cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contextualizing Evidence-Based Approaches for Treating Traumatic Life Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Responses Among Sexual Minority Men

Sexual minority men (SMM), including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, experience disproportionately high rates of trauma, including childhood sexual abuse (CSA), intimate partner violence, and chronic trauma in the form of stigma and discrimination. In this chapter we will (1) broadly explore trauma including types of trauma impacting SMM, (e.g., CSA, intimate partner violence, stigma, and discrimination); (2) briefly review existing evidence-based trauma treatments and their limitations for SMM; (3) present a treatment rationale, description, and preliminary results for cognitive behavioral therapy for trauma and self-care (CBT-TSC), an intervention that aims to address trauma and sexual health concerns among SMM; and (4) discuss implications of and future directions for CBT-TSC.
A Comparison of Single-Incision Versus Multiport Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Children.

Background: Although single-incision endoscopic splenectomy (SIES-Sp) has been shown to be feasible and safe, few have compared the SIES-Sp with multiport laparoscopic splenectomy (MPLS). The purpo...
High concordance between self-collected nasal swabs and saliva samples for detection of SARS-CoV-2

Background: Shortages of swabs and transport medium for sample collection have made identification of SARS-CoV-2 infections challenging We examined the agreement in SARS-CoV-2 detection between two types of self-collected samples: nasal swabs (NS) and saliva (SA) Methods: Paired daily self-collected NS and SA samples were collected in May 2020 in an ongoing case-ascertained study of SARS-CoV-2 household transmission in Nashville, TN After informed consent was obtained, index cases and household members were remotely trained in the self-collection of daily nasal swabs (from both nares and preserved in transport medium) and saliva samples (participants were asked to spit in a sterile urine cup approximately 6 times during a minute) Samples were refrigerated in closed double bags and delivered to the laboratory within ∼72-96 hours of collection NS and SA samples were tested using qRT-PCR at a research laboratory We computed the agreement in detections between sample types using the McNemar test and compared median qRT-PCR cycle threshold (CT) values between sample types for 2 targets (SARS-CoV-2-N1 and SARS-CoV-2-N2) using a Wilcoxon signed rank test Bland-Altman plots were used to visually inspect agreement between NS and SA CT values Results: Among 144 self-collected samples (72 pairs) from 13 unique participants (5 index cases and 8 household members), there were 30 pairs with concordant positive detections in both sample types, 35 with concordant negative detections in both samples, 1 pair with positive NS only, and 6 pairs with positive SA only The overall agreement between NS and SA was 90 3% (p=0 1) The median SARS-CoV-2-N1 CT value for NS samples was 33 3 (interquartile range: 30 2-35 3) and for SA samples was 30 5 (29 8-33 3, p=0 04);the median CT value for SARS-CoV-2-N2 was 34 4 (31 5-37 5) and 31 5 (30 4-34 9), respectively (p=0 01) Bland-Altman plots indicated that most observations were contained within the limits of agreement but suggested NS tended to have higher CT values than SA samples (Figures) Conclusion: Self-collection of saliva samples provides a simple, non-invasive, and practical strategy for identification of SARS-CoV-2 infections (Figure Presented)
SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure: Guide for Prescribing and Future Perspectives

Heart failure is responsible for a significant part of diabetes-associated cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are novel agents approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus; in recent clinical trials, these agents have shown a significant reduction in cardiovascular death and hospitalization secondary to heart failure. Clinical trials with specific heart failure outcomes have shown the benefit of SGLT-2 inhibitors in reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with heart failure. The guidelines for the management of diabetes mellitus recommend the preferential use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. SGLT-2 inhibitors are potential game changers in the treatment of heart failure. Guidelines for prescription of these agents help assess risk-benefit analysis and personalize treatment for maximal benefit.
Mild hypothermia versus normothermia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Abstract Objective Temperature during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for cardiac surgery has been controversial. The aim of the current study is to compare the outcomes for patients with mild hypothermia versus normothermic CPB temperatures. Methods All patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB and temperatures ≥32°C from 2011 to 2018 were included, which consisted of mild hypothermia (32°C-35°C) and normothermia (>35°C) cohorts. Propensity matching (1:1) was performed for risk adjustment. Primary outcomes included operative and long-term survival. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. Results A total of 6525 patients comprised 2 cohorts: mild hypothermia (32°C-35°C; n = 3148) versus normothermia (>35°C; n = 3377). Following adjustment for surgeon preference, there were 1601 propensity-matched patients who had similar baseline characteristics (standard mean difference, ≤0.10), including CPB time, crossclamp time, and intra-aortic balloon pump placement. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in long-term survival (82.6% vs 81.6%; P = .81). Over a median follow-up of 4.4 years, there were no differences in overall mortality (18.1% vs 18.1%; P = 1.1) or readmission (50.3% vs 48.3%; P = .2). Acute renal failure (3.7% vs 2.4%; P = .03) and intensive care unit hours (46.5 vs 45.1; P = .04) were significantly higher with hypothermia. There was no difference between cohorts for postoperative stroke (2.0% vs 2.0%; P = 1.0), reoperation (5.9% vs 6.0%; P = .9), or operative intra-aortic balloon pump placement (1.7% vs 1.8%; P = .9). Conclusions Patients with mild hypothermia during CPB had increased postoperative renal failure and length of intensive care unit stay. Although there was no difference in long-term survival, mild hypothermia does not appear to offer patients appreciable benefits, compared with normothermia.
Beyond Capacity: The Joint Time-Rate Region.

The traditional notion of capacity studied in the context of memoryless network communication builds on the concept of block-codes and requires that, for sufficiently large blocklength n, all receiver nodes simultaneously decode their required information after n channel uses. In this work, we generalize the traditional capacity region by exploring communication rates achievable when some receivers are required to decode their information before others, at different predetermined times; referred here as the "time-rate" region. Through a reduction to the standard notion of capacity, we present an inner-bound on the time-rate region. The time-rate region has been previously studied and characterized for the memoryless broadcast channel (with a sole common message) under the name "static broadcasting".
Sexual Dysfunction and Gun Ownership in America: When Hard Data Meet a Limp Theory:

Although there has been no direct empirical evidence linking sexual dysfunction (SD) with gun ownership, speculation has been widespread and persistent for decades. In this paper, we formally examine the association between SD and gun ownership. Our primary hypothesis, derived from the psychosexual theory of gun ownership, asserts that men experiencing SD are more likely to personally own guns than other men. To test this hypothesis, we used recently collected data from the 2021 Crime, Health, and Politics Survey (CHAPS), a national probability sample of 780 men, and binary logistic regression to model gun ownership as a function of SD. Our key finding is that men experiencing SD are no more likely to own guns than men without SD. This interpretation was supported across several indicators of SD (performance anxiety, erection trouble, and ED medication) and gun ownership (personal gun ownership, purchasing a gun during the pandemic, and keeping a gun in one's bedroom). To our knowledge, we are the first to have directly tested the association between SD and gun ownership in America. Our findings are important because they contribute to our understanding of factors associated with gun ownership by challenging the belief that phallic symbolism and masculinity somehow drive men with SD to purchase guns. Our results also remind us of the perils of gun culture rhetoric, which, in this case, function to discredit gun owners and to further stigmatize men with ED. We conclude by calling for more evidence-based discussions of SD and guns in society.
Novel Biologics for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

At present we have agents effective for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis; however, no treatment available is considered to be ideal. The characteristics of an ideal treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) would include an ability for patients treated to achieve normal bowel function and normal quality of life, and this medication should have an ability to induce clinical remission rapidly and maintain remission over an extended period of time while achieving mucosal healing with minimal side effects. The ideal agent should be cheap and easy to administer and eliminate the need for steroids, hospitalizations, and surgeries while preventing the long-term complication of colon cancer development.
Fishes at Saint-Jean: Chagall, 1949

fighting the urge to rise. But up here, the light freezes the ivory walls of the museum. The guard sleeps with his hands in his pockets. And the woman selling tickets drowns in her cubicle, the hard bubbles rising from her lips toward the sun. No one saw it sneaking in through a diamond of glass, etching its path of light. As I follow, the seas part and all the beautiful blind fish are thrown at my feet.
Single-frequency cw sum-frequency generation at 589 nm for sodium guidestar excitation

We report on the laser design, development, and operational tests of a 50-watt, continuous-wave, single-frequency, 589-nm laser based on a doubly resonant sum-frequency ring containing LBO pumped by 1064 nm and 1319 nm continuous-wave Nd:YAG injection-locked lasers.
What psychology should study

One cannot understand either culture or mind without taking account of the manner in which they interact in situ. The student of mind who ignores the cultural setting that mind requires in order to operate effectively fails to do justice to the contextualized nature of mental activity. And to describe culture without regard to the limits imposed by our mental capacities is equally disabling. This brief paper seeks to bring mind and culture into a workable relation with each other.
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ELLIPTICALS AND BULGES

The structure of bulges and ellipticals, and their relation to galaxy halos are reviewed. Since many ellipticals contain faint disks, the qualitative distinction between bulges and ellipticals is more accurately described as a quantitative variation in Bulge/Dis& ratio. The exception may be the brightest ellipticals, which are usually Bright(est) Cluster Members. The available evidence suggests that the spheroid properties are determined by more than halo properties alone. This is clearest for systems with low B/D ratio, where bulge velocity dispersions are similar to disk velocity dispersions. Constraints on the stellar formation scenarios are discussed.
Identifying the Mysterious Egret Sources: Signatures of Polar Cap Pulsar Models

The advent of the next generation of gamma-ray experiments, led by GLAST, AGILE, INTEGRAL and a host of atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes coming on line in the next few years, will enable ground-breaking discoveries relating to the presently enigmatic set of EGRET/CGRO UID galactic sources that have yet to find definitive identifications. Pulsars are principal candidates for such sources, and many are expected to be detected by GLAST, some that are radio-selected, like most of the present EGRET/Comptel pulsars, and perhaps even more that are detected via independent pulsation searches. At this juncture, it is salient to outline the principal predictions of pulsar models that might aid identification of gamma-ray sources, and moreover propel subsequent interpretation of their properties. This review summarizes relevant characteristics of the polar cap model, emphasizing where possible distinctions from the competing outer gap model. Foremost among these considerations are the hard X-ray to gamma-ray spectral shape, high energy cutoffs and pulse profiles, and how these characteristics generally depend on pulsar period and period derivative, as well as observational viewing angle. The polar cap model exhibits definitive signatures that will be readily tested by the detections of GLAST and other experiments, thereby establishing cogent observational diagnostics. The paper focuses on different classes of pulsars that might define agendas and parameter regimes for blind gamma-ray pulsation searches; examples include the highly-magnetized ones that are currently quite topical in astrophysics.
Feline mesenchymal stem cells and supernatant inhibit reactive oxygen species production in cultured feline neutrophils

Feline bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), adipose-derived MSCs (AMSCs) and fibroblasts (FBs) were isolated and cultured. Tri-lineage differentiation assays and flow cytometry were used to characterize MSCs. Neutrophils (NPs) were isolated from whole blood and the NPs production of reactive oxygen reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured. NPs were cultured alone, with MSC culture supernatant (SN), BMMSCs or AMSCs. NPs incubated with BMMSCs had significantly lower ROS production than NPs incubated with AMSCs (p=0.0006) or FB (p<0.0001); NPs ROS production significantly decreased with increasing BMMSC cell number (p=0.0023) and significantly increased with NPs were incubated with FB compared to BMMSC (p=0.0003). Both BMMSC SN and AMSC SN had statistically significantly lower ROS production than FB SN when incubated with NPs (both p<0.0001). ROS production was significantly reduced with increased fractions of SN from BMMSCs (p=0.0467) and AMSCs (p=0.0017).
Neurologic History and Examination Results and Their Relationship to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Serostatus in Hemophilic Subjects: Results From the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study

In a prospective study of the growth and neuropsychologic function of hemophilic subjects, 333 boys, median age of 12.3 years, had baseline neurologic examinations. The study population included 207 individuals (62%) who were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Overall results indicated that 11% had abnormalities of cranial nerve function, 17% had abnormal deep tendon reflexes, 23% had abnormal strength, 25% had abnormal coordination, and 31% had abnormal tone, bulk, or range of motion. By contrast, 2% or fewer displayed abnormal movements or had abnormal pain or vibratory sensation, or altered mental status. Abnormalities were more common in older hemophilic subjects (eg, 67 [38%] of 177 subjects > or = 12 years of age had abnormal tone, bulk, or range of motion vs 36 [23%] of 156 subjects < 12 years of age). When compared with regard to HIV-1 status, HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive subjects did not differ with regard to head circumference or the frequency of abnormalities of cranial nerve function, sensation, muscle strength, or coordination. However, deep tendon reflexes and tone, bulk, or range of motion were more frequently abnormal in HIV-1-seropositive individuals. More HIV-1-positive subjects had at least one increased deep tendon reflex (13/207 [6.3%] vs 1/126 [0.8%] in seronegatives) and more had non-hemophilia-related decreases in muscle bulk (7/207 [3.4%] vs 0/126 in seronegatives). These results indicate that hemophilia causes substantial neurologic dysfunction and that certain findings, such as changes in muscle-stretch reflexes or muscle bulk, may also reflect the neurologic consequences of HIV infection.
Phospholipid fatty acid remodeling in mammalian cells.

The aim of this review is to summarize the current information regarding the remodeling pathways involving predominantly CPG and EPG in various mammalian cells and tissues. We will focus particularly on the roles played by transacylases as they relate to both donor and acceptor specificities. With few exceptions the emphasis will be on arachidonic acid and as such little attention will be given to exchange of saturated fatty acids which are usually localized primarily at the sns-1 position of phospholipids
Prevention in familial breast cancer: counseling and prophylactic mastectomy.

Abstract In five families with an apparent excess of breast cancer, four women elected prophylactic mastectomy to prevent breast cancer, and nine others sought counseling to explore possible means of control. Counseling addressed the women's risk factors (the largest being family history), the treatment and prognosis of the tumor, and a comparison of medical surveillance and prophylactic surgery. Personalized relative risk estimates, defined for individual factors by epidemiologic studies, were summarized as the probability of developing breast cancer within five years and ranged from 0.2% to 24%. In 1- to 12-year follow-up, none developed breast cancer. Of those counseled, the five who elected subcutaneous mastectomy with implantation and the four who chose surveillance had similar magnitude and recall of risk estimates and knowledge of control options. None of those choosing surveillance had, in fact, followed a regular program of examination. Controlling breast cancer may be possible through individualized counseling of high risk women.
Similarity solutions to the second boundary value problem of unsaturated flow through porous media

Abstract Similarity solutions to the second boundary value problem of unsaturated flow are studied in one-dimensional, semi-infinite porous media with the soil-water diffusivity proportional to some power of the water content. The existence and uniqueness of two types of similarity solutions to the problem are investigated and the properties of these solutions are presented. It is shown that these two types of similarity solutions exist and that they may not be unique for every parameter range studied. The use of the similarity solutions is discussed for the experimental determination of soil-water diffusivity.
ROLE OF RENAL TISSUE CALCIUM IN ALTERATION OF URINARY SPECIFIC ACTIVITY.

SummaryUtilizing ureteral occlusion during low urine flow and the stop-flow technique during mannitol diureses it was noted that the calcium specific activity in the urine fractions obtained upon release of the ureteral clamp was altered in a manner which could be predicted from the state of kidney tissue calcium. It was concluded that the prolonged contact of the luminal fluid with the tubular epithelium when caused by a decrease in glomerular filtration rate resulting either from administration of massive doses of adrenergic drugs or from mechanical obstruction of urine flow, had provided time for a discernible addition of calcium from the epithelial cells to the tubular urine. Calcium concentrations in the stop-flow samples showed that addition of cellular calcium to the luminal fluid did not imply an active or net secretion.
My librarian: Personalized research clinics and the academic library

Abstract The current information environment can pose many problems for undergraduate students conducting research. Students can gain valuable assistance through personalized research clinics (PRCs), highly individualized, scheduled consultations with a librarian that focus on a specific research need. This paper describes PRC programs at three diverse institutions. Logistics, publicity methods, program analysis, and assessment issues are addressed, and the benefits of the labor-intensive service are weighed against other job demands. The authors presented a program on this topic at ACRL X in 2001 and include in this paper an examination of issues shared by audience members and responses to those issues.
Making the Translation from Research to Its Application: The Je Ne Sais Pas of Evidence-Based Practices

Moving evidence-based treatments into practice settings is an important new direction for the field of children's mental health., but is fraught with many unknowns. This commentary discusses scientific conundrums that surround that transportability of research-based interventions, including issues of definition (e.g., differences among treatments, preventive interventions, services); diagnostic reification and the absence of markers; the value and status of combination treatments (including pharmacologic) for conceptualizing the evidence base; and differences between evidence-based practices and evidence-based treatments. Suggestions are made for a disciplined approach to advancing a yoked research and policy agenda for children's mental health.
The Lax-Milgram theorem for topological vector spaces

The purpose of this paper is to determine necessary and sufficient conditions under which certain families of linear mappings can be represented by a given bilinear mapping. More precisely, let E, F be topological vector spaces and suppose B is a continuous bilinear mapping of E x F into a topological vector space G. If dp is a collection of continuous linear mappings of F into G, under what conditions is each member of 2 represented by B(x, .) for a unique x E E ? In case E is a Hilbert space and B is a sesquilinear form on E x E the following is well-known:
Isentropic mixing in the Arctic stratosphere during the 1992–1993 and 1993–1994 winters

Dynamic isolation of the winter Arctic circumpolar vortex during 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 (the second and third northern hemisphere winters of the UARS mission) is studied using quasi-horizontal isentropic trajectories. Ejection of vortex air and entrainment of mid-latitude air into the vortex are quantified and compared with climatological values obtained from the analysis of 16 Arctic winters. A number of unusual features of both winters are discussed. The most notable features are the anomalous isolation experienced by the vortex during December 1992 and the unusual degree of isolation and persistence of the vortex during February and March of both years. the 1992-1993 winter season is the most consistently isolated vortex on record. Only during January 1993, when entrainment is large, is this pattern of extreme isolation broken.
Survey of nonequilibrium re-entry heating for entry flight conditions

A viscous shock layer method has been developed which includes the effects of chemical and thermal nonequilibrium and is coupled with a radiation analysis which includes thermodynamic nonequilibrium effects. This code has been used to obtain solutions for a wide variety of nonequilibrium re-entry conditions in air. The results are tabulated and displayed graphically. Comparisons are made to similar results obtained for radiatively coupled equilibrium flow and conclusions drawn on the effect of nonequilibrium and in particular thermodynamic nonequilibrium on the radiative environment about re-entry vehicles.
Property rights to rent regulated apartments: A path towards decontrol

Some communities have endured the consequences of rent regulations because of the political costs associated with contemplating decontrol. This article proposes a novel solution for decontrolling rental housing markets by establishing negotiable property rights to the ownership of rent-regulated apartments. A market in property rights can protect existing tenants, satisfy landlord desires for deregulation, and provide a mechanism for raising revenues for an affordable housing fund.
Determination of Target Sequence Bound by PapX, Repressor of Bacterial Motility, in flhD Promoter Using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) and High Throughput Sequencing

Most uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Both motility and adherence are integral to UTI pathogenesis, yet they represent opposing forces. Therefore, it is logical to reciprocally regulate these functions. In UPEC strain CFT073, PapX, a non-structural protein encoded by one of the two pap operons encoding P fimbria adherence factor, represses flagella-mediated motility and is a putative member of the winged helix transcription factor family. The mechanism of this repression, however, is not understood. papX is found preferentially in more virulent UPEC isolates, being significantly more prevalent in pyelonephritis strains (53% of isolates) than in asymptomatic bacteriuria (32%) or fecal/commensal (12.5%) strains. To examine PapX structure-function, we generated papX linker insertion and site-directed mutants, which identified two key residues for PapX function (Lys54 and Arg127) within domains predicted by modeling with I-TASSER software to be important for dimerization and DNA binding, respectively. To determine the PapX binding site in the CFT073 genome, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) in conjunction with high throughput sequencing was utilized for the first time to determine a novel binding site for a bacterial transcription factor. This method identified a 29-bp binding site within the flhDC promoter (TTACGGTGAGTTATTTTAACTGTGCGCAA), centered 410 bp upstream of the flhD translational start site. Gel shift experiments demonstrated that PapX binds directly to this site to repress transcription of flagellar genes.
Image quality of low mA CT pulmonary angiography reconstructed with model based iterative reconstruction versus standard CT pulmonary angiography reconstructed with filtered back projection: an equivalency trial

To determine whether CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) using low mA setting reconstructed with model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) is equivalent to routine CTPA reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP). This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board and patients provided written informed consent. Eighty-two patients were examined with a low mA MBIR-CTPA (100 kV, 20 mA) and 82 patients with a standard FBP-CTPA (100 kV, 250 mA). Region of interests were drawn in nine pulmonary vessels; signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. A five-point scale was used to subjectively evaluate the image quality of FBP-CTPA and low mA MBIR-CTPA. Compared to routine FBP-CTPA, low mA MBIR-CTPA showed no differences in the attenuation measured in nine pulmonary vessels, higher SNR (56 ± 19 vs 43 ± 20, p < 0.0001) and higher CNR (50 ± 17 vs 38 ± 18, p < 0.0001) despite a dose reduction of 93 % (p < 0.0001). The subjective image quality of low mA MBIR-CTPA was quoted as diagnostic in 98 % of the cases for patient with body mass index less than 30 kg/m2. Low mA MBIR-CTPA is equivalent to routine FBP-CTPA and allows a significant dose reduction while improving SNR and CNR in the pulmonary vessels, as compared with routine FBP-CTPA. • Low mA MBIR-CTPA is equivalent to routine FBP-CTPA. • MBIR-CTPA may be achieved with drastic (93 %) dose reduction. • Low mA MBIR-CTPA should be studied in the setting of suspected PE.
MixMOS: a mixed-level simulator for digital MOS circuits using a new algebraic

Abstract The paper presents a new mixed-level simulation tool for digital VLSI circuits implemented in MOS technology. A digital circuit is described as an interconnection of gate- and switch-level models. A new algebraic structure, comprised of algebras for the gate and switch levels, is developed to achieve consistency and accuracy between the two different levels of abstraction. Based on these algebras two evaluation algorithms — one for the gate level and the other for the switch level — are developed to handle Boolean expressions and switch-level descriptions, with the strength capability that is usually needed to simulate MOS circuits. The combination of the two algorithms results in a mixed-level MOS simulator, MixMOS, which achieves switch-level accuracy with performance that approaches that achieved by gate-level simulators.
Taxonomy of the New World Genera of Enopliinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

Abstract Considered is the taxonomy of 5 previously described genera (Solervicensia Barr, Boschella Barr, Pyticara Spinola, Pelonides Kuwert, Parapelonides Barr) and two new genera (Agnatis Opitz, Undecima Opitz). Two new species are described: Agnatis variabilis Opitz, new species and Undecima arta Opitz, new species. Seventeen characters were evaluated phylogenetically and analyzed with WINCLADA, in combination with NONA. Three trees were produced. It is hypothesized that the ancestral stock that generated the genera under study originated in the clerofaunas of South America, probably within the environs of the Altiplano Complex. It is further hypothesized that there were two independent invasions into the terrain of Middle America. These northern excursions would have taken place after the early closure of the Panamanian portal, some 25 million years ago. Moreover, the ancestors of the Middle American stocks would have also traversed the Nicaraguan Depression. Included in this work are descriptions of ...
Utilization of radiolabelled acetate by three isopods in lipid synthesis.

Abstract 1. 1. Three species of isopods (Armadillidium vulgare, Cirolana harfordi and Ligia occidentalis) were injected with acetate-1-14C to compare lipid metabolism. 2. 2. Little radioactivity was found in the insoluble exoskeleton residues. 3. 3. The saponifiable fraction was at least twice as large as the unsaponifiable fraction in all 3 species. 4. 4. None of the 3 isopods could synthesize cholesterol from acetate. 5. 5. Cholesterol was the predominant sterol (99%) in all 3 species with traces of 7-dehydrocholesterol in C. harfordi, campesterol in A. vulgare, and β-sitosterol in all 3 species. 6. 6. Palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids predominated in all three species, with certain long chain unsaturates in C. harfordi only.
Electrical membrane events underlying contraction of guinea pig bladder muscle

The relationship of electrical to mechanical activity of guinea pig bladder muscle has been studied in vitro by intracellular microelectrode and sucrose gap techniques. A discrete relationship between individual electrical action potentials and muscle contractions of small amplitude can be seen in muscle which is spontaneously active or stimulated by muscarinic activation or electrical current. An increase in the frequency of action potentials is associated with an increase in the frequency of small-amplitude contractions and the generation of muscle tension. The frequency of action potential firing is sensitive to changes in the resting membrane potential of the muscle. The findings suggest that an increase in the frequency of action potential firing may be a major mechanism in the development of muscular tension in the wall of the bladder.
Clinical versus quantitative vibration assessment: improving clinical performance

In 3 large cohorts (total of 787 patients), clinical vibration impairment (CVI) of the great toe using a tuning fork was compared with quantitative vibration threshold (QVT). Using a stepwise multivariate analysis, we assessed demographic and anthropomorphic patient characteristics associated with the difference between CVI and QVT for the various cohorts and the chosen QVT ranges of percentile abnormality. We also compared CVI or QVT abnormality with a composite score of nerve conduction abnormality to confirm that QVT is a valid measure of severity of neuropathy. Highly significant associations between CVI and QVT were found in all 3 cohorts studied, regardless of the chosen QVT percentile level of abnormality. However, in the 2 cohorts evaluated by many different physicians, CVI overestimated QVT much more often than underestimated it. The discordance between CVI and QVT in all QVT abnormality percentile levels was associated with age, height and body surface area (BSA) in 1 cohort, with age and BSA in another cohort, and with age in the third cohort. In the third cohort, the correlation between QVT and the composite score of nerve conduction abnormality was significantly higher than the correlation between CVI and the composite score. Using a tuning fork, neuromuscular physicians overestimate vibration sensation loss more often than when QVT testing is done, which employs quantitative stimuli, a broad range of stimulus magnitudes, null stimuli, validated algorithms of testing and validated reference values. To improve assessment of vibration sensation, physicians should take into account age, height and weight (or body surface area) when judging vibration abnormalities. Applying some useful approaches to quantitative sensory testing might improve the accuracy of clinical sensory testing.
NEUROCARDIOGENIC SYNCOPE: RESPONSE TO HORMONAL THERAPY. 2

We describe the response to hormonal therapy of a cohort of women with known neurocardiogenic syncope and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. This is a retrospective evaluation of 17 women aged 14 - 55 years of age (12 patients were less than 22 years old) seen in a tertiary care medical center. All had tilt-table tests which were consistent with neurocardiogenic syncope of the classic or dysautonomic pattern, and symptoms which did not completely resolve until the addition of hormonal therapy. All 17 patients were initially treated with at least “standard” therapy which may have included: Florinef, beta-blockers, and methylphenidate. Many were also treated with serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. None experienced full resolution of symptoms on this regimen. All reported disturbances of their menstrual cycle ranging from oligomenorrhea to metromenorrhagia and/or worsening of syncopal symptoms at the time of menses. Their syncopal/presyncopal symptoms improved significantly with the introduction of hormonal therapy either in the form of oral contraceptive pills, Depo Provera, or estrogen replacement. Hormonal therapy may be important not only for the menstrual irregularities associated with dysautonomia but also for management of the syncopal symptoms.
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Ventral Hernia Repair Patients Demonstrate Decreased Vasculogenesis

Introduction. In adipose tissue healing, angiogenesis is stimulated by adipose-derived stromal stem cells (ASCs). Ventral hernia repair (VHR) patients are at high risk for wound infections. We hypothesize that ASCs from VHR patients are less vasculogenic than ASCs from healthy controls. Methods. ASCs were harvested from the subcutaneous fat of patients undergoing VHR by the component separation technique and from matched abdominoplasty patients. RNA and protein were harvested on culture days 0 and 3. Both groups of ASCs were subjected to hypoxic conditions for 12 and 24 hours. RNA was analyzed using qRT-PCR, and protein was used for western blotting. ASCs were also grown in Matrigel under hypoxic conditions and assayed for tubule formation after 24 hours. Results. Hernia patient ASCs demonstrated decreased levels of VEGF-A protein and vasculogenic RNA at 3 days of growth in differentiation media. There were also decreases in VEGF-A protein and vasculogenic RNA after growth in hypoxic conditions compared to control ASCs. After 24 hours in hypoxia, VHR ASCs formed fewer tubules in Matrigel than in control patient ASCs. Conclusion. ASCs derived from VHR patients appear to express fewer vasculogenic markers and form fewer tubules in Matrigel than ASCs from abdominoplasty patients, suggesting decreased vasculogenic activity.
EGFR signaling pathway in breast cancers: from traditional signal transduction to direct nuclear translocalization

Aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is a major characteristic of many human malignancies including breast cancer. Since the discovery of EGF in 1960’s and its receptor in 1980’s, our understanding of the EGF/EGFR pathway has been significantly advanced and consequently, EGFR is considered as a major oncogenic factor and an attractive therapeutic target. The well-established traditional function of EGFR is known to transmit extra-cellular mitogenic signals, such as EGF and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), through activating a number of downstream signaling cascades. These include signaling modules that involve phospholipase C-γ, Ras, and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K). In cancer cells, the common outcomes following the activation of the EGFR-mediated downstream pathways are altered gene activities, leading to un-controlled tumor proliferation and apoptosis. Interestingly, emerging evidences suggest the existence of a direct mode of the EGFR pathway that is distinct from the traditional transduction pathway. This new mode of EGFR signaling involves cellular transport of EGFR from the cell-surface to the cell nucleus, association of nuclear EGFR complex with gene promoters, and transcriptional regulation of the target genes. Although the nature and pathological consequences of the nuclear EGFR pathway remain elusive, accumulating evidences suggest its association with increased tumor cell proliferation and poor survival rate in breast cancer patients. While several anti-EGFR agents are being tested in breast cancer patients clinically and others under pre-clinical development, a better understanding of the traditional and the nuclear EGFR pathways will facilitate the identification of patients that are likely to respond to these agents as well as future development of more effective anti-EGFR therapeutic interventions.
Psychological Patterns Among Roman Catholic Clergy Accused of Sexual Misconduct

A remarkable amount of international attention has focused on the sexual misconduct by Roman Catholic clergy in recent years. While the demographics and risk factor profiles of clergy sex offenders is now fairly well established, the psychological and personality profiles of these men are not. Very few empirical research studies have been published on the psychological and personality functioning of clergy who engage in sexual misconduct in the Catholic Church. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological profiles of 21 Roman Catholic clergy who have confronted credible accusations of sexual misconduct. Relative to national norms, MMPI-2 results suggest that these men tend to have profiles that were defensive, repressive, mistrustful, isolative, and irritable. Precautions and limitations of the current study, as well as implications for future research are offered.
Modelling the decline pattern in functional measures from a prevalent cohort study

In studying decline among cognitively impaired people, a prevalent cohort study design is commonly used to account for entry into the study at different levels of impairment. The data set typically consists of many short series of repeated measurements collected over time. However, the time origin, such as time of disease/impairment onset, is often uncertain. In order to model non-linear decline patterns in functional test scores and associated risk factors with such data, we propose two approaches as alternatives to Liu et al. One approach models change over adjacent visits with varying time intervals. The second models the change since baseline using a random effect for heterogeneity of change. We used these two approaches to examine the decline in cognitive test scores among special care unit (SCU) and non-SCU residents at the New York sites of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) collaborative studies of special dementia care. The analyses suggest that, controlling for several covariates, SCU residents experienced more rapid cognitive decline than did non-SCU residents. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the two models are discussed.
Blue, green and yellow upconversion lasing in Er:YLiF/sub 4/ using 1.5 mu m pumping

The authors report blue, green and yellow upconversion laser action in Er3+:YLiF4 following pumping at 1.500 μm below 80K. For the blue transition the ratio of the output frequency to the input frequency is 3.3, the highest yet reported for an upconversion laser. In spite of the multiple upconversion steps, the thresholds for laser action were less than 80mW. It is proposed that the nonlinear upconversion pumping proceeds via a sequence of several pairwise cross-relaxation steps.
Properties of model atomic free-standing thin films.

We present a computational study of the thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural properties of free-standing thin films, investigated via molecular dynamics simulation of a glass-forming binary Lennard-Jones mixture. An energy landscape analysis is also performed to study glassy states. At equilibrium, species segregation occurs, with the smaller minority component preferentially excluded from the surface. The film's interior density and interface width depend solely on temperature and not the initialization density. The atoms at the surface of the film have a higher lateral diffusivity when compared to the interior. The average difference between the equilibrium and inherent structure energies assigned to individual particles, as a function of the distance from the center of the film, increases near the surface. A minimum of this difference occurs in the region just under the liquid–vapor interface. This suggests that the surface atoms are able to sample the underlying energy landscape more effectively tha...
Labor force participation in the Soviet and post-Soviet Baltic States

It is well documented that labor force participation rates fell precipitately as the economies of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe made the transition from plan to market. However data allowing for direct comparison between the planned and transition periods of specific countries is rare. Here comparable data is used examining labor force participation in the Baltic States in 1990 (the late Soviet period), 1996, and 1999. While the data do indicate large drops in labor force participation, much of the decrease was concentrated among older individuals (those over 55) and women.
Monte Carlo study of the transition from a ferromagnet to a spin glass in Fe-Al alloys

The transition from a ferromagnet to a spin glass in Fe-Al alloys as a function of Al concentration is studied by Monte Carlo methods. Following a model, initially proposed by Sato and Arrott, the spins on the Fe atom are assumed to interact via a direct ferromagnetic exchange between nearest neighbors and an antiferromagnetic superexchange between two Fe spins which are separated by an Al atom. These two interactions are sufficient to account qualitatively for the observed crossover from a ferrromagnet to a spin glass. This spin glass differs from the usual models, since the exchange constants are not random. Here the frustration arises only from the positional disorder of the Fe and Al atoms.
Biosensing using dynamic-mode cantilever sensors: a review.

Abstract Current progress on the use of dynamic-mode cantilever sensors for biosensing applications is critically reviewed. We summarize their use in biosensing applications to date with focus given to: cantilever size (milli-, micro-, and nano-cantilevers), their geometry, and material used in fabrication. The review also addresses techniques investigated for both exciting and measuring cantilever resonance in various environments (vacuum, air, and liquid). Biological targets that have been detected to date are summarized with attention to bio-recognition chemistry, surface functionalization method, limit of detection, resonant frequency mode type, and resonant frequency measurement scheme. Applications published to date are summarized in a comprehensive table with description of the aforementioned details including comparison of sensitivities. Further, the general theory of cantilever resonance is discussed including fluid–structure interaction and its dependence on the Reynolds number for Newtonian fluids. The review covers designs with frequencies ranging from ∼1 kHz to 10 MHz and cantilever size ranging from millimeters to nanometers. We conclude by identifying areas that require further investigation.
Application of mixed methods for exploration of the association of job stress and hypertension among software professionals in Bengaluru, India.

Context: Quantitative and Qualitative studies have been widely used in isolation to estimate several associations in developing countries, but little is known about combining both methods in a given study and ascertains validity. Aims: The objective of the following study was to accurately measure the constructs and to check for the internal consistency whereas measuring occupational stress among software professionals. We compared contextual stressors developed from the qualitative study with occupational stress index (OSI) among Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Service (IT/ITES) professionals in India. Settings and Design: We employed mixed methods sampling strategy for selecting the IT/ITES professionals for the study. The first stage involved a qualitative study followed by a cross-sectional study among 1071 workers in the IT and ITES sector in Bengaluru. Materials and Methods: There were two types of stress domains used in the questionnaire. First, contextual stress domains, which were constructed based on the results of the qualitative study. Second, we used OSI for computer workers. Statistical Analysis Used: Data from the cross sectional survey was analyzed using SAS 9.1.(SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). We used Cronbach's coefficient alpha for analyzing latent constructs of OSI and contextual stress domains. Results: The results indicate that OSI doesn't correlate well with contextual stressors. Conclusions: OSI is a generic questionnaire designed for a computer worker and using the contextual stressors based on the results from the qualitative study might capture the occupational stressors more reliably.
Intravenous Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in the Extended Time Window and the US Food and Drug Administration Confused About the Time

Since the earliest trials of intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for treatment of acute stroke, the time window for clinical efficacy has been controversial. Preclinical studies suggested an increased hemorrhage rate when thrombolytics were administered at later time intervals after arterial occlusion. The first US pilot study of IV rt-PA demonstrated acceptable safety using a 90-minute time window at doses up to 1.08 mg/kg.1 In a subsequent study extending treatment to 91 to 180 minutes, more hemorrhages occurred with less apparent efficacy but outcomes were considered possibly better than the natural history.2 This formula was carried over to the pivotal National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rt-PA trial stratifying patients to treatment within 90 minutes and 91 to 180 minutes after stroke.3 A subsequent analysis showed the OR for favorable outcome at 3 months after rt-PA decreased with time from stroke onset approaching unity at 180 minutes.4 Other studies of IV rt-PA including European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study (ECASS),5 ECASS II,6 and Alteplase Thrombolysis for Acute Noninterventional Therapy in Ischemic Stroke (ATLANTIS)7 enrolled patients up to 6 hours from stroke onset but failed to confirm the beneficial effect of IV rt-PA. Notably, none of these studies demonstrated a relationship between risk of symptomatic hemorrhage and time to treatment, although few patients within 3 hours of stroke onset were included.8 Based on the results of the NINDS rt-PA trial, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved IV rt-PA for treatment of acute stroke in 1996 but limited the approval to the study time window, 3 hours. In 2004 a pooled analysis of 4 randomized IV rt-PA trials, NINDS, ECASS, ECASS II, and ATLANTIS, was published.9 Although few patients were added to the 0- to 3-hour group from …