cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Worsening Renal Function Over Time: A Population Based Study

Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in 9–13% of the general population and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, such as heart failure. The natural progression of the disease varies widely between individuals, but overall populations tend to have reduction in renal function over time. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors and characteristics of patients which may predict progression of CKD. Methods This study utilized a retrospective review of the Olmsted County Heart Function Study cohort. The population of this study is a random sample of 2042 Olmsted County residents aged ≥45 years. The current analysis only included 1328 participants who were evaluated at 2 visits, 4 years apart. At each visit, echocardiographic, laboratory and clinical outcome data was obtained. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: reduction of GFR ≥20% and reduction in GFR Results Between visit 1 and 2 (mean 4.0±0.3 years), 424 (32%) individuals had a reduction of GFR by ≥20%. Individuals with reduction of GFR ≥20% were more significantly likely to be female (71% vs. 41%, p Conclusions In this community population, 32% had a reduction of GFR ≥20% over a 4 year period. Higher systolic BP and NT-proBNP together with EF
Global convergence of langevin dynamics based algorithms for nonconvex optimization

We present a unified framework to analyze the global convergence of Langevin dynamics based algorithms for nonconvex finite-sum optimization with n component functions. At the core of our analysis is a direct analysis of the ergodicity of the numerical approximations to Langevin dynamics, which leads to faster convergence rates. Specifically, we show that gradient Langevin dynamics (GLD) and stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics (SGLD) converge to the almost minimizer2 within O(nd/(λe)) and O(d7/(λ5e5)) stochastic gradient evaluations respectively3, where d is the problem dimension, and A is the spectral gap of the Markov chain generated by GLD. Both results improve upon the best known gradient complexity4 results [44]. Furthermore, for the first time we prove the global convergence guarantee for variance reduced stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics (SVRG-LD) to the almost minimizer within O(√nd5/(λ4e5/2)) stochastic gradient evaluations, which outperforms the gradient complexities of GLD and SGLD in a wide regime. Our theoretical analyses shed some light on using Langevin dynamics based algorithms for nonconvex optimization with provable guarantees.
The role of early care and education in addressing early childhood trauma

Young children's experience of trauma is associated with a wide range of adverse events and circumstances, including abuse and neglect, domestic violence, loss of a parent, and community violence. Policymakers and practitioners are increasingly aware that trauma during the first few years of life is especially widespread, and there is growing interest in new ways to support these young children and their families. Many young children who experience trauma attend early care and education (ECE) programs, and these settings offer important opportunities to promote their well-being. This paper examines strategies currently being implemented in ECE to address early childhood trauma. The paper first examines research on how trauma affects young children's development, ECE environments, and society. We then describe the unique needs of young, traumatized children and features of trauma-informed care that can address their needs, along with emerging interventions and supports that can be incorporated into or linked with ECE settings as part of a trauma-informed approach. We conclude with a discussion of future directions for ECE and trauma research, policy, and practice, bearing in mind both the promise of new approaches and a limited evidence base to date.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Titanium Nitride for Robust Plasmonic Color Security Devices

Patterned titanium nitride films grown via PE-ALD exhibit plasmonic colors along with being scratch resistant and durable making them an attractive choice for applications that require robust materials such as security holograms and labels.
In Memoriam: Martin Rudner

Martin Rudner, Ph.D., a longstanding, valued member of the Studies in Terrorism & Conflict editorial board, died on December 14, 2019. His passing leaves the fields of intelligence and security stu...
Probabilistic Human Intent Recognition for Shared Autonomy in Assistive Robotics

Effective human-robot collaboration in shared autonomy requires reasoning about the intentions of the human partner. To provide meaningful assistance, the autonomy has to first correctly predict, or infer, the intended goal of the human collaborator. In this work, we present a mathematical formulation for intent inference during assistive teleoperation under shared autonomy. Our recursive Bayesian filtering approach models and fuses multiple non-verbal observations to probabilistically reason about the intended goal of the user without explicit communication. In addition to contextual observations, we model and incorporate the human agent’s behavior as goal-directed actions with adjustable rationality to inform intent recognition. Furthermore, we introduce a user-customized optimization of this adjustable rationality to achieve user personalization. We validate our approach with a human subjects study that evaluates intent inference performance under a variety of goal scenarios and tasks. Importantly, the studies are performed using multiple control interfaces that are typically available to users in the assistive domain, which differ in the continuity and dimensionality of the issued control signals. The implications of the control interface limitations on intent inference are analyzed. The study results show that our approach in many scenarios outperforms existing solutions for intent inference in assistive teleoperation and otherwise performs comparably. Our findings demonstrate the benefit of probabilistic modeling and the incorporation of human agent behavior as goal-directed actions where the adjustable rationality model is user customized. Results further show that the underlying intent inference approach directly affects shared autonomy performance, as do control interface limitations.
Syncytiotrophoblast extracellular microvesicle profiles in maternal circulation for noninvasive diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is the most common placental pathology in pregnant females, with increased morbidity and mortality incurred on the mother and the fetus. There is a need for improved biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of this condition. Placental syncytiotrophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface release nanoparticles, including extracellular microvesicles, into the maternal blood during pregnancy. Syncytiotrophoblast extracellular microvesicles (STEVs) are being studied for their diagnostic potential and for their potential physiologic role in preeclampsia. We hypothesized that STEV profiles in maternal circulation would be altered under conditions of preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by BeWo cells in vitro showed high expression of syncytin-1, but no plac1 expression, demonstrating that trophoblast cell EVs express syncytin-1 on their surface. Placental alkaline phosphatase also showed high expression on BeWo EVs, but due to concern for cross reactivity to highly prevalent isoforms of intestinal and bone alkaline phosphatase, we utilized syncytin-1 as a marker for STEVs. In vivo, syncytin-1 protein expression was confirmed in maternal plasma EVs from Control and Preeclampsia subjects by Western blot, and overall, lower expression was noted in samples from patients with preeclampsia (n = 8). By nanoparticle analysis, EV profiles from Control and Preeclampsia groups showed similar total plasma EV quantities (p = 0.313) and size distribution (p = 0.415), but STEV quantitative signal, marked by syncytin-1 specific EVs, was significantly decreased in the Preeclampsia group (p = 2.8 × 10−11). Receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that STEV signal threshold cut-off of <0.316 was 95.2% sensitive and 95.6% specific for diagnosis of preeclampsia in this cohort (area under curve = 0.975 ± 0.020). In conclusion, we report that the syncytin-1 expressing EV profiles in maternal plasma might serve as a placental tissue specific biomarker for preeclampsia.
Accuracy of Implant Placement Position Using Nondental Open-Source Software: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the accuracy of implant placement position using two different dental implant planning software. MATERIALS AND METHODS A set of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files from a cone beam computed tomography of a patient missing maxillary right first premolar was used. Implant planning was done using two open-source programs: A nondental 3D Slicer/Blender (3DSB) software and a commercial dental implant treatment planning program: Blue Sky Plan 4 (BSP4). An intraoral scan of the same patient was used to create a standard tessellation language (STL) file of the maxillary arch and later printed into 20 identical casts. Ten surgical guides were printed for each group as well. A dental implant (3.8 mm × 12 mm, Biohorizons) was placed into each cast using fully guided surgical protocol. The horizontal displacements at the implant cervical platform and at the implant apex as well as the angulation displacements were measured using digital scanning of the implant scan bodies and were analyzed using a 3D compare software. Statistical analyses were conducted (⍺ = 0.05) using t-test and F-test to examine differences in trueness and precision, respectively. RESULTS The average horizontal deviations for the platform and the apex, respectively, were 0.33 ± 0.12 mm and 0.76 ± 0.30 mm for 3DSB and 0.44 ± 0.21 mm and 0.98 ± 0.48 mm for BSP4. The average angulation deviations for 3DSB and BSB4 were 2.34 ± 0.93° and 3.07 ± 1.57°, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the means (t-test) of the platform, apex, and angulation deviations (p = 0.16, p = 0.19, and p = 0.18, respectively). There were statistical differences in the variances (F test) of the platform (p = 0.043) and angulation (p = 0.049) deviations but not the apex (p = 0.059) deviations. CONCLUSIONS The combination of nondental open-source software, 3D Slicer/Blender can be used to plan implant guided surgery with an accuracy similar to commercial dental software with slightly higher precision. Open-source nondental software can be considered as an alternative in dental implant treatment planning and guided surgery.
Digital droplet infusion

Infusion pumps have been widely used in clinical settings for the administration of medications and fluids. We present the digital droplet infusion (DDI) device, a low-cost, high-precision digital infusion system, utilizing a microfluidic discretization unit to convert continuous flow into precisely delivered droplet aliquots and a valving unit to control the duration and frequency of flow discretization. The DDI device relies on a distinct capillarity-dominated process of coalescence and pinch-off of droplets for flow digitization, which is monitored by a pair of conductive electrodes located before and after the junction. The digital feedback-controlled flow rate can be employed to adjust a solenoid valve for refined infusion management. With this unique digital microfluidic approach, the DDI technology enables a simple yet powerful infusion system with an ultrahigh resolution of digital droplet transfer volume, as small as 57 nL, which is three orders of magnitude lower than that of clinical standard infusion pumps, as well as a wide range of digitally adjustable infusion rates ranging from 0.1 mL h-1 to 10 mL h-1, in addition to an array of programmable infusion profiles and safety features. Its modular design enables fast assembly using only off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components. Overall, benefiting from its simple device architecture and excellent infusion performance, the DDI technology has great potential to become the next-generation clinical standard for drug delivery with its high precision and ultimate portability at a low cost.
Impact of a nutrition education program on health behaviors in a university workplace wellness program.

BACKGROUND Obesity is a complex health issue associated with the leading causes of preventable chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. As part of an interprofessional team, nurse practitioners can play an integral role in leading worksite interventions to enhance health behavior change. Although worksite nutrition interventions have existed for many years, effective weight management programs are needed in the workplace. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a novel nutrition education program implemented in the workplace on health behaviors (dietary habits and physical activity), motivators and barriers, emotional eating, confidence, and biometrics (body mass index and lipid levels). METHODS A total of 96 university employees participated in a one-group pre- and postintervention from 2017 to 2019. The intervention included eight weekly face-face education sessions. We assessed dietary habits, physical activity, motivators and barriers of a healthy lifestyle, emotional eating, confidence levels, body mass index, and lipid levels. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and Wilcoxon rank test were performed. RESULTS The consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and physical activity increased significantly. Barriers, body mass index, and triglycerides significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in emotional eating and motivators after the intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nurse practitioners are positioned to lead an interprofessional team to provide nutrition education to help mitigate risk factors for obesity in various settings, including the workplace.
Focused Ultrasound Biofilm Ablation: Investigation of Histotripsy for the Treatment of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)

Urinary catheters often become contaminated with biofilms, resulting in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) that adversely affect patient outcomes. Histotripsy is a noninvasive focused ultrasound therapy previously developed for the noninvasive ablation of cancerous tumors and soft tissues. Histotripsy has also previously shown the ability to treat biofilms on glass slides and surgical meshes. Here, we investigate the potential of histotripsy for the treatment of CAUTIs for the first time in vitro . Clinically relevant catheter materials (Tygon, Silicone, and latex catheter mimics) and commonly used clinical catheters were tested to determine the feasibility of producing luminal histotripsy bubble clouds. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain PA14) biofilm model was developed and tested to produce luminal biofilms in an in vitro Tygon catheter mimic. This model was treated with histotripsy to determine the ability to remove a luminal biofilm. Finally, the bactericidal effects of histotripsy were tested by treating PA14 suspended inside the Tygon catheter mimic. Results showed that histotripsy produced precise luminal cavitation within all tested catheter mimics and clinical catheters. Histotripsy treatment of a PA14 biofilm with histotripsy reduced luminal biofilm OD590 signal down to background levels. Further, the treatment of suspended PA14 in Luria–Bertani (LB) showed a 3.45 ± 0.11 log10 reduction in CFU/mL after six histotripsy scans across the catheter mimics. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the potential of histotripsy to provide a new modality for removing bacterial biofilms from catheter-based medical devices and suggest that additional work is warranted to investigate histotripsy for the treatment of CAUTIs and other biomaterial-associated infections.
Horizontal Transfer of Histone H3 by Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT Histones are small, highly basic, nuclear proteins that serve as structural elements to condense DNA into chromatin and regulate its accessibility1. Although histones released from dying cells can act as extracellular signaling molecules, all intracellular histone molecules are assumed to have originated from the cell in which they reside2–6. Here we show that histone H3 is horizontally transferred between viable cells. Using an ER-targeted biotin ligase to detect secreted proteins7,8, we serendipitously discovered that histone H3 is selectively secreted by autophagic cells relative to histones H2A, H2B, and H4. Specific H3 posttranslational modifications are enriched or depleted on secreted H3 relative to intracellular H3, suggesting that specific PTMs dictate H3’s ability to be secreted or the information it conveys to neighboring cells. Remarkably, we found that secreted H3 can enter the nuclei of recipient cells in an autophagy-independent and cell contactindependent manner ex vivo and in vivo. These findings have implications for cell-cell communication during nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and perhaps other forms of cellular stress, and for the ability to deliver macromolecules across cell membranes.
Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Nymph Survival and Adult Feeding Preferences for Crop Plants in Florida

Florida crop plants, including okra, sunflower, tangerine, olive, plum, pomegranate, satsuma, pear, and apple, plus amaranthus were evaluated as hosts for Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). This invasive stink bug fed on all plant species, except olive and pomegranate, but completed development only on apple, pear, and satsuma. However, a significant number of nymphs developed into fifth instars on okra, tangerine, and plum. Halyomorpha halys, therefore, has the potential to complete development on apple, pear, satsuma, plum, okra, and tangerine crops in Florida.
CORRECTING THE ‘UNNATURAL’ BREAST: GYNECOMASTIA AND GENDER IN MEDIEVAL MEDICINE

This paper discusses the transmission of a surgical procedure for the correction of gynecomastia, or female-like breasts in men. The procedure originated in Greek medicine and was passed to Arabic and later Latin authors on surgery. The paper argues that persistence of the text and its adaptation into Latin are evidence that the procedure maintained a gendered meaning for Latin authors. This gendered meaning led Latin authors to continue copying the procedure, though not to perform it.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy as a tool for detecting and localizing occult foreign bodies after ocular trauma

Abstract Objective To show the utility of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in imaging small ocular foreign bodies of the anterior segment. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Twelve eyes of 12 consecutive patients evaluated in the emergency department or referred to specialty services at 1 institution between August 1994 and November 1997 were examined. Intervention Ocular ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed. Main outcome measures Detection and localization of an ocular foreign body were measured. Results An intraocular or superficial foreign body was detected by UBM in 9 (75%) of 12 eyes. The foreign body was classified as corneal in two eyes, subconjunctival in two, intrascleral in three, and intraocular in two eyes. The foreign body was not visible by ophthalmic physical examination in seven of the nine eyes with a confirmed ocular foreign body. In the remaining two eyes, UBM was used to determine the depth of a visible foreign body. In three of the eyes with a confirmed foreign body, computed tomography and/or contact B-scan ultrasonography was obtained and failed to show a foreign body. Six of the foreign bodies were nonmetallic. Conclusions Clinical detection of ocular foreign bodies after trauma can be hindered by small size, haziness of the optical media, poor patient cooperation, or hidden location. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a valuable adjunct in the evaluation of suspected ocular foreign bodies, especially in cases involving small, nonmetallic objects.
Institutions and Economic Development

All societies have to allocate resources between present and future consumption, evaluate investment alternatives, provide an orderly flow of consumer goods between production dates (e.g., wheat between harvests), and encourage the growth of wealth.
Patterns of proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells after compartment depletion.

The time of onset and rate of self-replication in the irradiation depleted pluripotential hematopoietic stem cell compartment of mice was measured by a split-dose irradiation method. Mice were irradiated to reduce the compartment size and at daily intervals thereafter were again irradiated; 10 days after the second irradiation the number of endogenous spleen colonies was determined. As irradiation interval was lengthened, colonies increased in an exponential fashion with no apparent lag interval after the first irradiation. The doubling time of the colony-forming cell compartment was calculated as 16 hr if severely reduced in size by 300 R or more but was slower if less irradiation was given. The time of resumption of erythropoiesis following irradiation was measured after 100-900 R by determining uptake of radioactive iron into marrow, spleen, and circulating red cells each day after irradiation. With 200 R or less, erythropoiesis was not abolished. With higher doses there was an interval of no apparent erythropoiesis which increased by 1.6 days for each increment of 100 R. These results are compatible with a pluripotential stem cell compartment, which (1) begins self replication almost immediately following compartment size reduction, and (2) will not differentiate if reduced in size below approximately 10% of normal.
Infrastructure for Mobile Agents: Requirements and Design

Mobile agent technology makes it possible to reduce network traffic, overcome network latencies and enhance robustness and fault-tolerant capabilities of distributed applications. However, it is sometimes difficult or even impossible to take full advantage of these technical benefits because of the lack of an appropriate infrastructure for overcoming problems related to connectivity (e.g. access through firewalls), security, location transparency, and use of proprietary tools. This paper discusses these problems and introduces the requirements for various infrastructure components and their implementation with the aim of enhancing the practicality and accelerating the deployment of mobile agents.
Cleaved high molecular weight kininogen binds directly to the integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) and blocks adhesion to fibrinogen and ICAM-1

High molecular weight kininogen (HK) and its cleaved form (HKa) have been shown to bind to neutrophils. Based on studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), we postulated that CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) might be the receptor on the neutrophils for binding to HK/HKa. However, the direct interaction of HK/HKa and Mac-1 had not been demonstrated. We therefore transfected HEK 293 cells with human Mac-1. Cell binding assays using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled HKa showed increased binding to the Mac-1 transfected cells compared with the control transfected cells. The binding was specific because unlabeled HKa, Mac-1-specific antibody, and fibrinogen can inhibit the binding of biotin-HKa to Mac-1 transfected cells. HKa bound to Mac-1 transfected cells (20 000 molecules/cell) with a K(d) = 62 nmol/L. To demonstrate directly the formation of a complex between HKa and Mac-1, we examined the interaction of HKa and purified Mac-1 in a cell-free system using an IAsys resonant mirror optical biosensor. The association and dissociation rate constants (k(on) and k(off), respectively) were determined, and they yielded a dissociation constant (K(d)) of 3.2x10(-9) mol/L. The functional significance of direct interaction of HKa to Mac-1 was investigated by examining the effect of HKa on cellular adhesion to fibrinogen and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), molecules abundant in the injured vessel wall. HKa blocked the adhesion of Mac-1 transfected cells to fibrinogen and ICAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, HKa may interrupt Mac-1-mediated cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell adhesive interactions and may therefore influence the recruitment of circulating neutrophils/monocytes to sites of vessel injury. (Blood. 2000;95:3788-3795)
Antibiotic Production by Anaerobic Bacteria

Abstract Soils from aerobic and anaerobic sources were investigated for the possible presence of bacteria which produce antibiotics under anaerobic conditions of growth. The screening techniques devised for this study yielded 157 soil bacteria which, during anaerobic growth, produced antibiotic activity against aerobic test bacteria. Studies on choice of media, presence of oxygen, and changes in antibiotic activity during growth indicated that representative strains of these bacteria produced mixtures of antibiotics. The activity was heat labile.
Ethical codes and their effect on conduct

The simplest and most visible way for an organization to show its commitment to ethics is to issue a code of ethics that encourages the organization members to behave in an ethical way. This study investigates the efficacy of a code of ethics in a hypothetical situation. It shows that even a brief exposure to a code of ethics can have the desired effect.
Efficient and reliable VLSI algorithms and architectures for the discrete Fourier transform

The design of both area-efficient and reliable VLSI arrays for computation of the complex N-point discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is considered. C.D. Thompson's VLSI model of computation (1979) is used to quantify the area required by wiring and the achievable period. Four architectures using the fast two-dimensional (2-D) algorithm for the DFT that achieve the maximum throughput per chip area are presented. The first two use N-element 2-D meshes requiring N+2N/sup 3/2/ multiplications and 1+2 square root N periods per DFT. The first uses in place data I/O and can be made systolic with Goertzel's algorithm. The second is systolic with row parallel I/O. The third and fourth architectures both use pipelined DFT blocks of length square root N connected by a pipelined matrix transposer. The third uses systolic 2-D meshes for the short DFTs with period square root N. The fourth uses pipelined butterfly networks implementing standard FFT algorithms for the short DFTs, but only N(1+log/sub 2/ N) multiplications per DFT, thus preserving maximum throughput per unit area. The technique of algorithm-based fault-tolerance applies directly to all four architectures with only fractional redundant overhead. >
Two Cases of Uveal Metastasis from Breast Carcinoma in Men

We studied two cases of uveal metastasis from carcinoma of the breast in men. One patient was a 51-year-old man who developed ocular symptoms nine months after excision of a breast mass histologically diagnosed as an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. After the patient committed suicide, an autopsy disclosed metastatic lesions to the lungs, mediastinum, and chest wall. The second patient was a 49-year-old man who complained of ocular symptoms three years after undergoing mastectomy for breast carcinoma. One month after the onset of the ocular symptoms, his left eye was enucleated. Metastatic lesions were detected in the lungs and brain. More than one year after undergoing bilateral orchiectomy, and after whole-brain radiation therapy (4,500 rads) and chemotherapy, the patient has no neurologic symptoms. It appears that mammary carcinoma in men has a poorer prognosis than it does in women, probably because of two main factors: the advanced clinical stage of the disease when it is first detected and the more diffuse infiltrating character of the mass because of the scarcity of mammary tissue in men.
The effect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor on the microcirculation in patients undergoing high-risk coronary stenting; a prospective, randomized study.

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, tirofiban, on the microcirculation measured by Doppler coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients undergoing high-risk coronary stenting. Background: The mechanisms by which glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors benefit patients undergoing high-risk angioplasty are not fully understood. This may be due to prevention of distal embolization of the coronary clot at the site of angioplasty. Methods: Thirty two consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome within 72 hours or with high-risk angiographic features were randomized into 2 groups. Group A (n = 17) received tirofiban (10 μg/kg bolus followed 0.15 μg/kg/min). Group B (n = 15) received placebo bolus and infusion. Coronary flow reserve was measured by Doppler wire technique at baseline, post balloon angioplasty and post-stenting. Platelet aggregation was measured at baseline, 10 minutes, 6 hours and 12 hours post bolus. Results: There was no significant difference in CFR between the groups at baseline and after balloon angioplasty. Post-stenting CFR, however, was significantly higher in the group pretreated with tirofiban (2.94 vs. 2.25, p = 0.014). The inhibition of platelet aggregation was 94% at 10 minutes, 97% at 6 hours and 94% at 12 hours in the tirofiban group. Conclusion: In patients undergoing high-risk coronary stenting, tirofiban protects and improves the microcirculation measured by Doppler wire technique. This may be due to prevention of distal embolization of clot by tirofiban and explain the clinical benefit.
Endothelium-Mediated Control of the Coronary Circulation

This review discusses the role of the endothelium in the regulation of coronary vascular function. The role of endothelium-mediated mechanisms at rest, during exercise, in exercise training-induced adaptations of coronary function and in the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) are examined. Mechanisms of control of coronary blood flow are briefly discussed with emphasis on endothelium-mediated control of vascular resistance. The concept that the relative importance of vascular control mechanisms differs as a function of position along the coronary arterial tree is developed and discussed. Metabolic, myogenic and endothelium-mediated control systems contribute in parallel to regulating coronary blood flow. The relative importance of these mechanisms varies throughout the coronary arterial tree. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation contributes to maintenance of resting coronary blood flow but the endothelium's role in dilation of small resistance arteries, thereby increasing coronary blood flow during exercise, remains in question. In contrast, the endothelium plays an essential role in dilation of the conduit coronary arteries during exercise. Atherosclerosis and CHD convert this exercise-induced dilation to a vasoconstriction, apparently due to endothelium dysfunction. Long term increases in physical activity and exercise training alter the control of coronary blood flow. Adaptations in endothelium-mediated control play a role in these changes. However, the effects of the mode, frequency, and intensity of exercise training bouts and duration of training on adaptive changes in endothelial function have not been established. The role of the endothelium in control of the permeability characteristics of the exchange vessels in the coronary circulation is discussed. Current evidence indicates that vascular permeability is a dynamic characteristic of the vessel wall that is controlled, at least in part, by endothelium-dependent phenomena. Also, preliminary results indicate that exercise training alters microvessel permeability and the control of permeability in the coronary circulation. Further research is needed to provide clarification of the effects of exercise training on coronary endothelial control of vascular resistance and vascular permeability in atherosclerosis and CHD.
Critical Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and NF-κB in Interferon-γ-induced CD40 Expression in Microglia/Macrophages

CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. CD40 expression on antigen-presenting cells (including macrophages and microglia) is crucial for T-cell activation. Aberrant expression of CD40 has been associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. We have recently shown that the cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ is the most potent inducer of CD40 expression in macrophages and microglia, and this induction is mediated by the IFN-γ-activated transcription factor STAT-1α and constitutively expressed PU.1 and/or Spi-B. In this study, we have discovered that a major component of IFN-γ-induced CD40 expression involves the endogenous production of the cytokine TNF-α. The inclusion of anti-TNF-α-neutralizing antibody significantly inhibits IFN-γ-induced CD40 mRNA and CD40 promoter activity. IFN-γ-induced CD40 protein expression is attenuated in TNF-α-deficient microglia and can be restored with exogenous TNF-α. Site-directed mutagenesis studies demonstrate that three of the four NF-κB elements in the CD40 promoter are required for IFN-γ-induced CD40 promoter activity. IFN-γ treatment leads to the activation of NF-κB in a time-dependent manner, which is inhibited in the presence of anti-TNF-α-neutralizing antibody. These results indicate that IFN-γ-induced TNF-α production and subsequent NF-κB activation are integral parts of the mechanism of IFN-γ-induced CD40 expression.
Schmidt’s game on fractals

We construct (α, β) and α-winning sets in the sense of Schmidt’s game, played on the support of certain measures (absolutely friendly) and show how to compute the Hausdorff dimension for some.
On the limiting cases of nonextensive thermostatistics

We investigate the limiting cases of Tsallis statistics. The viewpoint adopted is not the standard information-theoretic one, where one derives the distribution from a given measure of information. Instead, the mechanical approach recently proposed in [M. Campisi, G.B. Bagci, Phys. Lett. A 362 (2007) 11] is adopted, where the distribution is given and one looks for the associated physical entropy. We show that, not only the canonical ensemble is recovered in the limit of q tending to one, as one expects, but also the microcanonical ensemble is recovered in the limit of q tending to minus infinity. The physical entropy associated with Tsallis ensemble recovers the microcanonical entropy as well and we note that the microcanonical equipartition theorem is recovered too. We are so led to interpret the extensivity parameter q as a measure of the thermal bath heat capacity: q=1 (i.e. canonical) corresponds to an infinite bath (thermalised case, temperature is fixed), q=−∞ (microcanonical) corresponds to a bath with null heat capacity (isolated case, energy is fixed), intermediate q's (i.e. Tsallis) correspond to the realistic cases of finite heat capacity (both temperature and energy fluctuate).
Assessment of Armenian local government corruption potential

Local government in many developing countries is prone to institutional and individual corruption. Using a set of questions developed for a Baseline Review of the status of procedures and practices of Armenian local governments, a general matrix was developed that may be applied to any local government in any country. The matrix looks at three broad areas where the potential for corruption has historically been high: awareness and reporting suspected corruption, procurement practices, and internal control practices and procedures. This article presents a methodology (the matrix questions) that will enable the development practitioner to rapidly assess the corruption potential and develop training or technical assistance to reduce the corruption potential. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ulnar neuropathy in a patient with multiple schwannomas of the ulnar nerve

Abstract A patient with ulnar neuropathy was found to have four separate schwannomas along the ulnar nerve. Surgical resection led to clinical improvement. The
Polymerization and oligomerization of ethylene by cationic nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes containing bidentate phenacyldiarylphosphine ligands

A series of Ni(II) and Pd(II) catalysts have been synthesized from the P,O chelating ligands phenacyl(aryl)2phosphine. The (P,O)Ni-allyl+B(Arf)4- [Arf = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3] complexes 6a−c are active fo...
Intrinsic viscosity of polymers of low molecular weight

Experimental evidence concerning the dependence of the intrinsic viscosity [η] on molecular weight M in the low molecular weight range (from oligomers to M = 5 × 104) has been collected in a variety of solvents for about ten polymers, i.e., polyethylene, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), polydimethylsiloxane, polyisobutylene, poly(vinylacetate), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, and some cellulose derivatives. In theta solvents, the constancy of the ratio [η]Θ/M0.5 extends down to values of M much lower than those predicted by current hydrodynamic theories. In good solvents, and on decreasing M, the polymers examined, with the exception of polyethylene and some cellulose derivatives, show a decrease in the exponent a of the Mark-Houwink equation [η] = KMa. This upward curvature gives rise to the existence of a more or less extended linear region where the equation [η] = K0M0.5 is obeyed. Below the linear range, i.e., for even shorter chains, the exponent a can increase, i.e., polydimethylsiloxane, or decrease below 0.5, i.e., poly(ethylene oxide), depending on the particular chain properties. These different dependences have been discussed in terms of: (a) variations of thermodynamic interactions with molecular weight; (b) variations of conformational characteristics (as for instance the ratio) 〈r02/nl2〉, where 〈r02〉 is the unperturbed mean square end-to-end distance and n is the number of bonds each of length l; (c) hydrodynamic properties of short chains.
Acute Myopericarditis After Multiple Vaccinations in an Adolescent: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a case of postvaccination acute myopericarditis in an adolescent. The patient presented with acute chest pain, diffuse ST-segment elevation, and elevated cardiac enzyme levels. Cardiac MRI was consistent with acute myocarditis. He recovered within a few days with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory treatment and remains clinically stable, with improvement of MRI findings at the 10-week follow-up. Postvaccination cases of myopericarditis reported in the pediatric literature are also reviewed.
Nobel Lectures: Physics (2006–2010)

In the spirit of beating swords into ploughshares, the Swedish engineer, researcher (inventor of dynamite and ballistite, the precursor to the British smokeless explosive cordite) and armament magn...
Toward a general synthesis of A-ring trihydroxylated vitamin D analogs: Synthesis of an A-ring synthon of ED-71 from d-arabinose

Abstract (3R, 4S, 5R)-3, 4-(O-isopropylidene)-5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-1-octene-7-yne was synthesized from d -arabinose in 9 steps and 28% yield and coupled via the Trost-Dumas carbopalladation method to a steroidal CD-ring fragment to yield 1α, 2β-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
Supersymmetry and duality in relativistic oscillator systems

Abstract A simple mapping is defined which takes the relativistic oscillator on a ( 1 + 1 ) -dimensional spacetime into a dual system consisting of a nonrelativistic oscillator confined to a circular space. The radius of the circle in the dual system measures the size of relativistic effects in the original system. It is shown that both of the dual oscillator systems have supersymmetric partners, and the exact wavefunctions and energy levels of all four of the intertwined systems are found.
Trace element speciation in selected smelter-contaminated soils in Anaconda and Deer Lodge Valley, Montana, USA

Abstract Long-term copper smelting in the Anaconda and Deer Lodge Valley area of Montana has resulted in an extensive area of trace element contamination. Aerial extent of contamination is generally established, but total analysis of soils does not correlate to relative degree of impact on vegetation growth. Three pedons (Beaverell, Cetrack and Judco) were analyzed by routine soil characterization methods, aqua regia microwave digestion, sequential chemical extraction, and X-ray diffraction analysis with the objective of providing a better understanding of chemical forms and potential reactivity of selected trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb). Surface horizons of soils are more acidic than subsoils, with pH for all horizons ranging from 4.0 to 8.7. Beaverell is the most contaminated in the upper 20 cm with the sum of total extractable (SUM TE ) trace elements by microwave digestion ranging from 1836 to 3605 mg kg −1 , largest H 2 O-soluble (WS) and exchangeable (EX) fractions (e.g. 1.6 and 9.3%, respectively), and smallest residual (RES) fraction (e.g. 14.3%). Cetrack has greater SUM TE elements than Judco, though a lower WS+EX fraction due to the effects of alkaline pH, carbonates and high P. Oxide (OX), organic matter/sulfide (OM/S), and RES fractions predominate over WS, EX, and specially-sorbed/carbonate-bound fractions (SS/CAR) for all horizons. Copper, Zn, Pb and Cd are elevated in surface over subsurface horizons in these latter fractions, indicating these elements were anthropogenic additions. X-ray data indicate that Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd partially exists as both OX and sulfide mineral forms.
Frequency-domain lifetime measurements and sensing in highly scattering media

For clinical chemistry, or for non-invasive sensing through skin, it is often necessary to obtain quantitative information in highly scattering media. We describe two simple methods for fluorescence lifetime measurements in highly scattering media, and in particular in an intralipid suspension. Lifetimes can be measured using an intensity decay law that accounts for the time delays and pulse-broadening effects of multiple light-scattering events in the intralipid. Alternatively, the phase and modulation measurements can be performed relative.to a reference fluorophore with a known lifetime. These approaches provide reliable lifetime data for a pH-sensitive fluorophore contained within a microeuvette 4 mm under the surface of the intralipid suspension. Fluorescence lifetime-based sensing is now recognized as a valuable methodology in clinical and analytical chemistry, and the possibility of lifetime-based sensing in turbid media has been demonstrated.
Tumor angiogenesis in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas

Background. Angiogenesis correlates with growth and likely metastases in several tumors. To determine whether it has a similar role in pheochromocytomas, immunohistochemical staining of factor VIII was done on the tumor tissue of 42 patients. Methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was obtained from 29 women and 13 men with 24 primary adrenal and 18 extraadrenal pheochromocytomas. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 32 patients with benign pheochromocytomas, and group 2 included 10 patients with malignant tumors evidenced by capsular or vascular invasion (six), liver metastases (three), or periaortic lymph node metastases (one). Blood vessels highlighted by factor VIII staining of endothelial cells with labeled streptavidin-biotin were counted under light microscopy. Mean vessel count within a 10 mm 2 micrometer disk was calculated under ×100, ×200, and ×400 magnification fields. Results. There were no significant differences in patient age or clinical symptoms between the groups. The mean tumor size in group 2 of 8.8±5.3 cm was larger than the mean of 4.8±2.8 cm in group 1 (p Conclusions. In this study the number of tumor blood vessels correlated with the invasive behavior of pheochromocytomas. Tumor angiogenesis may be useful in determining the likelihood of malignant behavior in pheochromocytomas.
Extracellular acidosis induces heme oxygenase-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Extracellular acidosis (EA) has profound effects on vascular homeostasis, including vascular bed-specific alterations in vascular tone. Regulation of gene expression by EA has been observed in a variety of cells including vascular endothelial cells. Whether EA regulates gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is not known. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is expressed in vascular cells, and its expression is regulated by cellular stressors such as heat, radiation, and hypoxia. Increased HO-1 expression in VSMCs leads to increased production of CO and its second messenger cGMP, which are important regulators of vascular tone and paracrine interactions in the vasculature. We examined whether EA regulates the expression of HO-1 in VSMCs. Exposure of VSMCs to acidic medium (pH 6.8) significantly increased HO-1 mRNA and protein compared with exposure to medium of physiological pH (pH 7.4). The acidic induction of HO-1 expression was time dependent and involved both transcriptional activation of the HO-1 gene and enhanced stability of HO-1 mRNA. Nitric oxide did not appear to mediate this response. We conclude that HO-1 is transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally upregulated by EA in VSMCs. This induction is time dependent and reversible. We speculate that EA, as an important tissue and cellular stressor for VSMCs, may elicit changes in gene expression patterns that contribute to the maintenance or disruption of vascular homeostasis.
Reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acid hydroperoxides by human brain glutathione peroxidase

Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in the normal human brain was investigated using lipid hydroperoxides as substrates. Samples were obtained from autopsied frontal gray matter of 5 normal human males with no known central nervous system (CNS) disease. Aliquots were homogenized in 0.9% NaCl-0.5% Triton X-100, and the supernatant solution, obtained after centrifugation at 105,000 × g, was used for GSHPx assay. Glutathione peroxidase was measured by following the oxidation of NADPH at 340 nm. Hydroperoxides of linoleic, linolenic, gamma linolenic, 11,14 eicosodienoic, homo gamma linolenic, arachidonic, docosotetraenoic and docosohexaenoic acids were prepared and used as substrates. All these hydroperoxides were reduced by the brain GSHPx system, but at different rates. Gamma linolenic and docosotetraenoic hydroperoxides were reduced rapidly, whereas the peroxides of docosohexaenoic and 11,14 eicosodienoic were reduced at the lowest rate. Arachidonic hydroperoxide had the highest affinity for the enzyme and linolenic the lowest. Our results suggest that the brain GSHPx system is capable of reducing hydroperoxides of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Association between the 5HT1B receptor gene (HTR1B) and the inattentive subtype of ADHD.

Background Preclinical and genetic studies have implicated the 5HT1B receptor gene (HTR1B) in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Association with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; G861C) has been observed, but more extensive linkage disequilibrium analyses have not been reported. Methods To examine haplotype structure, we genotyped 21 SNPs in and around the gene in 12 multigenerational CEPH pedigrees. We identified a haplotype block encompassing HTR1B and performed haplotype and single-marker association analyses for the eight SNPs within or flanking this block in 229 families of ADHD probands. In light of previous studies suggesting distinct genetic influences on ADHD subtypes, we also examined association with the inattentive and combined subtypes. Results We observed nonsignificant overtransmission of the G861 allele to ADHD offspring (one-tailed p = .07). Single-marker and haplotype tests of a haplotype block encompassing HTR1B revealed no other associations with ADHD. However, this haplotype block was associated with the inattentive subtype (global p p Conclusions These analyses suggest that variation in the HTR1B gene may primarily affect the inattentive subtype of ADHD.