cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: BARRIERS AND RISK FACTORS IMPACTING CARE

BACKGROUND Healthcare professionals have certain professional, legal, and ethical obligations that they must fulfill with each patient interaction. Though professional and legal obligations may vary between fields of practice, the core ethical responsibility remains the same: provide just health care1. This requires that healthcare professionals are aware of systemic and institutional factors that lead to disparity and discrimination in the provision of health services1. Disability is a complex construct that can be related to various factors related to health condition as well as social and environmental factors that influence participation. This complexity results in varying definitions; the ICF model of disability was used in this research2. Abstract PDF Link:https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/32046/24460 How to cite: Senczyszyn A, Duncan J.C. HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: BARRIERS AND RISK FACTORS IMPACTING CARE. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32046 Abstracts were Peer-reviewed by the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 101st National Assembly Scientific Committee. http://www.aopanet.org/
Law Enforcement Organization Relationships

Although police departments and prosecutor’s offices must closely collaborate, their organizational roles and networks, and the distinctive perspectives of their personnel, will inevitably and regularly lead to forceful dialogue and disruptive friction. Such friction can occasionally undermine thoughtful deliberation about public safety, the rule of law, and community values. Viewed more broadly, however, these interactions promote just such deliberation, which will become even healthier when the dialogue breaks out of the closed world of criminal justice bureaucracies and includes the public to which these bureaucracies are ultimately responsible.
Patient and provider perspectives on delivery of oral cancer therapies

Abstract Objective The introduction of oral cancer therapies presents new challenges to delivery of quality cancer care. Little is known about how patients and providers address and overcome these challenges. We conducted a qualitative study exploring the range of patient and provider perspectives on oral cancer therapies. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and providers at a tertiary referral center and county safety-net hospital in Dallas, TX. Interviews probed perspectives on differences between parenteral chemotherapy and oral therapies, adherence, communication, and cost/insurance. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using a deductively-driven coding scheme corresponding to the interview guide. Results We conducted 22 patient (13 at tertiary referral center, 9 at safety-net hospital) and 10 provider (7 oncologists, 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist) interviews. Key themes from interviews included: (1) differences in parenteral chemotherapy vs. oral therapy; (2) adherence and dosing; and (3) experiences related to cost and communication. Conclusions Nearly all providers described challenges engaging with and educating patients about oral cancer therapies. Despite our initial hypothesis, safety-net patients encountered few barriers accessing oral therapies compared to patients receiving care in the tertiary referral center. Practice implications : Our findings will guide future interventions to monitor and support cancer patients receiving oral therapies.
Host Lymphotoxin-β Receptor Signaling Is Crucial for Angiogenesis of Metanephric Tissue Transplanted into Lymphoid Sites.

The mouse lymph node (LN) can provide a niche to grow metanephric kidney to maturity. Here, we show that signaling through the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) is critical for kidney organogenesis both in the LN and the omentum. By transplanting kidney rudiments either in the LNs of mice undergoing LTβR antagonist treatment or in the omenta of Ltbr knockout (Ltbr−/−) mice, the host LTβR signals were found to be crucial for obtaining a well-vascularized kidney graft. Indeed, defective LTβR signaling correlated with decreased expression of endothelial and angiogenic markers in kidney grafts as well as structural alterations. Because the number of glomerular endothelial cells expressing the LTβR target nuclear factor κB–inducing kinase (NIK) decreased in the absence of a functional LTβR, it was speculated that an LTβR/NIK axis mediated the angiogenetic signals required for successful ectopic kidney organogenesis, given the established role of NIK in neovascularization. However, the transplantation of kidney rudiments in omenta of Nik−/− mice revealed that NIK is dispensable for ectopic kidney vascular integration and maturation. Finally, defective LTβR signaling impaired compensatory glomerular adaptation to renal mass reduction, indicating that kidney regeneration approaches, besides whole kidney reconstruction, might benefit from the presence of LTβR signals.
Contemporary Theology in Asia: Current Challenges and Future Directions:

This article explores old issues and current challenges from new perspectives. It offers explorations of the role of the Trinity in interreligious dialogue and the roles of interreligions in Asian ...
Ethics of Using and Sharing Clinical Imaging Data for Artificial Intelligence: A Proposed Framework

In this article, the authors propose an ethical framework for using and sharing clinical data for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The philosophical premise is as follows: when clinical data are used to provide care, the primary purpose for acquiring the data is fulfilled. At that point, clinical data should be treated as a form of public good, to be used for the benefit of future patients. In their 2013 article, Faden et al argued that all who participate in the health care system, including patients, have a moral obligation to contribute to improving that system. The authors extend that framework to questions surrounding the secondary use of clinical data for AI applications. Specifically, the authors propose that all individuals and entities with access to clinical data become data stewards, with fiduciary (or trust) responsibilities to patients to carefully safeguard patient privacy, and to the public to ensure that the data are made widely available for the development of knowledge and tools to benefit future patients. According to this framework, the authors maintain that it is unethical for providers to "sell" clinical data to other parties by granting access to clinical data, especially under exclusive arrangements, in exchange for monetary or in-kind payments that exceed costs. The authors also propose that patient consent is not required before the data are used for secondary purposes when obtaining such consent is prohibitively costly or burdensome, as long as mechanisms are in place to ensure that ethical standards are strictly followed. Rather than debate whether patients or provider organizations "own" the data, the authors propose that clinical data are not owned at all in the traditional sense, but rather that all who interact with or control the data have an obligation to ensure that the data are used for the benefit of future patients and society.
Transfer Learning for Wildfire Identification in UAV Imagery

Due to Wildfire’s huge destructive impacts on agriculture and food production, wildlife habitat, climate, human life and ecosystem, timely discovery of fires enable swift response to fires before they go out of control, in order to minimize the resulting damage and impacts. One of the emerging technologies for fire monitoring is deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, due to their high flexibility and maneuverability, less human risk, and on-demand high quality imaging capabilities. In order to realize a real-time system for fire detection and expansion analysis, fast and high-accuracy image-processing algorithms are required. Several studies have shown that deep learning methods can provide the most accurate response, however the training time can be prohibitively long, especially when using online learning for constant refinement of the developed model. Another challenge is the lack of large datasets for training a deep learning algorithm. In this respect, we propose to use a pretrained mobileNetV2 architecture to implement transfer learning, which requires a smaller dataset and reduces the computational complexity while not compromising the accuracy. In addition, we conduct an effective data augmentation pipeline to simulate some extreme scenarios, which could promise the robustness of our approach. The testing results illustrate that our method maintains a high identification accuracy in different situations - original dataset (99.7%), adding Gaussian blurred (95.3%), and additive Gaussian noise (99.3%) 1 2
Mean interconversion times and distribution rate parameters for drugs undergoing reversible metabolism.

The mean interconversion time and recycling numbers are introduced as intrinsic metabolic interconversion and distribution parameters for drugs undergoing linear reversible metabolism. Equations for these parameters, the distribution clearance, and the mean transit time in the central and peripheral compartments are derived for a metabolic pair where interconversion and elimination occur in central compartments. These parameters can be calculated from plasma concentration versus time slopes and intercepts, AUC, and AUMC data of parent drug and its metabolite partner following iv administration of each compound. The mean time analysis is illustrated with disposition data obtained previously for methylprednisolone and methylprednisone in the rabbit. Examination of mean times and additional properties of the system reveals that total exposure time of methylprednisolone is weakly influenced by the metabolic interconversion process, whereas the total exposure time of methylprednisone is strongly influenced by the process. In addition, the tissue distribution processes moderately influence the total exposure times of both compounds. The derived mean time parameters, along with previously evolved equations for clearances, volumes of distribution, moments, and mean residence times allow comprehensive analysis of linear, multicompartmental reversible metabolic systems.
MASP2 levels are elevated in thrombotic microangiopathies: association with microvascular endothelial cell injury and suppression by anti‐MASP2 antibody narsoplimab

Involvement of the alternative complement pathway (AP) in microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) injury characteristic of a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is well documented. However, the role of the lectin pathway (LP) of complement has not been explored. We examined mannose-binding lectin associated serine protease (MASP2), the effector enzyme of the LP, in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) TMAs. Plasma MASP2 and terminal complement component sC5b-9 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human MVEC were exposed to patient plasmas, and the effect of the anti-MASP2 human monoclonal antibody narsoplimab on plasma-induced MVEC activation was assessed by caspase 8 activity. MASP2 levels were highly elevated in all TMA patients versus controls. The relatively lower MASP2 levels in alloHSCT patients with TMAs compared to levels in alloHSCT patients who did not develop a TMA, and a significant decrease in variance of MASP2 levels in the former, may reflect MASP2 consumption at sites of disease activity. Plasmas from 14 of the 22 TMA patients tested (64%) induced significant MVEC caspase 8 activation. This was suppressed by clinically relevant levels of narsoplimab (1·2 μg/ml) for all 14 patients, with a mean 65·7% inhibition (36.8-99.4%; P < 0·0001). In conclusion, the LP of complement is activated in TMAs of diverse etiology. Inhibition of MASP2 reduces TMA plasma-mediated MVEC injury in vitro. LP inhibition therefore may be of therapeutic benefit in these disorders.
Occupational therapy utilisation of apps in practice in the United States.

Aims The purpose of this cross-sectional research study was to explore the use of apps by occupational therapy practitioners in the United States to gain a more complete overview of utilisation and perceived effectiveness, and assess trends by population served, practice setting, occupation addressed, and client deficit. Methods For this cross-sectional study, 160 self-identified occupational therapy practitioners, 126 occupational therapists and 34 occupational therapy assistants, recruited through snowball sampling on social media participated in this 26-question survey available for two weeks online. Data analysis was conducted through SurveyMonkey and SPSS version 26. Results The majority of respondents (71.9%) reported that they have used apps in practice, most frequently as treatment modalities (84.3%) and as recommendations (71.9%) for clients. Likewise, most respondents who reported using apps considered apps to be as effective (70.5%) or better than (27.3%) traditional practice methods. Use of apps was significantly associated with practice setting X2(9, N = 160) = 46.437, p Conclusions Occupational therapists are using apps with clients of all age groups, and these apps are being used in all phases of the occupational therapy process. Apps are available that address all eight areas of occupation, and apps are perceived to be as effective or better than traditional occupational therapy interventions.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILIATIONThe majority of occupational therapy practitioners surveyed are using apps in practice.Most therapists are being provided devices by employers that support app use in practice.Neuromusculoskeletal and movement related functions and mental functions related to cognition are the primary client impairments therapists are addressing when using apps.Lack of app knowledge and familiarity with apps were the leading barriers to app use in practice.
Coping and Mental Health Differences among Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses with High and Low Levels of Marital Warmth

This study examined the relationship between marital warmth (e.g., openly expressing affection, supportive behaviors) and assessments of coping (i.e., challenges coping with military life and self-...
Body Scanning Technology Preferences among Consumers

Three-dimensional body scanning is a non-contact method of measuring the human body. The purpose of this research was to find out consumers’ preferred type of body scanner using the Technology Acceptance Model. The investigated technologies were a traditional body scanner, a suit-based scanner, and a mobile-based scanner. TAM was utilized to determine consumers’ adoption behavior in terms of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use among the three scanners. Moreover, the effect of gender was assessed. An online survey was conducted to see which scanners were preferred. 220 responses were collected. The participants felt the mobile-based scanner was easier and more convenient to use than the traditional scanner (P =0.001). This difference may be due to the relative comfort of most consumers with mobile technology today. There was also a significant difference in preference between the genders for adopting the mobile-based scanner. Men preferred this technology.
Next-generation immunotherapies for brain metastatic cancers

Patients with extracranial tumors, like lung, breast, and skin cancers, often develop brain metastases (BM) during the course of their diseases and BM commonly represent the terminal stage of cancer progression. Recent insights in the immune biology of BM and the increasing focus of immunotherapy as a therapeutic option for cancer has prompted testing of promising biological immunotherapies, including immune cell-targeting, virotherapy, vaccines, and different cell-based therapies. Here, we review the pathobiology of BM progression and evaluate the potential of next-generation immunotherapies for BM tumors. We also provide future perspectives on the development and implementation of such therapies for brain metastatic cancer patients.
Genome-Wide Identification of ARF Transcription Factor Gene Family and Their Expression Analysis in Sweet Potato.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are a family of transcription factors that play an important role of auxin regulation through their binding with auxin response elements. ARF genes are represented by a large multigene family in plants; however, to our knowledge, the ARF gene family has not been well studied and characterized in sweet potatoes. In this study, a total of 25 ARF genes were identified in Ipomea trifida. The identified ItrARF genes’ conserved motifs, chromosomal locations, phylogenetic relationships, and their protein characteristics were systemically investigated using different bioinformatics tools. The expression patterns of ItfARF genes were analyzed within the storage roots and normal roots at an early stage of development. ItfARF16b and ItfARF16c were both highly expressed in the storage root, with minimal to no expression in the normal root. ItfARF6a and ItfARF10a exhibited higher expression in the normal root but not in the storage root. Subsequently, ItfARF1a, ItfARF2b, ItfARF3a, ItfARF6b, ItfARF8a, ItfARF8b, and ItfARF10b were expressed in both root types with moderate to high expression for each. All ten of these ARF genes and their prominent expression signify their importance within the development of each respective root type. This study provides comprehensive information regarding the ARF family in sweet potatoes, which will be useful for future research to discover further functional verification of these ItfARF genes.
Anisotropic radiation source models for computational thermal manikin simulations based on common radiation field measurements

Abstract The balanced design of extreme heat adaptation strategies that engineer the radiative properties of infrastructure or human clothing requires realistic methods of spectrally and spatially resolving irradiation from a complex built environment on the human body. Current irradiation measurement methods oversimplify the human body as points, spheres, or cylinders. In contrast, computational thermal manikins often used in convective simulations resolve the 3D body shape but have predominantly been used to model radiation exchange only with a large isothermal surrounding. To bridge this gap, we formulated six anisotropic radiation source models for thermal manikin simulations based on net-radiometer 6-directional, acrylic globe, and cylindrical radiation thermometer measurements. In some cases, we augmented the models with solar zenith angle and theoretical global solar irradiation. The models predict similar diffuse longwave (LW) as well as direct and diffuse shortwave (SW) radiation for measurements taken during a representative hot, sunny day with an unobstructed sky view. For three times of the day, we simulated irradiation distributions on an average male thermal manikin. Comparing the resulting irradiation maps showed that the direct SW component should be based on solar direction instead of the 6-directional "box" approach. Results also highlight the importance of the diffuse irradiation implementation method. However, experimental benchmarking (e.g., using physical thermal manikins in real-world settings) is required to determine whether the volumetric, box, or spherical diffuse source specification is the most realistic approach. The introduced techniques can be applied to realistically simulate irradiation from real-world built environments on a wide range of individuals.
Deeply Contacting the Inner World of Another: Practicing Empathy in Values-Based Negotiation Role Plays

Teachers of law are preparing students to be peacemakers—or, at least, to facilitate peace by helping clients resolve conflict in particular ways. Much of the curriculum in law school focuses on resolving or preventing conflict in courts, legislatures, and administrative agencies. In dispute resolution classes, we strive to broaden students‘ understandings of the mechanisms, models, and norms by which they can assist their clients to resolve conflict. I have come to believe that if we take this peacemaking business seriously, our job as legal educators is not only to teach students the doctrine, theory, and practical skills associated with lawyering, but also to help our students grow into healthier, happier, 1 ―better‖ human beings. Our job, in other words, can sometimes include nurture of their growth not only intellectually, but also socially, emotionally, and (dare I say it) morally. 2
An Optimizing Model of U.S. Wage and Price Dynamics

The objective of this paper is to provide an optimizing model of wage and price setting consistent with U.S. data. The paper first investigates the predictions of an optimizing labor supply model for the aggregate nominal wage, taking as given the evolution of prices and quantities. In this part it seeks to determine whether a standard specification of consumption/leisure preferences is consistent with the data, and to what extent nominal or real rigidities in the wage setting process improve the fit with the data. Then it combines the evolution of wages predicted by this model with the evolution of prices predicted by staggered-price models to provide a model of the joint determination of prices and wages, given the evolution of real quantities. It thus supplies a "Phillips curve" specification that is consistent with intertemporal optimization and rational expectations.
Tolerogenic Treatment of Lupus Mice with Consensus Peptide Induces Foxp3-Expressing, Apoptosis-Resistant, TGFβ-Secreting CD8+ T Cell Suppressors

Lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice spontaneously develop elevated titers of anti-DNA Abs that contain T cell determinants in their V(H) regions. We have previously shown that tolerization with an artificial peptide based on these T cell determinants (pConsensus (pCons)) can block production of anti-DNA Abs and prolong survival of the mice. In this study, we show that this protection depends in part on the generation of peripheral TGFbeta- and Foxp3-expressing inhibitory CD8+ (Ti) cells. These CD8+ Ti cells suppress anti-DNA IgG production both in vitro and in vivo and require up-regulated expression of both Foxp3 and TGFbeta to exert their suppressive function, as indicated by microarray analyses, small interfering RNA inhibition studies, and blocking experiments. Additionally, CD8+ Ti cells from pCons-tolerized mice were longer-lived suppressors that up-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and were more resistant to apoptosis than similar cells from naive mice. These data indicate that clinical suppression of autoimmunity after administration of pCons depends in part on the generation of CD8+ Ti cells that suppress secretion of anti-DNA Ig using mechanisms that include Foxp3, TGFbeta, and resistance to apoptosis.
Properties of Infectious T1 Deoxyribonucleic Acid

T1 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) infection of spheroplasts was characterized by the following. A small number of the DNA molecules initiated infectious centers, and a small number of the spheroplasts were infected by T1 DNA. Once a favorable encounter of T1 DNA with spheroplast occurred, a minimum of 20 to 30 min was required for T1 DNA to enter the spheroplast. The mature T1 particles produced in the infection of spheroplasts by T1 DNA were released in a burst, but the average burst size was quite small compared with a normal burst of the phage-infected bacteria. T1 DNA preparations, capable of causing viral growth in spheroplasts, did not require detectable amounts of protein for infectivity, were homogeneous in band and boundary sedimentation, and had a guanine plus cytosine content of 48% and a minimal molecular weight of 35 x 10(6). Denatured T1 DNA, like denatured lambdaDNA, did not infect spheroplasts. Renatured T1 DNA was not infectious; this was in marked contrast to renatured lambdaDNA.
Changing the odds against masked logic

Random switching logic (RSL) has been proposed as an efficient countermeasure to mitigate power analysis. The logic style equalizes the output transition probabilities using a random mask-bit. This manuscript, however, will show a successful attack against RSL. The single mask-bit can only add one bit of entropy to the information content of the overall power consumption variations and can very easily be deduced from the power consumption. Once the mask-bit is known, the a posteriori probabilities of the output transitions are not equal anymore and a power analysis can be mounted. A threshold filter suffices to remove the additional bit of information.
Cytochrome c oxidase from bakers' yeast. II. Site of translation of the protein components.

Purified cytochrome c oxidase from bakers' yeast can be resolved into six polypeptide bands by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The apparent molecular weights of these components are I, 42,000; II, 34,500; III, 23,000; IV, 14,000; V, 12,500; and VI, 9,500. (Although Component V actually consists of two distinct polypeptide species, it will be regarded as homogeneous in this study.) In order to study the biosynthesis of these components, yeast cells were labeled with [3H]leucine in the presence of specific inhibitors of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein synthesis. Labeled cytochrome c oxidase components were then isolated from crude mitochondrial extracts by immunoprecipitation and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Labeling of the three large Components I, II, and III was insensitive to cycloheximide and sensitive to erythromycin. Labeling of the two largest Components I and II was dependent on the presence of oxygen. The three small Components IV, V, and VI were not labeled in the presence of cycloheximide but became labeled in the presence of erythromycin. These results show that our cytochrome c oxidase preparation contains three polypeptides which are translated on mitochondrial ribosomes and three polypeptides which are translated on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Two of the mitochondrially synthesized polypeptides are only made in the presence of oxygen.
Neuroendoscopic Third Ventriculostomy A Practical Alternative to Extracranial Shunts in Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus

The outcomes in 103 patients who have undergone third ventriculostomy for non-communicating hydrocephalus at our institution form 1978–1994 have been analysed. The group has been sub-divided by age, cause of hydrocephalus and whether the third ventriculostomy was the initial definitive procedure or whether progression of their hydrocephalus had been arrested for a long time (usually years) by an extracranial shunt prior to third ventriculostomy. At the time of shunt malfunction (usually blockage) a third ventriculostomy was performed if the anatomy was, or could be made suitable for the safe performance of the procedure.
Inhibition of Fatty Acyl Desaturase by Cyclopropene Fatty Acids

Abstract Comparisons were made of the ratios of the specific activities of stearic acid to oleic acid in adipose tissue and liver triglycerides of rats given methyl stearate-1-14C dissolved in 0.25 ml of corn oil and Sterculia foetida oil. The ratios were about 3 in the corn oil control animals compared to 31 to 43 in adipose tissue and 44 to 246 in liver triglycerides of the S. foetida test animals. When the labeled stearate was administered in 0.5 ml of S. foetida oil almost no label appeared in tissue oleic acid. The inhibition was also shown to be affected by sterculic acid in vitro with rat liver preparations. Evidence was obtained that the mechanism of inhibition is the irreversible binding of enzyme sulfhydryl groups by the cyclopropene group.
Music, Movies, Meanings, and Markets : Cinemajazzamatazz

Part I: Introduction: Ambi-Diegetic Music in Motion Pictures 1.The Role of Ambi-Diegetic Film Music in the Product Design of Hollywood Movies: Macromarketing in La-La-Land Part II: Ambi-Diegetic Jazz and the Development of Character 2. Ambi-Diegetic Film Music As a Product-Design and -Placement Strategy: The Crosby Duets in High Society (1956) 3. The Cinemusical Role of "My Funny Valentine" In The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Part III: The Plot Thickens: Cinemusical Meanings in the Crime-Plus-Jazz Genre 4. Pete Kelly's Blues (1955) 5. The Cotton Club (1984) 6. Kansas City (1996) Part IV: Jazz, Films, and Macromarketing Themes: Art versus Commerce in the Young Man-With-A-Horn Genre 7. Young Man with a Horn (1949) 8. Paris Blues (1961) 9. Mo' Better Blues (1990) Part V: Ambi-Diegetic, Nondiegetic, and Diegetic Cinemusical Meanings in Motion Pictures: Commerce, Art, and Brando Loyalty ... Or ... De Niro, My God, To Thee 10. Commerce And New York, New York (1977): He's Delightful He's Delicious He's ... De Niro 11. Art and Heart Beat (1980): Stars Fell on Algolagnia 12. Brando Loyalty and The Score (2001): How Do You Keep The Music Paying? Part VI: God Is In the Details 13. His Eye Is On the Sparrow: Small-But-Significant Cinemusical Moments in Jazz Film Scores by Miles Davis and John Lewis 14. Small-But-Significant Implications of the Man Who Isn't There In Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Part VII: Jazz Biopics As Tragedy and Comedy: Pivotal Ambi-Diegetic Cinemusical Moments in Tragedepictions and Comedepictions of Jazz Heroes 15. When Bad Things Happen To Great Musicians: The Troubled Role of Ambi-Diegetic Jazz in Three Tragedepictions of Artistic Genius on the Silver Screen 16. A Cinemusicaliterary Analysis of the American Dream As Represented By Biographical Jazz Comedepictions in the Golden Age of Hollywood Biopics: Blow, Horatio, Blow O, Jakie, O Go, Tommy, Go No, Artie, No
A Review of: “Drug Discovery—A History”

Bringing medications to market is a time consuming and expensive endeavor, costing hundreds of millions of dollars. The book Drug Discovery—A History by Walter Sneader is a review of the scientific...
Decoding Visual Information From a Population of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Warland, David K., Pamela Reinagel, and Markus Meister.Decoding visual information from a population of retinal ganglion cells. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 2336–2350, 1997. This work investigates how a ti...
Mechanisms of reoxygenation-induced calcium overload in cultured chick embryo heart cells

We examined mechanisms by which Ca enters cultured myocardial cells during posthypoxic reoxygenation. Monolayer cultures of chick embryo ventricular cells were prepared from hearts 10 days in ovo. Cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions (PO2 less than 1.5 Torr), and 45Ca uptake during subsequent reoxygenation was then examined in the absence and presence of modulators of Ca channel-dependent Ca entry and Na-Ca exchange. Modulation of Ca entry by free radical-scavenging enzymes was also examined. Hypoxia for 120 min followed by reoxygenation increased Ca content from 1.9 to 6.1 nmol/mg protein (P less than 0.05) at 30 min. Verapamil (10(-5) M) added before reoxygenation reduced Ca overload to 3.1 +/- 0.2 nmol/mg protein (P less than 0.05), but both verapamil and BAY K 8644 were without effect on modulating Ca entry if added 30 min after reoxygenation. 24Na content of cells increased from 70 nmol/mg protein in control cells to 157 nmol/mg protein (P less than 0.05) after hypoxia and reoxygenation, favoring Ca entry via Na-Ca exchange. Dichlorobenzamil significantly ameliorated reoxygenation-induced Ca overload, as did catalase and superoxide dismutase. We conclude that reoxygenation-induced Ca overload is unlikely to occur via the Ca channel. It occurs in part via Na-Ca exchange and is substantially ameliorated by enzymatic O2 free radical scavengers.
Impact of metformin use on risk of recurrence in high-grade endometrial cancers.

5009 Background: Obesity and diabetes (DM) have been linked to increased recurrence rates and worse survival in endometrial cancer. Metformin is widely used as the first line treatment for type II ...
COMPARISON OF SELF- AND SURROGATE-REPORTED DIETARY INFORMATION

Studies of diet's role in the etiology of rapidly fatal diseases may utilize data taken from surrogate sources. To assess such sources, 46 subject-spouse pairs were interviewed with a food frequency questionnaire designed to provide an index of vitamin A consumption. Information concerning amount and past pattern of use was also obtained. The frequency and amount information was used to calculate two aggregate indices of vitamin A consumption: one based on frequency alone and the other based on frequency and amount. For single foods, the mean frequencies of consumption reported by subjects and by their spouses for them were similar; for both sexes combined, the average level of exact agreement was 66 per cent, with improvement to 93 per cent for agreement within one category. Similar agreement was found for amount. For the overall daily vitamin A intake of men, the means based on subject data were not significantly different from those calculated from their wives' responses. For women, husbands underreported their total intake. Agreement between subject- and surrogate-based overall vitamin A consumption was less satisfactory than for the individual foods.
Feasibility of a Randomized Clinical Trial for Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement of the Hip.

Background:Symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is currently corrected by surgery. However, it is possible that nonsurgical treatment could resolve symptomatic FAI in some patients; thus, uncertainty about the necessity of surgical treatment exists. The current equipoise concerning FAI treatment presents an opportunity to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Given the unique challenge of adequate patient enrollment in RCTs, it is important that a preliminary study is done to appraise the feasibility of conducting an RCT.Purpose:To estimate enrollment rates of a planned future RCT to compare surgical and nonsurgical treatments for symptomatic FAI and to identify factors associated with patients’ willingness to participate in the randomized trial.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Patients diagnosed with FAI at 2 orthopaedic centers were presented with a hypothetical randomized trial comparing 2 treatment options f...
How Would Terminally Ill Patients Have Others Make Decisions for Them in the Event of Decisional Incapacity? A Longitudinal Study

Many patients, as they approach death, are unable to speak for themselves. Healthcare professionals usually turn to loved ones to speak on behalf of such patients, generally without any notion of the manner in which these patients would have healthcare professionals or loved ones approach these decisions. The two major standards suggested in the ethical and legal literatures are the best interests standard (deciding what they think would be best for the patient) and substituted judgment (attempting to discern what the patient would have wanted and deciding accordingly, whether through a living will or other knowledge of the patient’s values).1,2 The literature in medical ethics and many legislative and judicial opinions have privileged substituted judgment as the preferred manner of deciding for others, yet one study has suggested that patients receiving dialysis would give surrogates wide latitude in making such decisions.3 Another study has shown that a slight majority of terminally ill patients would prefer that the decision be made by a loved one even if it contradicted a hypothetically “perfect” living will.4 Moreover, multiple studies have demonstrated that substituted judgments are far from perfectly accurate.5,6 It is known that patients who have intact decisionmaking capacity vary considerably in their decision control preferences.7-10 Some make decisions independently, some defer decision-making authority to loved ones or physicians, and most would opt for shared decisionmaking. It has recently been shown, similarly, that patients with terminal diagnoses vary considerably in the role they would assign to their loved ones and physicians should they no longer be able to speak for themselves.11 Some would have substituted judgments, and others would have their loved ones or physicians decide what they believe is best, but most would have some combination of these two approaches. The stability of the patient’s choice of decision-making style has not been studied. Advance directives have, in the opinion of many, failed to deliver on their promise to improve healthcare decisionmaking at the end of life.12,13 The problems encountered in a simplistic reliance on advance directives have led to calls for a broader approach that has been dubbed “advance care planning.”14 One hypothesis to explain the failure of advance directives is that patients may change their views not just of what interventions they would want, but also of how decisions ought to be made as they become sicker and closer to death. This article reports on a long-term series of measurements of terminally ill patients’ decision control preferences regarding decisions made on their behalf. It was hypothesized that, as patients came closer to death, they would be more likely to defer decision-making authority to their loved ones and physicians. Factors associated with patients’ decision control preferences for decisions made on their behalf in the event of decisional incapacity were also examined.
Evidence of saturation-enhanced switching at a nonlinear interface.

Experimental results of beam switching at a nonlinear interface suggest that saturation of the nonlinearity may be primarily responsible for the observed high quality of switching. If this can be definitely confirmed, it could have significant impact on the potential use of the interface in ultrafast applications, since most saturation effects are virtually instantaneous.
Science Signaling Podcast: 16 March 2010

This is a conversation with Vann Bennett about a Research Article published in the 16 March 2010 issue of Science Signaling.
Effects of contagious distributions of parasitoid eggs per host and of sampling vagaries on Nicholson’s area of discovery

Hassell andVarley described a negative relationship between the Nicholsonianarea of discovery and parasitoid density that permits coexistence of two or more parasitoid species and yields stability. They ascribed the relationship to “mutual interference” among searching parasitoid adults, leading to a “decreased efficiency”. This matter has recently been studied in more detail byHassell and coworkers. Negative relationships can occur for several reasons. In the present paper it is shown that the negative relation occurs under certain assumptions about the way parasitoid eggs are distributed among hosts. Several “contagious” (or “clustered”) distributions were studied. Those assuming variation in host susceptibility or accessibility (negative binomial and added zeros distributions) yielded negative relations. Those assuming variation in parasitoid aggressiveness and fecundity (Neyman Type A distributions) yielded variable results depending on how the distributions of parasitoids per host and of eggs per parasitoid were combined. It was found that, when analyzing actual data, sampling fluctuations can introduce strong negative relations either with or without “contagion”. In all instances, the relation betweenarea of discovery and parasitoid density is affected by host density and is, in general, not linear. The foregoing findings raise serious questions about thearea of discovery concept. An alternative approach is suggested.
Extrahepatic islet transplantation with microporous polymer scaffolds in syngeneic mouse and allogeneic porcine models

Intraportal transplantation of islets has successfully treated select patients with type 1 diabetes. However, intravascular infusion and the intrahepatic site contribute to significant early and late islet loss, yet a clinical alternative has remained elusive. We investigated non-encapsulating, porous, biodegradable polymer scaffolds as a vehicle for islet transplantation into extrahepatic sites, using syngeneic mouse and allogeneic porcine models. Scaffold architecture was modified to enhance cell infiltration leading to revascularization of the islets with minimal inflammatory response. In the diabetic mouse model, 125 islets seeded on scaffolds implanted into the epididymal fat pad restored normoglycemia within an average of 1.95 days and transplantation of only 75 islets required 12.1 days. Increasing the pore size to increase islet-islet interactions did not significantly impact islet function. The porcine model was used to investigate early islet engraftment. Increasing the islet seeding density led to a greater mass of engrafted islets, though the efficiency of islet survival decreased. Transplantation into the porcine omentum provided greater islet engraftment than the gastric submucosa. These results demonstrate scaffolds support murine islet transplantation with high efficiency, and feasibility studies in large animals support continued pre-clinical studies with scaffolds as a platform to control the transplant microenvironment.
Di-and trimethylated congeners of 7-methylguanine in Sindbis virus mRNA.

IN the past two years it has become clear that most animal messenger RNA—both cellular1–6 and viral7–11—is “capped” by 7-methylguanosine (m7G) residues present in inverted nucleotide linkage at 5′ termini of the general form m7G (5′)pppNm. At least for certain mRNAs the capping m7G has an important role in mRNA-ribosome binding and thus in initiation of protein synthesis12–15. We now report novel forms of capped 5′ termini on the main mRNA, ‘26S’ RNA, coded for by the animal alphavirus, Sindbis. These termini contain, in addition to the usual m7G, its hypermodified congeners m22,7G and m32,2,7G. This last compound has been previously described only in small nuclear (sn) RNAs of unknown function16,17, whereas m22,7G has not been described previously.
Homologous mutations on different subunits cause unequal but additive effects on n-alcohol block in the nicotinic receptor pore

Hydrophobic antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor inhibit channel activity by binding within the transmembrane pore formed by the second of four transmembrane domains (M2) on each of the receptor's subunits. Hydrophobic mutagenesis near the middle (10' locus) of the alpha-subunit M2 domain results in channels that are much more sensitive to block by long-chain alcohols and general anesthetics, indicating that the inhibitory site on wild-type receptors is nearby. To determine whether other receptor subunits also contribute to the blocker site, the hydrophobic mutagenesis strategy was extended to all four subunits at 10' loci. alpha S10'l causes the largest increase in apparent hexanol binding (4.3-fold compared to wild type), approximately twice the size of the change caused by beta T10'l (2.2-fold). gamma A10'l and delta A10'l mutations cause much smaller changes in apparent hexanol binding affinity (about 1.2-fold each), even when corrected for their smaller degree of side-chain hydrophobicity changes. When 10'l mutant subunits are coexpressed, the change from wild type in apparent hexanol binding energy (delta delta Gmixture) is roughly equal to the sum of hexanol binding energy changes for the constituent mutant subunits (sigma delta delta Gsubunits). The simplest model consistent with these results is one in which hydrophobic blockers make simultaneous contact with all five M2 10' residues, but the extent of contact is much greater for the alpha and beta than for gamma and delta side chains.
Diamond–SiC nanocomposites sintered from a mixture of diamond and silicon nanopowders

Abstract A novel method of reactive sintering of diamond–SiC nanocomposites based on thorough mixing of diamond and silicon nanosize powders was applied to produce large specimens. For comparison purposes we also sintered pure nanocrystalline diamond compacts and micron-sized diamond–SiC composites by the infiltration method. Structure of these materials was studied by scanning electron microscopy, Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction. Diamond–SiC nanocomposites have remarkably high fracture toughness and are significantly harder than the sintered pure nanocrystalline diamond compacts. Silicon is shown to hinder graphitization of diamond. Broadening of X-ray lines is explained in terms of plastic deformations and size-effect in diamond and silicon carbide crystals.
The effects of the extracellular manganese concentration and variation of the interpulse delay time in the CPMG sequence on water exchange time across erythrocyte membranes.

Abstract There has been broad disagreement in the literature regarding the dependence of water exchange times (Te) across erythrocyte membranes studied by the 1H-NMR Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence on extracellular Mn2+ concentration. While some workers saw no change in Te with Mn2+, others reported a 35–50% decrease in Te with this extracellular paramagnetic relaxation agent. We present 1H-NMR evidence that a 30–50% change in Te can be produced by interdependence of the interpulse delay time of the CPMG pulse sequence and the external Mn2+ concentration. Such a large dependency is interpreted in terms of the diffusional effect as a major source. However, it is shown experimentally that if a large number of refocusing π pulses are used, the observed transverse relaxation times are unaffected by Mn2+. Under these conditions excellent agreement of Te obtained in our study (13.0 ± 0.64 ms (N = 36) at 21°C) and that of 12.8 ± 3.6 ms at 20–23°C reported by the radiotracer method was found. Our findings suggest new and important implications for evaluating the previous reports of the 1H-NMR CPMG method concerning the [Mn2+] effect in the decrease of Te, and provide conditions where studies of water transport across erythrocyte membranes using this magnetic resonance method can be used with confidence.
Electronic relaxation dynamics in isolated and aggregated hollow gold nanospheres.

Electronic relaxation and interparticle electromagnetic coupling processes in hollow gold nanospheres (HGNs) and HGN aggregates are described. These plasmon-tunable HGNs exhibit an unexpected, but systematic, blue shift of the surface plasmon resonance spectral position when the particles are aggregated. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations are used to demonstrate that this blue shift is the result of delocalization of the Fermi-gas over multiple particles, an effect not observed with solid spherical particles. The ultrafast electron−phonon coupling lifetimes for the thin-shelled HGNs increase upon aggregation, indicating significant enhancement in interparticle electromagnetic coupling. For instance, a 48-nm HGN with a shell thickness of 7 nm shows ultrafast electron−phonon coupling with a lifetime of 300 ± 100 fs, and upon aggregation, this lifetime increases to 730 ± 140 fs. The experimental data strongly suggest that confinement effects in...