cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Female sex hormones and cardiovascular disease in women

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women, a fact that is underappreciated by women and physicians. Clinical and experimental data underscore the cardioprotective effects of female sex hormones, particularly estrogen. Indeed, the loss of female sex hormones after menopause contributes to the striking increase in the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy improved lipoprotein profiles in the postmenopausal women, but this accounts for less than half of the cardioprotective effects of estrogen replacement therapy. Addition of progestins to estrogen therapy in women appears not to significantly attenuate the cardioprotective effects of estrogen replacement therapy despite experimental data suggesting otherwise. This review addresses potential mechanisms, other than influences on lipoproteins, by which estrogen and progesterone exert their cardiovascular protective effects. Particular emphasis is directed to genomic and nongenomic effects of estrogen and progesterone that are exerted directly on cardiovascular tissue.
Isolines: efficient spatio-temporal data aggregation in sensor networks

This paper introduces an energy-efficient data collection technique that takes advantage of spatial and temporal data correlation for monitoring continuously changing conditions such as temperature, humidity, rain fall, radiation, substance concentrations, etc. The proposed technique, isoline aggregation, generates contour maps representing the condition being monitored. The resulting contour map consist of isolines which delimit regions within which the monitored condition is within a certain value range. Energy efficiency is achieved by taking advantage of the spatial and temporal correlation of the data field. Simulation results show that isoline aggregation can reduce the amount of bytes transmitted considerably. At the same time, we are able to keep high data accuracy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical Disk Recording Techniques For Data Rates Beyond 100 Mbps

RCA has been developing high data-rate optical disk systems capable of recording at rates of 100 Mbps and above. Descriptions of the electrical, mechanical and optical designs, as well as experimental results, will be given for argon-based systems. Preliminary design and details will also be given for AIGaAs laser diode array systems, including some array parameters.
Development of a Two-Dimensional Zonally Averaged Statistical-Dynamical Model. Part I The Parameterization of Moist Convection and its Role in the General Circulation

The moist convection parameterization used in the GISS 3-D GCM is adapted for use in a two-dimensional (2-D) zonally averaged statistical-dynamical model. Experiments with different versions of the parameterization show that its impact on the general circulation in the 2-D model does not parallel its impact in the 3-D model unless the effect of zonal variations is parameterized in the moist convection calculations. A parameterization of the variations in moist static energy is introduced in which the temperature variations are calculated from baroclinic stability theory, and the relative humidity is assumed to be constant. Inclusion of the zonal variations of moist static energy in the 2-D moist convection parameterization allows just a fraction of a latitude circle to be unstable and enhances the amount of deep convection. This leads to a 2-D simulation of the general circulation very similar to that in the 3-D model. The experiments show that the general circulation is sensitive to the parameterized amount of deep convection in the subsident branch of the Hadley cell. The more there is, the weaker are the Hadley cell circulations and the westerly jets. The experiments also confirm the effects of momentum mixing associated with moist convection found by earlier investigators and, in addition, show that the momentum mixing weakens the Ferrel cell. An experiment in which the moist convection was removed while the hydrological cycle was retained and the eddy forcing was held fixed shows that moist convection by itself stabilizes the tropics, reduces the Hadley circulation, and reduces the maximum speeds in the westerly jets.
Copepod grazing during spring blooms: Does Calanus pacificus avoid harmful diatoms?

Abstract During late winter and spring of 2002 and 2003, 24, 2–3 day cruises were conducted to Dabob Bay, Washington State, USA, to examine the grazing, egg production, and hatching success rates of adult female Calanus pacificus and Pseudocalanus newmani. The results of the copepod grazing experiments for C. pacificus are discussed here. Each week, copepod grazing incubation experiments from two different depth layers were conducted. Grazing was measured by both changes in chlorophyll concentration and cell counts. In 2002, there was one moderate bloom consisting mainly of Thalassiosira spp. in early February, and a larger bloom in April comprised of two Chaetoceros species and Phaeocystis sp. Similarly, in 2003, there were two blooms, an early one dominated by Thalassiosira spp., and a later one consisting of Chaetoceros spp. and Thalassiosira spp. Clearance rates on individual prey species, as calculated by cell counts, showed that C. pacificus are highly selective in their feeding, and may have much higher clearance rates on individual taxa than rates calculated from bulk chlorophyll disappearance. During weeks of high phytoplankton concentration, the copepods generally ate phytoplankton. However, they often rejected the most abundant phytoplankton species, particularly certain Thalassiosira spp., even though the rejected prey were often of the same genus and similar size to the preferred prey. It is speculated that this avoidance may be related to the possible deleterious effects that certain of these diatom species have on the reproductive success of these copepods. During weeks of medium to low phytoplankton concentration, the copepods selectively ate certain species of phytoplankton, and often had high electivity for microzooplankton. The selection mechanism must consist of active particle rejection most likely based on detection of surface chemical properties, since the diatoms that were selected were of the same genus, nearly the same size, and at lower numerical abundance than those cells that were avoided. The grazing choices made by these copepods may have important consequences for the overall ecosystem function within coastal and estuarine systems through changes in the transfer efficiency of energy to higher trophic levels.
Convective collapse of flux tubes

Flux tubes of constant β extending vertically through the solar convection zone are unstable to a convective instability if the surface field strength is less than 1270 G. By downward displacement of matter along the tube an unstable tube can transform into a new equilibrium state with lower energy which has a higher field strength. Numerical calculations of these ‘collapsed’ states are presented. If the collapse starts in a field with a strength corresponding to equipartition with kinetic energy in the convection zone, it yields a surface field strength of about 1650 G. It is proposed that the small scale magnetic field in active regions consists of such tubes. The collapsed state is not in thermal equilibrium. In the deeper layers the heat exchange following the collapse is very slow but the surface layers return rapidly to temperature equilibrium. It is argued that during the gradual thermal evolution of the collapsed state its surface layers may start an overstable oscillation. A brightness-velocity correlation in this oscillation could account for the observed downdraft in the tubes.
Evaluation of interventions in Alzheimer's disease

To address the development of studies for behavioral problems in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a framework is used that includes the patient, the caregiver (formal or informal), the patient-caregiver interaction, the environment, the organization of care within institutions, and systems for the delivery of care to patients and caregivers. Within each of these components, there will be indicated the areas that are ready for testing using a clinical trial design and the areas that need further study using less controlled designs. Finally, recommendations will be made that address all components of the framework.
Relative value of diagnostic studies for von Willebrand disease.

Laboratory tests recommended to screen patients with mucosal bleeding for hemostatic disorders generally include determinations of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, and bleeding time. To determine the best tests to identify patients with von Willebrand disease (vWD), we reviewed the laboratory studies of 24 children with vWD and performed receiver operating characteristic analysis on the diagnostic studies. The vWD disease diagnostic tests included determinations of vWF activity (ristocetin cofactor activity), vWF factor antigen, and factor VIII procoagulant (VIII:c). The diagnosis of vWD required the presence of a personal and family history of bleeding symptoms and a documented abnormality of vWF activity or vWF antigen. vWF activity, vWF antigen, factor VIII:c and blood type were detemined in 104 symptom-free children. There were no differences between patients and normal subjects for age, gender, or blood type. The bleeding time was abnormal in 43%, the partial thromboplastin time was abnormal in 25%, and either one or both were abnormal in 58% of the patients. The vWF activity, vWF antigen, and factor VIII:c were abnormal in 79%, 58%, and 33%, respectively. Receiver-operated-characteristic analysis showed the vWF activity to be superior to either the vWF antigen or factor VIII:c in establishing the diagnosis of vWD. The combination of the activity, bleeding time, and partial thromboplastin time successfully identified 92% of the patients as abnormal. Determination of vWF activity should be included routinely in the evaluation of hemostasis in children with symptomatic disease.
Viewer Characteristics, Exposure to Television Violence, and Aggression

I examined whether several viewer characteristics, in addition to exposure to television violence, help explain viewer aggression. Specifically, I examined the contribution of two personality characteristics (disinhibition and locus of control), a background characteristic (experience with crime), viewer motivation, exposure to television violence, and perceived realism of violent content. Despite the attention that has been devoted to finding a connection between television violence and aggression over the years, several of these viewer characteristics were stronger predictors of viewer aggression. Results supported uses and gratifications' notions that individual characteristics and expectations impact the effects of exposure. Because gender, personality and background factors, and motivation for watching television violence differentially impacted viewer aggression, the results suggest that such viewer characteristics should be assessed when making predictions about the relationship between television ...
Use of polymer single crystals as substrates in adsorption studies

Abstract The potential utility of employing polymer single crystals as substrates for study of adsorption from solutions on low energy solid surfaces is discussed. Advantages of polymer single crystals for this purpose are that they offer a very large specific surface area, the surface is flat and chemically pure, and the chemical nature of the surface can be altered systematically by employing a series of polymers of different chemical constitutions. As a demonstration of the feasibility of the use of polymer single crystals, results obtained with polyoxymethylene single crystals in the study of adsorption of serum proteins from aqueous solution are presented. The method of preparation of the single crystals, their characterization, and the areas of possible problems and further improvements are discussed.
Mechanistic insights into metal-mediated electroless copper plating employing hypophosphite as a reducing agent

Electroless copper plating using systems containing a small amount of Ni2+ or Pd2+ as a mediator and hypophosphite as a reducing agent was investigated using several electrochemical techniques. Isothermal and component-dependent polarization, rate, Emix, split-cell, and ac impedance data suggested that the systems obey mixed potential theory and function as follows: a) the mediator is initially deposited from solution to the surface of the workpiece via hypophosphite reduction, b) oxidation of the hypophosphite at mediator sites supplies charge for Cu reduction, and c) Cu plating occurs over the entire workpiece. XPS analysis and depth profiling of the resulting deposits suggested that they are homogeneous in nature and that the mediator is uniformly distributed throughout. The chemical composition determined by the XPS analysis agrees well with the results obtained by atomic emission spectroscopy. In addition, the analysis showed no evidence of Cu oxide formation.
Bax deficiency rescues resection-induced enterocyte apoptosis in mice with perturbed EGF receptor function.

Abstract Background Adaptation after massive smallbowel resection (SBR) is associated with increased cell turnover, increased rates of enterocyte proliferation, and apoptosis. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition attenuates adaptation and increases apoptosis. Intestinal levels of bax appear to correlate with EGFR signaling. This study tested the hypothesis that bax is required for the exaggerated postresection apoptosis induced by perturbed EGFR signaling. Methods Waved-2 mice with impaired EGFR signaling were crossbred with bax-null mice. Offspring were subjected to either 50% proximal SBR or sham operation (bowel transection and reanastomosis). After 7 days, parameters of adaptation (villus height, wet weight), proliferation (% Ki-67 immunostaining of crypt cells), and apoptosis (# apoptotic bodies per crypt) were recorded in the remnant ileum. Results Enterocyte apoptosis was increased in waved-2 mice and prevented in bax-null mice after SBR. The accelerated apoptosis in the waved-2 mice was rescued in the context of deficient bax expression. Other parameters of adaptation were restored in the bax-null/waved-2 mice. Conclusion Bax is required for the induction of postresection enterocyte apoptosis. Defective EGFR signaling augments resection-induced enterocyte apoptosis via a mechanism that also requires bax expression. These data implicate a link between EGFR signaling and bax in the genesis of postresection apoptosis and adaptation.
Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Potassium Pyrazolato Complexes: The First Structurally Documented eta(2)-Pyrazolato Coordination by a Main Group Metal.

Several (pyrazolato)potassium complexes have been prepared by deprotonation of the parent pyrazoles with potassium hydride in tetrahydrofuran. A crystal structure of one derivative shows a hexameric formulation, with each potassium atom bonded to the nitrogen atoms of one pyrazolato ligand in an η2-fashion and to the nitrogen atoms of two adjacent pyrazolato ligands with η1-interactions. The utility of these complexes in the synthesis of new pyrazolato complexes is demonstrated.
Eclipse of the Renaissance

WHEN I PREPARED MY PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS OF 1978, I did not anticipate that it might still be of interest twenty years later, and I feel both surprised and honored by this symposium. I am deeply indebted to Professors Gouwens and Findlen for making it possible. In responding to their stimulating essays, I want to stress that I do not intend to deny the importance of the subject to which I have myself devoted half a century of study, much less do I feel any need to defend a position I took twenty years ago. I continue to agree with Gouwens and Findlen that the age of the Renaissance was, for many reasons, a time of extraordinary importance in the history of Western culture, among other things for the reasons they have emphasized. But my perspectives have changed somewhat. I am increasingly doubtful that the Renaissance was the beginning of the "modern" world, and I find myself increasingly dubious about the Whig-linear-progressive view of history, to which this notion of the Renaissance was attached, as a process culminating in ourselves. The notion of the Renaissance as the origin of the modern world is often attributed, not altogether incorrectly, to Jacob Burckhardt; but I think we should also ponder the fact that, though like most of us he was probably ambivalent about this, Burckhardt loathed the modern world. And although the idea of progress survives in the rhetoric of politicians everywhere, my impression is that few historians now, if challenged, would admit to a firm conviction that the world is a better and better place or that the likelihood of its indefinite improvement is substantial. I am unsure about the connection between the developments described in the central articles of this Forum and this old meta-historical scheme, and perhaps it is not a fair question. Aside from these reflections, I might also add that I am confused by the notion that we have recently entered a "postmodern" age and about what the significance of this notion might be for historians. It is perhaps fortunate for us that the notion has been chiefly confined to other disciplines. On the other hand, I am prepared to defend the traditional view of the Renaissance against those who would minimize its achievements on the grounds that they amounted to no more than cultural "superstructure" of little interest to serious historians. This view is based, it seems to me, on an inadequate understanding of the role of culture in human affairs, which among its other tasks notably shapes even economic and social structures. It should be clear by this time, at any rate, that, whatever else the Renaissance
The structure of near-spherical carbon nano-shells

The empty, near-spherical, carbon nanoshells, frequently observed in preparations of carbon nanotubes, have been studied using nanodiffraction with electron probes of diameter 1 nm or less, formed in a scanning transmission electron microscope, and STEM imaging. For the larger nanoshells, it is shown that the shell walls are made up of flat regions composed of successive layers of well-ordered graphitic structure, about 5 or 10 nm thick and mutually rotated about their common c-axis direction.
Age-related synapse loss in hippocampal CA3 is not reversed by caloric restriction

Caloric restriction (CR) is a reduction of total caloric intake without a decrease in micronutrients or a disproportionate reduction of any one dietary component. While CR attenuates age-related cognitive deficits in tasks of hippocampal-dependent memory, the cellular mechanisms by which CR improves this cognitive decline are poorly understood. Previously, we have reported age-related decreases in key synaptic proteins in the CA3 region of the hippocampus that are stabilized by lifelong CR. In the present study, we examined possible age-related changes in the functional microcircuitry of the synapses in the stratum lacunosum-moleculare (SL-M) of the CA3 region of the hippocampus, and whether lifelong CR might prevent these age-related alterations. We used serial electron microscopy to reconstruct and classify SL-M synapses and their postsynaptic spines. We analyzed synapse number and size as well as spine surface area and volume in young (10 months) and old (29 months) ad libitum fed rats and in old rats that were calorically restricted from 4 months of age. We limited our analysis to SL-M because previous work demonstrated age-related decreases in synaptophysin confined to this specific layer and region of the hippocampus. The results revealed an age-related decrease in macular axo-spinous synapses that was not reversed by CR that occurred in the absence of changes in the size of synapses or spines. Thus, the benefits of CR for CA3 function and synaptic plasticity may involve other biological effects including the stabilization of synaptic proteins levels in the face of age-related synapse loss.
GENDER‐COHORT SUCCESSION AND RETIREMENT AMONG OLDER MEN AND WOMEN, 1951 TO 1984

Long-term trends in occupational change and retirement policy have influenced the relative labor force participation and retirement patterns of subgroups of the older population. Structural changes...
Left Matters: An Interview with Cornel West

February 28, 2011 John Ehrenberg (JE): Let's start with a couple of things that may have begun to reshape the political climate. One is this extraordinary upsurge of popular energy and democratic f...
A tale of three labels: translating the JUPITER trial data into regulatory claims

Background Whether a pivotal randomized trial will be interpreted in a similar and consistent manner by different regulatory agencies is uncertain as policy perspectives may play a role in data interpretation and the translation of trial results into clinical practice. Purpose Using a contemporary example, to compare and contrast regulatory claims in the United States, Europe, and Canada that derive from a pivotal clinical trial. Methods The recently completed JUPITER trial of rosuvastatin as compared to placebo conducted among 17,802 men and women with LDL-C Results JUPITER demonstrated a 44% reduction (p 2 mg/L, plus one additional risk factor for heart disease. The Canadian label is silent on age and hsCRP (the major trial inclusion criterion), stipulating instead that treatment can be considered for those with 'at least two conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease,' a group more inclusive than that studied. In contrast, the European Medicines Agency label limits treatment only to 'high risk individuals' ignoring hsCRP and using instead a post hoc definition of 'high risk' that comprised a subgroup of less than 10% of the study population who contributed but 67 events to the study total and did not show statistical significance when compared to placebo. None of the regulatory labels included the trial primary endpoint; instead, each focused on separate and different components of the primary endpoint. Similar discrepancies were found between European and North American regulatory agencies with regard to earlier pivotal trials of statins for primary prevention, but not for secondary prevention. Limitations The JUPITER experience represents a case study and is not a systematic review of the regulatory decision process. Conclusions Labeling indications can vary widely in different regulatory environments even when based on the same trial data.
The radiosonde: The stratosphere laboratory

Abstract The radiosonde, the most recently developed tool for use in the investigation of phenomena in the upper atmosphere, is described. The various merits and disadvantages of the three systems now in use for the transmission of physical data from the stratosphere are reviewed.In a discussion of present-day radiosonde technique are included descriptions of transmitters, receivers, meteorological and other observing instruments, and ballooning methods. Their application to the study of cosmic rays is given as a typical illustration of their usefulness in fields other than meteorological. A new formula for the upward velocity of a flight in terms of its free lift is developed, which shows that the observed constant rate of ascent of pilot type balloons is fortuitous, depending on a particular range of values of the Reynold's Number of the balloons.
Weakest Link Theory Reformulated for Arbitrary Fracture Criterion

A primary objective of statistical fracture theory is to predict the probability of failure for an arbitrary stress state when the failure statistics are known for a particular stress state, e.g. simple tension. It is proved that a rule for accomplishing this (given without proof by Weibull) is valid for shear-insensitive cracks, i.e. on the assumption that only the component of stress normal to a crack plane contributes to its fracture. Four failure criteria for shear-sensitive cracks are considered and the results are compared with test data.
Preferential Tax Treatment of Capital Gains, Optimal Dividend Policy, and Capital Budgeting

I. Introduction and summary, 226. — II. Valuation, 228. — III. Optimal dividend policy, 229. — IV. An empirical test, 234. — V. Comparative statics, 235. — VI. Capital budgeting, 237. — VII. Policy implications, 241.
Generating and implementing schedules for time-critical manufacturing processes

A complicating issue in scheduling parts through some manufacturing systems is that of critical operations. These operations have both a minimum and maximum processing time. (Heat treatment and etch processing are examples.) Critical operations, coupled with the natural interaction of resources that occur in all manufacturing systems, makes schedule generation quite difficult, particularly in an automated environment. It becomes necessary to plan ahead to insure that the necessary resources (e.g., carts) will be on hand to stop the processing when the allotted time is up. This paper briefly discusses existing approaches to the scheduling problem and introduces a new simulation-like method that has great flexibility and generality. In addition, and not to be minimized, the various practical problems of implementing such a scheduler are discussed.
Performance analysis of a solar-assisted swimming pool heating system

Abstract This paper deals with feasibility studies for a solar-assisted heating system for the University of Miami's Aquatic Center using the simulation program TRNSYS. The Aquatic Center is composed of an outdoor olympic size swimming pool and locker room building. The solar heating is accomplished by employing hot water generated by heat exchange with the solar collector working fluid. Two thermal storage tanks are employed for the collector and domestic use. The performance of the system is analyzed from both thermodynamic and economic standpoints and general conclusions are reached.
Microneedle-assisted delivery of verapamil hydrochloride and amlodipine besylate

The aim of this project was to study the effect of stainless steel solid microneedles and microneedle rollers on percutaneous penetration of verapamil hydrochloride and amlodipine besylate. Verapamil, 2-(3,4-dimethooxyphenyl)-5-[2-(3,4 dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl-methyl-amino]-2-propan-2-yl-pentanenitrile is a calcium channel blocker agent that regulates high blood pressure by decreasing myocardial contractilty, heart rate and impulse conduction. Amlodipine, (R, S)-2-[(2-aminoethoxy) methyl]-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methoxycarbonyl-6-methyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine, is a calcium channel blocker that is used for the management of hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Passive penetration of verapamil and amlodipine across the skin is low. In vitro studies were performed with microneedle-treated porcine ear skin using vertical static Franz diffusion cells (PermeGear, Hellertown, PA, USA). The receiver chamber contained 5ml of PBS (pH7.4) and was constantly maintained at 37°C temperature with a water circulation jacket. The diffusion area of the skin was 1.77cm(2). The donor compartment was loaded with 1ml of the solution containing 2.5mg/ml of amlodipine besylate. The donor chamber was covered with parafilm to avoid evaporation. Passive diffusion across untreated porcine skin served as control. Aliquots were taken every 2h for 12h and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Transcutaneous flux of verapamil increased significantly from 8.75μg/cm(2)/h to 49.96μg/cm(2)/h across microneedle-roller treated porcine skin. Percutaneous flux of amlodipine besylate following the use of stainless steel microneedles was 22.39μg/cm(2)/h. Passive flux for the drug was 1.57μg/cm(2)/h. This enhancement of amlodipine flux was statistically significant. Transdermal flux of amlodipine with microneedle roller was 1.05μg/cm(2)/h in comparison with passive diffusion flux of 0.19μg/cm(2)/h. The difference in flux values was also statistically significant. Stainless steel solid microneedles and microneedle rollers increased percutaneous penetration of verapamil hydrochloride and amlodipine besylate. It may be feasible to develop transdermal microneedle patches for these drugs.
Testing Equivalence in Communication Research: Theory and Application

Although equivalence testing is preferred when a researcher's goal is to support the null hypothesis (i.e., no substantial effect), equivalence tests are virtually unknown and unused in the communication field. This article provides the rationale for and theoretical background of equivalence testing and offers examples of equivalence tests for the independent and dependent groups t-test and tests of association using Pearson's coefficient or correlation. From a review of meta-analyses, we provide tables of commonly observed effect-sizes across subdisciplines and topic areas in communication and offer these as a guideline for choosing minimum substantial effects (Δ) in equivalence testing when no other information source is available. To facilitate the adoption of equivalence tests in future research, we provide easy-to-use custom dialogs for SPSS which greatly simplify their computation and application.
Toward a theoretical framework for trustworthy cyber sensing

Cyberspace is an indispensable part of the economy and society, but has been "polluted" with many compromised computers that can be abused to launch further attacks against the others. Since it is likely that there always are compromised computers, it is important to be aware of the (dynamic) cyber security-related situation, which is however challenging because cyberspace is an extremely large-scale complex system. Our project aims to investigate a theoretical framework for trustworthy cyber sensing. With the perspective of treating cyberspace as a large-scale complex system, the core question we aim to address is: What would be a competent theoretical (mathematical and algorithmic) framework for designing, analyzing, deploying, managing, and adapting cyber sensor systems so as to provide trustworthy information or input to the higher layer of cyber situation-awareness management, even in the presence of sophisticated malicious attacks against the cyber sensor systems?
Vitamin A and retinoic acids immunomodulation on human gut lymphocytes.

Abstract Epidemiological studies have suggested an important immunomodulatory role for vitamin A and other related vitamin A compounds in adults and children. Although vitamin A is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract, its affect on the gut mucosal immune cells has not been adequately investigated. We investigated the in-vitro effect of vitamin A (retinol) and its retinoid acid (RA) compounds (13-cis- and all trans-retinoic acids) on the human gut mucosal immune system as represented by colonic lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) proliferation, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Results showed that retinol suppressed and trans-retinoic acid enhanced thymidine incorporation into LPL. 13-cis retinoic acid did not significantly affect LPL DNA synthesis. Similarly, retinol (0.025 μ/ml and 10 μg/ml) and 13-cis retinoic acid (conc. 10 μ/ml) suppressed, while all trans-retinoic acid (conc. 10 μg/ml) enhanced ODC activity in PHA-stimulated LPL. Interestingly, the effects of retinol and all trans-RA were abolished when LPL were previously depleted of macrophages. Addition of monocyte-associated lymphokines, IL-1 and IL-6, showed that IL-1 partially replaced the enhancing effect of all trans-RA previously observed on LPL thymidine incorporation. IL-6 did not affect LPL DNA synthesis irrespective of the vitamin A compound used. We conclude that retinol and retinoid acids (13-cis, all trans-) may alter the human colonic immune system possibly via IL-1 cytokine, but not via IL-6. The data suggest that vitamin A and its retinoid compounds may participate in the modulation of the gut immune system.
Cone beam CT in percutaneous biliary interventions: a pictorial review

management we determined several characteristics of these cases of which an appreciation is imperative for effective interventional management. Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: Between July 2008 and September 2013, 152 RAPNs have been performed at our institution with a delayed hemorrhagic complication incidence of 7.2% and 3.9% requiring embolization of a pseudoaneurysm, multiple pseudoaneurysms or pseudoaneurysm and AVF. Suspected hemorrhagic complications were evaluated with CT imaging which included non-contrast CT (4 cases), single portal venous phase CT (2 cases), multiphase CT (4 cases), and CT angiography (3 cases).Technical aspects of RALPN procedure will be presented. Imaging findings of hemorrhagic complications in our experience will be reviewed. Angiographic findings and endovascular treatment of complications will be reviewed. Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: The RALPN procedure involves techniques different from standard open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Knowledge of these differences and the impact on adjacent blood vessels is important in the management of hemorrhagic complications. A decision-making algorithm for management of these patients will be presented.
Heat stress activates fission yeast Spc1/StyI MAPK by a MEKK-independent mechanism.

Fission yeast Spc1/StyI MAPK is activated by many environmental insults including high osmolarity, oxidative stress, and heat shock. Spc1/StyI is activated by Wis1, a MAPK kinase (MEK), which is itself activated by Wik1/Wak1/Wis4, a MEK kinase (MEKK). Spc1/StyI is inactivated by the tyrosine phosphatases Pyp1 and Pyp2. Inhibition of Pyp1 was recently reported to play a crucial role in the oxidative stress and heat shock responses. These conclusions were based on three findings: 1) osmotic, oxidative, and heat stresses activate Spc1/StyI in wis4 cells; 2) oxidative stress and heat shock activate Spc1/StyI in cells that express Wis1AA, in which MEKK consensus phosphorylation sites were replaced with alanine; and 3) Spc1/StyI is maximally activated in Δpyp1 cells. Contrary to these findings, we report: 1) Spc1/StyI activation by osmotic stress is greatly reduced in wis4 cells; 2) wis1-AA and Δwis1 cells have identical phenotypes; and 3) all forms of stress activate Spc1/StyI in Δpyp1 cells. We also report that heat shock, but not osmotic or oxidative stress, activate Spc1 in wis1-DD cells, which express Wis1 protein that has the MEKK consensus phosphorylation sites replaced with aspartic acid. Thus osmotic and oxidative stress activate Spc1/StyI by a MEKK-dependent process, whereas heat shock activates Spc1/StyI by a novel mechanism that does not require MEKK activation or Pyp1 inhibition.
GeoExpert A Framework for Data Quality in Spatial Databases

Usage of very large sets of historical spatial data in knowledge discovery process became a common trend and in order to obtain better results from this knowledge discovery process the data should be of high quality. We proposed a framework for data quality assessment and cleansing tool for spatial data that integrates the spatial data visualization and analysis capabilities of the ARCGIS engine, the reason and inference capability of an expert system. In this paper, we explain the core architecture of the framework and also the functionality of each module in the framework. We explain the implementation details of the framework
Constricted double-heterojunction AlGaAs diode lasers: Structures and electrooptical characteristics

Constricted double-heterojunction (CDH) diode lasers are presented as the class of nonplanar-substrate devices for which the lasing cavity is on the least resistive electrical path between the contact and the substrate. Various types of CDH structures are discussed while treating three general topics: liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) over channeled substrates, lateral mode control, and current control in nonplanar-substrate devices. "Ridge-guide" CDH lasers have positive-index lateral mode confinement and provide: single-mode CW operation to 7 mW/ facet at room temperature and to 3 mW/facet at 150°C, light-current characteristics with second-harmonic distortion as low as -57 dB below the fundamental level, threshold-current temperature coefficients T 0 as high as 375° (pulsed) and 310° (CW), constant external differential quantum efficiency to 100°C, lasing operation to 170°C CW and 280°C pulsed. "Semileaky guide" CDH lasers have an asymmetric leaky cavity for lateral mode confinement and provide: single-mode operation to 15-20 mW/facet CW, and to 50 mW/facet at 50 percent duty cycle. Modulation characteristics and preliminary reliability data are also discussed.
Activation of the hypothalamic dorsomedial nucleus stimulates intestinal motility in rats.

Blockade of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptors in the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (DMH) in rats induced cardiovascular and behavioral changes resembling those associated with emotional stress. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that microinjection of the GABA antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI) into the DMH of anesthetized rats would produce increases in intestinal motility measured manometrically with saline-filled cannulas. Arterial pressure and heart rate were also recorded. Microinjection of BMI (15-30 pmol/15 nl) into the region of the DMH elicited reproducible and dose-related increases in jejunal motility, colonic motility, heart rate, and arterial pressure. Similar microinjection at sites anterior to the DMH into or nearer to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus elicited significantly attenuated cardiovascular effects accompanied by either no change in intestinal function or changes that were significantly reduced. Either vagotomy or treatment with atropine methyl bromide (1 mg/kg i.v.) blocked the increase in jejunal motility and reduced but did not abolish the colonic stimulation. Increases in heart rate and arterial pressure were essentially unaffected by either intervention. The observations suggest that disinhibition of neurons in the DMH increases jejunal motility through vagal cholinergic pathways and enhances colonic motility through vagal and nonvagal cholinergic and noncholinergic pathways.
Transcriptional Activation Signals Found in the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Latency C Promoter Are Conserved in the Latency C Promoter Sequences from Baboon and Rhesus Monkey EBV-Like Lymphocryptoviruses (Cercopithicine Herpesviruses 12 and 15)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA2 protein is a transcriptional activator that controls viral latent gene expression and is essential for EBV-driven B-cell immortalization. EBNA2 is expressed from the viral C promoter (Cp) and regulates its own expression by activating Cp through interaction with the cellular DNA binding protein CBF1. Through regulation of Cp and EBNA2 expression, EBV controls the pattern of latent protein expression and the type of latency established. To gain further insight into the important regulatory elements that modulate Cp usage, we isolated and sequenced the Cp regions corresponding to nucleotides 10251 to 11479 of the EBV genome (−1079 to +144 relative to the transcription initiation site) from the EBV-like lymphocryptoviruses found in baboons (herpesvirus papio; HVP) and Rhesus macaques (RhEBV). Sequence comparison of the approximately 1,230-bp Cp regions from these primate viruses revealed that EBV and HVP Cp sequences are 64% conserved, EBV and RhEBV Cp sequences are 66% conserved, and HVP and RhEBV Cp sequences are 65% conserved relative to each other. Approximately 50% of the residues are conserved among all three sequences, yet all three viruses have retained response elements for glucocorticoids, two positionally conserved CCAAT boxes, and positionally conserved TATA boxes. The putative EBNA2 100-bp enhancers within these promoters contain 54 conserved residues, and the binding sites for CBF1 and CBF2 are well conserved. Cp usage in the HVP- and RhEBV-transformed cell lines was detected by S1 nuclease protection analysis. Transient-transfection analysis showed that promoters of both HVP and RhEBV are responsive to EBNA2 and that they bind CBF1 and CBF2 in gel mobility shift assays. These results suggest that similar mechanisms for regulation of latent gene expression are conserved among the EBV-related lymphocryptoviruses found in nonhuman primates.
What's New? Guidelines and Goals

Several expert panels have written guidelines regarding the treatment of dyslipidemias. The recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP); American Diabetes Association (ADA); American Heart Association (AHA); National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute (NHBLI); and National Kidney Foundation (NKF) will be reviewed. The guidelines agree on several points: using the fasting lipid panel as the initial screening tool, targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) initially, and achieving lower LDL-C goals. Some guidelines are more aggressive than those of the NCEP: the ADA and AHA have defined low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as <50 mg/dL for women; the ADA recommends a need for drug therapy when the patient's total cholesterol, rather than LDL-C, is ≥135 mg/dL for patients who are older than 40 years; the NKF and the AHA have classified patients with chronic kidney disease in the high-risk category; and the AHA has revised the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome...
Stem Cells in Plastic Surgery: A Review of Current Clinical and Translational Applications

Background Stem cells are a unique cell population characterized by self-renewal and cellular differentiation capabilities. These characteristics, among other traits, make them an attractive option for regenerative treatments of tissues defects and for aesthetic procedures in plastic surgery. As research regarding the isolation, culture and behavior of stem cells has progressed, stem cells, particularly adult stem cells, have shown promising results in both translational and clinical applications. Methods The purpose of this review is to evaluate the applications of stem cells in the plastic surgery literature, with particular focus on the advances and limitations of current stem cell therapies. Different key areas amenable to stem cell therapy are addressed in the literature review; these include regeneration of soft tissue, bone, cartilage, and peripheral nerves, as well as wound healing and skin aging. Results The reviewed studies demonstrate promising results, with favorable outcomes and minimal complications in the cited cases. In particular, adipose tissue derived stem cell (ADSC) transplants appear to provide effective treatment options for bony and soft tissue defects, and non-healing wounds. ADSCs have also been shown to be useful in aesthetic surgery. Conclusions Further studies involving both the basic and clinical science aspects of stem cell therapies are warranted. In particular, the mechanism of action of stem cells, their interactions with the surrounding microenvironment and their long-term fate require further elucidation. Larger randomized trials are also necessary to demonstrate the continued safety of transplanted stem cells as well as the efficacy of cellular therapies in comparison to the current standards of care.
Recruitment Strategies and the Retention of Obese Urban Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Clinical Trials: The FIT Families Project, Michigan, 2010–2014

Introduction The successful recruitment and retention of participants is integral to the translation of research findings. We examined the recruitment and retention rates of racial/ethnic minority adolescents at a center involved in the National Institutes of Health Obesity Research for Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) initiative by the 3 recruitment strategies used: clinic, informatics, and community. Methods During the 9-month study, 186 family dyads, each composed of an obese African American adolescent and a caregiver, enrolled in a 6-month weight-loss intervention, a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. We compared recruitment and retention rates by recruitment strategy and examined whether recruitment strategy was related to dyad baseline characteristics. Results Of the 186 enrolled families, 110 (59.1%) were recruited through clinics, 53 (28.5%) through informatics, and 23 (12.4%) through community. Of those recruited through community, 40.4% enrolled in the study, compared with 32.7% through clinics and 8.2% through informatics. Active refusal rate was 3%. Of the 1,036 families identified for the study, 402 passively refused to participate: 290 (45.1%) identified through informatics, 17 (29.8%) through community, and 95 (28.3%) through clinics. Recruitment strategy was not related to the age of the adolescent, adolescent comorbidities, body mass index of the adolescent or caregiver, income or education of the caregiver, or retention rates at 3 months, 7 months, or 9 months. Study retention rate was 87.8%. Conclusion Using multiple recruitment strategies is beneficial when working with racial/ethnic minority adolescents, and each strategy can yield good retention. Research affiliated with health care systems would benefit from the continued specification, refinement, and dissemination of these strategies.
Nanoparticle Mediated Thermal Ablation of Breast Cancer Cells Using a Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field

In the past, ablation of cancer cells using radiofrequency heating techniques has been demonstrated, but the current methodology has many flaws, including inconsistent tumor ablation and significant ablation of normal cells. Other researchers have begun to develop a treatment that is more selective for cancer cells using metallic nanoparticles and constant electric field exposure. In these studies, cell necrosis is induced by heating antibody functionalized metallic nanoparticles attached to cancer cells. Our approach to studying this phenomenon is to use similarly functionalized metallic nanoparticles that are specific for the T47D breast cancer cell line, exposing these nanoparticle cell conjugates to a nanosecond pulsed electric field. Using fluorescent, polystyrene-coated, iron-oxide nanoparticles, the results of our pilot study indicated that we were able to ablate up to approximately 80% of the cells using 60 ns pulses in increasing numbers of pulses and up to approximately 90% of the cells using 300 ns pulses in increasing numbers of pulses. These quantities of ablated cells were achieved using a cumulative exposure time 6 orders of magnitude less than most in vitro constant electric field studies.
Shifts in patterns and consumption of beverages between 1965 and 2002.

DUFFEY, KIYAH J., AND BARRY M. POPKIN. Shifts in patterns and consumption of beverages between 1965 and 2002. Obesity. 2007;15:2739–2747. Background: Beverage patterning may play a role in partially explaining the rising rates of obesity in the United States, yet little work on overall trends and patterns exits. Our objective was to examine trends and patterns of beverage consumption among U.S. adults. Methods: We used data from the nationally representative Nationwide Food Consumption Surveys (1965, 1977 to 1978) and the National Health and Nutrition Surveys (1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2002). To examine trends we determined percent consuming and per capita and per consumer caloric intake from all beverages. We used cluster analysis to determine year-specific beverage patterns in 1977 and 2002. Results: The percentage of calories from beverages significantly increased between 1965 (11.8%), 1977 (14.2%), 1988 (18.5%), and 2002 (21.0%); this represents an overall increase of 222 calories per person per day from beverages, resulting largely from increased intake of calorically sweetened beverages. Beverage patterns in 2002 were more complex than in 1977 and were dominated by a greater number of beverages, reflecting the increase in alcohol, soda, and diet beverages. Conclusion: Calories from beverages increased substantially from 1965 to 2002, providing a considerable source of daily calories. Given the upward trends in calorically sweetened, nutrient-deficient beverages and the shifts in overall beverage patterns, addressing beverage intake is a salient issue for adults.