cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and therapeutic cholangiopancreatoscopy: performance of a new digital cholangioscope

Background High-definition cholangioscopes provide excellent images of the pancreatobiliary ductal system and may play a significant role in diagnosis and treatment of various pancreatobiliary disorders. Objective To assess the performance of a new digital cholangioscope for diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary disorders in clinical practice. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic hospital, tertiary-care referral center. Patients Consecutive patients with suspected pancreatobiliary disorders. Intervention Diagnostic or therapeutic high-definition digital cholangiopancreatoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements Satisfactory visualization of the ductal mucosa and lumen and treatment of pancreatobiliary disorders when indicated. Results A total of 28 cholangioscopy and 4 pancreatoscopy procedures were completed before breakdown of the cholangioscope. Excellent views of the ductal lumen and mucosa were obtained in all patients. In the 18 patients with indeterminate biliary strictures, high-definition cholangioscopy identified all cholangiocarcinomas but labeled as malignant only 1 of 4 strictures caused by pancreatic cancer (sensitivity 73%). All benign strictures were correctly labeled (specificity 100%). Cholangioscopy proved helpful in evaluation of various biliary disorders and lithotripsy of pancreatic stones under direct vision. Limitations Single center, small number of patients. Conclusion High-definition cholangioscopy is a useful adjunct to ERCP in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary disorders. Although fragility of the cholangioscope remains a problem, the changes made in the construction of this prototype digital cholangioscope have significantly increased its durability.
Intervention effects of information and self-regulation on eating fruits and vegetables over two years.

Objective: This study tested whether an intervention that combined information with self-regulation strategies had a better effect on eating fruits and vegetables than an information-only intervention. Design: Women between age 30 and 50 (N 255) participated in a 24-month randomized controlled trial comparing two brief interventions: All participants received the same information intervention; participants in the information plus self-regulation group additionally learned a self-regulation technique that integrates mental contrasting with implementation intentions. Main outcome measures: Participants reported in daily diaries how many servings of fruits and vegetables they ate per day during 1 week at baseline, and in the first week, 1, 2, 4, and 24 months after intervention. Results: Participants in both groups ate more fruits and vegetables (0.47 to 1.00 daily servings) than at baseline during the first 4 months after intervention. Two years later, participants in the information plus self-regulation group maintained the higher intake, whereas participants in the information group returned to baseline levels. Conclusion: Adding self-regulation training to an information intervention increased its effectiveness for long-term behavior change.
Generalizing and extending the eigenshape method of shape space visualization and analysis

Outline-based morphometric methods have been more or less restricted to the consideration of closed curves and plagued by problems related to the maintenance of close biological correspondence across all forms within a sample. Methods developed herein generalize and extend the eigenshape method of outline analysis along the following lines: (1) consideration of open curves, (2) improvement of interobject correspondence via incorporation of information provided by landmarks, and (3) extension to the analysis of three-dimensional (open and closed) curves. In addition, techniques for using eigenshape results to create models of shape variation and for more consistently assessing the digital resolution necessary to represent an object are discussed and illustrated. These improvements are then placed in context via discussions of previous attempts to extend morphometric outline analysis methods, the relation between landmark and outline-based morphometric methods, the use of morphometric analyses to test biological hypotheses, and the nature of morphometric shape spaces (with special reference to studies of morphological disparity).
The effects of MSH on a restricted passive avoidance response

Abstract Fifty-four naive, male, hooded rats were given a mild electric shock after stepping down from a small wooden platform. After this single trial, no animal was tested for 2 days. On the fourth day, all animals were returned to the platform and their step-down latencies recorded. Animals were injected with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), an MSH-release inhibiting factor (MIF), or saline on acquisition day only, on extinction day only, on both acquisition and extinction day, or on all 4 days. The data showed that regardless of when MSH was injected, MSH resulted in increased resistance to extinction as evidenced by greater inhibitory performance when compared with rats injected with either MIF or saline. The results obtained with this modified procedure confirm that MSH can cause increased resistance to extinction and extend these findings to a pigmented strain of rats. Thus, it is unlikely that the effects of MSH on behavior are due to the inability of rats to inhibit a response.
Wie-Angle Sarse 3D Synthetic Aerture Radar Imaging for Nonlinear Flight Paths

Conventional three-dimensional (3D) Fourier synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging requires a collection of radar returns from multiple linear passes over a scene. Image resolution is improved by increasing the extent of these passes in azimuth and elevation. Hence, high resolution imagery requires large data collection times and storage capacity. In this work we investigate wide-angle 3D SAR image reconstruction for a sparse nonlinear collection path. This collection modality requires less data acquisition time and storage capacity than conventional linear collection. Images are reconstructed from measured radar returns using lscr1 -penalized least-squares inversion. An example is presented demonstrating that images with well-resolved features can be formed using data collected along a sparse nonlinear path.
Importance of electrogenic sodium pump in normal and overdriven sinoatrial pacemaker

Abstract Automatic cardiac cells can be electrically paced so that action potentials occur at a rate substantially faster than their normal spontaneous rate. Immediately following the cessation of pacing the spontaneous rate falls temporarily. This phenomenon of “overdrive suppression” or “postpacing inhibition” in atrial pacemakers has been previously attributed to acetylcholine release from autonomic nerve endings by the pacing stimulation. The experiments reported here were performed on strips of tissue from the dominant sinoatrial pacemaker of rabbit heart in the presence of 1.4 to 2.8 μ m atropine to block acetylcholine receptors. Under such conditions postpacing inhibition is still observed, but can be reversibly abolished by brief application of 10 −5 m ouabain. Ouabain application also produces a temporary increase in the spontaneous beat rate of sinoatrial node strips and is able to block the rate reduction observed when K + is restored after K + -free perfusion. The results suggest that a significant component of postpacing inhibition in rabbit sinoatrial node is due to an electrogenic Na + pump and that pacemaker rate can be directly affected by alterations in pump activity.
Jason's Reading—and Liking Himself Better!

The Process by which a vision and language impaired LD teenager learned to read beyond the word-calling stage during a six-week summer program
Mortality and ionising radiation exposures among workers employed at the Fernald Feed Materials Production Center (1951-1985).

Objectives To examine mortality patterns and dose-response relations between ionising radiation and mortality outcomes of a priori interest in 6409 uranium workers employed for at least 30 days (1951–1985), and followed through 2004. Methods Cohort mortality was evaluated through standardised mortality ratios (SMR). Linear excess relative risk (ERR) regression models examined associations between cause-specific mortality and exposures to internal ionising radiation from uranium deposition, external gamma and x-ray radiation, and radon decay products, while adjusting for non-radiologic covariates. Results Person-years at risk totalled 236 568 (mean follow-up 37 years), and 43% of the cohort had died. All-cause mortality was below expectation only in salaried workers. Cancer mortality was significantly elevated in hourly males, primarily from excess lung cancer (SMR=1.25, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.42). Cancer mortality in salaried males was near expectation, but lymphohaematopoietic malignancies were significantly elevated (SMR=1.52, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.12). A positive dose-response relation was observed for intestinal cancer, with a significant elevation in the highest internal organ dose category and a significant dose-response with organ dose from internal uranium deposition (ERR=1.5 per 100 μGy, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.1). Conclusions A healthy worker effect was observed only in salaried workers. Hourly workers had excess cancer mortality compared with the US population, although there was little evidence of a dose-response trend for any cancer evaluated except intestinal cancer. The association between non-malignant respiratory disease and radiation dose observed in previous studies was not apparent, possibly due to improved exposure assessment, different outcome groupings, and extended follow-up.
Observations of Beach Cusps at Mono Lake, California

Beach cusps, uniformly spaced mounds or ridges of sediments that trend at right angles to the shoreline, are observed at Mono Lake, California. The cusps have spacings ranging from 11 to 59 cm, making them some of the smallest examples of natural beach cusps that have been described in geologic literature. They possess all the features observed in the much larger cusps found on ocean beaches: the same basic morphology, similar sediment sorting, and the same water circulation about the cusps. They form best when the lake is essentially glassy smooth and only surging, nonbreaking waves arrive at the shoreline. It is concluded that edge waves, waves trapped by refraction to the nearshore, probably account for the cusp formation and rhythmic spacing.
The effect of embryonic death rates in cattle on the efficacy of estrus synchronization programs

Reproductive failure in inseminated cattle results from poor fertilization and embryo survival. Recent studies utilizing dairy and beef cattle indicate that fertilization rates are higher for nulliparous dairy and beef heifers and nonlactating beef cows than lactating beef and dairy cows and nonlactating dairy cows. Several factors affect fertilization rates, but the greatest impact was observed for high producing cows under heat stress, when fertilization was only 55%. Once fertilization has occurred, the fate of a successful pregnancy is then determined by the survival of the embryo and fetus. Losses of pregnancy are characterized by early embryonic death, which occurs prior to the period of corpus luteum (CL) maintenance in the cow at days 15-17 of the cycle, and late embryonic death, which occurs from CL maintenance to the end of the differentiation stage, at approximately 42 days of gestation. After 50 days of gestation, pregnancy losses are less frequent and characterize fetal death. Most pregnancy losses occur prior to the period of maintenance of the CL, but in high producing lactating dairy cattle, substantial losses continue to occur up to 42-56 days after insemination. Several factors affect pregnancy losses in cattle, such as compromised oocytes, which result in poorly developed embryos incapable of cross-talking with the endometrial epithelial cells, to inadequate uterine environment and infectious agents resulting in death of the embryo from undernourishment. Recently, studies have indicated that anovulation/anestrous, the metabolic status of the animal, some dietary ingredients, as well as occurrence of diseases, predispose the cow to experience embryonic and fetal death. Although some insemination protocols might impact embryo survival, when timed AI has been implemented properly, it has not influenced embryonic or fetal death in cattle. Improvements in reproductive programs in the future will have to focus on enhancing fertilization rates and minimizing embryonic losses to optimize conception rates in dairy and beef cattle.
Molecular biology of herbicides

One of the most dynamic areas of plant molecular biology is the investigation of the actions of three classes of herbicides: s-triazines (atrazine, simazine), glyphosate, and sulfonylureas (chlorsulfuron, sulfometuron methyl) (Figure 1). The results of this work are expected to provide the first significant applications of plant biotechnology: directly, in the genetic engineering of crop plants resistant to specific herbicides and, indirectly, in providing a molecular basis for the rational design of new herbicides for specific biological targets. s-Triazines affect photosynthesis by inhibiting the binding of quinones to the chloroplast membrane QB protein. An s-triazine resistant QB protein isolated from weeds in fields consistently treated with the herbicide has a serine in place of a glycine in this highly conserved protein. Glyphosate inhibits 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase), an enzyme in the aromatic amino acid biosynthetic pathway. Mutagenized bacteria produce a resistant EPSP synthase with a substitution of serine for proline. Sulfonylureas inhibit the acetolactate synthase (ALS) of bacteria, yeast, and higher plants; this enzyme catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of branched chain amino acids. Resistant ALS has been found in bacteria, yeast and tobacco with a proline substituted by serine in yeast ALS. These findings provide a strong basis for developing projected plant biotechnology applications.
A Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from the Cardamom Mountains, Southwestern Cambodia

Abstract We describe a collection of 78 species of amphibians and reptiles from the Cardamom Mountains, southwestern Cambodia. One frog (Calluella guttulata), six lizards (Draco taeniopterus, Dasia olivacea, Lygosoma bowringii, Scincella melanosticta, Sphenomorphus stellatum, and Ptychozoon lionotum), and four snakes (Boiga dendrophila, B. multomaculata, Rhabdophis nigrocinctus, and Xenochrophis trianguligerus) are reported from Cambodia for the first time. Anthopogenically modified environments contain mostly species having broad geographic ranges in Southeast Asia. However, the frog and lizard faunas of intact environments in the Cardamom Mountains are largely distinct from those in the mountainous areas of eastern Cambodia.
VirB12 is a serological marker of Brucella infection in experimental and natural hosts

The Brucella species type IV secretion system, encoded by the virB1-12 locus, is required for intracellular replication and persistent infection in vivo. The requirement of VirB proteins for infection suggests that they are expressed in vivo and may therefore represent serological markers of infection. To test this idea, we purified recombinant VirB1, VirB5, VirB11, and VirB12 and tested for their recognition by antibodies in sera from experimentally infected mice and goats by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody responses to VirB12 but not to VirB1, VirB5, or VirB11 were detected in 20/20 mice experimentally inoculated with Brucella abortus and 12/12 goats experimentally infected with Brucella melitensis. The potential use of VirB12 as a serological tool for the diagnosis of brucellosis was evaluated in the natural bovine host. Serum samples from 145 cattle of known serology (29% negative and 71% positive) were analyzed for the production of antibody responses to VirB12. One hundred two cattle samples (70.3%) were positive for antibodies to VirB12, while 43 samples were negative (29.7%). A positive serological response to VirB12 correlated with positive serology to whole B. abortus antigen in 99% of samples tested. These results show that VirB12 is expressed during infection of both experimental and natural hosts of Brucella species, and they suggest that VirB12 may be a useful serodiagnostic marker for brucellosis.
Juvenile recurrent respiratory papilloma: variable intersurgical intervals.

Objectives/hypothesis To analyze the patterns of surgical frequency in pediatric patients undergoing surgery with CO(2) laser ablation for juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP). The hypothesis is that over time there is a high variability in surgical frequency independent of the use of an adjuvant therapy. Study design Retrospective case review. Methods All pediatric patients treated surgically with the CO(2) laser for JORRP by two senior surgeons at a tertiary pediatric hospital over an 11-year period were evaluated. Regression analysis was performed. An online survey was conducted of the American Academy of Pediatric Otolaryngology membership on their practice patterns regarding JORRP. Results Twenty-nine patients were identified, and of those, 20 were included in regression analysis. Several distinct patterns were noted. Only five of the 20 patients (25%) had a constant rate of procedures throughout the observation period. Three (15%) of the patients had continual decrease and one (5%) of the patients had a continual increase in the surgical rate throughout the study period. Eleven (55%) had a fluctuation in the pattern of their recurrences. When queried on how they approach when to repeat intervention for JORRP patients, more than 16 responses were given, and the most common determinants included standard set interval, previous operative findings, and previous interval. Conclusions The natural fluctuation in intersurgical intervals without the use of any adjuvant therapy confounds the use of intersurgical interval as an outcome measure for the success of adjuvant therapy. Accelerations and decelerations were noted but cannot be explained.
Efficiency of gene silencing in Arabidopsis: direct inverted repeats vs. transitive RNAi vectors.

We investigated the efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi) in Arabidopsis using transitive and homologous inverted repeat (hIR) vectors. hIR constructs carry self-complementary intron-spliced fragments of the target gene whereas transitive vectors have the target sequence fragment adjacent to an intron-spliced, inverted repeat of heterologous origin. Both transitive and hIR constructs facilitated specific and heritable silencing in the three genes studied (AP1, ETTIN and TTG1). Both types of vectors produced a phenotypic series that phenocopied reduction of function mutants for the respective target gene. The hIR yielded up to fourfold higher proportions of events with strongly manifested reduction of function phenotypes compared to transitive RNAi. We further investigated the efficiency and potential off-target effects of AP1 silencing by both types of vectors using genome-scale microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR. The depletion of AP1 transcripts coincided with reduction of function phenotypic changes among both hIR and transitive lines and also showed similar expression patterns among differentially regulated genes. We did not detect significant silencing directed against homologous potential off-target genes when constructs were designed with minimal sequence similarity. Both hIR and transitive methods are useful tools in plant biotechnology and genomics. The choice of vector will depend on specific objectives such as cloningmore » throughput, number of events and degree of suppression required.« less
Blocked Pathways: FTIs Shut Down Oncogene Signals

Ras proteins play fundamental roles in cell signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and survival. ras mutations are among the most frequently encountered genetic abnormalities in human cancers and play a key role in tumorigenesis. The enzymatic attachment of a 15- or 20-carbon moiety to the Ras protein through farnesylation or geranylgeranylation, respectively, is a required step in the proper localization and activation of Ras. Inhibition of the catalytic enzymes, farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase, is a novel, mechanism-based, targeted approach to cancer therapy development. Geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitors suppress tumor growth by accumulating cells in the G(1)/S cell cycle phase. One mechanism by which farnesyl transferase inhibitors suppress tumor growth is by inhibiting bipolar spindle formation, thereby blocking progression from prophase to metaphase. Although the exact molecular target responsible for the antitumor activity of farnesyl transferase inhibitors is unclear, at least in some tumor cells, inhibition of phosphoinositide-3-OH kinase/Akt-mediated cell survival pathways may play a critical role. Identifying the farnesylated proteins that are targeted by farnesyl transferase inhibitors and the tumor molecular signatures that dictate which set of patients will respond to farnesyl transferase inhibitors are critical end points for future mechanistic studies.
Mechanisms of carcinogenesis inhibition by isothiocyanates

Epidemiological studies have suggested that frequent consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a decreased risk in various types of cancer. Cruciferous vegetables are commonly consumed foods that contain organosulfur compounds known as isothiocyanates. These compounds are potent inhibitors of chemically induced carcinogenesis in animals. Extensive work has been conducted to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the inhibition of carcinogenesis by isothiocyanates. These mechanisms include blocking the metabolic activation of the carcinogens by way of altering the enzymes involved in the process, induction of detoxification enzymes and induction of apoptosis. Since their mode of action is selective, the enzyme composition of the tissue and the inhibition or induction of the enzymes by the isothiocyanates will influence their chemopreventive activities. Isothiocyanates may potentially be beneficial in protecting against human carcinogenesis.
Novel telemedicine technologies in geriatric chronic non-cancer pain: primary care providers' perspectives.

Objective We sought to identify primary care providers' interest in, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators to, using novel telemedicine technologies (e.g., smartphones) for managing chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in older adults. Design Six focus groups were conducted with 25 primary care providers. Setting Two academically affiliated primary care practices serving older adults with CNCP in New York City. Methods The investigators used content analysis to analyze transcribed focus group data and identify specific themes. Results While most providers reported limited use of telemedicine, they expressed substantial interest in trying devices such as smartphones in the management of older patients with CNCP. Perceived barriers to implementation of telemedicine tools included information overload, lack of mobile device usability among patients and clinicians, liability issues, and cost. To overcome these barriers, participants suggested implementing electronic or human-based pre-analysis of data (e.g., a computer or a person that triages patient data), creating a low-cost and user-friendly mobile device design, and targeting appropriate user populations. Conclusions Primary care providers are interested in applying telemedicine when caring for older adults with CNCP. Although they perceived multiple barriers to device implementation, they offered innovative solutions to address these barriers. Providers felt that novel telemedicine technologies may improve the management of CNCP but wanted evidence that the devices were both cost- and time-efficient, and led to improved patient outcomes before adopting their use in practice.
A three-dimensional time-domain finite-element formulation for periodic structures

A formulation is presented for a three-dimensional time-domain finite-element method that can be used to analyze the scattering of a plane wave obliquely incident on a (doubly) infinite periodic structure using one unit cell. A broadband frequency response can be obtained in a single execution. The specifics of the method are shown for scattering problems, but it should be straightforward to extend it to radiation problems. The method solves for a transformed field variable (instead of solving directly for the electric field) in order to easily enable periodic boundary conditions in the time domain. The accuracy and stability of the method is demonstrated by a series of examples where the new formulation is compared with reference solutions. Accurate results are obtained when the excitation (frequency range) and the geometry are such that no higher order propagating Floquet modes are present. The accuracy is degraded in the presence of higher order propagating modes due to the rather simple absorbing boundary condition that is used with the present formulation. The method is found to be stable even for angles of incidence close to grazing.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is the main portal of entry into the cell for many soluble and membrane molecules. Clathrin-coated vesicles are formed from the plasma membrane in a sequence of coordinated protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions, starting with adaptor-mediated recruitment of clathrin to the membrane, proceeding to clathrin polymerization and assembly into deeply curved coated buds, and ending with the dynamin-dependent scission of a coated vesicle. Clathrin coats trap and concentrate endocytic cargo by using a multitude of adaptor proteins that recognize specific sequence motifs in the cytosolic domains of receptors and other transmembrane cargo molecules. Endocytic cargo that is concentrated in this manner, such as signaling receptors, may regulate the stability, size, and dynamics of individual clathrin coats and thereby influence endocytosis.
Analysis of confirmatory test results of anti-HIV screening positive samples

Objective:To study the relationship between the results of the primary screening test and the confirmatory test and provide a scientific evidence for the detection of HIV infection.Methods:The ELISA kit and rapid detection reagents were used for screening blood samples from 2003 to 2007 with HIV antibody and all the positive results must be confirmed by western blot assay.Results:Among 340 HIV antibody-positive samples from primary screening test,79 samples were confirmed to have been infected with HIV by western blot assay.The confirmed positive rate of samples whose primary screening test results were all positive by using at least two kinds of screening reagents for anti-HIV detection was 86.8%,while that of samples whose primary screening test results were inconsistent by using two kinds of screening reagents with different principles was 0%.Conclusion:The results between the primary screening test for anti-HIV detection by using two kinds of screening reagents with different principles and the western blot assay are correlative.Confirmation of HIV infection relies on WB.
Observation of Curative Effect of Combined Use of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

Objective To observe the clinical effectiveness of combined use of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases.Methods 90 cases of patients with chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases were divided randomly into three groups:western medicine group,traditional chinese medicine group and combined use of traditional chinese and western medicine group.30 cases of westernmedicine group accepted ceftriaxone sodium and metronidazole,one time each day.30 cases of traditional chinese medicine group accepted retention enema of sargentgloryvine stem rancidness sauce powder,one time each day.Combined use of traditional Chinese and Western medicine group received acupuncture points treatment based on the above.The curative effect was observed.Results The curative effect of combined use of traditional chinese and western medicine group was much better than that of western medicine group,traditional chinese medicine group(P0.05).Conclusion The treatment program of combined use of traditional chinese and western medicine has satisfacting curative effect to chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases.It has clinical value.
Cartilaginous Tracheobronchial Ectopia in the Esophageal Wall(A Report of 5 Cases)

Objective To explore the value of barium meal examination in cartilagionous tracheobronchial ectopia of the esophageal wall.Methods 5 cases of cartilaginous tracheobronchial ectopia in the esophageal wall were found by barium meal examination,all 5 cases were confirmed operatively and pathologically.Results All the 5 cases showed stenosis in the lower part of the esophagus,the “pendulum-like” sign below the stenosis was seen in 4 ases . Conclusion The radiologic manifestations of cartilaginous tracheobronchial ectopia in the esophageal wall are characteristic,and the correct diagnosis may be established preoperatively.
Developmental characteristics of lower esophageal sphincter function: a possible mechanism for infantile chalasia.

The developmental characteristics of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function were investigated in the opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Animals at 35 days and 84 days had LES pressures of 4.3 ± 0.9 mm Hg (mean ± sem ), and 12.6 ± 1.7 mm Hg, respectively, as compared with 28.0 ± 2.9 mm Hg in adult animals. Dose-response curves to gastrin I were displaced to the right and reduced in maximum response in the younger animals. The maximum percentage of LES response to norepinephrine was similar in all animals. Studies in vitro demonstrated that the maximum response of LES muscle to acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and KCl depolarization were similar when the responses were corrected for differences in muscle weight. The response to gastrin I was reduced in muscle from the younger animals. These studies suggested that the reduced LES pressure in the young opossum was associated with both a diminution in muscle mass and a reduced response to gastrin I. These developmental changes in the LES may provide a physiological explanation for chalasia of infancy.
Parameter Values for Epidemiological Models of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Swine

In the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) incursion, response strategies are required to control, contain and eradicate the pathogen as efficiently as possible. Infectious disease simulation models are widely used tools that mimic disease dispersion in a population and that can be useful in the design and support of prevention and mitigation activities. However, there are often gaps in evidence-based research to supply models with quantities that are necessary to accurately reflect the system of interest. The objective of this study was to quantify values associated with the duration of the stages of FMD infection (latent period, subclinical period, incubation period, and duration of infection), probability of transmission (within-herd and between-herd via spatial spread), and diagnosis of a vesicular disease within a herd using a meta-analysis of the peer-reviewed literature and expert opinion. The latent period ranged from 1 to 7 days and incubation period ranged from 1 to 9 day; both were influenced by strain. In contrast, the subclinical period ranged from 0 to 6 days and was influenced by sampling method only. The duration of infection ranged from 1 to 10 days. The probability of spatial spread between an infected and fully susceptible swine farm was estimated as greatest within 5 km of the infected farm, highlighting the importance of possible long-range transmission through the movement of infected animals. Lastly, while most swine practitioners are confident in their ability to detect a vesicular disease in an average sized swine herd, a small proportion expect that up to half of the herd would need to show clinical signs before detection via passive surveillance would occur. The results of this study will be useful in within- and between-herd simulation models to develop efficient response strategies in the event an FMD in swine populations of disease-free countries or regions.
Overview of cardiovascular nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.

Cardiovascular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging can frequently give information equivalent to echocardiography, radionuclide studies, or x-ray angiography but cost, long imaging times, and lack of portability have discouraged widespread use. To date, NMR has not replaced standard imaging modalities in the evaluation of most cardiovascular disease states although it appears to have a unique role in the delineation of great vessel pathology, the evaluation of congenital heart disease, and the delineation of cardiac and paracardiac masses.
Direct observation of toughening and R -curve behavior in carbon nanotube reinforced silicon nitride

Abstract The efficacy of toughening in nanoscale ceramic composites is currently controversial, in part because indentation based fracture toughness measurements are not reliable in these materials. To explore the relevant mechanisms, in situ mechanical testing was used to investigate carbon nanotube reinforced silicon nitride. Nanoindentation of microcantilever beams (cut with a focused ion beam) made it possible to probe fracture and notch sensitivity. Stable crack growth was directly observed with this approach. The measured R -curve for these composites was obtained from analysis of these data. These results provide direct evidence of significant toughening enhancements in a carbon nanotube reinforced ceramic composite.
Antibothrus morimotoi Sasaji, an Old World cocoon-forming beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea: Bothrideridae) newly established in North America.

Antibothrus morimotoi Sasaji, a cocoon-forming beetle (Coccinelloidea: Bothrideridae) native to the Palearctic region, is newly reported from North America. In 2013 and 2015, several series of specimens were collected during an ongoing USDA/APHIS/PPQ exotic bark beetle survey in Franklin County, Ohio, U.S.A. This is the first confirmed record of the species and genus in the New World. The capture of these specimens suggests that the beetle is established in the greater Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area.
Rational Suicide and the Law

When therapists encounter elderly patients who express an apparently rational desire to end their lives, they will very likely have legal concerns about their management of such patients. While those who end their own lives have committed no crime, those who assist them in doing so may be held criminally liable for doing so. Assisting a suicide usually means that a person has actively provided the means for someone to end his life. It does not include discussing suicidal thoughts or plans. As five states have legalized physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill under certain conditions, some suicides are rational and legally acceptable. Therapists face some risk of being held civilly liable when treating competent elderly persons who have expressed a desire to end their lives, but this risk can be managed by careful professional practice.
A Personal Tribute to Walter Kohn on His 80th Birthday

I first met Walter Kohn in 1963 when I was a fresh PhD spending a postdoc year in Paris at the Ecole Normale Superieure in the group of Philippe Nozieres. As it happened, Walter was also spending time at the Ecole Normale and conditions being what they were I was privileged to share an office with Walter during an extended period. If I remember correctly, this relatively large space was Philippe’s own office and even if it wasn’t I remember it to have been a general meeting place and thoroughfare, a little bit like trying to think deep thoughts in the middle of Times Square.
Transfer to High-Volume Centers Associated With Reduced Mortality After Endovascular Treatment of Acute Stroke.

Background and Purpose— Some have argued that it may be beneficial to expand the availability of endovascular revascularization services to lower-volume hospitals to minimize the morbidity associated with transfer to larger endovascular centers. We compared the outcomes after revascularization of patients directly admitted to a low-volume center and those transferred to a high-volume center. Methods— We searched a national database of hospital-reported outcomes for patients who underwent endovascular revascularization for acute ischemic stroke. Hospitals were categorized as low, medium, or high procedural volume hospitals. Outcomes of inpatient admissions were collected and compared on the basis of admission source and hospital procedural volume. Results— A total of 118 institutions with 8533 patients were included. Mortality rate (14.9% versus 18.6%; P =0.049) and mortality index (1.1 versus 1.6; P =0.048) were significantly lower among directly admitted relative to transferred patients. For all patients, there were significant differences in institutional mortality rate (low: 19.7%, medium: 14.9%, high: 9.8%; P =0.003) and mortality index (low: 1.5, medium: 1.1, high: 0.8; P =0.004) between low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals. For transferred patients to high-volume centers, both mortality rate (high: 10.0% versus low: 20.4%; P =0.005) and mortality index (high: 0.8 versus low: 1.5; P =0.034) were significantly lower than that observed for directly admitted patients to low-volume hospitals. Conclusions— We report a beneficial effect of treatment at high-volume hospitals in spite of the detrimental effects of transfer. These findings argue for the centralization of care.
Editor's Highlight: Base Excision Repair Variants and Pesticide Exposure Increase Parkinson's Disease Risk

Exposure to certain pesticides induces oxidative stress and increases Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage is found in dopaminergic neurons in idiopathic PD and following pesticide exposure in experimental models thereof. Base excision repair (BER) is the major pathway responsible for repairing oxidative DNA damage in cells. Whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BER genes alone or in combination with pesticide exposure influence PD risk is unknown. We investigated the contributions of functional SNPs in 2 BER genes (APEX1 and OGG1) and mitochondrial dysfunction- or oxidative stress-related pesticide exposure, including paraquat, to PD risk. We also studied the effect of paraquat on levels of mtDNA damage and mitochondrial bioenergetics. 619 PD patients and 854 population-based controls were analyzed for the 2 SNPs, APEX1 rs1130409 and OGG1 rs1052133. Ambient pesticide exposures were assessed with a geographic information system. Individually, or in combination, the BER SNPs did not influence PD risk. Mitochondrial-inhibiting (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.32, 2.42]), oxidative stress-inducing pesticides (OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.22, 2.11]), and paraquat (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.23, 1.93]) were associated with PD. Statistical interactions were detected, including for a genetic risk score based on rs1130409 and rs1052133 and oxidative stress inducing pesticides, where highly exposed carriers of both risk genotypes were at the highest risk of PD (OR = 2.21, 95% CI [1.25, 3.86]); similar interactions were estimated for mitochondrial-inhibiting pesticides and paraquat alone. Additionally, paraquat exposure was found to impair mitochondrial respiration and increase mtDNA damage in in vivo and in vitro systems. Our findings provide insight into possible mechanisms involved in increased PD risk due to pesticide exposure in the context of BER genotype variants.
See the Triumph Survivor Advocacy Training Program: Equipping survivors of abuse to engage in social justice advocacy

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) continues to represent a critical public health issue that affects individuals across the globe, irrespective of race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. As a result, individual and community-based advocacy efforts are desperately needed to combat the negative repercussions of IPV. This article outlines the development of the See the Triumph Survivor Advocacy Training Program, a community-based advocacy intervention program for survivors of IPV.
“We Know People by Their Stories”: Madness, Babies, and Dolls in Edwidge Danticat’s Krik? Krak!

Raquel D. Kennon examines the nexus between writing, mothering, and the displacement of the Haitian diaspora through madness. Kennon argues that these matrilineal stories register madness not as a disease or impairment of mental functioning for the central female characters. Instead, these narratives can be perceived as strategies that map how women mentally distance themselves from the mayhem by which they are surrounded, including the often horrendous quotidian realities of life under dictatorship. Most strikingly, madness emerges in the thorny boundary between those alive and dead, and even the confusion between the corpse of a human baby girl and a baby doll. The inability or refusal to distinguish between the animate and the inanimate allows the women to exert some measure of creative control over the trauma in their environments through the process of (re)fabrication. The slippage between a person and thing problematizes what it means to live in a state of political unrest.
Determination of Retinal Position with Binocular lmages

The afterimage method has the advantage that it gives us information about any movement of the line of sight and about the position change of each single retina. But because it is indeed not exact enough to answer specific questions which can be asked in the interest of the theory of binocular vision, I have performed my investigations with another method which gives very exact results where the experiments with afterimages are inadequate. I have already described this in its basic outlines (18) and simultaneously indicated small deviations from Listing’s Law which I found with it. Later Volkmann and Helmholtz (16) also used this method.
REGULATION OF LIGHT ABSORPTION IN THE PIGMENTED RAT RETINA

Earlier work from our laboratory showed that retinal rods of albino rats closely regulate the number of photons they absorb. This “photostasis number” is maintained at about 1016 per eye per day, regardless of the light intensity in the habitat or day length. We showed that the retina is plastic and that the regulation is achieved by modification of the optical density of rod cells.
Automating functional programming for micro-based boards

This paper discusses a new concept in the creation of functional test plans for microprocessor-based boards -- Automated Functional Program Generation. The success of this technique depends on the addition of Pus Cycle Fmulation capability to today's functional board testers. A combination of hardware and software which provides this capabili ty is discussed, and a comparison to other techniques is made.
Some Non-Homogeneous Deformations of Isotropic Incompressible Bodies

The infinitesimal theory of elasticity for static deformations subject to boundary tractions alone is governed by NAVIER’s equation: $$graddiv\mathop u\limits_ \sim + \alpha \Delta \mathop u\limits_ \sim = \mathop 0\limits_ \sim ,$$ (13.1) where ṵ is the displacement vector and α is a material coefficient. The solution ṵ of a particular boundary-value problem generally depends upon α: $$\mathop u\limits_ \sim = \mathop u\limits_ \sim \left( {\mathop x\limits_ \sim ,\alpha } \right).$$ (13.2)
Factors affecting the transformation of 'Marshall McIntosh' apple by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The goal of this research was to develop an efficient transformation system for 'Marshall McIntosh' apple. To determine the optimum combination of agar and Gelrite gelling agents in the media to maximize regeneration and minimize hyperhydicity (vitrification), the following combinations of agar (A)+Gelrite (G) in g l-1 were tested: 7.0 A+0 G; 5.2 A+0.6 G; 3.5 A+2.5 G; 1.7 A+1.8 G; and 0 A+2.5 G. Both 5.2 A+0.6 G and 3.5 A+1.2 G provided greatest regeneration of healthy non-hyperhydric shoots. To determine the optimal concentration of aminoglycoside for the selection and regeneration of transgenic 'Marshall McIntosh' on agar-Gelrite-based media, kanamycin was tested at 0, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg l-1, and paromomycin was tested at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg l-1. Kanamycin was more effective than paromomycin in the initial selection of transgenics. For selection of transformants of 'Marshall McIntosh', the use of kanamycin at 25 mg l-1on 5.2 A+0.6 G solidified medium is suggested. By optimizing the medium and selection conditions, a protocol was developed that resulted in four transgenic lines as confirmed by a GUS assay, NPT II ELISA, PCR, and Southern analysis. In repeated experiments with this protocol, transformation efficiencies of 3.1 and 2.6% were obtained.
Can Growth of Seed-propagated Oaks be Predicted before Lining out in Nursery Rows?

Growth rates of nursery-grown oaks (Quercus L.) vary considerably, and many oak species are not commonly grown because of slow growth when young. A method for rapid screening of young oak seedlings to predict potential growth in a production nursery was investigated. Acorns from single maternal trees of four Virginia-native oak species, Quercus montana Wild. (chestnut oak), Quercus palustris Munchh. (pin oak), Quercus velutina Lam. (black oak), and Quercus alba L. (white oak) were collected in Blacksburg, VA, in the fall of 1999 and subjected to stratification (moist-chilling) at 5C (41F). Single acorns were then planted in individual cells of 50-cell liner trays and grown in a heated greenhouse until individual seedlings had set first buds. Height at first budset was recorded for individual seedlings. Trees were then transplanted into 3.8 liter (#1) black plastic containers and grown outdoors in Blacksburg, VA, until June 2001, when they were transplanted to field soil. All trees were grown in the ground...
Control of Singlet Emission Energy in a Diphenyloxadiazole Containing Fluorophore Leading To Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence.

2-(4-(9,9-Dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)phenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole has an energy difference between the lowest excited singlet and triplet states (ΔEST) of ca. 0.24 eV. Introduction of two electronegative fluorine atoms onto the acceptor portion of the molecule to give 2-(4-(9,9-dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)-3,5-difluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole lowers the energy of the singlet emission with a negligible effect on the corresponding triplet energy, leading to a donor–acceptor compound with decreased ΔEST of ca. 0.13 eV that displays thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Organic light-emitting diodes fabricated using the latter compound display high EQEmax of 21.9% at a luminance of 10 cd/m2 and sky-blue emission, however, they suffer from a large efficiency roll-off at increased luminance.
Lincoln and the Democrats: The Politics of Opposition in the Civil War

Review of: Lincoln and the Democrats: The Politics of Opposition in the Civil War, by Mark E. Neely Jr.