cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Herbal Medicinals: Selected Clinical Considerations, Focusing on Known or Potential Drug-Herb Interactions

Herbal medicinals are being used by an increasing number of patients who typically do not advise their clinicians of concomitant use. Known or potential drug-herb interactions exist and should be screened for. If used beyond 8 weeks, Echinacea could cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used with other known hepatoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole. However, Echinacea lacks the 1,2 saturated necrine ring associated with hepatoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate the usefulness of feverfew in the treatment of migraine headaches. Feverfew, garlic, Ginkgo, ginger, and ginseng may alter bleeding time and should not be used concomitantly with warfarin sodium. Additionally, ginseng may cause headache, tremulousness, and manic episodes in patients treated with phenelzine sulfate. Ginseng should also not be used with estrogens or corticosteroids because of possible additive effects. Since the mechanism of action of St John wort is uncertain, concomitant use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is ill advised. Valerian should not be used concomitantly with barbiturates because excessive sedation may occur. Kyushin, licorice, plantain, uzara root, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with either digoxin pharmacodynamically or with digoxin monitoring. Evening primrose oil and borage should not be used with anticonvulsants because they may lower the seizure threshold. Shankapulshpi, an Ayurvedic preparation, may decrease phenytoin levels as well as diminish drug efficacy. Kava when used with alprazolam has resulted in coma. Immunostimulants (eg, Echinacea and zinc) should not be given with immunosuppressants (eg, corticosteroids and cyclosporine). Tannic acids present in some herbs (eg, St John wort and saw palmetto) may inhibit the absorption of iron. Kelp as a source of iodine may interfere with thyroid replacement therapies. Licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of spironolactone. Numerous herbs (eg, karela and ginseng) may affect blood glucose levels and should not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus.
MULTIPLE SCATTERING OF PROTONS IN GASES

The tracks left in a cloud chamber by low energy protons were observed in the absence of a magnetic field. Measurements of the curvature of the tracks due to multiple scattering verified quantitatively the results predicted by H. A. Bethe and W. T. Scott. For 1.08-Mev protons in air under a pressure of one atmosphere, the mean square curvature ${〈{C}^{2}〉}_{\mathrm{Av}}$ of the measured tracks was found to be ${〈{C}^{2}〉}_{\mathrm{Av}}=0.323\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, for 1.05-Mev protons in argon ${〈{C}^{2}〉}_{\mathrm{Av}}=0.935\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. For helium only qualitative results were obtained; they indicated smaller curvatures than for the other gases.
Calnexin Recognizes Carbohydrate and Protein Determinants of Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex Molecules

Proper folding of nascent polypeptides is essential for their function and is monitored by intracellular "quality control" elements. The molecular chaperone calnexin participates in this process by retaining in the endoplasmic reticulum a variety of unfolded proteins, including class I major histocompatibility complex molecules. We transfected human B cell lines with genes encoding either wild-type HLA-A2 heavy chains or mutant heavy chains lacking sites for glycosylation or deficient in binding to beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m). In CIR cells, calnexin did not associate detectably with wild-type heavy chains but bound strongly to mutant heavy chains unable to bind beta 2m. Removal of the glycosylation addition site by further mutagenesis prevented binding of mutant heavy chains to calnexin. In Daudi cells, deficient in synthesis of beta 2m, wild-type HLA-A2 heavy chains, but not a non-glycosylated mutant, bound calnexin. Castanospermine, which blocks trimming of glucose residues from asparagine-linked glycans, inhibited association of calnexin with heavy chains encoded by a second class I gene, HLA-B*0702. Although initiation of calnexin binding appears to depend on the presence of oligosaccharide on the substrate, removal of the glycan from calnexin-associated heavy chains by digestion with endoglycosidase H did not disrupt the interaction. These results suggest that calnexin first recognizes carbohydrate on substrate proteins and then binds more stably to peptide determinants, which disappear upon folding.
The effect of prostaglandins on gastrointestinal serotonin in the rat

Abstract J.H. THOMPSON and M. ANGULO, The effect of prostaglandins on gastrointestinal serotonin in tht rat , European J. Pharmacol. 4 (1968) 224–227. Total serotonin levels were measured spectrophotofluorometrically in the stomach fundus (SF), pyloric antrum (PA) and mid-jejunum (MJ) of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (200–380 g) following injection of prostaglandins (PG) e 1 and E 2 . PGE 1 100 μg/kg IV did not significantly effect MJ serotonin levels at various time periods from 0.5–60.0 minutes. Furthermore, PGE 1 in doses of 10–900 μg/kg SC did not significantly effect total MJ serotonin levels 30 minutes after injection. PGE 1 and PGE 2 in doses of 200 μg/kg SC were without effect on serotonin levels in SF, PA and MJ. Similar results were obtained following a 60 minute subcutaneous infusion of PGE 1 1 μg/kt/min. It is concluded that the gastric secretory depression and smooth muscle stimulation produced by PG are not mediated via the release of serotonin.
Full wave simulations of fast wave heating losses in the scrape-off layer of NSTX and NSTX-U

Full wave simulations of fusion plasmas show a direct correlation between the location of the fast-wave cut-off, radiofrequency (RF) field amplitude in the scrape-off layer (SOL) and the RF power losses in the SOL observed in the National Spherical Torus eXperiment (NSTX). In particular, the RF power losses in the SOL increase significantly when the launched waves transition from evanescent to propagating in that region. Subsequently, a large amplitude electric field occurs in the SOL, driving RF power losses when a proxy collisional loss term is added. A 3D reconstruction of absorbed power in the SOL is presented showing agreement with the RF experiments in NSTX. Loss predictions for the future experiment NSTX-Upgrade (NSTX-U) are also obtained and discussed.
Developing a new instrument to assess the impact of cancer in young adult survivors of childhood cancer

Background Thirty years of psychosocial oncology research have detailed issues having significant impact in both pediatric and adult populations; yet, few studies have captured the subtle and unique ways in which cancer impacts, disrupts and in some instances promotes the growth and development of adolescents and young adults with a cancer history. This paper reports the initiation of an effort to assess the impact of cancer in this young survivor population through the development of a new Impact of Cancer (IOC) instrument.
Glycated haemoglobin and cognitive decline: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Aims/hypothesis This study aimed to examine the association between diabetes and hyperglycaemia—assessed by HbA1c—and change in cognitive function in persons with and without diabetes.
Direct renin inhibition improves parasympathetic function in diabetes.

Aim The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and autonomic nervous system regulate the cardiovascular system. Blockade of the RAAS may slow the progression of end-organ damage. Direct renin inhibition offers a means for blocking the RAAS. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of direct renin inhibition on cardiovascular autonomic function. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 individuals with diabetes were randomly assigned to 300 mg of aliskiren or placebo once daily for 6 weeks. The primary end point was a change in tests of cardiovascular autonomic function. Autonomic function was assessed by power spectral analysis and RR-variation during deep breathing [i.e. mean circular resultant (MCR), expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio]. The MCR and E/I ratio assess parasympathetic function. Secondary measures included change in biochemical parameters [e.g. plasma renin activity, leptin and interleukin-6]. Change in cardiovascular autonomic function and blood analytes were analysed by a mixed effects model for repeated measures. Results Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. In response to aliskiren compared with placebo, blood pressure was reduced as well as plasma renin activity [from 2.4 ± 3.8 (mean ± standard deviation) to 0.5 ± 0.4 µg/l/h, p < 0.001]. There was a significant interaction (aliskiren × visit) for MCR (p = 0.003) and E/I ratio (p = 0.003) indicating improvement in MCR and E/I ratio for those on aliskiren. MCR means, baseline vs. follow-up, were 41.8 ± 19.7 vs. 50.8 ± 26.1 (aliskiren) and 38.2 ± 23.6 vs. 37.5 ± 24.1 (placebo). Conclusions Parasympathetic function (i.e. MCR and E/I ratio) was enhanced by downregulation of the RAAS.
Monitoring manufacturing system availability

The monitoring of production line availability on a day-to-day basis and for continuous improvement is approached from a control charting point of view. Control limits are developed along with the length of time between monitoring periods to control accuracy. This provides a convenient way to monitor the availability measure at any desired level of accuracy.
On the unreasonable effectiveness of the post-Newtonian approximation in gravitational physics

The post-Newtonian approximation is a method for solving Einstein’s field equations for physical systems in which motions are slow compared to the speed of light and where gravitational fields are weak. Yet it has proven to be remarkably effective in describing certain strong-field, fast-motion systems, including binary pulsars containing dense neutron stars and binary black hole systems inspiraling toward a final merger. The reasons for this effectiveness are largely unknown. When carried to high orders in the post-Newtonian sequence, predictions for the gravitational-wave signal from inspiraling compact binaries will play a key role in gravitational-wave detection by laser-interferometric observatories.
Probabilistic Models for Risk Assessment

Recent concern with the potential for stray carbon fibers to damage electronic equipment and cause economic losses has led to the development of advanced risk-assessment methods. Risk assessment often requires the synthesis of risk profiles which represent the probability distribution of total annual losses due to a certain set of events or activities. A number of alternative probabilistic models are presented which the authors have used to develop such profiles. Examples are given of applications of these methods to assessment of risk due to conductive fibers released from aircraft or automobile fires. These assessments usually involve a two-stage approach: estimation of losses for several subclassifications of the overall process, and synthesis of the results into an aggregate risk profile. The methodology presented is capable of treating a wide variety of situations involving sequences of random physical events.
Pathogenic role of nitric oxide alterations in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is the most frequent cause of terminal renal failure, requiring renal replacement therapy. Although a number of factors may contribute to the development of renal disease in diabetes, the recent past has witnessed an explosive growth in literature pertaining to the role of nitric oxide in diabetic nephropathy. However, there are significant controversies in the findings of these studies partly because of the complex metabolic pathways involved in the generation and fate of nitric oxide in the diabetic kidney. The following discussion presents a critical and balanced review of the current understanding of this subject.
Closed loop optimal load control with application to microgrid load design

Microgrids are envisioned to contain several interconnected sources supplying power to multiple loads. While many technologies may be used for generation, such as fossil fuels or renewables, there will likely be some amount of storage capacity. Efficient use of the stored energy is the motivation for this work. This paper focuses on developing closed loop control laws that define optimal load forms. Optimal will be defined as a combination of energy dissipation rate and power flow. In general, the control laws are nonlinear and thus the optimal load forms are nonlinear functions of the states of the network. A tutorial LC circuit is used to illustrate the method for developing the optimal load that efficiently uses the available stored energy.
Implementation of the object-oriented paradigm in S-Plus

The statistics package S-Plus implements elements and concepts from the object oriented (OO) paradigm and concepts which may be new to members of the intended user community. S-Plus provides an analysis environment and a programming language with a rich set of data manipulation, graphical display and mathematical functions. This paper is a first step toward developing training for beginning S-Plus users, who are statisticians rather than computer scientists, to provide them a background in object oriented technology which can help them use the object oriented features of S-Plus to better advantage.
Turnover of Fatty Acids during Natural Senescence of Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, and Switchgrass and in Arabidopsis β-Oxidation Mutants

During leaf senescence, macromolecule breakdown occurs and nutrients are translocated to support growth of new vegetative tissues, seeds, or other storage organs. In this study, we determined the fatty acid levels and profiles in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Brachypodium distachyon, and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) leaves during natural senescence. In young leaves, fatty acids represent 4% to 5% of dry weight and approximately 10% of the chemical energy content of the leaf tissues. In all three species, fatty acid levels in leaves began to decline at the onset of leaf senescence and progressively decreased as senescence advanced, resulting in a greater than 80% decline in fatty acids on a dry weight basis. During senescence, Arabidopsis leaves lost 1.6% of fatty acids per day at a rate of 2.1 mug per leaf (0.6 mug mg(-1) dry weight). Triacylglycerol levels remained less than 1% of total lipids at all stages. In contrast to glycerolipids, aliphatic surface waxes of Arabidopsis leaves were much more stable, showing only minor reduction during senescence. We also examined three Arabidopsis mutants, acx1acx2, lacs6lacs7, and kat2, which are blocked in enzyme activities of beta-oxidation and are defective in lipid mobilization during seed germination. In each case, no major differences in the fatty acid contents of leaves were observed between these mutants and the wild type, indicating that several mutations in beta-oxidation that cause reduced breakdown of reserve oil in seeds do not substantially reduce the degradation of fatty acids during leaf senescence.
Tracking Non-textured Video Targets: A Solvable Problem In Distributed Parameter Systems

Under reasonable assumptions, certain classes of video tracking problems may be formulated within the evolving framework of distributed parameter system estimation and control. Generally, however, this formulation results in stochastic, time-varying, nonlinear estimation and control problems in coupled ordinary and partial differential equations with moving boundary conditions. General solutions for these types of systems are not yet available. In this paper, the situation is simplified by using nontextured targets and background to illustrate the approach and highlight many aspects of the general tracking problem, notably: (i) the closed-loop nature of the video tracking system; (ii) nonlinear camera controls and scene models; (iii) moving boundary estimation; and iiv) the estimation of time-varying (affine) parameters in partial differential equations. Solutions to the reduced problem as well as extensions to the more general (and complex) situation are discussed.
Principles for allocation of scarce medical interventions.

Summary Allocation of very scarce medical interventions such as organs and vaccines is a persistent ethical challenge. We evaluate eight simple allocation principles that can be classified into four categories: treating people equally, favouring the worst-off, maximising total benefits, and promoting and rewarding social usefulness. No single principle is sufficient to incorporate all morally relevant considerations and therefore individual principles must be combined into multiprinciple allocation systems. We evaluate three systems: the United Network for Organ Sharing points systems, quality-adjusted life-years, and disability-adjusted life-years. We recommend an alternative system—the complete lives system—which prioritises younger people who have not yet lived a complete life, and also incorporates prognosis, save the most lives, lottery, and instrumental value principles.
A divergent variant of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 is present in California

Background: Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses are a problem for grape production globally. Symptoms are caused by a number of distinct viral species. During a survey of Napa Valley vineyards (California, USA), we found evidence of a new variant of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3). We isolated its genome from a symptomatic greenhouse-raised plant and fully sequenced it. Findings: In a maximum likelihood analysis of representative GLRaV-3 gene sequences, the isolate grouped most closely with a recently sequenced variant from South Africa and a partial sequence from New Zealand. These highly divergent GLRaV-3 variants have predicted proteins that are more than 10% divergent from other GLRaV-3 variants, and appear to be missing an open reading frame for the p6 protein. Conclusions: This divergent GLRaV-3 phylogroup is already present in grape-growing regions worldwide and is capable of causing symptoms of leafroll disease without the p6 protein.
Timing and Accuracy of Individuals with and without Motor Control Disabilities Completing a Touch Screen Task

As touch screen technology improves in functionality and decreases in price, these input devices are becoming much more prevalent. People are increasingly required to interact with touch screens at places ranging from their local grocery stores to airport check-in kiosks. Since it is becoming necessary for people to use touch screens in order to access needed products or services, we conducted an experiment to examine how individuals with varying motor control disabilities perform on a simple number entry task. We feel this research is important because, to date, most of the usability research related to touch screens has only included young, healthy subjects.
38 GHz and 60 GHz angle-dependent propagation for cellular & peer-to-peer wireless communications

As the cost of massively broadband® semiconductors continue to be driven down at millimeter wave (mm-wave) frequencies, there is great potential to use LMDS spectrum (in the 28–38 GHz bands) and the 60 GHz band for cellular/mobile and peer-to-peer wireless networks. This work presents urban cellular and peer-to-peer RF wideband channel measurements using a broadband sliding correlator channel sounder and steerable antennas at carrier frequencies of 38 GHz and 60 GHz, and presents measurements showing the propagation time delay spread and path loss as a function of separation distance and antenna pointing angles for many types of real-world environments. The data presented here show that at 38 GHz, unobstructed Line of Site (LOS) channels obey free space propagation path loss while non-LOS (NLOS) channels have large multipath delay spreads and can exploit many different pointing angles to provide propagation links. At 60 GHz, there is notably more path loss, smaller delay spreads, and fewer unique antenna angles for creating a link. For both 38 GHz and 60 GHz, we demonstrate empirical relationships between the RMS delay spread and antenna pointing angles, and observe that excess path loss (above free space) has an inverse relationship with transmitter-to-receiver separation distance.
RIG-I/MDA5/MAVS Are Required To Signal a Protective IFN Response in Rotavirus-Infected Intestinal Epithelium

Rotavirus is a dsRNA virus that infects epithelial cells that line the surface of the small intestine. It causes severe diarrheal illness in children and ∼500,000 deaths per year worldwide. We studied the mechanisms by which intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) sense rotavirus infection and signal IFN-β production, and investigated the importance of IFN-β production by IECs for controlling rotavirus production by intestinal epithelium and virus excretion in the feces. In contrast with most RNA viruses, which interact with either retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) or melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) inside cells, rotavirus was sensed by both RIG-I and MDA5, alone and in combination. Rotavirus did not signal IFN-β through either of the dsRNA sensors TLR3 or dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PKR). Silencing RIG-I or MDA5, or their common adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), significantly decreased IFN-β production and increased rotavirus titers in infected IECs. Overexpression of laboratory of genetics and physiology 2, a RIG-I-like receptor that interacts with viral RNA but lacks the caspase activation and recruitment domains required for signaling through MAVS, significantly decreased IFN-β production and increased rotavirus titers in infected IECs. Rotavirus-infected mice lacking MAVS, but not those lacking TLR3, TRIF, or PKR, produced significantly less IFN-β and increased amounts of virus in the intestinal epithelium, and shed increased quantities of virus in the feces. We conclude that RIG-I or MDA5 signaling through MAVS is required for the activation of IFN-β production by rotavirus-infected IECs and has a functionally important role in determining the magnitude of rotavirus replication in the intestinal epithelium.
Three-dimensional modeling of arc plasma and metal transfer in gas metal arc welding

An integrated comprehensive 3D model has been developed to study the transport phenomena in gas metal arc welding (GMAW). This includes the arc plasma, droplet generation, transfer and impingement onto the weld pool, and weld pool dynamics. The continuum formulation is used for the conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy in the metal zone. The free surface is tracked using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) technique. The 3D plasma arc model is solved for the electric and magnetic fields in the entire domain. The interaction and coupling between the metal zone and the plasma zone is considered. The distributions of velocity, pressure, temperature, and free surface for the metal zone and the velocity, pressure, and temperature for the plasma zone are all calculated as a function of time. The numerical results show the time-dependant distributions of arc pressure, current density, and heat transfer at the workpiece surface are different from presumed Gaussian distributions in previous models. It is also observed that these distributions for a moving arc are non-axisymmetric and the peaks shift to the arc moving direction.
Brownian bridge hypothesis testing for the initial transient problem

This paper models the detection of the initial transient in a steady-state simulation problem as a change point hypothesis testing problem. We introduce two new hypothesis tests for the initial transient, each of which is based on the Brownian bridge process and each of which is a composite test that involves testing against infinitely many alternatives (that depend on the duration of the transient period). One of our two procedures is closely related to the class of tests proposed by Schruben, Singh, and Tierney (1983).
A net benefits approach to measuring retrieval performance

Abstract This article proposes new measures of database retrieval performance that incorporate preferences for information and output consumption. It incorporates a value that Blair has called the information consumer's “point of futility”; the volume at which the consumer becomes overloaded with retrieved information.
Simulation of double pendulum motion

This study illustrates the development and use of a continuous simulation model as a tool for analyzing the motion of two connected pendulums. A mathematical model of the system is presented. The simulation model is developed from this system model and then validated.
Assessing payer perspectives on health information exchange.

Objective To identify factors that impede payer engagement in a health information exchange (HIE), along with organizational and policy strategies that might effectively address the impediments. Materials and Methods Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with leaders from 17 varied payer organizations from across the country (e.g., large, national payers; state Blues plans; local Medicaid managed care plans). Results We found a large gap between payers’ vision of what optimal HIE should be and the current approach to HIE in the United States. Notably, payers sought to be active participants in HIE efforts – both providing claims data and accessing clinical data to support payer HIE use cases. Instead, payers were often asked by HIE efforts only to provide financial support without the option to participate in data exchange, or, when given the option, their data needs were secondary to those of providers. Discussion Efforts to engage payers in pursuit of more robust and sustainable HIE need to better align their value proposition with payer HIE use cases. This will require addressing provider concerns about payer access to clinical data. Policymakers should focus on creating the conditions for broader payer engagement by removing common obstacles, such as low provider engagement in HIE. Conclusion Despite variation in the extent to which payers engaged with current HIE efforts, there was agreement on the vision of optimal HIE and the facilitators of greater payer engagement. Specific actions by those leading HIE efforts, complemented by policy efforts nationally, could greatly increase payer engagement and enhance HIE sustainability.
An Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial With 4-Year-Olds in Preschools

Introduction A majority of preschool-aged children spend a significant portion of every weekday in a preschool or child care setting, where they typically participate in limited physical activity. This study determined if an ecologic physical activity intervention in preschools increases children's moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). Design RCT, with preschool as the unit of randomization and analysis. Child physical activity was measured by accelerometry. Mixed model analysis of covariance with preschool as a random variable was used to test the effects of the intervention on physical activity in the total group and in sex-specific subgroups. Data were collected in 2008–2010 and analyzed in 2012–2014. Setting/participants Children in 4-year-olds' classrooms in 16 preschools, pair matched and assigned to intervention or control groups. Intervention The intervention focused on increasing children's physical activity by changing instructional practices. Researchers trained preschool teachers to engage children in physical activity during (1) structured, teacher-led physical activity opportunities in the classroom; (2) structured and unstructured physical activity opportunities at recess; and (3) physical activity integrated into pre-academic lessons. Research staff encouraged teachers to adapt the intervention to their classrooms. Main outcome measures Minutes/hour of MVPA during the preschool day. Results In an analytic sample of 379 children (188 intervention, 191 control), those in the intervention schools engaged in significantly more MVPA than children in control schools (7.4 and 6.6 minutes/hour, respectively). This difference remained significant after adjusting for parent education and length of the school day (half versus full day). In the sex-specific analyses, the difference was significant for girls (6.8 vs 6.1 minutes/hour of MVPA, respectively) but not for boys (7.9 vs 7.2 minutes/hour, respectively). Conclusions A flexible ecologic physical activity intervention that trains teachers to provide children with opportunities to be active throughout the school day increased MVPA in preschool children.
Legitimating Television: Media Convergence and Cultural Status, by Newman, M. Z., & Levine, E.

Since the end of the network era when cable technology created the opportunity for more diverse content to become economically viable, television has become increasingly legitimate as a cultural fo...
A critical review of smoking, cessation, relapse and emerging research in pregnancy and post-partum

Introduction: Smoking during pregnancy causes adverse health outcomes. Though the prevalence of smoking among pregnant women has declined, postpartum relapse rates remain high and smoking-related maternal, fetal and infant morbidity and mortality remains a public health burden. Sources of data: A comprehensive literature search on smoking in pregnancy was conducted to provide a practical review for health professionals. Areas of agreement: Psychosocial support is an effective evidence-based treatment for pregnant women. Bio-psycho-socio factors that influence likelihood of quitting and remaining quit should be addressed. Areas of controversy: Electronic cigarettes are marketed as a harm reduction tool, but research on safety and effectiveness are lacking for pregnant women. Growing points: The safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy for use among pregnant women remains unclear. Clinicians should increase discussions regarding all resources for tobacco use treatment and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy and postpartum and offer psychosocial support to all pregnant women. Areas timely for developing research: Research on developing stronger tobacco control policies in low- and middle-income countries, increasing cessation and relapse prevention among pregnant smokers with mental health conditions and increasing the impact of evidence-based supports, such as the quitline, among pregnant women can decrease consumption of tobacco in pregnancy.
A mild deposition of metallic materials on a plastic film enabled by phage display peptides

We demonstrate for the first time a mild deposition of metallic materials on a plastic film, (poly)ethylene tetraphthalate (PET), enabled by phage displayed peptides. Peptide-binding motifs to PET are comprehensively screened from a library of phage displayed peptides, and a bifunctional peptide with a PET-binding motif and a metal synthesis motif is designed. This further allows for the assembly of metallic materials on PET under a mild environment.
Are aneurysms treated with balloon-assisted coiling and stent-assisted coiling different? Morphological analysis of 113 unruptured wide-necked aneurysms treated with adjunctive devices

Background In the endovascular treatment of wide-necked unruptured aneurysms, there is controversy over which adjunctive device (stent vs balloon) is appropriate. At the payer level it has been posited that stents and balloons treat the same aneurysms, and, as such, the more expensive stents should not be reimbursed. Objective We challenge this assertion, and instead hypothesize that aneurysms treated with stent assistance are morphologically different than those selected for balloon assistance. Methods Retrospective review of unruptured aneurysms treated with an adjunctive device between 2008 and 2010. Morphological analysis was performed on the pretreatment 2-D catheter angiogram. The immediate posttreatment Raymond score was compared with that seen on the 12-month follow-up angiogram. Results One hundred six unruptured aneurysms were treated with an adjunctive device and followed for a mean of 24.5 months. Morphological analysis revealed a lower dome-to-neck ratio (1.5 vs 1.2) and aspect ratio (1.44 vs 1.16) in the aneurysms treated with stent assistance vs balloon assistance. Of the 15.3% that were worse on follow-up angiography, there was no statistical difference between those treated with a stent vs a balloon (17.1% vs 14.2%). The overall re-treatment rate was 10.2% and was not statistically different between the 2 groups (12.7% vs 5.7%). Conclusion We found that unruptured aneurysms selected for treatment with stent-assisted coiling are morphologically different from those selected for treatment with balloon assistance. Despite the more challenging morphology, Raymond scores and re-treatment rates at 1 year were not statistically different between the 2 groups, suggesting an important role for stents in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms.
Favorable prognostic significance of high-level retinoic acid receptor β expression in neuroblastoma mediated by effects on cell cycle regulation

We have previously shown that ectopic overexpression of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) subtypes alpha, beta and gamma in human neuroblastoma cells had different effects on growth and retinoid sensitivity. Only overexpressed RAR beta induced profound growth inhibition in the absence of additional retinoid, and increased retinoid sensitivity. In this study, we measured mRNA expression levels of RAR alpha, beta, and gamma in 50 primary neuroblastoma tumor samples, and found a strong correlation between favorable patient prognosis and high-level RAR beta expression. Human neuroblastoma cells transfected with a vector expressing RAR beta demonstrated irreversible growth arrest following a 1 week exposure to all-transretinoic acid, whereas control cells continued to proliferate. In the absence of additional retinoid, RAR beta transfectants demonstrated a higher proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, increased p21WAF1/CIP1 expression and specific binding to a retinoic acid response element. These were changes which we also observed in control neuroblastoma cells following retinoid treatment. Our data indicate that RAR beta is an important factor mediating the growth inhibitory effects of retinoids in neuroblastoma cells. The favorable effect of high-level RAR beta expression on prognosis in primary tumor tissue may occur through RAR beta effects on p21 expression and consequent G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.
Quantitative Spectral Analysis of Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Signals: C-H Stretching Modes of the Methyl Group.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) vibrational spectroscopy has been extensively developed into a powerful analytical technique to study various molecules. Quantitative interpretation of CARS spectra can help to improve CARS for chemical analysis and extend its analytical applications. In this work, we quantitatively analyzed CARS signals originating from the methyl groups in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), with the help of the bond additivity method. Experimentally, a home-built CARS spectrometer modified from a commercial sum frequency generation spectrometer was used to collect CARS spectra from a PDMS film. Theoretically, we successfully reproduced the peak intensity ratio of C–H symmetric and asymmetric stretching modes of the PDMS methyl group in different polarization combinations based on bond additivity method and Raman depolarization ratio. This research shows that bond additivity theory can help to obtain the third-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor properties probed by different po...
Intermolecular Methyl Group Exchange and Reversible P–Me Bond Cleavage at Cobalt(III) Dimethyl Halide Species

The cobalt(III) dimethyl halide complexes cis,mer-(PMe3)3Co(CH3)2X (X = Cl, I) were found to undergo a degenerate cobalt-to-cobalt transfer of the methyl ligands during isotopic labeling experiment...
Study on the acute oral toxicity and genetic toxicity of curcumin

Objective:To study the acute oral toxicity and genetic toxicity of curcumin,so as to provide experimental basis for its exploitation.Methods: Acute toxicity test and genetic toxicity tests,including Ames test,micronucleus test of polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow and sperm shape abnormality test in mice,were performed according to GB15193-2003 "Procedures and Methods for Toxicological Assessment of Food".Results: The acute oral LD50 of curcumin was greater than 21500 mg/ kg bw,the results of the three genetic toxicity tests were negative.Conclusion: The acute toxicity of curcumin was classified as non-toxic,genetic toxicity was not found.
Poor FEV1 or DLco on Pre-Transplant PFT Does Not Compromise Outcomes In Patients Undergoing a Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Progenitor Cell Transplant.

Abstract Abstract 1322 Background: Pre-transplant work-up prior to an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) generally includes pulmonary functions tests (PFT) with assessment of FEV1 and DLco. It has been previously published that patients with a DLco or FEV1 less than 60% of predicted have higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) when undergoing a myeloablative allo-SCT. However, the PFT criteria for selecting candidates for a reduced intensity (RI) allogeneic transplant allo-SCT remains poorly investigated. We performed a retrospective analysis to assess the impact of low FEV1 or DLco on NRM and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing a RI allo-SCT. Methods: All patients who underwent a RI allo-SCT for hematological malignancies at MD Anderson Cancer Center from Jan 2000 to April 2009 were included. Using Cox's proportional hazards regression, we compared the rate of NRM and OS between patients who had a pre-transplant FEV1 or DLco > 50% (control group) prior to a RI allo-SCT and those with FEV1 and DLco Results: Patient characteristics are presented in Table 1. There were no statistically significant differences between the study and control groups except for age and sex. A significantly higher proportion of patients were > 50 years in the control group (65%) compared with the low PFT group (45%, P=0.02) and there were more males in the control group (P=.001). The median FEV1 and DLco in the study group was 55% (28-111) and 47% (33-98) of predicted, respectively. On univariate analysis abnormal PFTs did not impact OS at 30 months (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.7–1.8, P=0.7) or NRM at 1 year (HR 1.3, (95% CI 0.6–2.7, P=0.4). Active disease at SCT, and a diagnosis of CLL, NHL or HL were associated with significantly worse OS and NRM, whereas age >50 years was only associated with worse OS. Low PFT had no significant impact on OS and NRM when evaluated separately in patients older or younger than 50 years old. Conclusion: Our experience suggests that a low ( Table 1: . Patient Characteristics Low PFT (N, %) Control (N, %) p–value Number of patients 33 774 Follow–up (Median, range) months 33 (5–95) 28 (1–116) Age, Median, years (range) 48 (21–77) 55 (20–77) 0.06 Sex, male 12 (36%) 497 (64%) 0.001 Active disease at RI allo-SCT 24 (73%) 555 (72%) 0.9 Donor: MRD 19 (58%) 332 (43%) 0.09 MUD 13 (39%) 373 (48%) Other 1 (3%) 69 (9%) Cell Source: Peripheral blood 25 (76%) 505(65%) 0.2 Bone marrow 8 (24%) 269 (35%) Diagnosis: AML/MDS/ALL/CML 15 (48%) 337 (43%) 0.7 CLL/NHL/HL 12 (36%) 337 (43%) MM/AA/Other 5 (15%) 100 (13%) Table 2: . Cumulative incidence of Non-relapse mortality and ActuarialSurvival Low PFTs (N=33) Control (N=774) p–value % NRM 3 months 12 (95% CI 5–30) 10 (95% CI 8–13) 0.8 12 months 25 (95% CI 13–45) 21 (95% CI 18–25) 0.4 % OS: 3 months 88 (95% CI 71–95) 88 (95% CI 85–90) 0.9 12 months 53 (95% CI 34–68) 62 (95% CI 58–65) 0.3 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Collection Techniques, Meat Weights, and Seasonality

This chapter discusses three issues that deal with very different aspects of archaeological faunal analysis: collection techniques, meat weights, and the analysis of the season(s) of the year during which an archaeological deposit accumulated. The first two of these topics have been very adequately discussed in the methodological literature; however, the lessons of that literature have not been taken to heart by many practitioners. As a result, these matters bear repetition. Although, seasonality studies have also been the focus of much critical attention, that attention has not focused on nominal scale analyses. Paleobotanists have paid much attention to the interrelationship between archaeological collection techniques and the nature of the plant macrofossils provided by those techniques. Analysts dealing with faunal remains have also considered such interrelationships, but the widespread use of 1/4-inch (.64-cm) screens in at least North American archaeology demonstrates that the results of these considerations have yet to be incorporated into standard archaeological collection procedures. Archaeologists have frequently calculated the weight of meat represented per taxon in a faunal assemblage to assess the relative importance of those taxa in human subsistence. They have done this for a very simple reason. If bison and mice are each represented by a single specimen, and thus by a single individual in an assemblage, both counts of specimens and counts of minimum numbers will treat those animals as equally frequent, although their contribution to the diet of the people involved would not have been so.
Not on Your (Half) Life: The Partisan Geography of Nuclear Waste Disposal

Between 1987 and 2002, the United States Senate held 20 key roll call votes related to the designation of Yucca Mountain, Nevada as the location for the nation's first high–level nuclear waste repository. During that period, conflict over the issue became increasingly structured by party. At first glance, the highly technical issue of nuclear waste disposal has no obvious partisan dimension. But, linking theories of party government with recent studies of message politics and issue ownership, we show that individual motives–geographic and electoral– tell only part of the evolving story of Yucca Mountain. A complete explanation of senators' behavior on the issue of nuclear waste disposal must incorporate collective (in this case partisan) motives as well.
Boundaries and barriers: Racialized dynamics of political power

Recent sociological works establish the significance and role of the state and political sphere in the enactment of racial oppression and construction of racial categories. However, less understood are the racialized dynamics that mediate exclusion and access to political power, particularly at the meso- and micro-levels. Synthesizing extant theory and research on racial inequality, the state, politics, and power, this article advances a framework centering on boundaries and barriers. First, it discusses the relationship between the state and political sphere, political power, and racial inequality. Next, it explores the literature on the deployment and contestation of racialized boundaries to the symbolic and material benefits of the state. It then examines the literature on racialized barriers to engagement, participation, and influence in the political sphere. The article concludes by suggesting future research in the related areas of agenda-setting and influence and the microdynamics of political power.
The effects of a brief relaxation program on heart rate variability in cancer patients

e20713 Background: Objectives were: (1) To characterize the physiologic changes of the autonomic nervous system, demonstrated by heart rate variability (HRV) high frequency (HF) spectral analysis, ...
Abstract 5342: Xanthohumol induces apoptosis and reduces notch in neuroblastoma

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common neuroendocrine tumor with a high incidence of malignancy and recurrence. It signifies the most common extracranial solid cancer in childhood and accounts for 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. More than 40% of patients present at diagnosis with aggressive disease and distant metastases which poses numerous therapeutic challenges. Despite intensive treatment options, the 5-year disease free survival remains less than 50%. Therefore, effective treatment approaches are required. Although recent studies revealed deregulated expression of Notch signaling in NB, therapeutic targeting of Notch represents a significant challenge. Xanthohumol (XN) (3′-[3,3-dimethyl allyl]-2′,4′,4-trihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone), prenylated flavonoid from the Humulus lupulus L. (hops) exerts anti-proliferative activity against various cancers but the molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. In addition, the effect of XN on NB is not known. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that the XN treatment will reduce NB growth and the growth suppression may be mediated by Notch reduction. Therefore, the present study is designed to elicit, for the first time, anti-proliferative effect of XN on NB cell lines as well as understanding the molecular mechanism of action of XN. Methods: The proliferation effects of XN on a panel of human NB cell lines (SK-NA-S, NGP and SH-5Y-SY) were assessed by MTT assay as well as in real-time cellular proliferation assay using IncuCyte Live-Cell Imaging system. The expression levels of pro-apoptotic (c-PARP and cleaved caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl2, and survivin) were analyzed by Western blotting after XN treatment. Effects of XN on Notch pathway proteins (Notch3, Hes1, and ASCL1) were studied by Western blotting in addition to quantitative RT-PCR. Short hairpin RNA (shRNAs) targeting Notch3 was used to determine the XN sensitivity in NB. Results: NB cells treated with increasing concentrations of XN (0-30 μM) had a dose-dependent reduction in growth. A significant reduction in growth was noted at or above 10 μM of XN (40% or above; p Notch signaling by reducing Notch3 and associated downstream targets; Hes1 and ASCL1. Concomitant treatment with XN and Notch3 shRNA augmented growth suppression. Conclusions: We report for the first time that XN targets Notch3 signaling in NB cells. In summary, the similarity of XN metabolism between animals and humans, the antiproliferative effects on various cancers, and safety profile, we anticipate that XN could potentially be used in future clinical studies on patients with disease. Citation Format: Mariappan Balamurugan, Selvi Kunnimalaiyaan, T.Clark Gamblin, Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan. Xanthohumol induces apoptosis and reduces notch in neuroblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5342. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5342
Utilizing Service Learning in a College-Level Human Sexuality Course

ABSTRACTImplementing service learning into college courses has been shown to have positive benefits for both students and community members; however, service learning has not been largely evaluated in the literature on human sexuality courses. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to design, implement, and evaluate a service learning project in a human sexuality class. Students who were enrolled in a human sexuality class designed and delivered two outreach presentations at their university as part of their service learning projects. The presentations were geared toward other college students with specific majors (i.e., future teachers and athletic coaches) and focused on areas related to child and youth sexuality. Overall, the service learning projects garnered positive support from both the students and the attendees at the presentations. Thus, results suggest that service learning is a useful pedagogical tool that college level instructors might consider implementing into their human sexuality cou...