cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic methotrexate absorption in a patient receiving intrathecal chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Approximately 3–7% of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have central nervous system (CNS) involvement at diagnosis. Due to limited penetration of cytostatic drugs across the blood-brai...
The effects of methylamine osmolytes on the cytoskeleton microtubule assembly

16 Introduction 17 Materials and Methods 20 Results 23 Discussion 33 Acknowledgments 37 References 37 CHAPTER 3: TRIMTHYLAMINE N-OXIDE CAN PROMOTE 39 PHOSPHORYLATED TAU-TUBULIN ASSEMBLY Abstract 39 Introduction 41 Materials and Methods 4439 Introduction 41 Materials and Methods 44
Commuter Exposure Modeling Part I: Overview and Transportation Module

Abstract Recent concern over commuter exposure to high levels of roadway-related air pollutants, the projected increase in the number of diesel-powered passenger vehicles, and the demonstrated inadequacy of fixed monitoring stations in replicating commuter exposure have prompted research in this area. This paper presents the development of new methodological tools for identifying, predicting, and analyzing commuter exposure to motor vehicle generated air pollutants. Commuter exposure modeling is of interest to those involved in regulation, monitoring, planning, and health effects research. The approach was to build a methodology based on three distinct modules treating traffic flow, emissions, and dispersion. This paper deals in detail with the first module; the second two are discussed in “Part II: Emissions and Dispersion Modules and Generation of Exposure Statistics.”
Long-term effects of tree expansion and reduction on soil climate in a semiarid ecosystem

In sagebrush ecosystems, pinyon and juniper tree expansion reduces water available to perennial shrubs and herbs. We measured soil water matric potential and temperatures at 13-30 and 50-65 cm soil depths in untreated and treated plots across a range of environmental conditions. We sought to determine the effects of tree expansion, tree reduction treatments, and expansion phase at time of treatment over 12-13 yr post-treatment. Because the effects of tree reduction on vegetation can vary with the soil temperature/ moisture regime, we also analyzed differences in soil climate variables between the mesic/aridic-xeric and frigid/xeric regime classifications for our sites. Growing conditions during all seasons except spring were greatly limited by lack of available water, low temperatures, or both. Advanced tree expansion reduced wet days (total hours per 24 hr when hourly average soil water matric potential >_1.5 MPa), especially in early spring. Fire and mechanical tree reduction increased wet days and wet degree days (sum of hourly soil temperatures >0°C when soil is wet per 24 hr) compared with no treatment for most seasons. Burning resulted in higher soil temperatures than untreated or mechanically treated woodlands. Tree reduction at advanced expansion phases increased wet days in spring more than when implemented at earlier phases of expansion. Added wet days from tree reduction were negatively associated with October through June precipitation and vegetation cover, rather than time since treatment, with more wet days added on drier sites and years. The longer period of water availability in spring supports increased growth and cover of not only shrubs and perennial herbs, but also invasive weeds on warmer and drier sites, for many years after tree reduction. We found that sites classified as mesic/aridic-xeric had warmer soil temperatures all seasons and were drier in spring and winter than sites classified as frigid/xeric. Land managers should consider reducing trees at earlier phases of expansion or consider revegetation when treating at advanced phases on these warmer and drier sites that lack perennial herb potential.
Inverse Correlation of TRIM32 and Protein Kinase C ζ in T Helper Type 2-Biased Inflammation.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a T helper (Th)2-biased disease with elevated expression of Th2 cytokines that responds to Th2 signaling blockade. TRIM32 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase with innate antiviral activity. In our previous studies, we showed that Trim32 null mice developed Th2-biased skin inflammation in response to imiquimod and associated a low level of TRIM32 with AD. In this study, we provide evidence that TRIM32 deficiency contributes to enhanced Th2 cell differentiation in vitro. Analysis of TRIM32-associated proteins from public databases identified protein kinase C (PKC)ζ as a TRIM32-associated protein that contributes to the regulation of Th2 signaling. We demonstrated that PKCζ was specifically ubiquitinated by TRIM32 and, further, that PKCζ stability tended to be increased in Th2 cells with a Trim32 null background. Furthermore, Prkcz null mice showed compromised AD-like phenotypes in the MC903 AD model. Consistently, a high PKCζ and low TRIM32 ratio was associated with CD4+ cells in AD human skin compared with those in healthy controls. Taken together, these findings suggest that TRIM32 functions as a regulator of PKCζ that controls the differentiation of Th2 cells important for AD pathogenesis.
Differential Production and Secretion of Potentially Toxigenic Extracellular Proteins from Hypervirulent Aeromonas hydrophila Under Biofilm and Planktonic Culture

Hypervirulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) is an emerging pathogen in freshwater aquaculture that results in the loss of over 3 million pounds of marketable channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and channel catfish hybrids (I. punctatus, ♀ x blue catfish, I. furcatus, ♂) each year from freshwater catfish production systems in Alabama, U.S.A. vAh isolates are clonal in nature and are genetically unique from, and significantly more virulent than, traditional A. hydrophila isolates from fish. Even with the increased virulence, natural infections cannot be reproduced in aquaria challenges making it difficult to determine modes of infection and the pathophysiology behind the devastating mortalities that are commonly observed. Despite the intimate connection between environmental adaptation and plastic response, the role of environmental adaption on vAh pathogenicity and virulence has not been previously explored. In this study, secreted proteins of vAh cultured as free-living planktonic cells and within a biofilm were compared to elucidate the role of biofilm growth on virulence. Functional proteolytic assays found significantly increased degradative activity in biofilm secretomes; in contrast, planktonic secretomes had significantly increased hemolytic activity, suggesting higher toxigenic potential. Intramuscular injection challenges in a channel catfish model showed that in vitro degradative activity translated into in vivo tissue destruction. Identification of secreted proteins by HPLC-MS/MS revealed the presence of many putative virulence proteins under both growth conditions. Biofilm grown vAh produced higher levels of proteolytic enzymes and adhesins, whereas planktonically grown cells secreted higher levels of toxins, porins, and fimbrial proteins. This study is the first comparison of the secreted proteomes of vAh when grown in two distinct ecological niches. These data on the adaptive physiological response of vAh based on growth condition increase our understanding of how environmental niche partitioning could affect vAh pathogenicity and virulence. Increased secretion of colonization factors and degradative enzymes during biofilm growth and residency may increase bacterial attachment and host invasiveness, while increased secretion of hemolysins, porins, and other potential toxins under planktonic growth (or after host invasion) could result in increased host mortality. The results of this research underscore the need to use culture methods that more closely mimic natural ecological habitat growth to improve our understanding of vAh pathogenesis.
Modulation of Retinal Atrophy With Rituximab in Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of rituximab on retinal atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), we performed serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans among a cohort of patients with RRMS on rituximab and compared rates of ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) atrophy to those observed among age- and sex-matched glatiramer acetate (GA)–and natalizumab-treated patients with RRMS and healthy controls (HCs). Methods In this observational study, patients with RRMS treated with a single disease-modifying therapy and HCs were followed with serial OCT for a median duration of 2.8 years. Participants with uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or glaucoma, and eyes with optic neuritis ≤6 months prior to baseline OCT, or during follow-up, were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed-effects regression. Results During the overall follow-up period, rates of GCIPL atrophy were −0.28 ± 0.11 µm/y among rituximab-treated patients with RRMS (n = 35). This was similar to GA-treated (n = 49; −0.33 ± 0.05 µm/y; p = 0.69) and natalizumab-treated patients (n = 88; −0.17 ± 0.10 µm/y; p = 0.13) and faster than HCs (n = 78; −0.15 ± 0.03 µm/y; p = 0.006). Rituximab-treated patients exhibited 0.55 ± 0.23 µm/y faster rates of GCIPL atrophy during the first 12 months of treatment, relative to afterwards (n = 25; p = 0.02), during which period GCIPL atrophy rates were −0.14 ± 0.13 µm/y. Conclusions Retinal atrophy in RRMS is modulated by rituximab. Greater attenuation of retinal atrophy may occur after 12 months of rituximab treatment, following which time GCIPL atrophy rates are similar to those observed among natalizumab-treated patients with RRMS and HCs. Our findings raise the possibility that the neuroprotective therapeutic response with rituximab in RRMS may take up to 12 months, which should be confirmed by larger studies. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class IV evidence on the difference in rate of change of the GCIPL thickness in patients with RRMS comparing rituximab to other disease-modifying therapies.
Continuous unobtrusive assessment of meaningful change in older adults with cancer: The Pacific Aging & Cancer Study Collaborative—PACS collaborative.

1569Background: Knowledge of changes in health that precede a cancer diagnosis is challenging because of a lack of longitudinal, objective measurement techniques. Current approaches rely on periodi...
Open versus minimally invasive small bowel resection for Crohn's disease: a NSQIP retrospective review and analysis.

INTRODUCTION Many patients with Crohn's Disease will require surgical resection. While many studies have described outcomes following ileocecectomy, few have evaluated surgical resection of other portions of small bowel. We sought to compare open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches for small bowel resection excluding ileocecectomy of patients with Crohn's Disease using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. METHODS The NSQIP database was queried for patients with Crohn's disease or complications related to Crohn's disease who underwent segmental small bowel resection utilizing open or minimally invasive approaches between 2012 and 2018. Patients requiring ileocecectomy or diagnosed with ascites, disseminated cancer, pre-operative sepsis, ASA class 5, and patients requiring mechanical ventilation were excluded. The association of pre-operative variables including patient demographic information and comorbidities with surgical approach were examined using Fishers exact test. Intraoperative, and 30-day post-operative outcomes were compared between the groups using both univariate and multivariate logistical regression models. SAS was used for data analysis with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS After exclusions, we found 1697 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent segmental small bowel resection, 1252 of whom underwent open surgery and 445 of whom underwent MIS. After adjusting for possible confounders with multivariable analysis, patients who underwent MIS had a lower incidence of wound events (surgical site, organ space, or deep wound infection, or dehiscence), post-operative bleeding, need for return to the operating room, and shorter total hospital length of stay despite longer operative times compared with open surgery. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective review of NSQIP shows that minimally invasive small bowel resection is associated with equivalent or improved morbidity over open surgery in select patients with small bowel Crohn's Disease. We show that in select patients minimally invasive small bowel resection can be safe and performed for patients with isolated small bowel Crohn's disease.
Nonoperative Management of Bilateral Adrenal Incidentalomas: The Value of Restraint

Incidentally identifiedadrenalnodules are seenbilaterally in asmany as 17%of patients as reported in Pasternak et al.1 The management of patients with bilateral incidentalomas presents a clinical challenge and is optimized with a multidisciplinary andexperienced approach that is highlighted beautifully in this high-volume tertiary-center study.1 All study patients were evaluated in a multidisciplinary forum inclusive of endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons, and radiologists. Using an objective algorithmic approach, Pasternak et al1 found that 30% of patients with bilateral incidentalomas had hormonal hypersecretion. Compared with unilateral incidentalomas, bilateral incidentalomaswere particularly associated with a significantly higher prevalence of subclinical Cushing syndrome (21.7%vs6.2%). Becauseof the presenceof bilateral adrenal lesions, noneof thepatientshave yet had surgical treatment and follow-up is ongoing, but the results suggest that, with amean follow-up of 4.6 years, a benigncourse is the rule and thatmildhypercortisolismdoesnot progress discernably. The natural history of patients with asymptomatic hypercortisolism is poorly understood as a result of the imprecise thresholds used to define autonomous hypercortisol production and owing to ill-defined outcome measures.2 The study results thus also emphasize that better quality data for patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome will be essential to guide future management algorithms, including indications for surgery when both adrenals are incidentally abnormal on imaging. Also very laudable in this report1 is the use of adrenal imagingenhancementcharacteristics toguideappropriate surgical management of patients with pheochromocytoma and bilateral adrenal lesions. Adrenal imaging characteristics (including low-densityonunenhancedcomputedtomography, the lossof signal onout-of-phasemagnetic resonance images, and the rapid washout of contrast on computed tomographywith delayed imaging)havebeenshowntobehighlyassociatedwith benign, lipid-rich adenomas.3,4 The interpretation of these imaging features should be a routine component of the evaluationof adrenal lesions and, inPasternaket al,1 allowed for the lateralization of a pheochromocytoma to the left side while avoiding the use of costly and often unnecessary additional imaging, such as metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy. The evaluation of patientswith bilateral adrenal incidentalomas is considerablymore nuanced than the evaluation of patients with an isolated unilateral incidentaloma. Surgery is not always indicated even with biochemical documentation ofhormonalhypersecretion.Amultidisciplinaryapproachcan help us appropriately identify those patients who do require an adrenalectomy, and the findings of this report1 exemplify objectively that restraint can often be the better part of valor.
Texture segmentation using iterative estimate of energy states

A hidden Markov model (HMM) is combined with texture energy transformation to segment textured regions in digital images. Each textured region in an image is modeled as a hidden state of the hidden Markov chain. The probabilistic output at a hidden state is a linear combination of texture energy measurements. The Baum-Welch algorithms is used to estimate the HMM parameters successively. This texture segmentation technique does not depend on prior knowledge of the textural content of the images. Seven masks are used to measure texture energy. To reduce the dependency of a priori choice of the masks used in measuring the energy, two approaches are used: the Karhunen-Loeve transform on texture energy vectors and a double median filter across the estimated edges produced by each mask, and across the masks. This combination of HMM and texture energy works satisfactorily when the test images respond favorably to at least two masks. Some experimental results are presented. >
Age-related loss of neurotrophic signaling at the diaphragm muscle (871.4)

The age-related mechanisms of diaphragm muscle (DIAm) sarcopenia are largely unknown. We hypothesize that sarcopenia may be related to neurotrophic signaling, specifically that of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) acting through the high-affinity tropomyosin-related kinase receptor subtype B (TrkB). In total 47, adult male TrkBF616A mice were examined at 6, 18, and 24 months of age (mo), representing survival rates of 100, 90, and 75%. At each age, ex vivo contractility of the DIAm was assessed to determine maximal force as well DIAm-phrenic nerve neuromuscular transmission failure under the following preincubation conditions; control (vehicle) solution, BDNF, 1NMPP1 (inhibiting TrkB kinase activity), or co-treatment of BDNF and 1NMPP1. Specific DIAm maximal twitch and isometric tetanic force, in addition to fatigue index were all negatively impacted at 24 mo (P≤0.02). A significant interaction between age and neurotrophic treatment was found for DIAm-phrenic nerve neuromuscular transmission ...
Bayesian Blocks: Divide and Conquer, MCMC, and Cell Coalescence Approaches

Identification of local structure in intensive data -- such as time series, images, and higher dimensional processes -- is an important problem in astronomy. Since the data are typically generated by an inhomogeneous Poisson process, an appropriate model is one that partitions the data space into cells, each of which is described by a homogeneous (constant event rate) Poisson process. It is key that the sizes and locations of the cells are determined by the data, and are not predefined or even constrained to be evenly spaced. For one-dimensional time series, the method amounts to Bayesian changepoint detection. Three approaches to solving the multiple changepoint problem are sketched, based on: (1) divide and conquer with single changepoints, (2) maximum posterior for the number of changepoints, and (3) cell coalescence. The last method starts from the Voronoi tessellation of the data, and thus should easily generalize to spaces of higher dimension.
Julgoldite, the Fe+2−Fe+3 dominant pumpellyite: A new mineral from Långban, Sweden

Abstract Julgoldite, (Ca, Mn)2(Fe+2,Fe+3,Mg) (Fe+3, Al)2(SiO4)(Si2O7) (OH)2(H2O), is the Fe+2−Fe+3 member of the pumpellyite group occuring as a new fissure mineral from the ‘Amerika’ stope, Langban, Sweden. It occurs as black bladed crystals, H =4 1 2 , cleavage a {100} good, streak and powder greenish-olive with a bluish tinge. The structure cell data indicate an isomorphous member of the pumpellyite group, with ϱ=3.602 gm/cc , a=8.92, b=6.09, c=19.37 A , β=97°30′, Z =4 , space group A2/m.
Short-Term Effects of Relamorelin on Descending Colon Motility in Chronic Constipation: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

The pentapeptide ghrelin agonist, relamorelin, accelerates colonic transit in patients with chronic constipation (CC). In a murine model, relamorelin decreased excitability of colonic circular smooth muscle cells and colonic intraluminal pressure. To determine short-term effects of relamorelin on colonic motility measured by barostat and multilumen manometry in CC. In a placebo-controlled, single-dose, double-blind, randomized study in patients with CC, we investigated the motor effects of relamorelin, 100 μg, SQ (12 patients) compared to placebo SQ (six patients). A motility-barostat balloon assembly was used to measure colonic compliance; tone and phasic pressure activity were measured before and after a 1000-kcal milkshake meal (administered ~60 min post-medication). Overall “background” phasic pressure activity was assessed by: average amplitude and motility index (MI = ln[sum amplitudes × #contractions + 1]) over defined periods. High-amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs) were characterized by amplitude >75 mmHg and propagating contractions >50 mmHg; both were propagated over at least 10 cm. Postprandial HAPCs were the primary end point. The study sample had 80 % power to detect an increase of 3.3 HAPCs in the hour post-meal. Relamorelin, 100 μg, significantly induced more pre-meal propagated contractions [PCs of either >50 or >75 mmHg] compared to placebo (p 50 or >75 mmHg than placebo. Relamorelin did not significantly alter colonic compliance, fasting or postprandial phasic pressure activity (20 min pre-meal fasting MI) or tone, and 60 min postprandial phasic pressure amplitude or MI, or tone. Relamorelin stimulates propagated colonic contractions without alteration of background irregular contractions in CC. ClinicalTrial.Gov registration number: NCT 01781104.
Trigonal Crystal-Field Energy Levels of Sm 3+ in CaF 2 (Type I)

Approximate first-order trigonal crystal-field-split energy levels are derived and fitted theoretically for the Sm3+-in-CaF2 (Type I) 6H7/2, 6H9/2, and 6H11/2 states of the ground multiplet involved in fluorescence. Crystal-field theory and the Stevens method are employed in this derivation. The resulting energy deviation between the first-order theoretical levels and the empirically derived levels is within 42 cm−1 for 14 of the 15 levels involved under the assumption of a constancy of the six trigonal crystal-field parameters. Tables are given of the resulting approximate values of the crystal-field parameters, level energies, and eigenfunctions.
Fixed cost of work and the demand for lotteries

Abstract A fixed cost of work is sufficient to induce risk-averse individuals, who obey the expected utility hypothesis, to demand lotteries. The critical assumption needed to generate this demand is that leisure is a normal good.
Performance of older Japanese American adults on selected cognitive instruments.

This study examined cognitive test performance of second- and third-generation Japanese American (JA) adults, a relatively homogeneous Asian American subgroup. Sixty-five JA and 65 non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults, ages between 45 and 91, were administered the Boston Naming Test-2 (BNT), Letter Fluency Test, Semantic Fluency Test, California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), and Trail Making Test. Levels of acculturation, quality of educational attainment, and generation status in the United States, were also collected. There were no significant differences in the scores between the two groups on the tests administered. JA and NHW groups, however, differed in the patterns of the associations between some of the test performance and demographic variables. JA adults showed a stronger age-score relationship on BNT, CVLT, and the BVMT-R. Furthermore, second-generation JA adults performed lower than the third-generation adults even after controlling for basic demographic variables on CVLT and Trail Making Test. Acculturation on the other hand did not explain score differences once demographic variables were considered. Our results suggest the importance of considering unique history and characteristics of ethnic groups, and interactions of the aging process and culture on tasks with different cognitive demands. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–9)
Confluence theory: uniting two houses divided

There has been much progress in automation research, with new important hypotheses, and data supporting those hypotheses, in several domains. Although such progress along a variety of different lines is gratifying, there is a need for a unifying theory to provide an integrative theme that incorporates them under a single large umbrella. In pursuit of this objective, we review several domains in the automation literature that hitherto have been considered to be quite disparate and with little in the way of interconnections. Subsequently, we consider a newly proposed theory in social psychology that ties together several domains within that area. After establishing the capability of this theory to account for much of the social psychology literature, we apply it to account for the various automation issues reviewed in the initial section. Finally, we derive a new prediction from this theory and present an experiment to test it.
EFFECT OF COLOR CODED INFORMATION ON STUDENTS' LEVELS OF FIELD DEPENDENCE

Summary.-To assess the instructional effect of coding (black and white and color) and field dependencelfield independence, 119 university students were assigned to randomly ordered treatment groups, received their respective instruction and two criterion tests measuring different educational objectives. Analyses indicate that the field dependence is an important instructional variable and that the color-coded materials were more effective in reducing achievement differences between the two groups of learners.
Secondary Organic Carbon and Aerosol Yields from the Irradiations of Isoprene and α-Pinene in the Presence of NOx and SO2

A laboratory study was carried out to investigate the secondary organic carbon (SOC) yields of α-pinene and isoprene in the presence of SO2, which produces acidic aerosol in the system. Experiments were based on irradiating each hydrocarbon (HC) with NOx in a 14.5 m3 smog chamber operated in the dynamic mode. The experimental design consisted of several multi-part experiments for each HC. In the first part of each experiment, an HC/NOx irradiation was conducted in the absence of SO2 and was followed by irradiations with the addition of SO2 in subsequent parts. Filter-based analyses for organic carbon were made using a thermal-optical approach either with an off-line instrument or in situ with an automated instrument. For isoprene in the absence of SO2, the SOC yield was approximately 0.001, a value consistent with earlier work from this laboratory. With the addition of up to 200 ppb SO2, the yield increased by a factor of 7. For α-pinene in the absence of SO2, the SOC yield of the irradiated mixture was f...
A stabilized finite element method for computing turbulence

Abstract For many flows, Reynold-averaged Navier—Stokes simulation (RANSS) techniques do not give an acceptable description of the flow. In these cases a more detailed simulation of the turbulence is required. One such detailed simulation technique, large-eddy simulation (LES) has matured to the point of application to complex flows. Historically, these simulations have been carried out with structured grids which suffer from two major difficulties: the extension to higher Reynolds numbers leads to an impractical number of grid points, and most real world flows are rather difficult to represent geometrically with structured grids. Unstructured-grid methods offer a release from both of these constraints. Herein, we describe the development and validation of a massively parallel, stabilized finite element method for LES.
Repeated Low-Level Formaldehyde Exposure Produces Cross-Sensitization to Cocaine: Possible Relevance to Chemical Sensitivity in Humans

Sensitivity to chemicals in humans has been proposed to be an acquired disorder in which individuals become increasingly sensitive to chemicals in the environment. A possible link between the manifestation of psychiatric symptoms in individuals claiming sensitivity to chemicals was investigated based on a leading hypothesis put forth by Bell and co-workers (1992) to explain the amplification of symptoms after chemical exposure. The hypothesis is that chemical sensitivities may be akin to sensitization observed in rodents after repeated psychostimulants. Repeated exposure to psychostimulants enhances behavioral activity and the underlying neurochemical responses in specific limbic pathways; a similar sensitization of limbic pathways has been proposed to occur in individuals who become sensitive to chemicals. To test this hypothesis, female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either air or formaldehyde (Form) for 1 h/day for 7 days or 20 days (5 days/week × 4 weeks). Two to 4 days after the last exposure, rats were given a cocaine challenge (= early withdrawal) followed by an additional cocaine challenge 4–6 weeks later (= late withdrawal). No differences in cocaine-induced locomotor activity were noted between groups after 7 days of exposure. However, after 20 days of exposure to Form, vertical activity was significantly elevated at both early and late withdrawal times. These studies demonstrate that behavioral sensitization occurs after long-term, but not short-term, low-level exposure to Form, and lends support to the limbic system sensitization hypothesis of sensitivity to chemicals in humans.
Parametric Visualization Methods for the Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Motion

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors performed this study to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) techniques for quantifying and visualizing myocardial motion. Materials and Methods The 4D method was performed by using 3D reconstructions of the complete, in vivo, canine heart before and after acute myocardial infarction. Images were obtained with the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) at 15 time points throughout one cardiac cycle. The authors used 0.75-mm-thick sections to allow creation of deformable models at each time point. For the 3D method, electron-beam computed tomographic reconstructions were obtained in anesthetized pigs from eight adjacent short-axis sections of the left ventricle. Data were acquired before and after selective microembolization of the left anterior descending coronary artery at 11 time points throughout one complete cardiac cycle. The authors used 8-mm-thick sections, which did not enable the use of the volumetric 4D approach with deformable models. For the 3D method, images were processed by radially dividing the tomographic images into small circumferential sectors. Color encoding was used for the derived local magnitudes of wall dynamics. Results The 4D method provided endocardial peak velocities, excursions, and strains throughout systole and diastole. The 3D method provided regional thickness or regional rates of left ventricular wall thickening throughout the cardiac cycle. Conclusion Functional parametric maps of disturbances in regional contractility and relaxation facilitate appreciation of the effect of altered structure-to-function relationships in the myocardium.
Electrogenic sodium pumping in Mytilus smooth muscle

Abstract 1. 1. The possible contribution of an electrogenie sodium pump to the resting membrane potential ( E m ) of smooth muscle of Mytilus has been investigated using glass microelectrodes. 2. 2. E m hyperpolarized by 12 mV in K + -free artificial sea water (ASW), repolarized to the original level upon returning to control ASW. E m was unchanged in ASW containing 10 − M ouabain or strophanthidin during the first 2 hr. 3. 3. Slight membrane depolarization (5–6 mV) occurred after prolonged soaking in K − -free or cardiac glycoside-containing ASW. 4. 4. After restoration to control ASW, the membrane transiently hyperpolarized. The hyperpolarization was blocked by 10 −4 M ouabain. 5. 5. The transient hyperpolarization was also demonstrated in the preparation exposed to isotonic NaCl-EGTA solution during soaking m K + -free ASW. 6. 6. The evidence suggested the existence of an electrogenic sodium extrusion mechanism; however, its activity in normal resting membrane seemed restricted.
Coordinating order cycles under joint replenishments of multi‐item inventories

A recent work obtained closed-form expressions for the problem of optimal partitioning multi-item inventories into a given number of groups, where each group has a common order cycle for all the items in the group, and a Pareto function characterizes the distributions by value of the inventory. The optimal order points so obtained for the groups may have no synchronization among themselves at all. This note extends the closed-form analysis to the requirement that the order cycles be coordinated so that each cycle is an integral multiple of the shortest order cycle. The extent of suboptimality which thus follows is investigated. Several alternatives to achieve integrality have been considered and compared through an illustrative example within the framework of the Pareto function.
Semi-automated segmentation and classification of digital breast tomosynthesis reconstructed images

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a limited-angle tomographic x-ray imaging technique that reduces the effect of tissue superposition observed in planar mammography. An integrated imaging platform that combines DBT with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to provide co-registered anatomical and functional imaging is under development. Incorporation of anatomic priors can benefit NIRS reconstruction. In this work, we provide a segmentation and classification method to extract potential lesions, as well as adipose, fibroglandular, muscle and skin tissue in reconstructed DBT images that serve as anatomic priors during NIRS reconstruction. The method may also be adaptable for estimating tumor volume, breast glandular content, and for extracting lesion features for potential application to computer aided detection and diagnosis.
Quality Control Parameters of Mass-Reared Opiine Parasitoids Used in Augmentative Biological Control of Tephritid Fruit Flies in Hawaii

Abstract Two species of opiine braconid parasitoids ( Diachasmimorpha longicaudata [Ashmead] and D. tryoni [Cameron]) were mass-reared in insectaries in Oahu, Hawaii and shipped to the island of Kauai for augmentative biological control research and efficacy projects against the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis [Hendel] and Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitus capitata [Wiedemann]. Large cohorts of both species were marked with fluorescent dyes to distinguish them from wild parasitoids, and to study their dispersal behavior in the field. Pupal weight, percentage emergence, and sex ratio of dyed and undyed parasitoids were determined for cohorts retained in the insectary, and the combined deleterious effects of transportation and handling on subsequent emergence after field release were measured. The effects of two types of adult parasitoid release vessels on emergence, adult mortality, and short range dispersal were compared, and the negative effects of fluorescent dyes on adult mortality and dispersal were documented. Results are discussed in terms of ways to improve augmentative releases of these opiine parasitoids for fruit fly control.
Progesterone and Mifepristone Regulate L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 2 and 4F2 Heavy Chain Expression in Uterine Leiomyoma Cells

Context: Progesterone and its receptor (PR) play key roles in uterine leiomyoma growth. Previously, using chromatin immunoprecipitation-based cloning, we uncovered L-type amino acid transporter 2 (LAT2) as a novel PR target gene. LAT2 forms heterodimeric complexes with 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc), a single transmembrane domain protein essential for LAT2 to exert its function in the plasma membrane. Until now, little is known about the roles of LAT2/4F2hc in the regulation of the growth of human uterine leiomyoma. Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the regulation of LAT2 and 4F2hc by progesterone and the antiprogestin mifepristone and their functions in primary human uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle (LSM) cells and tissues from 39 premenopausal women. Results: In primary LSM cells, progesterone significantly induced LAT2 mRNA levels, and this was blocked by cotreatment with mifepristone. Progesterone did not alter 4F2hc mRNA levels, whereas mifepristone significantly induced 4F2hc mRNA expression. Small interfering RNA knockdown of LAT2 or 4F2hc markedly increased LSM cell proliferation. LAT2, PR-B, and PR-A levels were significantly higher in freshly isolated LSM cells vs. adjacent myometrial cells. In vivo, mRNA levels of LAT2 and PR but not 4F2hc were significantly higher in leiomyoma tissues compared with matched myometrial tissues. Conclusion: We present evidence that progesterone and its antagonist mifepristone regulate the amino acid transporter system LAT2/4F2hc in leiomyoma tissues and cells. Our findings suggest that products of the LAT2/4F2hc genes may play important roles in leiomyoma cell proliferation. We speculate that critical ratios of LAT2 to 4F2hc regulate leiomyoma growth.
Immigrant and native ethnic enterprises in Mexican American neighborhoods: differing perceptions of Mexican immigrant workers.

This study uses original data from a large sample of businesses located in Mexican ethnic neighborhoods (barrios) in Texas and California to analyze how perceptions of the economic roles of Mexican immigrant workers differ among 3 employer groups: native ethnic immigrant ethnic and non-ethnic. It was found that the immigrant ethnic employer group depends more on Mexican immigrants as workers and as consumers than does the native ethnic group which tends in many ways to be more like the non-ethnic group. Differences between results for localities on the border with Mexico and those for non-border localities are also discussed. (authors)
Ocular Health in Sleep Apnea: A Comprehensive Overview

Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by complete or partial obstruction of the airway during sleep resulting in pauses in breathing (apneas) along with loud snoring, and frequent arousals from sleep. In addition to suffering from fragmented sleep and excessive daytime drowsiness, patients with OSAHS are at risk of serious ophthalmic complications including primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and floppy eyelid syndrome. Effectively treating OSAHS can minimize long-term ocular complications. The authors review the common ocular complications associated with OSAHS and emphasize the need for early screening.
A role for mitochondria as potential regulators of cellular life span

We demonstrate that by simply raising extracellular pyruvate levels, and hence increasing metabolic supply, human diploid fibroblasts undergo a concentration-dependent induction of cellular senescence. Fibroblasts treated with pyruvate undergo a rapid growth arrest accompanied by elevated levels of the cell-cycle regulatory molecules p53, p21, and p16. These cells also exhibit a rise in mitochondrial oxidant production and a fall in intracellular glutathione levels. Exposure of pyruvate treated cells to the antioxidant and glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine restores cell growth and reverses the increase in senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. Similarly, we demonstrate that by increasing mitochondrial number via retroviral-mediated expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis regulator PGC-1 there is also a reduction in cell growth and the more rapid induction of senescence. These results suggest that mitochondria appear to play a central role in regulating cellular life span.
Nonequilibrium magnetization of a two-dimensional electron gas in a static magnetic field

Using a sensitive dc torque magnetometer we measure the orbital magnetization by sweeping the density at fixed magnetic fields on GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructures. At low temperatures strong nonequilibrium magnetization signals dominate the data. In literature the observation of nonequilibrium signals are often associated with eddy currents generated by sweeping the magnetic field. The elimination of a changing magnetic field then poses a question regarding the origin of these signals. Our data suggests another source of nonequilibrium magnetization potentially due to the change of area occupied by compressible and incompressible states as one sweeps the Fermi energy from one Landau level to the next.
The Dangerous Ideal of Autonomy

The ideal of autonomy has a positive and a negative aim. Its positive aim is to create the conditions in which more and more people can be more and more autonomous. Its negative aim is to prevent actions that cause serious harm and are normally both immoral and criminal. These two aims are incompatible. Increasing autonomy increases the frequency of crimes and decreasing the frequency of crimes requires decreasing autonomy. The incompatibility of these two aims has radical implications for much current thinking about criminal justice.
A Concept of Location-Based Social Network Marketing

A stimulus-response model of location-based social network marketing is conceptualized based on an exploratory investigation. Location-based social network applications are capable of generating marketing stimuli from merchant, competition-based, and connection-based rewards resulted from relevance and connectivity. Depending on consumption situations, consumer characteristics, and social network structure, these rewards lead to actual behavior that manifests in variety behavior (i.e., patronage to new places) and loyalty behavior (i.e., increased frequency of patronage to familiar places). This behavior implies changes in patterns of mobility, making this marketing approach particularly relevant for tourism and hospitality businesses. Managerial implications and recommendations for further studies are provided.
Optimizing efficiency and safety in a radiation oncology department through the use of ARIA 11 Visual Care Path

Abstract Purpose Visual Care Path (VCP) is a workflow tool within the ARIA 11 Record and Verify System. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of VCP implementation on the metrics of efficiency, safety, and staff satisfaction. Methods and materials Our multidisciplinary quality improvement team reviewed the entire process of patient care and constructed VCP modules to chart serial and parallel events from consultation to treatment completion. A failure mode and effects analysis was performed to identify high-risk tasks within existing patient care workflow. Data on timeliness of task completion were collected for 612 patients (6560 tasks) in 3 time phases: pre-VCP, transition, and post-VCP. Errors detected during a physics plan check were also monitored. A survey about the VCP was distributed to all staff to evaluate the impact of the VCP on the department. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the metrics of efficiency, safety, and staff satisfaction. Results Notable improvements in efficiency and safety were observed. Radiation oncologists' compliance with timely completion of the Simulation Preparation VCP tasks increased from 45.9% ± 14.3% during the pre-VCP phase to 85.8% ± 10.9% during the post-VCP phase. Compliance with Treatment Planning VCP tasks also increased from 52.6% ± 9.9% during the pre-VCP phase to 76.0% ± 9.7% during the post-VCP phase. The monthly defect rate (ratio of plans with errors to the total number of plans checked by a physicist) decreased from 19.1% ± 1.3% during the pre-VCP phase to 5.2% ± 4.1% during the post-VCP phase. Ninety-four percent of staff members responded to the VCP survey; more than 80% of respondents found the VCP to have a favorable impact. Conclusions Implementation of the VCP in our department improved workflow efficiency, reduced the number of errors, and was very well received within the department.
TOWARD SELF-INSTRUCTION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Publisher Summary The generally neglected components of foreign language instruction can best be interrelated and manipulated to make the design of foreign language teaching systems more effective, efficient, and congruent with the learning theories and the technology currently being developed and applied. The remarkable revolution in foreign language teaching methodology and technology, now labeled the New Key, constitutes both the strength and the weakness of language teaching. The New Key procedure reveals more accurately the structure of spoken French and is pedagogically more efficient. In Intensive Method programs, contact is also intensified by the modification of the traditional foreign language teaching context: small classes, seldom containing more than ten students; variation in class size; and specialization of teaching function, the linguist providing guidance and the native informant functioning as a drilling machine.
Roles of Serine and Threonine Residues of Mumps Virus P Protein in Viral Transcription and Replication

ABSTRACT Mumps virus (MuV), a paramyxovirus containing a negative-sense nonsegmented RNA genome, is a human pathogen that causes an acute infection with symptoms ranging from parotitis to mild meningitis and severe encephalitis. Vaccination against mumps virus has been effective in reducing mumps cases. However, recently large outbreaks have occurred in vaccinated populations. There is no anti-MuV drug. Understanding replication of MuV may lead to novel antiviral strategies. MuV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase minimally consists of the phosphoprotein (P) and the large protein (L). The P protein is heavily phosphorylated. To investigate the roles of serine (S) and threonine (T) residues of P in viral RNA transcription and replication, P was subjected to mass spectrometry and mutational analysis. P, a 392-amino acid residue protein, has 64 S and T residues. We have found that mutating nine S/T residues significantly reduced and mutating residue T at 101 to A (T101A) significantly enhanced activity in a minigenome system. A recombinant virus containing the P-T101A mutation (rMuV-P-T101A) was recovered and analyzed. rMuV-P-T101A grew to higher titers and had increased protein expression at early time points. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of MuV-P-T101 plays a negative role in viral RNA synthesis. This is the first time that the P protein of a paramyxovirus has been systematically analyzed for S/T residues that are critical for viral RNA synthesis. IMPORTANCE Mumps virus (MuV) is a reemerging paramyxovirus that caused large outbreaks in the United States, where vaccination coverage is very high. There is no anti-MuV drug. In this work, we have systematically analyzed roles of Ser/Thr residues of MuV P in viral RNA synthesis. We have identified S/T residues of P critical for MuV RNA synthesis and phosphorylation sites that are important for viral RNA synthesis. This work leads to a better understanding of viral RNA synthesis as well as to potential novel strategies to control mumps.
Silica-Coated Single-Walled Nanotubes: Nanostructure Formation

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were coated with silica by treating a mixture of a basic sodium silicate solution and a surfactant-stabilized suspension of SWNTs with EtOH. The SiO2−SWNTs were cast on solid substrates to form woven mats comprising a variety of unique nanostructures including loops, curls, interconnects, and bridging tubes. The coatings trapped the nanotubes in distinct conformations and glued shorter tubes together into longer multi-strand coated filaments.