cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spaceflight Activates Autophagy Programs and the Proteasome in Mouse Liver

Increased oxidative stress is an unavoidable consequence of exposure to the space environment. Our previous studies showed that mice exposed to space for 13.5 days had decreased glutathione levels, suggesting impairments in oxidative defense. Here we performed unbiased, unsupervised and integrated multi-‘omic analyses of metabolomic and transcriptomic datasets from mice flown aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Enrichment analyses of metabolite and gene sets showed significant changes in osmolyte concentrations and pathways related to glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, likely consequences of relative dehydration of the spaceflight mice. However, we also found increased enrichment of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and purine metabolic pathways, concomitant with enrichment of genes associated with autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome. When taken together with a downregulation in nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated signaling, our analyses suggest that decreased hepatic oxidative defense may lead to aberrant tRNA post-translational processing, induction of degradation programs and senescence-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in response to the spaceflight environment.
Temporal instability and the analysis of highway accident data

Abstract Virtually every statistical analysis of highway safety data is predicated on the assumption that the estimated model parameters are temporally stable. That is, the assumption that the effect of the determinants of accident likelihoods and resulting accident-injury severities do not change over time. This paper draws from research previously conducted in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, economics, and cognitive science to build a case for why we would not necessarily expect the effects of explanatory variables to be stable over time. The review of this literature suggests that temporal instability is likely to exist for a number of fundamental behavioral reasons, and this temporal instability is supported by the findings of several recent accident-data analyses. The paper goes on to discuss the implications of this temporal instability for contemporary accident-data modeling methods (unobserved heterogeneity, data driven, traditional, and causal inference methods) and concludes with a discussion of how temporal instability might be addressed and how its likely presence can be accounted for to better interpret accident data-analysis findings.
Phase Equilibrium of TiO2 Nanocrystals in Flame-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Nano-scale titanium oxide (TiO2) is a material useful for a wide range of applications. In a previous study, we showed that TiO2 nanoparticles of both rutile and anatase crystal phases could be synthesized over the size range of 5 to 20 nm in flame-assisted chemical vapor deposition. While rutile was unexpectedly dominant in oxygen-lean synthesis conditions, anatase is the preferred phase in oxygen-rich gases. The observation is in contrast to the 14 nm rutile-anatase crossover size derived from the existing crystal-phase equilibrium model. In the present work, we made additional measurements over a wider range of synthesis conditions; the results confirm the earlier observations. We propose an improved model for the surface energy that considers the role of oxygen desorption at high temperatures. The model successfully explains the observations made in the current and previous work. The current results provide a useful path to designing flame-assisted chemical vapor deposition of TiO2 nanocrystals with controllable crystal phases.
The Curious Year-to-Year Performance of Buyout Fund Returns: Another Mark-to-Market Problem?

Buyout funds are essentially leveraged portfolios of a certain kind of U.S. company—that is, a small-cap, low-tech, nonfinancial, nonutility, generator of consistent earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization with moderate cyclicality. These characteristics enable lenders to provide high debt levels with a reasonable expectation of repayment. Recent academic studies have raised doubts regarding the alpha of buyout fund returns against mimicking publicly traded portfolios, and buyout investors have sometimes responded that lower returns are offset by the funds’ lower volatility relative to public stocks. Regarding the volatility of such returns, several studies have used a cash-flow-only estimation (CFOE) approach to calculate risk, as an alternative to relying on (1) actual cash flows paid to limited partners and (2) the asset valuations of unsold investments as determined by buyout fund general partners. These studies have suggested that buyout funds’ reported return volatility is understated relative to times-series public market equity returns. This study uses a methodology other than CFOE to evaluate buyout fund return volatility. The authors use a publicly traded mimicking portfolio, adjusted for buyout-type leverage, to measure risk, and conclude that buyout fund returns are more volatile than public equity market returns.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Social Tools and Rules for Teens (START) Program: An Immersive Socialization Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Adolescents with ASD face numerous personal and contextual barriers that impede the development of social motivation and core competencies, warranting the need for targeted intervention. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 adolescents to evaluate the merits of a multi-component socialization intervention that places emphasis on experiential learning. This investigation evaluated the impact of the 20-week START program on the social functioning of adolescents with ASD. Significant Group × Time differences between START and waitlist control groups were found across multiple measures. Secondary analyses of the entire program cohort also yielded significant improvement trends across all measures. These findings may be an important step in identifying optimal strategies to target the complex factors limiting optimal social development in ASD.
Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger

Plant biomass, once reduced to its composite sugars, can be converted to fuel substitutes. One means of overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, currently available commercial enzyme cocktails are inhibited in the presence of residual pretreatment chemicals. Recent studies have identified a number of cellulolytic enzymes from bacteria that are tolerant to pretreatment chemicals such as ionic liquids. The challenge now is generation of these enzymes in copious amounts, an arena where fungal organisms such as Aspergillus niger have proven efficient. Fungal host strains still need to be engineered to increase production titers of heterologous protein over native enzymes, which has been a difficult task. Here, we developed a forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing to identify specific lesions responsible for a protein hyper-production phenotype in A. niger. This strategy successfully identified novel targets, including a low-affinity glucose transporter, MstC, whose deletion significantly improved secretion of recombinant proteins driven by a glucoamylase promoter.
How Much Information is Provided by Human Epigenomic Data? An Evolutionary View

ABSTRACT Here, we ask the question, “How much information do available epigenomic data sets provide about human genomic function, individually or in combination?” We consider nine epigenomic and annotation features across 115 cell types and measure genomic function by using signatures of natural selection as a proxy. We measure information as the reduction in entropy under a probabilistic evolutionary model that describes genetic variation across ∼50 diverse humans and several nonhuman primates. We find that several genomic features yield more information in combination than they do individually, with DNase-seq displaying particularly strong synergy. Most of the entropy in human genetic variation, by far, reflects mutation and neutral drift; the genome-wide reduction in entropy due to selection is equivalent to only a small fraction of the storage requirements of a single human genome. Based on this framework, we produce cell-type-specific maps of the probability that a mutation at each nucleotide will have fitness consequences ( FitCons scores). These scores are predictive of known functional elements and disease-associated variants, they reveal relationships among cell types, and they suggest that ∼8% of nucleotide sites are constrained by natural selection.
Case 13-2018: A 53-Year-Old Man with Cardiomyopathy and Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia

A Man with Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia A 53-year-old man presented with shock and ventricular tachycardia. Cardiac MRI revealed an ejection fraction of 43%, with septal hypokinesis, myocardial edema, and late gadolinium enhancement of the subendocardium. Diagnostic tests were performed.
Formation Length of Radiation and Coherent Effects

The radiation process is not instantaneous — it requires some time and free space around the orbit for the radiation to be formed. In this chapter we estimate the longitudinal extent and transverse size of the free space volume needed for the synchrotron radiation. We then analyze the radiation of a bunch of many particles.
Overview of Equine Pruritus

Pruritus is a common complaint associated’ with equine dermatoses. Self-mutilation results in alopecia, excoriations, scaling, and crusting; the aesthetic appearance of the horse is often ruined and the horse may be unfit for riding or showing. This article specifically addresses those pruritic dermatoses caused by allergies, including food allergy/intolerance, atopy and contact allergy, as well as by two ectoparasites, stick-tight fleas and rhabditic mange. The clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and treatment recommendations are discussed for each disorder. Insect hypersensitivity and pruritus associated with the other more common ectoparasites are covered in depth elsewhere in this issue.
Systematic Review of Intravenous Ascorbate in Cancer Clinical Trials

Background: Ascorbate (vitamin C) has been evaluated as a potential treatment for cancer as an independent agent and in combination with standard chemotherapies. This review assesses the evidence for safety and clinical effectiveness of intravenous (IV) ascorbate in treating various types of cancer. Methods: Single arm and randomized Phase I/II trials were included in this review. The PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched. Results were screened by three of the authors (GN, RP, and CJP) to determine if they met inclusion criteria, and then summarized using a narrative approach. Results: A total of 23 trials involving 385 patients met the inclusion criteria. Only one trial, in ovarian cancer, randomized patients to receive vitamin C or standard of care (chemotherapy). That trial reported an 8.75 month increase in progression-free survival (PFS) and an improved trend in overall survival (OS) in the vitamin C treated arm. Conclusion: Overall, vitamin C has been shown to be safe in nearly all patient populations, alone and in combination with chemotherapies. The promising results support the need for randomized placebo-controlled trials such as the ongoing placebo-controlled trials of vitamin C and chemotherapy in prostate cancer.
Synthesis and Properties of Charge-Ordered Thallium Halide Perovskites, CsTI+0.5TI3+0.5X3 (X: F or Cl): Theoretical Precursors for Superconductivity?

CsTlCl3 (I) is prepared via the precursor Cs2TlCl5·H2O (II) which is obtained by precipitation from a HCl solution of CsCl and Tl2O3 using H2O.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF TWO UNCONVENTIONAL CASES OF BARTONELLA NEURORETINITIS.

PURPOSE To report two cases of cat-scratch fever with atypical posterior segment manifestations. METHODS Two cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS A 27-year-old woman presented with painless blurring of central vision in her left eye. Clinical examination revealed a small focal area of retinitis within the macula associated with a subtle macular star. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed a hyper-reflective inner retinal lesion in addition to subretinal and intraretinal fluid as well as hyperreflective foci within the outer plexiform layer. Serology was positive for anti-B. henselae IgM (titer 1:32). A 34-year-old woman presented with painless loss of vision in both eyes associated with headaches and pain with extraocular movement. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography depicted subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid, and hyperreflective deposits within the outer plexiform layer. A focal collection of vitreous cell was observed overlying the optic nerve in the left eye. Bilateral disk leakage was identified on fluorescein angiography. Serology revealed high-titer anti-B. henselae antibodies (IgM titers 1:32, IgG titers 1:256). CONCLUSION Our cases highlight the necessity of recognizing more unusual posterior segment presentations of ocular bartonellosis. Multimodal retinal imaging including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography may help better characterize lesions.
Invited Review: Linking road transportation with oxidative stress in cattle and other species

ABSTRACT Purpose The primary objectives of this review were to describe how transportation stress can contribute to the development of oxidative stress and provide a synopsis of the available literature assessing transit-induced oxidative stress in livestock. Nutritional strategies to combat oxidative stress in cattle are also discussed. Sources Sources of information for this review included peer-reviewed literature, unpublished data from research conducted by the authors, as well as government and industry reports. Synthesis Transportation is an unavoidable component of beef production and involves both physical and psychological stressors that predispose cattle to disease and negatively affect growth performance and carcass characteristics. These stressors can also result in oxidative stress, which further depresses animal health, feed conversion efficiency, and meat quality. Conclusions and Applications Although transit has been shown to alter biomarkers of oxidative stress in various livestock species, substantial variation exists regarding study conditions (species, transit duration, distance) and biomarker assessment (tissue, time of sampling, analytical methods). Future research should focus on determining appropriate oxidative stress biomarkers and establishment of a reference panel for livestock species. Furthermore, a more complete characterization of the oxidative stress response in cattle post-transit will help identify targets for the development of nutritional supplementation strategies (e.g., vitamins, minerals, yeast products) to mitigate the negative effects of transit-induced oxidative stress on cattle health and performance.
The Caregiver Identity in Context: Consequences of Identity Threat From Siblings.

OBJECTIVES Although siblings represent central members of the networks of caregivers and their parents, there has been limited attention to how siblings affect one another's well-being during caregiving. In this article, we draw from theories of identity and stress to examine the impact that siblings have on caregivers' psychological well-being. Specifically, we employ a mixed-methods approach to explore whether caregivers' perceptions that their siblings are critical of the care they provide their mother are associated with higher depressive symptoms and the mechanisms underlying this association. METHODS Using quantitative data collected from 404 caregivers nested within 231 families as part of the Within-Family Differences Study, we conduct mediation analyses to examine whether perceived sibling criticisms are associated with caregivers' depressive symptoms (a) directly and/or (b) indirectly through sibling tension. We then analyze qualitative data collected from the same caregivers to gain insight into the processes underlying statistical associations. RESULTS Quantitative analyses revealed that there was no direct relationship between perceived sibling criticisms and depressive symptoms; there was, however, an indirect relationship such that perceived sibling criticisms were associated with greater sibling tension, which in turn was associated with higher depressive symptoms. These quantitative findings were corroborated by qualitative analyses, which demonstrated that, in an effort to mitigate the negative impact of sibling criticisms, caregivers often employed strategies that may have fueled sibling tension. DISCUSSION These findings demonstrate how identity processes, as well as the family networks in which caregiving takes place, shape the experiences and consequences of parent care.
Evaluation of Internal Data Trends Versus Respiratory Therapist Documentation for Ventilated Pediatric Patients

Background: Ventilators for invasive and non-invasive respiratory support have the ability to store and transmit data. Many outpatient clinics, long term care facilities, and home care agencies use the data download feature to retrieve ventilator data remotely and make changes as needed. In these environments, daily assessment of the ventilator by a respiratory therapist (RT) is not always feasible. In the hospital setting, RT assessment is the norm, with data downloads not utilized frequently to make ventilator changes. We evaluated concurrent stored Trilogy 202 ventilator data and RT documented ventilator checks to determine if differences were present. Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, 10 patients were selected randomly if they met our inclusion criteria of Trilogy 202 ventilator use for >7 days and a minimum 12 hour per day ventilator use. Data from the ventilator’ SD card was analyzed and compared to concurrent RT documentation in the EMR. Variables for analysis included breaths/min, leak, minute volume (MV), tidal volume (VT), and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) .Averages for each parameter for each patient were recorded. Variable mean and standard deviations were determined and compared using paired T-tests. Results: The average patient age was 2.98 years. 5/10 patients had uncuffed tracheostomy tubes. 4 patients received SIMV PC PS, 3 CPAP/PS, 2 PC, and 1 CPAP. There was a statistically significant difference in SD card obtained data when compared to RT documentation 10% of the time for breaths/min, 40% of the time for leak, 20% of the time for MV, 30% of the time for VT and 10% of the time for PIP (Table 1). Overall, in 22% of comparisons there was a statistically significant difference between SD card data and RT documentation for the measured parameters. For the 10 patients studied, 6 patients (60%) had a statistically significant change in one or more of the compared variables. See graph 1 and Table 2 for additional data. Conclusions: In our practice, significant differences are present between Trilogy 202 ventilator SD card data and RT documentation. Based on the design of this study we are unable to conclude if Trilogy 202 recorded data or RT documented data is preferred. Further studies must be done to evaluate the significance of these differences as it is applied to ventilator adjustments and patient outcomes.
Twelve Indicators of Restorative Practices Implementation: A Framework for Educational Leaders

Across the United States, schools are implementing Restorative Practices (RP) to improve school climate and address disparities in discipline. The scope of such RP initiatives can remain ambiguous ...
In situ grown single crystal aluminum as a nonalloyed ohmic contact to n-ZnSe by molecular beam epitaxy

Novel ohmic contacts to n-ZnSe are demonstrated using single crystal Al films deposited on epitaxially grown ZnSe (100) by molecular beam epitaxy. Electron backscatter diffraction confirmed the single crystalline structure of the Al films. The (110)-oriented Al layer was rotated 45 ° relative to the substrate to match the ZnSe (100) lattice constant. The as-grown Al-ZnSe contact exhibited nearly ideal ohmic electrical characteristics over a large doping range of n-ZnSe without any additional treatment. The contact resistances are in a range of 10 − 3 Ω cm 2 for even lightly doped ZnSe ( ∼ 10 17 cm − 3). Leaky Schottky behavior in lightly doped ZnSe samples suggested that Al-ZnSe formed a low-barrier height, Schottky limit contact. In situ grown Al could act as a simple metal contact to n-ZnSe regardless of carrier concentration with lower resistance compared to other reported contacts in literary studies. The reported novel metallization method could greatly simplify the ZnSe-based device fabrication complexity and lower the cost.
Electronarcosis

The history and present state of the art of electronarcosis is reviewed. Whenever possible the parameters employed by the investigators cited are given. The characteristic signs of the state are surveyed and possible mechanisims of action are discussed. An extensive reference list is appended to the paper.
Joint temporal dietary and physical activity patterns: associations with health status indicators and chronic diseases.

BACKGROUND Diet and physical activity (PA) are independent risk factors for obesity and chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The temporal sequence of these exposures may be used to create patterns with relationships to health status indicators. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to create clusters of joint temporal dietary and PA patterns (JTDPAPs); determine their association with health status indicators including BMI, waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, blood pressure and disease status including obesity, T2DM, and MetS in United States adults. DESIGN A 24-hour dietary recall and random day of accelerometer data of 1836 participants from the cross-sectional NHANES 2003-2006 data were used to create JTDPAPs clusters by constrained dynamic time warping, coupled with kernel k-means clustering algorithm. Multivariate regression models determined associations between the 4 JTDPAP clusters and health and disease status indicators, controlling for potential confounders and adjusting for multiple comparisons. RESULT A JTDPAP cluster with proportionally equivalent energy consumed at two main eating occasions reaching up to 1600 and 2200 kcal from 11:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, and the highest PA counts among 4 clusters from 8:00 to 20:00, was associated with significantly lower body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.0001), WC (P = 0.0001), total cholesterol (P = 0.02) and odds of obesity (OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.5) compared to a JTDPAP cluster with proportionally equivalent energy consumed reaching up to 1600 and 1800 kcal from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00, and high PA counts from 9:00 to 12:00. CONCLUSIONS The joint temporally patterned sequence of diet and PA can be used to cluster individuals with meaningful associations to BMI, WC, total cholesterol, and obesity. Temporal patterns hold promise for future development of lifestyle patterns that integrate additional temporal and contextual activities.
Macaca fascicularis (Crab-eating macaque, cynomolgus monkey)

The karyotypes presented here were kindly donated by Dr. E.S.E. Hafez, Detroit, Michigan, USA, and were obtained from lymphocyte cultures. The karyotype is similar to that of other macacs (Folio 147). The morphology of the Y is not clearly identified, and pairing of most chromosomes is arbitrary. Fernandez-Donoso et al. have identified the Y as an acrocentric. These authors described an end-to-end association between the sex chromosomes in meiosis and an association between the achromatic areas of the marker chromosomes (last autosome pair shown here). Late replication of a small metacentric autosome was also found.
A report on serious pulmonary toxicity associated with gemcitabine-based therapy.

Background: Serious pulmonary toxicity(SPT) has recently been noted withgemcitabine-based therapy (G). However,the incidence of SPT has not been fullyevaluated. This retrospective reviewestimates the incidence of, and the factorsinfluencing, SPT with G. Patients and methods: Pulmonarytoxicity was defined as dyspnea,interstitial pneumonitis, lung disorder,lung edema, lung fibrosis, pneumonia,respiratory disorder, and respiratorydistress syndrome. Patients wereidentified from 2 worldwide Lillydatabases – the clinical trial database(CTD) and the safety database (SD). Eventsdesignated as serious and possibly/probablyrelated to therapy by the primary physicianwere independently evaluated and confirmed. Serious pulmonary toxicity events werecategorized as dyspnea or other SPT events. Results: Of the 91 patientsidentified by the investigator in the CTDas having G-related SPT, 32 had G-relatedSPT per the independent reviewers. Basedon the 4448 patients treated with G in theCTD, the incidences of dyspnea and otherSPT events were 0.45% and 0.27%,respectively. Of the 295 patientsidentified by the investigator in the SD ashaving G-related SPT, 167 had G-related SPTper the independent reviewers. Based on anestimated 217,400 patients treated withcommercial G worldwide, the crudeincidences of dyspnea and other SPT eventswere 0.02% and 0.06%, respectively. Conclusions: SPT associated with G isuncommon. Incidences from the CTD fordyspnea and other SPT are 0.45% and0.27%, respectively. Incidences from theSD for dyspnea and other SPT are 0.02% and0.06%, respectively. The influence ofother factors, such as anticancertherapies, on these incidences needs to bebetter understood.
Designing an alternative for IS 2002.4 Information Technology Hardware and Systems Software course for an information assurance program

While there are several well-known model curricula for Information System programs, there is great diversity in such programs as faculty design programs to address student backgrounds, careers choices, and the culture of the academic unit. Faculty interests and computer resources available to support the program will also influence the content of the curriculum and courses. Recently, programs have emerged that address the need to protect information resources stored in networked computer systems. This paper discusses the design of a foundation course for such a program in Information Assurance and Computer Security. The course replaces the IS 2002.4, Information Technology Hardware and Systems Software, course in the ACM/AIS/AITP IS 2002 Model Curriculum [1]. We discuss the rationale for crafting this replacement for the IS 2002.4 course that has been a mainstay of the IS curriculum for decades. We discuss the course objectives, some of the implementation details, and our experiences in teaching it.
Assessing Marital Adjustment and Satisfaction: A Review

Five common instruments used to assess marital adjustment and satisfaction are compared and reviewed. Studies that evaluated the psychometric properties of each are discussed. The author recommends...
Energy Efficient Hardware-Software Co-Synthesis Using Reconfigurable Hardware

Rapid energy estimation for energy efficient applications using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) remains a challenging research topic. Energy dissipation and efficiency have prevented the widespread use of FPGA devices in embedded systems, where energy efficiency is a key performance metric. Helping overcome these challenges, Energy Efficient Hardware-Software Co-Synthesis Using Reconfigurable Hardware offers solutions for the development of energy efficient applications using FPGAs.The book integrates various high-level abstractions for describing hardware and software platforms into a single, consistent application development framework, enabling users to construct, simulate, and debug systems. Based on these high-level concepts, it proposes an energy performance modeling technique to capture the energy dissipation behavior of both the reconfigurable hardware platform and the target applications running on it. The authors also present a dynamic programming-based algorithm to optimize the energy performance of an application running on a reconfigurable hardware platform. They then discuss an instruction-level energy estimation technique and a domain-specific modeling technique to provide rapid and fairly accurate energy estimation for hardware-software co-designs using reconfigurable hardware. The text concludes with example designs and illustrative examples that show how the proposed co-synthesis techniques lead to a significant amount of energy reduction.This book explores the advantages of using reconfigurable hardware for application development and looks ahead to future research directions in the field. It outlines the range of aspects and steps that lead to an energy efficient hardware-software application synthesis using FPGAs.
Enabling coherent superpositions of iso-frequency optical states in multimode fibers

The ability to precisely and selectively excite superpositions of specific fiber eigenmodes allows one in principle to control the three dimensional field distribution along the length of a fiber. Here we demonstrate the dynamic synthesis and controlled transmission of vectorial eigenstates in a hollow core cylindrical photonic bandgap fiber, including a coherent superposition of two different angular momentum states. The results are verified using a modal decomposition algorithm that yields the unique complex superposition coefficients of the eigenstate space.
CURRENT FINDINGS IN DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF THE NONPALPABLE TESTIS

AbstractPurpose: We delineate the current findings and contribution of diagnostic laparoscopic evaluation in the management of nonpalpable testis.Materials and Methods: We reviewed all cases in which laparoscopy was considered the management associated with a nonpalpable testis in a 4-year period. Since our previous series, we have performed a careful examination for the testis after induction of anesthesia but before committing to laparoscopy. We recorded testis position and quality, character of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels, type of management and contribution of laparoscopy. We also reviewed contemporary published series and collated the findings of studies performed elsewhere.Results: We identified 263 nonpalpable testes in 225 patients between September 1992 and 1996. In 40 patients 46 testes (18%) were found during physical examination under anesthesia. Of the remaining cases considered appropriate for laparoscopy 215 with complete records were further analyzed. Only 12.6% could be conside...
A donor-stabilization strategy for the preparation of compounds featuring P=B and As=B double bonds

A new class of heavier group 15 compounds demonstrating multiple bonding with boron has been synthesized using a simple donor-stabilization protocol.
Proceedings from the Society of Interventional Radiology research consensus panel on critical limb ischemia.

From the Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (S.M.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; The Mount Sinai Hospital (R.L.), New York, New York; Cardiovascular Diseases Interventional Institute at Holy Name Hospital (J.R.), Teaneck, New Jersey; Vascular Medicine Program (A.T.H.), Lillehei Heart Institute, and Cardiovascular Division, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Division of Cardiology and CPC Clinical Research (W.R.H.), University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Vascular Medicine and Intervention Department (M.R.J., K.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; John Ochsner Heart & Vascular Institute (C.R.W.), Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana; UCSF Heart and Vascular Center (M.C.), San Francisco, California; Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (P.G.), St. Louis, Missouri; Duke University Health System (M.P.), Durham, North Carolina. Received September 24, 2012; final revision received October 19, 2012; accepted October 22, 2012. Address correspondence to S.M.; E-mail: misra.sanjay@mayo.edu
Transmission of compressed tactical imagery by means of an rf link

The joint University of Rochester/Rochester Institute of Technology `Center for Electronic Imaging Systems' (CEIS) is designed to focus on research problems of interest to industrial sponsors. A particular feature of the research is that it is organized in the `triplet' mode: each project includes a faculty researcher, an industrial partner, and a doctoral or postdoctoral fellow. Compression of tactical images for transmission over an rf link is an example of this type of research project which is being worked on in collaboration with one of the CEIS sponsors, Harris Corporation/Rf communications. The Harris Digital Video Imagery Transmission System (DVITS) is designed to fulfill the need to transmit secure imagery between unwired locations at real-time rates. DVITS specializes in transmission systems for users who rely on hf equipment operating at the low end of the frequency spectrum. However, the inherently low bandwidth of hf combined with transmission characteristics such as fading and dropout severely restrict the effective throughput. The problem is posed as one of maximizing the probability of reception of the most significant information in an m x n pixel image in the shortest possible time. Various design strategies combining image segmentation, compression, and error correction are evaluated using a realistic model for the communication channel. A recommended strategy is developed and a test method using a variety of test images is described. The methodology established here can be employed for other image transmission designs.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abstract 2788: GTx-230: an orally available novel tubulin inhibitor that disrupts tumor vasculature and displays single-agent antitumor efficacy in multidrug-resistant prostate cancer with less neurotoxicity

A novel indole antimitotic compound, GTx-230, was identified in cell-based screening assays that binds to the colchicine site in tubulin and destabilizes microtubules. In this study, the pharmacokinetics, antitumor efficacy, neurotoxicity, and vascular disrupting ability of GTx-230 were evaluated. GTx-230 inhibited the in vitro growth of a number of human cancer cell lines including DU-145, LNCaP, PC-3, and PPC-1 prostate cancer cells with low nanomolar IC50 values. Following a 10 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) dose to mice, the plasma clearance (CL), volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss), and terminal half-life (T1/2) of GTx-230 were 19 ml/min/kg, 2.9 l/kg, and 1.7 h, respectively. Oral bioavailability of GTx-230 was 36% in mice. In vivo, GTx-230 (6.7 mg/kg, qd, p.o.) was effective with near 100% tumor growth inhibition in xenograft models using PC-3/TXR cells over-expressing P-glycoprotein. In contrast, docetaxel, a known antimitotic agent, was not effective in the PC-3/TXR xenograft model. In vivo studies of mouse performance on an accelerating rotarod and hotplate showed that GTx-230 did not induce any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. In addition, we evaluated the effect of GTx-230 on in vitro vascular permeability using a transwell system with confluent HUVEC monolayers. GTx-230 resulted in increased permeability after 1 h incubation and showed potency similar to CA4. In summary, the potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities of GTx-230 suggest that it may represent a new antimitotic agent for management of solid malignancies, particularly for patients with drug resistant cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2788. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2788
Aortic calcification, serum calcium, magnesium, sodium and cholesterol in Gopherus polyphemus

Abstract 1. 1. Determination by spectrophotometric methods of blood serum calcium, magnesium, sodium and cholesterol along with aortic calcium in an age series of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus , yielded mean values of 3.1, 2.3, 137 mM/1., respectively for the cations, 127.6 mg/100 cm 3 cholesterol and 116 mg calcium/100 g dry wt. tissue. 2. 2. No statistically significant correlations were found between animal size and any of the five parameters examined.
Emerging safety issues with imatinib and other Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Abstract Imatinib and other Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as dasatinib and nilotinib, have significantly improved the outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Imatinib and dasatinib are currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, and nilotinib is expected to gain FDA approval soon. In addition, several other Abl TKIs are being evaluated in various clinical trials. Imatinib has also shown efficacy in the therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphocytic leukemia and hypereosinophilic syndrome. Because of their efficacy, more patients will receive Abl TKIs for a longer period of time. Imatinib was FDA approved after a short follow-up because of its exceptional efficacy and safety profile. The most common adverse events reported included fluid retention, fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle cramps. With longer follow-up, issues related to the long-term use of imatinib have been discussed. Our aim is to review the emerging safety issues of Abl TKIs after a longer follow-up.
How Peptide Hormone Vesicles Are Transported to the Secretion Site for Exocytosis

Post-Golgi transport of peptide hormone-containing vesicles from the site of genesis at the trans-Golgi network to the release site at the plasma membrane is essential for activity-dependent hormone secretion to mediate various endocrinological functions. It is known that these vesicles are transported on microtubules to the proximity of the release site, and they are then loaded onto an actin/myosin system for distal transport through the actin cortex to just below the plasma membrane. The vesicles are then tethered to the plasma membrane, and a subpopulation of them are docked and primed to become the readily releasable pool. Cytoplasmic tails of vesicular transmembrane proteins, as well as many cytosolic proteins including adaptor proteins, motor proteins, and guanosine triphosphatases, are involved in vesicle budding, the anchoring of the vesicles, and the facilitation of movement along the transport systems. In addition, a set of cytosolic proteins is also necessary for tethering/docking of the vesicles to the plasma membrane. Many of these proteins have been identified from different types of (neuro)endocrine cells. Here, we summarize the proteins known to be involved in the mechanisms of sorting various cargo proteins into regulated secretory pathway hormone-containing vesicles, movement of these vesicles along microtubules and actin filaments, and their eventual tethering/docking to the plasma membrane for hormone secretion.
Combined Antiviral and Antimediator Treatment of Rhinovirus Colds

An antiviral agent and two antiinflammatory compounds were used in a blinded, placebo-controlled study to treat experimental rhinovirus colds. Intranasal interferon-alpha 2b and ipratropium and oral naproxen were begun 24 h after rhinovirus inoculation. Treatment was continued three times a day for 4 days. Viral shedding (mean +/- SE) was 4.4 +/- 0.3 days for controls and 2.9 +/- 0.3 days for treated volunteers (P less than .003). Geometric mean virus titers were reduced in the treated group on all days (P = .02-.06). Serum antibody responses and postinfection geometric mean antibody titers were similar in both groups (P greater than .1). Colds developed in 6 of 16 treated and 7 of 8 control subjects (P = .05). Mean total symptom scores (P = .055), rhinorrhea (P less than .01), cough (P less than .01), and malaise (P less than .001) were reduced in treated subjects. Trends in reduction of nasal obstruction and sore throat also favored the treated group. Nasal secretion weights were 12.9 +/- 4.8 g in treated and 20.3 +/- 5.4 g in control subjects (P = .4). Medications were was tolerated.
Seasonal and interannual changes in planktonic foraminiferal production in the North Pacific

It is well established that there are distinct seasonal cycles in the production of plankton, that vary both geographically and in terms of phytoplankton-zooplankton coupling1 . Only recently have attempts been made to measure seasonal variability in the flux of various biogenic components from the ocean surface to the sea-floor2–4 and to relate this flux to local hydrographic conditions5. For example, a simple inverse relationship has been found between sediment flux to the seafloor and sea-surface temperature in the Sargasso Sea5. A three-year sediment trapping project in the subpolar North Pacific has allowed us to document both seasonal and interannual variability in the flux of planktonic foraminifera from the sea surface. We propose a model, based on the temperature preferences of planktonic foraminiferal species, the thermal structure of the upper water column and food availability, to explain the observed changes over time in foraminiferal production and flux.
Divers Solar Rotations

The subject of solar rotation, or more properly rotations, has become of considerable interest in the last few years. These new developments are primarily associated with spacecraft observations, including observations of the interplanetary medium near the earth, and with improved ground-based solar telescopes and digital data-handling facilities. The physical processes responsible for these divers observed solar rotations and the relationships between them are by no means understood, but may perhaps serve as an interesting challenge to the participants in this conference.
Measuring mealtime difficulties: eating, feeding and meal behaviours in older adults with dementia.

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine the instruments currently available for clinical use specifically to assess mealtime difficulties, a concept subsuming the domains of eating, feeding and meal behaviours in older adults with dementia; and to determine the quality and practicality of those instruments for use in clinical practice. Background. Dementia is a leading cause of death globally and the 5th leading cause of death in the USA for adults over 65. Nutritional status is vital to well-being, therefore, instruments to measure eating, feeding and meal behaviours are important. Instruments measuring these behaviours can be used to plan effective interventions to alleviate the behaviours and improve oral intake. Design. Integrative review. Method. Database searches of EBSCOHost, PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, AgeLine and HaPI using various keyword combinations related to meal, eating and feeding behaviours in dementia as well as keywords related to instruments, scales or measurement. Abstracts and articles were analysed to identify instruments used in research and clinically to measure eating, feeding and meal behaviours in dementia. Results. Twelve observational instruments were identified and organised into categories of eating, feeding and meal behaviours for older adults with dementia. Instruments were described by concepts measured. Conclusions. The majority of instruments identified do not report adequate psychometric testing in the literature. One instrument is identified reporting extensive testing for reliability and validity and has been recommended for clinical practice – The Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia (EdFED) scale. Relevance to clinical practice. The EdFED has been identified as a valid and reliable instrument for measuring feeding difficulties and is available for use in clinical practice. In using the EdFED, interventions can be planned to monitor feeding difficulties and promote nutritional status of older adults with dementia.
Stability of Anthocyanins from Sweet Potatoes in a Model Beverage

Model beverages containing a citrate-phosphate buffer at pH 2.8, 13% sucrose, and a colorant were stored at room temperature for 1 yr in the dark. The colorants consisted of pigment extracts from red sweet potatoes, the same extract with the acyl groups removed, cyanidin-3-glucoside from blackberries, and a commercial sample of enocyanin from grapes. The sweet potato pigments were the most stable, closely followed by those from blackberries. The deacylated samples and those containing enocyanin were much less stable, as judged by color measurements and pigment analyses.
Flow maldistribution in two dimensional packed beds: Part II: The behavior of non‐isothermal systems

A formulation is developed and computed results are presented for flow maldistribution in two-dimensional packed beds involving non-isothermal systems. Results are shown for both, systems in cylindrical and rectangular coordinates and the examples discussed include the pasage of a two-dimensional temperature wave through a packed bed of non-uniform porosity and the examination of the flow maldistribution that is caused by the radial non-uniformity of temperature. The results indicate that radial temperature profiles in packed beds may lead to flow maldistribution even under conditions where the porosity is uniform and it is suggested that this phenomenon may play an important role in the formation of hot spots. On a mis au point une formule et presente les resultats calcules, dans le cas d'une mauvaise distribution de l'econlement dans des lits garnis de deux dimensions ou entrent en jeu des systemes non isothermes. On indique les resultats, pour les deux systemes, dans des coordonnees cylindriques et rectangulaires et discute des exemples tels que le passage d'une onde de temperature a deux dimensions dans un lit garni de porosite non nniforme, et l'etude de la mauvaise distribution de l'ecoulement qui est due a l'absence d'uniformite radiale de la temperature. Les resultats indiquent que les profils de temperature radiale dans les lits garnis peuvent conduire a une mauvaise distribution de l'ecoulement, meme dans des conditions ou la porosite est uniforme, et il y a lieu de croire que ce phenomene peut joner un role important dans la formation de points chauds.