cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue Printing as a Tool for Observing Immunological and Protein Profiles in Young and Mature Celery Petioles

Tissue printing onto membranes such as nitrocellulose is a technique employed to study the localization of proteins, nucleic acids, and soluble metabolites from freshly cut tissue slices. We probed tissue prints of young and mature celery (Apium graveolens) petioles with antibodies raised against two proteins, spinach ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and tomato fruit catalase. The purposes of this study were to determine if these proteins are developmentally regulated and to determine if the patterns and intensities of cross-reactivity of antibodies on tissue blots corresponded only to the presence of specific epitopes or was related to the amount of protein present in any given area on the tissue prints. Different and distinct cross-reactivity patterns were observed with each of the two antibodies used. Tissue prints from young and mature tissues also showed differences in antibody cross-reactivity. Comparison of Coomassie blue staining patterns with antibody reactivity patterns showed that there is little relationship between tissue protein concentration and antibody reactivity.
Sex allocation and reproductive success in the andromonoecious perennial Solanum carolinense (Solanaceae). I. Female success

Relative allocation of resources to growth vs. reproduction has long been known to be an important determinant of reproductive success. The importance of variation in allocation to different structures within reproductive allocation is somewhat less clear. This study was designed to elucidate the importance of allocation to vegetative vs. reproductive functions, and allocation within reproductive functions (sex allocation), to realized female success in an andromonoecious plant, Solanum carolinense. Allocation measurements were taken on plants in experimental arrays exposed to natural pollination conditions. These measurements included total flower number, the proportion of flowers that were male, flower size, and vegetative size. Flower number explained the majority of the variation among individuals in their success—that is, there was strong selection for increased flower production. There was also selection to decrease the proportion of flowers that were male, but neither flower size nor vegetative size (a measure of overall resource availability) were direct determinants of female success. After Bonferroni corrections for multiple comparisons, most phenotypic correlations among the traits measured were nonsignificant. Thus, in this andromonoecious species there is not a strong relationship between resource availability (vegetative size) and female success, and female success is instead determined by the relative production of the two different flower types.
Performance of 2 microtiter canine Coombs' tests.

Background The Coombs' test, which detects immunoglobulin or complement on RBC surfaces, has long been the standard for laboratory confirmation of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), a common cause of hemolytic anemia in the dog. This test, however, suffers from relatively low sensitivity. Optimization of test sensitivity would lead to fewer discrepancies between laboratory results and clinical diagnoses, and in some cases institution of appropriate therapy in a timely manner. Objectives The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize the sensitivity and specificity of 2 canine Coombs' tests for the detection of IMHA, 2) document the efficacy of using multiple antisera dilutions beyond what is directed by manufacturers, and 3) evaluate the necessity of monovalent antisera in the test protocol. Methods Sixty-five canine whole-blood samples submitted for Coombs' testing were evaluated. Patients were classified as IMHA positive or negative based on a set of predetermined criteria. IMHA classification was compared to Coombs' test results from 2 different Coombs' tests adapted to a microtiter-plate format. One Coombs' test (VMRD Coombs' test) utilized a single polyvalent antiserum (VMRD, Inc, Pullman, WA, USA), while a second Coombs' test (University of Minnesota [U of MN] Coombs' test) used both polyvalent and monovalent antisera. Results Sensitivity and specificity were 61% and 100% for the VMRD Coombs' test, and 82% and 95% for the U of MN Coombs' test. The use of multiple antisera dilutions resulted in 6 additional Coombs' positive test results. All positive Coombs' test results were positive by polyvalent antisera. Conclusions When used in a microtiter-plate format, the U of MN Coombs' test was a more sensitive test for the detection of IMHA in canine patients when compared to the VMRD Coombs' test. The use of multiple antisera dilutions increased test sensitivity. Sensitivity, however, was not increased by the use of monovalent antisera in the Coombs' test protocol.
Noise exposures aboard catcher/processor fishing vessels.

Background Commercial fishing workers have extended work shifts and potential for 24 hr exposures to high noise. However, exposures in this industry have not been adequately characterized. Methods Noise exposures aboard two catcher/processors (C/P) were assessed using dosimetry, sound-level mapping, and self-reported activities and hearing protection device (HPD) use. These data were combined to estimate work shift, non-work, and 24 hr overall exposure levels using several metrics. The length of time during which HPDs were worn was also used to calculate the effective protection received by crew members. Results Nearly all workers had work shift and 24 hr noise levels that exceeded the relevant limits. After HPD use was accounted for, half of the 24 hr exposures remained above relevant limits. Non-work-shift noise contributed nothing to 24 hr exposure levels. HPDs reduced the average exposure by about 10 dBA, but not all workers wore them consistently. Conclusions The primary risk of hearing loss aboard the monitored vessels comes from work shift noise. Smaller vessels or vessels with different layouts may present more risk of hearing damage from non-work periods. Additional efforts are needed to increase use of HPDs or implement noise controls. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Proinflammatory Cytokines Dominate the Early Immune Response to Filarial Parasites

Although the early human immune response to the infective-stage larvae (L3) of Brugia malayi has not been well-characterized in vivo (because of the inability to determine the precise time of infection), the consensus has been that it must involve a predominant Th2 environment. We have set up an in vitro system to study this early immune response by culturing PBMC from unexposed individuals with live L3 of B. malayi . After 24 h of culture, T cell responses were examined by flow cytometry and by quantitative real-time RT-PCR for multiple cytokines. T cells were activated early following exposure to L3 as indicated by up-regulation of surface markers CD69 and CD71. The frequency of T cells expressing proinflammatory Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IL-1α, and IL-8) but not Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13) was significantly increased in response to L3. This T cell response occurred in both the CD4 and CD8 T cell compartment and was restricted to the effector/memory pool (CD45RO + ). This T cell response was not due to LPS activity from the parasite or from its endosymbiont, Wolbachia ; moreover, it required the presence of APC as well as direct contact with live L3. Real-time RT-PCR analysis of multiple cytokines in the T cells confirmed the increased expression of proinflammatory Th1 cytokines. Up-regulation of these cytokines suggests that the primary immune response to the live infective stage of the parasite is not predominantly Th2 in nature but rather dominated by a proinflammatory response.
Variability Associated with Chemically Testing Screened Farmers Stock Peanuts For Aflatoxin1

Abstract Forty farmers stock lots of runner peanuts suspected of containing aflatoxin were identified by the Federal State Inspection Service using the visual Aspergillus flavus method. A 227-kg portion was removed from each of the 40 lots. Each 227-kg portion was screened over a belt screening device with 0.953-cm (24/64 inch) spacing to remove loose shelled kernels, foreign material, and small pods. Each screened portion was divided into ten 9.5-kg samples. Each sample was shelled, all kernels in the sample were comminuted in the Federal State subsampling mill, and the aflatoxin in duplicate 356-g subsamples per sample was extracted and quantified using HPLC methods. The total variability among the 10 aflatoxin test results was determined for each lot. The total variability was partitioned into sampling, subsampling, and analytical variability components for each lot. All variance components were shown to be functions of the aflatoxin concentration. Using regression techniques the functional relationshi...
Safety analysis of the diaphragm in combination with lubricant or acidifying microbicide gels: Effects on markers of inflammation and innate immunity in cervicovaginal fluid

OBJECTIVE: Diaphragms are being considered for use with vaginal microbicide gels to provide enhanced protection against sexually transmitted pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of a diaphragm with microbicide or placebo gel causes cervicovaginal inflammation or perturbations in cervicovaginal immune defense. METHOD OF STUDY: Eighty-one non-pregnant women were randomized into three groups and instructed to use Milex (CooperSurgical Inc. Trumbull CT USA)diaphragms overnight for 14 days in combination with one of the two acid-buffering microbicide gels [ACIDFORM (Instead Inc. La Jolla CA USA) or BufferGel(trade mark) (BG; ReProtect Inc. Baltimore Maryland)] or placebo gel (K-Y Jelly); Personal Products Inc. Raritan NJ USA). Cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) were performed prior to study entry and on days 8 and 16. Nine soluble mediators of vaginal inflammation or immune defense were measured in CVLs by Bio-Plex or ELISA. RESULTS: Use of diaphragms with placebo ormicrobicide gel was not associated with increased levels of inflammation markers. Concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were markedly reduced in the BG group. CONCLUSION: Daily use of a diaphragm with placebo or acidifying microbicide gel did not cause cervicovaginal inflammation. However diaphragm/BG use was associated with markedly reduced levels of SLPI an important mediator of innate immune defense. Further studies are warranted to establish the safety of diaphragm/microbicide gel combinations.
Interactions between ethanol and the endocannabinoid system at GABAergic synapses on basolateral amygdala principal neurons

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays crucial roles in stimulus value coding, as well as drug and alcohol dependence. Ethanol alters synaptic transmission in the BLA, while endocannabinoids (eCBs) produce presynaptic depression at BLA synapses. Recent studies suggest interactions between ethanol and eCBs that have important consequences for alcohol drinking behavior. To determine how ethanol and eCBs interact in the BLA, we examined the physiology and pharmacology of GABAergic synapses onto BLA pyramidal neurons in neurons from young rats. Application of ethanol at concentrations relevant to intoxication increased, in both young and adult animals, the frequency of spontaneous and miniature GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents, indicating a presynaptic site of ethanol action. Ethanol did not potentiate sIPSCs during inhibition of adenylyl cyclase while still exerting its effect during inhibition of protein kinase A. Activation of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the BLA inhibited GABAergic transmission via an apparent presynaptic mechanism, and prevented ethanol potentiation. Surprisingly, ethanol potentiation was also prevented by CB1 antagonists/inverse agonists. Brief depolarization of BLA pyramidal neurons suppressed GABAergic transmission (depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition [DSI]), an effect previously shown to be mediated by postsynaptic eCB release and presynaptic CB1 activation. A CB1-mediated suppression of GABAergic transmission was also produced by combined afferent stimulation at 0.1 Hz (LFS), and postsynaptic loading with the eCB arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA). Both DSI and LFS-induced synaptic depression were prevented by ethanol. Our findings indicate antagonistic interactions between ethanol and eCB/CB1 modulation at GABAergic BLA synapses that may contribute to eCB roles in ethanol seeking and drinking.
The Ecology of Genetically Altered Bacteria in the Rhizosphere

Microorganisms hold great promise as biological agents for the control of plant pests and noxious weeds. Examples include use of fungi to control plant pathogens and weeds in row crops and bacteria to control various insect and fungal pests. Though native isolates can be found that perform specific biocontrol functions, their effectiveness can often be enhanced through genetic modifications. However, before we can enhance the effectiveness of a microbe for biocontrol we must have a thorough understanding of not only its mode of action but also of its behaviour in the environment. Not enough is known about the latter; in particular, it is currently difficult to predict the fate of any engineered microbe released in the environment. Our ignorance is due, in part, to the lack of tools necessary to unravel the complexities of this ecological niche. However, with the help of molecular genetics we can now address such questions about the ecology of root colonizing microorganisms.
The Two Worlds of Lobbying: The Core-Periphery Structure of the Interest Group System

For decades, political scientists have had two divergent views on lobbyists in Washington. On the one hand they lament the privileged access of a few powerful groups in niches, and on the other they point to highly visible advocacy campaigns where hundreds of lobbyists compete for policymakers’ attention. To resolve this paradox, we conceive the interest group system as a complex network of lobbyists that accommodates both observations. If lobbyists’ decisions to participate in policy domains are interdependent, then we should simultaneously observe niche lobbying in many domains and disproportionately high levels of lobbying in a select few. Using a dataset of 293,631 disclosure reports, we find an extreme-value distribution of lobbying activities and uncover two distinct worlds of lobbying: one at the core where well-connected revolving door lobbyists represent a greater diversity of interests, and one at the periphery where conventional lobbyists operate in relative obscurity.
A novel discrete computational tool for microstructure-sensitive mechanical analysis of composite materials

Abstract In this article, we present a novel pixel-based nonlocal discrete computational tool for the modeling and simulation of mechanical behaviors of composite materials with isotropic phases based on their photographic microstructural information. First, formulation of the proposed model is presented and interface modeling is discussed. Following this, a procedure on quantifying materials effective elastic properties is provided. Details on a spring-based failure criterion for modeling of fracture events are discussed. After that, investigations on effects of material microstructure, interface properties and inclusion characteristics on effective elastic and fracture properties of bi-phase composites reinforced by various inclusions are performed. Based on current study, conclusions are drawn at the end.
Plasma-induced signatures reveal an extracellular milieu possessing an immunoregulatory bias in treatment-naive paediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

The inflammatory state associated with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains incompletely defined. To understand more clearly the extracellular milieu associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we employed a bioassay whereby plasma of treatment naive paediatric IBD patients (n = 22 CD, n = 15 UC) and unrelated healthy controls (uHC, n = 10) were used to induce transcriptional responses in a healthy leucocyte population. After culture, gene expression was measured comprehensively with microarrays and analysed. Relative to uHC, plasma of CD and UC patients induced distinct responses consisting, respectively, of 985 and 895 regulated transcripts [|log2 ratio| ≥ 0·5 (1·4-fold); false discovery rates (FDR) ≤ 0·01]. The CD:uHC and UC:uHC signatures shared a non-random, commonly regulated, intersection of 656 transcripts (χ(2) = P < 0·001) and were highly correlative [Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0·96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96, 0.97]. Despite sharing common genetic susceptibility loci, the IBD signature correlated negatively with that driven by plasma of type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients (Pearson's correlation coefficient = -0·51). Ontological analyses revealed the presence of an immunoregulatory plasma milieu in IBD, as transcripts for cytokines/chemokines, receptors and signalling molecules consistent with immune activation were under-expressed relative to uHC and T1D plasma. Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and receptor blockade studies confirmed transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin (IL)-10 as contributors to the IBD signature. Analysis of CD patient signatures detected a subset of transcripts associated with responsiveness to 6-mercaptopurine treatment. Through plasma-induced signature analysis, we have defined a unique, partially TGF-β/IL-10-dependent immunoregulatory signature associated with IBD that may prove useful in predicting therapeutic responsiveness.
Appearance potential of CF3+ in the dissociative photoionization of CF3Br.

Measurements of the appearance potential for the production of CF3+ in the photoionization of CF3Br are in sharp disagreement, contributing to controversy in the heat of formation of CF3+. We reexa...
Delayed-Choice Quantum Eraser via Two-Photon Imaging

We present a theoretical and experimental study on a delayed-choice quantum eraser that uses the coherence properties of entangled two-photon imaging. The potential of such scheme for quantum information processing is briefly discussed.
Comparative physiology of immune and anaphylactic smooth muscle. (Preliminary communication.)

The typical anaphylactic reaction in smooth muscle (guinea-pig uterus) is a rapid marked contraction, with little or no tendency toward recovery. The muscle usually remains fully contracted at the end of an ordinary experiment (30 to 60 minutes).The typical reaction in an immune muscle is a similar contraction, followed by a fairly rapid recovery. Relaxation usually begins in from 2 to 3 minutes. The muscle may be fully relaxed by the end of 15 minutes.If an immune muscle is rendered bloodless by transfusing it with Locke's solution, its reaction to the foreign proteid is increased. The muscle also loses its power of recovery (relaxation) after the contraction. The transfused immune muscle, therefore, reacts in the same way as a transfused anaphylactic muscle.From this it would appear that the fixed cellular elements are identical in the two muscles, and that the differences in their reaction are due to differences in the circulating substances they contain.
Scanning gate microscopy of localized states in wide graphene constrictions

In graphene nanoconstrictions, charge puddles due to substrate-induced potential inhomogeneities can form quantum dots. We use a scanning gate microscope to probe a short, wide graphene constriction and observe a set of ring-shaped resonances in maps of the graphene conductance as a function of the local potential perturbation, a signature of quantum dot-mediated transport. By varying the scanning tip height and applied tip voltage, we observe the screening effect of the nearby graphene. Introducing a simple capacitive model to account for screening, we model the conduction of the graphene constriction and how the tip gates the quantum dots. We identify the locations of some of the quantum dots and extract their parameters.
Application of Mixture Design of Experiments for Dynamic Fleet-Level Evaluation of Multi-Objective Environmental Technology Trade-offs

Recent and projected increases in aviation demand have caused concerns that the environmental impact of aviation may also increase if not properly mitigated. Such issues have engendered technology identification programs to investigate and invest in technologies to reach a level where industry can implement these technologies. Design methodologies have similarly been under development to provide sophisticated frameworks for analyzing large libraries of technologies and technology combinations. While vehicle-level evaluation is critical in any aircraft design, from an environmental metrics standpoint, fleet-level analyses are much more instructive. Evaluating technology impacts at the fleet-level is typically a matter of scaling vehicle-level metrics by the number of flights. For noise, however, because the metric is the contour area of a fixed Day-Night Average Level (DNL), this vehicle-to-fleet scaling cannot be done. Noise contours must be calculated from a noise grid of noise levels at various observer points. At proper grid refinements, this would be akin to scaling hundreds of thousands of vehicle-level metrics to the fleet-level. This time consuming process hinders the ability to analyze fleet-level noise dynamically in concert with fuel burn and NOx emissions. Of particular interest is the ability to dynamically change technology variants at the vehicle level, to enter the fleet and measure the environmental impact dynamically. Because of the spatial and temporal nature of noise, fleet-level surrogate modeling requires sampling an airport-level model directly and creating surrogates at the airport-level that can then be scaled to the fleet level. The fleet problem is cast as a mixture-of-mixtures-plusprocess-variables problem where the aircraft classes and their variants are the mixture-ofmixture components, and the total flights etc. are the process variables. To analyze this space without reducing model terms, however, requires a caseload in the hundreds of billions. Even a screening test of the space requires too many cases. The terms that can be removed, however, are unknown a priori. The research examines a reduced fleet-level problem at sequentially increasing layers of complexity, characterizing the response space along the way and identifying which factor interactions can be eliminated from the surrogate model. The resulting models are combined with fleet-level fuel burn and NOx emissions models to examine notional technology scenarios. Recommendations regarding the future use of the traditional mixture-modeling framework as applied to the fleet-level noise prediction problem are provided.
Ultrasonography Versus Chest Radiography After Chest Tube Removal for the Detection of Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND Bedside ultrasound technology is an innovative, cost-effective, safe, and reproducible method used to make efficient decisions that directly affect the care of critical care patients. PURPOSE To validate the use of ultrasound technology when compared with the use of standard chest radiography for the detection of pneumothorax following chest tube removal. METHODS A prospective observational comparison study of 50 cardiothoracic patients with surgically placed pleural chest tubes was conducted. The accuracy of bedside ultrasound technology was compared with standard chest radiography to detect pneumothorax. RESULTS The sample kappa statistic was 1.000, indicating a perfect agreement between bedside ultrasonography and chest radiography in the detection of pneumothorax. Completion of the bedside ultrasound procedure took significantly less time than chest radiography. CONCLUSIONS Bedside ultrasound technology is as accurate as chest radiography in detecting pneumothorax following chest tube removal and can save institutions' time and money.
Drug interactions between buprenorphine, methadone and hepatitis C therapeutics

ABSTRACTIntroduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) and other individuals with opioid use disorders have a dramatically higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than the general population. The availability of novel direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of HCV infection with very high efficacy, improved tolerability and shortened treatment durations have led to global efforts to ramp up treatment for all HCV-infected individuals to prevent or delay complications of the disease. Individuals with opioid use disorders, including those on medication-assisted therapy such as methadone or buprenorphine, are a key demographic group that can benefit from HCV treatment given their high HCV prevalence; however, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions could blunt their utility.Areas covered: We performed a comprehensive literature review of published and unpublished data from PubMed database, relevant conference abstracts/proceedings and FDA approved drug package inserts, to ...
Equipment Configuration for Field Partial Discharge Test of Oversize Transformers and Engineering Practice

With the progress of transformer technique, weight of transformer is increased, the rated voltage is raised and the capacity is enlarged, which puts up higher requirement on field installation and test, especially on partial discharge test. The paper introduces typical structure of oversize transformer and gives equipment configuration for field partial discharge test; it analyzes detection and validation of transformer failure and demonstrates that the test equipment is feasible in field partial discharge test of oversize transformers.
Review on the Basic Characteristics and Its Technical Progress of Smart Grid in China

Smart grid is recognized as the development trends of power system in 21st century.Informatization,digitization,automation and interaction are the four basic characteristics(abbreviated as "Four-tions") of smart grid.The progress of the construction of "Four-tions" in the development of electricity industry of China is summarized.The existing problems are pointed out,and the corresponding suggestions for improving "Four-tions" are proposed.Finally,the important issues of the construction of "Four-tions" are given from an overall perspective.
A Follow-up Study of Migrant Children's Adaptation in Cities and Social Identity

This study aims to explore the rule that migrant children's adaptation in cities and their social identity change over time,as well as the effect of social identity on their adaptation in cities,by using questionnaires to conduct a two-year investigation into 271 migrant children from public schools and schools for farmer-turned migrant workers' children in Beijing. The results show the following: the migrant children score lower in adaptation in cities; public schools are more helpful than privately-owned schools in improving the migrant children's adaptation in cities; the migrant children's recognition by their peers in Beijing, and their self-affirmation can be used to positively predict their adaptation in cities.
Prenatal and Newborn Immunoglobulin Levels from Mother-Child Pairs and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background. An etiological role for immune factors operating during early brain development in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has not yet been established. A major obstacle has been the lack of early biologic specimens that can be linked to later diagnosis. In a prior study, we found lower risk of ASD associated with higher levels of maternally-derived total IgG and Toxoplasmosis gondii (Toxo) IgG in newborn blood spot specimens from children later diagnosed with ASD compared to population controls. Methods. We obtained maternal mid-gestational serum specimens and newborn screening blood spots from the California Genetics Disease Screening Program (GDSP) for linked mother-baby pairs for 84 children with ASD and 49 children with developmental delay but not ASD (DD) identified from California Department of Developmental Services records and for 159 population controls sampled from birth certificates. Immunoglobulin levels in maternal and newborn specimens were measured by solid phase immunoassays and analyzed in logistic regression models for total IgG, total IgM, and Toxo IgG, and, for maternal specimens only, Toxo IgM. Correlations between maternal and newborn ranked values were evaluated. Results. In both maternal and newborn specimens, we found significantly lower risk of ASD associated with higher levels of Toxo IgG. In addition, point estimates for all comparisons were <1.0 suggesting an overall pattern of lower immunoglobulin levels associated with higher ASD risk but most did not reach statistical significance. We did not find differences in maternal or newborn specimens comparing children with DD to controls. Discussion. These results are consistent with evidence from our prior study and other published reports indicating that immune factors during early neurodevelopment may be etiologically relevant to ASD. Lowered immunoglobulin levels may represent suboptimal function of the maternal immune system or reduced maternal exposure to common infectious agents. Conclusion. Patterns seen in these selected immunoglobulins may provide clues to mechanisms of early abnormalities in neurodevelopment contributing to ASD. We recommend further study of immunoglobulin profiles in larger samples of linked mother-baby pairs to evaluate possible etiologic relevance.
Contemporary Treatment Approaches to Major Depression and Bipolar Disorders

Mood disorders have a high incidence of coexisting psychiatric, substance use, and physical disorders. When these disorders are unrecognized and left untreated, patients are likely to have a reduced life expectancy and experience impaired functional and psychosocial deficits and poor quality of life. Psychiatric nurses are poised to address the needs of these patients through various approaches. Although the ideal approach for mood disorders continues to be researched, there is a compilation of data showing that integrated models of treatment that reflect person-centered, strength, and recovery-based principles produce positive clinical outcomes.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Language: en
Yarn structural requirements for knitted and woven fabrics

Abstract: Fundamentally, this chapter discusses the principal requirements for both knitted and woven fabrics with regard to their end uses. Knitted and woven fabric properties are presented in relation to both fiber and yarn properties. Fiber types, classification, performance and end uses are introduced. A classification of yarn types with regard to their fiber content, structure, twist and method of manufacture, as well as a survey of their physical and mechanical properties, is given. The criteria for the choice of fibers and yarns to suit fabric end uses and performance are outlined.
Metal Radionuclides for PET Imaging

There are many possible metal-based positron-emitting radionuclides that can be utilized in positron tomography. At the present time, the most promising nuclides are copper, gallium, and yttrium. It is highly likely that radiopharmaceuticals labeled with these nuclides will be generally utilized in clinical practice over the next several years.
Imposing computer-mediated communication theories on virtual reality

Text-based computer-mediated communication such as email, electronic boards, and Internet relay chatting are a large part of our daily lives now. But a next generation interface will eventually replace the current text-based mode. One of the possible next generation interfaces is virtual reality. We evaluate virtual reality's feasibility as a next generation computer-mediated communication system by imposing existing computer-mediated communication system theories.
Measurements and models of electric fields in the in vivo human brain during transcranial electric stimulation

Transcranial electric stimulation aims to stimulate the brain by applying weak electrical currents at the scalp. However, the magnitude and spatial distribution of electric fields in the human brain are unknown. We measured electric potentials intracranially in ten epilepsy patients and estimated electric fields across the entire brain by leveraging calibrated current-flow models. When stimulating at 2 mA, cortical electric fields reach 0.4 V/m, the lower limit of effectiveness in animal studies. When individual whole-head anatomy is considered, the predicted electric field magnitudes correlate with the recorded values in cortical (r = 0.89) and depth (r = 0.84) electrodes. Accurate models require adjustment of tissue conductivity values reported in the literature, but accuracy is not improved when incorporating white matter anisotropy or different skull compartments. This is the first study to validate and calibrate current-flow models with in vivo intracranial recordings in humans, providing a solid foundation to target stimulation and interpret clinical trials.
The female athlete triad: special considerations for adolescent female athletes.

The number of adolescent girls participating in sports has dramatically increased throughout the last few decades. In the early 1990’s, an association between amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and disordered eating was recognized and eventually labeled the ‘Female Athlete Triad’. In 1997, the Task Force on Women’s Issues of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) published a position statement on this triad of conditions that were becoming increasingly more prevalent amongst female athletes. Initially, the ‘Female Athlete Triad’ was characterized by disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. However, as the number of adolescent female athletes has continued to grow, there has been further research and investigation into this field and the triad has evolved in definition. It is essential for all health care practitioners and other professionals who care for adolescent athletes to be attentive to the clinical signs, detection, evaluation, and management of the female athlete triad, as the sequelae can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of a young person both in the short and long-term.
Visualization of the Capitellum During Elbow Arthroscopy: A Comparison of 3 Portal Techniques.

Background Capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a debilitating condition of unknown etiology for which various arthroscopic treatments are available. Prior data suggest that greater than 75% of the capitellum can be visualized arthroscopically through a dual lateral portal approach. However, there is no literature assessing arthroscopic visualization of the capitellum via alternative portals. Purpose To determine the percentage of capitellum visualized using the dual lateral, distal ulnar and soft spot, and posterolateral and soft spot portal configurations in a cadaver model. Study design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Arthroscopy was performed on 12 fresh-frozen cadaver elbows, 4 for each of the following approaches: dual lateral, distal ulna, and posterolateral. Electrocautery was used to mark the most anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral points seen on the capitellum. The radiocapitellar joint was subsequently exposed through an extensile posterior dissection, and the surface anatomy was reconstructed using the Microscribe 3D digitizing system. Using Rhinoceros software, the percentage of capitellum surface area visualized by each approach was determined. Results The mean percentage of capitellum visualized for the dual lateral, distal ulna, and posterolateral approaches was approximately 68.8%, 66.3%, and 63.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the percentage of capitellum seen among approaches (P = .68). On average, 66.5% of the capitellum was visible through these 3 arthroscopic approaches to the elbow. Conclusion Approximately 66.5% of the capitellum is visualized through the popularized posterior arthroscopic portals, with no significant differences found between the 3 investigated approaches. Clinical relevance As determined in this cadaveric model investigation, each portal technique provides equivalent visualization for capitellar OCD pathology.
Intravenous Continuous Infusion vs. Oral Immediate-release Diltiazem for Acute Heart Rate Control.

Author(s): Means, Kimberly N.; Gentry, Amanda E.; Nguyen, Tammy T. | Abstract: Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common diagnosis of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Intravenous (IV) diltiazem bolus is often the initial drug of choice for acute management of AF with rapid ventricular response (RVR). The route of diltiazem after the initial IV loading dose may influence the disposition of the patient from the ED. However, no studies exist comparing oral (PO) immediate release and IV continuous infusion diltiazem in the emergency setting. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of treatment failure, defined as a heart rate (HR) of g110 beats/min at four hours or conversion to another agent, between PO immediate release and IV continuous infusion diltiazem after an initial IV diltiazem loading dose in patients in AF with RVR.Methods: This was a single-center, observational, retrospective study conducted at a tertiary academic medical center. The study population included patients ≥18 years old who presented to the ED in AF with a HR g 110 beats/min and received an initial IV diltiazem loading dose. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between routes of administration and treatment failure. Results: A total of 111 patients were included in this study. Twenty-seven percent (11/41) of the patients in the PO immediate-release group had treatment failure compared to 46% (32/70) in the IV continuous-infusion group. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of treatment failure with PO was less than IV at 0.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.18, 0.99], p = 0.046). When we performed a multivariate analysis adjusted for race and initial HR, PO was still less likely to be associated with treatment failure than IV with an OR of 0.4 (95% CI [0.15, 0.94], p = 0.041). The median dose of PO diltiazem and IV continuous infusion diltiazem at four hours was 30 mg and 10 mg/h, respectively. Conclusion: After a loading dose of IV diltiazem, PO immediate-release diltiazem was associated with a lower rate of treatment failure at four hours than IV continuous infusion in patients with AF with RVR.
Feasibility of a Proactive Text Messaging Intervention for Smokers in Community Health Centers: Pilot Study

Background: Few smokers receive evidence-based cessation services during primary care visits. Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility of a proactive text messaging program for primary care patients who smoke. Methods: We used electronic health records to identify smokers who had a mobile phone number listed from two community health centers in Massachusetts. Between March 2014 and June 2015, patients were screened by their primary care physician and then sent a proactive text message inviting them to enroll by texting back. Patients who opted in were asked about their readiness to quit. The text message program included messages from the QuitNowTXT library and novel content for smokers who were not ready to quit. Results: Among 949 eligible smokers, 88 (9.3%) enrolled after receiving a single proactive text message. Compared with those who did not enroll, enrollees were more often female (54/88, 61% vs 413/861, 48.0%, P=.02), but otherwise did not differ in age, race, insurance status, or comorbidities. In all, 28% (19/67) of enrollees reported they were not ready to quit in the next 30 days, 61% (41/67) were ready to quit, and 11% (7/67) already quit. The median time in the program was 9 days (interquartile range 2-32 days). Of current smokers, 25% (15/60) sent one or more keyword requests to the server. These did not differ by readiness to quit. Conclusions: A proactively delivered text messaging program targeting primary care patients who smoke was feasible and engaged both smokers ready to quit and those not ready to quit. This method shows promise as part of a population health model for addressing tobacco use outside of the primary care office.
Do Sleep and Psychological Distress Mediate the Association Between Neighborhood Factors and Pain

Objective Pain affects millions of American adults. However, individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups experience higher rates of pain, and individuals from racial/ethnic minorities report greater pain severity and pain-related disability. Some studies find an association between neighborhood socioeconomic status and pain. The present study aimed to further understand the association between neighborhood disadvantage and pain, including the role of objective (e.g., crime rates) and subjective neighborhood characteristics (e.g., perceived safety, neighborhood satisfaction), and to examine sleep and psychological distress as potential mediators of these associations. Methods The sample included 820 participants from two predominantly African American socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Trained data collectors interviewed participants on a number of self-report measures, and objective neighborhood characteristics were obtained from city crime data and street segment audits. Results Subjective characteristics, specifically perceived infrastructure and perceived safety, were associated with pain. Based on bootstrapped regression models, sleep efficiency and psychological distress were tested as mediators of the association between these neighborhood factors and pain. Results of mediation testing indicated that psychological distress served as a significant mediator. Though sleep efficiency was not a mediator, it had a significant independent association with pain. Conclusions Understanding the contribution of sleep problems and psychological distress to pain among at-risk individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods is important to identifying ways that individual- and neighborhood-level interventions may be leveraged to reduce pain-related disparities.
Heterogeneity of Nuclear Glucocorticoid Receptor Interactions

When thymocytes are incubated with glucocorticoids at 37°, 60–70% of the receptor bound steroid is associated with the nucleus. Under conditions where the rate of steroid-receptor formation is not limiting the transfer of steroid-receptors from the cytoplasm to the nucleus occurs rapidly with a T1/2 of 30 seconds. These observations have led us to investigate whether or not all glucocorticoid receptor complexes are associated with the nucleus in the same manner. To this end, nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor complexes have been extracted by differential salt extraction and DNase I and DNase II digestion. Of the nuclear dexamethasone receptor complex initially bound, 70–75% is resistant to 0.2 M KC1 extraction (designated N2) and 25–39% is resistant to 0.4 extraction (designated N4). N2 be further extracted with 0.4 M KC1 whereas N4 is resistant to reextraction with either 0.2 M KC1, suggesting that N2–N4 (N2–4) and N4 represent distinct physical forms of nuclear dexamethasone receptor. In intact cells, N2 and N differ under the following physiological condition. (1) N4 binding occurs prior to N2–4 (2) a cold chase of unlabeled dexamethasone decreases N2–4 by 70% but N4 binding by only 10%; (3) N4 binding decreases mor apidly than N2–4 following a decrease in hormone concentration by dilution; (4) a cold chase of either cortexolone or progesterone preferentially decreases N2–4 and has little effect on N4. In addition, the nuclear N2–4 and N4 distribution differ for cortisol, dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide, three steroids having different in vitro biological potencies. DNase I treatment of nuclei solubilizes approximately 60% of nuclear DNA yet releases only 20–30% of nuclear receptor, whereas DNase II solubilizes only 10% of nuclear DNA and releases 75–80% of nuclear receptor. As seen with salt extraction, the resistance of nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor complexes to a DNase I and II is dependent on the steroid molecule which is associated with the receptor. Of the steroids we have tested, nuclear triamcinolone acetonide and dexamethasone receptor complexes are most resistant to nuclease attack. Nuclear cortisol receptor complexes are readily solubilized by either DNase I or II under conditions where little dissociation of steroid from receptor occurs. These data represent evidence for physiologically distinct forms of nuclear glucocorticoid receptor interaction. In addition, they demonstrate the importance of the steroid portion of the steroid receptor in directing the nature and/or location of steroid receptors within or on the nucleus.
Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ): Presynaptic Short-Term Plasticity of Neuromuscular Transmission

The amount of transmitter released from a synapse by each nerve impulse typically varies as a function of previous synaptic activity. These stimulation-induced changes in transmitter release produce changes in postsynaptic potential amplitudes and synaptic efficacy and occur at most central and peripheral chemical synapses. Such changes in synaptic efficacy are also referred to as use-dependent or historical effects, since the previous use (history) of the synapse determines its current efficacy. Depending on the particular synapse, stimulation pattern, and levels of transmitter release, repetitive stimulation can increase or decrease synaptic efficacy, and the time course of these effects can range from milliseconds to days. This article focuses on short-term changes in synaptic efficacy which last from milliseconds to tens of minutes.
Structural benchmarks, structural evolution

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Vascularized bone grafts for maxillofacial reconstruction

Vascularized bone transfers are the ideal bone graft since they provide their own blood supply and all necessary osteoinductive, osteoconductive, and osteoprogenitor elements. These attributes allow them to be used in compromised recipient sites. When used as onlay grafts to augment skeletal contour they provide the best opportunity to maintain volume. Vascularized bone grafts used to provide mechanical stability are most often used to reconstruct the mandible after portions of it have been removed for tumor and further treated with radiation therapy. The considerable number of free bone graft donor sites allows considerable flexibility in design for mandibular reconstruction. In instances in which complex composite defects in the mandible, and particularly the maxilla, exist, restoring a well-vascularized soft tissue milieu with a free soft tissue transfer allows successful skeletal reconstruction with nonvascularized bone grafts. Vascularized bone allografts are a theoretically appealing way to reconstruct large bone defects. At this time their benefits are outweighed by the toxicity of current immunosuppressive therapy.
How Do You Champion the Patient Navigator Role

I worked for the Louisiana Tumor Registry for years, coding pathology reports and doing my part to make a difference, but ultimately, I grew bored. I wanted to hear the stories behind the reports I entered into a database and craved interaction with patients. When the opportunity to become a patient navigator presented itself, I jumped at the chance. I sold myself as an eager and capable member of the community who knew the patients' frustrations firsthand. I guess it worked, because I was hired by the Louisiana Cancer Control Program in July 2010 as a patient navigator for patients beginning cancer treatment.