTs.
TREC Genomics Track Overview

The first year of TREC Genomics Track featured two tasks: ad hoc retrieval and information extraction. Both tasks centered around the Gene Reference into Function (GeneRIF) resource of the National Library of Medicine, which was used as both pseudorelevance judgments for ad hoc document retrieval as well as target text for information extraction. The track attracted 29 groups who participated in one or both tasks.
Real-time specification patterns

Embedded systems are pervasive and frequently used for critical systems with time-dependent functionality. Dwyer et al. (1999) have developed qualitative specification patterns to facilitate the specification of critical properties, such as those that must be satisfied by embedded systems. Thus far, no analogous repository has been compiled for realtime specification patterns. This paper makes two main contributions: First, based on an analysis of timing-based requirements of several industrial embedded system applications, we created real-time specification patterns in terms of three commonly used real-time temporal logics. Second, as a means to further facilitate the understanding of the meaning of a specification, we offer a structured English grammar that includes support for real-time properties. We illustrate the use of the real-time specification patterns in the context of property specifications of a real-world automotive embedded system.
The Most Recent Years: The Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 2004—2009

Recent trends in the content and characteristics of articles published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology from 2004 through 2009 are reviewed, completing the picture of the first 40 of publication. Consistent with earlier trends, empirical comparative studies are seen most frequently, self-report social behavior studies are predominate, and the majority of researchers are from the United States and English-speaking countries. Increased statistical and methodological sophistication continue to strengthen cross-cultural research and support the centrality of culture in psychology.
High temperatures and durations of exposure reduce nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) tuber viability

Abstract Soil solarization has been proposed as an alternative to methyl bromide for controlling nutsedges. Little is known, however, about the relationship between soil solarization and nutsedge tuber viability. Combinations of elevated temperatures and durations of exposure were evaluated for their effect on purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge tuber viability and new tuber production in growth chamber studies. Estimates of the duration of exposure at each temperature that reduced nutsedge growth parameters 50% (TT50) were supplied by log-logistic regression analysis. Nutsedge tuber viability was reduced when temperatures were ≥ 45 C. Relative to purple nutsedge, yellow nutsedge tuber viability had smaller TT50 values for 45, 50, and 55 C. Tuber viability TT50 at 60 C was similar for both nutsedges. The TT50 for production of new purple nutsedge tubers at 50 C was larger than that for yellow nutsedge. However, there were no differences between species in TT50 values for new tuber production at higher tem...
The Effect of Temperature and pH on Enzyme Activity

It has long been recognized that enzyme catalysis is markedly influenced by alterations in the hydrogen ion concentration. MICHAELIS and DAVIDSOHN (1) in 1911 attempted to explain the characteristic bell-shaped velocity versus pH curve obtained for many enzyme catalyzed reactions. They proposed that the enzyme, which was assumed to be amphoteric, could exist in its acidic, basic or isoelectric form, and they suggested that it was this latter state of the enzyme that was catalytically active. Subsequent experimental studies of pH kinetics led MICHAELIS and ROTHSTEIN to propose in 1920 (2) that it was the ionization state of the enzyme substrate complex, rather than of the free enzyme, that caused changes in the rate of catalysis as pH is altered. However, it remained for HALDANE some ten years later to suggest that it was the charge distribution associated with certain functional groups on the enzyme, rather than the isoelectric point of the enzyme, that was responsible for the observed alterations in the rates of enzyme catalysis induced by changes in hydrogen ion concentration (3).
Presence of Rheumatoid Factor during Chronic HCV Infection Is Associated with Expansion of Mature Activated Memory B-Cells that Are Hypo-Responsive to B-Cell Receptor Stimulation and Persist during the Early Stage of IFN Free Therapy.

Approximately half of those with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have circulating rheumatoid factor (RF), and a portion of these individuals develop cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. B cell phenotype/function in relation to RF in serum has been unclear. We examined B cell subset distribution, activation state (CD86), cell cycle state (Ki67), and ex-vivo response to BCR, TLR9 and TLR7/8 stimulation, in chronic HCV-infected donors with or without RF, and uninfected donors. Mature-activated B-cells of HCV-infected donors had lower CD86 expression compared to uninfected donors, and in the presence of RF they also showed reduced CD86 expression in response to BCR and TLR9 stimulation. Additionally, mature activated memory B cells of HCV RF+ donors less commonly expressed Ki67+ than HCV RF- donors, and did not proliferate as well in response to BCR stimulation. Proportions of mature-activated B cells were enhanced, while naive B-cells were lower in the peripheral blood of HCV-RF+ compared to RF- and uninfected donors. None of these parameters normalize by week 8 of IFN free direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in HCV RF+ donors, while in RF- donors, mature activated B cell proportions did normalize. These data indicate that while chronic HCV infection alone results in a lower state of activation in mature activated memory B cells, the presence of RF in serum is associated with a more pronounced state of unresponsiveness and an overrepresentation of these B cells in the blood. This phenotype persists at least during the early time window after removal of HCV from the host.
What’s New on Cause and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions in End-Stage Renal Disease

There was relatively little systematic study of the sexual dysfunctions of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) until 1972. Before then there was only speculation about the sexual functions of these patients, such as De-Nour who wrote in her 1969 paper on the psychological significance of urination.1 There, the subject of phantom urination was discussed and the observation was made that men seemed to have more sexual difficulties after being on hemodialysis than before. In 1972, at a panel devoted to the psychological adaptation of patients on hemodialysis, Scribner concluded that concerning impotence, “No data on this are good, but about one-third report that they are quite normal, about one-third say they have decreased potency but have some sexual activity and about one-third report that they’re completely impotent.”2
Meta-analysis of RNA-seq expression data across species, tissues and studies

Differences in gene expression drive phenotypic differences between species, yet major organs and tissues generally have conserved gene expression programs. Several comparative transcriptomic studies have observed greater similarity in gene expression between homologous tissues from different vertebrate species than between diverse tissues of the same species. However, a recent study by Lin and colleagues reached the opposite conclusion. These studies differed in the species and tissues analyzed, and in technical details of library preparation, sequencing, read mapping, normalization, gene sets, and clustering methods. To better understand gene expression evolution we reanalyzed data from four studies, including that of Lin, encompassing 6–13 tissues each from 11 vertebrate species using standardized mapping, normalization, and clustering methods. An analysis of independent data showed that the set of tissues chosen by Lin et al. were more similar to each other than those analyzed by previous studies. Comparing expression in five common tissues from the four studies, we observed that samples clustered exclusively by tissue rather than by species or study, supporting conservation of organ physiology in mammals. Furthermore, inter-study distances between homologous tissues were generally less than intra-study distances among different tissues, enabling informative meta-analyses. Notably, when comparing expression divergence of tissues over time to expression variation across 51 human GTEx tissues, we could accurately predict the clustering of expression for arbitrary pairs of tissues and species. These results provide a framework for the design of future evolutionary studies of gene expression and demonstrate the utility of comparing RNA-seq data across studies.
Effects of Iron on Activated Sludge Treatment

The importance of inorganic nutrients on activated sludge treatment has not been emphasized or studied extensively. Studies of the fundamentals of inorganic ions have been limited to nitrogen and phosphorus, yet basic microbiology has shown the importance of many other nutrients. Iron plays a major role in the oxidation-reduction reactions involved with the treatment of organic wastes and was the subject of this investigation. This work showed that insufficient iron in activated sludge treatment systems decreases the rate of organic metabolism and causes bulking conditions. Variations in other biological treatment parameters may be associated with iron or other inorganic nutrient limitation conditions.
Groundwork for Universal Canister System Development

The mission of the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is to complete the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. Some of the wastes that that must be managed have been identified as good candidates for disposal in a deep borehole in crystalline rock (SNL 2014a). In particular, wastes that can be disposed of in a small package are good candidates for this disposal concept. A canister-based system that can be used for handling these wastes during the disposition process (i.e., storage, transfers, transportation, and disposal) could facilitate the eventual disposal of these wastes. This report provides information for a program plan for developing specifications regarding a canister-based system that facilitates small waste form packaging and disposal and that is integrated with the overall efforts of the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Used Fuel Disposition Campaign's Deep Borehole Field Test. Groundwork for Universal Canister System Development September 2015 ii Wastes to be considered as candidates for the universal canister system include capsules containing cesium and strontium currently stored in pools at the Hanford Site, cesium to be processed using elutable or nonelutable resins at the Hanford Site, and calcine waste from Idaho National Laboratory. The initial emphasis will be on disposal of the cesium and strontium capsules in a deep borehole that has been drilled into crystalline rock. Specifications for a universal canister system are derived from operational, performance, and regulatory requirements for storage, transfers, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste. Agreements between the Department of Energy and the States of Washington and Idaho, as well as the Deep Borehole Field Test plan provide schedule requirements for development of the universal canister system. Future work includes collaboration with the Hanford Site to move the cesium and strontium capsules into dry storage, collaboration with the Deep Borehole Field Test to develop surface handling and emplacement techniques and to develop the waste package design requirements, developing universal canister system design options and concepts of operations, and developing system analysis tools. Areas in which further research and development are needed include material properties and structural integrity, in-package sorbents and fillers, waste form tolerance to heat and postweld stress relief, waste package impact limiters, sensors, cesium mobility under downhole conditions, and the impact of high pressure and high temperature environment on seals design. September 2015 Groundwork for Universal Canister System Development
An Adaptive Three-Fingered Prismatic Gripper With Passive Rotational Joints

In this letter, we present the design of an underactuated three-fingered robotic hand and evaluate its performance. The hand utilizes radially symmetric, prismatically actuated fingers controlled by a single actuator. Each finger consists of a single joint finger connected to the prismatic joint via a passive rotational joint perpendicular to the palm. The rotational joints allow the fingers to passively switch between spherical and cylindrical grasps while the finger joint allows the fingers to wrap about the grasped object. We compare the performance of this design to that of a concentric gripper with cylindrical fingers and two other underactuated hand designs using the YCB grasping benchmark. This evaluation shows that the three finger prismatic hand performs well especially when equipped with the single joint fingers in comparison to other designs.
Determination of physical and spectral data on thiazolidines for trace aldehyde analysis

Les thiazolidines sont utilises pour leur capacite de reaction avec les aldehydes. Utilisation pour l'analyse des traces de ces composes dans les produits alimentaires et l'environnement. Etude des proprietes physiques, spectrales (masse et RMN) des produits obtenus
Abnormal serum protein observed in trypan blue-treated rats.

SummarySerum obtained from trypan blue-treated rats showed an abnormal protein band between α-1 and α-2 globulin on paper electrophoresis, which could best be separated at pH 9.2. The compound appeared within one hour and was present for several days. The quantity of this material in serum was greater than that of α-2 globulin as short as 1 hour after trypan blue injection and seemed to increase with repeated injections of trypan blue. The compound was not formed in vitro by liver slices, erythrocytes or serum when incubated with trypan blue.
Effect of Medium on Rate of Multiplication, Virulence and Heat Susceptibility Of Hemolytic Streptococcus

pass it monthly from rabbit to rabbit by intrapleural injection. The animal thus inoculated dies in 4 or 5 days. The resulting exudate is pipetted from the pleural cavity and sealed hermetically in a test tube. A 24-hour beef infusion broth culture from this fluid is used for the next animal inoculation. The exudate remains a pure culture of the hemolytic streptococcus as noted by Gay and Stone 2 provided ordinary care is exercised. This culture thus maintained within the body fluids is known as the passage culture. Originally this streptococcus was isolated from a fatal infection in man. The work of Beckwith and Eddie 1 indicates that the stock culture is more resistant to heat than the passage portion by approximately 5 degrees, time factors and mediums being equal and identical. Counts of the numbers of organisms exposed to heat were not made, however, at that time. It is difficult to ascribe a reason for this difference in susceptibility to heat. Possibly it has some connection with the metabolism of these two strains of the same streptococcus, for Foster,3 working with the same form showed that there is "a marked difference between a passage strain and a laboratory strain of Streptococcus hemolyticus during the first 3 hours in glucose serum broth. Whereas the passage strain shows a definite decrease in amino acid output coupled with an increased ammonia excretion, the laboratory strain exhibits a decided increase in amino acid output coincident with a slight decrease in ammonia formation." Thus the former may be interpreted to be somewhat more active
Cortical-nuclear interactions in cephalopod development: cytochalasin B effects on the informational pattern in the cell surface.

Cytochalasin B (CB) was applied to early developmental stages of the egg of the squid Loligo pealei and defects in cleavage and/or organogenesis were produced. If CB was applied in relatively high dosages (2·0 μg/ml) or for long periods (30 min) to embryos in early cleavage the existing furrows irreversibly disappeared. If precleavage embryos were similarly treated the streaming pattern which forms the blastodisc was interrupted and patches of clear cytoplasm appeared on the zygote surface. Short low dosage pulses (0·2 μg/ml for 10 min) produced cleavage effects correlated with the time of pulsing. If pulsed within 30 min of first cleavage the first furrow did not appear in the majority of cases but the second furrow appeared synchronously with the controls and appeared normal in all respects. If pulsed approximately 30 min or longer before cleavage the first furrow usually appeared on time as a weak surface line. Second cleavage appeared normally. However, the asymmetrical pattern of third cleavage was ‘equalized’ and the blastomeres tended to be of equal size. It was concluded that there are subtle cytoplasmic movement patterns, sensitive to CB, which position the nuclei before each cleavage and thereby determine the cleavage pattern. If embryos were pulsed (0·2 μg/ml for 10 min) at various times during early development, anomalies in differentiation at organogenesis (3–4 days later) were produced which correlated with the time of pulsing. Pulses after germinal layer formation (stage 11) produced no noticeable effects and pulses before the cytoplasmic streaming which produces the blastodisc similarly had very little or no effect. However, pulses during blastodisc formation or early cleavage produced severely affected embryos in which organ displacement, poor tissue and organ differentiation, or organ deficiencies were common. Pulsed embryos were scored and the time of pulsing correlated with the severity of effects. The nuclei of the inductive yolk epithelium were abnormal, frequently being rounded, clumped and/or containing clumped or abnormally diffuse chromatin. It was concluded that the streaming pattern which forms the blastodisc in some way fixes or enhances a pre-existing pattern of developmental information which resides in or at the surface of the egg. Once this pattern is established it is insensitive to CB but it can still be demonstrated by other techniques. This informational pattern apparently influences the nuclei of the yolk epithelium that come to lie in specific regions and controls the expression of their genome so that specific organs are programmed.
Epidemic status of injuries among middle school students in Mentougou District of Beijing City

[Objective]To understand the epidemic status of injuries among middle school students in Mentougou District,and provide the basis for developing control measures against injury.[Methods]The stratified cluster sampling was adopted to extract 1 108 students of 2 junior high schools,2 senior high schools and 1 vocational high school for survey in Mentougou District." The Chinese adolescent health-related behavior questionnaire "was used for investigation of the incidence of injuries in past 1 year.[Results] The incidence rate of injury was 12.7% among middle school students in Mentougou District.The incidence rate of junior students(13.1%) was higher than that of the senior high school(12.4%).The injury incidence rate of boys was higher than girls(χ2 = 31.169,P 0.01).Hurt was mainly due to sprains(24.3%),followed by fall injury(8.4%) and self-injury(6.4%).Injury mainly occurred at home(27.6%),followed by campus gymnasium(21.8%) and other places in campus(14.8%).[Conclusion]The incidence rate of students’injury is frequent.Accidental injury is the main factor of the middle school students’ hurt.Different injury interventions should aim at the physiological and psychological characteristics of the male and female students.The family’s hurt intervention can not be ignored.
Study on the Acute and Genetic Toxicities of Ethanol Extracts from Momordica Charantia

BACKGROUND AIM:To determine the acute oral toxicity and genetic toxicity of ethanol extracts from Momordica charantia(MC),so as to provide experimental basis for its exploitation.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The tests were performed according to GB159193-2003 Procedures and Methods for Toxicological Assessment of Food.RESULTS:The acute oral LD50 of ethanol extracts from Momordica charantia was greater than 21.5 g/kg.The genetic toxicity indicated by Ames test,micronucleus test of polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow and sperm shape abnormality test in mice was negative.CONCLUSION:In our experimental context,the acute toxicity of ethanol extracts from Momordica charantia was classified as non-toxic.Genetic toxicity was not found.
Direct measurement of renal medullary blood flow in the dog

We studied the responses of total renal blood flow (RBF) and renal medullary blood flow (RMBF) to changes in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) within and below the range of renal autoregulation in the anesthetized dog (n = 7). To measure RMBF, we developed a technique in which the medulla is exposed by excising a section of infarcted cortex and a multiple optical fiber flow probe, connected to a laser-Doppler flowmeter, is placed on the medulla. At the baseline RPP of 120 +/- 1 mmHg, RBF was 2.58 +/- 0.33 ml.min-1.g perfused kidney wt-1, and RMBF was 222 +/- 45 perfusion units. RPP was then decreased in consecutive 20-mmHg steps to 39 +/- 1 mmHg. At 80 +/- 1 mmHg, RBF remained at 89 +/- 4% of the baseline value; however, RMBF had decreased significantly (P < 0.05) to 73 +/- 4% of its baseline value. The efficiency of autoregulation of RBF and of RMBF within the RPP range of 120 to 80 mmHg was determined by calculating an autoregulatory index (AI) for each parameter using the formula AI = (%delta blood flow)/(%delta RPP). An AI of 0 indicates perfect autoregulation, and an index of 1 indicates a system with a fixed resistance. The AI for RBF averaged 0.33 +/- 0.12 over this pressure range and showed a significantly greater (P < 0.05) autoregulatory ability than did the RMBF (0.82 +/- 0.13). Decreasing perfusion pressure < 80 mmHg produced significant decreases in both RBF and RMBF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The influence of validity criteria on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test–retest reliability among high school athletes

ABSTRACTObjective: Research findings to date on the stability of Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Composite scores have been inconsistent, requiring further investigation. The use of test validity criteria across these studies also has been inconsistent. Using multiple measures of stability, we examined test–retest reliability of repeated ImPACT baseline assessments in high school athletes across various validity criteria reported in previous studies. Method: A total of 1146 high school athletes completed baseline cognitive testing using the online ImPACT test battery at two time periods of approximately two-year intervals. No participant sustained a concussion between assessments. Five forms of validity criteria used in previous test–retest studies were applied to the data, and differences in reliability were compared. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged in composite scores from .47 (95% confidence interval, CI [.38, .54]) to .83 (95% CI [.81, .85...
The Discovery of Arthropod-Specific Viruses in Hematophagous Arthropods: An Open Door to Understanding the Mechanisms of Arbovirus and Arthropod Evolution?

The discovery of an odd virus from hematophagous arthropods 40 years ago by Stollar and Thomas described cell fusing agent virus in cells derived from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Then came the report of Kamiti River virus from Ae. macintoshi in 1999, followed by worldwide reports of the discovery of other viruses of mosquitoes, ticks, and midges that replicate only in arthropods and not in vertebrates or in vertebrate cells. These viruses (now totaling at least 64 published) have genomes analogous to viruses in various families that include arboviruses and nonarboviruses. It is likely that some of these viruses have been insufficiently studied and may yet be shown to infect vertebrates. However, there is no doubt that the vast majority are restricted to arthropods alone and that they represent a recently recognized clade. Their biology, modes of transmission, worldwide distribution (some have been detected in wild-caught mosquitoes in both Asia and the United States, for example), molecular characteristics ...
Changing an Organization's Culture Under New Leadership

Turning around and changing an organization's culture does not happen by chance. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into what is needed for an organization to successfully transform itself from a culture and experience that does not support individual ethical behavior. The recent bond trading scandal at Salomon Brothers will be used to demonstrate that a successful ethical turnaround does not just happen spontaneously. In particular, we argue that new leadership, altering policies, structure, behavior, and beliefs are paramount to successfully change to an organizational culture that supports ethical behavior. Schein's five primary mechanisms available to leaders for embedding and reinforcing culture will be used to systematically analyze efforts to change Salomon Brothers' culture.
Un periódico neoyorquino como vehículo ideológico de promoción del español. El caso de La Prensa (1917-1928)

espanolEn el presente articulo se da a conocer material publicado en el periodico neoyorquino La Prensa para promocionar el espanol y su ensenanza entre los anos 1917 a 1928. Se trata de un corpus bastante heterogeneo constituido por material publicitario, material didactico (cursos de lengua y rubricas que proporcionaban textos sobre y para las aulas) y concursos, que tiene en comun la promocion del espanol y su ensenanza como estrategia comercial para la ampliacion de los lectores durante un periodo en el que en EE.UU. se vive lo que se ha denominado un Spanish craze o hispanomania. Se presentan los factores historicos, geopoliticos e ideologicos que llevaron a que el espanol se convirtiera en la primera segunda lengua ensenada en el sistema escolar estadounidense, para luego ilustrar las estrategias mediante las cuales el periodico se hizo eco en sus contenidos de las ideologias divulgadas por las instituciones culturales mas importantes de la epoca (Hispanic Society, American Association of Teachers of Spanish, Instituto de las Espanas de la Columbia University) y con las cuales llego a colaborar en determinados formatos. EnglishThe current article presents and analyzes material promoting Spanish and its teaching published between 1917 and 1928 in La Prensa,one of New York’s leading Spanish-language newspapers. The corpus consists of a series of heterogeneous texts such as advertisements, didactic material and competitions, having in common the promotion of Spanish and its teaching as a commercial strategy in order to expand its readership during a time when the US was experiencing a Spanish craze. Furthermore, historical, geopolitical and ideological factors are presented that led Spanish to be the first foreign language taught in the American school system. The article also shows how the newspaper reflected and adapted itself to the ideologies displayed by the main cultural institutions it collaborated with, such as the Hispanic Society, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish, and the Instituto de las Espanas at Columbia University.
Galena Non-oxidative Dissolution Kinetics in Seawater

The rate of non-oxidative galena dissolution in seawater compositions over the pH range of 2–4.5 was determined from batch reactor experiments. The derivative at zero time of a polynomial fit of the Pb concentration versus time data for the first 30 min was used to determine the rate. A plot of RGn (rate of galena dissolution) versus pH for data from six experiments is linear (R2 = 0.96), with a slope of 0.5. The rate equation describing the rate of galena dissolution as a function of hydrogen ion activity is $$R_{\text{Gn}} = - \,10^{ - 10.72} \left( {a_{{{\text{H}}^{ + } }} } \right)^{0.50}$$ Varying the concentration of dissolved oxygen produced no significant effect on the measured rates. The activation energy, based on four experiments carried out over the temperature range of 7–30 °C, is 61.1 kJ/mol.
Glucocorticoid receptor isoform–specific regulation of development, circadian rhythm, and inflammation in mice

Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones, and their synthetic derivatives are widely used clinically. The therapeutic efficacy of these steroids is limited by side effects and glucocorticoid resistance. Multiple glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms are produced from a single gene by alternative translation initiation; however, the role individual isoforms play in tissue-specific responses to glucocorticoids is unknown. We have generated knockin mice that exclusively express the most active receptor isoform, GR-C3. GR-C3 knockin mice die at birth due to respiratory distress. Microarray analysis of fibroblasts from wild-type and GR-C3 mice indicated that most genes regulated by GR-C3 were unique to this isoform. Antenatal glucocorticoid administration rescued GR-C3 knockin mice from neonatal death. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry revealed no major alterations in body composition for rescued knockin mice. Rescued female, but not male, GR-C3 mice exhibited increased wheel running activity in the light portion of the day. LPS administration induced premature mortality in rescued GR-C3 knockin mice, and gene expression studies revealed a deficiency in the ability of GR-C3 to repress a large cohort of immune and inflammatory response genes. These findings demonstrate that specific GR translational isoforms can influence development, circadian rhythm, and inflammation through the regulation of distinct gene networks.-Oakley, R. H., Ramamoorthy, S., Foley, J. F., Busada, J. T., Lu, N. Z., Cidlowski, J. A. Glucocorticoid receptor isoform-specific regulation of development, circadian rhythm, and inflammation in mice.
Electronic Structure of Oxygen in Delitiated Litmo 2 Studied by Electron Energy-Loss Spectrometry

Lithium transition-metal oxides (LiTMO2) are currently the preferred cathode materials for secondary Li ion batteries. Several of these materials have a layered structure suitable for intercalation compounds owing to their good kinetics and ability to withstand internal strains of Li intercalation. Despite extensive research on this system, it is still not understood how the electronic charge is redistributed during lithiation. Traditionally it has been accepted that the charge on the intercalated Li is accommodated by the transition metal, allowing the O valence to remain 2-. However, recent computational studies suggest that there is substantial charge transfer from the ionic Li to the anion [1,2]. Empirical data from x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-absorption spectroscopy (XAS) show that LiTMO2 is strongly covalent with available O 2p holes lying in the TM 3d band [3]. These techniques also show a decrease in O 2p holes during Li intercalation indicating an increase in electron density around the O ion [3,4].
Modified Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses in Patients with Non-brainstem Compressive Cerebral Lesions

The brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is sensitive to pontomesencephalic integrity, transtentorial brain herniation, and at times increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The authors report their experience utilizing a recently described rapid rate, binaural, click and 1,000-Hz tone-burst modification of the BAER (MBAER) in 22 symptomatic non-trauma patients with non-brainstem compressive space-taking cerebral lesions. The majority presented with mild to moderate clinical signs suggestive of increased ICP, and focal neurological deficits. The cerebral lesions, mostly tumors (17), averaged 4–5 cm in diameter, with radiological signs of mass effect such as flattening of the sulci, midline shift, and narrowing of the basal cisterns. A number of significant changes in Wave V and V n latency and less so amplitude were found in patients compared with age-matched normal volunteers, as well as those again studied after surgical decompression. Similar MBAER changes had been noted in normal volunteers placed in a dependent head position. Possible mechanisms to explain these findings are discussed. The methodology shows promise and if combined with automated peak recognition could make Neuro ICU monitoring practical.
The Legacy Effect in Type 2 Diabetes: Impact of Early Glycemic Control on Future Complications (the Diabetes & Aging Study)

OBJECTIVE To examine for a legacy effect of early glycemic control on diabetic complications and death. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This cohort study of managed care patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 10 years of survival (1997–2013, average follow-up 13.0 years, N = 34,737) examined associations between HbA1c RESULTS Compared with HbA1c CONCLUSIONS Among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and 10 years of survival, HbA1c levels ≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/mol) for the 1st year after diagnosis were associated with worse outcomes. Immediate, intensive treatment for newly diagnosed patients may be necessary to avoid irremediable long-term risk for diabetic complications and mortality.
The physiological basis of disease tolerance in insects

Immunology textbooks teach us about the ways hosts can recognize and kill microbes but leave out something important: the mechanisms used to survive infections. Survival depends on more than simply detecting and eliminating microbes; it requires that we prevent and repair the damage caused by pathogens and the immune response. Recent work in insects is helping to build our understanding of this aspect of pathology, called disease tolerance. Here we discuss papers that explore disease tolerance using theoretical, population genetics, and mechanistic approaches.
Plantarflexor fiber and tendon slack length are strong determinates of simulated single-leg heel raise height

Achilles tendon ruptures have been linked with detrimental changes in muscle-tendon structure, which may help explain long-term functional deficits. However, the causal effects of muscle-tendon structure on joint function have not been tested in a controlled setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the implications of muscle-tendon unit parameters on simulated single-leg heel raise height. We hypothesized that muscle fiber length and resting ankle angle - a clinical surrogate measure of tendon slack length - would predict single-leg heel raise height more strongly than other parameters. To test this hypothesis, we developed a two-part simulation paradigm that recreated clinically relevant muscle-tendon scenarios and then tested these parameters on single-leg heel raise height. We found that longer muscle fibers had the greatest positive effect on single-leg heel raise height. However, tendon slack length, determined by simulating resting ankle angles in a secondary analysis, revealed a stronger negative correlation with heel raise height. Our findings support previous clinical observations that both muscle fascicle length and resting tendon length are important muscle-tendon parameters for patient function. In addition to minimizing tendon elongation following rupture, treatment plans should focus on preserving plantarflexor muscle structure to mitigate functional loses following Achilles tendon ruptures.
Identifying contaminants of potential concern in remote headwater streams of Tennessee’s Appalachian Mountains

The susceptibility of Tennessee’s Appalachian Mountains to anthropogenic stressors has remained largely uninvestigated likely due to a lack of known point source contamination. However, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that depositional inputs can lead to concerning levels of contamination, even in remote areas. To investigate potential concerns, water quality parameters, contaminants in water (nitrogen, TSS, and metals), and contaminants in eastern brook trout (mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], organochlorine [OC] pesticides, dioxins, furans, and phthalates) were measured in four Appalachian Mountain streams from 2015 to 2017. Concentrations were compared to literature and/or model-derived (e.g., biotic ligand model) threshold values to determine whether levels exceeded those acceptable for stream health. Dioxins and furans were detectable in fish tissue at all sites with an average 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodinbenzodioxin toxicity equivalence (TEQ) of 0.0015 ng/kg. Concentrations of PCBs, phthalates, and organochlorine pesticides were never above analytical quantitation limits, although several OC pesticides (e.g., alpha-chlordane) were detectable in fish. Aluminum concentrations in water were found at levels shown previously to cause mortality in brook trout during acidic rain events. The average whole-body methylmercury concentrations in fish among sites were 0.037 ± 0.003 μg/kg and were on average 75 ± 2% of total mercury.
Gallbladder Cancer: Diagnosis, Surgical Management, and Adjuvant Therapies.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an often lethal disease, but surgical resection is potentially curative. Symptoms may be misdiagnosed as biliary colic; over half of new diagnoses are made after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. Gallbladder polyps >1 cm should prompt additional imaging and cholecystectomy. For GBC diagnosed after cholecystectomy, tumors T1b and greater necessitate radical cholecystectomy. Radical cholecystectomy includes staging laparoscopy, hepatic resection, and locoregional lymph node clearance to achieve R0 resection. Patients with locally advanced disease (T3 or T4), hepatic-sided T2 tumors, node positivity, or R1 resection may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy increases survival in unresectable disease.