cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipotoxicity: the obese and endurance-trained paradox

The potential lipotoxic effect of intramyocellular triglyceride (IMTG) accumulation has been suggested to be a major component in the development of insulin resistance. Increased levels of IMTGs correlate with insulin resistance in both obese and diabetic patients, but this relationship does not exist in endurance trained (ETr) subjects. This may be, in part, related to differences in the gene expression and activities of key enzymes involved in fatty acid transport and oxidation as well as in the perodixation status of the IMTGs in obese/diabetic patients as compared with ETr subjects. Disruptions in fat and lipid homeostasis in skeletal muscle have been shown to activate protein kinase C (PKC), which acts on several downstream signalling pathways, including the insulin and the IκB kinase (IKK)/NFκB signalling pathways. Additionally, an increased peroxidation of IMTGs may reduce insulin sensitivity by increasing TNFα, which is known to increase the expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling proteins (SOCS). A common characteristic observed when activating both PKC and TNFα/SOCS3 is the inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and subsequently an inhibition of its activation of downstream signalling molecules. These may be important players in the development of insulin resistance and understanding their activation and expression in both obese and ETr humans should assist in understanding how and why IMTGs become lipotoxic.
Cox-2 induces interleukin-11 production in human breast cancer cells

Introduction. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in 40% of human invasive breast cancers. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a potent mediator of osteoclastogenesis. Since breast cancers that overexpress COX-2 are known to be associated with a higher rate of metastasis to bone, we hypothesized that cancer cells that overexpress COX-2 would induce IL-11 production. Methods. We transfected MCF-7 (poorly metastatic) and MDA-231 (highly metastatic) human breast cancer cells with COX-2 expression vectors. COX-2 overexpression was confirmed by Western blot and PGE2 immunoassay. IL-11 production was measured by immunoassay. We utilized a nude mouse model to study COX-2 and IL-11 production from breast cancer cells that metastasized to bone. These bone-seeking clones (BSC) were isolated and cultured from a long bone metastasis. Results. Measurement of IL-11 by an immunoassay revealed that COX-2 transfection/overexpression caused an approximately 5-fold increase in IL-11 production in both MCF-7 and MDA-231 cells. We observed that the MDA-231-BSC (cells isolated from bone metastasis) produce elevated levels of IL-11 and PGE2 (an important mediator of COX-2) as compared to parental MDA-231 cells (see Figure below). Download full-size image Conclusions. COX-2 overexpression in human breast cancer cells induced production of IL-11. Cells that metastasized to bone in a mouse model overexpressed IL-11. The interaction of COX-2 and IL-11 may be vital to the development of bone metastases in patients with breast cancer.
The matrix equation XA − BX = R and its applications

Abstract We study the well-known Sylvester equation XA − BX = R in the case when A and B are given and R is known up to its first n - 1 rows. We prove new results on the existence and uniqueness of X . Our results essentially state that, in case A is a nonderogatory matrix, there always exists a solution to this equation; a solution is uniquely determined by its first row x 1 ; and there is an interesting relationship between x 1 and the rows of R . We also give a complete characterization of the nonsingularity of X in this case. As applications of our results we develop direct methods for constructing symmetrizers and commuting matrices, computing the characteristic polynomial of a matrix, and finding the numbers of common eigenvalues between A and B . Some well-known important results on symmetrizers, Bezoutians, and inertia are recovered as special cases.
AROMATASE INHIBITORS FOR MALE INFERTILITY

Purpose: Testosterone-to-estradiol ratio levels in infertile men improve during treatment with the aromatase inhibitor, testolactone, and resulting changes in semen parameters. We evaluated the effect of anastrozole, a more selective aromatase inhibitor, on the hormonal and semen profiles of infertile men with abnormal baseline testosterone-to-estradiol ratios.Materials and Methods: A total of 140 subfertile men with abnormal testosterone-to-estradiol ratios were treated with 100 to 200 mg. testolactone daily or 1 mg. anastrozole daily. Changes in testosterone, estradiol, testosterone-to-estradiol ratios and semen parameters were evaluated during therapy. The effect of obesity, diagnosis of the Klinefelter syndrome, and presence of varicocele and/or history of varicocele repair on treatment results was studied.Results: Men treated with testolactone had an increase in testosterone-to-estradiol ratios during therapy (mean plus or minus standard error of the mean 5.3 ± 0.2 versus 12.4 ± 1.1, p <0.001). This ...
BIOAVAILABILITY OF VITAMIN B-6 IN NONFAT DRY MILK AND A FORTIFIED RICE BREAKFAST CEREAL PRODUCT

The results of microbiological and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods for total vitamin B-6 were compared with rat bioassay results for biologically available vitamin B-6 in nonfat dry milk and a rice base breakfast cereal product. Excellent agreement was observed between assay values for total and available vitamin B-6 in the nonfat dry milk, indicating full bioavailability. In contrast, the rat bioassay results indicated that the bioavailability of the vitamin B-6 in the cereal product was low. The factors responsible for the apparently poor absorption or utilization of the vitamin B-6 from the cereal product are not known. The results of this study indicate that the bioavailability of vitamin B-6 may be strongly influenced by food composition.
PD 158771, a potential antipsychotic agent with D2/D3 partial agonist and 5-HT1A agonist actions. I. Neurochemical effects

Abstract The neurochemical effects of a novel dopamine (DA) D2-like and serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT1A agonist, PD 158771, are described. PD 158771 exhibited affinities for human D2L, D3 and D4.2 receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells with Ki (nM) values of 5.2, 13.7 and 34.8 respectively. PD 158771 showed high affinity for cloned human 5-HT1A (Ki =2.6 nM) and rat hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors (Ki =3.5 nM). Weaker affinities were observed at alpha 1-adrenergic (Ki =43 nM), histamine H1 (IC50 =30 nM), 5-HT2A (Ki =24.5 nM) and sigma (σ) −1 binding sites (Ki =24.5 nM). In measures of in vitro functional activity, PD 158771 stimulated [3H]thymidine uptake in CHO p-5 cells transfected with hD3 receptors with a maximal effect of 23% relative to quinpirole. In hD2L, the corresponding value was 60% with an EC50 of 29 nM, again indicating partial DA agonist action of PD 158771. In vivo, PD 158771 produced a dose-related decrease in DA synthesis in the striatum and mesolimbic regions of rat brain treated with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), indicating a DA autoreceptor agonist action. In animals not treated with GBL, PD 158771 produced a dose-related decrease in DA synthesis and extracellular DA. A decrease in 5-HT synthesis in several brain areas was observed consistent with an agonist response. Further support for DA autoreceptor agonist action is that PD 158771 produced a partial inhibition of the firing of substantia nigra zona compacta DA neurons, an effect reversed by haloperidol. In conclusion, PD 158771 exhibited affinities for DA and 5-HT receptors, appears to possess DA and 5-HT agonist actions; and it could provide improved antipsychotic profile with minimal side effects.
Hyperthyroidism Secondary to a TSH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma In A 15-Year-Old Male

Correspondence to: Samir Najjar, MD, Division of Endocrinology, The Children’s Hospital, 3 Hunnewell, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115. The cause of thyrotoxicosis in children, as in adults, is primarily autoimmune in nature. Besides Graves disease, occasional cases of thyrotoxicosis secondary to a functioning thyroid adenoma and selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone’-3 have been described in children. To our knowledge, however, only very rare cases of thyrotoxicosis secondary to a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) producing pituitary adenoma have been diagnosed in the pediatric age group. The following article presents the youngest individual in the literature with such a tumor and
Temporal and spatial patterns of microbial community biomass and composition in the Southern California Current Ecosystem

As part of the California Current Ecosystem Long Term Ecological Research (CCE-LTER) Program, samples for epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM) were collected at ten ‘cardinal’ stations on the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) grid during 25 quarterly cruises from 2004 to 2010 to investigate the biomass, composition and size–structure of microbial communities within the southern CCE. Based on our results, we divided the region into offshore, and inshore northern and southern zones. Mixed-layer phytoplankton communities in the offshore had lower biomass (1672 μ gCL
Training Bartenders as Helpers on a College Campus

Student bartenders working in a college rathskeller are portrayed as “gatekeepers”: individuals at a strategic point of contact between mental health professionals and people in need of such service. This article describes a training program that sought to enhance the skills necessary to perform a variety of gatekeeping functions. The program, which took the form of a one-day workshop, included six major segments. The authors suggest that such a workshop is a potentially useful preventive mental health program for a college campus.
Efficient Linearly Polarized Lamp for Liquid Crystal Displays

We propose a new optical design to produce linearly polarized illumination for liquid crystal displays. The operation mechanism is based on polarization conversion due to induced surface plasmon polariton on metallic gratings in conical diffraction. This linearly polarized lamp integrates an unpolarized light source and a light recycling scheme inside the lamp housing. Its structure is simple and, moreover, its optical efficiency reaches 92% in emitting a linearly polarized light.
Preservation of Renal Function After Reconstruction for Trauma: Quantitative Assessment with Radionuclide Scintigraphy

AbstractPurpose: We quantified the degree of preservation of renal function after reconstruction of traumatic renal injuries and identified the factors that influence preservation.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 52 patients between 1977 and 1995 who underwent radionuclide scintigraphy an average of 11.4 days after renal reconstruction for trauma. Of the injuries (75% penetrating and 25% blunt) 6% were grade 2, 43% grade 3, 49% grade 4 and 2% grade 5.Results: On the reconstructed side mean renal function was 39.3%. Adequate preservation was possible in 42 patients (81% overall), while 10 (19%) had less than a third function on the injured side.Conclusions: Our results provide quantitative evidence that renal reconstruction successfully preserves functioning renal tissue and is an appropriate method of treating major renal trauma. Preservation of functioning renal parenchyma is less successful in patients with renovascular trauma and severe concomitant injuries with shock and extensive blo...
Simple bounds for a transient queue

Bounds on performance of a queueing model can provide useful information to guarantee quality of service for communication networks. We study the bounds on the mean delay in a transient GI/GI/1 queue given the first two moments of the service time and the inter-arrival time, respectively. We establish a simple upper-bound, which then is used to show that the true transient mean-delay is at most four times larger than an asymptotic diffusion-approximation. We also prove that the tight lower-bound is zero as long as the service time and the inter-arrival time have finite variance and the load is below one. Tightness of the trivial lower-bound is in contrast to the stationary mean-delay, which has strictly positive lower-bound when the service time is sufficiently variable. We also show how our results can be applied to analyze the transient mean delay of packets in the real-world Internet.
Multiplicative Effects of Intention on the Perception of Bistable Apparent Motion

When viewing ambiguous displays, observers can, via intentional efforts, affect which perceptual interpretation they perceive. Specifically, observers can increase the probability of seeing the desired percept. Little is known, however, about how intentional efforts interact with sensory inputs in exerting their effects on perception. In two experiments, the current study explored the possibility that intentional efforts might operate by multiplicatively enhancing the stimulus-based activation of the desired perceptual representation. Such a possibility is suggested by recent neurophysiological research on attention. In support of this idea, when we presented bistable apparent motion displays under stimulus conditions differentially favoring one motion percept over the other, observers' intentional efforts to see a particular motion were generally more effective under conditions in which stimulus factors favored the intended motion percept.
Enhanced Cooperativity through Design: Pendant CoIII ? Salen Polymer Brush Catalysts for the Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution of Epichlorohydrin (Salen=N,N′‐Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine Dianion)

The Co(III)--salen-catalyzed (salen=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine dianion) hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of racemic epoxides has emerged as a highly attractive and efficient method of synthesizing chiral C(3) building blocks for intermediates in larger, more complex molecules. HKR reaction rates have displayed a second order dependency on the concentration of active sites, and thus researchers have proposed a bimetallic transition state for the HKR mechanism. Here we report the utilization of pendant Co(III)--salen catalysts on silica supported polymer brushes as a catalyst for the HKR of epichlorohydrin. The novel polymer brush architecture provided a unique framework for promoting site-site interactions as required in the proposed bimetallic transition state of the HKR mechanism. Furthermore, the polymer brushes mimic the environment of soluble polymer-based catalysts, whereas the silica support permitted facile recovery and reuse of the catalyst. The polymer brush catalyst displayed increased activities over the soluble Jacobsen Co--salen catalyst and was observed to retain its high enantioselectivities (>99 %) after each of five reactions despite decreasing activities. Analysis indicated decomposition of the salen ligand as an underlying cause of catalyst deactivation.
Effect of Artificial Sea Grass on Wave Energy and Nearshore Sand Transport: ABSTRACT

The emplacement of offshore, artificial sea-grass beds directly influences nearshore sand transport. Artificial sea grass will decrease wave energy because of bending of the fronds, increased bottom drag, internal deformation, and refraction. The latter three effects change as a result of the increased bottom slope caused by the sea grass beds. In turn, the mean longshore current and longshore component of wave power are reduced. Total wave power and incident angle to the beach specifies the longshore component of wave power (PL) which is equated to the quantity of sand moved per unit distance (dq/dx). The average bending moment per individual frond was calculated to be approximately 2.0 lb-in. A dense bed of sea grass has the potential to reduce wave energy by 20 percent, on the basis solely of energy lost to bending. The reduction of wave height, corresponding to the energy loss, results in decreased wave power per unit distance expended at the breaker zone. Ginsburg and Lowenstam reported that Thallassia testudinum offers a suitable substrate for many benthic communities. Algae, foraminifers, bryozoans, etc., attach to the fronds, whereas mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans use the network of baffles for protection and food gathering. These organisms add substantially to the binding ability of the grass, and sediment will be accumulated readily within the bed. Variations in the type of community present will depend on wave energy (turbulence), temperature of the water, tidal range, and salinity. In areas of low-wave energy, embankments may grow forming a series of offshore bars which further will influence approaching orthogonals. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2214------------
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES (2nd ed.) By William J. Weiner, Lisa M. Shulman, and Anthony E. Lang

Parkinson's Disease, named for Dr. James Parkinson, who first reported its symptoms in 1817, is a progressive, degenerative neurological disorder that affects over one million Americans. The etiolo...
Feasibility study of unattended polysomnography in medical intensive care unit patients

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of using unattended, portable polysomnography (PSG) to measure sleep among patients in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). Background Accurate measurement of sleep is critical to studies of MICU sleep deprivation. Although PSG is the gold standard, there is limited data regarding the feasibility of utilizing unattended, portable PSG modalities in the MICU. Methods MICU based observational pilot study. We conducted unattended, 24-h PSG studies in 29 patients. Indicators of feasibility included attainment of electroencephalography data sufficient to determine sleep stage, sleep efficiency, and arousal indices. Results Electroencephalography data were not affected by electrical interference and were of interpretable quality in 27/29 (93%) of patients. Overnight sleep efficiency was 48% reflecting a mean overnight sleep duration of 3.7 h. Conclusions Unattended, portable PSG produces high quality sleep data in the MICU and can facilitate investigation of sleep deprivation among critically ill patients. Patient sleep was short and highly fragmented.
Citizen Demand for Interactive E-Government The Case of Georgia Consumer Services

The possible benefits of e-government are currently generating far more interest than the limitations. The dominant view is that the Internet offers almost unlimited potential and that governments are not fully exploiting this opportunity. The authors' findings question this conclusion. They find a strong preference for in-person and telephone communication, even when these methods might actually be less convenient. The authors focus on a single public agency, but the circumstances they address are common in public organizations.
Mutual exposure or close peer relationships do not seem to foster increased similarity in food, music or television program preferences

We know very little about either the mechanisms through which preferences are created in humans, or the contributions of particular developmental forces: e.g. genetics, parental influence, peer influence, the media. Prior work has indicated surprisingly low correlations (averaging about 0.15) between the food or music preferences of young adult and the mid-point of the biological and rearing parents preferences for the same items. A likely candidate for a substantial influence is peers. In one study, we show that freshman college roommates, randomly assigned, do not become significantly more similar in their food or music preferences over the course of about seven months of mutual exposure. In a second study, we show that in three suburban third grade classrooms, the preferences for food or TV programs in children is not more similar to those of their best friends in the school, than it is to randomly selected other children of the same gender, in their classes. Although our findings are negative (lack of influence), in light of very strong expectations for positive findings, we take them to be notable. These findings add further mystery and puzzlement to the question of: where do preferences come from? The focus in this study is on individual differences among peers and forces that lead to preference similarity. The study does not speak to the influence of general peer norms.
A low thermal budget self-aligned Ti silicide technology using germanium implantation for thin-film SOI MOSFET's

In this paper, a titanium salicide technology with a very low thermal annealing temperature using germanium implantation for thin film SOI MOSFET's is investigated in detail. Ti silicide formation on the amorphous silicon generated by germanium implantation is studied. Compared to the conventional Ti salicide process, the Ti silicidation temperature is significantly lowered and the silicide depth is well controlled through the pre-amorphized layer. Therefore, the potential problems of the salicide process for SOI MOSFET's such as lateral voids, dopant segregation, thermal agglomeration, and increase of resistance on narrow gate are suppressed by germanium implantation. With the Ge pre-amorphization salicide process, a very low silicide contact resistance is obtained and sub-0.25-/spl mu/m SOI MOSFET's are fabricated with good device characteristics.
An active/collaborative approach in teaching requirements engineering

The requirements engineering (RE) course is a component of the curriculum for the Masters in Software Engineering (MSSE) program at Monmouth University. It has been the first software engineering program in New Jersey and one of the first in the nation. The RE course introduces students to the process, methods and tools specific to this area, and the corresponding software quality issues. The course is offered in a lecture and laboratory format. To reinforce the concepts learned, students actively participate in their learning as they play different roles for eliciting requirements, collaboratively improve the quality of their standard requirement documents or share their particular expertise with their teams when performing object-oriented analysis. This paper describes the current structure of the RE course and my experience related to the active/collaborative approaches in teaching it.
Rare and underappreciated complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has evolved to a largely therapeutic procedure for the management of a variety of benign and malignant disorders of the pancreas and biliary tree. Although the most commonly implicated adverse events include pancreatitis, postsphincterotomy hemorrhage and perforation, cardiopulmonary issues (such as aspiration), and infection, there are a multitude of rare and often underappreciated complications that may occur. These are often related to endoscope manipulation, air insufflation, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography devices, and iodinated contrast. This article provides an abridged review of these events, with some anecdotal observations of how these may be prevented and addressed.
The mitochondrial permeability transition pore: A molecular target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy

Effective therapies are needed for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal type of motor neuron disease. Morphological, biochemical, molecular genetic, and cell/animal model studies suggest that mitochondria have potentially diverse roles in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and neuronal cell death. In human ALS, abnormalities have been found in mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, and mitochondrial cell death proteins indicative of some non-classical form of programmed cell death. Mouse models of ALS are beginning to reveal possible principles governing the biology of selective neuronal vulnerability that implicate mitochondria. This minireview summarizes work on the how malfunctioning mitochondria might contribute to neuronal death in ALS through the biophysical entity called the mitochondrial permeability pore (mPTP). The major protein components of the mPTP are enriched in mouse motor neurons. Early in the course of disease in ALS mice expressing human mutant superoxide dismutase-1, mitochondria in motor neurons undergo trafficking abnormalities and dramatic remodeling resulting in the formation of mega-mitochondria and coinciding with increased protein carbonyl formation and nitration of mPTP components. The genetic deletion of a major mPTP component, cyclophilin D, has robust effects in ALS mice by delaying disease onset and extending survival. Thus, attention should be directed to the mPTP as a rational target for the development of drugs designed to treat ALS.
Booker T. Washington and the myth of heroic materialism

This article suggests that the traditional view of Booker T. Washington as a clever diplomat with an astonishing ability to ignore the realities of racism is inadequate. Seen from the stand‐pont of the myth critic, Washington's rhetoric illuminates the way in which cultural scenarios shape and restrict perception.
The reverse transfer of technology from Sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Zimbabwe.

The article investigates the potential reverse transfer of technology (brain drain) from Zimbabwe, using as case study, academic staff at the main campus of the University of Zimbabwe. A questionnaire survey was employed to separate all Zimbabwean academic staff into two groups: those who express an intention to emigrate in the near future (1-3 years) and those who express an intention to stay home. The demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the two groups are discussed, as are the factors cited for dissatisfaction with conditions at the source (the institution and the country), potential destinations, and attractions (“pull” factors) at these destinations. The study concludes that the decision to emigrate is based on an untidy combination of economic, cultural, social and geographic considerations.
Impacts of random noise and specification on estimates of capacity derived from data envelopment analysis

Abstract Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is widely used to estimate the efficiency of firms and has also been proposed as a tool to measure technical capacity and capacity utilization (CU). Random variation in output data can lead to downward bias in DEA estimates of efficiency and, consequently, upward bias in estimates of technical capacity. This can be particularly problematic for industries such as agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries where the production process is inherently stochastic due to environmental influences. This research uses Monte Carlo simulations to investigate possible biases in DEA estimates of technically efficient output and capacity output attributable to noisy data and investigates the impact of using a model specification that allows for variable returns to scale (VRS). We demonstrate a simple method of reducing noise induced bias when panel data is available. We find that DEA capacity estimates are highly sensitive to noise and model specification. Analogous conclusions can be drawn regarding DEA estimates of average efficiency.
Host-Fungus Relationships

The intimate relationships that have developed between trichomycetes and their arthropod hosts appear to be long-standing ones in terms of evolutionary time. Evidence for such a statement lies in the diversity to be found within the fungal class, the wide range of arthropod types infested, the worldwide distribution of this kind of symbiotic association, and the number of morphological and physiological specializations that these fungi have had to evolve to insure successful adaptation to their respective host types. In the present chapter we will examine these relationships primarily on the basis of studies of uncultured specimens, whereas in the next chapter (Chapter 9) experimental evidence obtained with axenically cultured fungal species will be emphasized.
Chip Warpage Induced by Tapered Through-Silicon Vias: A Numerical Analysis

This paper concerns chip warpage caused by thermal expansion mismatch between tapered copper (Cu) through-silicon vias (TSVs) and the surrounding silicon (Si) matrix. Systematic numerical finite-element modeling is performed to simulate the periodic array of Cu TSVs. It is demonstrated that significant chip curvature can develop as a result of the tapered TSV geometry. The effects of taper angle, diameter, and density of TSVs; wafer thickness; and intermediate layers between Cu and Si are investigated.
Laser ultrasonic assessment of the effects of porosity and microcracking on the elastic moduli of nuclear graphites

Abstract Laser ultrasonic methods have been used to measure the elastic moduli of various nuclear graphites. Measurements were made to assess wavespeeds for longitudinal and shear waves in different propagation directions and these were used along with density measurements to compute the longitudinal and shear moduli as well as Young's modulus. All moduli decreased with increasing graphite porosity and these variations could be interpreted using models describing the effect of porosity on material stiffness. Extrapolations for these models to zero porosity were used to infer the moduli for theoretically dense graphite; the results were far below predicted values reported in the literature for fully dense, polycrystalline, isotropic graphite. Differences can be attributed to microcracking in the graphite microstructure. Using models for the effects of microcracking on modulus, estimates for microcrack populations indicate that the number of cracks per unit volume must be much greater than the number of pores per unit volume. Experimental results reported in the literature for irradiated graphites as well as for the stress dependence of graphite modulus are consistent with the influence of microcracking on elastic behavior and could be interpreted using concepts developed here. Results in this work for graphite structure-property relationships should allow for more sophisticated characterization of nuclear graphites using ultrasonic methods.
Evaluation of a Comprehensive Delivery Room Neonatal Resuscitation and Adaptation Score (NRAS) Compared to the Apgar Score A Pilot Study

This study evaluated the interrater reliability and perceived importance of components of a developed neonatal adaption score, Neonatal Resuscitation Adaptation Score (NRAS), for evaluation of resuscitation need in the delivery room for extremely premature to term infants. Similar to the Apgar, the NRAS highest score was 10, but greater weight was given to respiratory and cardiovascular parameters. Evaluation of provider (N = 17) perception and scoring pattern was recorded for 5 clinical scenarios of gestational ages 23 to 40 weeks at 1 and 5 minutes and documenting NRAS and Apgar score. Providers assessed the tool twice within a 1-month interval. NRAS showed superior interrater reliability (P < .001) and respiratory component reliability (P < .001) for all gestational ages compared to the Apgar score. These findings identify an objective tool in resuscitation assessment of infants, especially those of smaller gestation age, allowing for greater discrimination of postbirth transition in the delivery room.
Recommendations for Reality-Based Regulatory Reform for Hedge Funds and Other Private Pools of Capital

The author contends that current legislative proposals that would require hedge fund managers to register as Investment Advisers with the SEC are necessary but insufficient. In order to protect investors and reduce systemic risk, hedge fund operations and investment strategies should be subject to many of the substantive requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the law governing mutual funds. These requirements might include leverage restrictions, asset valuation controls, limitations on self-dealing and related party transaction and fiduciary duties to fund investors. The justification for continued exemption from comprehensive regulation is based upon false premises, including the myth that only “sophisticated investors” have capital at risk through hedge funds. Taub dispels these “myths” and recommends reality-based regulatory reform.
Global Epitranscriptomics Profiling of RNA Post-Transcriptional Modifications as an Effective Tool for Investigating the Epitranscriptomics of Stress Response

The simultaneous detection of all the post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) that decorate cellular RNA can provide comprehensive information on the effects of changing environmental conditions on the entire epitranscriptome. To capture this type of information, we performed the analysis of ribonucleotide mixtures produced by hydrolysis of total RNA extracts from S. cerevisiae that was grown under hyperosmotic and heat shock conditions. Their global PTM profiles clearly indicated that the cellular responses to these types of stresses involved profound changes in the production of specific PTMs. The observed changes involved not only up-/down-regulation of typical PTMs, but also the outright induction of new ones that were absent under normal conditions, or the elimination of others that were normally present. Pointing toward the broad involvement of different classes of RNAs, many of the newly observed PTMs differed from those engaged in the known tRNA-based mechanism of translational recoding, which is induced by oxidative stress. Some of the expression effects were stress-specific, whereas others were not, thus suggesting that RNA PTMs may perform multifaceted activities in stress response, which are subjected to distinctive regulatory pathways. To explore their signaling networks, we implemented a strategy based on the systematic deletion of genes that connect established response genes with PTM biogenetic enzymes in a putative interactomic map. The results clearly identified PTMs that were under direct HOG control, a well-known protein kinase pathway involved in stress response in eukaryotes. Activation of this signaling pathway has been shown to result in the stabilization of numerous mRNAs and the induction of selected lncRNAs involved in chromatin remodeling. The fact that PTMs are capable of altering the activity of the parent RNAs suggest their possible participation in feedback mechanisms aimed at modulating the regulatory functions of such RNAs. This tantalizing hypothesis will be the object of future studies.
The serum uric acid concentration in essential hypertension.

Summary and ConclusionsIn a series of 50 cases essential hypertension, unless complicated by renal insufficiency, was associated with essentially normal serum uric acid values.
Trade Characters in Promotion Programs

"The picture and the name have proved so appealing that we have used one or both repeatedly in many different kinds of advertising, often without further reference to Chessie in the copy. For example, Chessie has been used to signify Chesapeake and Ohio on the sides of box cars, on time tables, letterboards of passenger cars, on gifts such as matches, packages of golf tees, plastic key chain holders, and playing cards. She appears on booklets, circulars, the annual report, and even invitations. "Within the last few years several national manufacturers have recognized the popu-
Research on Service System Modeling Based on Integration of Hierarchical Ontology

Service system modeling is one of the key research topics.Adaptability of components,muti-granularity and the modeling of social factors are the obstacles of componentization in business and being adaptable with those in information system.After analyzing the traditional enterprise modeling,service modeling and the ontology application in modeling field,this paper focuses on service modeling based on ontology.The hierarchy design of ontology modeling is based on the analysis of the technology,organization and service relationship in service system.This paper presents a methodology of Service System Modeling based on integration of hierarchical ontologies.
Choice of Legislative Model of Cycling Economy in China

The article introduces the concept of cycling economy and present legislative models of cycling economy of foreign countries. It points out that the legislative models of China should take 3 steps to carry out little by little.
Incorporating plant phenological trajectory in exotic saltcedar detection with monthly time series of Landsat imagery

Abstract Over the past century, non-native saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) has expanded into most of riparian zones of the southwestern United States and posed significant threats to the native biotic communities. Repeated monitoring of saltcedar distribution over region-wide geographic areas is urgently essential for conservation agencies to develop cost-effective control strategies. Current studies have mostly concentrated on the mapping of saltcedar distribution with a single remote sensing image acquired during its leaf senescence. Given the phenological variation within saltcedar and the spectral confusion between saltcedar and natives, our ability to detect saltcedar with a single-date image is still limited. The objective of this study was to develop new intra-annual phenology-based strategies to detect exotic saltcedar with monthly time series of Landsat imagery. Several temporal phenology-based detection strategies (i.e., phenological bands, phenological NDVI, and phenological metrics) that could track the intra-annual phenological trajectory of plants were devised. With the proposed detection strategies, crucial months and phenological stages in saltcedar detection were investigated. Results indicated that the proposed strategy of phenological bands could accommodate the phenological variation within saltcedar and improve the classification accuracy significantly. Several phenological stages (e.g., flowering and leaf senescence) were deemed as important in discriminating saltcedar from other riparian plants at the Landsat scale. The proposed strategy was found to be relatively robust to the lack of a single Landsat image. It is concluded that monthly time series of Landsat imagery are promising in facilitating the long-term mapping of saltcedar distribution over extended areas.
Screening for prostate cancer.

Early-stage prostate cancer is usually asymptomatic and therefore, in the past, has often gone undetected, unless diagnosed by a digital rectal examination. More recently, new tests have been introduced, namely prostate-specific antigen and transrectal ultrasound, in order to improve the detection of early-stage disease. Considerable debate exists about the routine use of these screening tests. This article addresses issues such as which tests are the most predictable, the outcome of screening in terms of benefits (or not) to the patient and the advantages and disadvantages of screening itself
Pregnant women's perceptions of prenatal care.

PROBLEM: To describe pregnant women's perceptions in two specific areas: expectations about prenatal care and satisfaction with prenatal care. METHOD: A focus group technique using a semi-structured interview format. Three focus groups (N = 22) were conducted in the third trimester of pregnancy. Data were transcribed from the taped sessions and studied using content analysis. FINDINGS: Three major dimensions of satisfaction were identified: satisfaction with health care provider(s); satisfaction with support staff; and satisfaction with the prenatal care, including the desire for continuity of provider, clear explanations, and accessible quality care. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The provider relationship was identified as having the greatest influence on the women's satisfaction with prenatal care. Satisfaction with prenatal care can be enhanced through positive provider-patient interactions.
Should India Sign the NPT

Would India be more secure within or outside the NPT? Would Indian security interests be enhanced if, in 1995, the NPT collapsed or was replaced by a new or amended treaty structure? Should India sign the NPT or strive to undermine or destroy the treaty, or to replace it with an alternative regime that could better serve Indian interests? Such questions have always been significant, because India is one of the most outspoken critics of the NPT regime. However, the question of whether India should sign the treaty took on particular significance at the beginning of 1989 when news reports in India alleged that Pakistan had acquired and stockpiled nuclear weapons or was about to acquire such weapons. To be sure, such Indian allegations have been made periodically over the last ten years, but the problem has taken on greater urgency and credibility at the present time because the Indian reports are supplemented by those from American sources.1 According to the American reports, the administration of President George Bush may have to discontinue its economic and military aid to Pakistan unless it can certify that Pakistan did not possess nuclear weapons. Such a certification, as required by the Pressler Amendment, would be difficult to issue based on the present evidence available to the U.S. government.2
Hand held solitaire: a game assignment for CS I: nifty assignment

The Hand-held Solitaire game requires no tableau, has simple rules, and is easily learned and played. It can be used as an assignment to develop classes (card and deck), implement algorithms, and work with ArrayList objects.
Nutrition and Associated Risk Factors among Breast Cancer Patients in Alappuzha

ABSTRACT : The present study was undertaken in cancer patients with prior consent undergoing treatment in the Oncology Department of T.D. Medical College Hospital, Vandanam, Alappuzha. Hundred women undergoing treatment for breast cancer aged 30-90 years were selected by Judgmental sampling. Interview Schedule was used for collecting information on Demographic variables and Epidemiological variables. PG-Subjective Global Assessment tool was used to assess the malnutrition among the subjects. Results revealed higher incidence of breast cancer in Alappuzha and the main risk factors associated was found to be genetic factors, dietary factors and reproductive factors.
Work schedule flexibility and parking preferences

The flexibility of work schedule affects the number of commute trips made per week and the number of hours spent at work, which can influence congestion and transportation emission levels. Understanding the linkages between the flexibility of work schedule and travel behavior will provide insights for policies targeted at transportation and parking demand management. This study uses the University of California (UC) Berkeley campus as a study site. UC Berkeley is one of the largest employers in the San Francisco Bay Area with over 11,000 employees, leading to a wide range of employment type, job characteristics, and varying levels of work schedule flexibility. A total of 86 one-on-one interviews were conducted with UC Berkeley employees. This study explores common factors that contribute to UC Berkeley employees’ parking preferences and considers how academic discipline or employment type could affect work schedule, which in turn influences travel behavior. Driving is the most popular choice across employment type and job categories. However, not all employees who drive alone have the same parking location preferences. The flexibility of work schedule is one of the key factors that influences parking preferences at the workplace, especially when there are alternative parking locations.
Cloaked Caged Compounds: Chemical Probes for Two‐Photon Optoneurobiology

Caged neurotransmitters, in combination with focused light beams, enable precise interrogation of neuronal function, even at the level of single synapses. However, most caged transmitters are, surprisingly, severe antagonists of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. By conjugation of a large, neutral dendrimer to a caged GABA probe we introduce a "cloaking" technology that effectively reduces such antagonism to very low levels. Such cloaked caged compounds will enable the study of the signaling of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in its natural state using two-photon uncaging microscopy for the first time.
Knockdown of CCR7 or Its Ligands Causes a Loss of Central Nervous System Involvement in Notch1 Induced T-ALL

Intensive chemotherapy helps achieve remission in the vast majority of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. A subset of these cases, T-cell ALL (T-ALL), fare significantly worse, presenting with more severe disease, lower remission rates and a greater likelihood of relapse, particularly within the central nervous system (CNS). All modern treatment protocols involve intensive prophylactic CNS chemotherapy and cranial irradiation. The dramatic increase in overall survival is thought to be worth the significant long term side effects associated with CNS treatment such as secondary tumors, neurocognitive deficits and neuroendocrine disorders. Despite its significance, very little is known about the basic mechanisms of leukemic lymphocyte infiltration into the CNS. Over 50% of T-ALL patients have activating mutations in the Notch1 protein. According to our gene expression profiling results, Notch1 activation leads to the induction of CCR7, a chemokine receptor known to play a role in normal lymphocyte homing in extramedullary tissues and CNS. To study CNS infiltration, we generated two murine models expressing activated Notch1 (N1-IC), a bone marrow transplant (WT/WT N1 ) and a conditional knockin. Both developed an aggressive T-ALL with immature T-cells infiltrating into secondary lymphoid tissues, but more importantly, they had CNS involvement. Numerous malignant appearing CD3 positive cells were found in the leptomeningeal space of the brain in both mouse models. When we transplanted CCR7 knock out bone marrow cells expressing N1-IC, the recipient mice (WT/CCR7KO N1 ) developed an aggressive T-ALL as before. However, a close examination of the brain failed to show any leukemic infiltration in the host mice. In agreement, wild-type N1-IC positive cells transplanted into plt mice (plt/ WT N1 ) lacking the CCR7 ligands, CCL19 and CCL21, induced T-cell leukemia, but again, these cells failed to infiltrate into the CNS. In addition, WT/CCR7KO N1 and plt/WT N1 mice survived longer than WT/WT N1 mice (61 and 71 vs 47 days, p −/− gc −/− hosts and rapid leukemic infiltration of both lines was monitored by bioluminescent imaging. We found dramatic infiltration of CEM cells, but not DND41 cells into the CNS of the recipients. Moreover, the overexpression of CCR7 in the non-expressing DND41 cells caused them to acquire the ability to infiltrate into the CNS of the hosts. These results strongly implicate CCR7 as a major mediator of CNS involvement in T-cell leukemia and would suggest that targeting the Notch1 or CCR7 pathways could provide an effective CNS therapy with reduced long term morbidity.
Helping Thy Neighbor? Prosocial Reactions to Observed Abusive Supervision in the Workplace:

This article examines employee reactions to observing abusive supervision at work. Specifically, we integrate deonance theory with fairness theory and social cognitive theory to explore when and why employees who witness abuse toward a coworker engage in prosocial behavior intended to protect the victim. We first develop a moderated mediation model of prosocial responses to abuse, which identifies overall fairness as a first- and second-stage moderator, influencing the relationships between observed abusive supervision and observer deontic reactions and between deontic reactions and coworker protective behavior. Results from Study 1 support a model in which overall justice moderates the second link, indicating that fair norms and principles might prompt observers of abuse to direct their deontic anger toward coworker protective responses. Study 2 extends this work by further exploring the mediating mechanism by which overall fairness moderates the relationship between deontic anger and prosocial behavior ...
Serial neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR) in relation to weight change and overall survival in patients (Pts) with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

e19143 Background: We previously observed a significant relationship between overall survival (OS) in stage III/IV NSCLC patients and weight change during chemotherapy or chemoradiation. A high neu...