cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions of Commonly Used Anticancer Drugs

With the use of combination chemotherapy as well as a wide range of symptomatic therapies (e.g. analgesics and antiemetics) for the treatment of patients with cancer, the field of oncology practises polypharmacy to an extreme degree. The risk for a drug interaction under these conditions is high, and the pharmacological characteristics of the anti-cancer drugs, such as steep dose-response curves, low therapeutic indices and severe toxicities, suggest that even small changes in the pharmacokinetic profile of the affected drug could significantly alter its toxicity or efficacy. In this review, drug interactions which quantitatively affect the absorption, distribution, biotransformation or excretion of the commonly used anticancer drugs are described. Most of the significant drug interactions involving this class of drugs occur at the level of biotransformation and excretion. For example, the renal excretion of methotrexate by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion is affected by a number of weak organic acids, such as probenecid, salicylates and penicillin, which compete for tubular secretion, resulting in delayed clearance of methotrexate. The best described example of an interaction at the level of biotransformation is the effect of allopurinol on the catabolism of 6-mercaptopurine. By inhibiting xanthine oxidase, allopurinol blocks the first-pass metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine following its oral administration, leading to a 4- to 5-fold increase in plasma concentrations. Known drug interactions may potentially be used to enhance the antitumour activity of a drug--for instance, the administration of tetrahydrouridine (a cytidine deaminase inhibitor) with cytarabine in an attempt to block its rapid inactivation to uridine arabinoside. Overall, little information is available concerning the pharmacokinetic interactions of anticancer drugs with each other and with other classes of drugs in man, in part because the high incidence of toxicity and treatment failure, and empirical dosing methods, obscure the recognition of possible interactions. Awareness on the part of the clinician and more extensive pharmacokinetic investigation will be needed to recognise, document and avoid potentially harmful pharmacokinetic drug interactions involving this class of drugs.
Spam Image Clustering for Identifying Common Sources of Unsolicited Emails

In this article, we propose a spam image clustering approach that uses data mining techniques to study the image attachments of spam emails with the goal to help the investigation of spam clusters or phishing groups. Spam images are first modeled based on their visual features. In particular, the foreground text layout, foreground picture illustrations and background textures are analyzed. After the visual features are extracted from spam images, we use an unsupervised clustering algorithm to group visually similar spam images into clusters. The clustering results are evaluated by visual validation since there is no prior knowledge as to the actual sources of spam images. Our initial results show that the proposed approach is effective in identifying the visual similarity between spam images and thus can provide important indications of the common source of spam images. [Article copies are available for purchase from InfoSci-onDemand.com]
Hypermedia design as learner scaffolding

A number of available resources offer guidance about hypermedia design strategies, many of which rely on principles of user-centered design. Many recent efforts, however, have focused more on developing learner-centered hypermedia. Learner-centered hypermedia is designed to help learners achieve their educational goals, rather than offer mere usability. Unfortunately, this endeavor is hamstrung by a lack of empirical research on the topic. Research conducted in my laboratory and others has provided some insight, however. It is now understood that several system and user characteristics influence outcomes of hypermedia-assisted learning (HAL). Among the most relevant factors are learners’ levels of metacognition and prior knowledge, and the interaction between these factors and hypermedia structure. By capitalizing on this research, it is possible to create hypermedia that scaffolds learners in their quest to build knowledge and understanding. The present article draws from empirical findings to suggest hypermedia design strategies aimed at scaffolding learners engaged in HAL. These guidelines target learners’ knowledge and metacognitive ability to structure hypermedia that maximizes learning potential.
The Foreclosure Crisis and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology is often presented as the paradigm for an approach to prevention that focuses on identifying individual-level risk factors and intervening on them through behavioral change (eg, diet and physical activity interventions) or through the early detection and treatment of biomedical risk factors (such as high blood pressure or dyslipidemias). At times, this approach has been criticized for failing to consider the more distal causes of these individual-level risk factors (many times of a social or economic nature) that drive the distributions of the proximal risks factors, shape population-level differences in cardiovascular risk, and present large potential opportunities for CVD prevention. Article see p 2262 In parallel to the risk factor approach, a long tradition in CVD epidemiology has documented the social patterning of CVD and the impact of a number of distal factors, including social class, work environments, and neighborhood environments, on cardiovascular events and risk factors. The article by Arcaya et al1 in this issue of Circulation on the links between foreclosures and blood pressure falls squarely within the latter tradition that aims to place CVD within social and economic contexts. Spurred perhaps in part by recent economic circumstances in the United States and worldwide, a growing body of work has attempted to document the health consequences of economic recessions or exposures to specific conditions (such as job loss, financial stress, or experiences of losing a home) that may be more common during recessions. As in other areas of health research, clearly specifying the causal question of interest is key. Precisely specifying the causal question is particularly important in investigating the health effects of distal economic processes because the total population health impact of economic recessions (which may involve unfavorable effects for those experiencing unemployment counterbalanced or even exceeded by favorable effects associated with …
Social reward requires coordinated activity of nucleus accumbens oxytocin and serotonin

Social behaviours in species as diverse as honey bees and humans promote group survival but often come at some cost to the individual. Although reinforcement of adaptive social interactions is ostensibly required for the evolutionary persistence of these behaviours, the neural mechanisms by which social reward is encoded by the brain are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that in mice oxytocin acts as a social reinforcement signal within the nucleus accumbens core, where it elicits a presynaptically expressed long-term depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in medium spiny neurons. Although the nucleus accumbens receives oxytocin-receptor-containing inputs from several brain regions, genetic deletion of these receptors specifically from dorsal raphe nucleus, which provides serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) innervation to the nucleus accumbens, abolishes the reinforcing properties of social interaction. Furthermore, oxytocin-induced synaptic plasticity requires activation of nucleus accumbens 5-HT1B receptors, the blockade of which prevents social reward. These results demonstrate that the rewarding properties of social interaction in mice require the coordinated activity of oxytocin and 5-HT in the nucleus accumbens, a mechanistic insight with implications for understanding the pathogenesis of social dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism.
The toxicity of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphides.

1. Hydrogen sulphide inhaled, or sulphide or H2S injected in solution into the circulation, is carried for a time in the plasma in the form of an equilibrium mixture of sulphide and H2S. It only slowly penetrates into the red cells, where it is destroyed in reactions in which oxyhaemoglobin is reduced. The lethal dose of H2S will therefore vary according to the rate and site of its administration. 2. The physiological effects of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphides are similar to those of hydrocyanic acid, probably for the reason that both fix the iron in cytochrome A3, so reducing the oxygen intake of cells, and especially of nerve cells. 3. The most conspicuous actions of sulphides are on the nerve centres, which are first stimulated and then paralysed. The actions are reversible. 4. Because of the slow penetration of the red cells by H2S, or by the HS ion, the removal of sulphides from the plasma and their subsequent destruction is relatively slow, so that injections into the blood stream at sites from which the nerve centres are soon reached are more potent than those made at more remote places. 5. The reduction of oxyhaemoglobin resulting from the action of sulphides is reversible, and this is probably true also for the cytochrome A3. The action is therefore reversible, and the main treatment indicated is the application of artificial respiration.
Serum Amino Acids during Gestation of Rhesus Monkeys Fed Two Different Levels of Protein

Female rhesus monkeys were fed a closed formula, puri fied control diet (2.2 g protein per kg body weight) or a low protein diet (0.5 g protein per kg) during pregnancy. Samples of venous blood drawn before conception, on days 50, 100 and 150 after conception, and 7 and 30 days postpartum were analyzed for serum free amino acids. The total free amino acid level in control animals fell progressively on days 50 and 100 but returned to the preconception level by day 150. Animals fed the low protein diet showed the same trend in the total amino acid concentra tions during early pregnancy but the increase at 150 days did not reach preconception values. Serum total indispensable amino acids of monkeys fed the low protein diet were significantly less on day 100 than before con ception. Six of eight indispensable amino acids in serum changed signifi cantly during gestation of those fed the low protein diet compared to one serum amino acid of the controls. The plasma dispensable to indispensable ratio of amino acids did not change significantly throughout pregnancy in control animals whereas it had increased significantly by day 100 and remained elevated at day 150 in monkeys fed the low protein diet. The ratio was significantly different for control and low protein animals on day 150. The results suggest that changes in serum amino acids are potentially useful as indicators of protein nutriture during pregnancy. J. Nutr. 108: 525-534, 1978.
Influences of Potential for Hostility, Type A Behavior, and Parental History of Hypertension on Adolescents’ Cardiovascular Responses During Stress

We investigated the influences of Type A behavior, potential for hostility, and parental history of diagnosed hypertension on adolescents’ cardiovascular responses to three behavioral stressors. The participants were 72 male and 99 female adolescents enrolled in grades 6 to 12. Results showed that adolescents with a hypertensive parent had larger diastolic blood pressure responses during all three stressors than did adolescents without hypertensive parents; this effect was particularly pronounced among the Type As. Adolescents rated as high on potential for hostility had elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses, particularly during isometric exercise. Results regarding parental history of hypertension and Type A replicate previous studies in adolescents. Results regarding potential for hostility showed for the first time that early signs of hostility are related to psychophysiological responses thought to be pathophysiological mechanisms in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases.
V/Q Matched Defect Larger than Hiatal Hernia Itself

We present the case report of a patient 83 year old female who developed progressive shortness of breath and subsequently underwent scintigraphic evaluation of her symptoms with a ventilation/perfusion scintigraphic exam. A matched perfusion defect was seen involving the basal segments of the left lower lobe. Following this, the patient was examined with a contrast enhanced CT of the chest to further investigate the defect, which revealed compression of the bronchi and vasculature of the left lower lobe basal segments by the hernia larger than the actual hernia. To our knowledge there has not been a case report of a large hiatal hernia as a cause of matched lower lobe defect.
The morphology and kinetics of spermatogonial degeneration in normal adult rats: An analysis using a simplified classification of the germinal epithelium

The phenomena of spermatogonial degeneration have been studied in normal adult rat testes using a simplified classification of the germinal epthelium based upon the six types of differentiating spermatogonia. The following features distinguished this from schemes based on acrosome development. Rather than 14 states of unequal duration, there are only six stages, five of which are the same length. The classification starts at the beginning of spermatogenesis with A1 spermatogonia rather than at the onset of spermiogenesis. The classification is derived from acutal biological events in spermatogenesis, namely generation times of spermatogonia, rather than upon arbitrary events in acrosome development. Most importantly, this new classification can be used with most types of preparations and in most experimental conditions. Examination of tubular whole mounts reveals that degeneration preferentially occurs in types A2 and A3 and to a lesser extent A4 spermatogonia, and is rarely seen in generations of A1, In or B cells. Deterioration is first manifested in clusters of cells joined by the intercellular bridges as they complete DNA synthesis and enter the 2 phase of cell cycle. It is characterized by a denser staining of the nuclear membrane, coalescence of chromatin into several pyknotic bodies, and eventual extrusion of the nuclear mass, leaving a cytoplasmic ghost. The sequential steps in degeneration may often be traced from one end of a synctial chain to the other, suggesting that the process may start with just one cell and then spread via intercellular bridges to involve all spermatogonia within the clone. Quanitatively, degeneration is a relatively constant feature of spermatogonial development. Only 25% of the theoretically possible number of pre-leptotene spermatocytes are produced from th original population of A1 spermatogonia; most of this loss is incurred during the maturation of A2 and A3 generations. While the reason for spermatogonial degeneration in the normal generminal epithelium remain obscure, it is proposed that the numerical ratio of A spermatogonia to Sertoli cells may be a significant limiting factor.
Variations in Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Food Allergic Children

EE Springston, B Smith, J Shulruff. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010;105(4):287–294 To better understand the relationship between pediatric food allergy and caregiver quality of life. Caregivers of food-allergic children were recruited through targeted Web pages on food-allergy resource and social media sites to complete an anonymous Web-based Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden (FAQL-PB) questionnaire. Caregivers completed the validated FAQL-PB questionnaire to measure the effect of food allergy on caregiver health-related quality of …
Fabrication and analysis of high-efficiency polycrystalline silicon solar cells

Phosphorus and aluminum gettering conditions were optimized to achieve high-frequency polycrystalline silicon cells. In order to take advantage of intense gettering without the harmful effects of the emitter dead layer, a deep phosphorus diffusion at 930 degrees C was performed, followed by a partial etch-back of the n/sup +/ region. The optimum aluminum treatment for these cells included 1.2- mu m-thick Al deposition followed by 850 degrees C, 35-min drive-in. Oxide passivation was found to be effective in cells made on these polysilicon wafers. A combination of optimum phosphorus and aluminum getting, oxide passivation, and double-layer antireflection coating resulted in record 17.7% efficient, 1-cm/sup 2/, cells under one sun illumination. Cell model calculations were performed ignoring the grain boundary effects, but using a measured effective lifetime in the cell. A good correlation was found between measured and calculated cell parameters of the 17.7% efficient polycrystalline silicon cell. Model calculations were extended to outline an approach toward achieving greater than 20% efficient cells. >
Enhanced two-photon processes in single quantum dots inside photonic crystal nanocavities

We show that the two-photon transition rates of quantum dots coupled to nanocavities are enhanced by up to several orders of magnitude relative to quantum dots in bulk host. We then propose how to take advantage of this enhancement to implement coherent quantum-dot excitation by two-photon absorption, entangled photon pair generation by two-photon spontaneous emission, and single-photon generation at telecom wavelengths by two-photon stimulated and spontaneous emission.
Atypical ductal hyperplasia in breast core needle biopsies. Correlation of size of the lesion, complete removal of the lesion, and the incidence of carcinoma in follow-up biopsies

We reviewed the results of all breast core needle biopsies with a diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or atypia not otherwise specified and subsequent excisional biopsies for a 50-month period and correlated the results. Of 3,026 biopsies, 216 were diagnosed as ADH or atypia not otherwise specified, and subsequent resection was available for 105. After review, 95 qualified as ADH. Subsequent resection showed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 13 excisions, ADH in 31, lobular carcinoma in situ in 6, and benign proliferative lesions in the remaining 45. In none of the 8 biopsies in which DCIS was found and radiographs were available for review was the radiographic lesion entirely removed. For comparison, the incidence of carcinoma in resections done for a diagnosis of DCIS, low or intermediate grade (solid, cribriform, or micropapillary type), on core needle biopsy was significantly greater (8 of 10 cases). However, the size of the lesions diagnosed as carcinoma also was significantly greater than that of the lesions diagnosed as ADH, and in none of the 8 biopsies with DCIS at excision was the lesion entirely removed at the time of biopsy. The incidence of carcinoma in excisional biopsies done for a diagnosis of ADH in core needle biopsies in our institution is relatively low, while the incidence of ADH is relatively high. Possible reasons for this include total removal of small lesions at the time of biopsy and use of the diagnostic term ADH for lesions that are not associated with coexistent DCIS.
Epicardial calcineurin–NFAT signals through Smad2 to direct coronary smooth muscle cell and arterial wall development

Aims Congenital coronary artery anomalies produce serious events that include syncope, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, or sudden death. Studying the mechanism of coronary development will contribute to the understanding of the disease and help design new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies. Here, we characterized a new calcineurin–NFAT signalling which specifically functions in the epicardium to regulate the development of smooth muscle wall of the coronary arteries. Methods and results Using tissue-specific gene deletion, we found that calcineurin–NFAT signals in the embryonic epicardium to direct coronary smooth muscle cell development. The smooth muscle wall of coronary arteries fails to mature in mice with epicardial deletion of calcineurin B1 ( Cnb1 ), and accordingly these mutant mice develop cardiac dysfunction with reduced exercise capacity. Inhibition of calcineurin at various developmental windows shows that calcineurin–NFAT signals within a narrow time window at embryonic Day 12.5–13.5 to regulate coronary smooth muscle cell development. Within the epicardium, NFAT transcriptionally activates the expression of Smad2 , whose gene product is critical for transducing transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)–Alk5 signalling to control coronary development. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate new spatiotemporal and molecular actions of calcineurin–NFAT that dictate coronary arterial wall development and a new mechanism by which calcineurin–NFAT integrates with TGFβ signalling during embryonic development.
Real-time video applications over ABR using FASTRAC-a rate control algorithm

The ATM ABR service category was initially designed to support non-real-time applications, e.g., data file transfer. However it is possible for ABR to support real-time applications (such as distributed multimedia applications) by taking advantage of the inherent traffic control capability of ABR and the adaptation ability of real-time applications. This paper consists of two parts. In the first part we review the principles of operation of the FASTRAC, an ABR control mechanism. This analysis allows us to better understand the adaptation ability of real-time applications, a feature deemed essential to take advantage of the inherent traffic control capability of ABR while guaranteeing a reasonable QoS required by the end application. In the second part we explore the use of ABR service to support real-time video transmission using FASTRAC. Our simulation results show that FASTRAC can support both real-time video applications and non real-time applications.
Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis of the NCI60 dataset

Background Metabolite profiles can be used for identifying molecular signatures and mechanisms underlying diseases since they reflect the outcome of complex upstream genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and environmental events. The scarcity of publicly accessible large scale metabolome datasets related to human disease has been a major obstacle for assessing the potential of metabolites as biomarkers as well as understanding the molecular events underlying disease-related metabolic changes. The availability of metabolite and gene expression profiles for the NCI-60 cell lines offers the possibility of identifying significant metabolome and transcriptome features and discovering unique molecular processes related to different cancer types.
Universal lossless compression-based denoising

In a discrete denoising problem, if the denoiser knows the clean source distribution, the Bayes optimal denoiser is the Bayes response of the posterior distribution of the source given the noisy observations. However, in many applications the source distribution is unknown.We consider the Bayes response based on the approximate posterior distribution induced by a universal lossless compression code. Motivated by this approach, we present the empirical conditional entropy-based denoiser. Simulations show that when the source alphabet is small, the proposed denoiser achieves the performance of the Universal Discrete DEnoiser (DUDE). Furthermore, if the alphabet size increases, the proposed denoiser degrades more gracefully than the DUDE.
Effects of systemically administered ω-amino and guanidino acids on spontaneous and evoked cortical activity in regions of blood-brain barrier destruction

1. 1. Following local destruction of the blood-brain barrier, systemi administration of ω-amino acids and some ω-guanidino acids produces synaptic effects confined to regions of altered vascular permeability entirely similar to those induced by topical application of the compounds. 2. 2. Low frequency paroxysmal discharges developing spontaneously in such regions of blood-brain barrier loss, or produced by topical application of strychnine, are abolished or reduced in frequency by systemically administered GABA and guanidino acetic acid, whereas paroxysmal activity is evoked or facilitated by ϵ-amino caproic, ω-amino caprylic and γ-guanidino butyric acid. 3. 3. The effects of systemic administration of synaptically active amino or guanidino acids in regions of blood-brain barrier destruction suggest that variations in the concentration of the naturally occurring compounds may be associated with marked alterations in the functional activity of the brain.
Mutational analysis of a baculovirus major late promoter

We have used a linker-scan mutation strategy to analyze Pcap99, the proximal promoter of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) gene encoding the major capsid protein. A series of recombinant viruses expressing the cat reporter gene under the control of selected mutants of this promoter was constructed. Only mutations that altered bases within a region extending from 8 bp upstream to 6 bp downstream from a TAAG sequence had a significant effect on expression from the late gene promoter. A synthetic promoter consisting of only these 18 bp (Pcapmin) was sufficient to direct late expression. Aside from this small region surrounding the TAAG, no evidence for distinct late activating or repressing sequence elements was obtained. Experiments comparing and combining late and very late gene promoter sequences suggest that late expression is intrinsically determined by the presence and immediate context of a TAAG sequence and that very late expression [as previously shown in Ooi et al., J. Mol. Biol. 210 (1989) 721-736] results from additional modulation of TAAG-dependent expression by downstream promoter elements placed in an appropriate context. A compact combination promoter (95 bp), constructed by fusing Pcapmin to a linker-modified very late polyhedrin promoter, directs strong expression at late and very late times post-infection.
Increasing appropriate speech in a chronic schizophrenic.

In a severely withdrawn schizophrenic, a combination of instructions, modeling, informational feedback, and noncontingent reinforcement was associated with a low rate of appropriate verbalizations. However, an increase in speech output was obtained using a combination of instructions, modeling, informational feedback, and contingent reinforcement. The design of this study thus permitted the conclusion that contingent reinforcement was crucial in bringing about the increase in appropriate verbalizations. The three verbal behaviors that increased in frequency were: (a) the number of socially appropriate words emitted, (b) declarative statements, and (c) appropriate replies to questions. The verbal behaviors of conversational questions and positive conversational feedback failed to be significantly affected by the experimental procedures. An attempt was also made to establish whether having the subject engage in the observable, information-gathering response of reading aloud would result in increased speech output during a subsequent conversation period. Having the subject read aloud failed to have any discernible positive effect on his speech output. A withdrawal design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental procedures. The importance of assessing changes in verbal output with a variety of verbal response measures, stereotyped verbal behaviors, and carryover effects are discussed.
Pralatrexate: an emerging new agent with activity in T-cell lymphomas.

Purpose of review T-cell lymphomas (TCL) represent a particularly poor prognosis subgroup of lymphomas. The goal of this review is to provide emerging information on one agent demonstrating activity in these challenging diseases. Pralatrexate is a novel antifolate designed to have high affinity for the reduced folate carrier type 1 (RFC-1). Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that pralatrexate has significant activity against TCL. Recent findings The high affinity of pralatrexate for RFC-1 significantly improves its internalization into cells. Preclinical studies in models of B-cell lymphomas and TCL have demonstrated that pralatrexate demonstrates activity superior to traditional antifolates. Phase I studies have shown the dose-limiting toxicity to be stomatitis, which can be abrogated with folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation. Early phase studies have shown marked activity across a diverse panoply of TCL. Summary Pralatrexate is an antifolate designed to be internalized more rapidly than other traditional antifolates. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its superiority to methotrexate, and early phase I and II studies have shown marked activity across many poor-risk subtypes of TCL. Future studies are directed towards understanding the pharmacokinetic features of the drug, and expanding the population of patients with TCL and B-cell lymphomas.
Lessons from practice in child-sensitive social protection

Reducing child poverty has the potential to improve incomes and health for both present and future generations and, thereby, break the inter generational transmission of poverty that affects lives and livelihoods. For several decades evidence has shown the considerable impact of social protection programmes on human development outcomes for children. However, the impact varies across countries and depends critically on context, including availability of other services, as well as design and implementation of programmes. To maximize the impact on children it is essential to take a child-lens to the design and implementation of social protection systems, which comprise programmes to address risks across the life-cycle. This article will outline how child-sensitive social protection programmes impact on children and assess the extent and coverage in developing countries. The article will then outline principles of child-sensitive social protection and key aspects to improve impact on children, using examples from a number of social protection programmes globally. Lastly, the article will outline lessons on what works for children in social protection and will provide policy recommendations for policymakers and other actors, including civil society, that support social protection systems.
Invasive Argentine ants reduce fitness of red maple via a mutualism with an endemic coccid

Many invasive ant species form mutualisms with honeydew-producing Hemiptera and their aggressive presence deters the natural enemies of the Hemiptera. Invasive ant species like the Argentine ant have often been associated with hemipteran outbreaks in urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems. We investigated the effects of a mutualism between the invasive Argentine ant and the endemic terrapin scale on coccid density and the fitness of the host of this mutualism, the endemic red maple, situated in a commercial park. The terrapin scale has numerous natural enemies and we predicted that the high terrapin scale numbers associated with tending Argentine ants would collapse once Argentine ants were excluded from the host tree canopy. We predicted that excluding the Argentine ant from the tree canopy would result in an indirect net fitness benefit to the host. Terrapin scale numbers collapsed when Argentine ants were excluded from the host tree canopy. Red maples with Argentine ants excluded from their canopy had higher seed mass and larger early leaves indicating that this invasive ant-endemic scale mutualism imposed a net fitness cost to the host tree. The Argentine ant has yet to invade closed-canopy forest within its introduced range. The red maple is common in adjacent closed-canopy forest fragments and recent work has shown that invasion of these forest fragments by the Argentine ant is limited by a steady carbohydrate resource. We discuss the implications to forest invasion posed by a mutualism involving the Argentine ant and an endemic coccid.
CASE Tool Integration and Standardization

Abstract : Computer Aided Software Engineering tool users are faced with the task of coordinating tools and data from a variety of sources spanning the entire software development life cycle. Despite much discussion and increased standardization activity, complete, transparent CASE tool integration is still a long way from realization. There are a number of factors which have complicated the tool integration scenario and a number of actions being taken in an attempt to resolve the problems. The implications of these concerns can be examined from the perspectives of single-vendor, multiple-vendor, operating environment, development process, and end user integration. In addition to specific technical and methodological solutions, standards efforts are viewed as a possible path to tool integration. To date, formal efforts have done little to resolve the integration problems, but defacto standards may well become the cornerstone of future CASE tool evolution.
Biopotency of Non-Tocopherol Compounds in Vit. E Deficiency Diseases.

SummaryCurative tests of Vit. E activity of ubiquinone, its hydroquinone and acid reduction product in relation to muscular dystrophy in the rabbit were negative. Similarly, solanachromene exhibited no biological activity with respect to dystrophy in rabbits or sterility in rats, Vit. E-deficient dystrophic rabbits underwent a remission of gross symptoms within approximately 5 days following oral treatment with N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. The elevated plasma concentration of unesterified cholesterol declined to near-normal levels within 3 weeks, while skeletal muscle concentration responded more slowly. The results confirm previous findings indicating that the Vit. E requirement of rabbits and rats represents a need for suitable antioxygenic compounds.
Identification and Characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum NADPH Oxidases

Numerous studies have shown both the detrimental and beneficial effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in animals, plants, and fungi. These organisms utilize controlled generation of ROS for signaling, pathogenicity, and development. Here, we show that ROS are essential for the pathogenic development of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, an economically important fungal pathogen with a broad host range. Based on the organism's completed genome sequence, we identified two S. sclerotiorum NADPH oxidases (SsNox1 and SsNox2), which presumably are involved in ROS generation. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to examine the function of SsNox1 and SsNox2. Silencing of SsNox1 expression indicated a central role for this enzyme in both virulence and pathogenic (sclerotial) development, while inactivation of the SsNox2 gene resulted in limited sclerotial development, but the organism remained fully pathogenic. ΔSsnox1 strains had reduced ROS levels, were unable to develop sclerotia, and unexpectedly correlated with significantly reduced oxalate production. These results are in accordance with previous observations indicating that fungal NADPH oxidases are required for pathogenic development and are consistent with the importance of ROS regulation in the successful pathogenesis of S. sclerotiorum.
Serum Calcium and Serum Albumin Are Biomarkers That Can Discriminate Malignant from Benign Pelvic Masses

Background: Biomarkers that aid in the differential diagnosis of malignant pelvic masses from benign ones prior to surgery are needed in order to triage women with malignant masses to appropriate specialist care. Because high albumin-adjusted serum calcium predicted ovarian cancer among women without evidence of disease, we hypothesized that it might predict cancer among women with pelvic masses that were evident radiographically. Methods: We studied a cohort of 514 women with pelvic masses who underwent resection at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center from July 2009 through June 2013. We divided patients into a “training” set, to identify associations in the data, and a “testing” set, to confirm them. Data were obtained from medical records. A best fit model was selected using the Akaike Information Criterion. Results: Albumin-adjusted serum calcium was significantly higher in women with malignant versus benign masses ( P = 0.0004). High normocalcemia, i.e., an albumin-adjusted serum calcium ≥ 10 mg/dL, occurred in 53% of women with malignant tumors versus 12% of benign tumors. High normocalcemia was associated with an approximately 14-fold increased risk of malignancy. The best fit model (Overa) included albumin, calcium, and nonlinear terms. Overa achieved an area under the curve of 0.83 with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 83%, a positive predictive value of 71% and a negative predictive value of 85%. Conclusions: A model using serum calcium and serum albumin to predict malignancy in women with pelvic masses has high sensitivity and is economical. Impact: Our model can help triage women with ovarian cancer to appropriate surgical care. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(10); 1593–8. ©2015 AACR .
NADH Coupled to Soluble Dextran: Synthesis and Properties

The availability of methods for the efficient retention and regeneration of diffusible coenzymes would broaden significantly the scope of enzyme engineering. The fact that the coenzymes often are similar in molecular weight (ranging from about 300–800) and net charge to the substrates being processed is a serious constraint. Half-times for enzyme coenzyme complex formation and dissociation must be maintained in the low millisecond range to be compatible with the turn over numbers (1–100 sec-1 generally) of enzymes likely to be coupled to the coenzyme reaction. This condition, at the present state of knowledge, is best met by having either the enzyme, or the coenzyme, or both soluble, thus assuring combination rate constants as close to the diffusion controlled limit (106–108 M-1 sec-1) as possible. The membrane reactor best meets this requirement, and the necessary selectivity in membrane permeability can be achieved most simply through covalent immobilization of the coenzyme to a soluble macromolecule or to a solid matrix.
Vegetation response to intensive commercial horticulture and environmental changes within watersheds in central highlands, Kenya, using AVHRR NDVI data

Expansion and heterogeneous clustering of commercial horticulture within the central highlands of Kenya after the mid-1990s impact watersheds and the sustainable resource management. This is distressing since climate conditions for world horticultural regions are projected to change, making such farming extremely difficult and costly to the environment. To understand the scope of impact on vegetation, the study evaluated (1) interannual variability in averaged normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); (2) trends in average annual NDVI before and after 1990 – the presumed onset of rapid horticulture; and (3) relationship between the average annual NDVI and large-scale commercial farms, population density, and mean annual rainfall in subwatersheds. Time-series analysis of long-term Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies NDVI data were analyzed as indicator of vegetation condition. NDVI trends before 1990s (1982–1989) and after 1990s (1990–2006) were evaluated to determine the slope (sign), and t...
THE MELT REFINING OF IRRADIATED URANIUM: APPLICATION TO EBR-II FAST REACTOR FUEL. XI. BEHAVIOR OF IODINE IN MELT REFINING

Melt refining of synthetic EBR-II alloy in stabilized zirconia crucibles at 1400 ts C for 3 hr under one atmosphere of helium pressure resulted in almost complete volatilization of iodine from ingot and skull fractions. Removal of iodine was strongly dependent on refining temperature. Volatilized products were primarily iodides of metals initially present as minor oxide constituents of the crucible; no evidence for evaporation as free iodine was found in the melt refining operation. (auth)
Gastric Polyps: A Review of Clinical, Endoscopic, and Histopathologic Features and Management Decisions

The increasing use of endoscopy has led to more discernable abnormalities in the stomach, including polyps. Gastric polyps encompass a spectrum of pathologic conditions that can vary in histology, neoplastic potential, and management. Despite their high prevalence, there is a paucity of literature to support management and treatment decisions for endoscopists. The goal of this review is to summarize clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic features of various polyps, review syndromes associated with such polyps, and provide management recommendations.
Strategic innovation between PhD and DNP programs: Collaboration, collegiality, and shared resources

Abstract Background At least 111 schools and colleges of nursing across the nation provide both PhD and DNP programs (AACN, 2014a). Collaboration between nurses with doctoral preparation as researchers (PhD) and practitioners (DNP) has been recommended as essential to further the profession; that collaboration can begin during the educational process. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of successful DNP and PhD program collaboration, and to share the results of that collaboration in an educational setting. Methods Faculty set strategic goals to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of both new DNP and existing PhD programs. The goals were to promote collaboration and complementarity between the programs through careful capstone and dissertation differentiation, complementary residency activities, joint courses and inter-professional experiences; promote collegiality in a blended on-line learning environment through shared orientation and intensive on-campus sessions; and maximize resources in program delivery through a supportive organizational structure, equal access to technology support, and shared faculty responsibilities as appropriate to terminal degrees. Discussion Successes such as student and faculty accomplishments, and challenges such as managing class size and workload, are described. Conclusions Collaboration, collegiality and the sharing of resources have strengthened and enriched both programs and contributed to the success of students, faculty. These innovative program strategies can provide a solid foundation for DNP and PhD collaboration.
Discussion of the hospital cost management guided by value chain

Suffering a hard time in the fierce competition. This paper proposes a hospital cost management method guided by value chain with new ideas based on the background of the hospital strategic development. By adaptation to the market in time, space and multi-dimension, it may decrease the medical cost as well as increase the medical care activity value to the most, which in turn leads to an optimal cost management procedure. Therefore, it is a new valuable cost management method on pace with time.
Foundations of Modern International Thought: Is there a pre-history of globalisation?

‘If it is now asked whether we at present live in an enlightened age [ aufgeklarten Zeitalter ], the answer is: No, but we do live in an age of enlightenment [ Zeitalter der Aufklarung ].’ Immanuel Kant’s memorable accounting of the unfolding achievements and unfulfilled promises of his own age in his essay ‘What is Enlightenment?’ (1784) might stand as the motto for any consideration of globalisation and the writing of history. The difference between ‘an enlightened age’ and ‘an age of enlightenment’ suggests a parallel distinction between a ‘globalised age’ and ‘an age of globalisation’ and hence between globalisation as a process and globalisation as a condition. The process of globalisation would be the gradual thickening of connections across national boundaries, their increasing penetration into previously untouched localities and the emergence of a common set of concerns that define a universal cosmopolitan community. The condition of globalisation would be a state of complete transnational integration, encompassing all the people of the world within a single network of economic and cultural connections informed by a common global consciousness. Humanity is manifestly far from attaining such a condition: further, surely, than even Kant’s Prussia was from enlightenment. That does not mean that there are no processes of globalisation currently under way; equally it does not imply that that process is necessarily the prelude to the achievement of globalisation as a condition. Like the most optimistic promoters of Enlightenment, globalisation’s most enthusiastic advocates assumed both its potential universality and its relative novelty. As the process of worldwide integration and transnational conjunction, globalisation (to be worthy of the name) should be all-inclusive and spatially expansive. Anything less than complete global coverage would be only a more generous form of internationalism, transnationality or even regionalisation, on however grand a scale. Because ‘globalise’ can be both a transitive and an intransitive verb, ‘at once an inexorable material development and a conscious human process’, it implies both an inescapable teleology and a congeries of contingent intentions. Those intentions may be consciously directed towards achieving the condition of globalisation; however, like the malign colliding wills that in their ‘unsocial sociability’ [ ungesellige Geselligkeit ] produce a benign historical trajectory in Kant’s vision of a ‘Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose’ (1784), their consequences are likely to be as unintended as they are unforeseeable.
Comparison of Two High-Dose Magnesium Infusion Regimens in the Treatment of Status Asthmaticus

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and safety of a simplified high-dose magnesium sulfate infusion (sHDMI) for the treatment of status asthmaticus. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 2 different high-dose magnesium sulfate infusion regimens, as adjunctive treatment in status asthmatics, using data that were preciously collected. The initial high-dose, prolonged magnesium infusion (HDMI) regimen consisted of a loading dose of 75 mg/kg (weight ≤ 30 kg) or 50 mg/kg (weight > 30 kg) over a period of 30 to 45 minutes followed by a continuous infusion of 40 mg/kg/hr for an additional 4 hours. This was compared to the sHDMI regimen that consisted of 50 mg/kg/hr for 5 hours. No loading dose was given to the patients in the sHDMI arm. Obese patients were dosed by using ideal body weight. Physiologic parameters (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation) and serum magnesium (SrMg) concentrations were monitored during administration of magnesium sulfate. RESULTS: Nineteen patients...
Analysis of the major Alternaria toxins

Some physical and chemical properties of 40 secondary metabolites produced by Alternaria are tabulated along with literature references. Analytical methodology for three of the several classes of these potential toxins is reviewed in depth, because compounds in these classes are produced in relatively large amounts by many Alternaria and/or are apparently very toxic or mutagenic. Tenuazonic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether represent the major toxins in terms of both quantity produced and toxicity. The altertoxins, although produced in very small amounts, are included because of their apparent toxicity/mutagencity. Published methods used to isolate and purify or analyze these important toxins are grouped for comparison according to similarities in extraction, isolation and analysis. Methods used for quantitative analysis are separated from those used primarily for preparation and purification. Published detection limits and recoveries are compared. Analytical needs and prospects are discussed.
Chromatin dynamics during the differentiation of long-term hematopoietic stem cells to multipotent progenitors

Key Points ATAC-seq provides genome-wide chromatin state in 3 cell types of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Transcription factor cohorts are associated with dynamic changes of open chromatin during the differentiation of LT/ST-HSCs to MPPs.