cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical Devices for Tremor Suppression: Current Status and Future Directions.

Tremors are the most prevalent movement disorder that interferes with the patient’s daily living, and physical activities, ultimately leading to a reduced quality of life. Due to the pathophysiology of tremor, developing effective pharmacotherapies, which are only suboptimal in the management of tremor, has many challenges. Thus, a range of therapies are necessary in managing this progressive, aging-associated disorder. Surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation are able to provide durable tremor control. However, due to high costs, patient and practitioner preference, and perceived high risks, their utilization is minimized. Medical devices are placed in a unique position to bridge this gap between lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapies, and surgical treatments to provide safe and effective tremor suppression. Herein, we review the mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy profiles, and clinical applications of different medical devices that are currently available or have been previously investigated for tremor suppression. These devices are primarily noninvasive, which can be a beneficial addition to the patient’s existing pharmacotherapy and/or lifestyle intervention.
Perception of young adults in higher education: a case study of Caribbean students in the online learning environment

As the demand for tertiary education increases, Caribbean universities are choosing online education as a means of increasing access to education. The transition from the traditional classroom to t...
A comparative study of human-and rhesus-specific antithymocyte globulins in Rhesus macaques.

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) preparations are widely used in transplantation. They are developed in vivo against thymocytes and contain polyclonal antibodies specific for myriad cellular targets. The rhesus monkey is commonly used as a preclinical transplant model, but the fidelity of commercially available human-specific RATGs to anticipate the effects of RATGs in rhesus has not been established. We therefore developed two rhesus-specific ATGs (rhATG) and compared them to human-specific RATG (huATG, Thymoglobulin® ) in rhesus monkeys, assessing the magnitude and phenotype of depletion peripherally and in lymph nodes. Four primates were assigned to each group and received 20 mg/kg of drug. Depletion, repopulation, and changes in lymphocyte subsets were evaluated in peripheral blood and lymph nodes by flow cytometry over four months. We observed similar qualitative changes in lymphocyte subsets, but a generally more profound depletion with huATG compared to either rhATG. Peripheral homeostatic proliferation rather than thymic output was the major mechanism for repopulation with all RATGs. Repopulation was slower but qualitatively similar when examining RATGs in additional animals receiving concomitant chronic immunosuppression. Depletional induction is similar to human- and rhesus-specific RATGs in rhesus macaques. Both rhesus- and human-specific agents appear appropriate for preclinical modeling of clinical RATG use.
Effectiveness of risk awareness perception training in dynamic simulator scenarios involving salient distractors

Abstract The Risk Awareness Perception Training (RAPT) has been shown to improve latent hazard anticipation in young drivers. However, previous evaluation scenarios in a driving simulator often lacked either dynamic road environment features or control for such variations. The current study investigated whether the effectiveness of RAPT persists even in the presence of dynamic and salient distractors. Twenty RAPT-trained drivers and twenty-one Placebo-trained young drivers (aged 18–21) drove through eight simulated driving scenarios with latent hazards. A pedestrian avatar served as a distractor and was placed across from the latent hazard location. In half of the scenarios, the pedestrian remained static while in the other half the pedestrian started to move, without potential interference with the driver’s travelling path, as the drivers approached the latent hazard. Consistent with previous research, RAPT-trained drivers demonstrated better latent hazard anticipation performance than Placebo-trained drivers regardless of dynamic movement of the pedestrian avatar. Additionally, RAPT-trained drivers adopted wider scanning patterns and fixated more frequently on both the latent hazard and the pedestrian compared to Placebo-trained drivers. The results imply that RAPT may protect drivers from being distracted by dynamic stimuli and allow them to scan safety–critical areas containing latent hazards. Furthermore, RAPT may not only improve tactical hazard anticipation skills, but also modal hazard anticipation skills in young drivers.
Stochastic preemptive goal programming of Air Force weapon systems mix

We demonstrate a new approach to conducting a military force structure study under uncertainty. We apply the stochastic preemptive goal program approach, described by Ledwith et al., to balance pro...
Comparative hydrophobic core dynamics between wild-type amyloid-β fibrils, glutamate-3 truncation, and serine-8 phosphorylation.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of amyloid-β (Aβ) species are implicated in the modulation of overall toxicities and aggregation propensities. We investigated the internal dynamics in the hydrophobic core of the truncated ΔE3 mutant fibrils of Aβ 1-40 and compared them with prior and new data for wild-type fibrils as well as with phosphorylated S8 fibrils. Deuteron static solid-state NMR techniques, spanning lineshape analysis, longitudinal relaxation, and chemical exchange saturation transfer methods, were employed to assess the rotameric jumps of several methyl-bearing and aromatic groups in the core of the fibrils. Taken together, the results indicate the rather significant influence of the PTMs on the hydrophobic core dynamics, which propagates far beyond the local site of the chemical modification. While the phosphorylated S8 fibrils display an overall rigidifying of the core based on the higher activation barriers of motions than the wildtype fibrils, the ΔE3 fibrils induce a broader variety of changes, some of which are thermodynamic in nature rather than the kinetic ones.
Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation is Affected Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

The aim of our study was to determine if cerebral blood flow regulation in women is affected by the menstrual cycle, which could lend insight into whether hormone levels in women may affect their s...
Unitary Multiperfect Numbers in Certain Quadratic Rings

A unitary divisor c of a positive integer n is a positive divisor of n that is relatively prime to n c . For any integer k, the function � ∗ is a multiplicative arithmetic function defined so that � ∗ k (n) is the sum of the k th powers of the unitary divisors of n. We provide analogues of the functions � ∗ in imaginary quadratic rings that are unique factorization domains. We then explore properties of what we call npowerfully unitarily t-perfect numbers, analogues of the unitary multiperfect numbers that have been defined and studied in the integers. We end with a list of several opportunities for further research.
Micro–Computed Tomography of Mouse Cancer Models

As mouse cancer models continue to more accurately depict the human disease, the ability to detect and monitor tumor development and regression has become increasingly important. Recent developments in microimaging techniques now offer researchers the ability to accurately detect and monitor tumors less than a millimeter in diameter in live mouse models. Introduced commercially in 2000, micro–computed tomography (CT) scanners are now capable of scanning live mice with spatial resolution exceeding 20 µm. Although X-ray computed tomography provides exquisite skeletal images due to the inherent high density of bone, this chapter is intended to provide an overview of microCT imaging of mouse cancer models, including soft-tissue tumors, which are particularly challenging. A further goal is to highlight the strengths and expose the weaknesses of this amazing new technology. Keywords: micro-computed tomography; mouse cancer models; in vivo; small-animal microct imaging; contrast-enhancing agents; microimaging modalities; typical imaging protocol
Viscous-fluid reaction to a torsionally oscillating spheroid: Linearized steady-state spheroidal function solution

For the linearized problem of a spheroid torsionally oscillating in a viscous fluid a general solution in terms of spheroidal functions is obtained. For small eccentricity the results are shown to agree with those of Buchanan.
Verbal responses to past events: Intraverbal relations, or tacts to private events?

Seventy-five undergraduate students worked through a computer program which taught them to correctly identify four solid geometry figures. The video screen background color was incidently different for each figure. Later, when given a colorless background, students were asked to say what color accompanied the instructional frames for each superimposed figure. Taken as a whole, the 75 students correctly recalled the previously paired colors 53% of the time (p<.0001) when compared to a random probability of 25% (a replication of the experiment produced similar results). Results showed great variability from one student to another in the ability to recall colors but scores did not correlate with gender or performance in the course. Successful responding to “absent” colors was assumed to be the product of multiple variables, among these being the possibilities of conditioned seeing and intraverbal relations acquired prior to and during the tutorial.
Educational interventions for international medical graduates: a review and agenda

Context International medical graduates (IMGs) play key roles in the health systems of their host countries, but face unique challenges, which makes the provision of effective, tailored support for IMGs essential. Objectives Research on the effectiveness of educational interventions for IMGs was reviewed to characterise current knowledge and guide future research and education. Methods PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles published to October 2014, describing a systematic evaluation of educational interventions designed for IMGs that included at least one post-intervention outcome. Articles were coded independently by two or more researchers for content and methodology, and discussed to reach consensus. Results Twenty-two articles were identified, describing a wide variety of interventions, content and durations of intervention. Clinical topics and general principles of cross-cultural competency were the most common content areas included in curricula (13 and 12 articles, respectively). All studies deemed the interventions evaluated to be successful. However, only one study drew from theory on cross-cultural differences to guide either the curriculum or evaluation. Additionally, study designs were generally weak; no studies featured random assignment to treatment versus control groups, most studies did not use control groups at all, and no studies compared the effectiveness of different interventions. Conclusions Research into education for IMGs is critically important but currently underdeveloped. An abundance of justification studies and lack of clarification studies parallel other areas of medical education. Academic fields outside medical education, such as those of cross-cultural psychology and expatriate management, are highly relevant; researchers from these areas should be sought for collaboration. Future research should employ conceptual frameworks in order to facilitate a broader, more nuanced consideration of the diversity of individual IMGs, educational and medical contexts, interventions and outcomes. Rigorous comparative effectiveness research is lacking, but represents a promising avenue for future scholarship.
Numerical study of pattern formation in weakly damped parametric surface waves

Abstract We present a numerical study of parametrically driven surface waves in fluids of low viscosity. The equations governing fluid motion in the bulk and the appropriate boundary conditions at the free surface are approximated by a nonlocal set of equations involving surface coordinates alone, thus allowing the numerical analysis of the large aspect ratio limit (the aspect ratio being the ratio between the size of the system and the wavelength of the waves). The numerical calculation supports the predictions of a previously given multi-scale asymptotic analysis, yielding stable patterns of square symmetry above onset in the capillary dominated regime. In the case of mixed capillary-gravity waves, patterns of eight-fold symmetry are obtained, again in agreement with the predictions of the asymptotic expansion. These calculations provide indirect evidence about the stability of such patterns, analysis that is too involved to be carried out analytically.
Densities of Pb-Sn alloys during solidification

Data for the densities and expansion coefficients of solid and liquid alloys of the Pb-Sn system are consolidated in this paper. More importantly, the data are analyzed with the purpose of expressing either the density of the solid or of the liquid as a function of its composition and temperature. In particular, the densities of the solid and of the liquid during dendritic solidification are derived. Finally, the solutal and thermal coefficients of volume expansion for the liquid are given as functions of temperature and composition.
Antecedents of Identity Development in a Structured Recreation Setting A Qualitative Inquiry

Identity research has focused primarily on outcomes associated with identity formation. Far less attention, however, has been given to understanding the facilitating contextual elements of this pro...
The Possible Cellular Mechanism for Extending Lifespan of Mice with Rapamycin

Cell death and survival are based on the net result of hundreds of signals and their cognate pathways. Animal survival is based on the net survival and health of cells in each tissue and organ. Although in certain circumstances some cells are programmed to die during the lifetime to maintain a healthy body, these two units of life are normally greatly synchronized, or, at the least, survival signals in both units are normally in agreement with each other. The mechanism that connects these two life units has never been explored; however, three articles recently published in Nature may establish such a connection. A group led by Richard A Miller discovered that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the mTOR signaling pathway, extends the lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice in three different experimental locations [1]. Amazingly, the treatment was not initiated at an early age but in the late phase when mice were 600 days old, which relates to approximately 50 years old in humans. This phenomenal observation is not associated with a clear mechanistic revelation. In the same volume, a group led by Rafi Ahmed discovered that inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin independently boosted the quantity and quality of memory CD8 T cells [2]. This discovery was confirmed by an RNA interference technique which knocked down the mTOR pathway. Another group led by Young Choi found that rapamycin extends memory T cell generation and survival by regulating mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and induces AMP-activated kinase activity [3]. These increased memory T cell responses may account for the increased lifespan of the mice receiving rapamycin. This hypothesis needs to be tested.
Reconstituted families: the second marriage and its children.

The frequency of second marriages involving children is very high. There are inevitable and special stresses in the integration of such a family system. Mistrust, fear of failure, and sense of vulnerability are almost always present. The therapist needs to expect and help deal with certain recurrent issues characteristic of the problems encountered in treating a reconstituted family.
Organizational Rituals, Communication, and the Question of Agency

This study explores the performative aspects of organizational rituals to explain their agentic capacity and understand how rituals participate in the accomplishment of organizational action. We develop an alternative framework of organizational rituals based on insights from communication theory and the literature on the communicative constitution of organization/ing (CCO) and demonstrate how rituals “make present” abstract representations of organizational power and value in ways that convey authority and bear down upon the activities and decisions of organizational members. This can be understood through a logic of “attribution and appropriation” that both constitutes rituals as actants and enables them to possess the actions of their participants. This represents a departure from previous research on organizational rituals but can also enhance our understanding of rituals, agency, and symbolic action in organizations—especially in terms of exploring sources of action and agency beyond human intentiona...
Engineering the surface structure of MoS2 to preferentially expose active edge sites for electrocatalysis

Controlling surface structure at the atomic scale is paramount to developing effective catalysts. For example, the edge sites of MoS(2) are highly catalytically active and are thus preferred at the catalyst surface over MoS(2) basal planes, which are inert. However, thermodynamics favours the presence of the basal plane, limiting the number of active sites at the surface. Herein, we engineer the surface structure of MoS(2) to preferentially expose edge sites to effect improved catalysis by successfully synthesizing contiguous large-area thin films of a highly ordered double-gyroid MoS(2) bicontinuous network with nanoscaled pores. The high surface curvature of this catalyst mesostructure exposes a large fraction of edge sites, which, along with its high surface area, leads to excellent activity for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. This work elucidates how morphological control of materials at the nanoscale can significantly impact the surface structure at the atomic scale, enabling new opportunities for enhancing surface properties for catalysis and other important technological applications.
Anhedonia and the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia

Schizophrenic outpatients with and without the deficit syndrome were administered Chapman's "psychosis proneness" scales. As hypothesized, deficit syndrome patients had higher scores on Social Anhedonia and Physical Anhedonia, but did not differ from nondeficit patients on Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, or Impulsive Nonconformity. The differences between the two groups were not related to race, gender, age, socioeconomic status of family of origin, or drug treatment. These results support the validity of the deficit syndrome, and suggest that the Social Anhedonia and Physical Anhedonia scales may be useful in future studies of schizophrenia.
Systematic update of a deep excavation model using field performance data

Abstract Numerical simulation of construction staging of deep urban excavations is commonly used to estimate induced ground deformations. A novel method to extract the constitutive model of the soil behavior directly from field measurements of excavation response is introduced. This methodology develops a neural network based constitutive model of the soil, given the lateral wall deformation and surface settlement profile measurements. The resulting soil model, used in a numerical analysis, provides correct ground deformations and can be used in the forward prediction of future excavations or later excavation stages. The soil model can continuously evolve using additional field information.
Sequence comparison of human pituitary growth hormone, human chorionic somatomammotropin, and ovine pituitary growth and lactogenic hormones.

Ein Vergleich der Aminosauresequenzen von menschlichen Wachstumshormonen und menschlichem Chorion-Somatomammotropin mit denjenigen von Prolactin zeigt, dass 26% des Ruckstandes in allen drei Molekulen die gleiche Position hatten mit zusatzlichen 34% als moglichen Ersatz. Alle drei Hormone scheinen einen gleichen Ursprung zu haben.
Computational Method for Identifying and Quantifying Shape Features of Human Left Ventricular Remodeling

Left ventricular remodeling during the development of heart failure is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality. However, methods to objectively quantify remodeling-associated shape changes are not routinely available but may be possible with new computational anatomy tools. In this study, we analyzed and compared multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCT) images of ventricular shape at end-systole (ES) and end-diastole (ED) to determine whether regional structural characteristics could be identified and, as a proof of principle, whether differences in hearts of patients with anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) could be distinguished from those with global nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). MDCT images of hearts from 11 patients (5 with ICM) with ejection fractions (EF) < 35% were analyzed. An average ventricular shape model (template) was constructed for each cardiac phase by bringing heart shapes into correspondence using linear and nonlinear image matching algorithms. Next, transformation fields were computed between the template image and individual heart images in the population. Principal component analysis (PCA) method was used to quantify ventricular shape differences described by the transformation vector fields. Statistical analysis of PCA coefficients revealed significant ventricular shape differences at ED (p = 0.03) and ES (p = 0.03). For validation, a second set of 14 EF-matched patients (8 with ICM) were evaluated. The discrimination rule learned from the training data set was able to differentiate ICM from NICM patients (p = 0.008). Application of a novel shape analysis method to in vivo human cardiac images acquired on a clinical scanner is feasible and can quantify regional shape differences at end-systole in remodeled myopathic human myocardium. This approach may be useful in identifying differences in the remodeling process between ICM and NICM populations and possibly in differentiating the populations.
Breuil modules for Raynaud schemes

Abstract Let p be an odd prime, and let O K be the ring of integers in a finite extension K / Q p . Breuil has classified finite flat group schemes of type ( p , … , p ) over O K in terms of linear-algebraic objects that have come to be known as Breuil modules. This classification can be extended to the case of finite flat vector space schemes G over O K . When G has rank one, the generic fiber of G corresponds to a Galois character, and we explicitly determine this character in terms of the Breuil module of G . Special attention is paid to Breuil modules with descent data corresponding to characters of Gal ( Q ¯ p / Q p d ) that become finite flat over a totally ramified extension of degree p d − 1 ; these arise in Gee's work on the weight in Serre's conjecture over totally real fields. Video abstract For a video summary of this paper, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oWYJy_XrZE .
Rat liver homogenate (S9)-mediated binding of benzo[a]pyren to DNA in V79 cells, V79 cell nuclei and aqueous solution

Abstract The role of the target cell in determining the structures and the amounts of hydrocarbon-DNA adducts formed after hydrocarbon activation by an exogenous metabolic ativation system was investigated by exposing intact cells of the Chinese hamster lung cell line V79, V79 cell nuclei and calf thymus DNA to benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P) in the presenceof a rat liver homogenate activation system (S9). The DNA was isolated, enzymatically degraded to deoxyribonucleosides and the B[ a ]P-deoxyribonucleoside adducts analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Two major adducts were present in all samples; one formed by reaction of r -7, t -8-dihydroxy- t -9, 10-epoxy-7, 8, 9, 10-tetrahydro-B[ a ]P ( anti -B[ a ]PDE) with the 2-amino group of deoxyguanosine, the other formed by reaction of a metabolite of 9-hydroxybenzo[ a ]pyrene (9-OH-B[ a ]P) with an unidentified deoxyribonucleoside. The ratios of the anti -B[ a ]PDE-DNA adduct to the 9-OH-B[ a ]P-DNA adduct were: calf thymus DNA, 3 to 1: DNA from V79 nuclei, 8 to 1; DNA from intact V79 cells, 11 to 1. Similar several-fold increases in the proportion of anti -B[ a ]PDE-DNA adducts in V79 cells over those in calf thymus DNA were observed for a dose range of 1–10 μg B[ a ]P per ml. The relative extent of binding of the activated metabolite of 9-OH-B[ a ]P to DNA was also much lower in intact V79 cells than in calf thymus DNA after exposure to 9-OH-B[ a ]P in the presence of the S9 activation system. These results demonstrate that the relative abilities of various reactive bbenzo[ a ]pyrene metabolites formed by an exogenous activation system to reach DNA differ substantially. Therefore, assessment of the biological activity of hydrocarbons in mutation assays using exogenous activation systems must take into account not only the amounts of different reactive hydrocarbon metabolites formed but also the relative abilities of these metabolites to reach the DNA of the target cell.
Venous Malformations of the Genitals: A Therapeutic Dilemma

Venous malformations may occur anywhere in the body but are rare in the genitourinary tract and external genitalia. The authors report a case of a venous malformation in the glans penis and discuss the controversy over optimal management.
Targeted overexpression of Dkk1 in osteoblasts reduces bone mass but does not impair the anabolic response to intermittent PTH treatment in mice

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a potent ana- bolic agent, but the cellular mechanisms by which it increases bone mass are not fully understood. Dickkopf 1 (Dkk1) is an endogenous inhibitor of Wnt signaling and suppresses bone formation in vivo. We sought to deter- mine if Dkk1 and anabolic PTH treatment interact in regulating bone mass. PTH treatment of primary murine osteoblasts for 24 h reduced Dkk1 expression by 90% as quantified by real-time PCR, whereas PTH treatment in vivo reduced Dkk1 expression by 30% when given as a single daily subcutaneous dose. To directly determine whether Dkk1 modulates the anabolic response of PTH in vivo, we engineered transgenic (TG) mice expressing murine Dkk1 under the control of the 2.3-kb rat collagen alpha-1 promoter. TG mice had significantly reduced bone mass, which was accompanied by reduced histo- morphometric parameters of bone formation (reduced OV/TV, ObS/OS, and NOb/TAR). Treatment of TG mice and wild-type (WT) littermates with 95 ng/g body weight of human (1-34) PTH daily for 34 days resulted in comparable increases in bone mass at all skeletal sites. Histomorphometric analyses indicated that PTH treat- ment increased the numbers of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts in WT mice but only increased the numbers of osteoblasts in TG mice. We conclude that overex- pression of Dkk1 does not attenuate the anabolic response to PTH in vivo.
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is an emerging infectious disease threat to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in the regions hit hardest by the HIV epidemic. Numerous challenges face clinicians and public health officials tasked with combating DRTB in SSA. These include difficulties providing effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this illness. Furthermore, combating DRTB requires addressing various legal and ethical complexities. A sustained commitment to investigating as well as implementing new diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative interventions is essential to defeating this threat.
Memory for a stimulus versus anticipation of a response: Contrasting effects of proactive interference in two delayed comparison tasks

Pigeons were trained to perform two delayed comparison tasks that differed only in the temporal placement of the retention interval relative to the sample and comparison stimuli. In one task (conditional delayed response—CDR), the subject could determine the correct response prior to the retention interval. In the second task (delayed conditional response—DCR), the subject was required to compare stimuli presented before and after the retention interval. Although overt mediational responding was not observed in the CDR condition, retention was, nevertheless, greater than in the DCR condition. Furthermore, this difference was amplified at short intertrial intervals. Finally, retention in the DCR, but not the CDR, condition was disrupted by proactive interference (PI) from previous sample stimuli. The results suggest that memory is less closely tied to the sample stimulus when the stimuli necessary to determine the correct response are presented prior to the retention interval (CDR and other delayed response tasks) than when the subject must compare stimuli across the retention interval (DCR, or delayed matching-to-sample, tasks). This difference may lead directly, or indirectly through an interaction with PI, to task differences in retention.
Connectives and fuzziness for classical effects

Abstract This article investigates various constructs on a set of classical effects (measurable fuzzy sets or fuzzy events). We begin by studying the properties of a connective ⊓ and its dual connective ⊓ which seem to have been neglected in the literature. The importance of these connectives for fuzzy probability theory is pointed out. We then introduce and investigate the properties of a commutator which can be employed to define a degree of relative fuzziness. A special case of this commutator defines a degree of fuzziness. The expectation of the commutator provides a relative entropy whose properties are delineated and the expectation of the special case gives an entropy function that has been previously studied as a measure of fuzziness.
Cardiac tamponade or hemopericardium are not associated with bleeding risk factors in consecutive patients hospitalized with noniatrogenic, pericardial effusions.

Pericardial effusions are a frequently encountered complication of prevalent metastatic malignancies. The incidence of pericardial involvement varies widely from 1.6 to 20% in autopsy studies of patients found to have a metastatic neoplasm [1-3]. Patients with these malignancies are also at an increased risk of thromboembolic disease warranting prolonged courses of anticoagulation therapy [4]. A pervasive belief exists in medicine that anticoagulation increases the risk of cardiac tamponade in patients with known pericardial effusions, especially when the effusions are malignancy related (MR) [5―7]. This is attributed to a perceived increased risk of bleeding into the pericardium, resulting in tamponade physiology. To our knowledge, there are no published data to support this concern. To investigate an association between therapeutic anticoagulation and the development of cardiac tamponade in patients with MR pericardial effusions, we conducted a retrospective, case-control, medical record review of consecutive patients diagnosed with pericardial effusions at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
The Grand Canyon midair collision. A stimulus for change

Commercial aviation in the United States developed rapidly from a nucleus of pilots who returned from World War I, barnstormed and flew primitive airmail routes, and were hired by the new commerical airlines of the 1930s. The death of U.S. Senator Bronson Cutting in a 1935 crash was an important stimulus to improved governmental regulation of civil aviation. The air traffic control system, primitive until and throughout World War II, was soon proven to be inadequate for postwar demands. The midair collision of two large airliners over the Grand Canyon in June 1956 that killed the 128 persons on board was itself a strong stimulus for serious efforts, particularly in improving air traffic control systems. This and many other difficult problems in aviation safety have been addressed in the subsequent 33 years, some with success, although it has not always been immediate, and with major accidents still occurring. Commercial air travel is safe and widely accepted, however, and there is promise for additional important advances here. Language: en
Pseudosubstrate Regulation of the Type II P21-Activated Kinases (PAKs)

The type II p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are key effectors of RHO-family GTPases involved in cell motility, survival and proliferation. There are two sub-groups of PAK kinase, denoted type I (PAK1, PAK2 and PAK3) and type II (PAK4, PAK5 and PAK6). PAK4 is the best-studied type II PAK family member, is widely expressed, and is essential for viability in mice. PAK4 is required for oncogenic or metastatic phenotypes of many cancer cell lines, can promote tumorigenesis and breast cancer cell migration, and is the only PAK that is transforming when overexpressed. Furthermore, a specific PAK4 inhibitor (PF-3758309) has shown efficacy in mouse models of cancer. Using a structure-guided approach, we discovered that type II PAKs are regulated by an N-terminal autoinhibitory pseudosubstrate motif centered on a critical proline residue, and that this regulation occurs independently of activation loop phosphorylation. We determined 6 X-ray crystal structures of either full-length PAK4 or its catalytic domain, that demonstrate the molecular basis for pseudosubstrate binding to the active state with phosphorylated activation loop. We show that full-length PAK4 is constitutively autoinhibited, but mutation of the pseudosubstrate releases this inhibition and causes increased phosphorylation of BAD and cellular morphological changes. We also find that PAK6 is regulated by the pseudosubstrate region, indicating a common type II PAK autoregulatory mechanism. Finally, we find Src SH3, but not β-PIX SH3 can activate PAK4. This clear switch-like ‘on-off’ regulation mechanism for the type II PAKs is distinct from regulation mechanisms previously observed for the type I PAKs. We therefore provide new understanding for type II PAK regulation.
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) in North America

Abstract The grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella Val., was introduced into Mexico in 1960 and into the United States in 1963 primarily for aquatic weed control purposes. Natural reproduction has occurred in Mexico, but not in the United States even though the fish has been present in the Mississippi River system for several years. The grass carp is routinely used in Arkansas for control of weeds and no permit is required for possession of the fish in Alabama, Iowa, and South Dakota. Canada and over half of the states in the United States have banned the grass carp, with the remainder either regulating the fish by permits or having as yet made no decision. A number of studies are in progress on the use of the grass carp for aquatic weed control and its subsequent impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Management of the number and size of fish in a given body of water will be the primary factor to consider in using the grass carp for control of certain aquatic weeds.
Synchronous bilateral chromophobe cell renal carcinoma.

In 1985 Thoenes et al described a new entity designated chromophobe cell renal carcinoma. Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma represents less than 5% of all types of renal cell carcinoma.1 This tumor warrants distinction from other variants because of its unique morphology and cytogenetic features, and the possibility of misdiagnosing the tumor as an oncocytoma. We report a case of synchronous bilateral chromophobe cell renal carcinoma.
Results of an OSHA ergonomic intervention program in New Hampshire.

A number of articles have been written about the value of OSHA inspections, and to a lesser extent, OSHA targeting. However, there have been few, if any, that quantify the effectiveness of an injury specific targeting program. This study examines the change in the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a group of employers following the implementation of an OSHA Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for ergonomics by an area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The OSHA program consisted of inspections initiated between 1992 and 1995 in New Hampshire at work sites with a history of CTS and tendinitis workers' compensation claims. Workers' compensation data for 14 employers were examined and the annual incidence for that group was compared to the experience of all other New Hampshire employers. New Hampshire employers who had an ergonomic inspection at one or more of their work sites experienced a decline in carpal tunnel syndrome greater than other New Hampshire employers. The ...
EUS-guided fiducial placement for CyberKnife radiotherapy of mediastinal and abdominal malignancies.

Background The CyberKnife frameless image-guided stereotactic radiosurgery system delivers radiation doses to tumors with high precision by use of real-time image guidance. Radiographic markers (or fiducials) implanted at the tumor site are used as reference points by the system to target the radiation beams. Diagnostic and interventional EUS have multiple applications in the multidisciplinary approach to tumors. Objective The goal of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of placing fiducials in mediastinal and intra-abdominal tumors under EUS guidance. Design Patients were evaluated for EUS-guided fiducial placement. A linear echoendoscope was used to localize the tumor, insert a 19-gauge fine needle in the target area, and place the fiducials through the needle lumen. The position of the fiducials was verified by EUS and by fluoroscopy. Setting Georgetown University Hospital, between February 2005 and August 2005. Patients Thirteen patients scheduled to undergo CyberKnife radiation therapy. Results EUS-guided fiducial placement was successful in a total of 11 of 13 patients (84.6%). The locations of the tumors were as follows: retrocrural area at the dome of the diaphragm, porta hepatis, gastroesophageal junction, mediastinum, thoracic paraspinal area, and pancreas. A total of 3 to 6 fiducials were placed in each patient. An infectious complication developed in 1 patient within 30 days of the procedure. Conclusion EUS-guided fiducial placement in lesions of the mediastinum and abdomen is a feasible and safe technique that can be used to mark a tumor site and guide CyberKnife radiation therapy. This new application of interventional EUS further expands the role of EUS in the multidisciplinary approach to the oncology patient.
Subsurface Drip Irrigation as a Weed Management Tool for Conventional and Conservation Tillage Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Production in Semi-Arid Agroecosystems

ABSTRACT Soil and water conserving cropping systems that reduce dust emissions are being developed in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and conservation tillage (CT) are some techniques being included in these systems. Weed population dynamics under these systems continue to be explored. An experiment was conducted in 2004 and 2005 near Five Points, CA, to assess weed populations in processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The experimental design was a split-split plot with the main plots as irrigation [SDI or furrow irrigation (FI)], sub-plots as tillage [standard tillage (ST) or CT] and sub-sub-plots as weed control system [weed control (WC) or no weed control (NWC)]. In both years, weed emergence in the furrows of SDI treatments were almost eliminated. Similarly, weed densities on the beds were 46–96% lower in the SDI than FI plots. Tillage did not generally affect weed densities but interacted with irrigation in 2005 when the SDI-CT plots had 87% fewer we...
Construction of limpid dolomite

Protodolomite associated with Miocene palygorskite deposits of Georgia and Florida provides a clue as to how some euhedral dolomite crystals are formed. The early dolomite has a frothy texture and is formed of plates, sheets, and fragmental rhombs; with time the number of crystal faces increases, and euhedral dolomite crystals form. The dolomite grew slowly from dilute water in a schizohaline environment. The dolomite crystals were constructed layer by layer and face by face. When the supply of Mg decreased, construction ceased, thus preserving the intermediate morphologic types.
Extended diversity coding: Coding protection and primary paths for network restoration

The technique of diversity coding offers fast recovery against failures in networks while keeping spare capacity comparable to the alternative state-of-the art network restoration techniques. It provides near-hitless recovery when coding is performed on connections with the same destination node. When the coding structure is extended to cover the primary paths, diversity coding can achieve higher capacity efficiency than its conventional version and other restoration techniques. In this paper, we develop a systematic approach to implement the diversity coding structures for pre-provisioning with coding of the protection and primary paths. In addition, we present an algorithm to map these coding structures into arbitrary topologies. We present simulation results that show capacity efficiency of diversity coding.
Identifying Psychological Contract Breaches to Guide Improvements in Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development

Objective. To identify pharmacy faculty members’ perceptions of psychological contract breaches that can be used to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development. Methods. A list of psychological contract breaches was developed using a Delphi procedure involving a panel of experts assembled through purposive sampling. The Delphi consisted of 4 rounds, the first of which elicited examples of psychological contract breaches in an open-ended format. The ensuing 3 rounds consisting of a survey and anonymous feedback on aggregated group responses. Results. Usable responses were obtained from 11 of 12 faculty members who completed the Delphi procedure. The final list of psychological contract breaches included 27 items, after modifications based on participant feedback in subsequent rounds. Conclusion. The psychological contract breach items generated in this study provide guidance for colleges and schools of pharmacy regarding important aspects of faculty recruitment, retention, and development.
The persistence of distance? The impact of technology on MNE motivations for foreign investment

Why do firms go abroad when technology makes it possible to do business at a distance? We argue that the cost of distance differentially affects investment motivations across industries. We find support for this hypothesis in a study of U.S. inward and outward FDI. Knowledge seeking and efficiency seeking are the two most important explanations for international activity in information-intensive industries, reinforcing the value of intangible resources in this sphere. In less information-intensive industries, market seeking and the search for low-cost export platforms are the dominant motivations for FDI. An important implication for the current debate on offshoring is that inward FDI flows into the United States occur in high- rather than low-paying industries, and are of the knowledge-seeking variety, while outward flows are driven by the search for efficiency and markets. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of long-continued ingestion of oxidized bile acids on the dog and rat

Various oxidized bile salts, dehydrocholic acid (Decholin), ketocholanic acids (Ketochol), oxidized conjugated ox-bile salts (Dechacid No. 14), and oxidized conjugated hog-bile salts (Dechacid No. 22) were administered orally to dogs and rats to determine what “toxic” effects they might have on the functional activity of the liver. Toxic effects were examined for by observing the weight of the animals, by determining bromsulphalein clearance, by analyzing the liver for total fat and glycogen content, and by histological study of sections of the liver and kidney.
Biomarker candidate identification in Yersinia pestis using organism-wide semiquantitative proteomics.

The accurate mass and time tag mass spectrometry method and clustering analysis were used to compare the abundance change of 992 Yersinia pestis proteins under four contrasting growth conditions (26 and 37 °C, with or without Ca2+) that mimicked growth states in either a flea vector or mammalian host. Eighty-nine proteins were observed to have similar abundance change profiles to 29 known virulence associated proteins, providing identification of additional biomarker candidates. Eighty-seven hypothetical proteins, which clustered into 5 distinct clusters of like-protein abundance change, were identified as unique biomarkers related specifically to growth condition. Keywords: biomarker · Yersinia · HPLC · mass spectrometry · relative quantitation
Oculo-Facial-Skeletal Myorhythmia in Whipple Disease: Treatment with Ceftriaxone

Excerpt Whipple disease is a chronic, systemic disorder resulting in steatorrhea, weight loss, arthralgias, fever, and neurologic symptoms (1). Central nervous system manifestations may occur witho...
Ectopic Expression of Select Innexins in Individual Central Neurons Couples Them to Pre-Existing Neuronal or Glial Networks That Express the Same Innexin

Fifteen of the 21 innexin (Inx) genes (Hve-inx) found in the genome of the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, are expressed in the CNS (Kandarian et al., 2012). Two are expressed pan-neuronally, while the others are restricted in their expression to small numbers of cells, in some cases reflecting the membership of known networks of electrically coupled and dye-coupled neurons or glial cells. We report here that when Hve-inx genes characteristic of discrete coupled networks were expressed ectopically in neurons known not to express them, the experimental cells were found to become dye coupled with the other cells in that network. Hve-inx6 is normally expressed by only three neurons in each ganglion, which form strongly dye-coupled electrical connections with each other [Shortening-Coupling interneuron (S-CI) network] (Muller and Scott, 1981; Dykes and Macagno, 2006). But when Hve-inx6 was ectopically expressed in a variety of central embryonic neurons, those cells became dye coupled with the S-CI network. Similarly, Hve-inx2 is normally uniquely expressed by the ganglion's large glial cells, but when it was ectopically expressed in different central neurons, they became dye coupled to the glial cells. In contrast, overexpression of the pan-neuronal Inx genes Hve-inx1 and Hve-inx14 did not yield any novel instances of dye coupling to pre-existent neuronal networks. These results reveal that expression of certain innexins is sufficient to couple individual neurons to pre-existing networks in the CNS. We propose that a primary determinant of selective neuronal connectivity and circuit formation in the leech is the surface expression of unique subsets of gap junctional proteins.
Changes in short and long latency stretch responses during the transition from posture to movement

Abstract Experiments were performed in 18 normal subjects to estimate the time course of changes in the gains of pathways mediating short- and long-latency responses to muscle stretch during the transition from a maintained posture against a steady load to a rapid ballistic movement. Subjects were instructed to rapidly flex or extend their forearm in response to a tone from an initial position of 90° of elbow flexion. Torque pulses stretching the biceps muscle were applied to the forearm at 8 different times before and after the signal to initiate the movement, and the gains of short- and long-latency pathways were estimated from averages of rectified biceps EMG activity for 20 trials at each time interval between the onsets of the tone and torque pulse. The findings demonstrate that changes in the magnitude of long-latency responses (M2, M3) occur during the period between the onset of the auditory signal and the voluntary motor response. However, the magnitude of the short-latency response (M1) remains unchanged until after the onset of voluntary motor activity. The differences in the timing of short- and long-latency stretch responses suggests that activity in long-latency pathways may play an important preparatory role in facilitating the transition from posture to movement.