cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Evolution of MAGE Genes Based on Expression Pattern and Selection Pressure

Starting from publicly-accessible datasets, we have utilized comparative and phylogenetic genome analyses to characterize the evolution of the human MAGE gene family. Our characterization of genomic structures in representative genomes of primates, rodents, carnivora, and macroscelidea indicates that both Type I and Type II MAGE genes have undergone lineage-specific evolution. The restricted expression pattern in germ cells of Type I MAGE orthologs is observed throughout evolutionary history. Unlike Type II MAGEs that have conserved promoter sequences, Type I MAGEs lack promoter conservation, suggesting that epigenetic regulation is a central mechanism for controlling their expression. Codon analysis shows that Type I but not Type II MAGE genes have been under positive selection. The combination of genomic and expression analysis suggests that Type 1 MAGE promoters and genes continue to evolve in the hominin lineage, perhaps towards functional diversification or acquiring additional specific functions, and that selection pressure at codon level is associated with expression spectrum.
Dating and Sexuality among Minority Adolescents with Disabilities: An Application of Sociocultural Theory

Adolescents with disabilities, American Indians, Hispanics, and African Americans are more likely to experience victimization and pregnancy as teens. This study explored ethnic and racial minority youth with disabilities’ dating and sexual experiences from the perspectives of social workers using Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted with master’s degree–holding high school social work practitioners. Social workers described family beliefs and practices, socioeconomic status, special education, historical influences, and resiliency as aspects of adolescents’ lives that impacted their dating and sexuality. Social workers’ dialogue concerning family beliefs and attitudes toward abusive relationships were interpreted as internally oriented signs used by adolescents with disabilities to navigate their dating and sexuality. Socioeconomic status, family practices, and special education were interpreted as externally oriented meditational tools. Social workers reported that...
Bladder management after total joint arthroplasty

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of an indwelling Foley catheter on bladder dysfunction and incidence of urinary tract infections after total joint arthroplasty. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted assigning use of an indwelling Foley catheter (group 1) or intermittent catheterization (group 2) for 48 hours following operation. Postoperative cultures were obtained on days 2 and 5, and the number of intermittent catheterization events and void and catheterization volumes were recorded. Concurrent cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. One hundred nineteen of 174 consecutive patients having elective primary total joint arthroplasty completed the study. Five of 62 patients (8%) in group 1 and 7 of 57 patients (12%) in group 2 developed urinary tract infections (NS, P = 45). Twenty patients (35%) in group 2 and 12 (19%) in group 1 required straight catheterization for inability to void 48 hours after surgery (P = .05). Seventeen patients (35%) in group 2 and eight patients (16%) in group 1 required straight catheterization after epidural analgesia was discontinued (P = .024). Bladder management by indwelling Foley catheter saved more than 150 minutes of direct nursing contact per patient and $3,000 in total hospital costs. Indwelling Foley catheters reduced the frequency of postoperative urinary retention, were less labor intensive than intermittent straight catheterization, and were not associated with an increased risk of urinary infection. In the setting of epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia for total joint arthroplasty, management by indwelling catheter is a cost-effective strategy to facilitate postoperative return of normal bladder function.
Food safety in developing countries: Moving beyond exports

Abstract Food safety is linked to food security through health and livelihoods, and improving food safety is necessary to address food security. An international consensus has emerged that the best way to address food safety is through a risk-based, farm-to-table approach that focuses on cost-effective prevention. In developing countries, this approach has been implemented in supply chains for high-value markets, particularly exports. Evidence shows that improvements are possible where market incentives exist, and where market institutions can ensure that risk reduction practices are followed. To address food safety for food insecure consumers in developing countries, public efforts should focus on the most important risks and cost-effective controls, provide support for capacity building and supply chain coordination, and improve incentives for food safety management.
Anomalous Ultrasonic Attenuation in Pure Superconducting Nb

Pure-state data are presented for ultrasonic attenuation in clean Nb (resistivity ratio \ensuremath{\sim} 7000) in the domain $0.4l\mathrm{ql}l6$, where $q=\frac{2\ensuremath{\pi}}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ is the phonon wave vector for phonons of wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ and $l$ is the electronic mean free path. These results are presented in light of the models of Fate and Trivisonno, Lacy and Daniel, and Maki. In general, no model is found completely adequate.
A Biosynthetic Strategy for Re-engineering the Staphylococcus aureus Cell Wall with Non-Native Small Molecules

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen that has emerged as a major public health threat. Here we report that the cell wall of S. aureus can be covalently re-engineered to contain non-native small molecules. This process makes use of endogenous levels of the bacterial enzyme sortase A (SrtA), which ordinarily functions to incorporate proteins into the bacterial cell wall. Thus, incubation of wild-type bacteria with rationally designed SrtA substrates results in covalent incorporation of functional molecular handles (fluorescein, biotin, and azide) into cell wall peptidoglycan. These conclusions are supported by data obtained through a variety of experimental techniques (epifluorescence and electron microscopy, biochemical extraction, and mass spectrometry), and cell-wall-incorporated azide was exploited as a chemical handle to perform an azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction on the bacterial cell surface. This report represents the first example of cell wall engineering of S....
Adrenal hemangioma‐adenoma: An exceedingly rare adrenal collision tumor

Adrenal collision tumors are rare clinical entities referring to separate coexisting adjacent tumors involving an adrenal gland with sharp demarcation between the two and without a substantial histologic admixture at the interface. We report a case of a 60-year-old female patient with an exceedingly rare adrenal hemangioma-adenoma collision tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a collision tumor comprising an adrenal hemangioma and an adenoma.
Compensation effects on the electron velocity in submicrometer GaAs MESFETs

The transient overshoot of the electron velocity for compensation GaAs is calculated using the Monte Carlo method. The transient electron velocity characteristics are compared for various compensation ratios. The influence of the compensation ratio on the GaAs MESFET structure was simulated using a two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulator. The drain current, transconductance, and channel electron velocity of submicrometer MESFETs are presented for various compensation ratios. >
The Role of Roughness in Texture Development

To examine the dependence ofin-plane texture development on substrate surface morphology, deposition was performed on an intentionally roughened surface. 2 μm thick sputter deposited Mo films were macroscopically roughened by ion bombardment. This process created aligned mounds on the surface which were ∼1 μm in length, ∼0.1 μm in width and ∼0.04 miimn height. To remove crystallographic orientation effects, this surface was coated with a thin layer of graphite. Using these roughened, coated surfaces as a new substrates, the role of well defined macroscopic roughness in subsequent thin film growth was probed. Mo films were deposited onto these prepared substrates which were placed on a rotating platen under a stationary ion sputter source. When the mounds are aligned with their elongated axes normal to the rotation direction, little to noin-plane texture is found. The same deposition on a flat surface, or on the roughened surface with the mounds oriented parallel to the platen rotation direction, gives films with a high degree ofin-plane texture. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and transmission electron diffraction data will be presented to corroborate these findings.
Frege, logic, and arithmetic

IN Frege's Logical Theory' Robert Sternfeld discusses in detail Frege's variant of the logistic thesis regarding the establishment of the foundations of arithmetic within logic. I believe that his account is inconsistent. Professor Stemfeld ascribes all of the following assertions to Frege: 1. Logic is coextensive with arithmetic (p. 58). 2. The content or subject matter of arithmetic is definable within (the context of) logic (pp. 58, 81 ). 3. The foundations of arithmetic are established firmly in logic (p. 34). Arithmetic is reducible to logic (p. 63). 4. Arithmetic is derived from logic (pp. 30, 39, 40, 61). 5. Logic expands into (or is expansible into) arithmetic (pp. 39, 40, 61 63, 70, 87). 6. Numbers are arithmetical objects and hence the content of arithmetic (pp. 69, 81, 152). (Numbers are individual, specifiable entities (pp. 40, 54).) 7. Numbers serve to extend logic into arithmetic (p. 61). &. (Cardinal) numbers are definable within logic (pp. 36, 40, 54, 69, 81). 9. Extensions and, generally, value ranges are logical objects (p. 32). 10. A number is the extension of a second-level concept (p. 41). 11. Numbers are the content or subject matter of logic (pp. 54, 58). Numbers are the substantive content of logic (p. 87). Numbers are the substantial content of logical concepts (pp. 54, 81). Numbers are logical entities (p. 62). Numbers are logical objects (p. 152). Also, ultimately arithmetic is the subject matter of logic (p. 1 56). 12. Numbers are the proper objects which ground logic and give it its par ticular range or scope (pp. 58, 61 ). 1 3. Logic has its own content or subject matter (pp. 78, 79). 14. Logic is concerned with concepts such as negation, quantification, identity (pp. 78, 80). 15. Logical principles are ultimate simples and hence indefinable. Assertions 2, 3, and 4 appear to be equivalent, or at least can be so interpreted as to be equivalent. Assertion 5 is the converse of 4. Assertions 2-4, or 2-5, are assumed to be reasons for 1. Assertion 6 is undeniably true; however, its interpretation depends upon the nature and success of the logistic reduction. Assertion 7 is the converse of 8. Assertions 9 and 10 are clearly held by Frege; the logistic accomplishment rests first on 10, and then 8 is achieved by way of 9 and 10. Assertion 14 is a more detailed specification
Associations of Hospital Staff Training and Policies with Early Breastfeeding Practices

Background:In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey in all US birth facilities to assess breastfeeding-related maternity practices. Maternity practices and hospital policies are known to influence breastfeeding, and Alabama breastfeeding rates are very low.Objective:Our objective was to assess whether staff training and structural-organizational aspects of care, such as policies, were associated with infants’ breastfeeding behaviors 24 to 48 hours postpartum.Methods:We linked 2009 mPINC data from 48 Alabama hospitals with birth certificate and newborn screening databases. We used data collected 24 to 48 hours postpartum to classify 41 536 healthy, term, singleton infants as breastfed (any breast milk) or completely formula fed and examined associations with hospitals’ mPINC scores in comparison with the state mean. We conducted multilevel analyses to assess infants’ likelihood of being breastfed if their birth h...
Quality of life in adult survivors of lung, colon and prostate cancer

In a cross-sectional study design, a disease free sample of 57 lung, 117 colon, and 104 prostate cancer survivors who represented short, intermediate and long-term survivors completed a detailed assessment of quality of life (QOL) and rehabilitation needs using the CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES). Demographic and medical data, social support, and a global QOL rating were also assessed. Lung cancer patients showed no differences in QOL with respect to their period of survival. QOL improved for survivors of colon cancer as they lived for longer periods, but declined with time for survivors of prostate cancer. The best predictor of QOL for all groups was KPS, although other variables such as type of hospital, gender, and work status were predictive for survivors of colon cancer. For survivors of prostate cancer comorbidity with other medical illnesses, time since diagnosis and comorbidity due to psychiatric difficulties were predictive of QOL. All groups had significant rehabilitation problems in the domains of physical, psychosocial, sexual, medical interaction, and marital relationships. Lung cancer survivors had more problems than the other cancer survivors. We conclude that patients who survive cancer do not return to a state of normal health. They demonstrate a variety of difficulties with which they must cope as they continue to survive. Greater efforts need to be made early in diagnosis and treatment to understand rehabilitation problems and target interventions in the hope of reducing later sequelae.
Some clinical implications of contextualistic behaviorism: The example of cognition

Radical behaviorism can be interpreted either mechanistically or contextualistically. The present article describes the essence of the contextualistic interpretation and contrasts it with other positions common in behavior therapy. Contemporary behavior analysis, contextually viewed, is applied to the problem of cognition. Derived stimulus relations are argued to be at the core of cognition, and that the relation between cognition and other kinds of behavior is contextually situated. New therapeutic strategies emerge from a reexamination of the philosophy and theory of contextualistic behavior analysis.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Lycopodine

The first enantioselective total synthesis of lycopodine has been completed. Key steps include a highly diastereoselective organocatalyzed cyclization of a keto sulfone to establish the key C7 and C8 stereocenters and a tandem 1,3-sulfonyl shift/intramolecular Mannich cyclization to form the tricyclic core.
Model development and behavioral assessment of focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Stroke in humans is usually focal and occurs in the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) distribution. There are several rat models that mimic strokes clinically seen in human. Severity of ischemia can be determined by occlusion time, arteries occluded i.e. MCA alone or combined with one or both Common Carotid Arteries (CCA), and/or location of the occlusion. In this study three focal cerebral infarctions (stroke) were induced for 90 and 120 minutes due to the occlusion of: the MCA alone (MCAo); MCA plus unilateral CCA (MCAo+1CCAo); and MCA plus bilateral CCA (MCAo+2CCAo). Histological parameters included infarct lesion size and hemispheric swelling. Since functional recovery of clinical deficits in stroke often correlates with the efficacy of anti-ischemic therapy, we focused on the behavioral recovery. We combined many sources to obtain comprehensive guidelines for clinical behavior evaluation. Tests included limb flexion, torso twisting, circling, lateral push resistance, beam balancing and walking, hindlimb placing, and inverted angle-board gripping. Occlusion lasting 90 minutes was found to have consistent and repeatable deficits. Results from our study demonstrate 120 minutes of occlusion produced a 60% morality rate and was therefore dropped. Body weight changes between groups showed that increased occlusion time produced more weight loss. Behavior changes indicated that MCAo+2CCAo for 90 minutes demonstrated assessable and consistent clinical deficits for the screening of potential therapeutics.
Depth of penetration of the neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in the human prostate and clinical results of high-dose laser energy in 50 patients

We evaluated the treatment of the human prostate with the Nd:YAG laser using a Cytocare Prolase II fiber. We utilized this first in 12 patients prior to radical prostatectomy and then appropriately serially sectioned the prostate to measure the depth of penetration. The studies clearly revealed that 60 W of power and 60 s of pulse duration gave the most consistent depth of penetration in the human prostate model. This depth of penetration averaged 2 cm in the glands that were removed. At the same time there was absolutely no evidence of damage to the neurovascular bundle or to the capsule of the prostate using the above-mentioned dosimetry regime. This study was then transferred to our initial experience in treating 50 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and obstructive voiding symptoms. The first 25 patients were also treated with so-called spot radiation of the prostate, whereas the second 25 patients were treated by total photoirradiation of all visible endoscopic tissue. The results reveal that both groups of patients had a fairly highly satisfactory result as measured objectively with American Urological Association (AUA) symptom scores and uroflow studies. In the latter group (photoirradiation of all visible endoscopic tissue) a significantly higher dose of laser energy was utilized and a smaller failure rate was noted on a long-term basis in patients who subsequently came to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) because of failure of the laser procedure. At the same time that the patients were treated, all 50 patients underwent multiple random needle biopsies of the peripheral zone of the prostate, and at no time was there any evidence of a laser effect in the capsule of the human prostate from a dosimetry of 60 W and 60 s of pulse duration and total photoirradiation of the entire prostate. Very large doses of energy were used, ranging up to 110,000 J per case. It is our impression that the 60-W/60-s protocol will consistently yield the best results in terms of success of laser prostatectomy as measured objectively with uroflow and AUA symptom score as well as providing total safety in term of the absence of damage to the capsule of the prostate despite photoirradiation of all visible viable tissue at high total doses of energy.
Similar Structures and Shared Switch Mechanisms of the β2-Adrenoceptor and the Parathyroid Hormone Receptor Zn(II) BRIDGES BETWEEN HELICES III AND VI BLOCK ACTIVATION

The seven transmembrane helices of serpentine receptors comprise a conserved switch that relays signals from extracellular stimuli to heterotrimeric G proteins on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane. By substituting histidines for residues at the cytoplasmic ends of helices III and VI in retinal rhodopsin, we engineered a metal-binding site whose occupancy by Zn(II) prevented the receptor from activating a retinal G protein, Gt (Sheikh, S. P., Zvyaga, T. A. , Lichtarge, O., Sakmar, T. P., and Bourne, H. R. (1996) Nature 383, 347-350). Now we report engineering of metal-binding sites bridging the cytoplasmic ends of these two helices in two other serpentine receptors, the beta2-adrenoreceptor and the parathyroid hormone receptor; occupancy of the metal-binding site by Zn(II) markedly impairs the ability of each receptor to mediate ligand-dependent activation of Gs, the stimulatory regulator of adenylyl cyclase. We infer that these two receptors share with rhodopsin a common three-dimensional architecture and an activation switch that requires movement, relative to one another, of helices III and VI; these inferences are surprising in the case of the parathyroid hormone receptor, a receptor that contains seven stretches of hydrophobic sequence but whose amino acid sequence otherwise shows no apparent similarity to those of receptors in the rhodopsin family. These findings highlight the evolutionary conservation of the switch mechanism of serpentine receptors and help to constrain models of how the switch works.
Are We Moving Toward Educating Students With Disabilities in Less Restrictive Settings

The least restrictive environment (LRE) mandate provides a preference for educating students with disabilities in general education classrooms while allowing separate class services as necessary to meet student needs. This study investigated changes in national LRE placement trends for students with disabilities from 1990-1991 through 2007-2008. Findings revealed a significant increase in placements in general education settings and a substantial decrease in more restrictive placements. Placement practices for students at the secondary level changed substantially more than placements for elementary students, although both groups moved toward significantly less restrictive placement practices. Students with learning disabilities accounted for much of the overall change in placement practices, whereas students with emotional or behavioral disorders and intellectual disabilities experienced smaller changes in less restrictive placements.
Integrated information systems for electronic chemotherapy medication administration.

Introduction: Chemotherapy administration is a highly complex and distributed task in both the inpatient and outpatient infusion center settings. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Oncology Nursing Society (ASCO/ONS) have developed standards that specify procedures and documentation requirements for safe chemotherapy administration. Yet paperbased approaches to medication administration have several disadvantages and do not provide any decision support for patient safety checks. Electronic medication administration that includes bar coding technology may provide additional safety checks, enable consistent documentation structure, and have additional downstream benefits. Methods: We describe the specialized configuration of clinical informatics systems for electronic chemotherapy medication administration. The system integrates the patient registration system, the inpatient order entry system, the pharmacy information system, the nursing documentation system, and the electronic health record. Results: We describe the process of deploying this infrastructure in the adult and pediatric inpatient oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant wards at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We have successfully adapted the system for the oncology-specific documentation requirements detailed in the ASCO/ONS guidelines for chemotherapy administration. However, several limitations remain with regard to recording the day of treatment and dose number. Conclusion: Overall, the configured systems facilitate compliance with the ASCO/ONS guidelines and improve the consistency of documentation and multidisciplinary team communication. Our success has prompted us to deploy this infrastructure in our outpatient chemotherapy infusion centers, a process that is currently underway and that will require a few unique considerations.
The Role of the Intrauterine and Perinatal Environment in Cerebral Palsy

Author Disclosure Drs Paneth, Korzeniewski, and Hong did not disclose any relationships relevant to this article. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Discuss the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) in school-aged children. 2. Describe the role of neuroimaging in CP. 3. Describe the impact of ventilatory practices in low-birthweight infants on the risk of CP. 4. Delineate the role of infection and fetal inflammation in pregnancy in the development of CP. The special importance of CP to clinicians whose practices encompass pregnancy and the perinatal or neonatal period is that no other neurodevelopmental disorder bears as close a causal relationship to the hazards of intrauterine and perinatal life. Although the strength of that relationship has been exaggerated at times, especially in relation to obstetric trauma and birth asphyxia, there can be no serious doubt that adverse events in pregnancy and the perinatal period do occasionally damage the fetal or neonatal brain. A distinctive feature of brain damage produced between early gestation and infancy is destruction of cerebral white matter or extrapyramidal tracts, thereby producing a clinical syndrome in which disturbance of motor control is a prominent and probably a necessary feature. Depending on the nature and extent of the insult, the motor disorder may be predominantly spastic, dyskinetic, or ataxic and may involve all four limbs (quadriplegia), one side (hemiplegia), or be most prominent in the legs (diplegia). CP severe enough to be recognized as a disability is found in about 1 in 500 school-age children in most developed countries, with little variation between countries or over the past 30 years. (1) Because CP often is accompanied by other neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly seizure disorders, varying degrees of mental retardation, blindness, or deafness, affected children constitute the single largest group of children in the population who have major disabilities. (2) More …
The Practice of Deliberative Democracy: Results from Four Large‐Scale Trials

The goal of deliberative democracy is to revitalize civic culture, improve the nature of public discourse, and generate the political will necessary to take effective action on pressing problems. While there exists a fairly substantial amount of literature on the desired features of a deliberative democracy, there is little empirical research on the practical feasibility of convening a large-scale public deliberative process. This article describes a model of deliberative democracy which offers a practical opportunity for all citizens to participate, provides citizens extensive information about the nature of the policy problem, engages citizens in the same problem-solving context as elected officials, and uses rigorous methods. The practical feasibility of this model is assessed through four large-scale implementations, each addressing controversial and politically charged issues in cities ranging in population from 100,000 to 400,000. The conclusion from these trials is that it is possible to convene a large-scale public deliberative process that enables local governments to take effective action on previously intractable issues.
Diurnal hormonal responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in normal men

Bolus injections of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were administered to five young normal men in the morning (0900 hr) and the evening (1800 hr) on different days. Frequent blood samples for prolactin (PRL) and TSH analyses were collected before and after TRH infusion. Although there were no differences between the morning and the evening basal PRL levels, a significantly greater PRL response to TRH in the evening was observed (delta PRL, a.m. vs p.m., p less than 0.025). Since TRH stimulates PRL through a direct effect on the pituitary, our data suggest that there is a diurnal variation in the pituitary lactotroph responsiveness to TRH. On the other hand, a.m. and p.m. basal and TRH-stimulated TSH responses were virtually identical.
10 Strategies to Help the Traumatized Child in School

After children have witnessed domestic violence, the lingering trauma can undermine their ability to learn and succeed in school. With the right classroom strategies, however, teachers can help students relieve stress, reengage in the curriculum, stay focused and organized, attend to tasks, and reestablish relationships.
Long-term evaluation of field-wide oriental beetle (Col., Scarabaeidae) mating disruption in blueberries using female-mimic pheromone lures

The oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse) (Col., Scarabaeidae), is the most important root-feeding pest of blueberries and turfgrass in New Jersey, USA. Previous studies showed that mating disruption is a feasible option for oriental beetle management; however, assessing its efficiency can be challenging, and little is known on its long-term effects. Accordingly, we conducted studies to investigate low-dose pheromone lures equivalent to oriental beetle females (i.e. female mimics) as easyto-use indicators of mating disruption success, determine the distance at which oriental beetle males respond to female-mimic lures and assess the long-term (3-year) effects of mating disruption on oriental beetle populations in entire blueberry fields. Our studies showed that rubber septa baited with 0.3 lg of the oriental beetle sex pheromone (Z)-7-tetradecen2-one attract similar numbers of males as compared with virgin females and can thus be used as a female mimic. The range of attraction of this lure was found to be also similar to virgin females and <30 m. In blueberries, mating disruption provided 87% inhibition of oriental beetle populations (trap shutdown) over a 3-year period. Oriental beetle male captures in disrupted fields were threefold higher along the field edges than in the field interiors, indicating movement of males from nearby areas into the pheromone-treated fields. In addition, mating disruption reduced male attraction to female-mimic lures by 93% in all 3 years and reduced the number of larvae in sentinel potted plants in 1 of 2 years. These results show for the first time that mating disruption provides consistent long-term field-wide control of oriental beetle populations and that female-mimic pheromone lures can be used as a new tool to assess oriental beetle mating disruption success.
Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the penis

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare plasma cell malignancies, particularly outside the upper aerodigestive tract. A 90-year-old male presented with a penile mass suspicious for penile carcinoma. Pathology revealed the tumor to be an Epstein-Barr virus-associated plasmacytoma with no radiographic evidence of bone or other soft tissue involvement. There was no laboratory evidence of multiple myeloma.
Reduced consumption of protein-rich foods follows immune challenge in a polyphagous caterpillar

Advances in ecological immunity have illustrated that, like vertebrates, insects exhibit adaptive immunity, including induced changes in feeding behavior that aid the immune system. In particular, recent studies have pointed to the importance of protein intake in mounting an immune response. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the polyphagous caterpillar Grammia incorrupta (H. Edwards) (Family: Erebidae) would adaptively change its feeding behavior in response to immune challenge, predicting that caterpillars would increase their intake of dietary protein. We further predicted that this response would enhance the melanization response, a component of the immune system that acts against parasitoids. We challenged the immune system using either tachinid fly parasitoids or a bead injection technique that has been used in studies to simulate parasitism, and measured feeding before and after immune challenge on diets varying in their macronutrient content. To evaluate the effects of diet on melanization, we quantified melanization of beads following feeding assays. Contrary to our prediction, we found that parasitized or injected caterpillars given a choice between high- and low-protein foods reduced their intake of the high-protein food. Furthermore, in a no-choice experiment, caterpillars offered food with a protein concentration that is optimal for growth reduced feeding following immune challenge, whereas those offered a low-protein food did not. Although variation in protein intake did not change the caterpillars' melanization response, increased carbohydrate intake did increase melanization, suggesting a prophylactic role for carbohydrates. We discuss alternative mechanisms by which variation in protein intake could negatively or positively affect parasitized caterpillars, including nutritional interactions with the caterpillar's self-medication response.
Activity index and isometric contraction velocity of human jaw muscles.

Summary To determine the relative contribution of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles to global isometric bite force, activity indices were constructed on the basis of the peak mean voltage (μV) and the integrated voltage (μV.s) of bipolar surface electromyograms obtained during brief maximum voluntary teeth clenching (MVC). The index that was based on integrated myoelectrical activity showed that the masseter muscle contributed the major part of the isometric MVC force. The index that was based on instantaneous peak myoelectrical activity also showed that activity in the masseter muscle predominated over that in the anterior temporalis muscle. In addition, the latter index showed a negative linear association with the initial (0–50% MVC) isometric contraction velocities of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. Both indices appear to be promising clinical diagnostic tools.
Strengthening Our Capacity to Educate Power Engineers

This is a summary of the presentation in the panel session "Power Industry Workforce of the Future" for the 2007 IEEE PES General Meeting in Tampa, Florida.
The Silver Spoons of Sutton Hoo

AMONG the treasures discovered in the ship-burial at Sutton Hoo are a pair of silver spoons of late-classical design, presumably Byzantine in origin, inscribed with what appear to be the Greek words SAULOS and PAULOS respectively. In an important early symposium on Sutton Hoo, Ernst Kitzinger refers to the existence of other spoons similarly inscribed with the names of saints, and adds, "They are often thought to have been used for liturgical purposes, and the fact that they are sometimes inscribed with sacred names seems to support this view. The new find, however, presents difficulties in this respect, for the Saint's [i.e., St Paul's] pre-apostolic name Saul would hardly have been inscribed on a liturgical object."' Scholarship of the past twenty-five years, while tending to accept a symbolic meaning of some sort in the inscriptions, has to the best of my knowledge left this fundamental objection unanswered. One might, I suppose, conjecture that the inscription "SAULOS" is to be associated with unregenerate man (typified by Paul before his conversion), and the inscription "PAULOS" with regenerate man; but even so, it is difficult to imagine by whom, or for what liturgical purpose, the spoon marked "SAULOS" might then have been used. Though I cannot speak with much authority as an epigrapher, I believe a comparison of the two inscriptions in the accompanying photograph (top, "SAULOS"; bottom, "PAULOS")2 will show clearly that, far from being of identical workmanship, they are about as different from one another as such things well could be. With regard to their general features, it is obvious that while "PAULOS" as a whole is well formed, consistent in style and size, and symmetrically laid out, "SAULOS" is crude, inconsistent, and executed with no regard for symmetry. For example, in "PAULOS" the knobs at the ends of the individual lines composing the letters are themselves well proportioned, and are consistent in size and shape; in "SAULOS" they are overly prominent, and are inconsistent in size and shape. In "PAULOS" the letters are upright and of regular size; in "SAULOS" they lean slightly to the left and become progressively a little smaller from left to right. In "PAULOS" there is a fairly regular margin between the tops and bottoms of the letters and the top and bottom edges of the surface on which they are engraved; in "SAULOS" the first four letters touch these edges, and the final letter is so placed that it touches the top edge but has an unusually wide margin beneath it. In "PAULOS" the letters are rather evenly spaced, with respect both to one another and to the right and left edges of the surface on which they are engraved; in "SAULOS" they are crowded toward the left edge, leaving an unsymmetrical blank space at the right. Still more striking are the differences presented by the individual letters. In "PAULOS" the cross-
Maternal Gestational Diabetes, Birth Weight, and Adolescent Obesity

Objective. Obesity increases risk of many adverse outcomes, but its early origins are obscure. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) reflects a metabolically altered fetal environment associated with high birth weight, itself associated with later obesity. Previous studies of GDM and offspring obesity, however, have been few and conflicting. The objectives of this study were to examine associations of birth weight and GDM with adolescent body mass index (BMI) and to determine the extent to which the effect of GDM is explained by its influence on birth weight or by maternal adiposity. Methods. We conducted a survey of 7981 girls and 6900 boys, 9 to 14 years of age, who are participants in the Growing Up Today Study, a US nationwide study of diet, activity, and growth. In 1996, participants reported height, weight, diet, activity, and other variables by self-administered mailed questionnaire. We linked these data with information reported by their mothers, participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II, including GDM, height, current weight, and child’s birth weight. We excluded births 95th percentile, and at risk for overweight as 85th to 95th percentile, for age and gender from US national data. Results. Mean birth weight was 3.4 kg for girls and 3.6 kg for boys. Among the 465 subjects whose mothers had GDM, 17.1% were at risk for overweight and 9.7% were overweight in early adolescence. In the group without maternal diabetes, these estimates were 14.2% and 6.6%, respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, gender, and Tanner stage, the odds ratio for adolescent overweight for each 1-kg increment in birth weight was 1.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.2–1.6). Adjustment for physical activity, television watching, energy intake, breastfeeding duration, mother’s BMI, and other maternal and family variables reduced the estimate to 1.3 (1.1–1.5). For offspring of mothers with GDM versus no diabetes, the odds ratio for adolescent overweight was 1.4 (1.1–2.0), which was unchanged after controlling for energy balance and socioeconomic factors. Adjustment for birth weight slightly attenuated the estimate (1.3; 0.9–1.9); adjustment for maternal BMI reduced the odds ratio to 1.2 (0.8–1.7). Conclusions. Higher birth weight predicted increased risk of overweight in adolescence. Having been born to a mother with GDM was also associated with increased adolescent overweight. However, the effect of GDM on offspring obesity seemed only partially explained by its influence on birth weight, and adjustment for mother’s own BMI attenuated the GDM associations. Our results only modestly support a causal role of altered maternal-fetal glucose metabolism in the genesis of obesity in the offspring. Alternatively, GDM may program risk for a postnatal insult leading to obesity, or it may merely be a risk marker, not in the causal pathway.
Effects of copper sulfate on Typha latifolia seed germination and early seedling growth in aqueous and sediment exposures.

The vascular macrophyte Typha latifolia Linnaeus (common cattail) may be a sentinel for evaluating potential phytotoxicity to rooted aquatic macrophytes in aquatic systems. To further evaluate the potential utility of this species, T. latifolia seed germination, shoot growth, and root elongation were measured in 7-day aqueous exposures using mean measured aqueous copper concentrations of 10.0, 23, 41, 62, 174, and 402 μg Cu/L, which were ≥ 62% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination and seedling shoot growth were not significantly affected by any of these copper concentrations as compared to controls. Mean measured no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) for root elongation were 18.6 μg Cu/L and 35.0 μg Cu/L, respectively. Seven-day sediment tests were conducted by amending uncontaminated sediments with copper sulfate to mean measured concentrations of 7.9, 17.1, 21.0, 51.2, 89.5, and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, which were ≥ 84% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination was not significantly different from controls. Mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for seedling shoot growth were 89.5 mg Cu/kg and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, respectively, and mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for root growth were 14.0 mg Cu/kg and 19.7 mg Cu/kg, respectively. These results demonstrate that T. latifolia early seedling growth can be utilized for assessing aqueous and sediment toxicity of copper.
Subclinical atherosclerotic risk in endurance-trained premenopausal amenorrheic women.

Abstract Purpose In premenopausal women, amenorrhea contributes to endothelial dysfunction. It is unknown whether this vascular functional change is associated with vascular structural change. Methods This study examined regional and systemic vascular structure and function to gain insight into subclinical atherosclerotic risk in 10 amenorrheic athletes, 18 eumenorrheic athletes, and 15 recreationally active controls. Brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and low flow mediated constriction (L-FMC) were used to measure global endothelial function. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used to measure aortic stiffness. Doppler-ultrasound of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) was used to assess intima-media thickness (IMT) and vessel diameter as indicators of vascular remodeling. Results Amenorrheic athletes had significantly lower brachial FMD adjusted for shear stimulus (6.9 ± 1.3%) compared with eumenorrheic athletes (11.0 ± 1.0%) and controls (11.0 ± 1.1%, p = 0.05 ). Brachial L-FMC (−1.8 ± 4.3%) and aortic PWV (5.0 ± 1.0 m/s) of amenorrheic athletes were similar to those of eumenorrheic athletes (L-FMC, −1.6 ± 4.6%; PWV, 4.6 ± 0.5 m/s) and controls (L-FMC, −1.5 ± 2.8%, p = 0.98 ; PWV, 5.4 ± 0.7 m/s, p = 0.15 ). SFA diameters were similar in amenorrheic athletes (5.7 ± 0.7 mm) and eumenorrheic athletes (5.7 ± 0.7 mm), but amenorrheic athletes had larger SFA diameters compared with controls (5.1 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.04 ). In amenorrheic athletes, SFA IMT (0.31 ± 0.03 mm) was similar to that of eumenorrheic athletes (0.35 ± 0.07 mm) but significantly thinner compared to that of controls (0.38 ± 0.06, p = 0.01 ). Conclusion Vascular dysfunction in female amenorrheic athletes is not systemic. Parenthetically, amenorrhea may not prevent favorable peripheral vascular structural adaptations to habitual exercise training.
Impact of Sample Matrix on Accuracy of Peptide Quantification: Assessment of Calibrator and Internal Standard Selection and Method Validation.

Protein quantification based on peptides using LC-MS/MS has emerged as a promising method to measure biomarkers, protein drugs, and endogenous proteins. However, the best practices for selection, optimization, and validation of the quantification peptides are not well established, and the influence of different matrices on protein digestion, peptide stability, and MS detection has not been systematically addressed. The aim of this study was to determine how biological matrices affect digestion, detection, and stability of peptides. The microsomal retinol dehydrogenase (RDH11) and cytosolic soluble aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH1As) involved in the synthesis of retinoic acid (RA) were chosen as model proteins. Considerable differences in the digestion efficiency, sensitivity, and matrix effects between peptides were observed regardless of the target protein’s subcellular localization. The precision and accuracy of the quantification of RDH11 and ALDH1A were affected by the choice of calibration and internal...
Neurofibromatosis: a young woman's journey--case study.

Neurofibromatosis is a difficult condition to treat and usually involves multiple surgeries throughout a patient's lifetime. Cutaneous and plexiform fibromas, cafe-au-lait spots, and optic gliomas are common findings in this hereditary condition. Diagnosis is made through physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, and family history. The patient described in this article presented with weakness and numbness in her extremities due to spinal cord compression. Continued research on this condition is needed to halt progression and search for a cure. Nurses play a key role in helping patients adjust to this lifetime burden.
Characterization of RSS variability for biobot localization using 802.15.4 Radios

A cyber-physically organized swarm of insect biobots or biological robots can aid first responders in search-and-rescue scenarios after natural disasters or earthquakes by establishing an under-rubble sensor network. In such a network, the nodes are represented by the insect biobots equipped with electronic backpacks utilizing a system-on-chip. This application requires effective real-time localization of the mobile sensor nodes. Radio signal strength (RSS) is a measurement of the received signal power, and can be used in estimating the distance between two nodes, which then can help localize the biobotic sensor nodes in the future. This paper investigates RSS variability and its suitability for biobotic localization.
The Approaches to the "Going-out Strategy" of the Chinese Culture

Studies are made on tendency in the exchanges and impacts,influences and convergence,conflicts and competition along with China's communications with the outside world in the background of economic and cultural globalization.Considering the "going-out strategy" of the Chinese culture,analyses are made on the political,economic and cultural background home and abroad together with the closely related situation and approaches of governmental and non-governmental actions,and on the cases reflecting the experiences and practices typical of different cultural groups.Researches are particularly done on how to strengthen the independence and innovation of national culture,how to improve the Chinese culture so as to step on world arena of culture,how to preserve the independence and security of national culture,and how to establish the imperative plans for the implementation of the "going-out strategy" of the Chinese culture.Creative and practicable approaches are proposed for the research and the sustainable development of the field.
Dissimilar-dimension Interference Model of Fatigue Reliability Under Uncertain Cyclic Load

The stress-strength interference model for static strength failure is well developed, while difficulties still exist when use the concept of stress-strength interference to calculate the reliability of time-dependent failure modes such as fatigue, abrasion, corrosion, etc. There is not yet a straight forward and effective model such as stress-strength interference model even for fatigue under constant amplitude cyclic stress with uncertainty in stress amplitude. Traditional stress-strength interference model is interpreted as that to express the statistical average of the probability that strength is greater than stress, or vice versa. Thus, the same model format, which traditionally can only be used for the situation of the parameters (load and stress) of the same unit, can be applied to more general situation. In other words, the traditional model was extended to the situation of any two variables, as long as one of the variables can be expressed as a function of the other. By such a model, fatigue failure probability/reliability can be calculated with known load distribution and fatigue life distribution.