cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
H2O2-induced Kinetic and Chemical Modifications of Smooth Muscle Myosin CORRELATION TO EFFECTS OF H2O2 ON AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE

The effect of H(2)O(2) on smooth muscle heavy meromyosin (HMM) and subfragment 1 (S1) was examined. The number of molecules that retained the ability to bind ATP and the actinactivated rate of P(i) release were measured by single-turnover kinetics. H(2)O(2) treatment caused a decrease in HMM regulation from 800- to 27-fold. For unphosphorylated and phosphorylated heavy meromyosin and for S1, approximately 50% of the molecules lost the ability to bind to ATP. H(2)O(2) treatment in the presence of EDTA protected against ATPase inactivation and against the loss of total ATP binding. Inactivation of S1 versus time correlated to a loss of reactive thiols. Treatment of H(2)O(2)-inactivated phosphorylated HMM or S1 with dithiothreitol partially reactivated the ATPase but had no effect on total ATP binding. H(2)O(2)-inactivated S1 contained a prominent cross-link between the N-terminal 65-kDa and C-terminal 26-kDa heavy chain regions. Mass spectral studies revealed that at least seven thiols in the heavy chain and the essential light chain were oxidized to cysteic acid. In thiophosphorylated porcine tracheal muscle strips at pCa 9 + 2.1 mM ATP, H(2)O(2) caused a approximately 50% decrease in the amplitude but did not alter the rate of force generation, suggesting that H(2)O(2) directly affects the force generating complex. Dithiothreitol treatment reversed the H(2)O(2) inhibition of the maximal force by approximately 50%. These data, when compared with the in vitro kinetic data, are consistent with a H(2)O(2)-induced loss of functional myosin heads in the muscle.
Absorption of α- and β-octadecyl glyceryl ethers☆

Abstract Lymph fistula rats were fed test meals containing 35 mg of α- or β-octadecyl-1-C14-glyceryl ether. The β-glyceryl ether was absorbed into the lymph to a greater extent (96%) than the α-glyceryl ether (76%). Fractionation of the lymph lipids indicated that 37–48% of the C14-activity was in the form of C14-fatty acid, and from 55 to 63% as free and esterified C14-glyceryl ethers. The α-glyceryl ether was split in the intestine to a greater extent than the β-glyceryl ether. Most of the C14-activity of the lymph lipids was in the alkoxydiglyceride fraction. The β-glyceryl ether was more efficiently converted to the alkoxydiglyceride than the α-glyceryl ether. More alkoxymonoglyceride appeared in the lymph when the α-glyceryl ether was fed than when the β-glyceryl ether was administered.
A Call to Love ‐ In Remembrance of Our Quare Saints

In lieu of recent violent acts and the deaths of quare individuals‐queers of colour (e.g. Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, Carl Walker‐Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Sakia Gunn, etc.) this piece remembers their lives, while reimagining our current sociopolitical landscape (Johnson, 2006). Recognising the spiritual as political (Jacqui Alexander, 2005), this work calls upon our collective memories‐psychological, bodily and sacred‐to remember the tragedies and lessons of love necessary to heal our collective wounds. Through a polyvocal montage performance text, life, living, love, and quareness are explored. Believing love as the core of Christianity, and the necessity of love to sustain life, revolution, justice and equality, A Call to Love questions our love practices, urging us to operate from that commonality.
Design of A 97%-efficiency 10kW power factor correction for fast electric chargers of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Power factor correction controllers are widely used in the battery chargers of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, connecting the grid with charging system to reach power factor equal to 1. Increasing the operational efficiency of the PFC is the inward search. This paper presents a three-phase full-bridge PFC circuit with >97% efficiency at 10kW. Comparison of different control algorithms with corresponding power loss calculations is pursued to optimize the system design. Experiments on two 208VAC/10kW PFC prototypes equipped with either fast reverse recovery diode or Silicon Carbide Schottky Diode respectively validated the effectiveness of the design.
Physiologic response to burn injury

The physiologic response to bum injury is complex. Understanding the various components is important for the care and treatment of the critically injured bum patient. Because these injuries are nondiscriminatory and occur across the lifespan, patient characteristics and responses are highly variable. This diversity allows the critical care nurse to use a wide array of clinical skills. Care of the bum patient is rewarding because the critical care nurse plays an important role from the acute phase through the rehabilitative phase of injury.
Modeling, Localization and the Explanation of Phenomenal Properties: Philosophy and the Cognitive sciences at the beginning of the Millennium

Case studies in the psychophysics, modeling and localization of human vision are presented as an example of “hands-on” philosophy of the cognitive sciences. These studies also yield important results for familiar problems in philosophy of mind: the explanatory gap surrounding phenomenological feels is not closed by the kinds of investigations surveyed. However, the science is able to explain some sorts of phenomenological facts, such as why the human color space takes the form of the Munsell color solid, or why there is a phenomenologically-pure yellow but not a phenomenologically-pure orange.
Developmental changes in endogenous retinoids during pregnancy and embryogenesis in the mouse.

Vitamin A and its analogs (retinoids) have acquired particular significance in embryonic development since the discovery that retinoic acid (RA) possesses properties of an endogenous morphogen and that embryonic tissues contain specific nuclear receptors for RA. Since the mammalian embryo does not synthesize RA de novo but rather must acquire it directly or in a precursor form from the maternal circulation, we sought to establish the relationship between levels of RA, retinol, and retinyl esters in the maternal system and their acquisition by the embryo, particularly during organogenesis in the mouse. Results indicate profound changes in maternal vitamin A levels during pregnancy in the mouse. These changes were characterized by a large, transient decrease in plasma retinol levels coincident with the period of organogenesis (e.g. gestational Days 9-14), and an apparent increase in mobilization from hepatic stores to the conceptus. During organogenesis, the embryo exhibited a steady increase in retinol levels with little increase in retinyl esters and virtually no change in RA. Analysis of retinoid accumulation patterns in the embryonic liver indicate that functional onset of vitamin A storage occurs by mid-organogenesis. In contrast, placental levels of these retinoids remained unchanged throughout organogenesis. Analysis of the conceptus as a developmental unit revealed that during early organogenesis the majority of retinoids are contained in the placenta (8-fold more than in the embryo). However, by mid-organogenesis the retinoid content of the embryo exceeds that of the placenta. Together, these results provide evidence that pregnancy in the mouse is accompanied by pronounced alterations in maternal retinoid homeostasis that occur coincident with the period of high embryonic sensitivity to exogenous retinoids.
Folding Dynamics of Trp-Cage in the Presence of Chemical Interference and Macromolecular Crowding

Proteins fold and function in the crowded environment of the cell's interior. In the recent years it has been well established that the so-called “macromolecular crowding” effect enhances the folding stability of proteins by destabilizing their unfolded states for selected proteins. On the other hand, chemical and thermal denaturation is often used in experiments as a tool to destabilize a protein by populating the unfolded states when probing its folding landscape and thermodynamic properties. However, little is known about the complicated effects of these synergistic perturbations acting on the kinetic properties of proteins, particularly when large structural fluctuations, such as protein folding, have been involved. In this study, we have first investigated the folding mechanism of Trp-cage dependent on urea concentration by coarse-grained molecular simulations where the impact of urea is implemented into an energy function of the side chain and/or backbone interactions derived from the all-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with urea through a Boltzmann inversion method. In urea solution, the folding rates of a model mini protein Trp-cage decrease and the folded state slightly swells due to a lack of contact formation between side chains at the terminal regions. In addition, the equilibrium m-values of Trp-cage from the computer simulations are in agreement with experimental measurements. We have further investigated the combined effects of urea denaturation and macromolecular crowding on Trp-cage's folding mechanism where crowding agents are modeled as hard-spheres. The enhancement of folding rates of Trp-cage is most pronounced by macromolecular crowding effect when the extended conformations of Trp-cast dominate at high urea concentration. Our study makes quantitatively testable predictions on protein folding dynamics in a complex environment involving both chemical denaturation and macromolecular crowding effects.
Does the type of surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer affect the rate of reported lymphovascular space invasion in final pathology specimens?

Objective Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), which usually involves the use of an intrauterine manipulator for optimal surgical control, has been shown to be as effective and safe as conventional total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) for the staging of endometrial carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of an intrauterine manipulator was associated with an increase in the pathologic reporting of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), which is an important determinant in choosing adjuvant therapy. We hypothesized that intracavitary manipulation and an increase of the intrauterine pressure could cause pseudolymphovascular invasion. Study Design We performed a retrospective chart review of endometrial cancer patients treated at our institution from January 1996 through January 2006. Records were reviewed for patient's age, preoperative diagnosis, procedure type, final surgical staging, and final pathology report. Using the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging, we included all patients having stage IA or IB endometrioid-type endometrial cancer who had undergone either a TAH or LAVH with or without pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection. The χ 2 and Fisher exact tests were used to measure the association between risk of positive lymphovascular invasion and surgical groups. Results Of 568 women identified as having endometrioid-type endometrial cancer, 486 (85.6%) met criteria for stage IA-IB endometrioid histology, grade 1, 2, or 3. LVSI was reported in 553/568 cases, with LVSI positivity in 16.9% (n = 96/568). The mean ages of the LAVH and TAH groups were significantly different (59.4 vs 62.4 years, respectively, P = .0050). Also, mean estimated blood loss and uterine weight significantly varied between TAH and LAVH groups ( P = .0001 and .008, respectively). For stage IA, 17/220 (7.7%) who had been treated with LAVH had positive LVSI compared with 20/199 (10.1%) of patients receiving TAH ( P = .73). For stage IB, 11/25 (44.0%) of patients treated with LAVH had positive LVSI compared with 10/31 (32.3%) of patients receiving TAH ( P = .53). The stage I cancer patients were further subdivided into histological grades 1, 2, and 3, and LVSI was not significantly different between TAH and LAVH groups per grade of cancer. We found no differences between TAH and LAVH in early-stage endometrial cancer (stage IA and IB), with respect to the presence of positive peritoneal washings. Conclusion In early-stage endometrial cancer (stage IA and IB), there were no differences between TAH and LAVH in the final pathologic report of LVSI. The use of an intrauterine manipulator for LAVH was not associated with an increased detection of LVSI.
12C(d, α2)10B and isospin violating two-step reactions

Abstract A model-independent S -matrix analysis for the isospin violating 12 C(d, α 2 ) 10 B( E x = 1.74 MeV) reaction was performed and the results compared to a recently published two-step coupled channels calculation. There are multiple solutions to the S -matrix fits. but it is found that none of the possible solutions are compatible with the partial-wave decomposition based upon the two-step mechanism. The data are satisfactorily fitted with a sum of Breit-Wigner resonances. When a non-resonant background is included in the calculation the result indicates that the magnitude of such a contribution is less than 2 % of the measured total cross section at E d = 15 MeV and is consistent with zero. The reaction is therefore interpreted to proceed almost entirely through the compound nucleus.
Wedge arteriography for the identification of pulmonary emboli in small vessels

Abstract The ability of pulmonary wedge arteriograms to show emboli in pulmonary arteries as small as 1.5 mm. in diameter was demonstrated in two patients. Wedge arteriography may serve as a useful supplemental diagnostic procedure. Identification of emboli in small arteries emphasizes the diffuse involvement of the vasculature in patients with pulmonary embolism.
Authority in an Agency-Centered, Inquiry-Based University Calculus Classroom.

Abstract Authority roles among teachers and students have traditionally been hierarchal and centered with the expertise and power of the teacher limiting opportunities for students to act with autonomy to build and justify mathematics. In this paper we discuss authority roles for teachers and students that have been realized in an inquiry-based university, honors calculus classroom. We define and discuss four types of authority we identified from video data: institutional, expertise, mathematical, and performative. We suggest that the institutional authority of the instructor is present whether or not she is acting with the intention to bear authority, thereby interfering with the instructor's ability to share authority with her students. Further, we believe that the traditional focus on the bearer of authority limits our ability to create environments wherein authority can be shared. Instead we suggest that a focus on empowering the receiver to recognize expertise and mathematical authorities may be more fruitful.
Gender differences in chronic medical, psychiatric, and substance-dependence disorders among jail inmates.

Objectives. We investigated whether there were gender differences in chronic medical, psychiatric, and substance-dependence disorders among jail inmates and whether substance dependence mediated any gender differences found.Methods. We analyzed data from a nationally representative survey of 6982 US jail inmates. Weighted estimates of disease prevalence were calculated by gender for chronic medical disorders (cancer, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, hepatitis, and cirrhosis), psychiatric disorders (depressive, bipolar, psychotic, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and personality), and substance-dependence disorders. We conducted logistic regression to examine the relationship between gender and these disorders.Results. Compared with men, women had a significantly higher prevalence of all medical and psychiatric conditions (P ≤ .01 for each) and drug dependence (P < .001), but women had a lower prevalence of alcohol dependence (P < .001). Gender differences persisted after adjustment for sociodemogr...
Unpacking the Language Purpose: Vocabulary, Structure, and Function

Although learning objectives are a hallmark of lesson planning, it is rare for these to be shared with learners, even though best practices suggest doing so. This article examines the practice of establishing purpose for English language learners as a means for developing conceptual schemas. Participants in this study were 332 southern California K-12 teachers who submitted 500 examples of the language purposes they used with students. The authors analyzed these surveys and identified the predominant language purpose forms as those that featured vocabulary, language structure, and language function demands. Implications and future lines of research are discussed.
Fission cycling in supernova nucleosynthesis: Active-sterile neutrino oscillations

We investigate nucleosynthesis in the supernova post-core bounce neutrino-driven wind environment in the presence of active-sterile neutrino transformation. We consider active-sterile neutrino oscillations for a range of mixing parameters: vacuum mass-squared differences of 0.1 eV{sup 2}{ =}10{sup -4}. We find a consistent r-process pattern for a large range of mixing parameters that is in rough agreement with the halo star CS 22892-052 abundances and the pattern shape is determined by fission cycling. We find that the allowed region for the formation of the r-process peaks overlaps the liquid scintillator neutron detector (LSND) and null-short baseline (NSBL) (3+1) allowed region.
Heating mechanisms in gold nanoparticles at radio frequencies

Gold nanoparticles are under study as a potentially viable mechanism for hyperthermia tumor treatment in two regimes of the electromagnetic spectrum: laser and radio frequency excitation. Gold nanoparticles, nanorods and nanoshells have been applied with visible laser sources that excite the particles at or near their plasmon resonance frequency, and this mechanism has been well studied. The physical processes that describe the experimentally observed heating at radio frequencies (13.56 MHz) are not as well understood. Differing results have been reported in semi-solid phantom materials and liquid phase suspensions. This numerical modeling study was undertaken to inspect the relative importance of several candidate physical processes.
The Soviet Union and the Philippine Communist Movement

Abstract Soviet policy towards the Philippine communist movement has passed through three distinct phases, each of which reflected its different triangular set of relations with the United States and China. During the first era of Soviet and Chinese unity against “US imperialism,” the Soviets aided the formation and growth of Philippine communism and its insurrection against the Philippine government. During the second era of Soviet-Chinese-American triangular enmity the Philippine communist movement split and the Soviets supported one party's non-violent, legal activity while defending the Marcos government politically against the other party's armed insurrection. During the third era of Soviet-Chinese-American detente the Soviets continued to support the Philippine government politically, rejected overtures from the armed communist revolutionaries for its support, but simulaneously promoted a non-violent united political front of all Filipinos, including communists, against the American presence in their country.
Cholanoic (bile) acids in hepatic and nonhepatic tissues of miniature swine.

Preliminary information is given indicating that all tissues of the miniature swine examined thus far contain cholanoic (bile) acids. Thin layer and gas chromatographic analyses suggest that the cholanoic acids are conjugated with glycine and taurine. The amounts appear to be substantial and should be assessed in regard to studies of cholesterol turnover.
Ion Exchange and Dehydration Effects on Potassium and Argon Contents of Clinoptilolite

Zeolite-rich Miocene tuffs are an important part of the principal hydrochemical barrier to water-borne radionuclide transport from a potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The timing of zeolitization is an issue that relates to paleohydrology, permeability, zeolite stability, and unsaturated-zone geochemical processes. Exploratory K/Ar dating of clinoptilolite, the most abundant and widespread zeolite, shows a striking and consistent pattern of increasing apparent ages (2-13 Ma) with depth. Only the isotopic ages from the saturated zone are compatible with geologic evidence suggesting an age >10 Ma for most of the zeolites. Factors that may be responsible for the young apparent ages in the unsaturated zone were investigated. Cation exchange with recharge water and Ar diffusion under unsaturated conditions (processes that may be characteristic of the unsaturated zone) were evaluated experimentally for their effects on K/Ar systematics. Cation exchanging a natural clinoptilolite with Ca-, Cs-, K-, and Na- chloride solutions showed minimal effects on radiogenic Ar content. However, clinoptilolite heated at 200{degrees}C for 16 hours in air lost a significant amount of its radiogenic Ar compared with minimal losses from clinoptilolite heated in water at 100{degrees}C for over 5 months. The preliminary results indicate that Ar loss from incompletely hydrated clinoptilolite may be a major factor contributing to the young apparent ages of clinoptilolite in the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain.
PCB and heavy metal contamination and effects in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) at a superfund site.

From 1946-1967 industrial activities at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (CONWR) included the construction of landfills and dumps for disposal of hazardous waste. Heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a special concern because of transport to biotic communities. During routine monitoring, Hite and King found elevated concentrations of mercury in fish from Crab Orchard Lake, and Kohler et al. reported PCB concentrations greater than FDA safety limits (2 ppm) in 38% of the fish collected in the eastern portion of Crab Orchard Lake. Additionally, livers from hunter harvested white-tailed deer killed on CONWR contained significantly greater concentrations of nickel and lead compared to deer collected off CONWR. In 1984, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added 7 sites within CONWR to the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Recovery, Compensation and Liabilities Act. These site contained varying concentrations of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and heavy metals that were assessed as posing risk to wildlife. Because few studies have been completed on the effects of PCB and heavy metal concentrations on avian species among sites on the refuge, and preliminary studies by McKee indicated possible avian reproductive impairment due to contaminant exposure, additionalmore » study to evaluate adverse effects in avian species was initiated. Using the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) as an avian model, this project provided biological and contaminant baseline data for evaluating avian exposure and effects, and provides a benchmark for determining the effectiveness of proposed remedial actions on CONWR. 18 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Corticosteroids inhibit the delivery of short-term activational pulses of phorbol ester and calcium ionophore to human peripheral T cells

Abstract Although there is evidence that corticosteroids inhibit receptor-ligand-induced phospholipid hydrolysis, the immunosuppressive effects of these agents downstream of protein kinase C (PK-C) activation and cytosolic Ca 2+ mobilization is unclear. Previous studies indicated that T cell proliferative activation could be achieved with simultaneous short-term (e.g., 15–120 min) exposure to agents activating PK-C and elevating cytosolic Ca 2+ . In the studies reported here, similar procedures were utilized for determining whether corticosteroids alter T cell activation signals downstream of second messenger events. Dexamethasone interfered with T cell activation induced by short-term exposure to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. The inhibitory effect was evident with as little as 15 min of exposure to dexamethasone and T cell activating agents, making mechanisms involving de novo protein synthesis unlikely. Dexamethasone's effects in this system were blocked by the steroid receptor antagonist RU-486, indicating that the inhibition was mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor. The inclusion of recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) only partially overcame the dexamethasone inhibitory effect. Long-term (i.e., 48 hr) direct stimulation of PK-C with either PDBu or the non-tumor-promoting PK-C activator, bryostatin 1, also substantially overcame dexamethasone's effects, resulting in a recovery of IL-2 production and significant restoration of the T cell proliferative response. These observations suggest that treatment with a PK-C-activating agent such as bryostatin 1 could reduce glucocorticosteroid-induced immunosuppression.
Metabolic syndrome after menopause and the role of hormones

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this review is to focus on the importance of metabolic syndrome (MBS) and its increased prevalence in postmenopausal (PM) women. Also the role of hormonal therapy in PM women with MBS will be discussed. Methods Review of the relevant literature and results from recent clinical trials. Results MBS may occur in 40% of PM women and is largely determined by overweight status and obesity. Weight gain, particularly an increase in central fat mass increases in PM women, beginning a few years prior to menopause. Hormonal Therapy (HT) in normal PM women, generally decreases abdominal fat, but the effect of transdermal estrogen is preferable to oral therapy in this regard. In women with MBS, oral therapy was found to increase leptin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio, while transdermal therapy showed no changes. HT has been found to improve insulin resistance in PM women, although the data are mixed. In women with MBS, oral therapy was found to worsen parameters of insulin resistance, while transdermal therapy had minimal effects overall. Women with MBS have elevations in several inflammation and coagulation factors. Both oral and transdermal HT reduce inflammation markers except for levels of CRP and MMP-9, which increase with oral therapy, but are unaffected by the transdermal route. Oral estrogen has a small pro-coagulant effect, not observed with transdermal therapy, in both normal PM women and those with MBS. The beneficial effects of HT on lipids occur in PM women with and without MBS, although the changes in the latter are minimal. Blood pressure was not affected by HT in women with MBS. Conclusions Weight gain and obesity largely drives the increased prevalence of MBS in PM women. Use of HT is beneficial overall for reducing many of the parameters of MBS. Our own data would suggest that in MBS, transdermal therapy may be preferable to oral therapy, at least in standard doses.
Use of Advance Directives for Nursing Home Residents in the Emergency Department

Documented requests can ensure that patients' end-of-life care preferences are implemented, particularly in emergent circumstances. This study a) compared information on advance directives found in different sources of documentation in the hospital record of nursing home patients admitted through the emergency department and b) assessed emergency department clinicians' perceptions of how end-of-life care requests are communicated to them. Seven potential sources of documentation were reviewed in the medical records of 40 patients, and semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 emergency department clinicians. We found little concordance among sources of advance directive documentation. Our results suggest variability in documentation for nursing home patients on transfer to the emergency department, and that emergency department clinicians experience substantial difficulty in reliably obtaining information about advance directives. As treatment may vary based solely on available documentation, such information gaps may decrease the likelihood of adherence in the emergency department to patients' previously expressed care preferences.
Midterm Results of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talar Shoulder Treated with Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation

This article was updated on May 4, 2011, because of a previous error. On page 648, in the Conclusions section of the Abstract, the text had previously read “These midterm results in a small group of patients indicate that structural fresh-frozen allograft transplantation can be a successful surgical option in the treatment of large osteochondral defects of the talar shoulder.” The text now reads “These midterm results in a small group of patients indicate that structural fresh allograft transplantation can be a successful surgical option in the treatment of large osteochondral defects of the talar shoulder.” An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am 2011;93(12):1158. Background: With osteochondral lesions of the talar shoulder, their size, the articular cartilage geometry, and the loss of the medial or lateral articular buttress often preclude treatment with traditional osteochondral autograft techniques. We hypothesized that fresh, large osteochondral allograft transplantation is a viable treatment option for patients with such lesions. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent fresh talar shoulder allograft transplantation between 2000 and 2007. All patients failed initial conservative management. Preoperatively, a visual analog pain scale of 0 to 10 (with 0 denoting no pain and 10 denoting the worst pain imaginable) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale were administered. At the time of most recent follow-up, the visual analog pain scale, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale, and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire were administered. Radiographs were assessed for allograft incorporation and joint deterioration. Results: Eight patients with a mean age of thirty-one years and a mean follow-up of forty-eight months were included. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in pain, from a mean of 6 points (range, 5 to 8 points) preoperatively to a mean of 1 point (range, 0 to 2 points) postoperatively. The mean Lower Extremity Functional Scale score improved from 37 points initially (range, 24 to 52 points) to 65 points (range, 31 to 75 points; p < 0.05) at the time of final follow-up. The mean postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was 84 points. The mean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment dysfunction index score was 13.3 points and the mean bother index score was 14.3 points. Radiographic lucencies at the graft-host interface were seen in five patients. Four patients required an additional surgical procedure. No patients needed to undergo subsequent arthrodesis or arthroplasty. Conclusions: These midterm results in a small group of patients indicate that structural fresh allograft transplantation can be a successful surgical option in the treatment of large osteochondral defects of the talar shoulder. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Standard treatment of multiple myeloma.

Objective To review the available standard treatment regimens for multiple myeloma. Design Studies from the literature were summarized, and the efficacy of various chemotherapeutic regimens for induction, maintenance, and relapse therapy was assessed. Results For many years, standard therapy for multiple myeloma has been intermittent cycles of melphalan + prednisone (MP). Although administration is easy and clinical responses are frequently good, treatment failure usually occurs in less than 2 years, and the 5-year survival is low. The combination regimens of vincristine sulfate, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (VBMCP) and two that feature 3-week cycles of melphalan and cyclophosphamide alternating with BCNU and Adriamycin (doxorubicin hydrochloride), either with (VMCP/VBAP) or without (ABCM) vincristine and prednisone, reportedly yield more frequent and durable responses and a higher 5-year survival than MP. Although a meta-analysis of 18 published trials found no overall difference in efficacy between MP and combination chemotherapy, the end point analyzed was only 2-year survival, and the studies were possibly too heterogeneous to afford valid comparisons. Currently, the high response rates, improved duration of disease control, and generally good toxicity profile of VBMCP, ABCM, and VMCP/VBAP make them the preferred primary treatment in patients who can tolerate more intensive therapy than MP. Elderly patients who are bedridden may have difficulty with VBMCP and related regimens and should receive MP instead. Promising results have been obtained with alternating cycles of VBMCP and recombinant interferon-α. As maintenance therapy, interferon has delayed relapse, whereas MP has consistently been ineffective. In patients with relapses after unmaintained responses to VBMCP, reinduction therapy with the same regimen can yield a 1-year response. Conclusion Although the issue is still unresolved, data suggest that combination chemotherapies are superior to MP for treating multiple myeloma.
Smoke Water and Heat Shock Influence Germination of Shortgrass Prairie Species

Smoke or heat from fire can act as a cue that affects seed germination. We examined germination responses of 10 plant species (six forbs, two shrubs, two grasses) native to the southern High Plains in the United States, to smoke, heat, and their interaction in a laboratory experiment. Smoke treatments were applied by soaking seeds in 1∶5, 1∶10, or 1∶100 (v/v) Regen 2000® smoke solution for 20 h. Heat treatments were applied by placing seeds in an oven at 50°C or 80°C for 5 min. Nine species responded to smoke, heat, or both. Results showed that smoke can enhance, inhibit, or not affect seed germination. Germination capacities of Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby and Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. were promoted by 1∶5 and 1∶100 dilutions of smoke water, respectively; Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., G. sarothrae, Salvia reflexa Hornem., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, and Panicum virgatum L. were inhibited by high and/or moderate concentrations of smoke water either in germination percentage or in mean germination time. Germination percentage of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. increased following an 80°C heat treatment. Interaction effects between smoke and heat on germination also were detected. Smoke and heat treatments might be useful as management tools for promoting or suppressing specific target species of shortgrass prairie communities in future habitat management.
Further evidence that severe scores in the aggression/anxiety-depression/attention subscales of child behavior checklist (severe dysregulation profile) can screen for bipolar disorder symptomatology: a conditional probability analysis

Abstract Background Previous work shows that children with high scores (2SD, combined score≥210) on the Attention Problems, Aggressive Behavior, and Anxious-Depressed (A-A-A) subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) are more likely than other children to meet criteria for bipolar (BP)-I disorder. However, the utility of this profile as a screening tool has remained unclear. Methods We compared 140 patients with pediatric BP-I disorder, 83 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 114 control subjects. We defined the CBCL-Severe Dysregulation profile as an aggregate cutoff score of≥210 on the A-A-A scales. Patients were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews and functional measures. Results Patients with BP-I disorder were significantly more likely than both control subjects (Odds Ratio [OR]: 173.2; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 21.2 to 1413.8; P P Limitations Non-clinician raters administered structured diagnostic interviews, and the sample was referred and largely Caucasian. Conclusions The CBCL-Severe Dysregulation profile can be useful as a screen for BP-I disorder in children in clinical practice.
Relations between obesity, insulin resistance, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Background: Although low circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations have been associated with insulin resistance and obesity, the relations between these 3 variables have not been completely resolved. Objective: The objective was to compare circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in apparently healthy individuals who were matched for degree of obesity or insulin sensitivity. Design: This was a case-control study in which 78 apparently healthy individuals were classified as being normal weight (NW) or obese (OB) on the basis of their BMI and as being insulin sensitive (IS) or insulin resistant (IR) on the basis of their steady state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during the insulin suppression test. Results: Groups did not differ in terms of age, sex distribution, race, or mean (±SD) plasma 25(OH)D concentration. Values for 25(OH)D were 32 ± 10, 30 ± 10, and 28 ± 8 ng/mL in NW-IS, OB-IS, and OB-IR groups, respectively. These concentrations were essentially identical when comparing IR with IS subjects matched for BMI or when comparing OB with NW subjects matched for SSPG. Concentrations of 25(OH)D ≤30 ng/mL were somewhat more common in OB subjects than in NW subjects (54% compared with 35%), but SSPG concentrations were not different within either the IR or IS groups when subgroups with 25(OH)D concentrations ≤30 or >30 ng/mL were compared. Conclusions: In 78 individuals, 47% of whom were vitamin D deficient or insufficient (≤30 ng/mL), 25(OH)D concentrations did not vary with differences in insulin sensitivity (SSPG concentration) when matched for BMI (OB-IR compared with OB-IS). Similarly, when matched for SSPG concentrations, plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were not different in NW or OB individuals (NW-IS compared with OB-IS).
Plasma ProBNP Is Not a Specific Marker for Transient Myocardial Ischemia

Background: Plasma proBNP levels are increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Previous studies have shown conflicting data on the effect of transient myocardial ischemia on plasma BNP levels. We designed the current study to examine plasma proBNP levels in patients with transient myocardial ischemia during a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study was to study plasma proBNP as a marker of transient myocardial ischemia. Methods: We enrolled 49 consecutive patients with a history of angina or abnormal stress test who presented for cardiac catheterization. We obtained plasma proBNP levels in all patients at 1) arterial access (proBNP-1), 2) the end of the procedure (proBNP-2) and 3) 4 hours after procedure (proBNP-3). Hotelling’s T-squared test was used to evaluate the equality of means. Log transforms of proBNP were used to impart data normality. Results: Twenty-two patients underwent diagnostic catheterization (DCA group) and 27 underwent PCI (PCI group). Both groups had normal left ventricular function and a baseline creatinine < 2 mg/dL. Baseline log (proBNP) was 4.7 + 0.99 (units) and rose significantly at 4 hours in both groups (P < 0.02), with no difference in rate of change. Conclusions: Plasma proBNP was increased in both DCA and PCI groups which limits its utility to identify transient myocardial ischemia. The etiology of increase in proBNP in both groups is speculative and may be related to injection of radiographic contrast media into the coronary artery which leads to microcirculatory impairment resulting in myocardial tissue hypoxia and transient increase in left ventricular pressure; however, further evaluation is required. J Clin Med Res. 2015;7(7):506-510 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2024w
Adult Self-Perception Profile (ASPP) Spanish Translation and Reassessment for a Rural, Minority Population:

Research has identified problems with self-concept in abused women, and past studies have been conducted, primarily within urban populations. Rural and minority women also constitute subgroups of women at risk for abuse. This study was conducted to reassess reliability and validity of the Adult Self-Perception Profile (ASPP), for investigation of relationships between self-concept and woman abuse in rural communities, and to develop and perform initial psychometric evaluation of a Spanish-language version of the ASPP as a tool to enable investigation of self-concept and abuse for rural Mexican American women. ASPP development is projected for database formation of theoretically based interventions and outcome measurement for woman abuse.
In vitro renal cortex elasticity and viscosity measurements with shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) on swine kidney

Renal fibrosis threatens kidney viability and fibrosis has been associated with altered tissue structure affecting the biomechanical properties of the kidney, quantifiable as elasticity and viscosity. Importantly, early detection of renal fibrosis may guide therapy and eliminate invasive biopsy procedures. The ability to detect fibrosis early and monitor it regularly with sufficient sensitivity and specificity is an active area of research. A newly emerging method called Shearwave Dispersion Ultrasound Vibrometry (SDUV), that quantifies both elasticity and viscosity by evaluating dispersion of shear wave propagation speed versus its frequency, offers a potential tool to determine renal elasticity and viscosity in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of SDUV for in vitro measurements of renal cortex elasticity and viscosity in the kidney.
On the motion of superparamagnetic particles in magnetic drug targeting

A stochastic ODE model is developed for the motion of a superparamagnetic cluster suspended in a Hagen-Poiseuille flow and guided by an external magnet to travel to a target. The specific application is mag- netic drug targeting, with clusters in the range of 10-200 nm radii. As a first approximation, we use a magnetic dipole model for the external magnet and focus on a venule of 10 −4 m radius close to the surface of the skin as the pathway for the clusters. The time of arrival at the target is calculated numerically. Variations in release position, background flow, magnetic field strength, number of clusters, and stochastic effects are assessed. The capture rate is found to depend weakly on variations in the velocity profile, and strongly on the cluster size, the magnetic moment, and the distance between the magnet and the blood vessel wall. A useful condition is derived for the optimal capture rate. The case of simultaneous release of many clusters is investigated. Their accumulation in a neighborhood of the target at the venule wall follows a normal distribution with the standard deviation roughly half of the distance between the magnet and the target. Ideally, this deviation should equal the tumor radius, and the magnet should be beneath the center of the tumor. The optimal injection site for a cluster is found to be just prior to arrival at the target. Two separate mechanisms for capturing a cluster are the magnetic force and, for radii smaller than 20 nm, Brownian motion. For the latter case, the capture rate is enhanced by Brownian motion when the cluster is released near the wall.
Do scaling and selection explain earnings discontinuities

Abstract Earnings distributions commonly exhibit statistically significant discontinuities at zero earnings, which are widely interpreted as evidence of earnings management to avoid a loss. In contrast, Durtschi and Easton, 2005 , Durtschi and Easton, 2009 assert that discontinuities are instead explained by some combination of prior researchers׳ choice(s) of scaling and sample selection as well as a scaling-related effect due to a systematic relation between the sign of earnings and market prices. Resolution of the conflicting interpretations of discontinuities is important because (1) it affects how investors, regulators, and scholars view earnings management and (2) it demonstrates the importance of a close linkage between theory and research design choices. We point out that DE provide no evidence that scaling or selection create discontinuities, but only evidence showing that changes in scaling or selection eliminate discontinuities. We demonstrate why the research designs used by DE eliminate discontinuities and why alternative designs using the same data yield statistically significant discontinuities that cannot be attributed to either scaling or selection.
Motor learning in the saccadic oculomotor system revealed through fMRI

Understanding how the brain learns an oculomotor task will provide insight to the fundamental mechanism by which the brain performs numerous motor control tasks. The saccadic system, which is responsible for directing our visual attention from one object to another in two dimensional space, exhibits extraordinary speed and accuracy. It has been shown that when a person learns how a target stimulus will change, the oculomotor system's latency decreases and the peak velocity increases. This study used the saccadic system as the model to analyze where in the brain the mechanism associated with oculomotor learning is located.. Studies were performed in a 3T Siemans Magnetron MRI system using a box car protocol. The data were analyzed using AFNI. Preliminary data suggest that the activity was similar in the two people studied and is present in the primary visual cortex (V1), the middle temporal area (V5), and the frontal cortex. Based on the experimental protocol there is an increase in activity when the subject could predict the stimulus protocol based on learning, suggesting an increase in activity during this portion of the task.
Graft-versus-host disease and immunologic rejection: implications for diagnosis and treatments of pregnancy complications

This paper summarizes recent evidence from transplantation, autoimmune and obstetrical literatures, suggesting that exposure to (allogeneic) donor cell traffic may be prerequisite for successful tolerance of allogeneic grafts in organ transplantation and pregnancy, where the fetus represents a semiallogeneic graft. It is based on a review of the literature utilizing PubMed and Medline searches. Donor cells can induce adverse effects, including graft-versushost disease, acute and/or chronic graft rejection and/or related autoimmune phenomena. Observations in the pre-eclampsia/eclampsia syndrome suggest that some still largely unexplained conditions of pregnancy, possibly including labor, may represent acute graftversus-host disease states. Abnormal clinical and laboratory responses may be the consequence of excessive histocompatibility (HLA) antigen dosaging, due to excessive fetal–maternal cell traffic. On other occasions, antigen dosaging may be appropriate, but maternal/paternal HLA may be too similar. ...
A reliable Doppler-based solution for single sensor geolocation

This paper examines the ability of particle filters to provide accurate Doppler-based frequency of arrival (FOA) geolocation of radio frequency (RF) emitters. Most existing non-differential Doppler geolocation techniques simplify their geolocation solution by assuming that the emitter's carrier frequency is unknown but stable over the course of the triangulation. This assumption is often violated by today's commercial devices whose applications allow for significant carrier frequency drift, with the result of erroneous FOA solutions. The proposed approach uses particles to discretely represent a state's hypothesized emitter location and conditionally updates the particle's associated frequency drift based on that location and the observations. The performance of this approach is examined for the case of a relatively slow-moving unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The results show it is significantly more accurate and robust than Newton's iterative gradient descent techniques, and closely approaches the FOA Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) for location estimation.
Diagnosability of stochastic automata

A methodology for diagnosability of finite-state stochastic automata is established in this paper. Two notions of diagnosability for stochastic automata are defined, and a stochastic analogue of the logical diagnoser is constructed. The stochastic diagnoser is used to (i) specify off-line conditions sufficient to guarantee these notions of diagnosability; and (ii) determine how to perform on-line diagnosis of failure events.