cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of inwardly rectifying K(+) channels by cGMP in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

Endothelial barrier dysfunction is typically triggered by increased intracellular Ca2+concentration. Membrane-permeable analogs of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) prevent disruption of endothelial cell integrity. Because membrane potential (E m), which influences the electrochemical gradient for Ca2+ influx, is regulated by K+ channels, we investigated the effect of 8-bromo-cGMP on E m and inwardly rectifying K+ (KIR) currents in bovine pulmonary artery and microvascular endothelial cells (BPAEC and BMVEC), using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. Both cell types exhibited inward currents at potentials negative to −50 mV that were abolished by application of 10 μM Ba2+, consistent with KIR current. Ba2+ also depolarized both cell types. 8-Bromo-cGMP (10−3 M) depolarized BPAEC and BMVEC and inhibited KIR current. Pretreatment with Rp-8-cPCT-cGMPS or KT-5823, protein kinase G (PKG) antagonists, did not prevent current inhibition by 8-bromo-cGMP. These data suggest that 8-bromo-cGMP induces depol...
Propagation of obliquely incident water waves over a trench. part 2. currents flowing along the trench

Several methods based on matched eigenfunction expansions are developed to study the diffraction of a linear, steady train of waves in finite water depth by a combination of straight depth discontinuities and colinear vortex sheets, where the vortex sheets represent a first approximation to a thin shear layer between regions of dissimilar ambient current velocity. Special attention is paid to the case of a current flowing along a submerged trench, and predictions of reflection and transmission are seen to be highly sensitive to the magnitude and direction of the ambient current.
Contrast echocardiography: applications and limitations.

echocardio graphy is one of the most commonly used noninvasive imaging modalities in cardiology. Its portability, lack of ionizing radiation, excellent temporal and spatial resolution, and low cost make echocardiog- raphy an attractive technology. However, a significant proportion of patients have suboptimal images that decrease the diagnostic utility of echocardiogra- phy. One method to enhance the assessment of cardiac structure and function involves the administration of microbubble contrast agents. Capitalizing on interactions between microbubbles and ultrasound, imaging modalities that were specifically designed to enhance microbubble signal while suppressing tissue signal have been developed. These modalities can be used for either left ventricular opacification or myocardial perfusion imaging. The current appli- cations of contrast echocardiography, along with the safety and limitations of the technology will be reviewed.
Long-term abstinent alcoholics have a blunted blood glucose response to 2-deoxy-d-glucose.

Aims: In this study we explored the relationship between alcohol and carbohydrate consumption in long-term abstinent alcoholics. Methods: We employed an established laboratory paradigm which allowed us to stimulate and measure dietary intake. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a glucose analogue that causes an intracellular energy deprivation resulting in exaggerated food con- sumption and a compensatory metabolic response to raise blood glucose. Using a double-blind design, we gave an infusion of 25 mg/kg 2-DG or placebo to 20 long-term abstinent alcoholics and 19 healthy volunteers. Results: There were no baseline differences in any dietary, behavioural or biochemical variables. As expected, 2-DG increased caloric consumption and blood glucose levels in a ti me- dependent fashion. There were no differences in food consumption between the alcoholics and the healthy volunteers following th e 2-DG stimulus. However, the alcoholic group had a significantly blunted response in blood glucose. Conclusions: The origin of this atypical blood glucose response may antedate the onset of alcoholism, or it may be secondary to alcohol-related damage that per sists beyond 6 months. Previous accounts of increased sweet consumption in alcoholics were not substantiated, although they may be present in the peri-withdrawal period.
Determination of carrier lifetime in Si by optical modulation

A contactless optical modulation technique for the determination of photogenerated carrier lifetime in silicon is presented. The method is based on the measurement of the optically modulated free-carrier absorption in Si at 10.6 µm. The fractional change in transmitted intensity of a dc below band-gap probe beam (with ħω _{p} E_{g} ) due to a modulated pump beam (with ħω _{p} > E_{g} ) is proportional to the excess carrier lifetime. This optical modulation technique, which is relatively simple, contactless, and nondestructive, may have significant potential as a high-resolution high-sensitivity tool for Si wafer screening, crystal growth studies, and process evaluation.
The origin of extracellular DNA during the clearance of dead and dying cells

DNA is a nuclear molecule that has both an intracellular and extracellular role. Inside the cell, it is the essential molecule of heredity while outside the cell it can have immunological activity, both alone and in the context of immune complexes. Furthermore, extracellular DNA has information content that can be mined by genomic techniques. Because of the association of extracellular DNA with clinical conditions marked by cell death, dead and dying cells have been considered the origin of this material. To investigate this process, in vitro and in vivo systems have been used to determine the release of DNA from cells, using Jurkat T cells as a model. Thus, in vitro, apoptotic Jurkat cells release DNA whereas necrotic cells do not. The presence of macrophages in these cultures, however, modifies the release process, causing release from necrotic cells as well. In in vivo experiments in which Jurkat cells are administered to normal mice, both apoptotic and necrotic cells give rise to DNA in the blood in a...
Polymeric prodrugs of ampicillin as antibacterial coatings

A novel ampicillin prodrug containing two carboxylic acid functionalities was synthesized by reacting ampicillin with acyl chloride in the presence of base. This prodrug was subsequently converted into a poly(anhydride-amide) via solution polymerization. The polymer, which chemically incorporates the ampicillin prodrug into the polymeric backbone, was developed as a film to prevent infections associated with medical devices by controlled, localized release of antimicrobials. The robust polymer coatings exhibiting strong adhesion to stainless steel were produced under elevated temperature and reduced pressure. The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of the polymer into the ampicillin prodrug was measured and the antibacterial activity of polymer-derived coatings was examined using a Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the polymer cytotoxicity was screened using fibroblasts. The ampicillin prodrug demonstrated antibacterial activity and the polymer demonstrated no cytotoxic effects on f...
Origin of spatial charge inhomogeneity in graphene

In an ideal graphene sheet, charge carriers behave as two-dimensional Dirac fermions 1 . This has been confirmed by the discovery of a half-integer quantum Hall effect in graphene flakes placed on a SiO2 substrate. The Dirac fermions in graphene, however, are subject to microscopic perturbations that include topographic corrugations and electron-density inhomogeneities (that is, charge puddles). Such perturbations profoundly alter Dirac-fermion behaviour, with implications for their fundamental physics as well as for future graphene device applications. Here we report a new technique of Diracpoint mapping that we have used to determine the origin of charge inhomogeneities in graphene. We find that fluctuations in graphene charge density are caused not by topographical corrugations, but rather by charge-donating impurities below the graphene. These impurities induce surprising standing wave patterns due to unexpected backscattering of Dirac fermions. Such wave patterns can be continuously modulated by electric gating. Our observations provide new insight into impurity scattering of Dirac fermions and the microscopic mechanisms limiting electronic mobility in graphene. Topographic corrugations and charge puddles in graphene are two of the most significant types of disorder in this new material. Topographic corrugations 24 , for example, have been suggested as a cause for the suppression of anticipated antilocalization 5 . Electron and hole puddles 6 have similarly been blamed for obscuring universal conductivity in graphene 7 . These issues are part of a puzzle regarding the factors that limit graphene’s mobility 812 . In order for graphene to fulfil its promise as a next-generation nanodevice substrate it is important to understand the origin of the disorder and the influence it has on Dirac fermions. We have made new progress in this direction by using the techniques of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy to simultaneously probe topographic and electronic disorder in graphene with an electron-density spatial resolution two orders of magnitude higher than previous scanning single-electron transistor microscopy measurements 6 . Figure 1a shows the STM topography of a typical 30 30nm 2 area of a graphene monolayer on SiO2. We observe random corrugations with lateral dimension of a few nanometres and a vertical dimension of1:5¯ (r.m.s.), probably due to roughness in the underlying SiO2 surface and/or intrinsic ripples of the graphene sheet 24,13 . STM imaging at the atomic scale clearly resolves the graphene honeycomb lattice on top of the broader surfacecorrugationalloverthesamplesurface(inset).
Failure of adjustable gastric banding: starting BMI of 46 kg/m2 is a fulcrum of success and failure

Abstract Background To determine the body mass index (BMI) located at the fulcrum of success and failure in a prospective study conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. On average, our patients whose percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was >50% at 1 year had a significantly lower BMI than those with Methods We prospectively collected the weight loss data for 430 patients who had had an adjustable gastric band placed. We stratified the %EWL within 1 year for patients with a BMI of 30–59 kg/m 2 . A line was generated for the %EWL over time for BMI groups of 30–39, 40–49, and 50–59 kg/m 2 and compared with the average %EWL over time. The y-intercepts of the resulting four lines were graphed against the average BMI for each group. Results The generated y-intercept line had an R 2 of .9237. Using the equation of this line and the known y-intercept for the average, we solved for x, resulting in a BMI of 46 kg/m 2 . Patients with a BMI 2 had a 50% EWL at 1 year, and those with a BMI >46 kg/m 2 had only a 33% EWL at 1 year. The %EWL between the groups was significantly different at all measured intervals ( P Conclusion A BMI of 46 kg/m 2 identifies those at high risk of failure to lose a significant percentage of excess weight after adjustable gastric banding and who require closer follow-up. Furthermore, patients who have a BMI >46 kg/m 2 should be advised that their weight loss might be suboptimal at 1 year.
Combined creatinine velocity and nadir creatinine: A reliable predictor of renal outcome in neonatally diagnosed posterior urethral valves

Summary Introduction Nadir creatinine (lowest creatinine during the first year following diagnosis) is a recognised indicator of future chronic renal impairment (CRI) in posterior urethral valve (PUV) patients. We recently described “creatinine velocity” (C vel ), the rate of change of creatinine following initial bladder drainage, as a new early predictor of CRI in neonatally diagnosed PUV. Rising C vel (>3 μmol/L/day) is associated with increased risk of CRI. Objective We studied these two prognostic indicators in combination, as a test for future CRI in neonatally diagnosed PUV patients. Study design Medical records for patients treated by endoscopic valve ablation at our institution between 1993 and 2004 were reviewed. Simple linear regression was used to calculate C vel . Creatinine velocity and nadir creatinine were considered predictive of future CRI if they were greater than 3 μmol/L/day or greater than 75 μmol/L (0.85 mg/dL), respectively. Chronic renal insufficiency was defined as CKD2 or higher. Outcomes in test groups were analysed by Fisher exact test. Statistical significance was defined as p Results Sixty-two patients were treated within the first 30 days of life and had sufficient data to calculate both C vel and nadir creatinine. Mean follow-up was 9.4 years. Patients were grouped as having both risk factors (Group A), one risk factor (Group B), or neither risk factor (Group C). All four (100%) patients from Group A developed CRI, compared with 11 of 17 (64.7%) patients from Group B and three of 41 (7.3%) patients from Group C ( p ≤ 0.0005). As a diagnostic test for future CRI, “presence of at least one risk factor” had a specificity of 86.4%, sensitivity of 83.3%, positive predictive value of 71.4%, and negative predictive value of 92.7%. Additional prognostic information was obtained by assigning a score from 1 to 3 for each prognostic indicator (Table). The sum of these scores gave a PUV Risk Score. No patient with a PUV Risk Score of 2 developed CRI, while all patients with a Score of 6 developed CRI. Incidence of CRI in patients with PUV Risk Scores of 3, 4, and 5 was 8.3%, 50%, and 63.6%, respectively ( p ≤ 0.0005). Conclusion Considered together, these prognostic indicators provide a powerful test for future CRI. Presence of at least one of these risk factors should be considered “at risk for CRI”. Patients with neither risk factor are unlikely to develop CRI. Calculation of the PUV Risk Score provides an even more accurate prognosis. Table . Risk scores for each prognostic indicator. Nadir creat score C vel score Result (μmol/L) Score Result (μmol/L/day) Score 1 1 35–75 2 −3 to 3 2 >75 3 >3 3
Composition of Helminth Communities in Montane and Lowland Populations of the Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis from Los Angeles County, California

Abstract Five hundred seventy-two Sceloporus occidentalis from Los Angeles County, California, were examined for helminths: 200 from the San Gabriel Mountains (montane, ca. 1584 m elevation) and 372 from the Puente Hills (lowland, ca. 150 m elevation). The component helminth community of the montane fence lizard population consisted of four species: two species of cestodes, Mesocestoides sp. and Oochoristica scelopori and two species of nematodes, Physaloptera retusa and Spauligodon giganticus. The component helminth community of the lowland fence lizard population contained three species: Mesocestoides sp., Physaloptera retusa and unidentified nematode acuariid larvae. The two helminth communities are dissimilar in composition.
Plant Spacing and Weed Control Affect Sunflower Stalk Insects and the Girdling Behavior of Dectes texanus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

We conducted a 2-yr study to determine the effects of crop density and weeds on levels of damage caused by stalk-boring insects in rain-fed sunflowers in west-central Kansas. Weed-free sunflower had higher seed weight and oil content in 2007, but not in 2006, but weeds did not affect infestation by stalk-boring insects in either year. High-density sunflower had lower estimated seed yield per unit area than low-density sunflower in both years, but percentage oil was slightly greater in the high-density treatment in 2006. Sunflowers were more heavily infested by larvae of Ataxia hubbardi Fisher, Cylindrocopturus adspersus (Leconte), and Pelochrista womanana (Kearfott) in 2006 than in 2007, ostensibly as a result of being planted earlier. Larvae of Dectes texanus LeConte appeared unaffected by planting date and were present in >70% of plants in both years. Conditions during the period of crop maturity were much drier in 2006 than in 2007 and were associated with higher seed oil content and earlier and faster progression of stalk girdling by D. texanus larvae in both low- and high-density plots. There was also a strong effect of plant density on girdling behavior that seemed to be mediated by effects on soil moisture. Stalk girdling began earlier in high-density plots and a larger proportion of plants were girdled compared with low-density plots on all sampling dates in both years. Certain cultural tactics, in particular reduced plant spacing, have potential to delay the onset of girdling behavior by D. texanus larvae and thus mitigate losses that otherwise result from the lodging of girdled plants.
Digital-Discrete Method and Its Relations to Graphics and AI Methods

As a practical method,digital-discrete data reconstruction uses both discrete and continuous methods for data interpolation and approximation. Today,a significant development in discrete mathematics is digital technology. Digital methods contain a flavor of graphical presentation and artificial intelligence. It is very interesting to explore the relationship between digital methods and graphical and intelligence methods. In this chapter,we introduce the subdivision method and the moving least squares method. These two methods are popular smooth data fitting methods in computer graphics. The subdivision method is an intuitive method for smooth shape design; the moving least squares method is a mesh-free method for data fitting. Our purpose is to provide a potential link from main stream techniques to digital functions. We also present the extension of digital functions to more general cases in artificial intelligence,especially in partial information searches and image segmentation. This expansion uses lambda-connectedness,which shares the same mathematical foundation as gradually varied functions. We include the algorithms for segmentations and fitting for image objects. This chapter also contains future research topics of the digital-discrete method.
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) have many uses in psychology and related disciplines. They are often used to assess reliability, to deduce heritability, and to quantify similarity in group-randomized trials. Different estimates of ICCs are appropriate depending on the particular study in question and the interpretation of ICC estimates in different contexts vary as well. This entry discusses the appropriate use of three basic forms of ICCs for rater reliability and one additional form that is equivalent to Cronbach's alpha. Examples of calculations and interpretations of these ICCs are given in the context of reliability and extended to multilevel group analyses, and population genetics studies. Keywords: clinical trials; psychometric testing; reliability; statistical methods in psychology; methodology
Deterring Opportunism Through Clawbacks: Lessons for Executive Compensation from Minor League Baseball

Highly talented baseball players, as scarce commodities, command large sums of money in the form of signing bonuses prior to ever playing a professional baseball game. Yet the development of these highly talented baseball players is risky business. This Article demonstrates the utility of clawbacks in deterring possible opportunistic behavior amongst highly talented baseball players. Ultimately, the lessons learned from such deterrents can be applied to other areas ripe for opportunism such as executive compensation.
Assembly Systems with Sequential Supplier Decisions and Uncertain Demand

We consider multitier push assembly systems with sequential supplier decisions and a wholesale price contract. We show that both an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)–Contract Manufacturer (CM) assembly and a modular assembly with sequential supplier decisions are mathematically equivalent to the corresponding traditional assembly. We determine that, in most cases, the first mover supplier realizes a higher profit than the second mover supplier but we also identify the sufficient conditions for the reverse to occur. We provide conditions under which the order quantity, the second mover profit, total supplier profits, and the assembler profit are either higher or lower for a multitier system with sequential suppliers compared to simultaneous suppliers. We conclude that the first mover is always better off in a three-tier sequential system while she can be either better off or worse off in a four-tier sequential system compared to the corresponding simultaneous systems. We also analyze the impact of information asymmetry on the supplier and assembler profits in a three-tier sequential system. Finally, we determine the profit threshold for an independent manufacturer in a three-tier system to become a CM in a four-tier system and vice versa.
Pediatric registries at the Food and Drug Administration: design aspects that increase their likelihood of success.

Purpose To determine aspects of the design of pediatric registries that contribute to the success of registries conducted as a postmarketing study following approval of drugs or biological products by the US Food and Drug Administration. Methods Pediatric registries for drugs and biological products were identified by searching the US Food and Drug Administration Postmarketing Requirements and Commitments database. Based on the recruitment of patients, the meeting of predetermined deadlines, and the submission of data, we classified studies as successful, unsuccessful, or unevaluable. Design aspects of successful and unsuccessful registries were examined for commonalities. Results Thirty-eight studies were identified, and ten registries met the criteria for successful. Four (40%) successful registries utilized a registry established prior to product approval, and six (60%) were disease-based. Among unsuccessful registries, none were disease-based or utilized a pre-existing registry. Conclusions Characteristics identified as more common to successful registries included utilizing a disease-based registry and a registry established prior to product approval. Future studies might examine a larger sample of registries to see if these aspects consistently result in successful studies. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Intracellular studies on pacemaker and follower neurones in the cardiac ganglion of Limulus.

1. The three types of large neurones in Limulus cardiac ganglion exhibit activity of the follower cell type. Large neurones are connected by ephaptic junctions. 2. Small bipolar cells and perhaps small multipolar cells behave like pacemaker neurones. They have slowly depolarizing pacemaker potentials between heart beats and single overshooting spike potentials which initiate each ganglionic burst. 3. Intracellular stimulation of pacemaker neurones elicits a burst of spikes in the ganglion, as recorded extracellularly, between spontaneous bursts. Stimulation of pacemaker cells causes a train of spikes in large ganglion cells, as recorded intracellularly. 4. Pacemaker neurones may be electrotonically coupled.
Single Source Precursors for III-V OMCVD Growth and Pyrolysis Studies

Compounds of the type (L2MEL'2)x, where M and E are the group III and V elements, respectively, and L and L' are ligands which may be thermally eliminated are being studied as single source precursors to III-V semiconductors. An array of these compounds have been synthesized with various III-V combinations, and hydride and alkyl ligands. Film growth was studied over the temperature range of 450-600 ° and at 10-4 Torr. Growth rates of 1 μm/hr are typical when the compounds are maintained at 125-140 °. (Me2Ga(μ-t-Bu2As) [2 led to films which were polygrained with the grains oriented in the (111) direction and retained the 1:1 stoichiometry of the precursor. Films from [Me2Ga(μ-i-Pr2As)]3 did not retain the 1:1 stoichiometry and did not show the preference for (111)- oriented growth.
The Prelude to Authority

Crises in political synthesis are not without precedent. They must have occurred from time to time since the emergence of coherent political society. Indeed, any sharp divergence between commonly accepted ethical standards and temporal conditions is likely to produce a crisis in regimes. The last great debate in the West on the destiny of politics occurred in the later years of the eighteenth and the early part of the nineteenth centuries. The issue was formulated in terms of the basis of authority, just as it is at the present time. At that time, liberalism, with its uncertain conception of political organization, faced the old and tried historical authorities founded on the feudal and the divine conceptions of earthly power. Such men as Edmund Burke, von Haller, and the thinkers of the German historical school fought their losing battle against the tides in liberalism which seemed to them most pernicious. The new capitalism gathered into its fold the hunger for liberty and for the destruction of the arbitrary in government, but our crisis today rests on the fact that this capitalism and its multitudinous social implications are, in the minds of many, becoming unequal to the task of running the world as it is. As then, we turn to the past and defend the old, which is today the liberal system, and some even refuse to admit that there is any crisis at all. Yet to great numbers of men the historic conception of justice is no answer, and if they turn to history, they fail to see any light to guide them in the actuality of the hour. The old sources of inspiration become pale in the brilliant illumination of new anarchy of mind and system. Rationalism has retreated gracefully before the impact of psychology-both normal and abnormal-and in the breach has appeared the virile but barbarian doctrine of power and the pragmatic principle that history is objectively neither right nor wrong but success and failure.' It means that the old foundations of authority are left without loyalty. The ancient facades of power often become ugly and helpless when approached from behind.
Research of Cardiac Muscle Enzyme of Unexpected Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Yunnan,China

ObjectiveIn order to master the difference of the cardiac muscle enzyme in epidemic and non-epidemic area of unexpected sudden cardiac death in Dayao County in Yunnan Provence.MethodsTwenty-four villagers from the epidemic villages,and total 90 villagers from 3 control villages were selected to detect the cardiac muscle enzyme,hepatic and renal function in the period of endemic and non-endemic,respectively.ResultsFour indices of cardiac muscle enzyme were high in the abnormal detection.They were CK-MB,CK,HBDH and LDH in turn.The abnormal rate was higher in the epidemic area than in the control villages.The highest CK-MB was 5 times of upper limit with the CK of 4 times,the HBDH of 2.36 times and the LDH of 1.5 times.The LDH and HBDH of villagers in the epidemic villages decreased obviously in the epidemic period than in the non-epidemic period.ConclusionsThere may be risk factors that lead to cardiac muscle enzyme hoist in the environment,because the abnormal rate of 4 cardiac muscle enzymes of villagers in epidemic villages was high both in epidemic and non-epidemic period compared the control villagers.
Effect of matrine combined with cisplatin on drug sensitivity and TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells

Objective To explore the effects of matrine(Ma) on survival and apoptosis of neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y,reduction of drug-resistance of cisplatin(CDDP) and its potential mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells were treated with all-trans-retinoic acid(ATRA),brain-derived neurotrophic factor,CDDP and Ma respectively.Trials were divided into following groups: control group,ATRA induced cisplatin intervention group,cisplatin intervention group,Ma intervention group,and Ma combined with cisplatin intervention group.MTT colorimetric assay was performed to exam the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells treated with Ma and CDDP.Apoptosis rate of SY5Y was measured by flow cytometry Ma.Western-blot analysis was employed to measure the p-TrkB expression.Results There was significant difference in survival and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells between each group and control group except the ATRA induced cisplatin intervention group(P 0.05).Significant difference was also found between cisplatin intervention group and ATRA induced cisplatin intervention group(P 0.05).The survival rates and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells was statistically significant between Ma group and Ma combined with cisplation group(P 0.05);and also between the Ma joint cisplation group and cisplation intervention group(P 0.05);There was no significant difference in survival and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells between Ma(0.5 mg / ml) intervention group and ATRA induced cisplatin group(P 0.05).No significant difference was observed in p-TrkB expression of SH-SY5Y cells among groups(P 0.05).Conclusions Ma can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit the growth of the SH-SY5Y cells,meanwhile increase the sensibility of chemotherapy of cisplatin but this effect is not correlated to the TrkB /BDNF signal transduction.
A Lung Nodule Detection Algorithm Based on Local Maximum Gray Segmenting and Improved Mahalanobis Distance Classifying

It is hard to detect lung nodules automatically from CT images for lung CAD system.A detection algorithm is proposed for solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs) in thoracic CT images in this paper.Firstly,lung field is segmented from original CT image effectively and accurately.Secondly,areas of local maximum gray are found,to segment regions of interest(ROIs) roughly.Then,features of each ROI are extracted,each feature is described quantitatively by the accuracy of SVM classification with each single feature separately,and Mahalanobis distance is weighted by the quantitative parameters.Finally,ROIs are classified to nodule or non-nodule with the improved Mahalanobis distance.Experiment results indicated that the algorithm can detect SPNs effectively,it is with relatively high sensitivity and low false neglected rate,and it can provide doctors helpful information to diagnose lesions in early stage of lung cancer.
Preparation of multi-function killing rat box and observation on its killing rat efficacy

Objective To develop a kind of multi-function killing rat box which could be used to consolidate killing rat efficacy.Methods The multi-function killing rat box was designed according to rat's habits and characteristics,the box was made of compressed waste plastic and used to control the rat's density in military camp.Results The rat's density was reduced by 92.12% within 3 week (short term).The box was used in military camp for a long time,the rat's density reached 5%.The efficacy of killing rat was evident in chicken farm.Conclusion The miti-function killing rat box was easy to be used,and it had long-term and evident efficacy of killing rat.
Psychopharmacology: Combined Treatment

Integrated and combined treatment is the provision of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to a patient. In the case of the former, therapy is most often administered by a psychiatrist. Combined, split, or collaborative treatment is administered jointly by a psychiatrist, other physician, or nurse practitioner with another mental health professional psychotherapist. Although collaborative or split treatment lacks scientific support for its effectiveness or cost effectiveness, it nevertheless is widely used. Mental health care financing has undoubtedly played a major role in the acceptance of split treatment. The psychiatrist who treats the patient with medication and psychotherapy must be hypervigilant to the meaning of medication for each patient and how it is reflected in the treatment relationship. Those clinicians working in collaborative treatment relationships must above all develop concise and consistent plans for professional communication about their patient's experiences if the treatment is to succeed.
Emergent Cognitive Impairment During Early Nicotine Withdrawal

Disrupted cognition, particularly in the domains of attention, working memory, and response inhibition, is a core phenotype of nicotine withdrawal and is clinically significant with respect to risk for relapse. Abstinent smokers may be motivated to resume use to alleviate withdrawal-emergent cognitive dysfunction. This effect may explain, at least in part, why relapse rate among smokers who attempt to quit remains high despite growing public awareness of the negative health consequences of tobacco smoking. The goal of this chapter is to review what is known and what remains unknown regarding the domain-specific cognitive manifestations of nicotine withdrawal as well as the neurophysiological underpinnings of these deficits.
Role of cytochrome c in α-synuclein radical formation: implications of α-synuclein in neuronal death in Maneb- and paraquat-induced model of Parkinson's disease.

The pathological features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) include an abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein in the surviving dopaminergic neurons. Though PD is multifactorial, several epidemiological reports show an increased incidence of PD with co-exposure to pesticides such as Maneb and paraquat (MP). In pesticide-related PD, mitochondrial dysfunction and α-synuclein oligomers have been strongly implicated, but the link between the two has not yet been understood. Similarly, the biological effects of α-synuclein or its radical chemistry in PD is largely unknown. Mitochondrial dysfunction during PD pathogenesis leads to release of cytochrome c in the cytosol. Once in the cytosol, cytochrome c has one of two fates: It either binds to apaf1 and initiates apoptosis or can act as a peroxidase. We hypothesized that as a peroxidase, cytochrome c leaked out from mitochondria can form radicals on α-synuclein and initiate its oligomerization. Samples from controls, and MP co-exposed wild-type and α-synuclein knockout mice were studied using immuno-spin trapping, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and microarray experiments. Experiments with MP co-exposed mice showed cytochrome c release in cytosol and its co-localization with α-synuclein. Subsequently, we used immuno-spin trapping method to detect the formation of α-synuclein radical in samples from an in vitro reaction mixture consisting of cytochrome c, α-synuclein, and hydrogen peroxide. These experiments indicated that cytochrome c plays a role in α-synuclein radical formation and oligomerization. Experiments with MP co-exposed α-synuclein knockout mice, in which cytochrome c-α synuclein co-localization and interaction cannot occur, mice showed diminished protein radical formation and neuronal death, compared to wild-type MP co-exposed mice. Microarray data from MP co-exposed wild-type and α-synuclein knockout mice further showed that the absence of α-synuclein per se or its co-localization with cytochrome c confers protection from MP co-exposure, as several important pathways were unaffected in α-synuclein knockout mice. Altogether, these results show that peroxidase activity of cytochrome c contributes to α-synuclein radical formation and oligomerization, and that α-synuclein, through its co-localization with cytochrome c or on its own, affects several biological pathways which contribute to increased neuronal death in an MP-induced model of PD.
Economic incentives versus institutional frictions: migration dynamics within Europe

The immobility puzzle in European Union takes the form that the observed level of migration within Europe is substantially less than is expected in an union which allows free labor mobility, indicating that there are possibly institutional barriers inhibiting migration. In order to pin down the missing mass of migrants, we propose a theory of cross-region migration in a multi-region setting with heterogeneity in sectoral compositions, productivity and endowments of productive inputs. Migration arises as the result of adjustment process of workers in response to uneven region and sector-specific shocks in factor productivity. When tested on U.S. which we consider to be a benchmark for institutional homogeneity, this model explains substantial part of variability in both the nominal and the relative levels of state-to-state migration. However, for Europe, the model explains the relative ow network well but predicts a higher nominal ow than is seen in the data illustrating the puzzle. Following the hypothesis that heterogeneity across European countries in institutional factors induce a friction on such labor reallocation process driven by economic incentives, we use dyadic regression to analyze the effects of pair-wise institutional distances which broadly captures various types of socio-cultural and political differences between countries, on the missing mass of migrants. Linguistic differences appear to be an important factor explaining the gap.
Downregulation of Lysyl Oxidase Protects Retinal Endothelial Cells From High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis.

Purpose To investigate the effect of reducing high glucose (HG)-induced lysyl oxidase (LOX) overexpression and increased activity on retinal endothelial cell apoptosis. Methods Rat retinal endothelial cells (RRECs) were grown in normal (N) or HG (30 mM glucose) medium for 7 days. In parallel, RRECs were grown in HG medium and transfected with LOX small interfering RNA (siRNA), scrambled siRNA as control, or exposed to β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a LOX inhibitor. LOX expression, AKT activation, and caspase-3 activity were determined by Western blot (WB) analysis and apoptosis by differential dye staining assay. Moreover, to determine whether diabetes-induced LOX overexpression alters AKT activation and promotes apoptosis, changes in LOX expression, AKT phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and Bax expression were assessed in retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and LOX heterozygous knockout (LOX+/-) mice. Results WB analysis indicated significant LOX overexpression and reduced AKT activation under HG condition in RRECs. Interestingly, when cells grown in HG were transfected with LOX siRNA or exposed to BAPN, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased concomitant with increased AKT phosphorylation. Diabetic mouse retinas exhibited LOX overexpression, decreased AKT phosphorylation, and increased Bax and caspase-3 activation compared to values in nondiabetic mice. In LOX+/- mice, reduced LOX levels were observed with increased AKT activity, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, decreased levels of LOX in the LOX+/- mice was protective against diabetes-induced apoptosis. Conclusions Findings from this study indicate that preventing LOX overexpression may be protective against HG-induced apoptosis in retinal vascular cells associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Market-based control of electric ship power systems

A market-based control approach is presented for the control of power flow within an electric ship. The proposed control method consists of an artificial market in which various actors (a consumer and firms) behave according to microeconomic principles. Each piece of equipment within the engineering plant will behave as a firm, attempting to maximize its profit. The commanding officer will behave as a consumer, attempting to maximize his or her utility. By proper market design, the control system allocates resources within the system efficiently to meet the objectives of the commanding officer. This control strategy does not inherently depend on the mode of operation. If objectives change (e.g., cruising vs. battle), the market reacts, prices shift, and resources are allocated to new purposes. If the structure of the system changes (e.g., due to a change in plant lineup or due to battle damage), the prices will change to reflect the new conditions, and the market will attempt to meet the objectives in the most efficient manner under the new configuration. In this way, a unified control strategy can be applied to achieve various objectives, such as fuel efficiency, continuity of service, and survivability.
Donor/Recipient Insurance Coverage: Protecting Against Unexpected Liability

Oocyte donation (OD) was originally intended for reproductive-aged women with premature ovarian failure and women with intractable infertility. However, currently OD serves the reproductive needs of a more diverse group of women, including women of advanced maternal age and postmenopausal patients. Despite oocyte donation being an expensive procedure, its popularity can be attributed to its high rate of success. Oocyte donation is now more commonly performed than ever. Yet, inherent risks to both the donor and recipient still exist. Measures to protect all parties, including the IVF practices that offer such services, from potential expenses secondary to complications must be established to maintain a viable and operationally sound program.
Abstract 20297: Overloaded High Density Lipoprotein Particles & Incident Cardiovascular Events

Background: Increased high-density cholesterol content (HDL-C) indexed to HDL particle concentration (HDL-P), termed “cholesterol overloaded HDL,” has been associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in a low risk cohort. However, it remains unclear how indices of HDL composition associate with incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events and cholesterol efflux, a key anti-atherosclerotic pathway. HDL particle size is also considered an important parameter but has not been studied indexed to particle concentration. Methods: HDL-C, HDL-P, and HDL particle size by NMR, and cholesterol efflux capacity from macrophages to apolipoprotein B-depleted plasma at baseline were measured in 2417 participants, ages 30 to 65, enrolled in the Dallas Heart Study, a probability based population sample. The associations of two indexes of HDL composition, HDL-C/HDL-P and HDL size/HDL-P, were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The primary ASCVD endpoint included first myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or cardiovascular death. Results: In a fully adjusted model that included traditional risk factors, the highest versus lowest quartiles of HDL-C/HDL-P and HDL-Size/HDL-P were both associated with a significant increase in incident ASCVD (HDL-C/HDL-P: HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.18 - 3.80; HDL-Size/HDL-P: HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.05). Cholesterol efflux capacity was inversely associated with HDL-Size/HDL-P (p=0.012) but not with HDL-C/HDL-P (p=0.517). Conclusion: Overloaded HDL, as measured by increased HDL-C/HDL-P or HDL size/HDL-P, associates with an increased risk of incident ASCVD and may partially reflect dysfunctional HDL as assessed by lower cholesterol efflux. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive assessment of HDL composition markers for ASCVD risk.
Using Bradford's law of scattering to identify the core journals of pediatric surgery.

Abstract Background Bradford's law of scattering defines an exponentially diminishing return when extending a search for references in journals and can be used to identify the “core” journals in a field. The purpose of this study was to identify the core journals of pediatric surgery. Methods With Institutional Review Board approval, we developed bibliometric profiles for the top academically productive pediatric surgeons in the United States. These profiles included the total number of publications, journals in which those authors published their manuscripts, and identification of all articles cited by those surgeons, along with the journals those references were drawn from. Bradford's law of scattering was applied to identify the core journals of pediatric surgery. Results We identified n = 69 pediatric surgeons (10 ± 0.2 5-year h-index). These authors published 10,031 articles (145 ± 90 per surgeon), which were cited 250841 times (3635 ± 413 per surgeon). Pediatric surgeons' articles contained 199507 references (2891 ± 176 per surgeon). We analyzed 58,310 references (top 20 journals) cited by pediatric surgeons. Bradford's Law identified a single core journal for p = 3-10 zones, with P = 3, providing the best correlation between predicted and actual values (Rˆ2 = 0.9996). The core journal for pediatric surgery is Journal of Pediatric Surgery. Conclusions We used Bradford's Law to identify the core journals of pediatric surgery. These core journals include the two leading pediatric surgery–specific journals and the highest impact factor journals in surgery (Annals of Surgery) and medicine (NEJM). These findings can help busy pediatric surgeons focus their reading to stay updated in a rapidly evolving field.
Abstract TP21: Admission Hyperglycemia and Acute Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Outcomes After Endovascular Therapy

Background: Hyperglycemia on admission is known to be associated with poor outcome after intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis treatment in patient with acute ischemic stroke. However, its effect on mechanical thrombectomy outcomes remains elusive. We investigated whether clinical and procedural outcomes differ between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic patients with large vessel occlusion stroke after endovascular therapy. Methods: We reviewed our prospectively collected endovascular database at a tertiary care academic institution between 9/2010-12/2016. Hyperglycemia was defined as admission serum glucose >140mg/dl. All patients that underwent ET for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke were included and categorized into two groups according to their glycemic status. Baseline and procedural characteristics, as well as outcome parameters were compared. Results: A total of 931 patients qualified for the study of which 289 (31%) had hyperglycemia on admission. Those with hyperglycemia were older (p=0.001), had more comorbidities and more severe strokes as assessed by the NIHSS (19[15-23] vs 17[13-21], p=0.01). In univariate analysis, Hyperglycemic patients had lower rates of successful reperfusion (mTICI2b-3, 85.4% vs 90.6%,, p=0.02) and 90-day good outcomes (mRS 0-2, 32.7% vs 52.3%, p Conclusions: Our study confirms that hyperglycemia is associated with poorer procedural and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes.
Experimenting with Admission Control in P2P Networks

Peer-to-peer (P2P ) security has received a lot of attention as of late. Most prior work focused almost entirely on issues related to secure communication, such as key management and peer authentication. However, an important pre-requisite for secure communication — secure peer admission — has been neither recognized nor adequately addressed. Only very recently, some initial work began to make inroads into this difficult problem. In particular, [Kim et al., 2003] constructed a peer group admission control framework based on various admission policies matched with appropriate cryptographic techniques. Recent results [Saxena et al., 2003, Narasimha et al., 2003] also illustrate the design of, and experiments with, certain group admission control mechanisms.
Normal and Expanded Huntington’s Disease Gene Alleles Produce Distinguishable Proteins Due to Translation Across the CAG Repeat

An expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat is the genetic trigger of neuronal degeneration in Huntington’s disease (HD), but its mode of action has yet to be discovered. The sequence of the HD gene places the CAG repeat near the 5′ end in a region where it may be translated as a variable polyglutamine segment in the protein product, huntingtin. Antisera directed at amino acid stretches predicted by the DNA sequence upstream and downstream of the CAG repeat were used in Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses to examine huntingtin expression from the normal and the HD allele in lymphoblastoid cells and postmortem brain tissue. CAG repeat segments of both normal and expanded HD alleles are indeed translated, as part of a discrete ∼350-kD protein that is found primarily in the cytosol. The difference in the length of the N-terminal polyglutamine segment is sufficient to distinguish normal and HD huntingtin in a Western blot assay. The HD mutation does not eliminate expression of the HD gene but instead produces an altered protein with an expanded polyglutamine stretch near the N terminus. Thus, HD pathogenesis is probably triggered by an effect at the level of huntingtin protein.