cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of certain substituted naphthoquinones on growth and respiration of Rhodospirillum rubrum

Abstract The effect of dichlone (2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone) on photoautotrophic, photoheterotrophic and heterotrophic growth, and respiration of Rhodospirillum rubrum (a nonsulfur purple bacterium) was studied to elucidate the mechanism of action of this toxicant on photosynthetic bacteria. The photosynthetic growth with malate or with hydrogen and CO 2 was inhibited by dichlone. Light respiration of photoheterotrophically grown cells, unlike their dark respiration, was found to be insensitive to dichlone. Although dichlone caused an inhibition of the respiration of dark-grown cells, such cells were able to grow in the presence of dichlone after a lag. Light-dependent 14 C-substrate incorporation by photoheterotrophic or photoautotrophic cells was found to be relatively more sensitive to dichlone than oxidative substrate incorporation by heterotrophic cells. Short-term exposure of the light-grown cells to dichlone resulted in an irreparable loss of their ability to grow photosynthetically and photoassimilate 14 C-substrates. Menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), a synthetic vitamin K, failed to affect these reactions to a significant extent at comparable concentrations. The findings suggest that dichlone causes an irreversible damage to some primary photosynthetic reaction in chromatophores, whereas the damage caused to the dark heterotrophic metabolism of the cell is less severe and repairable. The inhibitory action of dichlone does not appear to be via the formation of semiquinone free radicals.
Distinguishing recovery from remission in a cohort of bulimic women: how should asymptomatic periods be described?

Abstract Background: Empirical definitions of remission and recovery from eating disorders are needed to understand outcome data and compare results across studies. Method: 106 treatment-seeking women with bulimia nervosa, who had abstained from binging and purging for at least 4 weeks, were followed prospectively. Relapse was defined as at least 4 consecutive weeks of either binging and purging weekly or binging two or more times per week, regardless of purging. Recovery was differentiated from remission based on the probability of relapse. The minimum number of weeks after which the risk of relapse leveled off was used as the cut-off to distinguish between the two outcomes. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the weekly probability of relapse. Results: When defining remission as at least 4 weeks of being asymptomatic, a quarter of the women relapsed within 11 weeks. By 37 weeks, only 49% of the women remained asymptomatic (95% CI, 41–61). The probability of relapse was substantial for approximately a year after a woman ceased to binge and purge. Conclusion: Bulimia nervosa is an episodic disorder. As a conservative approach, periods of being asymptomatic that last less than 1 year should be labeled as remissions, not recoveries.
Introduction to Creative Industries Journal, Issue 7.1 (Spring 2014)

When invited to organize and edit a special issue on media industries for Creative Industries Journal, we jumped at the opportunity. In recent years, the growth of recent media industry studies sch...
U.S. Hispanics: A demographic and issue profile

This paper highlights sociodemographic characteristics of Hispanics and extrapolates issues attendant to this large and growing segment of American society. Educational, political, and economic issues are considered.
Modification of hepatic microsomal oxidative drug metabolism in rats by the opiate maintenance drugs acetylmethadol, propoxyphene, and methadone.

Abstract The formation of cytochrome P-450 “metabolic intermediate” complexes in vivo occurred with acetylmethadol and propoxyphene, but not methadone in both naive and phenobarbital-induced animals. The in vivo formation correlated with the relative ability of these three compounds to form metabolic intermediate complexes and inhibit mixed-function oxidation reactions in vitro .
An approach to the teaching of radiographic interpretation of bony lesions

An approach to teaching radiographic interpretation of bony lesions is presented. The approach is radiographic appearance-oriented, radiographic criteria-oriented, and radiographic differential diagnosis-oriented.
Genotype × environment interaction is weaker in genitalia than in mating signals and body traits in Enchenopa treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

Theory predicts that selection acting across environments should erode genetic variation in reaction norms; i.e., selection should weaken genotype × environment interaction (G × E). In spite of this expectation, G × E is often detected in fitness-related traits. It thus appears that G × E is at least sometimes sustained under selection, a possibility that highlights the need for theory that can account for variation in the presence and strength of G × E. We tested the hypothesis that trait differences in developmental architecture contribute to variation in the expression of G × E. Specifically, we assessed the influence of canalization (robustness to genetic or environmental perturbations) and condition-dependence (association between trait expression and prior resource acquisition or vital cellular processes). We compared G × E across three trait types expected to differ in canalization and condition-dependence: mating signals, body size-related traits, and genitalia. Because genitalia are expected to show the least condition-dependence and the most canalization, they should express weaker G × E than the other trait types. Our study species was a member of the Enchenopa binotata species complex of treehoppers. We found significant G × E in most traits; G × E was strongest in signals and body traits, and weakest in genitalia. These results support the hypothesis that trait differences in developmental architecture (canalization and condition-dependence) contribute to variation in the expression of G × E. We discuss implications for the dynamics of sexual selection on different trait types.
A new class of [2Fe-2S]-cluster-containing protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases

Protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatase catalyses the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to form haem. These ferrochelatases exist as monomers and dimers, both with and without [2Fe-2S] clusters. The motifs for [2Fe-2S] cluster co-ordination are varied, but in all cases previously reported, three of the four cysteine ligands are present in the 30 C-terminal residues and the fourth ligand is internal. In the present study, we demonstrate that a group of micro-organisms exist which possess protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases containing [2Fe-2S] clusters that are co-ordinated by a group of four cysteine residues contained in an internal amino acid segment of approx. 20 residues in length. This suggests that these ferrochelatases have evolved along a different lineage than other bacterial protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases. For example, Myxococcus xanthus protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatase ligates a [2Fe-2S] cluster via cysteine residues present in an internal segment. Site-directed mutagenesis of this ferrochelatase demonstrates that changing one cysteine ligand into serine results in loss of the cluster, but unlike eukaryotic protoporphyrin (IX) ferrochelatases, this enzyme retains its activity. These data support a role for the [2Fe-2S] cluster in iron affinity, and strongly suggest convergent evolution of this feature in prokaryotes.
The epidemiology of sunburn in the US population in 2003.

Background Sunburn is a major preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Objective We investigated risk factors for sunburn in the United States based on the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Design and methods A random sample of 207,776 respondents provided data for the population-based survey. The main outcome measure was any report of sunburn within the previous 12 months. Results Overall, 39% of respondents had at least one sunburn. The strongest factors associated with sunburn were age and socioeconomic factors. Sunburn prevalence was greatest in respondents 18 to 24 years old (61%). This group was more likely to have a sunburn than respondents 45 to 54 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76). Higher income and higher levels of education were positively associated with sunburn (OR 1.67 and 1.63, respectively). Individuals reporting recent binge drinking had a higher prevalence of sunburn (OR = 1.33). Limitations The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System does not include data on skin type or sun protection behavior; therefore the impact of these factors was not assessed. Conclusion Sunburn occurs at a very high rate in the United States.
Effect of ammonium chloride on the multiplication of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.

The multiplication of IPNV in CHSE cells is inhibited by ammonium chloride. This inhibition is complete if NH4Cl is added early in the infective cycle. Immunofluorescence analysis shows that NH4Cl reduces the number of virus producing cells and thus suggests it may act by inhibiting virus internalization. In addition, NH4Cl can produce partial inhibition of IPNV multiplication if added later in the replicative cycle. Analysis of3H-uridine incorporation into viral RNA shows that this later effect could be an inhibition of viral RNA synthesis.
Couple power dynamics, systemic family functioning, and child adjustment: A test of a mediational model in a multiethnic sample

Power dynamics in the marital dyad and systemic elements of whole-family functioning (cohesion, subsystem boundary formations) were examined in relation to each other and also in relation to child adjustment in a multiethnic sample of families. Support was found for a mediational model, such that family functioning was found to mediate the relationship between marital power dynamics and children's internalizing and externalizing behavior. Some support also was found for ethnicity as a moderator of the association between systemic family processes and children's adjustment. Disturbances in family cohesion and subsystem boundaries were more strongly related to internalizing symptomatology for children in European American families compared to children in Hispanic American families.
Crypt cell hypothesis: technical knock-out

[Comment on Vujic Spasic et al, page 4511][1]Vujic Spasic and colleagues have specifically ablated Hfe expression in mouse enterocytes and demonstrated that intestinal Hfe is dispensable for normal iron homeostasis. The mechanism by which functional loss of HFE leads to hereditary hemochromatosis (
Willpower and Legal Policy

People often act in ways that are inconsistent with their own stated desires. What, if anything, can or should legal policy do about this disjunction? In recent years, legal and social science scholarship has increasingly examined self-control and related concepts. In this review, I discuss the policy implications of this work. I begin by defining willpower, disaggregating it from other, related problems, and considering the terms of the intraself conflict it implies. Drawing on ideas that are well recognized in the literature, I divide the costs of willpower lapses and their prevention into the failure costs of bad decisions, the exercise costs associated with exerting willpower effort, and the erosion costs that individuals and society as a whole might incur over time if willpower is not regularly exercised. After surveying a variety of possible policy responses to self-control problems, I offer some suggestions for future research.
Psychoactive properties of !Kung Bushmen medicine plants.

This article addresses some of the recent controversy over the role of psychoactive substances in the !Kung Bushmen healing ceremonies and trance induction. Although some contemporary works on the !Kung and their healing ceremonies give no evidence of the use of psychoactive plants, an examination of the available biochemical and pharmacological literature on the properties of these plants indicates that most contain psychoactive or toxic substances that are likely to have trance-inducing properties. Almost half of the !Kung medicine plants contain psychoactive substances or have toxic properties, and a similarly large group of these plants has psychoactive or toxic properties in related species. Although recent reports have shown little concern with the use of psychoactive substances, the earlier literature illustrated a major concern with their use in !Kung Bushmen trance and healing. This contrast with more recent research suggests a decline in the use of psychoactive plants in the recent past. This decline is examined with respect to changes in the !Kung Bushmen society and how attitudes in the United States regarding drug use may have influenced investigators and their research reports.
An Empirical Comparison of Logit Choice Models with Discrete versus Continuous Representations of Heterogeneity

Abstract Currently, there is an important debate about the relative merits of models with discrete and continuous representations of consumer heterogeneity. In a recent JMR study, Andrews, Ansari, and Currim (2002; hereafter AAC) compared metric conjoint analysis models with discrete and continuous representations of heterogeneity and found no differences between the two models with respect to parameter recovery and prediction of ratings for holdout profiles. Models with continuous representations of heterogeneity fit the data better than models with discrete representations of heterogeneity. The goal of the current study is to compare the relative performance of logit choice models with discrete versus continuous representations of heterogeneity in terms of the accuracy of household-level parameters, fit, and forecasting accuracy. To accomplish this goal, the authors conduct an extensive simulation experiment with logit models in a scanner data context, using an experimental design based on AAC and other...
Hume, Bioethics, and Philosophy of Medicine

Presentation du dossier interdisciplinaire consacre a la relation entre la philosophie de Hume et les problematiques essentielles de la bioethique, de la philosophie de la medecine et des etudes medicales : le statut des animaux, la justice, le suicide, la sympathie, le devoir, la theorie des valeurs et les codes professionnels de l'ethique medicale.
Values and Virtues in Organizations: An Introduction

This special issue focuses on virtues in organizations, even though the concept of virtues is more at home in philosophy, religion, and social services than in the for-profit world of business. Much attention has been paid to values in organizations, of course, but the definition and roles played by virtues in organizations differs substantially from values. We briefly discuss the concept of values in organizations and differentiate it from the concept of virtues with which it is sometimes confused. This will serve as a backdrop to the contributions made by the articles in this special issue.
ABSORPTION POLARIZATION PROPERTIES OF LIGHT-ADAPTED BACTERIORHODOPSIN IN THE 266–620nm REGION

— Using the method of polarized photochemistry, the polarization of the first daughter (K610) in the photocycle of light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin (bR570) is determined relative to the polarization of the photolysis pulse for different absorption regions of bR570. The results are discussed in terms of recent spectroscopic assignments of bR570, and in the 310–266 nm region, in terms of energy transfer processes between the apoprotein and the retinal.
A survey of Canadian populations of the house fly for resistance to insecticides.

The first-generation offspring of samples of Canadian house fly, Musca domestica L., populations were tested for resistance to various insecticidal chemicals, which were applied by a topical application method. All collections showed a high level of resistance to DDT, γ benzene hexachloride, and malathion; most also showed moderate resistance to ronnel. There was no evidence of any substantial degree of resistance to dichlorvos, though some collections were somewhat more tolerant than others.
Delayed gastrocnemius muscle response to sudden perturbation in rehabilitated patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This nonrandomized, posttest-only comparison between two experimental groups and a control group compared the lower extremity muscle activation latencies of patients following rehabilitated unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (allograft or autograft bone-patellar tendon-bone tissue) and normal control subjects. Twenty-three subjects (seven allograft, eight autograft, eight normal control) of similar age, height, weight, isokinetic knee extensor, and flexor peak torque/bodyweight, functional capability (single leg broad jump and single leg vertical jump) and recreational activity level participated in this study. Experimental group subjects were 21.3±5 months (allograft) and 27.6±10 months (autograft) after surgery. Kinematic and electromyographic data were sampled during ten randomly timed unilateral perturbations. Experimental group gastrocnemius latencies were delayed (allograft 59.5±25 ms, autograft 69±20 ms) compared to the control group (31.8±11 ms). The allograft (r=0.80) and autograft (r=0.40) unilateral ACL reconstruction groups displayed moderate and weak positive relationships between anterior knee laxity and knee angular displacements following perturbation, respectively. Control group subjects did not display significant relationships between these variables (r=–0.07). In the allograft group there was also a moderate inverse relationship between gastrocnemius latency and knee angular displacement following perturbation (r=-72). The autograft (r=–0.06) and control (r=–0.21) groups did not show similar relationships between these variables. Delayed gastrocnemius latencies for the experimental groups suggested prolonged neuromuscular deficits during weight-bearing dynamic knee stabilization. Knee angular displacement magnitude following sudden perturbation was related more strongly to knee laxity and gastrocnemius latency among subjects who had undergone ACL reconstruction using allograft bone–patellar tendon–bone tissue.
Mitochondrial superoxide plays a crucial role in the development of mitochondrial dysfunction during high glucose exposure in rat renal proximal tubular cells

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States. Despite several studies indicating a role for mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of diabetic complications, the precise mechanisms underlying renal mitochondrial dysfunction and renal cell injury remain unclear. The hypothesis of the current study was that high-glucose-mediated generation of mitochondrial superoxide is a key early event that leads to mitochondrial injury in renal proximal tubular cells. To ascertain the role of mitochondrial superoxide we have tested whether overexpression of the primary mitochondrial antioxidant, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), protects against hyperglycemia-induced renal injury using normal rat renal proximal tubular cells (NRK). NRK cells were exposed to high glucose (25 mM) and the changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP levels, and superoxide generation and the loss of cell viability were measured at 24 and 48 h after high glucose exposure. Our results indicate that high glucose first induced superoxide generation and hyperpolarization in the mitochondria, followed by a secondary event, which involved a decline in ATP levels, partial Complex III inactivation, and loss of cell viability. These high-glucose-induced changes were completely prevented by overexpression of MnSOD in NRK cells. However, MnSOD activity was not changed after high glucose exposure in vitro or during the early stages of diabetes using the streptozotocin rat model. These findings show for the first time that hyperglycemic induction of superoxide production within the mitochondria initiates specific mitochondrial injury (i.e., Complex III) via a mechanism independent of MnSOD inactivation.
Interpolation-free algorithm for SAR 2D aperture synthesis

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is capable of producing high-resolution terrain images from data collected by a relatively small airborne or spaceborne antenna. This data collection is done in cross-range or slow-time along flight trajectory and range or fast-time along direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. The slow-time imaging is what distinguishes SAR from its predecessor imaging radars. The high resolution pulse compression based fast-time imaging in range introduces some visual artifacts into SAR imagery due to range skew and phase information anomaly due to residual video phase (RVP). In this paper, we introduce the concept of SAR 2D aperture synthesis that extends the slow-time imaging concept to range and relies on a single frequency instead of chirp. Moreover, our 2D aperture synthesis implementation does not need computationally expensive Stolt interpolation.
Treatment Fidelity in Multisite Evaluation: A Multilevel Longitudinal Examination of Provider Adherence Status and Change.

Program implementation data obtained from the repeated observation of teachers delivering one of two early childhood literacy programs to economically disadvantaged students in a large southwestern school district were analyzed to estimate protocol adherence levels at the onset of the intervention as well as the change in adherence over the intervention period. Application of multilevel growth models to the classroom observation data revealed that fidelity to program protocol varied within and between treatment sites during the initial observation and over time. An exploratory examination of select teacher, classroom, and site characteristics indicated that the background characteristics of teachers and contextual factors in the treatment environment were associated with the fidelity outcomes. These results provide some insight into the range of factors that are associated with protocol adherence and highlight the challenge of achieving and maintaining fidelity to a treatment intervention that is delivere...
Developing treatments for prevention of retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) develops in half of the preterm infants born prior to 28 weeks gestational age (GA) and is up to 20 times more likely to occur in infants born before 25 weeks GA th...
Lessons of Experience: Reform Initiatives in African Universities

white paper is indeed aiming at a moving target in trying to keep the upper end of U.K. higher education institutions competitive in income terms with even the best of the U.S. publics, let alone the top private institutions, where annual fees are already nearing $30K. And, indeed, there is also a trend toward the semiprivatization of state flagship campus institutions (now being called “the public Ivies”), which may push fees yet higher than the ca.$7K per annum referred to above. If U.K. and U.S. higher education systems continue to diverge on funding, they will then share certain features. The politics of affordability of higher education for “Middle America” during the 1990s trumped the politics of access to higher education for “Poor America,” which is not surprising given the relative voting power of the two constituencies. This scenario potentially will be echoed in the United Kingdom, where in response to New Labour’s white paper and its proposed £3K per annum tuition fee for “Middle England” the Conservative Party has focused on affordability, asserting that it would avoid the need to increase fees (or even levying them at all) by reducing the size of the higher education system and hence its accessibility to “Poor England” as a means of saving money.
Are Smaller Children Waiting Longer? Trends in Median Waiting Time for Smaller Children Listed for Heart Transplant in the US

Purpose Recent clinical experience suggests that heart transplant (HT) waiting times have increased for smaller children in the US. Limited data are available on actual trends in median waiting times for this population. We sought to describe median wait-times over the past 10 yrs for children between 10 and 25 kilograms at listing. Methods and Materials All children Results Of 5,427 children listed for transplant, 39% (2,112) were 25 kg at listing. For children between 10 and 25 kg at listing, overall median wait-times increased significantly from an average of 71 days over the first 3 years to 152 days over the last 3 years of the study period. [ figure 1 ] Median wait-times were relatively unchanged for infants 25 kg (10-year average 57 days). The total number of children listed annually in the 10-25 kg size group increased 18% (107 to 125 children/year) whereas overall waitlist mortality decreased 43% from 21% to 12%. Conclusions Waiting time has more than doubled for smaller children over the past decade while waiting time has remained largely unchanged for infants and older children. Longer waiting time in this size group may be explained in part by more children being listed for HT and fewer children dying while waiting, which may relate to significant growth in pediatric VAD utilization.
Assembly of 60S ribosomal subunits is perturbed in temperature-sensitive yeast mutants defective in ribosomal protein L16.

Abstract Temperature-sensitive mutants defective in 60S ribosomal subunit protein L16 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated through hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the RPL16B gene and plasmid shuffling. Two heat-sensitive and two cold-sensitive isolates were characterized. The growth of the four mutants is inhibited at their restrictive temperatures. However, many of the cells remain viable if returned to their permissive temperatures. All of the mutants are deficient in 60S ribosomal subunits and therefore accumulate translational preinitiation complexes. Three of the mutants exhibit a shortage of mature 25S rRNA, and one accumulates rRNA precursors. The accumulation of rRNA precursors suggests that ribosome assembly may be slowed in this mutant. These phenotypes lead us to propose that mutants containing the rpl16b alleles are defective for 60S subunit assembly rather than function. In the mutant carrying the rpl16b-1 allele, ribosomes initiate translation at the noncanonical codon AUA, at least on the rpl16b-1 mRNA, bringing to light a possible connection between the rate and the fidelity of translation initiation.
A Rapid GC-MS Determination of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate in Saliva

Abstract I GHB and its related compounds have been known for years in forensic toxicology because of their illicit use in drug-facilitated sexual assault, and to a lesser extent, as party drugs. A sensitive and specific method for the identification and quantification of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in saliva has been developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selective ion monitoring mode. One microliter of synthetic saliva was spiked with 1.0 pt of GHB-d6 as the internal standard and 1.0 pL of 1,7-heptanediol as a surrogate spike to all samples. After a silyl- derivatization, the sample was injected at a split ratio of 10:1. The following ions were monitoring: 233 and 234 for GHB; 239, 240, and 241 for GHB-d6; and 55, 73, and 97 for 1,7-heptanediol. The limit of quantitation was determined to be 0.5 mg/L with a linear dynamic range of 0.5-50.0 mg/L. Quality control samples (5.0, 20.0, and 30.0 rag/L) were prepared for the evaluation of precision. Analytical precision measured by coefficients of variation ranged from 2.1% to 12.50% in both intraday and day- to-day experiments. Surrogate recovery from saliva samples fell in the range of 94.6% to 100% with an average of 98.37% and a corresponding percent relative standard deviation of 1.2%. Introduction
Framing an LGBT organization and a movement: A critical qualitative analysis of GLAAD'S media releases

Combining the mass communication theories of agenda building and framing with a critical analysis of power, this study examined how an LGBT organization, GLAAD, used media releases to build and frame its message into public discourse. By analyzing 213 of GLAAD’s media releases from 2011 through 2012, this study, applying queer theory, critically examined how the releases defined the organization and indicated levels of power within the LGBT rights movement and the greater society. Overall, GLAAD’s releases indicated an emphasis on issues of violence and vulnerability against LGBT individuals and the promotion of LGBT celebrities and allies at media events. This showed the organization and the media’s lack of attention in promoting or covering less sensational LGBT issues based in principles of equality or relating to non-famous LGBT individuals. While the releases demonstrated an overall lack of power for non-elite individuals within the movement, the inclusion of social media and online petitions created...
A formal approach to fault tree synthesis for the analysis of distributed fault tolerant systems

Designing cost-sensitive real-time control systems for safety-critical applications requires a careful analysis of both performance versus cost aspects and fault coverage of fault tolerant solutions. This further complicates the difficult task of deploying the embedded software that implements the control algorithms on a possibly distributed execution platform (for instance in automotive applications). In this paper, we present a novel technique for constructing a fault tree that models how component faults may lead to system failure. The fault tree enables us to use existing commercial analysis tools to assess a number of dependability metrics of the system. Our approach is centered on a model of computation, Fault Tolerant Data Flow (FTDF), that enables the integration of formal verification techniques. This new analysis capability is added to an existing design framework, also based on FTDF, that enables a synthesis-based, correct-by-construction, design methodology for the deployment of real-time feedback control systems in safety critical applications.
Lyapunov-Based Adaptive Visual Servo Tracking Control Using Central Catadioptric Camera

In this paper, a Lyapunov-based visual servo tracking controller is developed for a 6 degree-of-freedom camera-in-hand central catadioptric camera system. By using the central catadioptric camera, a panoramic field of view can be obtained. A Lyapunov-based tracking controller is developed by using homography-based image geometry coupled with a quaternion rotation representation. Finally, an asymptotic tracking result is proven through Lyapunov-based analysis methods.
Phase 2 study of sunitinib in patients with metastatic mucosal or acral melanoma

BACKGROUND Patients with mucosal and acral melanomas have limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Mutations of the KIT oncogene in these melanoma subtypes provide a potential therapeutic target. METHODS A multicenter phase 2 trial of sunitinib was conducted in patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma of a mucosal or acral primary origin. Patients were treated in 2 cohorts: cohort A received sunitinib at a dose of 50 mg daily for 4 weeks of a 6-week cycle, and cohort B received sunitinib at a dose of 37.5 mg daily on a continuous basis. Dose reductions were permitted for treatment-related toxicities, and tumor assessments were performed every 2 months. RESULTS Fifty-two patients were enrolled: 21 in cohort A and 31 in cohort B. Four patients had confirmed partial responses, which lasted 5 to 10 months (1 with a KIT mutation). In both cohorts, the proportion of patients alive and progression-free at 2 months was 52% (95% confidence interval, 38%-66%); this was significantly larger than the hypothesized null of 5%. There was no significant difference in response or overall survival between the 25% of patients with a KIT mutation and those without one (response rate, 7.7% vs 9.7%; overall survival, 6.4 vs 8.6 months). The overall disease control rate was 44%, and a high rate of toxicity was associated with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Sunitinib showed activity in the treatment of mucosal and acral melanoma that was not dependent on the presence of a KIT mutation. However, the medication was poorly tolerated, and there were no prolonged responses. Cancer 2015;121:4007–4015. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Understanding barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and active living in rural communities.

Objective. Studies demonstrate that people's food and physical activity (PA) environments influence behavior, yet research examining this in rural communities is limited. Methods. Focus groups of 8-15 women were conducted in rural communities in seven US states. Questions were designed to identify factors within residents' food and PA environments they felt helped or hindered them from eating healthfully and being physically active. Results. Participants were aged 30-84 years; mean (SD) = 61 (14) (N = 95). On average, communities had fewer than 5,000 residents. Limited time, social norms, and distances from or lack of exercise facilities were common PA barriers. Facilitators for PA included social support, dog walking, and availability of affordable facilities. Healthy eating barriers included the perception that healthy foods were too expensive; calorically dense large portion sizes served at family meals; and frequency of eating foods away from home, which were perceived as generally unhealthy. Healthy eating supports included culture/value around local food gathering (e.g., hunting and gardening) and preservation (e.g., canning and smoking). Friends and family were frequently identified as key influencers of eating and PA behavior. Conclusions. Targeting both social and built environment factors, particularly those unique to rural locales, may enhance support for healthy eating and PA behavior change interventions.
Defensin-barbed innate immunity: clinical associations in the pediatric population

Defensins and related antimicrobial peptides serve a central role in innate immunity in all species of plants and animals. In humans, defensins are widely expressed, including in neutrophils, skin, and mucosal epithelia. Most defensins are potent antibiotics, and some have chemotactic and toxin-neutralizing activities. Results of recent studies on the homeostatic and disease-fighting activities of human defensins point to a key relevance in several pediatric disorders. Inherited variation in defensin gene expression may contribute to susceptibility to several diseases, including psoriasis and Crohn disease. We review here the recent discoveries in innate immunity that shed light on the potential roles of defensins, and other antimicrobial molecules, in the pathophysiology of common pediatric diseases such as atopic dermatitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, cystic fibrosis, and otitis media.
Polyoma and SV40 proteins differentially regulate PP2A to activate distinct cellular signaling pathways involved in growth control

Binding of Src family kinases to membrane-associated polyoma virus middle T-antigen (PyMT) can result in the phosphorylation of PyMT tyrosine 250, which serves as a docking site for the binding of Shc and subsequent activation of the Raf-MEK-ERK (MAP) kinase cascade. In a screen for PyMT variants that could not activate the ARF tumor suppressor, we isolated a cytoplasmic nontransforming mutant (MTA) that encoded a C-terminal truncated form of the PyMT protein. Surprisingly, MTA was able to strongly activate the MAP kinase pathway in the absence of Src family kinase and Shc binding. Interestingly, the polyoma small T-antigen (PyST), which shares with MTA both partial amino acid sequence homology and cellular location, also activates the MAP kinase cascade. Activation of the MAP kinase cascade by both MTA and PyST has been demonstrated to be PP2A-dependent. Neither MTA nor PyST activate the phosphorylation of AKT. The SV40 small T-antigen, which is similar to PyST in containing a J domain and in binding to the PP2A AC dimer, does not activate the MAP kinase cascade, but does stimulate phosphorylation of AKT in a PP2A-dependent manner. These findings highlight a novel role of PP2A in stimulating the MAP kinase cascade and indicate that the similar polyoma and SV40 small T-antigens influence PP2A to activate discrete cellular signaling pathways involved in growth control.
An antipyretic role for interleukin-10 in LPS fever in mice

Interleukin (IL)-10 inhibits the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines implicated in fever, including IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We hypothesized that IL-10 functions as an ant...
Smart flexible wound dressing with wireless drug delivery

Topical drug delivery is a preferred choice to improve the healing process of the chronic wound. However, one of the challenge in topical drug delivery is to find a feasible method to control the drug release in real-time. To achieve this goal, we created a localized smart flexible bandage containing thermo-responsive drug loaded microparticles encapsulated inside a hydrogel. A flexible heater is in contact with the hydrogel patch. A series of off-the-shelf electronics components including driver of the heater, microcontroller, a wireless radios are assembled in a compact package, and used to control the heater and drug release wirelessly. Paper presents the design and experimental results.
The effect of ground transmission time on the response of long structures

Abstract The influence of the transmission time of a seismic-like ground disturbance upon the response of a long structure is studied. The responses are evaluated in terms of extreme value statistics. In view of the simplicity of the bridge model and the fact that only one numerical example was considered, the only conclusion which can be advanced at this moment is that the transmission time of a seismic disturbance should not be ignored when considering the response and safety of a long structure.
Quantification of Tribocharging of Pharmaceutical Powders in V-Blenders: Experiments, Multiscale Modeling, and Simulations

Pharmaceutical powders are very prone to electrostatic charging by colliding and sliding contacts. In pharmaceutical formulation processes, particle charging is often a nuisance and can cause problems in the manufacture of products, such as affecting powder flow, fill, and dose uniformity. For a fundamental understanding of the powder triboelectrification, it is essential to study charge transfer under well-defined conditions. Hence, all experiments in the present study were conducted in a V-blender located inside a glove box with a controlled humidity of 20%. To understand tribocharging, different contact surfaces, namely aluminum, Teflon, poly methyl methacrylate, and nylon were used along with 2 pharmaceutical excipients and 2 drug substances. For the pharmaceutical materials, the work function values were estimated using MOPAC, a semiempirical molecular orbital package which has been previously used for the solid-state studies and molecular structure predictions. For a mechanistic understanding of tribocharging, a discrete element model incorporating charge transfer and electrostatic forces was developed. An effort was made to correlate tribocharging of pharmaceutical powders to properties such as cohesive energy density and surface energy. The multiscale model used is restricted as it considers only spherical particles with smooth surfaces. It should be used judiciously for other experimental assemblies because it does not represent a full validation of a tightly integrated model.
Synthesis, structure, and magnetic and electrical properties of Yb(Mn,M)xAl12-x (M = Fe, Ru; X ≤ 2.5) phases

Single crystals of Yb(Mn,M)xAl12–x (M = Fe, Ru; x ≤ 2.5) were grown utilizing an aluminum self-flux. Products crystallized in three structure types, the ThMn12 structure type, and two structural derivatives, the CaCr2Al10 structure type and the YbFe2Al10 structure type, depending on the starting amount of Mn relative to M. We outline the synthetic parameters used to obtain products in all three structure types and specifically address how stabilizing products in one structure type over another is a function of Mn:M reaction ratios. All compounds are structurally characterized with single crystal X-ray diffraction, and Yb(Mn,Fe)xAl12–x compounds are additionally characterized with temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements. Yb(Mn,Fe)xAl12–x compounds exhibit paramagnetic behavior down to 2 K, as well as metallic resistivity down to ∼50 K. Below 50 K, Yb(Mn,Fe)xAl12–x compounds exhibit upturns in resistivity that indicate the onset of Kondo interactions.
CAUSE ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF IMPACT-RUBBING BETWEEN MOVABLE AND STATIONARY PARTS OF STEAM TURBINES

The impact-rubbing between movable and stationary parts is one of troubles occurred commonly in the rotating machines. In order to decrease the harmfulness caused by said impact-rubbing to the equipments, the characteristics of impact-rubbing vibration, diagnosis method, and corresponding dispasal scheme have been expounded in detail. Combined with some practical examples, the method for solving problems of this kind has been given.
Efficacy of the fumigate instrument on mosquitoes indoor in Beiwan area of Xinjiang

Objective To research on the efficacy of the fumigate instrument in high mosquito environment of Beiwan. Methods Five fumigating times with the design dosages according to Taiming fumigate were performed with the non-fumigating rooms as control. Results After eight minutes fumigating followed with thirty minutes tightly close of the doors,the indoor's mosquito could be cleared;ten minutes fumigating followed with ten minutes tightly close of the doors,the indoor's mosquito could be also cleared;tightly close of the doors for 0,10,and 30 minutes after 10 minutes fumigating,the relative density decrease rate were 90.81%,100%,100% respectively.Conclusion Under the high mosquito density conditions in Beiwan,application of the fumigate instrument in doors could kill the invading mosquito quickly and effectively,and could also protect soldiers effectively.
E-cigarette Dual Users, Exclusive Users and Perceptions of Tobacco Products.

OBJECTIVES We examined differences in the characteristics of youth non-users, cigarette-only, e-cigarette-only, and dual e-cigarette and cigarette users. METHODS Using weighted, representative data, logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine differences in demographic characteristics and tobacco use behaviors across tobacco usage groups. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine differences in harm perceptions of various tobacco products and perceived peer use of e-cigarettes by tobacco usage group. RESULTS Compared to non-users, dual users were more likely to be white, male, and high school students. Dual users had significantly higher prevalence of current use of all products (except hookah) than e-cigarette-only users, and higher prevalence of current use of snus and hookah than the cigarette-only group. Dual users had significantly lower harm perceptions for all tobacco products except for e-cigarettes and hookah as compared to e-cigarette-only users. Dual users reported higher peer use of cigarettes as compared to both exclusive user groups. CONCLUSION Findings highlight dual users' higher prevalence of use of most other tobacco products, their lower harm perceptions of most tobacco products compared to e-cigarette-only users, and their higher perceived peer use of cigarettes compared to exclusive users.
Third-party reimbursement for pharmacist instruction about antihemophilic factor

The trial and evaluation of pharmacy education program to teach a 14-year-old hemophiliac to self-administer Factor VIII at home is described. The home therapy program realized a cost saving of $20,230 for this patient for the first year; school attendance increased 15%. The results of the trial were used to justify a professional fee from Blue Cross of Central Ohio for the pharmacist's educational services.
Chapter 43 – Analyses of Coke Oven Effluents for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds

Publisher Summary Polynuclear aromatic compounds (PNAs) are of particular interest in the analyses of coke oven effluents because many of these compounds are carcinogens or suspected carcinogens. Exposure to the carcinogenic PNAs may pose a serious occupational hazard. There are several ways in which exposure to polynuclear aromatic compounds can take place, namely, by skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Although the first two means can involve direct contact with liquids and solids that contain PNAs, all three means of exposure can result from vapors and aerosols in the air. Thus, the concentrations of various PNA's in the air, especially in the breathing zone of the worker, are important. This chapter focuses on the analysis of air samples for PNAs.
Moving Forward: Exploring Current Challenges and New Directions

Therapeutic/care farm communities potentially offer participants numerous benefits and opportunities, depending upon their specific organizational model. These include the development and/or improvement of socialization skills; a structured environment that facilitates meaningful work; the acquisition of new skills that may provide the foundation for new vocational opportunities; the establishment and/or reinforcement of a support network; and that enhancement of skills required for successful daily living, such as budgeting, banking, and food preparation. Nevertheless, therapeutic farm communities in both Europe and the United States face numerous challenges to their continued existence, much as the therapeutic communities of the past also faced. This chapter discusses these challenges that arise within the context of the relationship between the individual clients and the farms themselves and within the financial, legal, and political domains. Numerous potential strategies for the transformation of these challenges into opportunities to grow and move forward are explored.
Utility of Adenoviral Vectors in Animal Models of Human Disease II: Genetic Disease

Gene therapy for the treatment of the pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) has been at the forefront of gene therapy research over the last decade. During this time, however, despite immense efforts, controlled clinical trials with CF patients have failed to demonstrate significant and reproducible “correction” of the CF bioelectrical functional defect. The target tissue requiring “correction” in CF lung disease is the respiratory epithelium that lines the airways of the lung, and evidence is now emerging that the epithelium has evolved to elude the uptake of potential pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and gene transfer vectors. The majority of studies aimed at gene transfer to the airway epithelium have used the adenovirus (Ad) as the gene delivery vector, since high-efficiency gene transfer to airway epithelial cells grown in culture can be demonstrated. However, when these vectors are tested in the airways of animals and humans in vivo, the efficiency of gene transfer is low. The factors responsible for the discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo gene transfer efficiency with Ad are now being elucidated and for the lung it is becoming apparent that several barriers to gene transfer exist. Identification of extracellular barriers to gene transfer (mucus, glycocalyx, absence of viral receptors) has indicated these barriers as rate-limiting for successful gene transfer to the airway epithelium and has subsequently led to the development of strategies that may be able to test the hypothesis that “corrective gene transfer” to the lungs of CF patients may one day be a valid approach to the treatment of this devastating disease.