cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogen Receptor Mutations Found in Breast Cancer Metastases Integrated With the Molecular Pharmacology of Selective ER Modulators

The consistent reports of mutations at Asp538 and Tyr537 in helix 12 of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of estrogen receptors (ERs) from antihormone-resistant breast cancer metastases constitute an important advance. The mutant amino acids interact with an anchor amino acid, Asp351, to close the LBD, thereby creating a ligand-free constitutively activated ER. Amino acids Asp 538, Tyr 537, and Asp 351 are known to play a role in either the turnover of ER, the antiestrogenic activity of the ER complex, or the estrogen-like actions of selective ER modulators. A unifying mechanism of action for these amino acids to enhance ER gene activation and growth response is presented. There is a range of mutations described in metastases vs low to zero in primary disease, so the new knowledge is of clinical relevance, thereby confirming an additional mechanism of acquired resistance to antihormone therapy through cell population selection pressure and enrichment during treatment. Circulating tumor cells containing ER mutations can be cultured ex vivo, and tumor tissues can be grown as patient-derived xenografts to add a new dimension for testing drug susceptibility for future drug discovery.
Preparing teacher candidates to teach diverse student populations through reflective practice

This sequential QUAL → qual study examines: Phase 1 how reflective practice was implemented in a diversity course in a teacher education program by one teacher educator, and Phase 2 how two of the teacher candidates implemented reflective practice in their diverse student teaching contexts. Data included observations of the course and the student teaching of two teacher candidates (TCs), interviews of the course instructor, three TCs, and two high school students, as well as analyses of key course assignments. This study concludes: (1) cultivation of a reflective practice in TCs is critical to the teacher preparation process; (2) support for TCs in this process is strengthened when led by an instructor who also engages in reflective practice; and (3) teacher reflection on diversity, assumptions and inequity, with opportunities to transfer these course reflections to their teaching practices is central to preparing teachers to teach diverse student populations.
Effects of temperature on products of symbiotic chloroplasts in Elysia tuca Marcus (opisthobranchia: ascoglossa)

Abstract The effect of temperature on carbon fixation of symbiotic chloroplasts in the tropical ascoglossan Elysia tuca Marcus was analyzed and compared with that of the alga Halimeda discoidea Decaisne, which serves as food and plastid source for Elysia tuca. Maximum autotrophic carbon fixation for E. tuca occurred at 15°C, and for Halimeda discoidea, at 20°C. The net fixation rate was higher for Elysia tuca than for Halimeda discoidea, suggesting that CO2 transport by the animal host is an important factor stimulating photosynthetic rate. Temperature also controlled relative production of alcohol-soluble and insoluble components. This effect may control the fate of autotrophically-fixed carbon compounds, possibly determining whether these are used for maintenance metabolism or somatic growth. This hypothesis may partially explain the greater abundance of plastid symbioses in the tropics. Similar effects may operate in zooxanthellal symbioses.
Low-voltage swing logic circuits for a Pentium/spl reg/ 4 processor integer core

The Pentium/spl reg/ 4 processor architecture uses a 2/spl times/ frequency core clock to implement low latency integer operations. Low-voltage-swing (LVS) logic circuits implemented in 90-nm technology meet the frequency demands of a third-generation integer-core design.
Exome-level comparison of primary well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors and their cell lines.

Neuroendocrine cancer cell lines are used to investigate therapeutic targets in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and have been instrumental in the design of clinical trials targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, VEGF inhibitors, and somatostatin analogues. It remains unknown, however, whether the genomic makeup of NET cell lines reflect that of primary NET since comprehensive unbiased genome sequencing has not been performed on the cell lines. Four bronchopulmonary NET (BP-NET)—NCI-H720, NCI-H727, NCI-H835, and UMC11—and two pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNET)—BON-1 and QGP1—were cultured. DNA was isolated, and exome sequencing was done. GATK and EXCAVATOR were used for bioinformatic analysis. We detected a total of 1,764 nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants at a rate of 8 per Mb in BP-NET and 4.3 per Mb in panNET cell lines, including 52 mutated COSMIC cancer genes in these cell lines, such as TP53, BRCA1, RB1, TSC2, NOTCH1, EP300, GNAS, KDR, STK11, and APC but not ATRX, DAXX, nor MEN1 . Our data suggest that mutation rate, the pattern of copy number variations, and the mutational spectra in the BP-NET cell lines are more similar to the changes observed in small cell lung cancer than those found in primary BP-NET. Likewise, mutation rate and pattern including the absence of mutations in ATRX/DAXX, MEN1, and YY1 in the panNET cell lines BON1 and QGP1 suggest that these cell lines do not have the genetic signatures of a primary panNET. These results suggest that results from experiments with BP-NET and panNET cell lines need to be interpreted with caution.
‘Let the phage do the work’: using the phage P22 coat protein structures as a framework to understand its folding and assembly mutants

The amino acid sequence of viral capsid proteins contains information about their folding, structure and self-assembly processes. While some viruses assemble from small preformed oligomers of coat proteins, other viruses such as phage P22 and herpesvirus assemble from monomeric proteins (Fuller and King, 1980; Newcomb et al., 1999). The subunit assembly process is strictly controlled through protein:protein interactions such that icosahedral structures are formed with specific symmetries, rather than aberrant structures. dsDNA viruses commonly assemble by first forming a precursor capsid that serves as a DNA packaging machine (Earnshaw, Hendrix, and King, 1980; Heymann et al., 2003). DNA packaging is accompanied by a conformational transition of the small precursor procapsid into a larger capsid for isometric viruses. Here we highlight the pseudo-atomic structures of phage P22 coat protein and rationalize several decades of data about P22 coat protein folding, assembly and maturation generated from a combination of genetics and biochemistry.
An emergent culture model for discerning tag semantics in folksonomies

Social bookmarking sites as Flickr, del.icio.us, and CiteULike have incorporated the use of tags as way for users to retrieve photos, URLs, and citations in a way that is personally meaningful and which doesn't require learning taxonomies constructed by professionals. These tag sets, or folksonomies, have the potential to enhance interoperability among our information systems, especially those that use computational ontologies. Formal computational ontologies form the foundation for semantic interoperability, but seem to be insufficient in facilitating it because the ontologies developed for different information systems do not have an inherent mechanism for negotiating meaning or recognizing the natural evolution of a lexicon. Coupling folksonomies with formal ontologies holds potential for more productive semantic interoperability among systems. In order to reach that potential, we need to understand more clearly the process of discerning semantics in tag sets as entry points into the complex conceptual networks that generate meaning within cognition. This paper will explore that semantics involved in "emergent semantics" in tag sets and introduce an emergent culture model that will help clarify how folksonomies can be utilized in this endeavor.
On the design derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenvectors for distributed parameter systems

In this paper, analytic expressions are obtained for the design derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of self-adjoint linear distributed parameter systems. Explicit treatment of boundary conditions is avoided by casting the eigenvalue equation into integral form. Results are expressed in terms of the linear operators defining the eigenvalue problem, and are therefore quite general. Sufficiency conditions appropriate to structural optimization of eigenvalues are obtained.
Modified theory of three-channel Kerr-type nonlinear directional coupler

We point out inconsistencies in previous analyses of multiple-channel nonlinear directional couplers based on Kerr-type media and present a modified set of coupled-mode equations for a three-channel nonlinear coupler that indicate a mode of power switching between channels with increased input power that is both qualitatively and quantitatively different from that predicted previously.
Global analysis of genes regulated by HOXA10 in decidualization reveals a role in cell proliferation

Homeobox (HOX) A10 is essential for fertility as demonstrated in transgenic mice, specifically affecting implantation and decidualization. Its role in human decidualization, however, remains unknown. In this study, we used gene silencing followed by microarray analysis to decipher the role of HOXA10 during decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). HOXA10 was knocked down using siRNA oligonucleotide transfection and cells were treated with estradiol, medroxyprogesterone acetate and dibutyryl cAMP (H + cAMP) to induce decidualization. Genes significantly regulated were identified using the Affymetrix microarray chip. With this method, 2361 transcripts were significantly altered by 1.5-fold or higher (P < 0.05) with H + cAMP treatment only. Of these genes, 258 were significantly up-regulated by HOXA10 knockdown and 236 transcripts were significantly down-regulated by more than 1.5-fold, totaling 494 genes that were regulated by HOXA10 during decidualization. Data analysis using the Ingenuity System revealed that many of the genes regulated by HOXA10 knockdown during H + cAMP treatment were associated with cell cycle. Real-time PCR was used to confirm that HOXA10 knockdown decreased expression of the cell cycle genes CDC2 and CCNB2. In addition, a higher percentage of cells were arrested in the G2/M phase. Next, we observed that cell proliferation as measured by BrdU incorporation was decreased upon HOXA10 knockdown and H + cAMP treatment. Apoptosis, on the other hand, as measured by Annexin V staining was not influenced by siHOXA10 in decidualizing cells. Together, these data demonstrate that during decidualization of HESC, HOXA10 is actively involved in promoting cell proliferation through the regulation of hundreds of genes.
Old Suspect—New Evidence: The Role of PKCβ in Diabetes Mellitus–Accelerated Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus, and numerous lines of evidence suggest that systemic metabolic abnormalities, which accompany diabetes mellitus, like hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis.1 Elevated levels of diacylglycerol, formed as a result of a high concentration of glucose and nonesterified fatty acids, lead to the activation of protein kinase C (PKC).2 This event is thought to be one of the links between abnormal metabolism and altered vascular cell signaling in the conditions of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. In this respect, it was proposed some time ago that PKC isoforms play an important role in vascular inflammation via the induction of proinflammatory cytokine expression, activation of nuclear factor κB and NADPH oxidase, increase of several signaling proteins, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and dysfunction of endothelial NO synthase.3 In line with this evidence, PKCβ deficiency resulted in attenuated atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E ( Apoe −/−) mice via significantly reduced vascular early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression.4 See accompanying article on page 1779 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Kong et al5 demonstrate that activated plasma membrane–bound PKCβ is elevated in the aortas of low dose streptozotocin–induced hyperglycemic Apoe …
A Clinically Based Rule of Thumb for Classifying Delusions

Conventional psychodynamic treatment assumptions sometimes warned against direct confrontation of a patient's delusions because delusions were believed to serve defensive functions. Based in part on research findings, some have recently asserted that it can be beneficial for the clinician to challenge a patient's delusional beliefs. Short-term positive results from such confrontations have been reported. I review clinical and research considerations that may aid the clinician in deciding when confrontation may be beneficial. I identify a class of delusions that are unlikely to respond to confrontation. Alternative clinical responses to this class are suggested.
Representing dynamic social networks in discrete event social simulation

One of the key structural components of social systems is the social network. The representation of this network structure is key to providing a valid representation of the society under study. The social science concept of homophily provides a conceptual model of how social networks are formed and evolve over time. Previous work described the results of social simulation using a static homophily network. In order to gain the full benefit of modeling societies a representation of how the social network changes over time is required. This paper introduces the implementation of a dynamic homophily network, along with a case study exploring the sensitivity of model outputs to the parameters describing the network and applying social network change detection methods (SNCD) to model output.
Effect of ryanodine on ventricular fibrillation induced by myocardial ischaemia

Objective: Myocardial ischaemia can provoke a rise in cytosolic calcium which may in turn trigger malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Recently, inhibition of calcium entry has been shown to prevent these lethal arrhythmias. However, the contributions of calcium release from cytosolic stores to these disruptions in cardiac rhythm have not been investigated. This study examines the role of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the initiation of lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Methods: Mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, coronary blood flow, and cardiac electrical activity (ventricular electrocardiogram). The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated during the surgery to produce a myocardial infarction. In addition, a hydraulic occluder was placed around the left circumflex artery. The susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation was then evaluated by the combination of acute myocardial ischaemia and exercise. Results: Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 10 animals during the exercise plus ischaemia test. On a subsequent day the exercise plus ischaemia test was repeated after pretreatment with ryanodine (10 μg·kg−1, n = 10), a drug which impairs calcium efflux from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ryanodine failed to prevent ventricular fibrillation induced by ischaemia. Ryanodine significantly (p<0.01) increased heart rate [control 115.3(SEM 6.3) v ryanodine 156.4(14.7) beats·min−1] but reduced left ventricular systolic pressure [control 141.8(4.9) v ryanodine 111.1(12.7) mm Hg] and positive left ventricular dP/dt [3312.9(217.4) v ryanodine 1462.9(226.3) mm Hg·s−1] both at rest and during exercise. In contrast, this drug abolished ventricular tachycardia induced by ouabain toxicity (n = 10, 40 μg·kg−1 bolus followed by 0.076 μg·kg−1·min−1 for 1 h, then 20 μg·kg−1 bolus, intravenously). Conclusions: These data suggest that calcium release from ryanodine sensitive channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum may contribute significantly to the arrhythmias induced by ouabain toxicity but not to ventricular fibrillation provoked by ischaemia. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :2152-2159
The Generalized Penalty-Function/Surrogate Model

This paper combines the monotonic-penalty-function and surrogate models into a general model called the penalty-function/surrogate model. It unifies and generalizes the central theorems of earlier papers, and provides some new theorems that can be specialized to the Lagrangian penalty-function model GLM or to linear surrogates.
Nuclear Translocation of Cellular Retinoic Acid-binding Protein II Is Regulated by Retinoic Acid-controlled SUMOylation

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein II (CRABP-II) undergoes nuclear translocation upon binding of retinoic acid (RA). In the nucleus, CRABP-II directly binds to the nuclear receptor RAR to form a complex through which RA is "channeled" from the binding protein to the receptor. CRABP-II thus facilitates the ligation of RAR and markedly enhances its transcriptional activity. The primary sequence of CRABP-II contains three putative SUMOylation sites, centered at K45, K87, and K102. We show here that RA induces interactions of CRABP-II with the E2 SUMO ligase Ubc9 and triggers SUMOylation of the protein both in vitro and in cultured cells. Mutagenesis analyses demonstrate that K102 is the sole CRABP-II residue to be SUMOylated in response to RA. Mutation of this residue abolishes the ability of CRABP-II to undergo nuclear translocation in response RA and thus impairs CRABP-II-mediated activation of RAR. Additional observations demonstrate that apo-CRABP-II is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and that RA triggers the dissociation of CRABP-II from this location. Furthermore, we show that RA-induced dissociation of CRABP-II from the ER requires SUMOylation of K102. Hence, SUMOylation of K102 in response to RA binding is critical for dissociation of CRABP-II from ER and, consequently, for mobilization of the protein to nucleus and for its cooperation with RAR.
Analysis of Surstylus and Aculeus Shape and Size using Geometric Morphometrics to Discriminate Rhagoletis pomonella and Rhagoletis zephyria (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) and Rhagoletis zephyria Snow (Diptera: Tephritidae) both occur in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and are frequently confused with one another due to their morphological similarity. The apple maggot, R. pomonella, is a threat to commercial apples [Malus domestica (Borkh.) Borkh.] in the Pacific Northwest, whereas R. zephyria attacks snowberry (Symphoricarpos Dill. ex Juss) and is not considered a threat. Configuration of the surstyli in males is used to discriminate between species, but this character shows overlap. In this study, we reexamined surstyli configurations in the two species. We then used geometric morphometrics to test the hypotheses that shapes of surstyli and of aculei between the two species differ and that combining aculeus shape and size measures improves discrimination. We found that all R. pomonella had an inwardly curved surstyli configuration (based on a ratio of width across bases of prensisetae to width between the outer edges of the surstyli near t...
What the Social Brain Sciences Can Tell Us About the Self

Social brain science is an emerging interdisciplinary field that encompasses researchers who use the approaches of evolutionary psychology, social cognition, and especially neuroscience to study human social nature. The advent of brain imaging and other cognitive neuroscience methods has provided researchers with new tools to explore the social mind. We describe how these methods can be used to explore the perplexing question of self, for example, resolving long-standing debates regarding theories of self-referential memory and providing novel insights into other aspects of self.
Increased Distributional Variance of Mitochondrial DNA Content Associated With Prostate Cancer Cells as Compared With Normal Prostate Cells

Background Mitochondria are key organelles for apoptosis, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content can regulate cancer progression. Increases in mtDNA mutations and deletions have been reported in cancer; however, a detailed investigation of mtDNA content in cancer cells has not yet been conducted. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR and improved extraction method were established to investigate the mtDNA content in a single prostate cell. Results The heterogeneity of mtDNA content was demonstrated between the clones of prostate cancer cell line LNCaP and individual cells in each clone. To investigate whether large distributional variance of mtDNA content is associated with cancer initiation and/or progression, we first compared PZ-HPV-7, an HPV-transformed normal prostate epithelial cell line, with CA-HPV-10, transformed from prostate cancer cells derived from the same donor. We found an enhanced distributional variance of mtDNA content in CA-HPV-10. Then, we investigated mtDNA content in individual cells in laser microdisssected cancer and adjacent normal cells from prostate cancer tissue specimens using quantitative real-time PCR method. Results showed that the mtDNA content per cell follows a higher skewed distribution in cancer cells as compared in normal cells. We also observed that mtDNA content was increased in seven of nine (78%) of prostate cancers compared to normal prostate tissue. Conclusions These results indicate that prostate carcinogenesis may involve dysregulation of mtDNA content. Prostate 68: 408–417, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Coats' Disease, Megalopapilla and Cornelia De Lange Syndrome

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a congenital disorder characterized by growth and mental retardation, hirsutism, and skeletal and cardiac anomalies, has been associated with a number of ophthalmic abnormalities including synophrys, long eyelashes, myopia, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and ptosis. Only one case of Coats' disease has been described in the setting of this syndrome.(1) We describe a second case of Coats' disease in a five-year-old boy with this condition.
Satellite RNA-mediated resistance to turnip crinkle virus in Arabidopsis involves a reduction in virus movement.

Satellite RNAs (sat-RNAs) are parasites of viruses that can mediate resistance to the helper virus. We previously showed that a sat-RNA (sat-RNA C) of turnip crinkle virus (TCV), which normally intensifies symptoms of TCV, is able to attenuate symptoms when TCV contains the coat protein (CP) of cardamine chlorotic fleck virus (TCV-CPccw). We have now determined that sat-RNA C also attenuates symptoms of TCV containing an alteration in the initiating AUG of the CP open reading frame (TCV-CPm). TCV-CPm, which is able to move systemically in both the TCV-susceptible ecotype Columbia (Col-O) and the TCV-resistant ecotype Dijon (Di-O), produced a reduced level of CP and no detectable virions in infected plants. Sat-RNA C reduced the accumulation of TCV-CPm by <25% in protoplasts while reducing the level of TCV-CPm by 90 to 100% in uninoculated leaves of COLO and Di-O. Our results suggest that in the presence of a reduced level of a possibly altered CP, sat-RNA C reduces virus long-distance movement in a manner that is independent of the salicylic acid-dependent defense pathway.
Are you balanced

Are you feeling like you are just making it through the day, falling behind and never catching up, or merely making it to the end of the week and feeling exhausted when you arrive home? These are typical signs that clear boundaries and some degree of separation between work and home life must be established in order to be more effective in life. How individuals balance the demands of life has become increasingly important in a time when many households consist of two working parents with added responsibilities of taking care of children and/or elderly dependents. This paper will focus on ways to create balance between work and life with the ultimate goal of improving lifestyle. Improving lifestyle requires recognizing habits that sabotage balance, reevaluating one's life as it pertains to short and long term goals, and developing strategies enabling focus on what matters most at work and at home.
White matter ischemia on brain SPECT.

Four patients were shown to have ischemie injury to the posterior limb of the internal capsule on brain SPECT with ""Tc-HMPAO. These findings were later corroborated by transmission CT scans in three patients. In the interpretation of high-resolution SPECT imaging of regional cerebral blood flow, it is important to inspect the deep white and gray matter activity for asymmetry and perfusion deficits. The blood flow to the diencephalon, which is critical for brain function, can be imaged with high-resolution brain SPECT. The early ascertainment of ischemie changes in the diencephalon may lead to important patient management decisions.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator Rotational Cannula Catastrophe: A Role of Echocardiography in Rescue.

ENO-VENOUS EXTRACORPOREAL membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) has evolved as a salvage therapy for adults with refractory hypoxemia and hypercapnia that is resistant to maximal conventional mechanical ventilation. By providing a direct mechanism for oxygenation and elimination of carbon dioxide, VV-ECMO can provide a period of “lung rest,” in which a protective lung ventilation strategy—in the form of low tidal volumes, low inspired oxygen fraction, and low inspiratory pressures—can be instituted and may further improve outcomes by mitigating ventilator-induced lung injury. 1,2 In most approaches to VV-ECMO, a cannula is placed in a central vein. Blood is withdrawn from the central vein into an extracorporeal circuit with use of a mechanical pump before the blood enters a membrane-type oxygenator. Within the oxygenator, blood passes along one side of the membrane, which provides a blood-gas interface for gas exchange. The oxygenated extracorporeal blood then may be warmed or cooled as needed and is returned to the central vein. This specific technique is termed “veno-venous” ECMO because blood is both withdrawn from and returned to the central venous system. Cannulation for VV-ECMO may involve a 2-site or a single-site approach. In the 2-site approach, blood typically is withdrawn from the inferior vena cava through a drainage cannula in the femoral vein, and oxygenated blood is returned into the right atrium through an additional cannula in the internal jugular vein. This 2-site approach results in recirculation of blood in which the returned oxygenated blood is drawn back (or “sucked in”) into the circuit in a closed loop without contributing to systemic oxygenation. 3
Tocqueville on Religion, the Enlightenment, and the Democratic Soul

This article proposes a new interpretation of Tocqueville's thought, one that focuses on his account of religious psychology. From his observations of America, Tocqueville concludes that human beings have a natural hope for immortality—a hope that is driven by a paradoxical but ineradicable desire to affirm and forget oneself simultaneously. Tocqueville formulates this insight as a critique of the Enlightenment thinkers who laid the foundations for liberal democracy; I argue that he crafts his “new political science” to provide healthy outlets for the religious hopes whose existence these thinkers largely denied and whose anomalous presence in the United States has accordingly led to unforeseen dangers. Tocqueville's analysis not only helps us understand and begin to remedy those dissatisfactions that characterize democracy today but it also reveals his theoretical depth, political moderation, and sober assessment of our moral psychology in a way not seen before.
Resilience, Juvenile Justice, and the State

Given the large number of children involved in the justice system, the role that the system plays in either encouraging or discouraging resilience among youth is an important one. The system has the opportunity to influence the resilience of children at various stages during their interaction: before children become formally or informally involved in the justice system, during their formal or informal involvement with the justice system, and after their involvement with the system. In the juvenile justice context, proper responsiveness to the needs of children from the state might include: preventive and interventional programs that provide alternatives to removal and incarceration; a focus on not only providing incarcerated youth with basic necessities, but also providing rehabilitative tools; and assisting released youth with re-entry from incarceration through the provision of long-term support services. While the modern-day approach to juvenile justice largely focuses on punishment, rather than prevention and rehabilitation, some communities are responding to high rates of incarceration with programs designed to break the cycle of poverty/risk–infraction–removal/incarceration–recidivism. Many focus on preventing children’s involvement with the system in the first place, by offering alternative responses to infractions and alternatives to removal from school or home. Others address the resilience of incarcerated children through programs within prisons and detention centers. Finally, some programs address the continuing needs of children upon release from incarceration.
Utility of Serum Inflammatory and Synovial Fluid Counts in the Diagnosis of Infection in Taper Corrosion of Dual Taper Modular Stems

Abstract Background An accurate diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is critical as treatment of the infected total hip arthroplasty differs from aseptic failure. The clinical presentation of PJI may mimic symptoms of taper corrosion. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of serum inflammatory markers and synovial fluid white blood cell (WBC)/differential counts in diagnosis of PJI in failed dual taper total hip arthroplasty due to taper corrosion. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 62 dual taper modular stem patients who underwent revision surgery for symptomatic adverse local tissue reaction due to taper corrosion. All patients had preoperative hip synovial aspirations, serum inflammatory markers, metal ion levels, and intraoperative cultures. Using Musculoskeletal Infection Society PJI criteria, we divided the cohort into infected and noninfected groups. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the relationship and optimal cutoff values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and synovial fluid counts. Results Infection group had significantly higher mean ESR ( P = .002), CRP ( P = .01), synovial fluid WBC ( P P = .02). Cobalt levels were significantly elevated in noninfection group ( P = .02). Using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the most ideal tests for diagnosis of PJI were synovial fluid WBC (area under the curve = 86%, optimal cutoff 730 WBC/uL) and neutrophil percentage (area under the curve = 83%, optimal cutoff 65%). ESR and CRP thresholds of 22 mm/h and 3 mg/L demonstrated 57% sensitivity and 95% specificity and 29% sensitivity and 93% specificity for detection of PJI, respectively. Conclusion Our study suggests that ESR and CRP are useful in excluding PJI in dual taper modular implants with corrosion, whereas both synovial WBC count and neutrophil percentage are useful markers for diagnosing infection.
Overview of coupling loss factors for damped and undamped simple oscillators

Abstract This paper examines the coupling loss factor, which is an important parameter in the field of statistical energy analysis. A comparison is made between damped and undamped systems of two identical coupled oscillators using modal analysis. The oscillator energies and the power flow between oscillators are used to examine the transient coupling loss factors for the damped and undamped systems. Comparisons are drawn between the transient coupling loss factors and the steady-state coupling loss factor of classical SEA. The undamped transient coupling loss factor is determined numerically, since an analytical solution does not exist. It is shown that multiple formulations can be used to determine the transient coupling loss factor, and that certain formulations are preferable for moderately to strongly coupled systems.
Traditional Philosophies and Gandhi’s Approach to the Self in Pain

Traditional dominant Western philosophical approaches tend not to focus on the self in pain, regarding such concerns as prephilosophical or nonphilosophical and as secondary to objective rational analysis. Traditional dominant Indian philosophical approaches often focus on the self in pain, but this karmic experience is viewed negatively, as based on illusion and ignorance and as an obstacle to the goal of moksha and nirvana. Gandhi formulates a new, creative, challenging, contextually informed and controversial philosophical approach to the self in pain. In his philosophical focus on satya and ahimsa, Gandhi provides a philosophical approach to relative truth, absolute truth, nonviolence and ontology in understanding and transforming the self in pain. After providing a formulation of Gandhi’s diverse and sometimes contradictory approaches to the self and self-other relations that shape his analysis of the self in pain and its transformation, we conclude with a suggested approach to the self in pain as a constituted given.
Gulf Coast tick: susceptibility of engorged nymphs to chlorpyrifos during the postengorgement period.

When engorged nymphs of Amblyomma maculatum Koch were dipped in emulsions of chlorpyrifos at intervals timing the 13-to 14-day molting cycle, the LC50 value for nymphs on Day 0 (day of detachment) was 0.0011%; on Day 7, 0.16%; and on Day 13, 3.90%. Susceptibility of the nymph to the insecticide decreased 3546 times during the molting period. Consumption of oxygen during the molting period did not correlate with the decrease in susceptibility. Apparently the nymphal cuticle formed a passive barrier to penetration of the insecticide during the molting cycle and was the major factor controlling the decrease in susceptibility to the insecticide.
Parametric study of primary breakup of turbulent liquid jets in crossflow: Role of Weber number

A parametric study of primary breakup of turbulent liquid jets in crossflow is performed using detailed numerical simulations. Specifically, the role of crossflow and liquid Weber number in determining the size and shape of the liquid structures that separate from the liquid column is quantified. To quantify the size and shape of the liquid structures, a methodology derived from differential geometry that characterizes three-dimensional structures based on the shape index, curvedness and stretching parameter is applied to the liquid jet. For the range of parameters considered in this study, it is observed that the liquid Weber number determines the shape and number of separated structures, while the crossflow Weber number determines their characteristic thickness. Implications of this study in modeling primary breakup of liquid jets are discussed.
Residential Mobility Inclinations Among Families of Mental Patients

N THIS paper we report on the residential mobility inclinations of families of former mental patients. Two questions are considered: 1. Are the mobility inclinations of families of former mental patients similar to those of typical families in an urban community? 2. Are families of former patients inclined to move for reasons associated with the illness of family members? The data analyzed here were gathered in a survey focused primarily on the relationships between patients' posthospital performance levels and characteristics of their families and family members.' In addition to investigating correlates of posthospital performance, the survey was undertaken in order to examine the attitudes of patients' families with respect to a number of common social processes, including residential mobility. Our attempt to describe systematically the attitudes of patients' families was in response to direct calls for survey research findings to supplement the clinical impressions and limited case studies that now constitute the sole sources of data regarding patients' posthospital experience.2 Our approach is less stringent than the ideal research design, since the data were gathered ancillary to the study of correlates of posthospital performance. Ideally, we should have employed two study groups, one representative of families of patients and the other of typical families in the community. In lieu of this, we have attempted to introduce a comparative approach by replicating the research of others. In this case we have selected Rossi's study of families in Philadelphia.3 This approach has, of course, a number of limitations. For example, the investigations were conducted in different geographical areas, there is a time lapse of several years between the field work of the two studies, and the items are embodied in different interview schedules. One reason Rossi's research was selected is that the magnitudes of the relationships are reasonably high, which suggests that their generality is not limited to a single city, time period, or other similar condition. In order to answer the second question-whether or not the mobility inclinations of families of former patients are associated with characteristics unique to them-a second set of variables was included in the analysis. These reflect differences associated with the patients' illness, such as length of hospitalization and the number of times hospitalized. Insofar as the limitations of the design permit, we have analyzed the interrelationships between the variables in each of the two sets.
Vaccinia vaccine–based immunotherapy arrests and reverses established pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease without any cure. Both human disease and animal models demonstrate dysregulated wound healing and unregulated fibrogenesis in a background of low-grade chronic T lymphocyte infiltration. Tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) are emerging as important regulators of the immune microenvironment in response to pathogens, and we hypothesized that they might play a role in regulating the unremitting inflammation that promotes lung fibrosis. Herein, we demonstrate that lung-directed immunotherapy, in the form of i.n. vaccination, induces an antifibrotic T cell response capable of arresting and reversing lung fibrosis. In mice with established lung fibrosis, lung-specific T cell responses were able to reverse established pathology - as measured by decreased lung collagen, fibrocytes, and histologic injury - and improve physiologic function. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that this effect is mediated by vaccine-induced lung Trm. These data not only have implications for the development of immunotherapeutic regimens to treat IPF, but also suggest a role for targeting tissue-resident memory T cells to treat other tissue-specific inflammatory/autoimmune disorders.
Surgical Treatment of Tracheobronchomalacia: A novel approach

Tracheobronchomalacia, as a whole, is likely misdiagnosed and underestimated as a cause of respiratory compromise in pediatric patients. Currently, there is no standardized approach for the overall evaluation of pediatric tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and the concept of excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC); no grading score for the evaluation of severity; nor a standardized means to successfully approach TBM and EDAC. This paper describes our experience standardizing the approach to these complex patients whose backgrounds include different disease etiologies, as well as a variety of comorbid conditions. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation of patients with severe TBM and EDAC, as well as concurrent development of a prospective grading scale, has allowed us to ascertain correlation between surgery, symptoms, and effectiveness on particular tracheal-bronchial segments. Long-term, continued collection of patient characteristics, surgical technique, complications, and outcomes must be collected given the overall heterogeneity of this particular population.
Engineering biomechanically functional neocartilage derived from expanded articular chondrocytes through the manipulation of cell‐seeding density and dexamethasone concentration

Recent work has established methods to engineer self-assembled, scaffold-free neocartilage from an expanded articular chondrocyte (AC) cell source. In continuing such work, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of cell-seeding density and dexamethasone concentration on these neocartilage constructs. Neocartilage discs (5 mm diameter) were formed by self-assembling passaged leporine articular chondrocytes into non-adherent agarose moulds. The cell-seeding densities (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 million cells/construct) and dexamethasone concentrations (10 and 100 nm) in the culture medium were varied in a full-factorial study. After 4 weeks, the neocartilage constructs were assessed for morphological, biochemical and biomechanical properties. The cell-seeding density profoundly affected neocartilage properties. The two dexamethasone concentrations explored did not induce overall significant differences. Constructs formed using lower cell-seeding densities possessed much higher biochemical and biomechanical properties than constructs seeded with higher cell densities. Notably, the 2 million cells/construct group formed hyaline-like neocartilage with a collagen wet weight (WW) content of ~7% and a Young's modulus of ~4 MPa, representing the high end of values achieved in self-assembled neocartilage. Excitingly, the mechanical properties of these constructs were on a par with that of native cartilage tissues tested under similar conditions. Through optimization of cell-seeding density, this study shows for the first time the use of expanded ACs to form homogeneous self-assembled neocartilage with exceptionally high tensile strength. With such functional properties, these engineered neocartilage constructs provide a promising alternative for treating articular lesions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of PtdIns(4,5)P2-sensitive phospholipase C in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells

A role for phospholipase C hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] as a mechanism of alpha 2-adrenergic signal transduction in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells (tracheocytes) was investigated in isolated cells grown in in vitro culture and prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol (3 microCi/ml) for 72 h. Breakdown of polyphosphoinositides was measured by using thin-layer chromatography to detect phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PtdIns(4)P], and PtdIns(4,5)P2. Inositol phosphates were separated by ion-exchange column chromatography. The endogenous catecholamine l-epinephrine and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists clonidine and 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzylideneamino)guanidine (guanabenz) produced a rapid transient accumulation of inositol trisphosphate and inositol 4,5-bisphosphate and breakdown of [PtdIns(4)P] and PtdIns(4,5)P2. The alpha 2-adrenergic effects were not blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist DL-propranolol or by the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists prazosin and methylurapidil but were inhibited by pertussis toxin and blocked by yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist. The 50% effective concentration for guanabenz-stimulated inositol trisphosphate generation was right shifted from 0.3 to 0.9 microM by yohimbine. The results provide the first demonstration of alpha 2A-adrenergic activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent phospholipase C in mammalian tracheocytes. The findings are consistent with previous observations on alpha 2A-adrenergic-mediated activation of NaCl cotransport in these cells.
Transrectal ultrasound in the repair of the post-traumatic urethra.

AbstractWe describe the use of transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of the post-traumatic urethra.
Country of Birth and Variations in Asthma and Wheezing Prevalence, and Emergency Department Utilization in Children: A NHANES Study

Asthma prevalence and asthma-related healthcare utilization differ across racial/ethnic groups and geographical areas. This study builds on previous research to examine the relationship between country of birth and asthma prevalence and healthcare utilization using a national data set. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Demographic and Questionnaire Files from 2007 to 2012 were used for this study. We used SPSS complex sampling design to estimate the association between country of birth and asthma prevalence, wheezing and emergency department (ED) use. The sample size was 8272 children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years old. US-born children had more reported episodes of wheezing (p = 0.024) 95 % CI 1.06; 2.54. There was no association between country of birth and asthma and ED use. US-born children and adolescents compared to foreign-born children and adolescents are more likely to have episodes of wheezing.
Ethnographic perspectives on student-centeredness in an academic library

ABSTRACTThis ethnographic study, conducted by undergraduate student-researchers under the supervision of the author, investigates an academic library that has implemented best practices for learning commons design and embedded information literacy programs. Data from field observations, participant interviews, and artifact analysis revealed conflicting perceptions of student-centeredness as it relates to learning commons design and information literacy pedagogy. The author argues that while the learning commons has been successful in attracting students to the library, there are unintended negative consequences to cross-training librarians, library staff, and partner service personnel working at key service points, which contribute to students’ lack of library awareness.
Perspectives in Cardiovascular Analysis and Assistance

The basic objective of the research on the cardiovascular system conducted by the Biomedical Engineering Group in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Rutgers University is to obtain a model of the aorta and the left ventricle that can be used to determine abnormalities in the cardiovascular system and also to aid in the optimisation of the action of cardiac assist devices.
Religion and psychotherapy.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the religious and spiritual needs of psychiatric patients and how therapists might utilize the patient's religious beliefs to complement and facilitate the process of psychotherapy. It states that religious and spiritual needs are common among psychiatric patients and may influence the course of mental disorder. Spiritual issues of the therapist-patient relationship require great sensitivity on the part of the therapist. Prior to any form of psychotherapeutic intervention, initial psychiatric evaluation at the very minimum must explore the patients' religious beliefs and background and assess how these might either contribute to the development of psychopathology or, in contrast, facilitate its resolution. Religious background and experiences of patients may help the therapist to better understand the conflicts that patients struggle with and this helps the therapists in learning that the patient has been raised in a strict fundamentalist religious family in which eternal damnation has been taught as a consequence of unrepented sin. Finally, therapists who choose to address religious issues with patients must be conscious of transference and counter transference issues likely to arise when religious beliefs of patient and therapist are similar.
Commentary: Integrated Pediatric Primary Care: Moving From Why to How

Whether to address behavioral health issues in pediatric primary care is no longer debated; instead, we are challenged to determine "how" and who can best deliver services in an effective and sustainable manner. This commentary explores how pediatric psychology can contribute to this discussion by developing and evaluating innovative clinical models (such as a hybrid Collaborative Care/Primary Care Behavioral Health model) and expanding workforce and teaching initiatives.