cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathologic discordance to clinical management decisions suggests overtreatment in pediatric benign breast disease

Breast masses in pediatric patients are often managed similarly to adult breast masses despite significant differences in pathology and natural history. Emerging evidence suggests that clinical observation is safe. The purpose of this study was to quantify the clinical appropriateness of the management of benign breast disease in pediatric patients. A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was completed between 1995 and 2017. Patients were included if they had benign breast disease and were 19 years old or younger. A timeline of all interventions (ultrasound, biopsy, or excision) was generated to quantify the number of patients who were observed for at least 90 days, deemed appropriate care. To quantify inappropriate care, the number of interventions performed within 90 days, and the pathologic concordance to clinical decisions was determined by reviewing the radiology reports of all ultrasounds and pathology reports of all biopsies and excisions. A total of 1,909 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 16.4 years old (± 2.1). The majority of masses were fibroadenomas (60.4%). Only half of patients (54.3%) were observed for 90 or more days. 81.1% of interventions were unnecessary, with pathology revealing masses that would be safe to observe. The positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical decisions made based on suspicious ultrasound findings was 16.2%, not different than a PPV of 21.9% (p < 0.25) for decisions made on clinical suspicion alone. Despite literature supporting an observation period for pediatric breast masses, half of patients had an intervention within three months with one out of ten patients undergoing an invasive procedure within this time frame. Furthermore, 81.1% of invasive interventions were unnecessary based on final pathologic findings. A formal consensus clinical guideline for the management of pediatric benign breast disease including a standardized clinical observation period is needed to decrease unnecessary procedures in pediatric patients with breast masses.
Understanding terrorism: A behavioral developmental approach

Summary Countries, governments, and cultures must move through each of the behavioral-developmental stages of human development sequentially. It is hypothesized that each behavioral-developmental stage must be achieved, and failure to recognize this may be a major contributing factor to the rise of terrorism and crime in a society. In a war-like situation, an occupying country's attempts to have the conquered country skip behavioral-developmental stages will fail more often than not. This will possibly result in negative sentiment and terrorist behavior among those in the occupied country. Terrorism is an omnipresent condition worldwide. It is common for non-scholarly observers to not know that terrorist attack lethality is now extremely low. Terrorist attacks are often constituted by suicide bombings, which makes them relatively difficult and costly to perform. Remote controlled detonators already exist but they are not used in the Middle East. In the future, terrorists likely have access to not only biological weapons, but also small and easily transportable nuclear weapons which can be smuggled across the world. It is for these reasons that this article was written, to address these problems from an adult developmental perspective. An adult developmental perspective is useful for several reasons. One of the problems is that terrorists are not the same as conventional armies. They do not have a central location so conventional wars against them do not show the same promise. With the Internet and its successors, the difficulty to organize terrorist activities worldwide has decreased drastically. At the moment, many of the attacks are suicidal, but there is no reason to believe that is necessary given remote detonation devices are widely available. This article addresses the larger issue of how to manage and reduce conflict between terrorists and their targets. The approaches for the most part are based on adult behavioral-developmental stage theories. The history of the behavioral-developmental stage theory harks back to Piaget as well as Kohlberg and his students such as Kegan, Selman and Commons. The article provides a systematic framework for viewing many present suggestions that abound in the policy area. What is different is these authors provide a behavioral-developmental-stage diagnostic means for deciding what actions are appropriate for a society and a terrorist group at a given time.
Engine classification using vibrations measured by laser Doppler vibrometer on different surfaces

In our previous studies, vehicle surfaces’ vibrations caused by operating engines measured by Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) have been effectively exploited in order to classify vehicles of different types, e.g., vans, 2-door sedans, 4-door sedans, trucks, and buses, as well as different types of engines, such as Inline-four engines, V-6 engines, 1-axle diesel engines, and 2-axle diesel engines. The results are achieved by employing methods based on an array of machine learning classifiers such as AdaBoost, random forests, neural network, and support vector machines. To achieve effective classification performance, we seek to find a more reliable approach to pick authentic vibrations of vehicle engines from a trustworthy surface. Compared with vibrations directly taken from the uncooperative vehicle surfaces that are rigidly connected to the engines, these vibrations are much weaker in magnitudes. In this work we conducted a systematic study on different types of objects. We tested different types of engines ranging from electric shavers, electric fans, and coffee machines among different surfaces such as a white board, cement wall, and steel case to investigate the characteristics of the LDV signals of these surfaces, in both the time and spectral domains. Preliminary results in engine classification using several machine learning algorithms point to the right direction on the choice of type of object surfaces to be planted for LDV measurements.
P93 The medical and surgical management of raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in children: a challenging ophthalmology case

Background Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in adults. In children, while it is much less common it is even more challenging to diagnose, monitor and treat. Case 7 year old SA presented with headache on a background of Eczema and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis. Full work up was normal, including Lumbar Puncture and CT Brain. He was poorly compliant with topical steroids prescribed for a Keratoconjunctivitis flare. On examination during Ophthalmology review, SA had conjunctival injection with corneal punctate erosions consistent with ocular surface disease. Exam was otherwise normal but difficult to perform due to photosensitivity. Symptoms improved with topical steroids, which were tapered with close monitoring as an outpatient. At two months IOPs were elevated. Steroids were discontinued and pressure reducing drops commenced. Mild hypertension was measured on subsequent visits. SA re-presented with acute photophobia and left frontal headache. IOPs were elevated at 60 mmHg (left) and 45 mmHg (right). Acetazolamide and Mannitol were administered intravenously. During examination under anaesthetic (EUA), pressure in left eye measured 34 mmHg and normal in right. The sclerae were extremely hardened. Pigment and fibrin were noted in the left anterior chamber. Left cup:disc ratio was 0.3, significantly greater than 0.1 in the right, with normal fundi. He was diagnosed with scleritis and anterior uveitis. Investigations for causes of uveitis were all negative; including Anterior Chamber Paracentesis (Herpes Simplex), MRI Brain (Vasculitis), Quantiferon Gold (Tuberculosis), Syphilis, Lyme and Bartonella serology, ANCA, serum ACE, Chest XRay. Treatment comprised oral Prednisolone, topical steroids, Acetazolamide, Latanoprost, Timolol and Dorzolamide. Inflammation resolved, pressure was reasonably controlled. Glaucoma surgery is likely to fail in the presence of active or recent inflammation, so surgical management was postponed. Despite maximum medical management SA presented a third time with raised IOP. He was brought to theatre urgently. Ahmed Valve was inserted into his left eye. Bilateral scleral calcification led to difficult valve insertion. His formal diagnosis is Idiopathic Nodular Scleritis, Intraocular Inflammation and Left Uveitic Glaucoma. Conclusion Management of childhood glaucoma and uveitis is challenging especially in rare conditions such as this. SA’s IOP is controlled, although accurate monitoring remains challenging. Rigid thickened corneas lead to falsely elevated pressures. SA developed astigmatism due to nodular scleritis involving the peripheral cornea. No progression of optic disc cupping was noted at further EUA. Despite a difficult clinical course, SA is currently asymptomatic on tapering doses of steroids and Adalizumab, enjoying an improved quality of life.
The Role of Healthcare Worker-Mediated Contact Networks in the Transmission of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci.

Background User- and time-stamped data from hospital electronic health records (EHRs) present opportunities to evaluate how healthcare worker (HCW)-mediated contact networks impact transmission of multidrug-resistant pathogens, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Methods This is a retrospective analysis of incident acquisitions of VRE between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018. Clinical and demographic patient data were extracted from the hospital EHR system, including all recorded HCW contacts with patients. Contacts by an HCW with 2 different patients within 1 hour was considered a "connection". Incident VRE acquisition was determined by positive clinical or surveillance cultures collected ≥72 hours after a negative surveillance culture. Results There were 2952 hospitalizations by 2364 patients who had ≥2 VRE surveillance swabs, 112 (4.7%) patients of which had incident nosocomial acquisitions. Patients had a median of 24 (interquartile range [IQR], 18-33) recorded HCW contacts per day, 9 (IQR, 5-16) of which, or approximately 40%, were connections that occurred <1 hour after another patient contact. Patients that acquired VRE had a higher average number of daily connections to VRE-positive patients (3.1 [standard deviation {SD}, 2.4] versus 2.0 [SD, 2.1]). Controlling for other risk factors, connection to a VRE-positive patient was associated with increased odds of acquiring VRE (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.92). Conclusions We demonstrated that EHR data can be used to quantify the impact of HCW-mediated patient connections on transmission of VRE in the hospital. Defining incident acquisition risk of multidrug-resistant organisms through HCWs connections from EHR data in real-time may aid implementation and evaluation of interventions to contain their spread.
Quasar X-ray and UV flux, baryon acoustic oscillation, and Hubble parameter measurement constraints on cosmological model parameters

We use the Risaliti & Lusso (2015) compilation of 808 X-ray and UV flux measurements of quasars (QSOs) in the redshift range $0.061 \leq z \leq 6.28$, alone and in conjuction with baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) and Hubble parameter [$H(z)$] measurements, to constrain cosmological parameters in six cosmological models. The QSO data constraints are significantly weaker than, but consistent with, those from the $H(z)$ + BAO data. A joint analysis of the QSO + $H(z)$ + BAO data is consistent with the current standard model, spatially-flat $\Lambda$CDM, but mildly favors closed spatial hypersurfaces and dynamical dark energy.
Students and Management Perspective on Service Quality and Integrated Marketing Communication: Descriptive Analysis on Indonesian Private Universities

To formulate aggressive marketing strategies, the quality of service and marketing communication tools must provide a meaningful and consistent message. Service quality is gaining substantial respect in service marketing literature and higher education services. Aggressive marketing strategies among private universities have enabled these institutes to become marketing-oriented as students are considered consumers, therefore universities can expand their marketing efforts through improved service quality and consistent marketing communication in the form of Integrated Marketing Communication. This paper provides multiple-perspective (staff and student) descriptive analysis in evaluating service quality along with the importance of integrated marketing communication. The data from 34 universities (management perspective) and 5 large-sized universities (student perspective) was collected, analyzed, and compared using meaningful graphs providing significant conclusions. The paper concludes by providing suggestions, to private universities in Indonesia to efficiently and effectively incorporate service quality and integrated marketing communication in their action plans to improve their ranking and services that they promise to provide their current and prospective students.
Translational research education and training needs in Hawai'i.

The purpose of this needs assessment was to identify the translational research education and training needs of researchers and administrators working in Hawai‘i's communities and to use the finding to develop an education and training plan. The assessment was led by a community advisory board with members from community health centers, social agencies, hospitals, and academia on O‘ahu. The survey, developed with input of the community advisory board, was sent to 94 administrators and researchers involved or affiliated with research being conducted in Hawai‘i. Forty-one respondents (43%) completed the survey. Respondents wanted education and training in research processes, specific research-related skills, and facilitating interactions between community and academic researchers. Sixty-one percent were interested in training related to community-engaged research and yearly seminars on “collaborative mentoring.” Popular topics of interest were related to data monitoring, networking with different cultural groups, statistics, and human subjects review. A majority of respondents wanted to attend workshops, seminars, and presentations rather than take a class. Approximately 50% of the respondents wanted to gain information through on-line training. Findings guided the development of a translational research education and training plan for the University of Hawai‘i National Institute of Health (NIH) Research Centers in Minority Institutions Multidisciplinary and Translational Research Infrastructure Expansion (RMATRIX) grant.
Eck: Epithelial cell kinase (vertebrates)

Eck is a transmembrane protein, with a structure typical of receptor PTKs, which is likely to be a receptor for one or more extracellular ligand(s). Eck is part of a large family, with at least 17 members, of closely related putative receptor PTKs whose ligands are in a family related to B61. The prototypic member of this family is Eph. The physiological role of Eck, which is expressed most highly in epithelial cells, has not yet been determined. There is only one known form of Eck, but an extensive search for alternatively spliced forms has not been conducted. No other protein is stably associated but, like other receptor PTKs, Eck presumably dimerizes when ligand binds. There are three predicted N-linked glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain of Eck. No tyrosine or serine phosphorylation sites have been identified in Eck. However, like all receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, Eck autophosphorylates on tyrosine.
Enabling Energy Demand Response with Vehicular Mesh Networks

Inter-vehicle communication is becoming increasingly important in recent years. Traditional research efforts on vehicular networks have been put into safety or infotainment applications. In this article, we propose a Vehicular Mesh network (VMesh) to inter-connect disjoint sensor networks and act as a data transit net work. Our VMesh networks are designed to provide a low cost, high fidelity, scalable, and fault resilient solution for data collections and disseminations. Preliminary simulation results based on a random mobility model show that the system has better performance when mobile routers are allowed to talk to peers. Mobile router density and transmission ranges dominate the simulation results. When the router density is high and/or transmission range is large, the data success rate will be high and latency will be small. There also exists a critical value of transmission ranges. There are no significant performance improvements once this critical value is reached.
Relations between Continuous Performance Test performance measures and ADHD behaviors.

The Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a neuropsychological task that has repeatedly been shown to differentiate ADHD from normal groups. Several variables may be derived from the Conners' CPT including errors of omission and commission, mean hit reaction time(RT), mean hit RT standard error, d', and β. What each CPT parameter actually assesses has largely been based upon clinical assumptions and the face validity of each measure (e.g., omission errors measure inattention, commission errors measure impulsivity). This study attempts to examine relations between various CPT variables and phenotypic behaviors so as to better understand the various CPT variables. An epidemiological sample of 817 children was administered the Conners' CPT. Diagnostic interviews were conducted with parents to determine ADHD symptom profiles for all children. Children diagnosed with ADHD had more variable RTs, made more errors of commission and omission, and demonstrated poorer perceptual sensitivity than nondiagnosed children. Regarding specific symptoms, generalized estimating equations (GEE) and ANCOVAs were conducted to determine specific relationships between the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms and 6 CPT parameters. CPT performance measures demonstrated significant relationships to ADHD symptoms but did not demonstrate symptom domain specificity according to a priori assumptions. Overall performance on the two signal detection measures, d' and β, was highly related to all ADHD symptoms across symptom domains. Further, increased variability in RTs over time was related to most ADHD symptoms. Finally, it appears that at least 1 CPT variable, mean hit RT, is minimally related to ADHD symptoms as a whole, but does demonstrate some specificity in its link with symptoms of hyperactivity.
Generalized computation algorithm for static output feedback pole-assignment

A generalized computation algorithm for obtaining static output feedback pole-assignment, is presented in a Grassmann space framework. It is shown that such a Grassmannian computation algorithm is natural and general with respect to intrinsic nonlinear features of output feedback pole-assignment, when compared with conventional algorithms based on a state space approach. Examples are provided to illustrate advantages over conventional computation algorithms.
Thermal resistance measurements of microwave devices

Temperature influences strongly the electrical behaviour of semiconductor devices, affecting their d.c. characteristics as well as small and large-signal parameters. To determine the junction temperature under thermal steady-state conditions, its thermal resistance has to be known. This paper describes briefly the experimental set-up and procedures developed at the GMA which permit such characterisation of various semiconductor devices including microwave types. As shown in the experimental example, high sensitivity and accuracy of the presented method enables comparative measurements, yielding the thermal resistance value of microwave planar mounting structures.
Pyrosulfurylchlorid und Chlorsulfonsäure

Die Untersuchungen fruherer Forscher uber die Einwirkung von Schwefeltrioxyd auf gewisse Chloride wurden in moglichster Kurze zusammengestellt und die erhaltenen Resultate zu einer Tabelle zusammengefast.
Six weeks of antibiotic treatment is sufficient following surgery for septic arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: In the treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJI), the benefit of antibiotic therapy for more than 6 weeks after surgery is uncertain. We compared PJI cure rates according to the duration of antibiotics, 6 versus 12 weeks. METHODS: A prospective observational non-randomized study in Geneva University Hospitals 1996-2007. RESULTS: A total of 144 PJI (62 hip arthroplasties, 62 knee arthroplasties, and 20 hip hemiarthroplasties) were included with a prolonged follow-up ranging from 26 to 65 months. Surgical treatment included 60 debridements with implant retention, 10 one-stage exchanges of the prosthesis, 57 two-stage exchanges, and 17 Girdlestone procedures or knee arthrodeses. Seventy episodes (49%) received 6 weeks antibiotic therapy and 74 episodes, 12 weeks. Cure was achieved in 115 episodes (80%). Cure rate did not change according to the duration of intravenous antibiotics (>8 days, 8-21 days, >21 days) (Kruskal-Wallis-test; p = 0.37). In multivariate analysis, none of the following parameters was statistically significantly associated with cure: two-stage exchange (odds ratio 1.1,95%CI 0.2-4.8); number of debridements (0.9, 0.4-1.9); six weeks antibiotherapy (2.7, 0.96-8.3); duration of intravenous course (1.0, 0.96-1.03); sinus tract (0.6, 0.2-1.7); or MRSA infection (0.5, 0.2-1.5), although implant retention showed a tendency for less cure (0.3, 0.1-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Following surgery for treatment of PJI, antibiotic therapy appears able to be limited to a 6-week course, with one week of intravenous administration. This approach needs confirmation in randomized trials.
Huygens's clocks

The 336–year–old synchronization observations of Christiaan Huygens are re–examined in modern experiments. A simple model of synchronization is proposed.
Contrasting diastereofacial selectivity associated with N-phenyltriazolinedione cycloadditions to oxaspirocycloheptatrienes.

The cycloaddition of N-phenyltriazolinedione to a pair of spirocyclic cycloheptatrienes featuring a tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydropyran ring is shown to proceed with opposite π-facial stereoselectivity. In addition, the furan undergoes direct [4+2] cycloaddition to the cycloheptatriene whereas the pyran product is a diazetidine.
Dialogue and revelation in the thought of Martin Buber

Central to Buber's philosophy of I-Thou is his understanding of the related notions of dialogue and revelation and his espousal of a non-propositional account of revelation framed in the language and structure of personal dialogical encounter. The consequent re-interpretation of revelation in this form has been widely influential in contemporary theological circles, especially among those theologians and philosophers of religion broadly known as existentialists. However, the wide dissemination and influence of this position does not guarantee its validity. This paper will try to show that the dialogical account of revelation, at least in the form given it by Buber, is logically and philosophically deficient, being based on a set of misleading analogies between inter-human and Divine-human relations.
Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of equine mesenchymal stem cells on biodegradable biomimetic tubular bacterial cellulose composites

We have recently reported that native bacterial cellulose (BC) with randomly oriented nanofibers supports in vitro proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of equine bone marrow-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells (EqMSCs). The objective of this study was to develop biodegradable calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CdHA) tubular bacterial cellulose (BC-TS) composites with oriented nanofibers to mimic the hydroxyapatite minerals and inherent oriented collagen fibers in native bone for in vivo application. The biocompatible gel-like BC-TS was synthesized using the bacterium Gluconacetobacter sucrofermentans under static culture in oxygen-permeable silicone tubes. The BC-TS scaffolds were modified using a periodate oxidation to yield biodegradable scaffolds. To mimic bone tissue, the BC-TSs were mineralized with CdHA. The morphological property of the resulting composites was characterized in addition to their ability to support and maintain EqMSCs growth, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. The BC-TS exhibited oriented nanofibril structures with excellent mechanical properties. MTS assay demonstrated increasing proliferation and viability with time (days 1, 2 and 3). Cell-scaffold constructs were cultured for 8 days under osteogenic conditions and the resulting osteocytes were positive for alizarin red. In summary, biocompatible and biodegradable biomimetic BC-TS composites support the proliferation, viability and osteogenic differentiation of EqMSCs cultured onto its surface in vitro, allowing for future potential use for tissue engineering therapies.
Rhenium tricarbonyl core complexes of thymidine and uridine derivatives.

Thymidine and uridine were modified at the C2‘ and C5‘ ribose positions to form amine analogues of the nucleosides (1 and 4). Direct amination with NaBH(OAc)3 in DCE with the appropriate aldehydes yielded 1-{5-[(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl}-5-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (L1), 1-{5-[(bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl}-5-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (L2), and 1-[3-(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (L5), while standard coupling procedures of 1 and 4 with 5-(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)pentanoic acid (2) and 5-(bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amino)pentanoic acid (3) in the presence of HOBT-EDCI in DMF provided a second novel series of bifunctional chelators: 5-(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)pentanoic acid [(3-hydroxy-5-(5-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl] amide (L3), 5-(bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amino)pentanoic acid [(3-hydroxy-5-(5-me...
OXPHOS-Mediated Induction of NAD+ Promotes Complete Oxidation of Fatty Acids and Interdicts Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

OXPHOS is believed to play an important role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), however, precise mechanisms whereby OXPHOS influences lipid homeostasis are incompletely understood. We previously reported that ectopic expression of LRPPRC, a protein that increases cristae density and OXPHOS, promoted fatty acid oxidation in cultured primary hepatocytes. To determine the biological significance of that observation and define underlying mechanisms, we have ectopically expressed LRPPRC in mouse liver in the setting of NAFLD. Interestingly, ectopic expression of LRPPRC in mouse liver completely interdicted NAFLD, including inflammation. Consistent with mitigation of NAFLD, two markers of hepatic insulin resistance—ROS and PKCe activity—were both modestly reduced. As reported by others, improvement of NAFLD was associated with improved whole-body insulin sensitivity. Regarding hepatic lipid homeostasis, the ratio of NAD+ to NADH was dramatically increased in mouse liver replete with LRPPRC. Pharmacological activators and inhibitors of the cellular respiration respectively increased and decreased the [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio, indicating respiration-mediated control of the [NAD+]/[NADH] ratio. Supporting a prominent role for NAD+, increasing the concentration of NAD+ stimulated complete oxidation of fatty acids. Importantly, NAD+ rescued impaired fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes deficient for either OXPHOS or SIRT3. These data are consistent with a model whereby augmented hepatic OXPHOS increases NAD+, which in turn promotes complete oxidation of fatty acids and protects against NAFLD.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery in children

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) has been proven to be safe and effective for various urological procedures in children, including pyeloplasty, orchiopexy, nephrectomy, and bladder augmentation. The robot system enables delicate and precise movements, which are ideal for the types of reconstructive surgeries that children with urological issues often require, overcoming many of the impediments associated with the conventional laparoscopic approach. RALS helps the relative novice to perform fine surgical techniques and is thought to reduce the learning curve associated with some surgical techniques, such as intracorporeal suturing, owing to the improved freedom of movement of the surgical instruments, the ergonomic positioning of the surgeon, and the 3D vision provided by the robotic system. Given the favourable safety profile and associated benefits of the robot system, including reductions in mean postoperative hospital stay compared with conventional procedures, RALS is becoming more widely adopted by paediatric urologists.
Pretreatment with β-endorphin facilitates the attenuation of δ-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception caused by δ-opioid receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pretreatment of male ICR mice with β-endorphin (0.6 nmol) or intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to δ-opioid receptor mRNA (163 pmol) alone given 24 h earlier did not have any effect on i.t. administered δ-opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala2]deltorphin II (6.4 nmol)-induced antinociception. However, a concomitant i.c.v. pretreatments with β-endorphin (0.08–0.6 nmol) and i.t. pretreatment with δ-opioid receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (163 pmol) for 24 h dose-dependently attenuated i.t. challenged [d-Ala2]deltorphin II-induced antinociception. A concomitant i.c.v. pretreatment with μ-opioid receptor agonist [d-Ala2,N MePhe4,Gly(ol)5]enkephalin (DAMGO) or κ-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H and i.t. pretreatment with δ-opioid receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for 24 h did not affect i.t. challenged [d-Ala2]deltorphin II-induced antinociception. β-Endorphin given supraspinally has been documented to release [Met5]enkephalin acting on δ-opioid receptors in the spinal cord. Our results indicate that supraspinal pretreatment with β-endorphin selectively causes a loss of spinal δ-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception in mice receiving δ-opioid receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide.
Transforming growth factor-β increases vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through the Smad3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways

Introduction We have previously demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the presence of elevated levels of Smad3, its primary signaling protein, stimulates rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and intimal hyperplasia. The mechanism is partly through the nuclear exportation of phosphorylated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27. The objective of this study is to clarify the downstream pathways through which Smad3 produces its proliferative effect. Specifically, we evaluated the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in TGF-β–induced VSMC proliferation. Methods Cultured rat aortic VSMCs were incubated with TGF-β at varying concentrations and times, and phosphorylated ERK was measured by Western blotting. Smad3 was enhanced in VSMCs using an adenovirus expressing Smad3 or inhibited with small interfering RNA (siRNA). For in vivo experiments, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent carotid balloon injury, followed by intraluminal infection with an adenovirus expressing Smad3. Arteries were harvested at 3 days and subjected to immunohistochemistry for Smad3, phospho-ERK MAPK, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Results In cultured VSMCs, TGF-β induced activation and phosphorylation of ERK MAPK in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. Overexpression of the signaling protein Smad3 enhanced TGF-β-induced activation of ERK MAPK, whereas inhibition of Smad3 with a siRNA blocked ERK MAPK phosphorylation in response to TGF-β. These data suggest that Smad3 acts as a signaling intermediate between TGF-β and ERK MAPK. Inhibition of ERK MAPK activation with PD98059 completely blocked the ability of TGF-β/Smad3 to stimulate VSMC proliferation, demonstrating the importance of ERK MAPK in this pathway. Immunoprecipitation of phospho-ERK MAPK and blotting with Smad3 revealed a physical association, suggesting that activation of ERK MAPK by Smad3 requires a direct interaction. In an in vivo rat carotid injury model, overexpression of Smad3 resulted in an increase in phosphorylated ERK MAPK as well as increased VSMC proliferation as measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a mechanism through which TGF-β stimulates VSMC proliferation. Although TGF-β has been traditionally identified as an inhibitor of proliferation, our data suggest that TGF-β enhances VSMC proliferation through a Smad3/ERK MAPK signaling pathway. These findings at least partly explain the mechanism by which TGF-β enhances intimal hyperplasia. Knowledge of this pathway provides potential novel targets that may be used to prevent restenosis.
A lead isotope method for the accurate dating of disturbed geologic systems: numerical demonstrations, some applications and implications

Abstract Lead isotopes are compared in two equivalent diagrams. With a range in U/Pb, a closed system that evolved its radiogenic Pb in a single stage yields data that define a line of exactly the same age in the two presentations. This strict reproducibility (within ± a few 10 6 yr, at most) is the crux of the concept of Pb-isotope synchronism . In contrast, an open system produces data that disperse variably in the two diagrams, yielding ages which are often different by ≫10 7 yr. However, because an age-calculation reconciles uncertainty in the age with the degree of dispersion in the data, a highly disturbed system yields false ages (from both diagrams), which nevertheless overlap within the calculated errors. This dichotomy (tightly reproduced linearity of a closed system vs. loosely correlated dispersion of an open one) is exploited in a new procedure, termed differential Pb correlation . This procedure allows filtering the data, so that an imperfect isochron may be improved or an invisible one may be identified within a dispersion field. Applying the synchronism method to the whole rock Pb isotopic data on the Amitsoq gneisses results in their resolution into three synchronous lines, yielding the single-stage ages of 4.42, 3.74 and 3.45 Ga. In an attempt to reconcile this observation with geology, the mechanisms which may have produced these lines ( multi-stage lineation ) are explored. In addition, the possibility that the 4.42-Ga line is an actual isochron, and that vestiges of an ancient terrestrial crust of that age exist, are contemplated in some detail. The utility of the method is further demonstrated by application to meteorites as well as terrestrial rocks. Isochrons of crustal rocks intersect with each other as subgroups in multiple places (that is, at multiple Pb isotope values). This indicates the apparent existence of terrestrial reservoirs distinct in isotopic composition from each other. One of these reservoirs, characterized by a low (U/ 204 Pb) = 4 may represent a depleted complement to the U-enriched source(s) of the ocean-island basalt (OIB). If so, then the so-called “Pb paradox” may no longer exist.
Thrombus characterization with intravascular ultrasound: potential to predict successful thrombolysis.

Purpose:To define analysis methods using radiofrequency (RF) data from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to characterize thrombus so that the success or failure of thrombolysis can be predicted.Metho...
An Effect of Price Changes in the Harrod-Domar Model

I. Introduction, 459. — II. The model, 461. — III. The stability of the normal-employment growth path, 463. — IV. Concluding remarks, 466. — Appendix, 468.
Informetric distributions, part II: Resilience to ambiguity

This article continues the discussion of the informetric distributions begun in a companion paper. In the earlier paper, the informetric distributions were introduced and found to be variants of a single distribution. It was suggested that this might be explained in terms of that distribution being unusually resilient to ambiguity. In this paper the notion of resilience to ambiguity is made precise. By way of introduction, a number of simple examples of resilience, taken from the social sciences, are discussed. This approach is then applied to the informetric distributions themselves. It is argued that the form taken by the informetric regularities does indeed make them insensitive to the wide range of ambiguities that occur when measuring the output of social activity, and that this ubiquitous form is unusual in having this property. © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of the Therapeutic Alliance with Clinician (TAC) Questionnaire

As part of a broader study aimed at evaluating perceived alliance with service providers and level of satisfaction with services received, 103 monolingual Spanish speaking Hispanic women were interviewed. Participants were receiving ongoing behavioral health treatment at three different community service provider sites located in the greater New Haven area in Connecticut. These sites included a community health center (n = 40), a community behavioral health center (n = 40), and a faith-based agency (n = 23). As part of this study, the English version of the Therapeutic Alliance with Clinician (TAC) questionnaire was translated into Spanish and administered to our sample of Hispanic women. Results on the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the TAC are presented in this article.
Functional and physical object characteristics and object recognition in improvisation

Abstract Improvisation is a task which requires the problem solver to identify a situation, its constraints, and the capabilities of available objects. Since problem solvers rarely have specific information about the properties of the objects they see, they must somehow attribute "properties" to objects based on their experiences. In this paper, the relationship between the physical properties of an object, its functional representation, and its use in problem solving will be explored. A representation construct called a property attribute is used to represent functional properties attributed to an object in the context of successful functional application. Attributes can be used in problem-solving contexts to aid in object recognition. An overview of the Functional Ontology for Naive Mechanics (FONM) representation model and theoretical examples illustrating the application of attributes to object recognition and problem solving are presented.
The ugly grammarian

The histoty of the words ‘grammar’ and ‘grammarian’ tells us a great deal about attitudes to grammar and grammarians.
Torsion of an extralobar pulmonary sequestration: A rare cause of acute chest & flank pain in an adolescent

Abstract Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation with varied presentation, most commonly discovered antenatally or after evaluation for recurrent pneumonia. The current report describes the case of an adolescent female with an extralobar pulmonary sequestration (ELS) who presented with chest and flank pain due to torsion. Clinical, radiologic, operative and pathologic findings are reviewed. This entity is rare and specific radiologic findings may be absent, therefore a high index of suspicion for a sequestration should be maintained in the appropriate clinical setting.
Aluminum and copper in drinking water enhance inflammatory or oxidative events specifically in the brain.

Inflammatory and oxidative events are up-regulated in the brain of AD patients. It has been reported that in animal models of AD, exposure to aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu) enhanced oxidative events and accumulation of amyloid beta (Ah) peptides. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a 3-month exposure of mice to copper sulfate (8 AM), aluminum lactate (10 or 100 AM), or a combination of the salts. Results suggest that although Al or Cu may independently initiate inflammatory or oxidative events, they may function cooperatively to increase APP levels. D 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Preventive Health Behaviors Among Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren

Objectives. We examined differential preventive health behavior among grandmothers who recently began raising a grandchild, grandmothers raising a grandchild for at least 2 years, and grandmothers not raising a grandchild. Methods. Data came from the 2000, 2002, and 2004 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We ran multivariate logistic regression models to assess receipt of influenza vaccination, cholesterol screening, monthly breast self-exam, mammography, and Papanicolaou (Pap) tests among grandmothers aged 50 to 75. Results. Grandmothers who recently began raising a grandchild were significantly less likely to report influenza vaccination and cholesterol screening than grandmothers not raising grandchildren, even after we controlled for increased emotional and financial strains within the household. We also observed this association for Pap tests, although this finding was only marginally significant. Grandmothers who had been raising a grandchild for at least 2 years were significantly more likely to report influenza vaccination and monthly breast self-exam than grandmothers not raising grandchildren. Discussion. The enhancement of preventive behavior seen among long-term grandparent caregivers does not fully offset the suppression of preventive behavior during the transition into care; support groups should target a range of interventions toward the promotion of healthy behavior among new grandparent caregivers.
Propagator model including multipole fields for discrete random media

A propagator model using Feynman diagrams is presented for studying the first and the second moments of the electromagnetic field in a discrete random medium. The major difference between our work and previous treatments of this type is that all diagrams are in a basis of vector spherical functions. Each propagator or infinite-medium Green’s function is the translation matrix for spherical functions, and each scatterer is characterized by a T matrix that, in turn, is a representation of the Green’s function of the scatterer in a basis of spherical functions. All orders of multipoles are formally retained, in contrast to previous work involving the dipole approximation. Partial resummations of the scattering diagrams are shown to be related to the quasi-crystalline approximation and the first-order smoothing approximation. The lowest-order term of the ladder approximation for the incoherent intensity is evaluated. Sample numerical results are presented and compared with available experimental results.
Pyrolysis of ethanol coproducts

The need for new value-added applications for ethanol coproducts grows as the U.S. ethanol industry continues to expand. Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten meal (CGM), and corn gluten feed (CGF) are the primary coproducts of ethanol manufacturing and are mainly utilized as animal feed. This study examined the use of pyrolysis to extract value from these grains. Characterization of the resulting bio-oil and bio-char included mass density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, apparent viscosity, kinematic viscosity, and energy content. The bio-oils produced from these ethanol coproducts require some changes to be used commercially. The tar present in the crude bio-oils caused them to have densities greater than one, and caused the oil viscosity to be shear thinning. The pH of these bio-oils is less acidic and thus more favorable than other bio-oils which could be due to the differences in the feedstock composition.
The effect of parental authority on the preschool child's self‐concept

The relationship between the preschool child's self‐concept and the parents use of authority was examined. The Brown IDS ‐‐ Self‐Concept Test was administered to 81 preschool children and the Gordon's “Use of Parental Authority” was administered to the parents of the children. A strong relationship was found between boys self‐concept and the mothers use of control. The mothers who used more control had boys with the higher self‐concept. More control was advocated by parents of girls than parents of boys. Both mothers and fathers self‐concept and the self‐concept of their daughters and sons were strongly related.
Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic Tectonic Aspects of the Atlantic Coastal Margin

Data from the middle and northern Atlantic Coastal Plain of the United States and continental slope show that the dominant filling of the Atlantic margin geosyncline occurred in pre-latest Cretaceous time with only thin additions of Cenozoic strata. The influx of significant amounts of detrital material into the offshore areas had largely ceased by latest Cretaceous time, was essentially absent in the early Cenozoic, but increased considerably in the Miocene, indicating a rejuvenation of the Appalachian source area. Basin migration continued throughout the Cenozoic, and the Miocene and Eocene strata are used to illustrate the shifting of the loci of deposition. The distributions of the strata indicate that local to regional tectonic movements are responsible. Comparison with the Gulf Coast geosyncline shows that, although features such as sedimentary thickness, evaporites, and volcanic materials are generally similar between the two margins, major differences in time of filling and regional tectonic movements exist.
Local intranasal immunotherapy for ragweed allergic rhinitis. II. Immunologic response.

Abstract Local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) was administered in a double-blind study to 67 subjects. Twenty-three received an unmodified ragweed extract (RW), 24 received a glutaraldehyde polymer of ragweed extract (PRW), and 21 received placebo. Serum ragweed-specific IgE (S-IgE), ragweed-specific nasal secretory (NS-) IgE, secretory IgA (SIgA) and IgG, and NS-albumin were measured. RW therapy caused a significant increase in ragweed-specific S-IgE (p
The CIO's chief concern: communication

Abstract Because they discuss complex issues with top management and business unit managers who are often outside the information system function, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) must be able to communicate clearly, without overusing technical jargon. This study, employing empirical research, presents both quantitative and qualitative information about five CIOs in five industry types. Each CIO was observed for one week to determine his work activities. Observations took place over a period of 215 work hours. A narrative of events, conversations, and mail was also maintained to assist with a qualitative analysis of the observations. The qualitative section of the study describes and analyzes metaphors used by the CIOs. By explaining complex issues metaphorically, the CIOs were able to convey ideas effectively and powerfully to a variety of functional managers.