cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to human chorionic gonadotropin in patients with ovarian tumors.

The results of hCG stimulation on peripheral levels of androstenedione (A), testosterone (T) and estrone (El) were examined in 14 patients with ovarian tumors and in 9 tumor-free subjects, after the menopause. Following hCG injection, 9 postmenopausal patients with ovarian tumors showed a significant rise in A peripheral levels. The responsive subjects generally had significant increases in A baseline levels, too. The remaining 5 subjects with advanced or poorly differentiated ovarian cancer with no stroma were not responsive to hCG. Moreover, in the tumor group, 7 subjects had increased baseline T and/or El and in 3 of them an increase of these steroids was observed following hCG. In the absence of ovarian tumor, no subject in the control group was responsive to hCG administration. The results of the present investigation seem to confirm the in vivo responsiveness to hCG of ovarian tumors.
A Subglacial Aquifer Bed Model and Water Pressure Dependent Basal Sliding Relationship for a West Antarctic Ice Stream

A subglacial aquifer bed model and basal sliding relationship is constructed for Ice Stream B West Antarctica. The calculated subglacial water discharge is 3 to 18 m3/s at the grounding line. The inferred subglacial water pressure is greater than 90 % of the ice overburden pressure for the entire 300 km length of the ice stream, and greater than 96 % of the ice overburden pressure for 230 km upglacier from the grounding line. This suggests that the high pore-water pressure mechanism proposed as an explanation of overthrust faulting also facilitates the rapid motion of the ice stream through the slower-moving mass of the ice sheet; that is, the ice stream is effectively decoupled from its bed by high water pressure within the subglacial sediments. In addition, this result suggests that subglacial water pressure in excess of 86 % of the ice overburden pressure, which is within the range found to be the cause of the 1982–1983 surge of Variegated Glacier in Alaska, may be typical of the flow regime of this ice stream. The bed model and inferred subglacial water pressures are consistent with (1) the calculated subglacial water flux, (2) the thickness of a porous water-saturated subglacial layer at a location where it was measured recently by geophysicists from the University of Wisconsin, (3) Darcy’s law, which governs water flow through a porous medium, and (4) an equation relating the basal sliding velocity of the ice stream to the inverse effective normal pressure on the bed, as well as to an empirical bed-smoothness function and the driving stress. The inferred distribution of subglacial water pressure is not a unique solution, but it falls within the range of physically-possible solutions.
Model Synthesis: A General Procedural Modeling Algorithm

We present a method for procedurally modeling general complex 3D shapes. Our approach can automatically generate complex models of buildings, man-made structures, or urban data sets in a few minutes based on user-defined inputs. The algorithm attempts to generate complex 3D models that resemble a user-defined input model and satisfy various dimensional, geometric, and algebraic constraints to control the shape. These constraints are used to capture the intent of the user and generate shapes that look more natural. We also describe efficient techniques to handle complex shapes and highlight its performance on many different types of models. We compare model synthesis algorithms with other procedural modeling techniques, discuss the advantages of different approaches, and describe as close connection between model synthesis and context-sensitive grammars.
True diastasis of the sacro-iliac joints with hypermobility.

A case is presented in which bilateral diastasis of the sacro-iliac joints and grossly abnormal motion could be demonstrated. Sacro-iliac fusion relieved the patient of her disabling symptoms. It is theorized that destruction of these joints was an unusual but extremely early finding in rheumatoid spondylitis and may have been caused by the presence of rheumatoid granulomatous nodules.
SAW noise-like anti-collision code study

CDMA and OFC structures and coding schemes have typical correlation side lobes based on chip lengths, which makes it challenging to select good sets of codes for passive wireless SAW sensor systems. Presented in this paper is a new and novel SAW Noise-Like Reflector (NLR) with Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) for multi sensor systems with good auto- and cross-correlation, and anti-collision properties. NLR structures have no typical chips; it consists of a random sequence of varying width and pitch electrodes. Such structures are wideband and have very low correlation side lobes, which significantly reduces code collisions and simplifies code selection for a multi sensor system. A typical SAW NLR PPM sensor consists of a wideband transducer and a NLR PPM on one of the acoustic ports of the transducer. A second reflector bank can be added for differential sensor option. While these sensors can be extended to measure a variety of properties, a thermal sensor system was designed within the scope of this publication.
Biomechanical evaluation of kyphoplasty with calcium sulfate cement in a cadaveric osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture model.

Abstract Background context Vertebral compression fractures can cause deformity, pain, and disability. Kyphoplasty involves percutaneous insertion of an inflatable balloon tamp into a fractured vertebra followed by injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. PMMA has several disadvantages such as potential thermal necrosis and monomer toxicity. Calcium sulfate cement (CSC) is nontoxic, osteoconductive, and bioabsorbable. Purpose To evaluate the biomechanical performance of CSC for kyphoplasty in cadaveric osteoporotic vertebral bodies. Study design Destructive biomechanical tests using fresh cadaveric thoracolumbar vertebral bodies. Methods Thirty-three vertebral bodies (T9 to L4) from osteoporotic cadaveric spines were disarticulated, stripped of soft tissue, and measured for height and volume. Each vertebral body was compressed at 0.5 mm/s using a hinged plating system on a materials testing machine to create an anterior wedge fracture and reduce the anterior height by 25%. Pretreatment strength and stiffness were measured. Two KyphX inflatable balloon tamps were used to reexpand each vertebral body. After randomization, three groups were created: Group A–no cement; Group B–PMMA; Group C–calcium sulfate cement. Groups B and C were filled with the corresponding cement to 25% of the vertebral body volume. All vertebral bodies were then recompressed by 25% of the post-kyphoplasty anterior height to obtain posttreatment strength and stiffness. Results Treatment with PMMA restored vertebral strength to 127% of the intact level (4168.2 N±2288.7) and stiffness to 70% of the intact level (810.0 N/mm±380.6). Treatment with CSC restored strength to 108% of the intact level (3429.6 N±2440.7) and stiffness to 46% of the intact level (597.7 N/mm±317.5). CSC and PMMA were not significantly different for strength restoration (p=.4). Significantly greater strength restoration was obtained with either PMMA or CSC, compared with the control group (p=.003 and .03, respectively). Stiffness restoration tended to be greater with PMMA than for CSC, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=.1). Both cements had significantly greater stiffness when compared with the control group (p=.001 and p=.04, respectively). Conclusions Use of CSC for kyphoplasty yields similar vertebral body strength and stiffness as compared with PMMA. It may be a useful alternative bone cement for kyphoplasty. Further studies are required to assess the bioabsorption of CSCs after kyphoplasty in vivo.
Ion pairing and the rotational mobility of organic ions in solution

Carbon-13 dipolar spin-lattice relaxation times can be used to study microscopic ion mobility in solvent-separated and contact ion-pair systems. Two chemically stable ion pairs were studied. Cyclohexylammonium formate observed in a number of solvents allows correlation of relaxation times—and therefore ion rotational mobility—with empirical solvent polarity indices. Estimation of the effective anion radius shows a change of a factor of three in size arising from solvation/ion-pairing effects. Trimesate trianion (1,3,5-tricarboxybenzene) with differing cations present in solution is a good probe of changes in the solvation sphere and degree of ion aggregation. Variable temperature studies give an activation energy for overall ionic reorientation of c. 5 kcal/mol.
Remodeling of HDL remnants generated by scavenger receptor class B type I

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) mediates the selective transfer of cholesteryl ester from HDL to cells. We previously established that SR-BI overexpressed in livers of apolipoprotein A-I-deficient mice processes exogenous human HDL2 to incrementally smaller HDL particles. When mixed with normal mouse plasma either in vivo or ex vivo, SR-BI-generated HDL "remnants" rapidly remodel to form HDL-sized lipoproteins. In this study, we analyzed HDLs throughout the process of HDL remnant formation and investigated the mechanism of conversion to larger particles. Upon interacting with SR-BI, alpha-migrating HDL2 is initially converted to a prealpha-migrating particle that is ultimately processed to a smaller alpha-migrating HDL remnant. SR-BI does not appear to generate prebeta-1 HDL particles. When incubated with isolated lipoprotein fractions, HDL remnants are converted to lipoprotein particles corresponding in size to the particle incubated with the HDL remnant. HDL remnant conversion is not altered in phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP)-deficient mouse plasma or by the addition of purified PLTP. Although LCAT-deficient plasma promoted only partial conversion, this deficiency was attributable to the nature of HDL particles in LCAT-/- mice rather than to a requirement for LCAT in the remodeling process. We conclude that HDL remnants, generated by SR-BI, are converted to larger particles by rapidly reassociating with existing HDL particles in an enzyme-independent manner.
OCTAHEDRAL METAL CARBONYLS. 55. MECHANISM OF LIGAND-EXCHANGE IN (2, 2′-BIS(PYRIDYL)METHANE)-TETRACARBONYLCHROMIUM(0)

Abstract (Bpm)Cr(CO)4 (bpm = 2,2′-bis(pyridyl)methane) has been synthesized, and the kinetics and mechanism of the displacement of bpm by tri(isopropyl)phosphite and tri(n-butyl)phosphine in 1,2-dichloroethane at various temperatures has been investigated. The data support competitive unimolecular ring-opening and concerted ring-opening via interaction of the substrate with the ligand. Unexpectedly small values for the respective rate constants are attributed to residual ring-rigidity in the substrate. Data are compared to other systems containing bidentate chelating ligands coordinating through nitrogen.
Liver-Specific Loss of Atg5 Causes Persistent Activation of Nrf2 and Protects Against Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved biological process that degrades intracellular proteins and organelles including damaged mitochondria through the formation of autophagosome. We have previously demonstrated that pharmacological induction of autophagy by rapamycin protects against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. In contrast, in the present study, we found that mice with the liver-specific loss of Atg5, an essential autophagy gene, were resistant to APAP-induced liver injury. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Atg5 resulted in mild liver injury characterized by increased apoptosis and compensatory hepatocyte proliferation. The lack of autophagy in the Atg5-deficient mouse livers was confirmed by increased p62 protein levels and the absence of LC3-lipidation as well as autophagosome formation. Analysis of histological and clinical chemistry parameters indicated that the Atg5 liver-specific knockout mice are resistant to APAP overdose (500 mg/kg). Further investigations revealed that the bioactivation of APAP is normal in Atg5 liver-specific knockout mice although they had lower CYP2E1 expression. There was an increased basal hepatic glutathione (GSH) content and a faster recovery of GSH after APAP treatment due to persistent activation of Nrf2, a transcriptional factor regulating drug detoxification and GSH synthesis gene expression. In addition, we found significantly higher hepatocyte proliferation in the livers of Atg5 liver-specific knockout mice. Taken together, our data suggest that persistent activation of Nrf2 and increased hepatocyte proliferation protect against APAP-induced liver injury in Atg5 liver-specific knockout mice.
The Role of Apical Instrumentation in Root Canal Treatment: A Review of the Literature

The issue of final apical preparation size remains controversial despite considerable clinical and in vitro research. The astute clinician must be aware of this research before choosing any instrumentation system because the informed clinician’s decision must be guided by the best available evidenced-based information. This review article generated a Medline-based search strategy to disclose these studies and provides a critique and summary of the results.
Yokoi Shōnan's Response to the Foreign Intervention in Late Tokugawa Japan, 1853–1862

This Article deals with the turbulent years in Japan from 1853 to 1862, during which Yokoi Shōnan, a middle-ranking scholar–samurai from Kumamoto in Higo province in central Kyushu, was to gain national renown as a fearless, forthright thinker. This was Japan's first desperate crisis from abroad since the Mongol invasions in the late thirteenth century, a crisis which was to set in motion the final disintegration of the once mighty Tokugawa power in Japan.
Modulation Transfer Function Associated with Image Transmission through Turbulent Media

The aim of this paper is to determine exactly the optical transfer function corresponding to the time-averaged image-degrading effects of atmospheric turbulence. First the average transfer function is shown to be related to the spatial coherence function for the light entering the imaging system. Next an exact closed solution is found for the coherence propagation equation. This yields the desired coherence function in terms of the statistics of the random fluctuations of the atmospheric index of refraction. Published meteorological data are analyzed to determine empirical values for the required index statistics. Of particular interest is the variation of turbulent index fluctuations with altitude. Finally, quantitative predictions of image degradation are made and shown to agree with observed data.
Embedded zerotree wavelet compression of medical images

Wavelet-based image compression is proving to be a very effective technique for medical images, giving significantly better results than the JPEG algorithm. A novel scheme for encoding wavelet coefficients, termed embedded zerotree coding, has recently been proposed and yields significantly better compression than more standard methods. The authors report the results of experiments comparing such coding to more conventional wavelet compression and to JPEG compression on several types of medical images.
Yield components of five kenaf cultivars

As the USA approaches commercial production ot kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as an alternative fiber source for paper pulp and other uses, additional information is needed concerning the relationship among kenaf yield components. Kenaf yield components can be important parameters in the selection of the cultivars best suited for specific uses, and in maximizing the production and processing efficiency of a selected kenaf crop. The objective of this research was to examine the yield components of five kenaf cultivars. A 2-yr study was conducted at Lane, OK, on a Bernow fine sandy loam, 0 to 3% slope, (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Glossic Paleudalf). Kenaf cultivars Tainung#2, Everglades 71, Everglades 41, Cuba 108, and Guatemala 51 were planted on 8 May 1989 and 23 May 1990 [...]
A biogeographic analysis and review of the far eastern Pacific coral reef region

New information on the presence and relative abundances of 41 reef-building (zooxanthellate) coral species at 11 eastern Pacific and 3 central Pacific localities is examined in a biogeographic analysis and review of the eastern Pacific coral reef region. The composition and origin of the coral fauna and other reef-associated taxa are assessed in the context of dispersal and vicariance hypotheses. A minimum variance cluster analysis using coral species presence–absence classification data at the 14 localities revealed three eastern Pacific reef-coral provinces: (1) equatorial– mainland Ecuador to Costa Rica, including the Galapagos and Cocos Islands; (2) northern– mainland Mexico and the Revillagigedo Islands; (3) island group– eastern Pacific Malpelo Island and Clipperton Atoll, and central Pacific Hawaiian, Johnston and Fanning Islands. Coral species richness is relatively high in the equatorial (17–26 species per locality) and northern (18–24 species) provinces, and low at two small offshore island localities (7–10 species). A high proportion (36.6%, 15 species) of eastern Pacific coral species occurs at only one or two localities; of these, three disappeared following the 1982–83 ENSO event, three occur as death assemblages at several localities, and five are endangered with known populations of ten or fewer colonies. Principal component analysis using ordinal relative density data for the 41 species at the 14 localities indicated three main species groupings, i.e., those with high, mid, and narrow spatial distributions. These groupings correlated with species population-dynamic characteristics. These results were compared with data for riverine discharges, ocean circulation patterns, shoreline habitat characteristics, and regional sea surface temperature data to help clarify the analyses as these measures of environmental variability affect coral community composition. Local richness was highest at localities with the highest environmental variability. Recent information regarding the strong affinity between eastern and central Pacific coral faunas, abundance of teleplanic larvae in oceanic currents, high genetic similarity of numerous reef-associated species, and appearances of numerous Indo-west Pacific species in the east Pacific following ENSO activity, suggest the bridging of the east Pacific filter bridge (formerly east Pacific barrier).
Urinary biomarker, dermal, and air measurement results for 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos farm applicators in the Agricultural Health Study.

A subset of private pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) epidemiological cohort was monitored around the time of their agricultural use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and O,O-diethyl-O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate (chlorpyrifos) to assess exposure levels and potential determinants of exposure. Measurements included pre- and post-application urine samples, and patch, hand wipe, and personal air samples. Boom spray or hand spray application methods were used by applicators for 2,4-D products. Chlorpyrifos products were applied using spray applications and in-furrow application of granular products. Geometric mean (GM) values for 69 2,4-D applicators were 7.8 and 25 μg/l in pre- and post-application urine, respectively (P<0.05 for difference); 0.39 mg for estimated hand loading; 2.9 mg for estimated body loading; and 0.37 μg/m3 for concentration in personal air. Significant correlations were found between all media for 2,4-D. GM values for 17 chlorpyrifos applicators were 11 μg/l in both pre- and post-application urine for the 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol metabolite, 0.28 mg for body loading, and 0.49 μg/m3 for air concentration. Only 53% of the chlorpyrifos applicators had measurable hand loading results; their median hand loading being 0.02 mg. Factors associated with differences in 2,4-D measurements included application method and glove use, and, for hand spray applicators, use of adjuvants, equipment repair, duration of use, and contact with treated vegetation. Spray applications of liquid chlorpyrifos products were associated with higher measurements than in-furrow granular product applications. This study provides information on exposures and possible exposure determinants for several application methods commonly used by farmers in the cohort and will provide information to assess and refine exposure classification in the AHS. Results may also be of use in pesticide safety education for reducing exposures to pesticide applicators.
Book Review – Pope and Devil: The Vatican’s Archives and the Third Reich by Hubert Wolf

Between 2003 and 2006, the Vatican opened its archives from the pontificate of Pope Pius XI (1922-1939). This made available millions of pages about Eugenio Pacelli, who served as papal nuncio in Germany from 1917 until 1929 and as Papal Secretary of State from 1930 until he became Pope Pius XII in 1939. In Pope and Devil, Hubert Wolf reports on this newly available material and gives the reader a fresh view of Pacelli and the Vatican’s response to the rise of Nazism. Wolf’s Pope and Devil is important because of the attention it draws to archival evidence that many people have not previously seen. That evidence seriously undercuts arguments that are often offered against Pope Pius XII.
Unconventional Markers of Exercise Induced Ischemia

For many years we have relied on ST depression of equal to or greater than 1 millimeter induced by exercise to indicate myocardial ischemia (1). Many papers have restricted the diagnosis to horizontal or downsloping ST depression and have designated that other EKG changes be ignored or relegated to the non-diagnostic wastebasket (2).
Prognosis of Acute Transverse Myelitis

Investigators at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China, reviewed children diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis (ATM) between 1995 and 2008 and selected 39 patients diagnosed according to the new Johns Hopkins Consortium criteria.
THE DECLINE OF THE FRANC ZONE: MONETARY POLITICS IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICA

IN THE EARLY 1980s, France's former colonies in West Africa appeared like islands of economic rationality and modest development in a continent of egregious economic failure and mismanagement. While Nigeria's oil binge was ending in debt and a coup d'etat and Ghana's decline seemed never ending, countries like Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal seemed to have achieved some economic success, even though they had been relatively poor cousins of the rich British colonies, without their level of capital development nor their resource base. Although the Francophone countries had not, on average, enjoyed significantly higher levels of growth (some like Senegal had been in recession practically since independence), they had enjoyed lower levels of inflation, greater economic stability and access to higher levels of imports. In particular, the monetary stability ensured by the arrangements of the Franc Zone (FZ) seemed to have benefited these countries: while other countries suffered from import restrictions, exchange controls and important parallel financial markets, the franc of the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) was convertible and economies in the FZ were much more open to the outside world. Convertibility seemed to encourage business confidence and attracted greater private direct investment. The CFA franc was in wide use all over west and central Africa, and had become in effect a regional currency of exchange. Several Anglophone and Lusophone neighbours of the FZ even inquired about joining the Zone, and Equatorial Guinea did so in 1985. Today, a comparison would not be nearly as flattering to the FZ. While it is certainly too early to argue that Anglophone countries have turned it around, there are signs of improvement. Nigeria's economic might is being felt by its neighbours since its 60 per cent devaluation in 1986 has made its exports competitive for the first time in a decade. Ghanaian agricultural production, after years of decline, has undergone sustained growth since 1985. The FZ on the other hand is in the midst of twin economic and political crises. Economic problems have existed of course since the first oil crisis, but have worsened considerably since 1986, with the collapse of
Neural responses to grammatically and lexically degraded speech

ABSTRACTLinguistic stimuli that are degraded in various ways have been used in neuroimaging studies to uncover distinct roles in language processing for different brain regions. To identify regions differentially involved in grammatical and lexical processing, we spectrally rotated specific morphemes and manipulated morpheme order to create speech stimuli that were degraded either grammatically or lexically, yet were matched in intelligibility. Twelve participants were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as they listened to the grammatically and lexically degraded stimuli, interspersed with clear stimuli in the context of a familiar narrative. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find any brain regions that were selectively sensitive to grammatical or lexical degradation. However, there was less signal reduction than anticipated in response to degradation of either type. These findings may reflect increased attention to the degraded stimuli due to the narrative context, attenuati...
Cyclopentanethiolato-protected Au36(SC5H9)24 nanocluster: crystal structure and implications for the steric and electronic effects of ligand.

Thiolato-protected gold nanoclusters have acquired wide applications; however, on the fundamental science end there is still a lack of deep understanding of their high stability. Recent success in transforming the highly robust biicosahedral Au38(SCH2CH2Ph)24 nanocluster into an extremely stable tetrahedral Au36(SPh-tBu)24 nanocluster raises an important question: Is the transformation due to the bulkiness effect of SPh-tBu or the electronic conjugation effect of the aromatic ligand as opposed to the nonaromatic SCH2CH2Ph? Toward this goal, we report our success in the crystallization of a nonaromatic thiolato-protected Au36(SC5H9)24 nanocluster (where, SC5H9 = cyclopentanethiolato). Comparison of Au36(SC5H9)24 with the aromatic thiolato-protected Au36(SPh-tBu)24 nanocluster rules out the thought that the face-centered cubic, tetrahedral structure of Au36(SPh-tBu)24 is dictated by the aromatic ligand; it also reveals that the electronic conjugation effect in aromatic ligand makes the S–C bond shorter and ...
On Questions of Professor Wilansky Concerning Contraction Transformations

In discussing the lecture of R. P. Agarwal (see pages 501 and 503 of the present volume [1]), W. Walter ([1], page 537) pointed out that if (M, ρ) is a metric space, and if the contraction mapping T: M → M satisfies $$(1)\,\rho (Tx,Ty) \leqslant \alpha \rho (x,y)\,x,y\,\varepsilon M$$ (1) , inhere 0 ≤ α < 1, then an application of (1) to the triangle inequality $$\rho (x,y) \leqslant \rho (x,Tx)\, + \rho (Tx,Ty) + \rho (Ty,y)$$ yields the useful result that $$(*)\,\rho (x,y) \leqslant \frac{{\,1}}{{1 - \alpha }}\,[\rho (x,Tx)\, + \rho (y,Ty)]$$ (*) .
Influence of coagulated blood and hemolysis in samples on peripheral blood CD4~+ and CD8~+ T lymphocyte count in HIV/AIDS patients

Objective To study the influence of coagulated blood and hemolysis in samples on peripheral blood CD4+and CD8+T lymphocyte count in HIV / AIDS patients. Methods 30 patients with HIV / AIDS were selected for blood sample,which were grouped as blood anti-coagulation,partial coagulation and partial hemolysis,and they were stained simultaneously,the CD8+and CD4+T lymphocye were detected by splitting red cells and flow cytometry,and the results of the 3 groups were compared. Results The average CD4+T lymphocye in the blood anti-coagulation group was( 454. 60 ± 181. 20) unit / μl,and that of the partial coagulation was( 294. 33 ± 132. 75) unit / μl,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant( P 0. 05),the CD3+and CD8+T lymphocye significantly decreased,and the difference was statistically significant( P 0. 05); the average number of CD4+T lymphocye in partial hemolysis group was( 505. 47 ± 182. 05) unit / μl,and the difference was statistically significant,compared with the blood anti-coagulation( P 0. 05),the CD8+T lymphocye count decreased,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant( P 0. 05),but there was no statistical significance on the difference between the two groups( P 0. 05). Conclusion CD4+,CD8+T lymphocyte were reduced by blood coagulation,and the CD4+T lymphocyte was increased by blood coagulation,and CD8+T lymphocye decreased. Therefore,inspection personnel should strengthen the responsibility,standardize operation,and collect qualified blood samples.
Epidemiological analysis on measles in Changning district of Shanghai during 2008 - 2012

[Objective] To analyze the epidemiological characters and tendencies of measles by investigating its incidence among inhabitants in Changning District of Shanghai,in order to provide scientific basis for measles control and prevention.[Methods] Measles cases were collected in Changning District from 2008 to 2012 and epidemiological features were analyzed.Besides,vaccine inoculation status was investigated and data analyzed.[Results] The results showed that a total of 78 measles cases were reported in Changning District during 2008-2012.The annual average incidence of measles was 1.94 /100 000.The incidence in floating population was higher than that in local residents.The high incidence period was from March to June.Disperse resident children,commercial workers and retired workers were the top three groups of people which had the highest incidence.The onset ages showed to be a bimodel pattern,appearing to move toward poles.The incidence ratio between man and woman are 1.05∶ 1.[Conclusion] Control of measles in floating population should be focused on in Changning District and it is suggested that measles vaccination be done among women of child-bearing age and migrant workers.
Bronchial Asthma: Diagnostic and Treatment Issues

The increasing morbidity and mortality associated with asthma may, in part, be due to inadequate treatment. Step-care management aims to improve control by addressing both the bronchospastic and inflammatory components of the disease. β-Adrenergic agonists are central to alleviating symptoms, whereas corticosteroids may reduce inflammation and associated airway hyper responsiveness.
Early Carcinoma of the Prostate: Comparison of Stages A and B

AbstractStage A—occult, latent, preoperatively undiagnosed, incidentally found, stage I or T0—carcinoma of the prostate has been considered to be an earlier stage than stage B—II, T1 or T2, palpable nodule. In a comparative study of 118 patients with stage A lesions and 115 patients with stage B lesions we have found more focal lesions in A than in B. The A lesions were also less highly malignant than the B. However, the survival of patients with A lesions was a little less than those with B lesions. Age differences and more extensive growth before a detection may account for the differences. Patients with diffuse lesions and those with the more highly malignant lesions had a shorter survival than those with focal lesions and with a lower grade of malignancy in stages A and B. All available preoperative diagnostic data and a thorough histopathological examination of the surgical specimen are necessary to accurately stage prostatic carcinoma. Other well recognized diagnostic tests, such as the lymphangiogr...
Using Grammatical Features for Automatic Register Identification in an Unrestricted Corpus of Documents from the Open Web

Most previous attempts at automatic genre identification have been based on corpus samples that are relatively small and artificially restricted. In this study we set out to automatically predict register/genre categories in a large, representative sample of documents from the open web using a linguistic approach focused on lexico-grammatical characteristics that have functional associations. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of automatically predicting register/genre on the unrestricted open web, and we anticipate that future extensions will allow this task to be accomplished with considerably higher degrees of accuracy.
Abstract 1353: Validation and implementation of screens for partial agonists and antagonists of the ErbB4/HER4 receptor tyrosine kinase: Targeted melanona drug discovery

Introduction: Gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the ErbB4 (HER4) receptor tyrosine kinase have been detected in melanoma cell lines and these cell lines are dependent on ErbB4 expression for proliferation. Consequently, ErbB4 antagonists hold promise as targeted melanoma therapeutics and we have sought to identify small molecule ErbB4 antagonists. Our approach is based on the observation that the Q43L mutant of the ErbB4 peptide growth factor agonist Neuregulin 2beta (NRG2b) functions as a partial agonist at ErbB4; NRG2b/Q43L stimulates ErbB4 tyrosine phosphorylation, fails to stimulate ErbB4 coupling to cell proliferation, antagonizes stimulation of cell proliferation by ErbB4 full agonists, and causes ErbB4 down-regulation. Experimental procedures: We have developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy that can be used to identify ErbB4 antagonists. The primary screen identifies molecules that stimulate ErbB4 tyrosine phosphorylation. The secondary screen distinguishes between molecules that stimulate and fail to stimulate ErbB4-dependent proliferation. The tertiary screen identifies molecules that antagonize agonist stimulation of ErbB4-dependent proliferation. Results: An phospho-ErbB4 sandwich ELISA assay identifies molecules that stimulate ErbB4 tyrosine phosphorylation with high sensitivity and fidelity (Z’ >0.5). MTT assays using a cell line that displays ErbB4-dependent proliferation distinguish between molecules that stimulate and fail to stimulate ErbB4-dependent proliferation (Z’>0.5) and identify molecules that antagonize agonist stimulation of ErbB4 dependent proliferation (Z’>0.5). These assays have been used to identify small molecules that stimulate ErbB4 tyrosine phosphorylation. Efforts to determine whether these hits function as ErbB4 full agonists or partial agonists (antagonists) are underway and will be reported. Structures of these small molecule ErbB4 full and partial agonists may be reported, pending submission of a provisional patent application. Conclusions: We have validated an HTS strategy for identifying ErbB4 partial agonists that function as ErbB4 antagonists and deployment of that strategy has led to the identification of several hits. Such molecules may hold promise as targeted therapeutics for melanoma and other ErbB4-dependent tumors. Citation Format: Richard Cullum, Allan David, David J. Riese. Validation and implementation of screens for partial agonists and antagonists of the ErbB4/HER4 receptor tyrosine kinase: Targeted melanona drug discovery. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1353.
Joining supply and demand conditions of IT enabled change: toward an economic theory of inter-firm modularisation

This paper examines emergent information systems and technologies and explains under what supply and demand conditions inter-firm modularisation of information-based products and services and subsequent vertical de- integration of organisations is more likely. Research in organisational economics identifies transactional attributes such as coordination costs, asset specificity, and the economic non-separability problem to help explain and predict vertical de-integration. We extend this perspective by considering the modularisation of information-based products and services that is noticeable to the customer to develop a framework that joins the four cornerstones of (a) transaction-related efforts; (b) commitment-related contractual risks; (c) measurement-related contractual risks; and (d) modularisation-related impacts on value.
Headache in the Emergency Department: Avoiding Misdiagnosis of Dangerous Secondary Causes

There are a number of dangerous secondary causes of headaches that are life, limb, brain, or vision threatening that emergency physicians must consider in patients presenting with acute headache. Careful history and physical examination targeted at these important secondary causes of headache will help to avoid misdiagnosis in these patients. Patients with acute thunderclap headache have a differential diagnosis beyond subarachnoid hemorrhage. Considering the "context" of headache "PLUS" some other symptom or sign is one strategy to help focus the differential diagnosis.
Using a Cognitive Psychology Perspective on Errors to Improve Requirements Quality: An Empirical Investigation

Software inspections are an effective method for early detection of faults present in software development artifacts (e.g., requirements and design documents). However, many faults are left undetected due to the lack of focus on the underlying sources of faults (i.e., what caused the injection of the fault?). To address this problem, research work done by Psychologists on analyzing the failures of human cognition (i.e., human errors) is being used in this research to help inspectors detect errors and corresponding faults (manifestations of errors) in requirements documents. We hypothesize that the fault detection performance will demonstrate significant gains when using a formal taxonomy of human errors (the underlying source of faults). This paper describes a newly developed Human Error Taxonomy (HET) and a formal Error-Abstraction and Inspection (EAI) process to improve fault detection performance of inspectors during the requirements inspection. A controlled empirical study evaluated the usefulness of HET and EAI compared to fault based inspection. The results verify our hypothesis and provide useful insights into commonly occurring human errors that contributed to requirement faults along with areas to further refine both the HET and the EAI process.
Science at the Heart of Psychotherapy: A Review of Three Evidence-Based Treatments

Changes in the U.S. healthcare system over the past few decades have led to a transformation of the mental health field. The demand for accountability and the need for effective, cost-efficient treatments have spurred the movement toward evidence-based practices. Today, a number of empirically based psychotherapies exist that have proven efficacious in the treatment of a wide range of physical and psychological disorders. Despite the strong evidence base for these treatments, their dissemination and implementation have been slow. The intention of the present article is to summarize the major characteristics of three types of psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy) that have received much empirical support and have demonstrated applicability to a wide range of both mental and medical problems. For each treatment, some background information is provided, along with the theoretical underpinnings of the treatment, a summary of the current state of the evidence, and limitations and criticisms in the literature.
Use of a Bicortical Button to Safely Repair the Distal Biceps in a Two-Incision Approach: A Cadaveric Analysis

Purpose No consensus has been reached on the most effective anatomic approach or fixation method for distal biceps repair. It is our hypothesis that, using a cortical biceps button through a 2-incision technique, the distal biceps can be safely and anatomically repaired. Methods A 2-incision biceps button distal biceps repair was completed on 10 fresh-frozen cadavers. The proximity of the guide pin to the critical structures of the forearm, including the posterior interosseous nerve and recurrent radial artery, was measured. The location of repair was mapped and compared with anatomic insertion. Results The average distance from the tip of the guide pin to the posterior interosseous nerve was 11.4 mm (range, 8–14 mm). The average distance from the tip of the guide pin to the recurrent radial artery was 12.5 mm (range, 8–19 mm). The distal biceps tendon was repaired to the anatomic insertion site on the tuberosity using the biceps button technique in all specimens. Conclusions The 2-incision biceps button repair described here allows safe and accurate repair of the tendon to the radial tuberosity in this cadaveric study. Clinical relevance The goal of distal biceps repair is to safely, securely, and anatomically repair the torn biceps tendon to the radial tuberosity. The most commonly performed techniques (single anterior incision with cortical button and the double-incision procedure with bone tunnels and trough) have limitations. A 2-incision button repair safely and anatomically repairs the distal biceps tendon.
The Health Effects Of Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

An emerging body of literature suggests a positive association between legal same-sex marriage and improved health outcomes.
Combined surgery and radiation improves survival of tonsil squamous cell cancers.

// Anurag K. Singh 1 , Christina Mimikos 2 , Adrienne Groman 3 , Shiva Dibaj 3 , Alexis J. Platek 1 , David M. Cohan 2 , Wesley L. Hicks Jr 2 , Vishal Gupta 2 , Hassan Arshad 2 , Moni A. Kuriakose 2 , Graham W. Warren 4, 5 and Mary E. Platek 2, 6 1 Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 2 Department of Head and Neck/Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 3 Department of Biostatistics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA 5 Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA 6 Department of Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, Buffalo State College (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, USA Correspondence to: Anurag K. Singh, email: Anurag.Singh@Roswellpark.org Keywords: tonsillar fossa, TORS, SCCHN, HPV, IMRT Received: January 13, 2017 Accepted: July 31, 2017 Published: August 10, 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: The study evaluated the addition of surgery (S) to radiation (RT) on survival of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of tonsillar-fossa (TF) in a modern cohort with similar epidemiology and treatment as current patients. Study Design: Retrospective analysis utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data. Results: For all stages combined TF patients who received S+RT had superior OS ( p < 0.01) and DSS ( p < 0.01). For each stage OS and DSS was superior for S+RT ( p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HRs for OS were statistically significantly higher for TF patients (stage 2, 3, and 4) receiving RT alone ( p < 0.001). Materials and Methods: TF SCC patients treated with either S+RT or RT alone between 2004 and 2011 were examined ( n = 6,476). Primary outcome measures included overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS). Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) were estimated for patients treated with S+RT compared to RT alone. Conclusions: OS and DSS were superior for all stages combined and for stages 2, 3, and 4 in TF patients who received S+RT compared to RT alone.
Predictors of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Primary Stenting in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial).

The predictors of improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are poorly understood. We sought to determine the prevalence and clinical and angiographic predictors of LVEF improvement after primary PCI in STEMI. In the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial, 3,602 patients presenting with STEMI were randomized to heparin + a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus bivalirudin. Routine 13-month angiographic follow-up was performed in a prespecified substudy of 656 stented patients. The median [25%, 75%] change in LVEF from baseline to 13 months was +2.4% [−5.9%, 11.8%]; LVEF increased or remained unchanged in 379 patients (57.8%; median Δ +9.8% [4.3%, 16.4%]) and fell in 277 patients (42.2%; median Δ −7.0% [−11.8%, −3.6%]). Independent predictors of LVEF improvement were female gender (p = 0.002), lower baseline LVEF (p
Melanoma to Brain Metastasis: Photoacoustic Microscopy

Of skin malignancies, cutaneous melanoma carries the highest mortality due to its metastatic potential. This malignancy is known to metastasize to the brain, often leading to death. The ability to image the growth of melanoma brain metastases in vivo provides new insights into disease progression and response to therapies. We have recently used a reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) system to detect the growth of melanoma brain tumor in a small animal model. B16F10 murine melanoma tumor cells were stereotactically implanted in the brains of several Balb/C mice at the beginning of the study. Then, PAM was used to scan the region of implantation in the mouse brain, and growth of the melanoma was monitored until the disease became fatal. Results of the study demonstrated that PAM can be used to accurately detect and monitor melanoma brain metastasis growth noninvasively and transcranially in vivo.
Effect of biphenyl hydrolase-like (BPHL) gene disruption on the intestinal stability, permeability and absorption of valacyclovir in wildtype and Bphl knockout mice

Abstract Biphenyl hydrolase-like protein (BPHL) is a novel human serine hydrolase that was originally cloned from a breast carcinoma cDNA library and shown to convert valacyclovir to acyclovir and valganciclovir to ganciclovir. However, the exclusivity of this process has not been determined and, indeed, it is possible that a number of esterases/proteases may mediate the hydrolysis of valacyclovir and similar prodrugs. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the in situ intestinal permeability and stability of valacyclovir in wildtype (WT) and Bphl knockout (KO) mice, as well as the in vivo oral absorption and intravenous disposition of valacyclovir and acyclovir in the two mouse genotypes. We found that Bphl knockout mice had no obvious phenotype and that Bphl ablation did not alter the jejunal permeability of valacyclovir during in situ perfusions (i.e., 0.54 × 10−4 in WT vs. 0.53 × 10−4 cm/s in KO). Whereas no meaningful changes occurred between genotypes in the gene expression of proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters (i.e., PepT1, PepT2, PhT1, PhT2), enzymatic upregulation of Cyp3a11, Cyp3a16, Abhd14a and Abhd14b was observed in some tissues of Bphl knockout mice. Most importantly, we found that valacyclovir was rapidly and efficiently hydrolyzed to acyclovir in the absence of BPHL, and that hydrolysis was more extensive after the oral vs. intravenous route of administration (for both genotypes). Taken as a whole, BPHL is not obligatory for the conversion of valacyclovir to acyclovir either presystemically or systemically.
The evolution of religion and the (unfulfilled) promise of a sociological contribution

The emergence and evolution of religion: By means of natural selection by Turner, Mayanski, Peterson, and Geertz (2018) is an important contribution to the evolutionary study of religion, despite a...
Impacts of Real Depreciation and Appreciation on Aggregate Output in Taiwan

Extending the IS-MP-AS model, this article finds that real depreciation helped to raise real gross domestic product (GDP) during 1999.Q1-2010.Q2 whereas real appreciation helped to increase real GD...