cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The adsorption protein in mini M13 phages.

Abstract Mini M13 phages, about one-half as long and with one-half the DNA of wild-type filaments, contain a full amount of the gene 3 protein. This finding supports earlier evidence for an adsorption function of the gene 3 protein and its location at the end(s) rather than along the length of the filament. An unusual property of the extracted protein is its aggregation even under strongly denaturing and reducing conditions.
Vibrational spectra of TTF-TCNQ: Evidence for TTF0 and TCNQ0 in thin films

Abstract Infrared spectra of TTF-TCNQ in inert gas matrices and in thin films deposited below room temperature show the presence of TTF 0 and TCNQ 0 . Impurities such as TTF 0 and TCNQ 0 in thin films and other forms of TTF-TCNQ may account for the variation in the conductivity measurements reported thus far.
Evolution and development of the Oak Ridge 25URC tandem accelerator control system

Since acceptance of the 25URC accelerator in 1982, we have continued to develop and improve both the accelerator control system and associated software. In this paper, we describe these improvements and also discuss how our experience with the present system would influence the architecture and design of future, similar systems.
Jeremiah Jenks: A Pioneer of Industrial Organization?

Jeremiah Whittle Jenks currently ranks as one of the more obscure academic economists of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. While other prominent economists of the era such as Richard T. Ely and John Bates Clark have been the subject of many books and articles (Everett 1946, Rader 1966, and Henry 1996, for example) Jenks remains almost unknown and unheralded. For instance, he is scarcely mentioned in the relevant volume of Joseph Dorfman's The Economic Mind in American Civilization (Dorfman 1948, III), despite his very substantial scholarly and public roles in the economics of the day. He was likewise below the radar of Joseph A. Schumpeter's (1954) magisterial, History of Economic Analysis, and Mark Blaug's (1985) Economic Theory in Retrospect. Where Jenks's career has attracted scholarly notice, the aspects examined have focused less on his economic scholarship and more on his public policy roles. (Green 1956, Weinstein 1968, Furner 1975, Parrini and Sklar 1983) The reasons for Jenks's relative neglect are unclear, although several hypotheses will be entertained below.
Reading in Spanish and English: A Comparative Study of Processing Strategies

Do proficient, bilingual readers of Spanish and English use different strategies when reading passages written in each language? Are there differences in the frequency with which proficient, bilingual readers of Spanish and English use particular strategies when reading these passages? Are there patterns in the manner in which the subjects use the strategies to construct interpretations of the passages? If so, do the patterns vary across passages? A three-phase data analysis revealed that, whether reading Spanish or English texts, subjects drew upon an array of strategic processes to establish connections and integrate understandings. And, when they ran into difficulty, their use of metacognitive strategies often allowed the subjects to continue constructing meaning.
Direct Arguments for the Truth-Condition Theory of Meaning

The truth-condition theory of meaning is, naturally, thought of an as explanatory theory whose explananda are the meaning facts. But there are at least two deductive arguments that purport to establish the truth of the theory irrespective of its explanatory virtues. This paper examines those arguments and concludes that they succeed.
Effects of Dietary Fats on Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Bleomycin treatment has been used for the experimental induction of pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Since alterations in the levels of certain fatty acid metabolites have been associated with bleomycin-induced lung injury, we examined the effects of different dietary fats on the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Weanling rats were raised on standard laboratory feed or a diet consisting of a fat-free powder to which was added either coconut oil or beef tallow (25% w/w). After 8 weeks of feeding, animals either 1.5 units bleomycin or an equivalent volume of saline intratracheally. Bleomycin treatment resulted in significant increases in total lung hydroxyproline content in the groups fed the standard lab diet (p < 0.001) and beef tallow diet (p < 0.001), but not in the group receiving the coconut oil diet. Furthermore, the lung hydroxyproline content in bleomycin-treated animals was less with the beef tallow diet compared with standard lab feed (p < ...
Disparities in health and disability among older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships.

Objective: The present study compared indicators of impaired health and disability between older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships and their peers in opposite-sex cohabiting relationships. Method: Data were obtained on men (n = 698) and women (n = 630) aged 50 years and older and in self-reported same-sex relationships from the National Health Interview Survey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to estimate differences in physical health, mental health, and disability status. Results: Compared with their peers in married opposite-sex relationships, older men in same-sex relationships exhibited greater odds of psychological distress, and older women in same-sex relationships experienced elevated odds of poor/fair health, needing help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, functional limitations, and psychological distress. Discussion: This study adds to the limited information on health and disability among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. As...
Overexpression of the c-Myc oncoprotein blocks the growth-inhibitory response but is required for the mitogenic effects of transforming growth factor beta 1.

Abstract One of the more intriguing aspects of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) is its ability to function as both a mitogenic factor for certain mesenchymal cells and a potent growth inhibitor of lymphoid, endothelial, and epithelial cells. Data are presented indicating that c-myc may play a pivotal role in both the mitogenic and antiproliferative actions of TGF beta 1. In agreement with previous studies using C3H/10T1/2 fibroblasts constitutively expressing an exogenous c-myc cDNA, we show that AKR-2B fibroblasts expressing a chimeric estrogen-inducible form of c-myc (mycER) are able to form colonies in soft agar in the presence of TGF beta 1 only when c-myc is activated by hormone. Whereas these findings support a synergistic role for c-myc in mitogenic responses to TGF beta 1, we also find that c-myc can antagonize the growth-inhibitory response to TGF beta 1. Mouse keratinocytes (BALB/MK), which are normally growth-arrested by TGF beta 1, are rendered insensitive to the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF beta 1 upon mycER activation. This ability of mycER activation to block TGF beta 1-induced growth arrest was found to occur only when the fusion protein was induced with hormone in the early part of G1. Addition of estradiol late in G1 had no suppressive effect on TGF beta 1-induced growth inhibition.
ANALYSIS OF SENSORY RATING SCALES

Data from nine previous sensory studies utilizing scales varying from 5 to 15 points were normalized by calculating z values to estimate the position of categories on the psychological continuum. Normalized data from studies utilizing a 5-point scale for sensory evaluations were nearly equally spaced as is assumed for many statistical analyses. However, a central tendency was observed in scores for flavor on 9- and 15-point scales. If data from an extensive ordinal scale are to be transformed, normalized category means can be substituted for raw scores before statistical analysis.
Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Beryllium Particulates and Their Detection November 17–19, 2008, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Third International Symposium on Beryllium Particulates and Their Detection was held November 17–19, 2008, at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. This conference, which drew 80 registr...
Effects of cochlear ablation on muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding in the rat cochlear nucleus.

Cholinergic synapses in the cochlear nucleus (CN) have been reported to modulate spontaneous activity via muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In this study, muscarinic receptor binding was measured as specific binding of 1-[N-methyl-3H]scopolamine in CN regions of control rats and 7 days, 1 month, and 2 months after unilateral cochlear ablation. In control rats, the strongest binding was found in granular regions, followed in order by fusiform soma, molecular, and deep layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), with much lower binding in the anteroventral CN (AVCN) and posteroventral CN (PVCN). After unilateral cochlear ablation, binding in the AVCN, PVCN, and their associated granular regions on the lesion side became progressively greater than on the control side through 2 months after lesion. A significant asymmetry, with binding higher on the lesion side, was also found in the DCN fusiform soma layer at 7 days, and there and in the DCN deep layer at 1 and 2 months after lesion. There was also evidence of increased binding on the control side in most CN regions. By contrast, binding in the ipsilateral facial nucleus decreased, compared with the control side, by 7 days after the lesion and showed some recovery toward symmetry by 2 months after lesion, and there was no evidence for contralateral changes. These muscarinic receptor binding changes reflect receptor plasticity after loss of auditory nerve innervation. Such plasticity may underlie some of the central auditory functional changes that occur following peripheral lesions, such as tinnitus and hyperacusis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Changes in Adult Attachment Styles in American College Students Over Time A Meta-Analysis

The current article examines changes over time in a commonly used measure of adult attachment style. A cross-temporal meta-analysis was conducted on 94 samples of American college students (total N = 25,243, between 1988 and 2011) who chose the most representative description of four possible attachment styles (Secure, Dismissing, Preoccupied, and Fearful) on the Relationship Questionnaire. The percentage of students with Secure attachment styles has decreased in recent years (1988: 48.98%; 2011: 41.62%), whereas the percentage of students with Insecure attachment styles (sum of Dismissing, Preoccupied, Fearful) has increased in recent years (1988: 51.02%; 2011: 58.38%). The percentage of students with Dismissing attachment styles has increased over time (1988: 11.93%; 2011: 18.62%), even after controlling for age, gender, race, and publication status. Positive views of others have declined across the same time period. We discuss possible implications and explanations for these changes.
Lymph node control in cervical cancer.

Abstract Purpose The aim was to evaluate pretreatment lymph node size, irradiation dose, and failure patterns. Methods Pretreatment PET and CT were performed in 208 patients. Lymph nodes were scored as either positive or negative by PET and lymph node size was measured by CT. Lymph node irradiation dose and sites of failure were recorded. Results The mean pelvic lymph node doses were: PET negative nodes, ≤1 cm, 66.8 Gy, and 0/76 failures; PET positive nodes, ≤1 cm, 66.8 Gy, and 3/89 failures; 1.1–≤2 cm, 66.9 Gy, and 0/21 failures; 2.1–≤3 cm, 69.4 Gy, and 2/15 failures; and 3.1 to ≤4 cm, 74.1 Gy, and 0/5 failures. The mean paraaortic lymph node dose was 43.3 Gy and there were no paraaortic failures for 24 patients with PET positive ≤1 cm nodes, 0/5 failures for 1.1 to ≤2 cm, and 0/4 failures for 2.1 to ≤3 cm. The most common site of failure was distant metastases. Conclusions The irradiation doses given in this study were adequate to control most lymph node metastases. Positive lymph nodes of any size at diagnosis were the most significant predictor for developing distant metastases.
Sum-Paintability of Generalized Theta-Graphs

In online list coloring [introduced by Zhu (Electron J Comb 16(1):#R127, 2009) and Schauz (Electron J Comb 16:#R77, 2009)], on each round the set of vertices having a particular color in their lists is revealed, and the coloring algorithm chooses an independent subset of this set to receive that color. For a graph $$G$$G and a function $$f:\,V(G)\rightarrow {\mathbb N}$$f:V(G)?N, the graph is $$f$$f-paintable if there is an algorithm to produce a proper coloring when each vertex $$v$$v is allowed to be presented at most $$f(v)$$f(v) times. The sum-paintability of $$G$$G, denoted $$\chi _{sp}(G)$$?sp(G), is $$\min \{\sum f(v):\,G$$min{?f(v):G is $$f$$f-paintable$$\}$$}. Basic results include $$\chi _{sp}(G)\le |V(G)|+|E(G)|$$?sp(G)≤|V(G)|+|E(G)| for every graph $$G$$G and $$\chi _{sp}(G)=(\sum _{i=1}^{k} \chi _{sp}(H_i))-(k-1)$$?sp(G)=(?i=1k?sp(Hi))-(k-1) when $$H_{1},\ldots ,H_{k}$$H1,?,Hk are the blocks of $$G$$G. Also, adding an ear of length $$\ell $$l to $$G$$G adds $$2\ell -1$$2l-1 to the sum-paintability, when $$\ell \ge 3$$l?3. Strengthening a result of Berliner et al., we prove $$\chi _{sp}(K_{2,r})=2r + \min \{l+m:\,lm>r\}$$?sp(K2,r)=2r+min{l+m:lm>r} . The generalized theta-graph$$\Theta _{\ell _{1},\ldots ,\ell _{k}}$$?l1,?,lk consists of two vertices joined by internally disjoint paths of lengths $$\ell _{1},\ldots ,\ell _{k}$$l1,?,lk. A book is a graph of the form $$\Theta _{1,2,\dots ,2}$$?1,2,?,2, denoted $$B_r$$Br when there are $$r$$r internally disjoint paths of length 2. We prove $$\chi _{sp}(B_r)=2r + \min _{l,m\in \mathbb {N}}\{l+m:\,m(l-m)+{m\atopwithdelims ()2}>r\}$$?sp(Br)=2r+minl,m?N{l+m:m(l-m)+m2>r}. We use these results to determine the sum-paintability for all generalized theta-graphs.
Caffeine bleaching of Stentor coeruleus

After a few days in caffeine solution the dark blue-green ciliate Stentor coeruleus loses all visible pigmentation. The cells remain viable and transparent if the solution is then diluted. In time, however, a light pink color is regenerated in maintenance concentration of the drug. In caffeine-free medium the major dark green pigment is regenerated. Decolorized, pink, and normal stentors can thus be compared, alive, in searching for the functions of these pigments. Unexpectedly, the pigments are not necessary for the lightavoidance response.
Single vs. multiple drug prevention: is more always better?: a pilot study.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single drug, i.e., alcohol, against a multiple drug preventive intervention. Methods. A controlled trial was conducted with 448 8th grade students (mean age = 13 years old) from an inner-city middle school (n = 216) and a rural junior high school (n = 232) in 2000–2001. Students were randomized within school, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up data were collected. Results. Two risk/protective factors were found to differ significantly in favor of youth receiving the single drug alcohol intervention (p's = 0.03), while the frequency of alcohol use and two additional risk/protective factors approached significance (p's < 0.10). Conclusion. These findings support the potential efficacy of a brief, single drug preventive intervention over a brief, multi-drug intervention in producing short-term alcohol outcomes for adolescents, and indicate differential effects of interventions for subgroups of substance using youth.
Immigration and the Evolving American Welfare State: Examining Policies in the U.S. States

The inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities is often considered an important factor leading to a relatively limited American welfare system. However, given the federal nature of welfare eligibility rules and the states' role in determining benefit levels, few studies explicitly link questions of inclusion and benefit levels when explaining the evolution of American welfare policy. This study examines the relationship between inclusion and benefit levels by analyzing state policies related to the welfare reforms of 1996 which allowed states to decide if recent immigrants would be included in welfare benefits, and subsequently the extent to which this decision affected overall benefit levels offered by states under TANF. The results suggest that states' decisions regarding inclusion subsequently affect benefit levels, with the direction of these relationships most closely reflecting the erosion model's prediction of broader eligibility associated with lower benefit levels.
The nurse practitioner: history, current conflicts, and future survival.

“A Community-Based Outbreak of Infection With Penicillin-Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Not Producing Penicillinase (Chromosomally Mediated Resistance),” HAWAZIN FARUKI, et al. From February throu...
NEDD4 ubiquitin ligase is a putative oncogene in endometrial cancer that activates IGF-1R/PI3K/Akt signaling

Objective The PI3K/Akt pathway is frequently dysregulated in endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic malignancy. Emerging evidence identifies the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 as a key regulator of the PI3K/Akt pathway via activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R). Our objective was to understand the role of NEDD4 in endometrial cancer.
Extracting and modeling durations for habits and events from Twitter

We seek to automatically estimate typical durations for events and habits described in Twitter tweets. A corpus of more than 14 million tweets containing temporal duration information was collected. These tweets were classified as to their habituality status using a bootstrapped, decision tree. For each verb lemma, associated duration information was collected for episodic and habitual uses of the verb. Summary statistics for 483 verb lemmas and their typical habit and episode durations has been compiled and made available. This automatically generated duration information is broadly comparable to hand-annotation.
A Performance Evaluation of Distributed Framework for Mining Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive framework for extracting and mining sensor data. This framework consists of a new formulation for the association rules, distributed extraction mechanism, and a compressed structure for the data along with the mining algorithm that is able to extract the knowledge out of it. The new formulation define the temporal relations between sensors and map them to the association rules, a well know data mining technique, a direct application of the extracted relations is predicting the sources of future events, estimating the value of missed events, or identifying faulty nodes. The proposed distributed extraction is designed to improve the network life time by reducing number of messages needed to generate the required data for the mining process, experiments have shown that our distributed extraction solution is able to reduce number of exchanged messages by 50% compared to a centralized solution. The compressed representation structure, which we call it positional lexicographic tree (PLT), is able to partition and compressed the data and provides an easy access mechanism for manipulating the data, we successfully compared the mining process of the PLT with the FP-Growth, a well know mining algorithm, results have shown that PLT outperform FP-Growth in both CPU time and memory usage
Reviews in Radiology Informatics: Establishing a Core Informatics Curriculum

The advent of digital imaging and information management within the radiology department has prompted the growth of a new radiology subspecialty: Radiology Informatics. With appropriate training, radiologists can become leaders in Medical Informatics and guide the growth of this technology throughout the medical enterprise. Radiology Informatics fellowships, as well as radiology residency programs, provide inconsistent exposure to all the elements of this subspecialty, in part because of the lack of a common curriculum. The Society for Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR) has developed a curriculum intended to guide training in Radiology Informatics. This article is the first in a series presented by SCAR and the Journal of Digital Imaging, titled “Reviews in Radiology Informatics.” The series is designed to sample from each of the major components in the Radiology Informatics Curriculum, to spark further interest in the field and provide content for informatics education.
Mitochondrial Targeted Endonuclease III DNA Repair Enzyme Protects against Ventilator Induced Lung Injury in Mice

The mitochondrial targeted DNA repair enzyme, 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1, was previously reported to protect against mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and ventilator induced lung injury (VILI). In the present study we determined whether mitochondrial targeted endonuclease III (EndoIII) which cleaves oxidized pyrimidines rather than purines from damaged DNA would also protect the lung. Minimal injury from 1 h ventilation at 40 cmH2O peak inflation pressure (PIP) was reversed by EndoIII pretreatment. Moderate lung injury due to ventilation for 2 h at 40 cmH2O PIP produced a 25-fold increase in total extravascular albumin space, a 60% increase in W/D weight ratio, and marked increases in MIP-2 and IL-6. Oxidative mtDNA damage and decreases in the total tissue glutathione (GSH) and the GSH/GSSH ratio also occurred. All of these indices of injury were attenuated by mitochondrial targeted EndoIII. Massive lung injury caused by 2 h ventilation at 50 cmH2O PIP was not attenuated by EndoIII pretreatment, but all untreated mice died prior to completing the two hour ventilation protocol, whereas all EndoIII-treated mice lived for the duration of ventilation. Thus, mitochondrial targeted DNA repair enzymes were protective against mild and moderate lung damage and they enhanced survival in the most severely injured group.
Alcohol and Biogenic Amine-Derived Alkaloidal Adducts in the Nervous System

Chronic ethanol abuse causes chemical and membrane alterations in central nervous system (CNS) which are manifested as accelerated neuronal “aging” and, ultimately, permanent brain damage. Clarification of the largely unknown mechanisms for these ethanol-dependent neuronal and perhaps glial alterations may eventually be of clinical benefit in alcoholism. Our laboratory has been investigating the hypothesis that trace metabolites oxidatively derived from “alkaloidal” condensation products of biogenic amine neurotransmitters with acetaldehyde, the ethanol metabolite, or with related biological carbonyls are responsible in part for alcoholic brain damage. The biogenic amine, dopamine (DA), reacts bimolecularly to yield the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs), salsolinol or SAL (from acetaldehyde) or salsolinol-1-carboxylic acid or SAL-1-CA (from pyruvic acid).
Glucose enhancement of transcellular calcium transport in the intestine

Glucose stimulates calcium transport in vitro in rat duodenal tissue and isolated enterocytes. Under short-circuited conditions, glucose increased mucosal to serosal calcium flux (JCa(m----s)) without altering serosal to mucosal calcium flux (JCa(s----m)) in the duodenum, the primary site of active calcium absorption in the rat small intestine. The half-maximal dose (ED50) of the glucose stimulatory effect was less than 1 mM, and an increase in JCa(m----s) of 80% over control was seen at a glucose concentration of 50 mM. Glucose did not increase calcium flux in the ileum where active calcium absorption is minimal. Glucose stimulated net calcium uptake by 35% in isolated duodenal enterocytes. Glucose did not alter calcium efflux from preloaded enterocytes suspended in calcium-free buffer. Glucose enhancement of net calcium uptake in enterocytes was not caused by altered cell membrane integrity or functional viability. The nonmetabolizable glucose analogue alpha-methylglucoside did not stimulate calcium transport. Our findings suggest that glucose can stimulate intestinal calcium absorption, at least partially, by enhancing transcellular calcium transport and that cellular glucose metabolism is necessary for stimulation of this route of calcium transport.
Reducing Radiation Dose in Pediatric Diagnostic Fluoroscopy

Abstract Purpose To assess radiation dose in common pediatric diagnostic fluoroscopy procedures and determine the efficacy of dose tracking and dose reduction training to reduce radiation use. Methods Fluoroscopy time and radiation dose area product (DAP) were recorded for upper GIs (UGI), voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs), and barium enemas (BEs) during a six-month period. The results were presented to radiologists followed by a 1-hour training session on radiation dose reduction methods. Data were recorded for an additional six months. DAP was normalized to fluoroscopy time, and Wilcoxon testing was used to assess for differences between groups. Results Data from 1,479 cases (945 pretraining and 530 post-training) from 9 radiologists were collected. No statistically significant difference was found in patient age, proportion of examination types, or fluoroscopy time between the pre- and post-training groups ( P ≥ .1), with the exception of a small decrease in median fluoroscopy time for VCUGs (1.0 vs 0.9 minutes, P = .04). For all examination types, a statistically significant decrease was found in the median normalized DAP ( P 2 per minute) were 14.36 (5.00, 38.95) and 6.67 (2.67, 17.09) for UGIs; 13.00 (5.34, 32.71) and 7.16 (2.73, 19.85) for VCUGs; and 33.14 (9.80, 85.26) and 17.55 (7.96, 46.31) for BEs. Conclusions Radiation dose tracking with feedback, paired with dose reduction training, can reduce radiation dose during diagnostic pediatric fluoroscopic procedures by nearly 50%.
Subclavian and Upper Extremity Interventions

The subclavian and innominate arteries provide arterial supply to the upper extremities and to parts of the intracranial vasculature. This chapter reviews key anatomic features and variations, and different types of disease processes affecting these vessels. Diagnostic strategies including clinical history, physical examination findings, and use of noninvasive tools are discussed. This chapter also reviews the indications for treating subclavian disease including important clinical entities such as subclavian steal and coronary–subclavian steal syndromes. Different treatment options including surgery (such as carotid–subclavian bypass) and endovascular approaches are discussed. Of note, surgical treatment remains the definitive treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome. This chapter also addresses important concepts in angiography of the upper extremity arteries, treatment strategies, as well as the different types of equipment (balloon-expandable vs. self-expanding stents) and techniques (e.g., telescoping access technique) available in modern practice. Key concepts include recognition of the importance of aortic arch anatomy in determining guide or sheath selection; and identification of the origins of key branches (internal mammary and vertebral arteries), which may be affected by stenting of the subclavian artery. The role of retrograde recanalization via a brachial or radial approach is also discussed. Finally, procedural outcomes and complications are reviewed.
Understanding Duplication Anomalies of the Kidney

Learning the basic rules governing duplication anomalies of the kidney is particularly rewarding because the fundamental rules can be applied reliably to the great variety of cases and using all different imaging modalities. Although ultrasound is typically the starting point of imaging of the urinary tract in infants and children, renal duplex anomalies are also studied by micturating cystourethrography (MCU), also called voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), intravenous pyelography (IVP), magnetic resonance urography (MRU), computed tomography (CT), MAG-3 lasix renogram, and DMSA scan. While more and more duplex anomalies are being discovered in utero, most people with duplex anomalies are asymptomatic and thus may never be studied at all.
The change of proinflammatory cytokine levels in the circulaton following acute pulmonary thromboembolism induced by bone cement in rabbits

Objective To investigate the change and significance of cytokine levels in acute pulmonary thromboembolism induced by bone cement in rabbits.Methods Twenty-four rabbits were randomly devided into 3 groups,8 rabbits were established pulmonary embolism model by injection of bone cement embolus into femoral vein,8 rabbits were injected autol ogous blood clot into femoral vein,another 8 rabbits as control group.Then the dynamical changes of tumor necrosis fac tor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in blood were observed.Results TNF-α in blood were increased significantly after injection of bone cement embolus 0.5 to 6 hours,there was statistically significant difference between bone cement em bolus group and the both blood clot group and control group(P 0.05).There was no statistically significant difference about IL-6 in 0.5 h with the control group,blood clot embolization group(P 0.05);for 1-6 h with the same period in the control group,the blood clot embolization group,difference was statistically significant(P 0.05).There was no statistically significant difference about TNF-α,IL-6 in blood clot embolization group with the same period in the control group at each time point(P 0.05).Conclusion TNF-α,IL-6 in blood circulation is not significantly elevated in 6 h after PTE induced by one blood clot embplus,so it is bone cement to induce the changes of TNF-α,IL-6 in blood circulation.
Changes in a postural strategy with inter-paw distance

1. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of changing initial stance conditions on the postural response of the cat to horizontal plane translations of the support surface. Cats were trained to stand, unrestrained, on a moveable force platform. The platform was translated linearly in each of 16 directions in the horizontal plane, with a ramp-and-hold displacement. The animal's response was quantified in terms of the forces exerted at the ground. The trajectory of the center of mass (CoM) was computed from the forces. 2. Stance length was varied along the longitudinal (sagittal) axis by adjusting the distance between the forepaw and hindpaw force plates. Translation perturbations of the platform were recorded at stance distances varying from 66 to 110% of the preferred stance distance. 3. Changing stance distance had a significant effect on the amplitude and direction of the active forces exerted by the cat both during quiet stance and during the response to platform translation. At long stance distances, each limb exerted a force outward, along the diagonals during quiet stance. The response to translation was characterized by an invariance in the direction of force exerted against the ground, a strategy that was described previously. At short stance distances, quiet stance forces were more laterally directed. The force constraint strategy was usually not observed for the response to translation. Nevertheless, the cats were equally effective at all stance distances in restoring the position of the center of mass after translation of the support surface. 4. There was no discrete boundary between the presence and absence of the force constraint, suggesting that the strategy for exerting forces against the support surface is characterized by a continuum of response, from a bimodal, or anisotropic distribution of force vectors on the one extreme, to a uniform, or isotropic distribution on the other. Arguments are developed to suggest that the force constraint strategy may be useful in stabilizing the vertebral column during the response to platform translation, to allow linear translation of the CoM rather than bending of the trunk.
Measurement of Physical Work Performance of Adolescent Girls - Simple Field Technique

Adolescence comprises nearly half of the growing period in man. The term adolescence has been defined by WHO as a period of life where a series of varied, rapid and extensive change occurs. It is a crucial phase to catch up growth in the life cycle of girls after infancy. There are many physical changes that occur at this stage. The girls attain menarche as a result of hormonal changes.
Evaluation of Cervical Spine Clearance by Computed Tomographic Scan Alone in Intoxicated Patients With Blunt Trauma

Importance Current trauma guidelines dictate that the cervical spine should not be cleared in intoxicated patients, resulting in prolonged immobilization or additional imaging. Modern computed tomography (CT) technology may obviate this and allow for immediate clearance. Objective To analyze cervical spine clearance practices and the utility of CT scans of the cervical spine in intoxicated patients with blunt trauma. Design, Setting, and Participants We performed a prospective observational study of 1668 patients with blunt trauma aged 18 years and older who underwent cervical spine CT scans from March 2014 to March 2015 at an American College of Surgeons–verified Level I trauma center. Intoxication was determined by serum alcohol levels and urine drug screens. Physical examination and CT scan findings were evaluated for cervical spine injuries (CSI) and the incidence of missed injuries. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinically relevant CSIs requiring cervical stabilization. The hypotheses formed prior to data collection were that cervical CT scans are sensitive and specific enough to diagnose CSIs that require stabilization and that normal CT scans are sufficient to clear CSIs in intoxicated patients. Results Of 1668 patients, 1103 (66.1%) were male, with a mean (SD) age of 49 (20) years and a mean (SD) Injury Severity Score of 10 (9). Vehicular (734 [44.0%]) and falls (579 [34.7%]) were the most common mechanisms for hospitalization. Intoxication was identified in 632 of 1429 of patients tested (44.2%; 425 [29.7%] by serum alcohol levels and 350 [24.5%] by urine drug screens). Half (316 [50.0%]) were admitted with cervical spine immobilization, and 38 (12%) of these were solely owing to the presence of intoxication. There were 65 abnormal CT scans (10.3%) in the intoxicated group. Among 567 normal CT scans, 4 (0.7%) had central cord syndrome found on initial physical examination, and 1 (0.2%) had a symptomatic unstable ligament injury that was misread as normal on CT scan but was abnormal on magnetic resonance imaging. The 316 patients kept in a cervical collar for intoxication had no missed CSIs but were kept immobilized for a mean (SD) of 12 (19) hours. Computed tomographic scans had an overall negative predictive value of 99.2% for patients with CSIs and a negative predictive value of 99.8% for ruling out CSIs that required immobilization or stabilization. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, alcohol or drug intoxication was common and resulted in significant delays to cervical spine clearance. Computed tomographic scans were highly reliable for identifying all clinically significant CSIs. Spine clearance based on a normal CT scan among intoxicated patients with no gross motor deficits appears to be safe and avoids prolonged and unnecessary immobilization.
Modélisation et simulation d'écoulements transitoires eau-vapeur en approche bifluide

Cette these traite de la modelisation et de la simulation des ecoulements diphasiques transitoires eau-vapeur. Dans de nombreuses installations industrielles, des ecoulements monophasiques d'eau liquide sont susceptibles de devenir diphasiques lors de certaines situations transitoires. La modelisation de ces ecoulements peut s'averer delicate car deux phenomenes physiques interagissant fortement entre eux, le changement de phase et la propagation d'ondes de pression, sont alors a prendre en compte. Une approche bifluide statistique, ne supposant aucun equilibre entre les phases, est utilisee afin de modeliser de tels ecoulements. Les modeles obtenus sont de type convection-source et s'apparentent au modele de Baer-Nunziato. Differentes lois de fermeture pour ces modeles sont comparees sur des cas experimentaux de transitoires eau-vapeur tels que les coups de belier et la depressurisation d'une tuyauterie d'eau liquide suite a une rupture. La simulation numerique des differents modeles est effectuee grâce a une methode a pas fractionnaires. Un nouveau schema de convection, robuste et efficace, capable de gerer toute equation d'etat est utilise dans la premiere etape de cette methode. La seconde etape est dediee au traitement des termes sources et requiert differents schemas implicites. Une grande attention est accordee a la verification de tous les schemas numeriques utilises grâce a des etudes de convergence. Une nouvelle modelisation du transfert de masse est egalement proposee, sur la base de travaux dedies a la brusque depressurisation d'eau liquide en approche homogene. La validation du modele est effectuee grâce de nombreuses comparaisons calcul-experience.
Effects of protein kinase a activation on the responses of primate spinothalamic tract neurons to mechanical stimuli.

Behavioral and anatomical studies by our group have suggested that the protein kinase A (PKA) signal transduction cascade contributes to long-term changes in nociceptive processing at the spinal co...
A Theory of Portfolio Choice and Partial Default

I develop a portfolio choice model that allows for partial default and accommodates trade in a rich set of assets. I characterize the solution to an infinite horizon, consumption/portfolio problem with Markov shocks and many assets. The characterization facilitates a simple solution algorithm and allows me to establish properties of the model. For example, agents default more in bad economic times. I define Recursive Default Equilibrium, which extends the equilibrium concept of Dubey, Geanakoplos, and Shubik (2005) to include an infinite number of time periods and many assets. I prove existence for a tremble-refined equilibrium that rules out off-equilibrium pessimism.
Treatments affecting dog behaviour: something to be aware of

ALTHOUGH dog behaviour problems are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia (Salman and others 1998), only 11 per cent of veterinarians surveyed in a USA study strongly agreed that dog behaviour is their responsibility, initiating a discussion regarding behaviour problems in dogs (Patronek and Dodman 1999). Aside from specific treatments for behaviour problems, several medical and surgical treatments that are routinely prescribed by general veterinary practitioners can affect the behaviour of dogs. Phenylpropanolamine, commonly used for the treatment of urinary sphincter hypotonus in dogs, can cause restlessness and increased irritability; phenobarbital, a drug used to control seizures, may provoke anxiety and agitation; and diphenhydramine, a well-known and frequently dispensed antihistamine, can be the cause of unwanted excitement and nervousness in canine patients(Plumb 2008). New and innovative drugs can cause undesired behaviour changes too; oclacitinib (Apoquel; Zoetis), used to control pruritus in dogs with allergic dermatitis, has been found to be associated with increased aggression (Cosgrove and others 2013). Surgery can also be a very stressful event for dogs and cause major behavioural changes (Siracusa and others 2008, Wiese 2015). These are just a few examples of the behaviour changes caused by common veterinary treatments and procedures. Behaviour changes determined by increased physical and/or emotional arousal, that is, increased anxiety, reactivity or nervousness, or post-surgical dysphoria, may increase the risk of an aggressive …
Thalidomide (T) in Combination with Fludarabine (F) as Initial Therapy for Patients (pts) with Treatment Naïve Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Preliminary Results of a Phase I/II Clinical Trial.

Abstract Introduction: The importance of VEGF and TNF-a and their interaction with other cytokines in the pathogenesis of CLL has recently been identified. These cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (ME) form a network of growth promoting signal(s) that regulate the CLL cell survival and progression. T is an immunomodulatory agent, reported to exert antitumor activity through down regulation of VEGF, TNF-a and IL-6. We hypothesized that targeting the tumor ME with T will interrupt the growth promoting signals and predispose CLL cells to enhanced proapoptotic activity of F with resultant improvement of clinical responses. In this abstract we report our findings to date of this phase I/II clinical trial. Patients and Methods: Treatment naive pts requiring therapy for CLL were eligible for this study. T was started at D1 and continued for 6 months while F (25mg/m2 x 5 D every 4 wks) was given for 6 cycles starting on D7. Three doses of T (100,200,300 mg) were studied in phase I and as no dose response curve or DLT was noted, 200mg of T was selected for the phase II evaluation for concerns of cumulative toxicity of T. Low-dose coumadin (1 or 2 mg) was used for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Results: To date 20 pts (15M, 5F; median age 66, range 38–76 yrs) have been enrolled. Of these 11 pts had limited (0-II) stage and 9 pts had advance Rai stage (III/IV) disease. Pts who completed the intended 6 months of T were evaluable for response. Six pts were removed from study for toxicity (2VTE - 1 in the 1st week of therapy prior to F infusion, 2nd during the 4th cyc; 1 Hep C reactivation presumably secondary to F, 1 secondary to early death from advance disease, 1 non-compliance, and 1 early termination for poor tolerance to therapy), without evidence of disease progression. Thirteen pts completed 6 months of therapy and are available for response. Among the evaluable pts 9 (69.2 %) achieved a complete response (CR) and 4(30.7%) were noted to have a partial remission (PR). While all pts who completed 6 months of T achieved a major response, the ORR in the intent-to-treat population was 65% with median duration of response 12+ (range 3 – 18+) months. Fatigue, thrombocytopenia, and anemia were the most common side effects, noted in 75%, 65%, and 55% of the 20 patients, respectively. Conclusion: T when combined with F results in a higher ORR when compared to F alone based on historical data. The combination FT was well tolerated with manageable toxicity. Completion of this ongoing phase II study will identify the role of this new combination in pts with CLL.
Mental health consumer-run programs: Awareness and attitudes of social work educators

Consumer-run programs (CRPs) are prevalent and evidence shows that they provide effective services to those with severe mental illnesses. Despite this, low levels of awareness of and negative attit...
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PESTICIDES AND OTHER XENOBIOTICS IN THE KIDNEY

The mammalian kidney is extremely susceptible to the toxic effects of a wide variety of xenobiotics due to the innate toxicity of some of these chemicals and the unique physiology of the kidney as an organ. The kidneys make up less than 1% of total body weight yet receive nearly 25% of cardiac output. Thus the rate of delivery of xenobiotics is high. 2,4,5-T and silvex are organic anions that achieve high concentrations in the kidney. The effect produced by these xenobiotics is diminution in transport of organic anions, possibly due to a competitive interaction. A wide variety of pesticides such as kepone, mirex, PBBs and PCBs are capable of producing other effects on the kidney. Interestingly, the effects of these compounds are not seen overtly on renal function; there are no changes in urine flow nor the reabsorption of salt and water. Rather, the effects of these compounds are seen on more subtle biochemical mechanisms, such as the ability of the kidney to metabolize other xenobiotics. The toxicity then appears to be reflected as a change in the susceptibility of the kidney to compounds that have to be metabolized subsequently. Thus, the true toxicological significance of exposure of the kidney to many pesticides may be the indirect influence on the responses to subsequent exposure to chemicals rather than direct or overt and measurable physiological toxicity.
HAdV-C6 Is a More Relevant Challenge Virus than HAdV-C5 for Testing Antiviral Drugs with the Immunosuppressed Syrian Hamster Model

Adenovirus infections of immunocompromised patients can cause a severe multi-organ disease that often results in the patients' death. Presently, there are no drugs specifically approved to treat adenovirus infections, and clinicians resort to the off-label use of antivirals that are approved to treat other DNA virus infections, most frequently cidofovir (CDV). CDV, however, has considerable nephrotoxicity, thus it is recommended only for the most severe cases of adenovirus infections. To facilitate the development of effective, non-toxic antivirals against adenovirus, we have developed a permissive animal model based on the Syrian hamster that can be used to test the efficacy of antiviral compounds. Here, we show that in the hamster model, HAdV-C6 is a more useful challenge virus than the previously described HAdV-C5, because it is filtered out by tissue macrophages to a lesser extent. HAdV-C6 has a 10-fold lower LD50 in hamsters than HAdV-C5 and the pathology is caused by virus replication to a larger extent. We show that valganciclovir (VGCV), a drug that was shown to be active against intravenous HAdV-C5 infection previously, is efficacious against HAdV-C6 when administered either prophylactically or therapeutically. Further, we show for the first time that VGCV, and to a lesser extent CDV, can be used to treat respiratory adenovirus infections in the hamster model. These results extend the utility of the hamster model, and demonstrate the efficacy of two drugs available for clinicians to treat adenovirus infections.
Predictors of Vasopressin Responsiveness in Critically Ill Adults.

Background: Vasopressin is commonly used as an adjunct vasopressor in shock. However, response to vasopressin varies among critically ill patients. Objective: To identify patient-specific factors t...
Cross-Validation and Development of Empirically Derived ADHD Assessment Strategies: Insights From the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health).

Objective: There is replicated evidence that individual ADHD symptoms differentially predict ADHD diagnostic status, and that non–Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-based s...
Unsupervised Action Discovery and Localization in Videos

This paper is the first to address the problem of unsupervised action localization in videos. Given unlabeled data without bounding box annotations, we propose a novel approach that: 1) Discovers action class labels and 2) Spatio-temporally localizes actions in videos. It begins by computing local video features to apply spectral clustering on a set of unlabeled training videos. For each cluster of videos, an undirected graph is constructed to extract a dominant set, which are known for high internal homogeneity and in-homogeneity between vertices outside it. Next, a discriminative clustering approach is applied, by training a classifier for each cluster, to iteratively select videos from the non-dominant set and obtain complete video action classes. Once classes are discovered, training videos within each cluster are selected to perform automatic spatio-temporal annotations, by first over-segmenting videos in each discovered class into supervoxels and constructing a directed graph to apply a variant of knapsack problem with temporal constraints. Knapsack optimization jointly collects a subset of supervoxels, by enforcing the annotated action to be spatio-temporally connected and its volume to be the size of an actor. These annotations are used to train SVM action classifiers. During testing, actions are localized using a similar Knapsack approach, where supervoxels are grouped together and SVM, learned using videos from discovered action classes, is used to recognize these actions. We evaluate our approach on UCF-Sports, Sub-JHMDB, JHMDB, THUMOS13 and UCF101 datasets. Our experiments suggest that despite using no action class labels and no bounding box annotations, we are able to get competitive results to the state-of-the-art supervised methods.