cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TGF-β1 stimulates expression of the aromatase (CYP19) gene in human osteoblast-like cells and THP-1 cells

Recent evidence has shown that bone is not only a target of estrogen action but also a source of local estrogen production. Bone cells such as osteoblasts express aromatase (P450arom) and the expression of P450arom in osteoblasts is positively regulated in a tissue specific fashion, as in the case of other tissues which express P450arom. To clarify the physiological factors regulating expression of P450arom in bone, we tested TGF-beta1 using osteoblast-like cells obtained from human fetuses as well as THP-1 cells. TGF-beta1 increased IL-1beta+DEX- induced aromatase activity in osteoblast-like cells, while it inhibited activity in skin fibroblasts. Similar enhancement of aromatase activity by TGF-beta1 was found in DEX-stimulated THP-1 cells and this cell line was used for further experiments. In THP-1 cells, TGF-beta1 enhanced DEX-induced aromatase activity almost linearly by 12 h and thereafter. Increased levels of P450arom transcripts were also demonstrated by RT-PCR at 3 h of TGF-beta1 treatment and thereafter. Cyclohexamide abolished enhancement of activity but did not inhibit the accumulation of P450arom transcripts induced by TGF-beta1. Increase in P450arom expression by TGF-beta1 was attributable to expression driven by promoter I.4. TGF-beta1 did not change the half life of P450arom transcripts. To identify the cis-acting elements responsible for TGF-beta1 action on aromatase expression, transient transfection assays were performed using a series of deletion constructs for promoter I.4 (P450-I.4/Luc). Two constructs (-410/+14 and-340/+14) that contain a functional glucocorticoid response element (GRE) and downstream sequence showed significant increase of luciferase activity in response to TGF-beta1. Deletion and mutation of the GRE in P450-I.4/Luc (-340/+14) abolished the TGF-beta1. The luciferase activity of a (GRE)(1)-SV40/Luc construct was also stimulated by TGF-beta1. These results indicate that TGF-beta1 increases the expression of P450arom at the level of transcription through promoter I.4, at least in part via an enhancement of transactivation activity of the GR in THP-1 cells. TGF-beta1 is suggested to be one of the physiological up-regulatory factors of bone aromatase.
Identification and Eradication of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Results of a National Survey

We surveyed members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America to assess current practice with regard to identifying and eradicating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Although most respondents (86%) screened patients for MRSA colonization, variation existed in the number of anatomic sites sampled and in the use of culture at NICU admission, empirical institution of isolation precautions, and MRSA decolonization therapy. Evidence-based prevention strategies for MRSA transmission and infection are needed.
Reducing Drug Use and Crime among Offenders: The Impact of Graduated Sanctions

The evaluation of the Washington, D.C., Superior Court Drug Intervention Program (SCDIP) compared drug felony defendants randomly assigned to either a docket offering structured graduated sanctions in combination with drug testing and judicial monitoring, or a docket using drug tests and judicial monitoring only. Assignment to the graduated sanctions docket was found to reduce drug use prior to sentencing. Program participants were significantly less likely to use drugs prior to sentencing, and, in the year after sentencing, were significantly less likely to be arrested and and had significantly fewer arrests. This paper describes characteristics of the sanctioning program that appear highly correlated with positive outcomes.
Transfusion criteria in free flap surgery.

Objective: The ideal hematocrit for patients undergoing free flap reconstruction is unknown. It is standard practice to keep hematocrit levels above 30 percent, although there is evidence that blood transfusions are associated with both infectious and noninfectious complications. We propose that lowering the trigger for postoperative transfusions from 30 percent to 25 percent will not increase flap-related complications and may reduce unnecessary blood transfusions.Study Design: Observational cohort study.Setting: Tertiary care center.Subjects and Methods: Patients undergoing free tissue transfer from January 2007 through February 2008 received blood transfusions for hematocrit < 30 percent, whereas patients having surgery from March 2008 through April 2009 received blood transfusions for hematocrit < 25 percent. Outcomes include flap-related complications, length of stay, number of units transfused, and lowest postoperative hematocrit.Results: In the group transfused for hematocrit < 30 percent, 123 pati...
Historiography of absence: Taiwan cinema before New Cinema 1982

ABSTRACTThe introduction traces the history of Taiwan cinema before the New Cinema of the 1980s. By sketching the much under-studied periods of Taiwan under Japanese occupation and after restoration in 1945, I provide the context within which this special issue on Taiwan's missing years may be understood. While the featured articles focus mostly on the Mandarin-language Healthy Realism of the 1960s and 1970s, I describe in some detail its Taiwanese-dialect counterpart to highlight the questions of nation at the core of Taiwan's pursuit of modernization. My goals are to bring to light the absent history of Taiwan cinema during the missing years, to the study of which this special issue collectively contributes.
Finiteness theorems for the cohomology of an overconvergent isocrystal on a curve

Abstract Let M be an overconvergent isocrystal on a smooth affine curve X / k over a perfect field of characteristic p > 0, realized as a module on a suitable lifting of X with connection. We give a topological condition on the connection which guarantees that the rigid cohomology of M is finite-dimensional. As a result, one sees that M has finite-dimensional cohomology if it satisfies an analogue of Grothendieck's local monodromy theorem. Some arithmetic applications are given.
General and Culture-specific Factors Influencing African American Women's Reporting Patterns and Perceived Social Support Following Sexual Assault An Exploratory Investigation

This exploratory investigation is one of the first studies to empirically investigate both general and culture-specific factors influencing African American women's post-sexual assault behaviors. Twenty-nine African American sexual assault survivors completed a paper-and-pencil survey and a semistructured interview. Findings from this investigation offer some support suggesting that both general and culture-specific factors contribute to women's decision not to report the assault to police. In addition, the majority of the participants disclosed the last incident to significant and generalized others. Moreover, the majority of the disclosing participants reported receiving, on average, positive reinforcement from the confidant(s). These findings provide some support to counter previous research suggesting that Black women and men are insensitive to sexual assault victims.
Early adverse experience as a developmental risk factor for later psychopathology: evidence from rodent and primate models.

Increasing evidence supports the view that the interaction of perinatal exposure to adversity with individual genetic liabilities may increase an individual's vulnerability to the expression of psycho- and physiopathology throughout life. The early environment appears to program some aspects of neurobiological development and, in turn, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physiological development. Several rodent and primate models of early adverse experience have been analyzed in this review, including those that “model” maternal separation or loss, abuse or neglect, and social deprivation. Accumulating evidence shows that these early traumatic experiences are associated with long-term alterations in coping style, emotional and behavioral regulation, neuroendocrine responsiveness to stress, social “fitness,” cognitive function, brain morphology, neurochemistry, and expression levels of central nervous system genes that have been related to anxiety and mood disorders. Studies are underway to identify important aspects of adverse early experience, such as (a) the existence of “sensitive periods” during development associated with alterations in particular output systems, (b) the presence of “windows of opportunity” during which targeted interventions (e.g., nurturant parenting or supportive–enriching environment) may prevent or reverse dysfunction, (c) the identity of gene polymorphisms contributing to the individual's variability in vulnerability, and (d) a means to translate the timing of these developmental “sensitive periods” across species.
From Reading to the Reading of Literature

from the administrator. A new type of classroom management would be needed, and students would have to assume a measure of responsibility for their own learning. The most crucial point is for the teacher to define clear, specific, measurable objectives and to guide the students to meet these objectives. The teaching of composition is always a problem, and all three groups might indeed profit from some common work on composition-the organization of a composition, the various types of compositions and the appropriateness of each, the role of mechanics and grammar. If composition is the expression of ideas, if the ideas have been discussed orally, if the ideas are relevant and interesting to the student, then composition does not emerge as a "demon." Such a course as the one outlined above tends to produce students who are interested in what they are doing, who wish to continue the study of literature since they have found it rewarding, who spread the good word among their friends and who enroll in college courses in literature. Many of them have wonderful experiences at the university level and continue language study for the joy it brings them. Unfortunately, some of these students are placed in courses where attention is given to petty, insignificant detail, where themes and ideas are seldom mentioned, where the discussions are not in the target language, where compositions are written in English and where only the lecture method prevails. While this type of course may be beneficial for some rom the administrator. A new type of classroom anagement would be needed, and stu ents ould have to assume a measure of responsibility or their own learning. The most crucial point is or the teacher to define clear, spe ific, measurble objectives and to guide the students to meet hese objectives. he teaching of composition is always a problem, and all three g oups might indeed profit rom some common work on composition-the rganization of a composition, the various types f compositions and the appropri teness of e ch, he role of mechani s and grammar. If composiion is the expression of ideas, if th ideas have e n discussed orally, if the ideas ar relevant nd interesting to the student, hen composition oes not emerge as a "demon." student , it is ost detrimental to those students who have been trained in a dynamic atmosphere. They want more-and they go in search of it in other areas. We will probably always be plagued with this problem, for poor and inappropriate teaching is certainly not restricted to any one level of instruction, and universities and colleges are faced with a major problem of placement and sectioning; more colleges and universities, however, might consider thematic approaches in those areas wher only chronological divisions are followed; it is a pleasure to greet a returning student, who, while majoring in business administration, h enjoy d a vibrant, dynamic course in Hispanic literature and announces that he will take further electives in this area.
Charge Division Using Carbon Filaments for Obtaining Coordinate Information from Detection of Single Electrons

Seven micron diameter Carbon filaments forming the anode of a multiwire proportional chamber have been used to detect single electrons. Charge division techniques applied to the 5 cm long wire resulted in a position resolution of ?/L <2% for a collected signal charge of 30 fC.
Estrogen receptor expression in benign breast epithelium and breast cancer risk

Background: Estrogen exposure is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Increased estrogen responsiveness of breast epithelium may enhance this effect. We examined the relationship between breast cancer diagnosis and 1) the presence and absence of estrogen receptor expression in benign breast epithelium, 2) the level of expression and 3) its variation during the menstrual cycle, and 4) other established risk factors. e.g., age, age at menarche, parity, and family history. Methods: We measured estrogen receptor expression (as % of positive cells) by immunohistochemistry in normal breast epithelium from 376 women undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic breast surgery. Data on established risk factors were collected prior to surgery and those on menstrual cycle dates at the time of surgery. Logistic regression was used to assess risks (odds ratios [ORs]). Results: The crude OR for breast cancer in women with estrogen receptor-positive breast epithelium versus those without was 3.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.89-5.28), with an OR of 2.49 (95% CI = 1.25-4.96) for premenopausal and an OR of 3.32 (95% CI = 1.43-7.68) for postmenopausal women. The ORs remained high and statistically significant after controlling for age and other breast cancer risk factors. The level of estrogen receptor expression was higher in patients with breast cancer than in control subjects and it was related to breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women (P trend <.005). Expression declined as expected in premenopausal control subjects as the menstrual cycle progressed but rose in breast cancer patients (P trend <.015). Conclusions: The overexpression of estrogen receptors in normal breast epithelium may augment estrogen sensitivity and hence the risk of breast cancer.
A Second-Order Godunov Method for Wave Problems in Coupled Solid-Water-Gas Systems

We present a second-order Godunov method for computing unsteady, one-dimensional wave problems with fracture and cavitation in coupled solid?water?gas systems. The method employs a hydro-elasto-plastic body, the Tait equation, and the ideal gas law for solid, water, and gaseous phases, respectively, and models both fractures and cavities as vacuum zones with distinct borders. The numerical approach utilizes a Lagrangian formulation in conjunction with local solid?water?gas-vacuum Riemann problems, which have unique solutions and can be solved efficiently. The various phases are treated in a unified manner and no supplementary interface conditions are necessary for tracking material boundaries. Calculations are carried out for Riemann problems, wave propagation and reflection in a water?rock?air system, and spallation and cavitation in an explosion?steel?water?gas system. It is shown that the Godunov method has high resolution for shocks and phase interfaces, clearly resolves elastic and plastic waves, and successfully describes onset and propagation of fracture and cavitation zones.
New drugs for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are diverse diseases either of mature B-cell or T-cell derivation. Despite being generally chemosensitive diseases, the last decade has focused on developing more targeted agents based on improved insights of underlying biology. The hope is that more targeted and biologically rational treatments will improve both the efficacy and toxicity profile of standard approaches, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes. Among the newest agents to be approved are inhibitors of B-cell receptor (BCR) and PI3K signaling; however, a number of other classes of agents such as selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINE), inhibitors of immune regulation such as PD1 inhibitors, and small molecule inhibitors of apoptosis are on the horizon. In addition, growing clinical evidence supports continued and new applications for immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Altogether, this is an exciting time for NHL, with a number of promising agents and early clinical data. The key path forward will be to better apply these new agents in a personalized way, which will hopefully constitute the next generation of trials.
Comparative efficacy of group and individual feedback in gross anatomy for promoting medical student professionalism

Professionalism is a core competency of medical training that requires students to develop the skills of providing and receiving feedback. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of delivering feedback in a group setting compared with an individual setting. The first-year class of Mayo medical students (n = 49) enrolled in gross anatomy (in dissection teams), completed weekly anonymous evaluations of themselves and their teammates regarding seven aspects of professionalism (altruism, compassion, respect, honesty/integrity, responsibility, commitment to excellence, and self-reflection). Professionalism scores from these surveys were calculated using a six-point Likert scale. Students were also asked to comment on strengths and possible areas for improvement on each peer. At the midpoint of the course, peer comments and professionalism scores were shared with students in debriefing sessions either individually or with their team. Analysis of preintervention and postintervention professionalism scores indicated that the students receiving feedback in a one-on-one setting (student and instructor) were more likely to demonstrate higher scores on subsequent evaluations as compared with those students receiving feedback in a group setting (all team members and one instructor). Our findings suggest that providing feedback to first-year medical students on an individual basis is the best way to improve professional attitudes and behaviors.
Estimation of the Size and Shape of GH Secretory Bursts in Healthy Women Using a Physiological Estradiol Clamp and Variable-Waveform Deconvolution Model

Because estrogen production and age are strong covariates, distinguishing their individual impact on hypothalamo-pituitary regulation of growth hormone (GH) output is difficult. In addition, at fix...
Interplay of shear and bulk viscosity in generating flow in heavy-ion collisions

We perform viscous hydrodynamic calculations in $2+1$ dimensions to investigate the influence of bulk viscosity on the viscous suppression of elliptic flow in noncentral heavy-ion collisions at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider energies. Bulk and shear viscous effects on the evolution of radial and elliptic flow are studied with different model assumptions for the transport coefficients. We find that the temperature dependence of the relaxation time for the bulk viscous pressure, especially its critical slowing-down near the quark-hadron phase transition at ${T}_{c}$, partially offsets effects from the strong growth of the bulk viscosity itself near ${T}_{c}$ and that even small values of the specific shear viscosity $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$ of the fireball matter can be extracted without large uncertainties from poorly controlled bulk viscous effects.
Pre- and early post-partum adiponectin and interleukin-1beta levels in women with and without gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal serum adiponectin and Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) levels during the pre- and post-partum periods in pregnant women with and without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). DESIGN: Thirty control pregnant Caucasian women without GDM and thirty Body Mass Index (BMI) and age-matched Caucasian women with GDM examined in the outpatient clinic between the 24th and 26th week of their pregnancy and on the 3rd day postpartum underwent anthropometry and had serum blood taken. Both groups, were monitored by a dietitian and had comparable weight gain during pregnancy. Birth weight was also measured. RESULTS: At the 3rd day postpartum, compared to the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, women with GDM had lower serum adiponectin levels, lower serum IL-1β levels and lower Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values. At the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, women with GDM had lower serum adiponectin levels, higher IL-1β and higher HOMA-IR values compared to women without GDM. At the 3rd day postpartum, women with GDM had lower serum adiponectin levels, higher IL-1β and higher HOMA-IR values compared to women without GDM. Second trimester serum adiponectin values of women with GDM correlated negatively with birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational diabetes is a state of insulin resistance associated with altered levels of proinflammatory cytokines, increased IL-1β and decreased adiponectin values. Both of these alterations might be attributed to placental pathology in pregnancies with GDM.
Cross-Sectional Tracking of Particle Motion in Evaporating Drops: Flow Fields and Interfacial Accumulation

The lack of an effective technique for three-dimensional flow visualization has limited experimental exploration of the "coffee ring effect" to the two-dimensional, top-down viewpoint. In this report, high-speed, cross-sectional imaging of the flow fields was obtained using optical coherence tomography to track particle motion in an evaporating colloidal water drop. This approach enables z-dimensional mapping of primary and secondary flow fields and changes in these fields over time. These sectional images show that 1 μm diameter polystyrene particles have a highly nonuniform vertical distribution with particles accumulating at both the air-water interface and the water-glass interface during drop evaporation. Particle density and relative humidity are shown to influence interfacial entrapment, which suggests that both sedimentation rate and evaporation rate affect the dynamic changes in the cross-sectional distribution of particles. Furthermore, entrapment at the air-water interface delays the time at which particles reach the ring structure. These results suggest that the organization of the ring structure can be controlled based on the ratio of different density particles in a colloidal solution.
Medical Image Retrieval Based on Fractal Dimension

Content-based medical image retrieval becomes a hot research topic due to the rapid increase of image database. It is useful that a doctor consults analogical cases to diagnose for a patient. So it is very important for doctors to quickly and exactly search out the similar pathological images from large numbers of images in clinic. Fractal texture feature is introduced to medical images, according to experiments, it is discovered that the normal lung and several kinds of common lung diseases CT images have different fractal dimensions, which indicates that fractal dimensions of images can distinguish most lung diseases. Fractal feature is applied in medical images retrieval, and compared with general approaches, experiments show that high precision and recall of retrieval are achieved, and our method also can achieve a comparatively lower computation cost, and the retrieval time is short. The method is applied well and gives much better performance in medical images retrieval.
A High Throughput Multiplexed Micro Coulter Counter Using Amplitude Modulation

We present the design, fabrication and testing of a multiplexed multichannel Coulter counter. The micromachined device is used to achieve high throughput for counting microparticles. Multiplexed detection is achieved by amplitude modulation of signals from individual channels, requiring only one set of detection electronics. Preliminary testing results using 30 mum polystyrene particles demonstrated the feasibility of the multiplexing design concept. The multiplexed detection principle can be extended to a larger number of channels to further improve the throughput.
Population density influences male–male competition in guppies

Abstract This study tested the general prediction that population density affects male–male competition, female mate choice and the opportunity for sexual selection. By manipulating the density of guppies, Poecilia reticulata, while keeping the sex ratio constant, I found that male mating tactics were phenotypically plastic with respect to density. As density increased, males decreased their courtship displays. Male–male competition and mate searching were highest at intermediate densities. Population density had no significant effect on the total number of copulations, copulatory tactics or the percentage of postcopulatory guarding. Female preference for males with a higher percentage of orange coloration was similar at all density levels. The ‘opportunity for sexual selection’, which estimates the upper limit to which a selected trait can shift if directional selection is operating and was calculated as the variance in number of copulations per male divided by the square of the mean number of copulations, was negatively associated with population density. This may be due to the decrease in male–male competition at high density rather than female preference which was similar across density treatments.
The electronic structure of oxygen in silicon as revealed by volume visualization of Ab initio calculations

We apply volumetric rendering to the interpretation of atomic-scale data generated from quantum molecular dynamics computations. In particular, we examine silicon computations, and we discover that volumetric visualization of the computed 3D electronic charge density is a valuable tool for identifying defect states in silicon lattices in which oxygen atoms occur as impurities. Rendering of several judiciously selected ranges of charge density in translucent colors provides an effective means of identifying broken or altered molecular bonds and induced charge excesses in the lattice. The resulting 3D images reveal important features missed previously in 2D charge density contour maps. We find that stereoscopic "blink comparison" of image pairs is an extremely valuable way to study the structural differences among various configurations and that time animation provides significant in sight into the molecular dynamics. We conclude that our success with silicon implies that the technique has the potential to provide a significant benefit to other problems in computational condensed matter physics.
Systemic Hemodynamics and Regional Blood Flow During Chronic Nitric Oxide Synthesis Inhibition in Pregnant Rats

Pregnancy-induced hypertension in women is associated with severe vasoconstriction and reductions in organ blood flow and cardiac output. Recent studies have indicated that nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition during mid to late gestation in pregnant rats results in severe hypertension and proteinuria. The purpose of this study was to determine the systemic hemodynamic and regional blood flow alterations associated with chronic NO synthesis inhibition in the pregnant rat. The study was conducted in four groups of rats: virgin rats (n=6), pregnant rats (n=10), virgin rats treated with L-NAME (n=6), and pregnant rats treated with L-NAME (n=11). Rats were treated with L-NAME in drinking water at a dose of 1 mg/d for a week starting from day 13 of gestation in pregnant rats or an equivalent time for virgins. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output, total peripheral resistance (TPR), and regional flows were measured by tracing radiolabeled microspheres in conscious rats. Pregnant rats that were given L-NAME showed significantly higher MAP (137+/-6 versus 96+/-2 mm Hg), higher TPR (5.08+/-0.58 versus 2.90+/-0.44 mm Hg/mL/min/100 g), and lower cardiac output (87.4+/-8.4 versus 113.3+/-11.1 mL/min) than pregnant controls. Chronic NO synthesis inhibition decreased the renal blood flow in pregnant rats at a significantly greater magnitude than in virgin rats. Significant reductions in regional blood flow to the heart, lungs, liver, diaphragm, and skeletal muscles were also observed in pregnant rats treated with L-NAME. The results of this study indicate that NO may play a role in mediating the alterations in systemic hemodynamics and regional blood flow in late pregnant rats.
Characterization of Estrogen Receptor-β (ERβ) Messenger Ribonucleic Acid and Protein Expression in Rat Granulosa Cells1

We have examined estrogen-responsiveness of ovarian granulosa cells by focusing on estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Estrogen responsiveness was determined by examining the effect of 17β-estradiol (1–10 nm) on luciferase reporter activity in rat granulosa cells transfected with an ERE-luciferase construct. The results demonstrate an estrogen-induced (approximately 3-fold) increase in luciferase reporter activity, indicating that granulosa cells contain functional estrogen response element (ERE)-binding transcriptional activators. Gel mobility shift assays in combination with ER antibodies show that ERβ is the predominant ERE-binding protein in granulosa cells. Western blotting results show that granulosa cells contain ERβ-immunoreactive protein(s) migrating at a size substantially larger than the recombinant protein generated from the originally proposed 485 amino acid open-reading frame. This size discrepancy is not due to granulosa cell expression of ERβ isoforms with insertions within the coding regio...
A Structural Engineer’s View of Soil-Structure-Interaction

In this paper, the sequence of significant developments in the methods of analysis of dynamic earthquake interaction between structures and their foundation media is outlined. The development is divided into four phases, starting with a rigid foundation medium where there is no interaction with the structure and ending with a description of the frequency domain response analysis of a structure on a continuum foundation system. The purpose of the paper is to explain the interaction analyses in the context of typical structural dynamics analysis procedures.
Characterization of an Inertial-Electrostatic Confinement Glow Discharge (IECGD) Neutron Generator

AbstractThere is considerable demand in the scientific community for a neutron generator with an output of 105–106 n/s that can be turned on or off, emits fusion neutrons, is self-calibrating, and can offer portable operation [1,2]. This paper will describe how an IEC-based neutron generator could satisfy these demands. Experimental data and modeling is presented for operation to the 105 n/s range. Direct extrapolation of the results indicate that with modest extension of operating parameters operation can be achieved in the 106–107 n/s range; with more aggressive modifications operation in the 108–10 n/s range can be possible.
Thermoperiod Effects on Diapause Induction in Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Daily thermoperiods of 27–18° C (square wave) induced diapause in Microplitis croceipes in continuous darkness, whereas diapause was inhibited in continuous light. Scotophase temperatures were more important than photophase temperatures in diapause induction when photophase was held constant and scotophase increased (increasing light-to-dark ratio). Conversely, when scotophase was held constant and photophase was increased, diapause decreased. This suggests that the ratio of light to dark may be critical in diapause induction of M. croceipes . In addition, diapause induction increased when low temperature coincided with the scotophase of the photoperiod.
Onodi cell mucocele causing acute vision loss: radiological and surgical correlation.

In 1904 Onodi first described an anatomic variation in which a posterior ethmoid cell projected within the sphenoid bone [1]. Since that time the definition of the Onodi cell, as it has come to be known, has evolved to the most posterior eth-moid air cell that has pneumatized superior to the sphenoid sinus [2]. Among rhinology surgeons, the defining charac-teristic of an Onodi cell is that it contains the optic canal. Onodi cells have been reported to occur in approximately 7% of the general population in computed tomography (CT) studies, but in cadaveric studies they have been reported to be present in up to 60% of specimens [3]. The discrepancy may be due in part to the fact that older studies using thick section axial CT without isotropic resolution were less sen-sitive for detecting small air cells which are often flat in configuration within the plane of axial section [4]. Identifi-cation of an Onodi cell is of importance prior to sinonasal surgery due to the close anatomic relationship between this posterior air cell and the optic nerve ([5]; Fig. 1).Most often an incidental finding, the Onodi cell is rarely involved in pathologic processes. In essence any process which is typically associated with the paranasal sinuses may be found within an Onodi cell including infectious or inflammatory sinusitis, fungus ball, inverted papilloma, mucocele or sinonasal malignancy. Given the proximity of the adjacent optic nerve, lesions of the Onodi cell may pre-sent with vision changes as the process extends beyond the borders of the cell or expands the osseous margins [6].
The Antennal Receptors and Olfactory Response of Ips confusus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to Male Sex Attractant in the Laboratory

There are at least 5 different types of sensilla on the antennae of Ips confusus (LeConte). Short, thin-walled pegs (sensilla basiconica) and long, thin-walled hairs (sensilla trichodea) are permeable to crystal violet dye and are likely to be olfactory receptors. Long, thick-walled hairs (sensilla chaetica) are probable tactile receptors. Two unusual hairs were noted, a unilaterally pectinate and a long, bilaterally pectinate type. The function of the latter hair may be in the areas of touch, wind pressure, or sound reception. In both sexes, removal of the antennal clubs eliminates a positive response to male sex attractant. Responses of females after removal or covering various portions of the club indicate that the sensilla trichodea are receptors of the sex pheromone. Orientation behavior after unilateral antennectomy confirms the theory that the orientation of I. confusus to the sex attractant is a chemoklinotaxis.
Study on discrepancy and correlation of urinary creatinine levels between enzyme method and Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay

Objective To compare the enzymic method and Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay for the determination of creatinine in urine and discuss whether using the levels of creatinine by enzymic method to report on biological limits for occupational exposure to mercury.Methods A total of 123 conscript persons were selected as study subjects,they were further divided into two groups,their urine were diluted into 1∶10 and 1∶20 respectively by 0.9% physiological saline.The levels of urine creatinine were determined by enzymic method and Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay,their differece and correlation were analyzed statistically.Results The creatinine concentrations in urine determined by the Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay were significantly lower than those by enzymic method in 1∶10 group(P0.01)and correlation coefficient r=0.9955,regression equation YJaffe kinetic creatinine assay=0.5726 Xenzymatic method+392;The creatinine concentrations in urine determined by the Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay were significantly lower than those by enzymic method in 1∶20 group(P0.01)and correlation coefficient r=0.9977,regression equation YJaffe kinetic creatinine assay=0.5723 Xenzymatic method+602.Conclusion There was significant difference in creatinine concentrations in urine between two methods but there was good correlation.The creatinine concentrations in urine determined by enzymatic method can be converted to those by the Jaffe kinetic creatinine assay used to report on biological limits for occupational exposure to mercury.
Enhancement of rat heart microsomal lipid peroxidation following doxorubicin treatment in vivo

Cardiac microsomes from rats injected with doxorubicin (5 mg/kg ip x 3) were susceptible to dramatically enhanced NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in the presence of doxorubicin in vitro (18-fold increases over control peroxidation). These results suggest that doxorubicin treatment in vivo caused biochemical alterations which predisposed cardiac microsomal membranes to attack by anthracycline free radical-generated oxyradicals.
Implementation of guidelines and paths in oncology

At the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, we initiated a disease management program to reduce the variability of practice and increase its effectiveness, using a model that was familiar to the faculty. Professional staff members, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, were divided into groups according to disease site. Each group developed practice guidelines and collaborative care paths based on evidence in the literature and expert opinion. Desired outcomes were defined. The faculty participated in developing and implementing the program, which was viewed as a means of achieving efficient, productive management of care. Nearly 1,000 patients have been entered on the 98 paths outlined to date. Integrated information systems have been an important tool for instituting the guidelines at the point of patient care and for measuring clinical and financial outcomes. A physician-led outcomes management program should permit us to deliver high-quality care and support outcomes research while decreasing costs.
FINANCING UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: DESIGNING NATIONAL POLICIES

In this paper, we summarize our recent work analyzing pricing, aid, access, and choice in American higher education, and we draw out implications from those findings for national higher education p...
Anomalous synchrotron x-ray scattering studies of nanodomains in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

A systematic study of the temperature dependence of superlattice reflections in the reciprocal space of a single crystal Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) was performed using anomalous x-ray scattering technique. Our studies confirm the existence of the two types of nanoregions in PMN: a) chemically ordered nanodomains, and b) polar nanodomains formed by short-range correlated ionic displacements. No detailed temperature dependence of these superlattice reflections has been reported in the past. From monitoring the superlattice reflections corresponding to polar nanodomains (i.e., α spots) over the temperature range 15 K–800 K, we found freezing temperature (Tf) of correlated atomic displacements was near 200 K. In contrast, chemically ordered nanodomains, which give rise to F type superlattice peaks, exhibited spherical shape over the entire temperature interval 15 K–800 K. This leads us to suspect that chemically ordered regions might be different and independent of polar nanodomains. In this paper we explain the ...
Application priority of GSHP systems in the climate conditions of the United States

ABSTRACTBuilding energy-performance simulation programs are powerful tools for many aspects of feasibility studies regarding ground source heat pump (GSHP). However, the understanding of the limitations of the energy modelling programs, their capability of predicting energy performance early in the design process, and the complicated functionality of these programs makes the software programs harder to use and less practical. The interactive tool developed in this study seeks to provide analysis information in a straightforward manner that is inexpensive, convenient, and sophisticated. This tool uses an inclusive approach to assess the feasibility of GSHPs by prescreening critical factors such as climate conditions, ground temperatures, energy use, and cost savings. It is interactive and enables the user to do a feasibility analysis with a weighting factor for each feasibility criterion based on the user’s preference and interests. The application of the tool explains feasibility scores of 15 representati...
Temperature Programmed Desorption of Ethanol over TiO2 and M/TiO2 (M = Au, Pd and Au–Pd) Catalysts: Dehydration Versus De-carbonylation Pathways

The reactions of ethanol over TiO2 and M/TiO2 (M = Au, Pd and Au–Pd) catalysts are studied by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), in high vacuum conditions, in order to study the effects of metal nature on desorption profiles and products distribution. Ethanol reacted through dehydration (major) and dehydrogenation (minor) pathways on TiO2 and Au/TiO2 producing ethylene and acetaldehyde, with negligible hydrogen formation. On Pd/TiO2 and Au–Pd/TiO2, carbon monoxide and methane were the main products, through C–C bond cleavage, in addition to H2. TPD of ethanol on Au-Pd was almost identical to that of Pd indicating the much higher activity of Pd when compared to Au on TiO2. Ethanol desorption from all catalysts followed second order kinetics as evidenced from desorption peak shape, shift in peak temperatures with increasing initial coverages, and by data fitting of the Arrhenius plots. With increasing ethanol coverage, the activation energies calculated from the non-linear fitting of Polanyi Wigner equation as well as from leading edge analysis decreases due to repulsive lateral interactions. Both methods gave similar results (activation energy between 145 and 95 kJ/mol depending on the surface coverage), although the activation energy obtained by the leading edge method was more sensitive to surface coverage.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: BARTONELLA HENSELAE ENDOCARDITIS PRESENTING AS ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

Bartonella Henselae, a common cause of culture-negative endocarditis, may be challenging to diagnose increasing the mortality and morbidity risk. A 54-year old male with past medical history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (controlled on sotalol), hypertension (medically managed), rheumatic fever
Hydrogen inhalation is neuroprotective and improves functional outcomes in mice after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective: Oxidative stress contributes significantly to the development of secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). It has been previously demonstrated that hydrogen gas can decrease oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that hydrogen therapy will reduce brain oxidative stress in mice after ICH and thereby will lead to reduced brain edema and improved neurological outcomes.
The Problem of Physical Reality in Contemporary Science

In this paper I shall explore some philosophical aspects of the present scientific view of the physical reality of the micro-cosmos. Everybody remembers, of course, that some of the most insightful and least speculative thinkers of this century have stressed the physical reality of the micro-cosmos, i. e., the physical sub-universe which is presently conceived as consisting of molecules, atoms and elementary particles. H. PoiNCARE1 argued that molecules are real since the number of molecules in a particular region can often be reliably determined: he felt that it would be impossible to count non-existent or unreal things, In 1927 P. W. Bridgman [1] wrote about the status of the atom: “we are now as convinced of its physical reality as of our hands and feet”. The men who keep devising increasingly powerful atomic weapons, including those who have already used them twice, probably feel in the same way.
FDA review, CMS coverage, and NIH information for next generation sequencing.

e18798Background: On November 30, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first breakthrough designated, NGS-based in vitro diagnostic, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser...
Anti-PF4/heparin antibodies are increased in hospitalized patients with bacterial sepsis.

Abstract Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by antibodies targeting platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes. The immune response leading to HIT remains perplexing with many paradoxes. Unlike other drug induced reactions, anti-PF4/heparin antibody generation does not follow the classic immunologic response. Research in murine models suggests that that there is close interplay among infection, PF4 and the immune system. We hypothesized there would be a relatively higher prevalence of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies in patients hospitalized for sepsis. We retrospectively examined anti-PF4/heparin antibody testing in 200 such patients. This included patients who had sepsis with bacteremia (n = 57), sepsis with fungemia (n = 7) and sepsis without bacteremia or fungemia (n = 136). For comparison, data from 50 patients without sepsis during the same time period was used. Results confirmed that patients hospitalized with sepsis have higher anti-PF4/heparin antibody levels. The groups of patients having sepsis with bacteremia, and sepsis without bacteremia, had significantly higher OD than the control group without sepsis (p
When the information flows: Media professionalism as a signal of institutional trust at the state capitol

Abstract Recent communication scholarship emphasizes national and technological analyses of the relationship between politicians and media actors. However, this qualitative analysis uses interviews and observations to find that U.S. state legislative offices still draw on an institutional understanding of the press as the primary information provider to the electorate. In a more diverse information environment with broader definitions of media, this study finds that legislators relied on professionalism to signal a media organization's understanding of their institutional role—and it is this institutional role that allows for information to flow between media actors and legislators. Professionalism also became the language used to draw boundaries in the relationships. When behavioral norms were violated, the press became viewed as antagonistic because it stepped out of its institutional role as information provider and interrupted functions of the political institution. Recurring discomfort with “information correction” suggests legislators and their staffs find themselves increasingly in the position of fact arbiters in the changing media landscape.
A nonhuman primate model of early Alzheimer's disease pathologic change: Implications for disease pathogenesis.

Abstract Introduction Nonhuman primates may serve as excellent models of sporadic age-associated brain β-amyloid deposition and Alzheimer's disease pathologic changes. We examined whether a vervet nonhuman primate model recapitulated pathologic, physiologic, and behavioral features of early Alzheimer's disease. Methods Nine middle-aged (mean = 11.2 years) and nine aged (mean = 21.7 years) female vervet/African green monkeys underwent cerebrospinal fluid collection, gait speed measurement, and neuroimaging before neuropathologic assessment. Results β-amyloid plaques were identified in all aged vervets and paired helical filament tau immunoreactivity was observed in all animals. Cerebrospinal fluid β-amyloid42 and gait speed correlated negatively with age and plaque density. Greater plaque and paired helical filament tau burden predicted reduced volumes and CMRg in several brain regions. Discussion We observed a coordinated set of relationships among neuropathologic, cerebrospinal fluid, imaging, and behavioral modalities consistent with early Alzheimer's disease. Our results support future use of the vervet model to explore disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and novel therapeutic strategies.