cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variants of WNK4 in Whites and African Americans With Hypertension

Human chromosome 17q has been implicated to contain a gene that influences hypertension susceptibility. This region contains the WNK4 gene that causes the mendelian disorder pseudohypoaldosteronism type II, characterized by high potassium levels and hypertension. The goal of this study was to identify genetic variants in all exons of WNK4 in hypertensive individuals and to examine the association of these variants with essential hypertension. Single-nucleotide polymorphims (SNPs) were identified by sequencing the entire coding region in 32 whites and 32 African Americans with hypertension. A single SNP in whites and 8 SNPs in African Americans were genotyped in a larger cohort of whites (165 hypertensives; 91 normotensives) and African Americans (120 hypertensives; 98 normotensives). The frequency of the rare allele differed significantly between hypertensive whites (13.0%) and normotensive whites (7.1%, P=0.040) for the single intronic SNP (bp 1 156 666). This difference remained significant after adjusting for body mass index and sex (P=0.035). Genotypic frequencies differed significantly between hypertensive and normotensive individuals when a dominant model either with (P=0.027) or without (P=0.028) covariate adjustment was assumed. The odds ratio for hypertension was 2.28 for AA or AG individuals vs those with the GG genotype (95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 4.75). No significant differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies were observed in African Americans for any SNPs. The finding in whites is consistent with the hypothesis that polymorphisms in WNK4 influence the risk of hypertension. However, because the associated SNP does not appear to be a functional variant and the limitations of case/control association studies, confirmation of these results in additional cohorts is warranted.
Arginine Immunonutrition in Critically Ill Patients: A Clinical Dilemma

Commercial enteral nutritional formulas for enhancement of the immune system are widely used in critical care. Immunonutrition with arginine can enhance inflammatory and immunologic responses in animal models and in humans. Although clinical improvements in surgical patients have been reported, benefits in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, or organ failure are less clear. Recent meta-analyses on the use of immunonutrition with arginine in critically ill and surgical patients revealed methodological weaknesses in most published studies. Specifically, a metaanalysis indicated that critically ill patients with preexisting severe sepsis may have an increased mortality rate when fed an immunonutritional enteral formula that contains arginine. These findings brought about confusion and controversy over the use of immunonutritional formulas in subsets of critically ill patients. A review of the literature on the function of arginine, its effect on the immune system, its roles in immunonutrition and in the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients, and the implications for nursing practice indicated that the benefits of immunonutrition with arginine in critically ill patients are unproven and warrant further study. Until more information is available, nutritional support should focus primarily on preventing nutritional deficiencies rather than on immunomodulation. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2004;13:17-23)
Co-segmentation of MR and MR spectroscopy imaging using hidden markov models

A Hidden Markov Models based technique is introduced for co-segmentation of MRI and MRSI data of the brain. The technique demonstrates the ability of Hidden Markov Models to handle the co-analysis of MRI and MRSI for the purpose of improving the accuracy of MRI segmentation as well as the quantification of brain metabolites. For that purpose, two HMM-based schemes are presented; one that relies on parallel HMMs for separately analyzing MRI and MRSI data and the other utilizes combined feature vectors of MRI and MRSI data. The co-segmentation of MRI and MRSI data using HMMs is evaluated using simulated MRI brain data (from the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University) and simulated MRSI data. Experimental results demonstrate that the co-segmentation of brain MRI and MRSI data based on HMMs exhibited higher accuracy, in terms of the Dice similarity coefficient, than only using brain MRI data. The technique involving parallel HMMs that separately analyze brain MRI and MRSI data and then combine the segmentation results demonstrated better accuracy and faster segmentation times compared to the co-analysis of combined MRI and MRSI data of the brain.
OCTAGONAL NUCLEAR PORES

Negative staining of isolated nuclear envelopes by phosphotungstate shows that the nuclear pores are octagonal rather than circular. Pores of the same shape and approximately the same width, 663 +/- 5 A, were demonstrated in the newt, Triturus, the frog, Rana, and the starfish, Henricia. The outer and inner diameters of the annulus associated with each pore are respectively greater and less than the width of the pore itself. For this reason surface views of the envelope, unless negatively stained, fail to show the true dimensions of the pores.
Effect of Salmonella typhimurium ferric uptake regulator (fur) mutations on iron- and pH-regulated protein synthesis.

Fur is an important regulatory protein known to function in the presence of iron as a repressor of iron-controlled genes. It was recently discovered that Fur is also essential to Salmonella typhimurium for mounting an adaptive acid tolerance response (J. W. Foster, J. Bacteriol 173:6896-6902, 1991). Because little is known about the effect of Fur on the physiology of this enteric pathogen, a systematic two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis was conducted to identify proteins whose synthesis is linked to iron levels. Mutations in the fur locus were identified and used to classify which proteins are controlled by Fur. Thirty-six proteins were overtly affected by iron availability, most of which were clearly under the control of Fur. Although most of the Fur-dependent proteins were under negative control, a significant portion (15 of 34) appeared to be under a form of positive control. Nine of the positively controlled proteins required Fur and iron for expression. However, Fur lacking iron was also required for the induction of six gene products. Surprisingly, not all iron-regulated proteins were controlled by Fur and not all Fur-dependent proteins were obviously regulated by iron status. Because fur mutants fail to mount an effective acid tolerance response, we made a comparative two-dimensional PAGE analysis of 100 total acid- and iron-regulated gene products. Production of most of these proteins was regulated by only one of the two stresses, yet a clear subset of seven genes were influenced by both acid and iron and were also controlled by fur. These proteins were also members of the acid tolerance response modulon. Consistent with the fur effect on pH-regulated protein synthesis, fur mutants lacked the inducible pH homeostasis system associated with the acid tolerance response. The results provide further evidence that Fur has an extensive impact on gene expression and cellular physiology and suggest an explanation for the acid-sensitive nature of fur mutants. Images
Scales of heterogeneity near the core‐mantle‐boundary

We have mapped shear velocity variations near the base of the mantle with ScS-S differential travel times. Beneath the North Atlantic, there is a systematic variation in velocity over a distance of 1500 km or more, with a pronounced low velocity anomaly centered roughly beneath Madeira island. Beneath the northern Indian Ocean, there is no similar long-wavelength anomaly. The average ScS-S residual beneath the Indian Ocean is 3.6 ± 0 .7 s more negative than the Atlantic residual, indicating faster average velocities near the base of the mantle.
The Internet, selective learning, and the rise of issue specialists

Using national survey data ( N = 1,208) in the U.S., the present study found that individuals relying upon the Internet translated their interest in the health care issue into issue–specific knowledge. However, those who depended on network TV, newspapers, and radio failed to display a high level of issue–specific knowledge, even when they were interested in the issue. The findings suggest that the Internet plays an important role in fostering issue specialists rather than generalists.
Is Lorazepam a treatment for neuroleptic malignant syndrome

The authors assessed the ability of lorazepam and other benzodiazepines to affect the course of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Records of inpatients who met both stringent research criteria and criteria under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (DSM-IV) (n=11) or DSM-IV criteria alone (n=5) for NMS were identified. All received lorazepam or related benzodiazepines within 24 hours of NMS onset or hospital admission. The records were reviewed for resolution of clinical signs of NMS. Rigidity and fever abated within 24-48 hours, while secondary features of NMS were relieved within 64 hours. These results compared favorably with prior reports of 5-day to 10-day recovery periods. Benzodiazepine administration appeared to be well tolerated. Lorazepam and related benzodiazepines may reduce recovery time in NMS.
Quantitation of Blood Protein Adducts of Acrolein by Tritiated Sodium Borohydride Reduction

The present study describes a rapid and sensitive method for the estimation of adducts of albumin and hemoglobin after in vitro and in vivo treatment with acrolein. The in vitro study was conducted by incubating purified human albumin, human hemoglobin, human plasma, or human blood with increasing concentrations of acrolein (0–10 mM) in 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, for 2 h at 37°C. Albumin was also incubated with crotonaldehyde under the same conditions as with acrolein. Blood was separated by centrifugation into red cells and plasma. Red cells were washed. lysed, and centrifuged to obtain hemolysate. The hemolysate and the plasma were exhaustively dialyzed and the protein samples were treated with NaB3H4. The radioactivity measured was expressed as nmol of carbonyl function/mg of protein. The response was found to be dose dependent in the range studied. This method is about four times more sensitive than amino acid analysis in detecting covalent binding of acrolein to albumin. Although not as reactiv...
Orientations toward Conflict and the Conditional Effects of Political Disagreement

We examine how differences in individual orientations toward conflict condition the effects of disagreement on political tolerance, knowledge, and participation. Past research, while recognizing the importance of individual-level moderators, has focused primarily on conflict aversion as an explanatory factor. Using three surveys, we show that individuals’ possess distinct positive and negative orientations toward conflict both of which condition the effects of political disagreement. We find that people who are more positively disposed toward conflict experience more of the benefits and bear less of the costs of political disagreement than those with less positive and more negative dispositions. Possessing a positive orientation toward conflict appears to be a precondition for disagreement to produce higher levels of political tolerance and differences in both positive and negative orientations account for large gaps in both political knowledge and participation.
Treatment-emergent mania in unipolar and bipolar depression: Focus on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

This review focused on the treatment-emergent mania/hypomania (TEM) associated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment of depression. English-language literature published from 1966-2006 and indexed in Medline was searched. Ten of 53 randomized controlled trials on rTMS treatment of depression specifically addressed TEM. The pooled TEM rate is 0.84% for the active treatment group and 0.73% for the sham group. The difference is not statistically significant. Along with case reports, a total of 13 cases of TEM associated with rTMS treatment of depression have been published. Most of these patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the majority of patients experiencing TEM took medication concurrent with rTMS. The parameters of rTMS used in these cases were scattered over the spectrum of major parameters explored in previous studies. Most train durations and intervals were within the published safety guidelines of the field. Reducing the frequency of sessions from two per day to one per day might be associated with a lower likelihood of TEM recurrence. The severity of manic symptoms varied significantly, but all cases responded to treatment that included a decrease or discontinuation of antidepressant and/or rTMS treatment and/or use of anti-manic medication. Current data suggests that rTMS treatment carries a slight risk of TEM that is not statistically higher than that associated with sham treatment. More systematic studies are needed to better understand TEM associated with rTMS. Special precautions and measures should be adopted to prevent, monitor, and manage TEM in research and practice.
Evolution of complexity in the volvocine algae: transitions in individuality through Darwin's eye.

The transition from unicellular to differentiated multicellular organisms constitutes an increase in the level complexity, because previously existing individuals are combined to form a new, higher-level individual. The volvocine algae represent a unique opportunity to study this transition because they diverged relatively recently from unicellular relatives and because extant species display a range of intermediate grades between unicellular and multicellular, with functional specialization of cells. Following the approach Darwin used to understand “organs of extreme perfection” such as the vertebrate eye, this jump in complexity can be reduced to a series of small steps that cumulatively describe a gradual transition between the two levels. We use phylogenetic reconstructions of ancestral character states to trace the evolution of steps involved in this transition in volvocine algae. The history of these characters includes several well-supported instances of multiple origins and reversals. The inferred changes can be understood as components of cooperation‐conflict‐conflict mediation cycles as predicted by multilevel selection theory. One such cycle may have taken place early in volvocine evolution, leading to the highly integrated colonies seen in extant volvocine algae. A second cycle, in which the defection of somatic cells must be prevented, may still be in progress.
Beyond Classical Stoichiometry: Experiment and Theory

Most known molecules and compounds follow fixed stoichiometry and can be rationalized on the basis of classical valence theories. However, nonstoichiometric species, particularly in the gas phase, are common. These species cannot be easily understood by classical valence considerations because they do not have the full octet of valence electronssthey are valence unsaturated molecules with dangling bonds. We consider nonstoichiometric molecules consisting of only four or five atoms and show the great variety of molecules and bonding that can be derived from this class of seemingly simple species. We demonstrate that gas-phase photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy using a laser vaporization source and ab initio quantum calculations provide an ideal approach to characterize and understand the structure and bonding of nonstoichiometric molecular and cluster species. Specifically, we review our recent progress in the design and characterization of the first pentaatomic tetracoordinate planar carbon molecules, CAl 4 - , CAl3Si - , CAl3Ge - , and a salt complex, Na + [CAl4 2- ] containing a planar carbon building block. We also review our recent discovery of an all-metal aromatic species, Al4 2- , in a series of bimetallic clusters, M + [Al4 2- ]( M) Cu, Li, Na), as well as the Ga4 2- and In4 2- analogues. We also show the existence of aromaticity in a series of isoelectronic singly charged anions, MAl3 - (M ) Si, Ge, Sn, Pb), and how aromaticity helps stabilize the heterocyclic structure over a pyramidal isomer. We show how, by pursuing and understanding the concept of nonstoichiometry, one can extend the classical valence theory and discover new structures and new types of bonding.
Federal laboratories as research partners

Since the passage of the National Cooperative Research Act (NCRA) in 1984, nearly 600 formal research joint ventures (RJVs) have been filed with the U.S. Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Researchers have documented this trend and have examined, both theoretically and empirically, various aspects of collaborative research behavior. However, the composition of the membership of RJVs has yet to be explored. In this paper we present a theoretical explanation consistent with the empirical observation that Federal laboratories are most prevalent as research partners when the membership of the RJV is large.
A general dispersive multiconductor transmission line model for interconnect simulation in SPICE

Although numerous methods have been proposed for interconnect simulation, no single model exists for all kind of transmission line problems. This paper presents a new, single, general dispersive coupled uniform/nonuniform transmission line model which can be used for interconnect simulation in SPICE. The mathematical model is based on the use of Chebyshev polynomials for the representation of the spatial variation of the transmission-line voltages and currents. A simple collocation procedure is used to obtain a matrix representation of the transmission line equations with matrix coefficients that are first polynomials in s, and in which terminal transmission-line voltages and currents appear explicitly. Thus, the model is compatible with both the SPICE's numerical integration algorithm and the modified nodal analysis formalism.
Spatial Charge Configuration Regulates Nanoparticle Transport and Binding Behavior In Vivo

Detailed Charge arrangements: A new set of zwitterionic quantum dots were synthesized and used to study the influence of microscopic charge arrangements on the in vivo behavior of nanoparticles. Experiments using cultured cells and live mice demonstrate that the microscopic arrangement of surface charges strongly influence nonspecific binding, clearance behavior, and in vivo transport of nanoparticles.
Factors determining electrostatic fields in molecular dynamics simulations of the ras/effector interface

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we explore geometric and physical factors contributing to calculated electrostatic fields at the binding surface of the GTPase Ras with a spectroscopically labeled variant of a downstream effector, the Ras-binding domain of Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS). A related system (differing by mutation of one amino acid) has been studied in our group using vibrational Stark effect spectroscopy, a technique sensitive to electrostatic fields. Electrostatic fields were computed using the AMBER 2003 force field and averaged over snapshots from molecular dynamics simulation. We investigate geometric factors by exploring how the orientation of the spectroscopic probe changes on Ras-effector binding. In addition, we explore the physical origin of electrostatic fields at our spectroscopic probe by comparing contributions to the field from discrete components of the system, such as explicit solvent, residues on the Ras surface, and residues on the RalGDS surface. These models support our experimental hypothesis that vibrational Stark shifts are caused by Ras binding to its effector and not the structural rearrangements of the effector surface or probe reorientation on Ras-effector binding, for at least some of our experimental probes. These calculations provide physical insight into the origin, magnitude, and importance of electrostatic fields in protein–protein interactions and suggest new experiments to probe the field's role in protein docking.Proteins 2011; . © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Teaching Teachers to Teach: A Framework for Preservice Program Planning

Professional training in any area is composed of three essential elements: (1) the content or objectives, representing what the individuals being trained are expected to know, do and feel at the completion of the program; (2) the sequence of training activities designed to teach this content; and (3) the evaluation of outcomes in relation to whether the activities used in the program result in the trainees' meeting the training objectives. Equally important, and often ignored, is the match between these three elements: activities serve to ensure that trainees acquire the content only If specifically planned with content-related objectives in mind. The purpose of this article is to outline a framework for designing a teacher training program that accomplishes this match both within and across courses and practica and to illustrate its use in structuring sequences of training activities in early childhood special education.
Software, software engineering and software engineering research: some unconventional thoughts

Software engineering is broadly discussed as falling far short of expectations. Data and examples are used to justify how software itself is often poor, how the engineering of software leaves much to be desired, and how research in software engineering has not made enough progress to help overcome these weaknesses. However, these data and examples are presented and interpreted in ways that are arguably imbalanced. This imbalance, usually taken at face value, may be distracting the field from making significant progress towards improving the effective engineering of software, a goal the entire community shares. Research dichotomies, which tend to pit one approach against another, often subtly hint that there is a best way to engineer software or a best way to perform research on software. This, too, may be distracting the field from important classes of progress.
Studies of Naturally Occurring Thelohania solenopsae (Microsporida: Thelohaniidae) Infection in Red Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract Surveys were conducted at four Texas Army National Guard training facilities to assess the natural distribution and prevalence of Thelohania solenopsae Knell, Allen and Hazard infection in polygynous imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren. T. solenopsae was found at three of the four training facilities; intercolonial prevalence ranged from 9 to 47%, and worker prevalence ranged from 0.15 to 0.57. A plot containing fire ants infected with T. solenopsae at one of the training facilities was monitored for 2 yr to determine whether natural infection rates fluctuate over time, whether infection affects colony size, as indicated by mound volume, and whether there was a relationship between climate and infection prevalence. At this site, intercolonial prevalence ranged from a high of 47% in July 1999 to a low of 11% in October 2000, and mean worker prevalence ranged from 0.20 to 0.57. Mound volume of infected colonies was consistently less than the volume of uninfected colonies. There was no corr...
Turbulent Diffusion and Pollutant Transport in Shoreline Environments

Approximately 75% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. This fact, known by virtually every school child, has many important ramifications. For reasons of commerce most major population and industrial centers can be found along rivers, ocean and lake coastlines. The continental United States (excluding Alaska) has approximately 15,970 miles of coastline (including the Great Lakes). The air resources of coastal regions are often heavily stressed due to intense industrial activity. Furthermore, large concentrations of the most important of all receptors (human beings) live in these regions. Yet distressingly little is known about the behavior of the atmosphere in over-water and coastal transition zones. This paper will summarize those research findings felt to be relevant to air quality problems. It will necessarily be incomplete and reflect the biases of the writer to some degree. It is hoped, however, that it will compile what is known -- and more importantly, what is not known -- about turbulent diffusion and pollution transport in coastal environments.
A Deficiency Screen for Zygotic Loci Required for Establishment and Patterning of the Epidermis in Caenorhabditis elegans

To identify genomic regions required for establishment and patterning of the epidermis, we screened 58 deficiencies that collectively delete at least ~67% of the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. The epidermal pattern of deficiency homozygous embryos was analyzed by examining expression of a marker specific for one of the three major epidermal cell types, the seam cells. The organization of the epidermis and internal organs was also analyzed using a monoclonal antibody specific for epithelial adherens junctions. While seven deficiencies had no apparent effect on seam cell production, 21 were found to result in subnormal, and five in excess numbers of these cells. An additional 23 deficiencies blocked expression of the seam cell marker, in some cases without preventing cell proliferation. Two deficiencies result in multinucleate seam cells. Deficiencies were also identified that result in subnormal numbers of epidermal cells, hyperfusion of epidermal cells into a large syncytium, or aberrant epidermal differentiation. Finally, analysis of internal epithelia revealed deficiencies that cause defects in formation of internal organs, including circularization of the intestine and bifurcation of the pharynx lumen. This study reveals that many regions of the C. elegans genome are required zygotically for patterning of the epidermis and other epithelia.
Tirhakah, King of Kush and Sennacherib

According to the Assyrian sources, Sennacherib, King of Assyria (704–681 BCE) went on campaign to the West to quell a rebellion in 701 BCE. During his campaign he conducted a pitched battle against the forces of Egypt and Kush and won the war. However, according to the Biblical narrative the Assyrians suffered an enormous defeat by the angel of God. Furthermore, the Kushite ruler who came to the aid of the Judean forces was Tirhakah (=Taharqa), King of Kush, who ascended the throne of Egypt-and-Kush only eleven years later, in 690 BCE. How then, can we explain the mentioning of Taharqa in the biblical account? Is the information that he was present in the events of 701 BCE an anachronism or is it historically reliable? Can his role in the events be determined? Who won the war – Sennacherib, King of Assyria or Taharqa, King of Kush (and his ally, Hezekiah, King of Judah)? Did Sennacherib conduct two campaigns against the Levant, as some have suggested? The purpose of this article is to address these questions. DOI:10.2458/azu_jaei_v06i1_kahn
EFFECTS OF FISH FARMING ON MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Aquaculture practices rely upon the use of natural resources such as land and water that are parts of the overall environment shared by other living beings
The Experimenter and the Experiment

We stated earlier that Newton’s laws failed when applied to very light objects like electrons, and that quantum mechanics was developed to replace them. One of the basic principles of quantum mechanics is called the uncertainty principle. It states a limitation on our ability to measure anything we want to, with any accuracy we choose.(1)
EC4U: results from a pilot project integrating the copper IUC into emergency contraceptive care

Abstract Objective The copper intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) is the most effective method of emergency contraception (EC), yet it is underutilized. The objective was to evaluate a pilot project integrating the copper IUC into EC care. Study Design Single-group evaluation study. Nine geographically diverse reproductive health centers implemented 6-month pilot interventions. All interventions included staff education and inclusion of the IUC in EC patient counseling; some sites developed patient education materials. Health center staff completed manual monthly tracking forms of the number of EC patients receiving oral levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate or the copper IUC. Sites also tracked and reported the number of patients returning for removal during the 6-month pilot period and for 5 subsequent months. Main study outcomes included the number of IUC for EC insertions, the proportion that were same-day insertions and the proportion of patients receiving each EC type during the pilot period. A secondary outcome was the number of patients who had returned for removal at 5 months postpilot. Results There were 101 IUC insertions for EC during the pilot period. Seventy-seven percent were same-day insertions; the remainder returned for insertion within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. The percentage of EC patients choosing the IUC varied by site from 1 to 16% (overall=7%). At 5 months postpilot, 20 patients (20%) had returned for removal. Conclusions Some women will be interested in the copper IUC for EC, and therefore, all women should be offered this option. Results suggest that the large majority continued to use the IUC for ongoing contraception. Implications Copper IUCs are a viable option for women in need of EC. All women should be offered the most effective EC option.
Development of an Innovative Treatment Paradigm for Intimate Partner Violence Victims With Depression and Pain Using Community-Based Participatory Research

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue with complex physical health, mental health and social consequences that can exacerbate survivors' barriers to health care engagement and support. Furthermore, health care professionals are often unaware of or feel ill-equipped to address survivors' complex needs. Depression and chronic pain are particularly prevalent co-occurring problems for survivors and can impede engagement and outcomes in traditional health care. This study's purpose was to understand what interventions might be more responsive to survivors' myriad needs, particularlly those with depression and pain. Survivors were involved with the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of results, based on community-based participatory research principles. Intervention development happened in two phases: the first consisted of focus groups with survivors to inform the intervention and the second included intervention design, informed by a community advisory board (CAB). Thirty-one survivors participated in Phase 1, and they reported preferring a range of support including formal help-seeking, informal coping strategies, and spirituality. In Phase 2, the CAB (comprised of survivors, health care professionals, and researchers) identified three distinct aspects of a comprehensive IPV intervention: (a) education regarding both the complex health issues and available local resources; (b) an integrated consultation service for providers to seek recommendations for responding to the full spectrum of survivors' needs; and (c) a trauma-informed, accessible clinic. Academic medical centers could not have designed this intervention in isolation; survivors and providers played an integral part of this process, and continue to inform our current work.
No Parking Anytime: The Legality and Wisdom of Maximum Parking and Minimum Density Requirements

This article focuses on two aspects of smart growth policy that have thus far received little attention: maximum parking and minimum density requirements. To ascertain the frequency of such regulations, we examine the zoning regulations of twenty-four mid-sized cities, defined as those with populations between 500,000 and one million residents. The article concludes that the first type of regulation is somewhat common, but is usually restricted to certain types of land uses or sections of a city. Minimum density requirements, by contrast, are quite rare and quite lenient. Because these types of regulations have received little scholarly attention and are often fairly recent, it is too early to draw any firm conclusions about their effects.
Social Constructivist Practice With Youth

Social constructivism is an important and creative perspective for helping social workers in their work with adolescents. This paper demonstrates how theoretical orientations and clinical techniques that adhere to a social constructivist perspective can be integrated with the developmental realities of adolescence to provide effective social work interventions. Fundamental assumptions are discussed and are related to problems of practice. Case studies are utilized to demonstrate social constructivist principles in clinical work with adolescents.
Abstract C38: Metformin inhibits cancer cell growth in an AMP kinase‐independent and ‐dependent manner

Metformin is the most widely used drug for type 2 diabetes. Metformin activates AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates cellular energy metabolism via its upstream kinase LKB1. Activation of AMPK has been shown extensively to cause growth arrest in multiple tumor types by inhibiting the TSC‐mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway as well as by inducing cell cycle arrest. Our data indicate that metformin exerts an anti‐proliferative effect on several chemo‐responsive and ‐resistant ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780, CP70, C200, OV202, OVCAR3 and SKVO3ip, PE01, PE04), which is accompanied by activation of AMPK and cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, we have also determined that metformin is able to inhibit proliferation of ovarian cancer cells when AMPK is silenced by siRNA, where both the expression and activation of AMPK is significantly reduced. Also, metformin was able to attenuate proliferation of AMPK (−/−) mefs, although to a lesser degree in AMPK (+/+) mefs. Additional results indicate that metformin activates p21 and inhibits cyclinD1 activities partially in AMPK (−/) mefs. These data suggest a novel mechanism of metformin action, namely, an AMPK independent pathway which can modulate proliferation and possibly cell cycle regulated events in ovarian cancer. Whether the AMPK independent effects of metformin require LKB1 activity is currently under investigation. Collectively, our preliminary observations indicate that metformin can modulate proliferation and cell cycle arrest in an AMPK independent manner. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):C38.
Origins of the helical wrapping of phenyleneethynylene polymers about single-walled carbon nanotubes.

The highly charged, conjugated polymer poly[p-{2,5-bis(3-propoxysulfonicacidsodiumsalt)}phenylene]ethynylene (PPES) has been shown to wrap single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), adopting a robust helical superstructure. Surprisingly, PPES adopts a helical rather than a linear conformation when adhered to SWNTs. The complexes formed by PPES and related polymers upon helical wrapping of a SWNT are investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the presence and absence of aqueous solvent. In simulations of the PPES/SWNT system in an aqueous environment, PPES spontaneously takes on a helical conformation. A potential of mean force, ΔA(ξ), is calculated as a function of ξ, the component of the end-to-end vector of the polymer chain projected on the SWNT axis; ξ is a monotonic function of the polymer’s helical pitch. ΔA(ξ) provides a means to quantify the relative free energies of helical conformations of the polymer when wrapped about the SWNT. The aqueous system possesses a global minimum ...
Medium Optimization on Tissue Culture with Young Leaf of Sugarcane

The Comparison were made among different media with various hormone concentration combinations on callus inducing,shoot differentiation and rooting.The results showed that MS+2,4-D 2.0 mg/L of the callus induction medium and subculture proliferation of the most effective MS+NAA 0 mg/L+BA 1.0 mg/L of the callus tissue differentiation medium adventitious buy ds was the best 1/2MS+NAA 0.5 mg/L+IBA 1.0 mg/L on rooting medium better.And the three formulas can be the best biochemical indicators(such as differentiation seedling leaf size,fresh material and the accumulation of dry matter).
Critical Reference: Administrative Change in American Progressive Movement

The content of administrative change in American progressive movement is introduced. It is found that all levels of the society promote the administrative change. The mode of administrative change is generally rational and orderly. The administrative change adapts to the demand of the social and economic transformation. The administrative change adjusts and perfects the basic constitutional structure. The success experience of the administrative change of American progressive movement can be critically referred by China.
A Cross-Sectional Assessment of the Quality of Physician Quality Reporting System Measures

Starting in 2015, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires all Medicare providers to report quality measures through Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) or incur a 1.5 % financial penalty. Research indicates that physicians believe this reporting does not lead to high quality care; however, little research has examined what PQRS actually measures, which is reflective of the physicians and patient disease populations being assessed. (1) Identify the proportion of measures that apply to different medical specialties, types of quality measurement, and National Quality Strategy (NQS) priorities. (2) Identify how different specialties are required to measure quality and NQS priorities. (3) Compare the 2011 and 2015 measures. This was a categorical qualitative analysis of 2011 and 2015 PQRS measures. One hundred and ninety-eight and 254 individual measures, respectively, were analyzed by three domains: medical specialty measured, type of measure, and NQS priority category. Between 2011 and 2015, the type of measures changed significantly, with fewer processes (85.4 % vs. 66.5 %, p < 0.001) and more outcomes (12.6 % vs. 29.1 %, p < 0.001). The measures showed no significant specialty or NQS category differences. For subcategories within each specialty in 2015, differences in measure type were statistically significant: surgery had the highest percentage of outcomes (61.1 %) compared to 21.7 % of internal medicine and 5.9 % of obstetrics/gynecology. For NQS categories, internal medicine had the highest percentage of effective clinical care measures (68.5 %), compared to 22.2 % in surgery. Surgery had the highest percentage of patient safety (31.9 %) and communication and care coordination measures (27.8 %) compared with internal medicine (5.4 % and 6.5 %). Our study shows that PQRS measures include many medical specialties and significantly more outcomes in recent years, particularly for surgery. PQRS still lacks sufficient measures for half of NQS priorities and sufficient outcomes to assess internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology. CMS must continue to improve PQRS measures to better assess and encourage high-quality care for all Americans.
Food Allergy in Infants With Atopic Dermatitis: Limitations of Food-Specific IgE Measurements

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a higher risk for development of food allergies. The objective of this study was to examine incidence of food allergy development in infants with AD and the predictive value of food-antigen–specific immunoglobulin E measurements. METHODS: This trial examined the long-term safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1% in >1000 infants (3–18 months) with mild-to-severe AD without a history of food allergy. Food allergy development was followed throughout a 36-month randomized double-blind phase followed by an open-label (OL) phase up to 33 months. Additionally, sIgE for cow’s milk, egg white, peanut, wheat, seafood mix, and soybean was measured by ImmunoCAP at baseline, end of the double-blind phase, and end of OL phase. RESULTS: By the end of the OL phase, 15.9% of infants with AD developed at least 1 food allergy; allergy to peanut was most common (6.6%), followed by cow’s milk (4.3%) and egg white (3.9%). Seafood, soybean, and wheat allergies were rare. Levels of sIgE for milk, egg, and peanut increased with severity of AD, as determined by Investigator’s Global Assessment score. We assigned sIgE decision points for the 6 foods and tested their ability to predict definite food allergy in this population. Positive predictive values for published and newly developed sIgE decision points were low ( CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of infants at risk for development of food allergy, sIgE levels were not clinically useful for predicting food allergy development.
Plasma Prostaglandin F2α Levels in Dysmenorrheic Women

Plasma prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF 2 α ) concentrations were compared in nine ovulatory dysmenorrheic women, one dysmenorrheic oral contraceptive user, and two nondysmenorrheic control subjects, in an effort to demonstrate a relationship between plasma PGF 2 α levels and dysmenorrhea. In addition, the effects of aspirin, a known inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, on dysmenorrhea and on PGF 2 α levels were investigated. No statistical difference was demonstrated between the plasma PGF 2 α levels of dysmenorrheic and nondysmenorrheic subjects throughout the menstrual cycle. Attainment of an adequate salicylate level was accompanied by a significant decrease in PGF 2 α levels. All dysmenorrheic subjects reported improvement in symptoms while taking aspirin. The greatest subjective relief was reported by women who began taking aspirin (10 grains every 4 hours) 3 or more days prior to the onset of bleeding.
Fetal Hemoglobin In Sickle Cell Anemia: Molecular Characterization of the High Fetal Hemoglobin Phenotype In African American Patients

Abstract 2068 HbF interferes with deoxygenated HbS polymerization, and is a major genetic modifier of sickle cell anemia severity. In this study, we attempted to identify genetic factors responsible for HbF production in a small group of African American sickle cell anemia patients who have markedly elevated HbF levels. Initially, patients with HbF of more than 11% as determined by HPLC were selected. The following were excluded: age less than 5; MCV greater than 100; presence of HPFH 1 and 2 based on specific gap-PCR tests; other β-globin gene deletions as determined by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). We further excluded rare HBG1 and 2 promoter HPFH mutations by nucleotide sequencing. In the end, a unique group of 20 patients were identified for further studies. Their mean age was 16.3 ± 8.3 years; Hb 9.0 ± 1.3 g/dL; MCV 87.9 ± 7.3 fL; and Hb F 17.2 ± 4.8% (range 11–29%). A control group of 30 African American patients were chosen. They had similar age, Hb, and MCV, but their HbF was 5.0 ± 2.5% (range 0.5–8.8%). These patients were examined for the 3 known major HbF quantitative trait loci: the Xmn1 restriction site C/T polymorphism at NT -158 upstream of HBG2 ; the BCL11A polymorphism on Chr2p16; the HBS1L-MYB intergenic polymorphism on Chr6q23. These 3 HbF quantitative trait loci collectively account for 20–50% of HbF variance in different populations. We found a significant association between high HbF and BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB intergenic region QTLs in these patients, but these account for only 20% of HbF variance ([Table][1]). These results were further validated in 590 patients of similar age from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease, 57 patients with HbF 20.6 ± 8.2% and 533 patients with HbF 3.1 ± 1.5% (Table). To further explore other possible causes of elevated HbF, we sequenced 8.6 kb DNA fragment between HBG1 and HBD in 15 high HbF and 15 control patients. This DNA fragment includes the 7.2 kb Corfu deletion that is associated with elevated HbF levels and also binding sites for BCL11A . Twenty SNPs were found. The minor allele frequencies were consistently higher in the high HbF group, but the difference was found to be statistically significant only in 4 SNPs, 3 SNPs between positions 49213 and 49994 and 1 SNP at position 54541 ( P = 0.001 to 0.04), suggesting that polymorphisms in this region might contribute to HbF expression in African American sickle cell anemia patients. The G→A polymorphism at position 49876 creates a C/EBP binding site which is not present in the major allele. The G→A polymorphism at position 49994 eliminates an AP-1 and NF-E2 binding sites, which are present in the major alleles. All 3 factors are erythroid transcription factors. The possible functional roles of these minor alleles found in significantly higher frequencies in the high HbF patients need to be further investigated. View this table: Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: #T1
The impact of treatment delay from diagnosis to prostatectomy on the biochemical recurrence rate.

34Background: In this study, we evaluate the impact of treatment delay on the biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate specifically in patients with NCCN intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: We reviewed our institutional database of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2004-2014. A validated preoperative nomogram was used to predict the 5-year BCR-free probability. We evaluated the actual risk of BCR (PSA>0.2) stratified by time from diagnosis to treatment controlling for age and preoperative nomogram derived risk of BCR. We did subset analysis in the cohort of NCCN defined intermediate/high-risk categories. Results: A total of 3029 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age for the entire cohort was 60 years. Median time from diagnosis to treatment was 77 days (IQR 54-110). Median overall follow-up time was 25 months. Group 1 (61.7%) experienced delay of less than 90 days, Group 2 (31.5%) 90-180 days, and Group 3 (6.7%) >180 days. BCR occurred in 9.6%, 9.6%, and 4....
Sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Clinical outcome according to IMDC risk group.

4584Background: In a phase III study (NCT00083889), treatment-naive patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) of all prognostic risk groups were treated with sunitinib or interferon-α (IFN-α). Since sunitinib has become the reference standard of care and serves as the comparator in multiple randomized trials sometimes restricted to prespecified risk groups, a retrospective analysis of outcome according to prognostic group from the phase III study was performed. Methods: Investigator-assessed efficacy data were analyzed for pts based on risk group (International mRCC Database Consortium [IMDC] criteria). The objective was to determine objective response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and median overall survival (mOS) benchmarks by risk group. Results: Of sunitinib-treated pts, 134 were favorable, 205 were intermediate, and 34 were poor risk. The median sunitinib treatment duration/median number of cycles was 16.7 mo/12 cycles, 11.0 mo/8 cycles and 2.6 mo/2.0 cycles fo...
DevOps for Containerized Applications

The term DevOps is a combination of the words “development” and “operations”, referring to a model of software development and delivery that is cross-functional, spanning from development to running it in production. Containerized applications require unique toolchain and pipeline processes for deployment that are different from conventional applications. This paper provides an overview of the tools, processes and anti-patterns for DevOps with containerized applications.