cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achieving the Total Approach in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) Management

Abstract Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) seek medical advice because they are bothered by their urinary symptoms. In addition, these patients may in the long-term progress symptomatically (approximately 75% of LUTS/BPH patients) and may develop serious complications such as acute urinary retention (AUR) and/or may ultimately need prostatic surgery. However, not all patients are at the same risk of progression and, therefore, need the same total treatment approach. For patients at low risk, the goal of LUTS/BPH treatment is to provide rapid and sustained improvement of symptoms and quality of life (QoL) with minimal morbidity. For patients at intermediate or high risk, treatment should additionally delay or prevent disease progression. Newer, more selective α1-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists, such as tamsulosin, provide rapid (within days) and durable symptom relief in a wide variety of LUTS/BPH patients with a low potential for (cardiovascular) adverse events. In patients at low-intermediate risk of progression (i.e. small-intermediate prostate volume/low-intermediate prostate specific antigen (PSA)), they also reduce the incidence of AUR. Newer, more selective α1-AR antagonists also seem to have a low switch rate to other medical therapy or prostatic surgery, which may be explained by their favourable efficacy/tolerability ratio. Patients at high risk of progression (e.g. those with a large prostate volume/high PSA) may obtain further benefit from combination therapy with a 5α-reductase inhibitor. It, therefore, seems to be appropriate to use an α1A/α1D-AR antagonist such as tamsulosin as first choice treatment for patients at low/intermediate and add a 5α-reductase inhibitor such as finasteride to patients at high risk of progression (e.g. large prostate volume/high PSA).
Priming of Salmonella enterica serovar typhi-specific CD8(+) T cells by suicide dendritic cell cross-presentation in humans.

Background: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), the etiologic agent of typhoid fever, has aggravated an already important public health problem and added new urgency to the development of more effective typhoid vaccines. To this end it is critical to better understand the induction of immunity to S. Typhi. CD8 + T cells are likely to play an important role in host defense against S. Typhi by several effector mechanisms, including killing of infected cells and IFN-c secretion. However, how S. Typhi regulates the development of specific CD8 + responses in humans remains unclear. Recent studies in mice have shown that dendritic cells (DC) can either directly (upon uptake and processing of Salmonella) or indirectly (by bystander mechanisms) elicit Salmonella-specific CD8 + T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report here that upon infection with live S. Typhi, human DC produced high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a, but low levels of IL-12 p70 and IFN-c. In contrast, DC co-cultured with S. Typhi-infected cells, through suicide cross-presentation, uptake S. Typhi-infected human cells and release high levels of IFNc and IL-12p70, leading to the subsequent presentation of bacterial antigens and triggering the induction of memory T cells, mostly CD3 + CD8 + CD45RA 2 CD62L 2 effector/memory T cells. Conclusions/Significance: This study is the first to demonstrate the effect of S. Typhi on human DC maturation and on their ability to prime CD8 + cells and highlights the significance of these phenomena in eliciting adaptive immunity to S. Typhi.
Alkaline earth uranates of the R3MX6 type.

ALKALINE earth uranates of the RMX4 type are well known and the crystal structures of, for example, the calcium and strontium compounds CaUO4 and SrUO4, respectively, have been investigated in detail1.
Ligand displacement reactions of oxyhemocyanin: Comparison of reactivities of arthropods and molluscs

Abstract The ligand displacement reactions of oxyhemocyanin have been compared over a series of arthropods and molluscs. The arthropods (with the exception of Limulus ) are found to be more reactive than the molluscs, (kcancer = .04 hr−1, kbusycon = .002 hr−1, klimulus ⪡ 10−4hr−1 N3− reactions). Correlation of the spectral properties of the oxy sites require these to be extremely similar with small differences being associated with shifts in the dd transition energies. The met produced by ligand displacement contains variable amounts of EPR detectable, group 2 exogenous ligand damaged sites (arthropods 25–35%, molluscs 3–9%, Limulus mollusc ∼ Limulus ∼ 0) group 2 ligand damaged site is also reported for the half met derivatives.
Quantitative error mapping of MR relaxation times

We present statistically based error maps which graphically display the spatial distribution of two computational errors ensuing from quantitative T1 measurements. These computational errors, chi-squared error and coefficient of variation, represent the measures of goodness-of-fit and of the reliability of the fitted parameters, respectively. Visualization of the spatial distribution and assessment of the magnitude of these errors for each pixel allows one to compare and optimize quantitative MR imaging techniques to estimate tissue relaxation parameters and provides clinicians a method to differentiate the unreliable regions. This error mapping technique is demonstrated for a control study of seventy-one healthy volunteers to illustrate the patterns characteristic in these examinations.
Behaviour of raphe cells projecting to the dorsomedial medulla during carbachol-induced atonia in the cat.

1. The activity of most brainstem serotonergic cells is suppressed during sleep, particularly the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. Thus, they may play a major role in state-dependent changes in CNS functioning. Our main goal was to search for medullary raphe cells having axonal branches in the region of the hypoglossal (XII) motor nucleus and assess their behaviour during the atonia produced by microinjections of a cholinergic agonist, carbachol, into the dorsal pontine tegmentum. In chronic animals, such microinjections evoke a desynchronized sleep-like state similar to natural REM sleep; in decerebrate animals, they produce eye movements and a motor suppression similar to the postural atonia of REM sleep. 2. In decerebrate, paralysed, vagotomized and artificially ventilated cats, we recorded extracellularly from medullary raphe cells antidromically activated from the XII nucleus region. Forty-five cells recorded in the raphe obscurus and pallidus nuclei were antidromically activated with latencies characteristic of non-myelinated fibres (4.4-42.0 ms). For thirty-three of the forty-five cells, we found one or more axonal branches within or just below the XII nucleus. The remaining twelve cells, in addition to the XII nucleus, had axonal ramifications in the medial nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and/or the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). 3. A subset of fourteen spontaneously active cells with identified axonal projections were held long enough to be recorded during the carbachol-induced atonia, and eight of these also during the subsequent recovery and a systemic administration of the serotonergic 1A receptor agonist (+/-)8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetrealin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT). All but one were suppressed during the atonia in parallel to the suppression of XII, phrenic and postural nerve activities (firing rate, 1.3 +/- 0.7 Hz before and 0.1 +/- 0.2 Hz after carbachol (means +/- S.D.)). Following the recovery from the atonia, the firing rates of the eight cells increased to the pre-carbachol level (1.6 +/- 1.0 Hz). Subsequently, all were silenced by 8-OH-DPAT. 4. These cells fulfil most physiological criteria for serotonergic cells and have the potential to modulate, in a state-dependent manner, activities in the motor XII nucleus, visceral sensory NTS, and DMV. The decrements in serotonergic neuronal activity that occur during the carbachol-induced atonia suggest that a similar withdrawal of serotonergic input may occur during REM sleep and contribute to the characteristic reductions in upper airway motor tone.
Drugs for macular degeneration, price discrimination, and Medicare’s responsibility not to overpay.

The release of information reporting payments made by the Medicare program to individual physicians in 2012 revealed that ophthalmologists accounted for a substantial proportion of physicians who received payments exceeding $1 million.1 A major factor contributing to these high payments for some physicians was reimbursement for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These drugs used for treatment of AMD are controversial not only because of their expense and the substantial payments made to some physicians who administer these drugs, but also because some anti-VEGF agents are sold at markedly different prices to different customers, representing a form of price discrimination.
Specificity of Practice, Visual Information, and Intersegmental Dynamics in Rapid-Aiming Limb Movements

The authors tested the specificity of practice hypothesis on intersegmental dynamics of rapid-aiming limb movements. During acquisition, 20 participants performed an aiming task as quickly and accurately as possible either with or without vision. Following moderate (140 trials) and extensive (560 trials) practice, participants completed 20 transfer test trials in a no-vision condition. Overall, the acquisition-phase findings revealed that vision improved aiming accuracy performance but had only a slight impact on movement time and intersegmental dynamics. After 560 trials of practice, however, withdrawal of vision resulted in specificity of practice effects on intersegmental dynamics at the shoulder as well as on aiming accuracy. Taken together, those findings support and extend the specificity of practice hypothesis.
Differential Transformation Approach for Free Vibration Analysis of a Centrifugally Stiffened Timoshenko Beam

In this paper, the differential transformation approach is applied to analyze the free vibration of centrifugally stiffened Timoshenko beam structures. Such structures involve variable coefficients in the governing equations, which in general cannot be solved analytically in closed form. Both the natural frequencies and the mode shapes are obtained using the differential transformation technique. Numerical examples are presented and results are compared with available results in the literature.
The quantum theory of an ideal superlattice responding to far-infrared laser radiation

Minibands of quasienergies can be defined for a superlattice interacting with far-infrared laser radiation. It is demonstrated that the width of these quasienergy minibands depends not only on the parameters of the superlattice, but also on strength and frequency of the driving laser field. In particular, the width approaches zero at certain values of these parameters. A strong coupling ansatz, combined with perturbation theory for degenerate quasienergy states, leads to a detailed understanding of these results.
Transport behavior of hairless mouse skin during constant current DC iontophoresis I: baseline studies.

The fluxes of charged and nonionic molecules across hairless mouse skin (HMS) were induced by direct current iontophoresis and used to characterize the transport pathways of the epidermal membrane. Experimental data were used to determine permeability coefficients from which the effective pore radii (Rp) of the transport pathways were calculated. Permeants used in these experiments were nonionic permeants (urea, mannitol, and raffinose), monovalent cationic permeants (sodium, tetraethylammonium, and tetraphenylphosphonium ions), and monovalent anionic permeants (chloride, salicylate, and taurocholate ions). The Rp estimates obtained by the anionic permeant pairs were 49, 22, and 20 A for the chloride/salicylate (Cl:SA), chloride/taurocholate (Cl:TC), and salicylate/taurocholate (SA:TC) pairs, respectively; with the cationic permeant pairs, the Rp values obtained were 19, 30, and 24 A for the sodium/tetraethylammonium (Na:TEA), sodium/tetraphenylphosphonium (Na:TPP), and the tetraethylammonium/tetraphenylphosphonium (TEA:TPP) pairs, respectively. Rp estimates for HMS obtained from nonionic permeant experiments ranged from 6.7 to 13.4 A. When plotted versus their respective diffusion coefficients, all of the permeability coefficients for the cationic permeants were greater than those of the anionic permeants. Additionally, the magnitudes of permeability coefficients determined in the current study with HMS were of the same order of magnitude as those previously determined in our laboratory using human epidermal membrane under similar iontophoresis conditions.
Nepotism and the minimum wage

That an increase in the minimum wage or minimum wage coverage results in an increase in the incidence of nepotism is empirically tested using 1972 data on job-seeking methods used by American workers. The elasticity of the incidence of nepotism with respect to the level of the minimum wage and minimum wage coverage in 1977 is estimated at between .38 and .68.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SELLAR MASSES

The differential diagnosis of nonpituitary sellar masses is broad; differentiating among potential etiologies may not always be straightforward because many of these lesions, tumorous and nontumorous, may mimic the clinical, endocrinologic, and radiologic presentations of pituitary adenomas. This article provides an overview of the clinical and radiographic characteristics of both pituitary tumors and the nonpituitary lesions found in the sellar/parasellar region and discusses, in detail, the specific nonpituitary origins of the sellar masses.
The Unbuilding of Historic Neighbourhoods in Post-Katrina New Orleans

New Orleans's recovery from Hurricane Katrina (2005) remains slow and arduous. Eighty per cent of the city flooded in the hurricane's aftermath. A second catastrophe unfolded in Katrina's aftermath—a pattern of widespread demolition of thousands of 19th- and early-to-mid-20th-century residential dwellings and civic structures across the city. This post-disaster condition involves a complex, bifurcated labyrinth of local, state, and federal agencies and organizations in the governmental and the private sector. Neighbourhood preservation organizations and grassroots activists are fighting to save the city's endangered historic fabric. An overview of historic preservation in New Orleans is outlined, followed by an analysis of the geographic pattern of demolitions in the 2005–2008 period, a significant number of which occurred without proper review by duly authorized city or federal agencies. The analysis illustrates the scope and the ramifications of a public policy of rebuilding frequently through the unbui...
Mechanism localisation and control of restriction cleavage of phage T4 and λ chromosomes in vivo

The primary action of restriction endonuclease, cleaving infecting DNA, has been demonstrated in vivo. This primary cleavage is followed rapidly by hydrolysis of the cleaved DNA at its newly exposed termini. Infecting viruses can inactivate cytoplasmic and membrane restriction endonucleases to prevent cleavage of unmodified DNA replicas.
Proterozoic structural provinces in the north-central United States

Geophysical and radiometric age data now permit attempts to outline Precambrian structural provinces in the United States. There are two Archean terrains, the Superior and Wyoming provinces. The Churchill province (1,700 m.y. and older) splits around the Wyoming block. One branch extends southwest across Montana, the other south and southeast between the Wyoming and Superior cratons. An east-northeast-trending terrain probably accreted along the southern margins of the Wyoming-Churchill-Superior block beginning about 1,800 m.y. ago. The Churchill province may have been truncated by this accretionary terrain or may merge into it. Southeast geophysical trends in Missouri and Kansas suggest southwestward accretion in that region, 1,600–1,700 m.y. ago.
Immobilization of streptavidin on 4H-SiC for biosensor development

Abstract A sequential layer formation chemistry is demonstrated for the functionalization of silicon carbide (SiC) appropriate to biosensing applications. (0 0 0 1) 4H–SiC was functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and subsequently biotinylated for the selective immobilization of streptavidin. Atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, fluorescence microscopy, and contact angle measurements were utilized to determine the structure, thickness, wettability, and reactivity of the resulting surface after each functionalization step. Optimization of the APTES layer was found to be critical to the success of the subsequent steps; multilayer, polymeric films resulted in irreproducible behavior. It was shown that there was significant non-specific (electrostatic) binding of streptavidin to APTES functionalized SiC, thus revealing the importance of a uniform biotinylation step prior to streptavidin attachment. The experimental results demonstrate that the APTES functionalized and biotinylated SiC surface has the potential to be employed as a biosensing platform for the selective detection of streptavidin molecules.
Cell-free protein synthesizing systems isolated from an insect cell line

Microsomes and polyribosomes extracted from the insect cell line CP-1268, derived from codling moth embryos, were capable of incorporating labelled amino acids into hot TCA-precipitable material. Incorporation activity was not dependent upon addition of a pH 5 fraction, but was fairly dependent upon Mg2+, and exogenous energy sources such as ATP and GTP.
Intrusion detection in Gaussian distributed Wireless Sensor Networks

Intrusion detection in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is of significant importance in many applications to detect malicious or unexpected intruder(s). The intruder can be an enemy in a battlefield, or a unusual environmental change in a chemical industry etc. With uniform distribution, the detection probability is the same for any point in a WSN. However, some applications may require different degrees of detection probability at different locations in the deployment area. Gaussian distributed WSNs (i.e., normal distribution) can provide differentiated detection capabilities at different locations and are widely deployed in practice. In view of this, this paper analyzes the problem of intrusion detection in a Gaussian distributed WSN, by characterizing intrusion detection probability with respect to intrusion distance and network deployment parameters. Two detection models are considered: single-sensing detection and multiple-sensing detection. Effects of different network parameters on the intrusion detection probability are examined in details. This work allows us to analytically formulate the intrusion detection probability within a certain intrusion distance under various application scenarios, therefore provides insight for directing the application-specific WSN deployment such as intrusion detection.
Fluxes of terrestrial and aquatic carbon by emergent mosquitoes: a test of controls and implications for cross-ecosystem linkages

Adult aquatic insects are a common resource for many terrestrial predators, often considered to subsidize terrestrial food webs. However, larval aquatic insects themselves consume both aquatic primary producers and allochthonous terrestrial detritus, suggesting that adults could provide aquatic subsidy and/or recycled terrestrial energy to terrestrial consumers. Understanding the source of carbon (aquatic vs. terrestrial) driving aquatic insect emergence is important for predicting magnitude of emergence and effects on recipient food web dynamics; yet direct experimental tests of factors determining source are lacking. Here, we use Culex mosquitoes in experimental pools as an exemplar to test how variation in general factors common to aquatic systems (terrestrial plant inputs and light) may alter the source and amount of energy exported to terrestrial ecosystems in adult aquatic insects that rely on terrestrial resources as larvae. We found strong sequential effects of terrestrial plant inputs and light on aquatic insect oviposition, diet, and emergence of Culex mosquitoes. Ovipositing mosquitoes laid ~3 times more egg masses in high terrestrial input pools under low light conditions. This behavior increased adult emergence from pools under low light conditions; however, high input pools (which had the highest mosquito densities) showed low emergence rates due to density-dependent mortality. Mosquito diets consisted mainly of terrestrial resources (~70-90 %). As a result, the amount of aquatic carbon exported from pools by mosquitoes during the experiment was ~18 times higher from low versus high light pools, while exports of terrestrial carbon peaked from pools receiving intermediate levels of inputs (3-6 times higher) and low light (~6 times higher). Our results suggest that understanding the interplay among terrestrial plant inputs, light availability and biotic responses of aquatic insects may be key in predicting source and magnitude of emergence, and thus the strength and effects of aquatic-terrestrial linkages in freshwater systems.
Scanning electron microscopic study of spinal arachnoid plaques

Calcified or ossified plaques within the spinal arachnoid membranes are often reported at autopsy and are occasionally incriminated as the cause of neurological symptoms in patients undergoing surgery. Histological studies of plaques have been done, but to our knowledge no studies using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) have been reported. In this study, portions of the spinal cord with plaques were removed from adult human cadavers in the dissecting laboratory and processed for SEM and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). The surfaces of the plaques appeared to be fibrous in some areas, studded with irregularly shaped projections or nodules in others, and smooth in yet other areas. Cells were seen in lacunae-like depressions on the surfaces of some plaques and EDAX revealed the presence of calcium on and near the cells. In some areas calcium and phosphorus were both detected, but not in the ratios seen in bone. No calcium was seen on smooth or fibrous areas. It is suggested that the plaques sampled in this study were composed largely of fibrous tissue encrusted in some areas with calcium salts. There was no evidence that any of the plaques contained bone.
A Miniature A-C. Transmission System For the Practical Solution of Network and Transmission-System Problems

The use of so-called “artificial lines” — i.e. miniature models of electric circuits — for experimental laboratory studies of transmission-line phenomena is well known. The miniature models are commonly made so as to represent, in true proportion, the electrical constants of a real line. Thus there are artificial telephone lines, artificial submarine cables, artificial long-distance power-transmission lines, etc. A miniature line is a true model of a real line to the extent that the miniature circuit has, for any desired degree of approximation, the same electrical behavior as the full-size circuit. Such laboratory models frequently permit — far more conveniently than the full-size circuit — the study of actual circuit phenomena in a practical and efficient manner. When their limitations are properly understood, miniature circuits may be of great value to transmission-line and operating engineers. Miniature electric circuits may for the present purpose be divided into two general classes: (1) Miniature circuits intended for the study of problems on long lines, such as lines having continuously distributed circuit constants. (2) Miniature circuits for the solution of problems involving complete system networks, inclusive of generating-station and substation apparatus. The following paper deals with a three-phase miniature a-c. system of the network type. The circuit includes synchronous machines, transformers, adjustable resistors, reactors, and condensers, for complete representation of generating stations, substations, lines and loads. The circuit connections are variable, so that any system having not more than the available number of circuit elements may be represented for the correct experimental solution of low-frequency problems. This miniature system has so far given about three years of service in the experimental analysis of transmission system behavior, for existing systems and for systems to be constructed. The problems solved have been within the realms of both the designing and the operating engineers, and have been applied to power systems in this country as well as abroad. One of the by-products of the miniature system is the confirmation and extension of the theory of transmission-line phenomena. Several prominent engineers have expressed the belief, and made the prediction, that after a few years of proper use of the miniature system, the theory and calculation of the present transmission problems will have been so well established that experimental solutions will no longer be necessary. In this paper are given (1) a brief discussion of some of the present problems calling for solutions by the miniature experimental method, (2) a full description of the miniature equipment, (3) an outline of the operating procedure in the solution of problems, and (4) an example illustrating the application of the miniature equipment.
Electron scattering at single crystal Cu surfaces

Abstract Epitaxial copper layers, 6.6 nm to 1.2 μm thick, were grown on MgO(001) by ultra-high vacuum magnetron sputter deposition at 100 °C. The surface morphology, as determined by in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy, exhibits a regular mound structure. The mounds grow in width w and height h as a function of layer thickness t from h = 3 nm and w = 20 nm for t = 20 nm to h = 5 nm and w = 200 nm for t = 1.2 μm. The resistivity increases with decreasing layer thickness from 1.70 μΩ-cm for t = 1.2 μm to 8.35 μΩ-cm for t = 6.6 nm. The resistivity increase is consistent with the Fuchs–Sondheimer model for completely diffuse surface scattering. The diffuse scattering is attributed to a high density of surface steps, which are separated by less than 1 nm.
Dynamic high resolution imaging of rats: design considerations

Researchers at the University of Washington were surveyed to determine the biological criteria for dynamic positron emission imaging of rats. To be useful, 3-mm isotropic resolution and 2-3-s time binning were desirable characteristics for such a dedicated tomograph. A single plane in which two objects of interest could be imaged simultaneously was considered acceptable. Multilayered detector designs were evaluated as a possible solution to the dynamic acquisition and high-resolution imaging requirements. The University of Washington photon history generator was used to generate data to investigate a tomograph's sensitivity to true, scattered, and random coincidences for varying detector ring diameters. Intrinsic spatial uniformity advantages of multilayered detector designs over conventional detector designs were investigated using a Monte Carlo program. As a result, a modular two-layered detector prototype is being developed. A module will consist of a layer of five 3.5-mm-wide crystals and a layer of six 3.5-mm-wide crystals. It is believed that adequate sampling can be achieved with a stationary detector system using these modules. Economical crystal decoding strategies have been investigated, and simulations have been run to investigate optimum light channeling methods for block decoding strategies. >
The invasion question

I have examined the fate of invaded communities. In general communities, not limited to those at a single trophic level, the inverse of the community matrix plays an important role in determining whether a successful invader will displace one or more resident species. Hence, in general, there is no simple correlation between stability, as measured by response to invasions, and complexity. This provides another way of considering why resource based competition of the Lotka-Voltera form or competition for space with a competitive hierarchy is so special. In these communities, the inverse of the community matrix takes a particularly simple form. This is related to the fact that invasions of these communities by invaders that are just able to invade never lead to the removal of a resident species.
Potential Value of Rectal-Screening Cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis in Homosexual Men

We compared the potential value of rectal-screening cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among homosexual men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic and also assessed the relation of either infection to patient age, symptoms, history of previous infection, and likelihood of early treatment. Of 1,429 homosexual men cultured over a six-month period, 118 (8%) had gonococcal rectal infection, 72 (5%) had chlamydial rectal infection, and 15 (1%) had both. The prevalence of rectal chlamydial infection was strongly related to age, with the highest occurrence in adolescents. C. trachomatis was isolated more often from men infected with N. gonorrhoeae (11%) than from men not infected with N. gonorrhoeae (5%; P = .01), and simultaneous urethral infection in patients with positive rectal cultures occurred more frequently in men infected with N. gonorrhoeae than in men infected with C. trachomatis (27% vs. 14%, respectively; P = .05). The majority of rectal infections with N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis in this population were asymptomatic. Although 80% of the patients who had rectal infection with N. gonorrhoeae were appropriately treated on the initial clinic visit, only 18% of those with rectal chlamydial infections received proper treatment (P less than .0001). The yield of patients who were newly identified and brought to treatment was 4.8 patients per 100 screening cultures for C. trachomatis vs. 1.9 patients per 100 screening cultures for N. gonorrhoeae.
Abstract A03: Understanding cervical cancer screening among lesbians: a national survey

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine cervical cancer screening behaviors among lesbians in the US, a population who has documented low rates of cervical cancer screening, despite their risk of contracting the disease. Procedures: A standardized internet survey was sent to 3,000 self-identified lesbians across the US. The survey assessed the participants9 recent cervical cancer screening behaviors and perceived barriers to screening. Results: The sample consisted of 1,006 respondents, representing every region of the US. Sixty-two percent of the weighted sample were routine screeners. Lack of a physician referral (17.5%) and lack of a physician (17.3%) were the most commonly-cited top reasons for lack of screening. Adjusting for age, education, relationship status, employments status, and insurance status, women who had disclosed their sexual orientation to their primary care physician (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.84 [95% confidence interval 1.82-4.45]) or gynecologist (OR 2.30 [1.33-3.96]) had greater odds of routine screening than those who did not. Those who knew that lack of Pap testing is a risk factor for cervical cancer were also more likely to be routine screeners (OR 1.95 [1.30-2.91]), although no association with screening was apparent for women who had more knowledge of general cervical cancer risk factors. Physician recommendation appeared to be a potent determinant of regular screening behavior. Routine screeners perceived more benefits and fewer barriers to screening, and higher susceptibility to cervical cancer, than did women who did not routinely screen. Conclusions: Women who identify as lesbian are at potentially elevated risk of cervical cancer because they are not routinely screened. Evidence-based interventions should be developed that address critical health beliefs that undermine participation in screening. Given the value placed on physician recommendation, patient-provider communication may serve as the optimal mode for intervention delivery. Citation Format: J. Kathleen Tracy. Understanding cervical cancer screening among lesbians: A national survey. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A03.
Loss of Binding and Entry of Liposome-DNA Complexes Decreases Transfection Efficiency in Differentiated Airway Epithelial Cells

The target cells for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis lung disease are the well differentiated cells that line airway lumens. Employing cultures of airway epithelial cells that grow like "islands" and exhibit a continuum of cellular differentiation, we studied the mechanisms that render well differentiated cells more difficult to transfect with cationic liposomes than poorly differentiated cells. The poorly differentiated cells at the edge of the islands were transfectable with liposome-DNA complexes (pCMVbeta:LipofectACE = 1:5 (w/w)), whereas the more differentiated cells in the center of the islands were not. Evaluation of the steps leading to lipid-mediated transfection revealed that edge cells bound more liposome-DNA complexes, in part due to a more negative surface charge (as measured by cationized ferritin binding), and that edge cells internalized more liposome-DNA complexes than central cells. Edge cells exhibited receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL, pinocytosis of 10-nm microspheres, and phagocytosis of 2-microm microspheres, whereas central cells were only capable of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Cytochalasin B, which inhibited pinocytosis by 65% and phagocytosis by 93%, decreased edge cell liposome-DNA complex entry by 50%. Potassium depletion, which decreased phagocytosis by >90% but had no effect on pinocytosis, inhibited edge cell liposome-DNA complex entry by 71%. These results indicate that liposome-DNA complexes enter edge cells via phagocytosis and that this pathway is not detectable in central cells. In conclusion, both reduced negative surface charge and absence of phagocytosis internalization pathways in relatively differentiated cells may explain differentiation-dependent decrements in cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer in airway epithelia.
Proximity to safety and its effects on fear prediction bias.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that the perceived availability of safety resources plays an influential role in fear prediction bias. Claustrophobic S s ( N = 37) completed a claustrophobic challenge under conditions of either low or high proximity to safety. Proximity to safety was operationalized as distance from the exit. We examined the effects of proximity to safety on S s' predicted fear, actual fear, and discrepancy between predicted and actual fear (prediction bias). Consistent with prediction, the availability of safety resources had a more pronounced effect on S s' actual fear than S s' predicted fear. Moreover, subjects displayed a significant underprediction bias when proximity to safety was low and a slight (albeit nonsignificant) overprediction bias when proximity to safety was high. Our results lend further support for the hypothesis that anxious S s underutilize safety information when confronting perceived threats. Possible mechanisms underlying this tendency are discussed.
Photoreactivation of excystment delay in Colpoda, induced by far ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract 1. 1. No photoreactivation (PR) was observed in dry cysts of Colpoda inflata irradiated with either monochromatic 265 nm far UV radiation or with polychromatic radiation from an argon plasma arc lamp filtered through a sapphire window with a cutoff at 145 nm. 2. 2. Wet Colpoda cysts, however, showed a high degree of PR, especially after large UV doses from either source listed above. PR was achieved using two lamps, each with two 4 watt cool white fluorescent bulbs 8 cm from the cyst preparation; an exposure of 4 or more hours was required for maximal PR. 3. 3. Wet cysts were damaged by much smaller doses of far UV than were dry cysts; such damage is, however, also subject to PR. 4. 4. It is probable that PR fails in dry cysts because the photoenzyme which provides energy for PR by absorbing visible and near UV radiation is unable to act in the absence of water.
Theory of the magnetic and metal-insulator transitions in RNiO3 bulk and layered structures.

A slave rotor---Hartree-Fock formalism is presented for studying the properties of the $p\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}d$ model describing perovskite transition metal oxides, and a flexible and efficient numerical formalism is developed for its solution. The methodology is shown to yield, within a unified formulation, the significant aspects of the rare-earth nickelate phase diagram, including the paramagnetic metal state observed for the ${\mathrm{LaNiO}}_{3}$ and the correct ground-state magnetic order of insulating compounds. It is then used to elucidate ground state changes occurring as morphology is varied from bulk to strained and unstrained thin-film form. For ultrathin films, epitaxial strain and charge transfer to the apical out-of-plane oxygen sites are shown to have significant impact on the phase diagram.
Multiple signaling interactions coordinate collective cell migration of the posterior lateral line primordium

Collective migration of adherent cohorts of cells is a common and crucial phenomenon during embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. The zebrafish posterior lateral line primordium has emerged as a powerful in vivo model to study collective migration due to its relative simplicity and accessibility. While it has become clear that chemokine signaling is the primary guidance system responsible for directing the primordium along its migratory path it is not clear what mechanisms downstream of chemokine signaling coordinate migration of individual cells within the primordium. In this review, we summarize the cell signaling interactions that underlie collective migration of the primordium and discuss proposed mechanisms for the function of chemokine signaling in this tissue.
Entry into S phase is inhibited in human fibroblasts by rat liver poly(A) + RNA

Abstract Initiation of DNA synthesis was inhibited in human fibroblasts following microinjection with poly(A) + RNA derived from normal rat liver. After sucrose gradient sedimentation of the RNA, the inhibitory activity was found to be limited to two adjacent fractions. Dilution experiments suggest a minimum abundance level of 0.015% for this mRNA(s). Studies on the kinetics of this inhibition indicate a reversible inhibition with a duration of approx. 10 h.
Functional photoacoustic microscopy for high-resolution and noninvasive in vivo imaging

Although optical absorption is strongly associated with the physiological status of biological tissue, existing high-resolution optical imaging modalities, including confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy and optical coherence tomography, do not sense optical absorption directly. Furthermore, optical scattering prevents these methods from imaging deeper than ~1 mm below the tissue surface. Here we report functional photoacoustic microscopy (fPAM), which provides multiwavelength imaging of optical absorption and permits high spatial resolution beyond this depth limit with a ratio of maximum imaging depth to depth resolution greater than 100. Reflection mode, rather than orthogonal or transmission mode, is adopted because it is applicable to more anatomical sites than the others. fPAM is demonstrated with in vivo imaging of angiogenesis, melanoma, hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO_2) of single vessels in animals and total hemoglobin concentration in humans.
Urinary Excretion of Thiamine as a Characteristic of the Individual.

Summary1. The thiamine and pyramin excretions by 2 groups of normal young men maintained on 1 and 2 mg of thiamine per day have been determined on 2 different occasions when the same diet was served on 3 successive days. Each of these periods occurred only after the men had been stabilized at their respective intakes.2. The thiamine excretion on a constant diet shows a 2 to 3 fold variation for the men within each group and an overlapping of the 2 groups. The pyramin excretion is much more constant and shows no tendency for the values of the 2 groups to overlap.3. The excretion of thiamine is characteristic of the individual as shown by the rank correlations of the excretion values. This was true over the entire 8 months of the dietary regime and was also true when the above thiamine intakes were reversed. There is no such correlation for the pyramin excretions.4. The explanation of the thiamine excresion as a characteristic of the individual cannot be found in the fecal excretion of thiamine, the physica...
Synthesis and cannabinoid receptor binding activity of conjugated triene anandamide, a novel eicosanoid

A polyenoic fatty-acid isomerase (PFI) from a red marine alga was used to convert anandamide (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoyl-N-ethanolamide) to the 5Z,7E,9E,14Z-eicosatetraenoyl-N-ethanolamide isomer. This novel eicosanoid, termed conjugated triene anandamide (CTA), was assessed for its ability to bind to the cannabinoid receptor in rat brain membrane preparations. CTA is a high affinity cannabimimetic substance whose novel structure provides new insight into structure-activity relationships of cannabinoid receptor ligands. These experiments illustrate the utility of enzymes isolated from marine organisms in the development of pharmacological probes.
Cosmological evolution of monopoles connected by strings

Abstract Phase transitions in the early universe can give rise to a system of vacuum strings. Assuming that the strings are topologically stable, it has been recently shown that they can produce density fluctuations which can subsequently lead to galaxy formation. The present paper examines the cosmological evolution of topologically unstable strings. In this case the system consists of strings having monopoles and antimonopoles at the ends, as well as of closed loops. Various physical processes in the system are discussed in detail. It is shown that monopoles and strings disappear long before any appreciable density fluctuations on a galactic scale can be produced.
Heat loss prevention in neonates

Maintaining a neutral thermal environment is one of the key physiologic challenges a newborn infant faces after delivery. Attention to detail regarding the management of an infant's neutral thermal environment may lead to improvement in clinical outcome, including improved survival. The details of this management cover a broad spectrum of interventions, from attention to the general environment (such as delivery room temperature) to specific individualized therapies, such as the use of polyethylene occlusive skin wrap. Although an integral part of the routine care of all newborns (whether term or preterm), these interventions have unfortunately received little attention and study. A commitment to greater understanding of these issues and their impact on newborns is essential if we hope to improve their outcome.
Exploring XML for data exchange in the context of an undergraduate database curriculum

The relationship between XML and database management systems has become an important topic for coverage at the undergraduate level. This paper presents an approach to teaching the use of XML through the study of data exchange. After a brief review of XML, the paper provides a tutorial on the different features that are provided in major relational database products for the import and export of XML, providing a discussion of how these features can be used as implementation exercises for students. In addition to addressing the use of XML for data exchange in relational systems, the paper also provides an overview of several teaching tools that are also used in the study of XML for object-oriented data and also for the exchange of object-oriented and object-relational data.
Post-Anodization Implantation and CVD Techniques for Passivation of Porous Silicon

Proper surface passivation is critical for achieving stable, efficient PL from light-emitting porous silicon (LEPSi). As-anodized LEPSi is passivated by hydrogen which desorbs at a temperature as low as 400 °C. For device purposes, it is necessary that porous Si can tolerate at least 450 °C for post anodization annealing/metallization steps. We have established that, if the hydrogen at the surface is substituted by oxygen, the resulting Si-Ox passivation is significantly more stable. One way of achieving this is to implant low energy/low dose oxygen to form a thin coating of SiO2 on the surface. Post implantation FTIR data report the absence of Si-H peaks. XPS data indicate the formation of nearly stoichiometric SiO2 at the surface. Similar results were achieved by implanting with nitrogen to form Si3N4. As an alternative to implantation, we have deposited thin capping layers of SiO2, Si3N4 and SiC by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) which resulted in a similar degree of passivation. Wafers were pre-treated at 400 °C to remove hydrogen from the surface. Finally, we carried out a low-pressure CVD (LPCVD) oxide deposition on LEPSi. Post implantation/CVD annealing was done at temperatures up to 600 °C. In most cases, little or no change was observed in the resultant PL intensities.
Encryption Characteristics of Two USB-based Personal Health Record Devices

Personal health records (PHRs) hold great promise for empowering patients and increasing the accuracy and completeness of health information. We reviewed two small USB-based PHR devices that allow a patient to easily store and transport their personal health information. Both devices offer password protection and encryption features. Analysis of the devices shows that they store their data in a Microsoft Access database. Due to a flaw in the encryption of this database, recovering the user's password can be accomplished with minimal effort. Our analysis also showed that, rather than encrypting health information with the password chosen by the user, the devices stored the user's password as a string in the database and then encrypted that database with a common password set by the manufacturer. This is another serious vulnerability. This article describes the weaknesses we discovered, outlines three critical flaws with the security model used by the devices, and recommends four guidelines for improving the security of similar devices. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007;14:397-399. DOI 10.1197/jamia.M2352.