cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Use of 3-D Accelerometers for Road Quality Assessment

Lack of comprehensive and up-to-date information on degrading road conditions is only exacerbating the already inefficient, expensive and labor-expensive methods associated with road maintenance and repair. Among many sensing modalities that are currently being explored, MEMS accelerometers are increasingly becoming popular in the task of road quality assessment, especially in large-scale crowdsourced data gathering efforts. In this paper, recent results on the use of accelerometers for detection of road abnormalities is presented. In particular, with an emphasis on developing a low-cost yet robust road abnormality detection system, predictive effectiveness of features generated from acceleration sensors is explored. By utilizing a signal transmission model that captures the system dynamics and low-pass filtering effects associated with vehicle suspension system, a simplified approach towards the `reconstruction' of road surface conditions from vertical acceleration measurements is presented. Furthermore, with this particular signal transmission model in place, predictive effectiveness of features derived from acceleration sensors is explored via the use of a statistical approach referred to as relief algorithm. The signal model and feature analysis approach is demonstrated via a real-life dataset.
Maximizing Benefit and Minimizing Risk in Medical Imaging Use: An Educational Primer for Health Care Professions Students:

“I am not young enough to know everything.”Oscar WildeBackground:There is insufficient knowledge among providers and patients/caregivers of ionizing radiation exposure from medical imaging examinat...
Feasibility of a Sleep Self-Management Intervention in Pregnancy Using a Personalized Health Monitoring Device: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sleep disruptions are common during pregnancy and associated with increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, prolonged labor, and cesarean birth. Given the morbidity associated with poor sleep, cost-effective approaches to improving sleep that can be disseminated in community or clinical settings are needed. Personal health monitor (PHM) devices offer an opportunity to promote behavior change, but their acceptability and efficacy at improving sleep in pregnant women are unknown. Objective: The goal of the paper is to describe the protocol for an ongoing pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to establish the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of using a PHM device (Shine 2, Misfit) to promote sleep during pregnancy. Methods: The proposed pilot study is a 12-week, parallel arm, randomized controlled trial. Pregnant women, at 24 weeks gestation, will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to a 12-week sleep education plus PHM device group or a sleep education alone comparison group. The primary outcomes will be measures of feasibility (ie, recruitment, enrollment, adherence) and acceptability (ie, participant satisfaction). The secondary outcomes will be self-reported sleep quality and duration, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and depressive symptoms. Results: Recruitment for this study began in September 2017 and ended in March 2018. Data collection for the primary and secondary aims was completed in August 2018. We anticipate that the data analysis for primary and secondary aims will be completed by December 2019. The results from this trial will inform the development of a larger National Institutes of Health grant application to test the efficacy of an enhanced version of the sleep intervention that we plan to submit in the year 2020. Conclusions: This study will be the first to apply a PHM device as a tool for promoting self-management of sleep among pregnant women. PHM devices have the potential to facilitate behavioral interventions because they include theory-driven, self-regulatory techniques such as behavioral self-monitoring. The results of the study will inform the development of a sleep health intervention for pregnant women. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03783663; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03783663 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/779Ou8hon) International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/12455
Underuse of Medications and Lifestyle Counseling to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for ≥75% of hospitalizations and >50% of all deaths among patients with diabetes (1,2). Guideline-directed therapies for patients with diabetes aged 50 years and older with an additional cardiovascular risk factor such as hypertension include cardioprotective medications (antiplatelet therapy, statins, and antihypertensives shown to reduce cardiovascular events) and lifestyle counseling for healthy behaviors (weight loss/diet, exercise, and smoking cessation) (1,3). However, data are limited on trends in usage of pharmacotherapies and lifestyle counseling for patients with diabetes at increased CVD risk. Therefore, we used nationally representative data to investigate trends in medication use and lifestyle counseling among U.S. outpatients aged 50 years and over with diabetes and hypertension. All visits to office-based physicians and hospital-based clinics by adults (aged 50 years and older with hypertension; N = 14,096 visits) from 2006 to 2015 in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) were included. Data include patient symptoms, comorbidities, and demographics; physician diagnoses; medications ordered or provided; and medical services provided. Diabetes and hypertension were identified using ICD-9-Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. Physician decision making and treatment were evaluated using 1 ) Multum Lexicon drug codes/categories and generic codes for antiplatelet agents (aspirin and clopidogrel), …
206) Differential Transcriptome Analysis of Acutely Dissected and Cultured Human and Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglion

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons detect sensory inputs and are crucial for pain processing. They are often studied under cultured conditions with the assumption that they model in vivo conditions. However, to our knowledge, no study has ever directly compared genome-wide transcriptomes of DRG tissue in vivo versus in vitro. We extracted lumbar DRG from C57BL6/J mice (Price and Gereau) and human organ donors (Gereau), and acutely froze one side and cultured the other. RNA was extracted and then sequenced using the NextSeq Illumina platform. Comparing native to cultured human DRG, we found that the overall expression level of many ion channels and GPCRs specifically expressed in neurons is markedly lower in culture, but still expressed at appreciable levels. This suggests that most pharmacological targets expressed in vivo are conserved in culture conditions; however, there were exceptions, such as the HTR1D gene encoding the 5-HT1D receptor which was completely shut off in DRG cultures. The reduced expression for neuronal genes in human DRG cultures was largely accounted for by increased expression of fibroblast genes, consistent with the mitotic status of these cells. We did find a subset of neuronal genes upregulated in human DRG cultures, including genes associated with nerve injury and/or inflammation in preclinical models such as BDNF, MMP9, GAL and ATF3. We also found a striking upregulation of a number of inflammation-associated genes including CXCL1, CCL7, IL6 and LIF in human DRG cultures suggesting a cellular environment conducive to studying inflammatory and/or neuropathic pain on human DRG neurons from organ donors without a history of a specific chronic pain disorder. Analysis of changes in mouse transcriptomes are being analyzed and will be presented to compare to human DRG findings, as well as between experimental sites. Funding: NIH grants T32DA007261 (LM); NS065926 and NS102161 (TJP); NS106953 and NS042595 (RWG).
Extraction of weak fault using combined dual-tree wavelet and improved MCA for rolling bearings

The successful diagnosis of the faulty signal in rolling element bearings hinges on the accurate detection of the early fault present within the components of bearings. Because the fault signature is heavily covered by the system noise and resonance of the components, the early diagnosis of the fault frequency of bearings is not easy to execute. The kurtosis and root mean square values of the vibration signal are usually used as indicators for fault. However, these indicators could result in inaccurate diagnostic results because of the stochastic nature of the vibration signal of bearings. This paper presents a method using the dual-tree wavelet transform (DTWT) combined with an optimized morphological component analysis (MCA) to extract the weak fault in the early degradation stage of bearings. The DTWT decomposes the signal into multiple layers based on the fundamental frequencies of bearings. The MCA takes the decomposed signal and separates the signal into two components as output. Alternating parameter selection is implemented to improve the result of the MCA. The weak fault signature of the bearing is extracted from the separated components of the MCA. Simulated and experimental data are used to validate this method. The proposed optimization method is compared with an unscented Kalman filter parameter optimization process. The proposed diagnostic model demonstrates the superior capability of the early detection of the faulty signal within bearings in comparison with the traditionally used wavelet decomposition method and the unscented Kalman filter.
Cone Beam Intraoperative Computed Tomography-based Image Guidance for Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Interbody Fusion

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is commonly used for the treatment of spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches have been applied to this technique with an associated decrease in estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay, and infection rates, while preserving outcomes with traditional open surgery. Previous MIS TLIF techniques involve significant fluoroscopy that subjects the patient, surgeon, and operating room staff to non-trivial levels of radiation exposure, particularly for complex multi-level procedures. We present a technique that utilizes an intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scan to aid in placement of pedicle screws, followed by traditional fluoroscopy for confirmation of cage placement. Patients are positioned in the standard fashion and a reference arc is placed in the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) followed by intraoperative CT scan. This allows for image-guidance-based placement of pedicle screws through a one-inch skin incision on each side. Unlike traditional MIS-TLIF that requires significant fluoroscopic imaging during this stage, the operation can now be performed without any additional radiation exposure to the patient or operating room staff. After completion of the facetectomy and discectomy, final TLIF cage placement is confirmed with fluoroscopy. This technique has the potential to decrease operative time and minimize total radiation exposure.
Ventilation rates in California classrooms: Why many recent HVAC retrofits are not delivering sufficient ventilation

Abstract Previous research has shown that under-ventilation of classrooms is common and negatively impacts student health and learning. To advance understanding of contributing factors, this study visited 104 classrooms from 11 schools that had recently been retrofitted with new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units. CO2 concentration, room and supply air temperature and relative humidity, and door opening were measured for four weeks in each classroom. Field inspections identified HVAC equipment, fan control, and/or filter maintenance problems in 51% of the studied classrooms. Across 94 classrooms with valid data, average CO2 concentrations measured during school hours had a mean of 895 ppm and a standard deviation (SD) of 263 ppm. Ventilation rates (VRs), estimated using the daily maximum 15-min CO2 in each classroom, had a mean of 5.2 L/s-person and a SD of 2.0 L/s-person across 94 classrooms. Classrooms with economizers, with or without demand control ventilation (DCV), tended to have lower mean CO2. Improperly selected equipment, lack of commissioning, incorrect fan control settings and maintenance issues (heavily loaded filters) were all associated with under-ventilation in classrooms. Many classrooms in this sample were frequently too warm to support learning. There were 23 out of 103 classrooms that had indoor air temperature above 25.6 °C for more than 20% of the school hours. Better oversight on HVAC system installation and commissioning are needed to ensure adequate classroom ventilation. Periodic testing of ventilation systems and/or continuous real-time CO2 monitoring (either as stand-alone monitors or incorporated into thermostats) is recommended to detect and correct ventilation problems.
High resolution spatially explicit nutrient source models for the Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Nutrient loading to aquatic systems has been linked to many issues including eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and decreases in species diversity. In the Great Lakes, algal blooms continue to plague Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay despite reductions in point source loading. Here, methods for predicting nutrient sources using GIS are described to examine the link between watershed nutrient sources, landscape processes, and in-stream loads in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. These models predict all significant nutrient sources to the landscape at 30 m resolution over a 144,000 km2 region, avoiding the tradeoff between scale and source detail common to many existing watershed nutrient models. The model results presented here indicate that there is a high degree of variability in nutrient landscape loading rates, even within the same land use class. Within all land use types, except unmanaged lands, loading rates for most major sources varied by at least an order of magnitude. This work provides valuable information that can be used by environmental managers regarding how and where to target efforts to reduce nutrient loads in surface water particularly in the Great Lakes region where management efforts have been ongoing since the 1960s.
Ferromagnetic Resonance Enhanced Electrically Small Antennas

It is proposed that ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of thin film ferrites can be utilized to simultaneously improve the radiation efficiency and input impedance matching of electrically small antennas (ESAs). To validate the concept, the role of FMR in radiation is first derived analytically with an ideal thin-film ferrite radiator. It was concluded that the Gilbert damping of the ferrite, determining the quality factor of FMR, directly impacts on the radiation efficiency of the antenna. A practical example is proposed in the form of an electrically small single loop antenna loaded with a thin-film yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) core. The prototype has been designed, fabricated and evaluated through both full-wave simulations and experiments. The simulation results match well to the experimental results, demonstrating the efficacy and significance of the idea. In addition, broadband equivalent circuit models are derived to model both the electrically small loops with and without the FMR enhancement and to provide additional insights to the design. The circuit models prove to be effective in predicting the input impedance and radiation efficiency of FMR enhanced ESAs at a precision comparable to full-wave simulations.
Views of Patients and Providers on the Use of Telemedicine for Chronic Disease Specialty Care in the Alaska Native Population.

Background: Chronic diseases disproportionately affect minority and rural populations. Specialist access improves health outcomes in many chronic diseases but access to specialist care may be limited. Video telemedicine can expand access to specialists in rural locations. Introduction: The objective of this study was to understand patient and provider perspectives on the benefits, barriers, and best uses of video telemedicine in chronic disease specialty care in the setting of a well-established store-and-forward telehealth network with recent expansion of video telemedicine. Materials and Methods: Patients and providers were recruited from specialty clinics at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after a brief survey. Interview questions focused on perceived benefits and barriers to use of video telemedicine for chronic disease specialty care, as well as the best uses of telemedicine and factors that improve the ease of use. Results: Participants considered the major benefit of telemedicine to be a reduction in travel and related costs. Telemedicine was considered by most participants as less appropriate for new conditions or for new patients. Limitations included the need to perform a physical examination or needing tests, procedures, or medications that cannot be performed in rural clinics. Discussion: This study describes the views of patients and providers who have experience with telemedicine. It did not evaluate the cost-effectiveness or impact on health outcomes, although further studies are planned. Conclusions: Patients and providers view video telemedicine as a reasonable addition to in-person visits for the management of chronic disease, although there are limitations.
Replay Enactments: Exploring Possible Futures through Historical Data

As we design increasingly complex systems, we run up against fundamental limitations of human imagination. To support practice, it becomes essential to use authentic data and algorithms as design materials to augment designers' intuitions. Recent work has explored some dimensions of using data as a design material, suggesting the contours of a new space of design and prototyping methods. In this paper, we present Replay Enactments (REs, an extension of the User Enactments methods that uses data replay as a boundary object, making complex system behavior tangible to designers and stakeholders. We reflect on a set of case studies that have instantiated REs in diverse ways and discuss trade-offs between different ways of using data replays in design. We conclude by highlighting opportunities and challenges for future work.
COVID-19: Neurological Considerations in Neonates and Children

The ongoing worldwide pandemic of the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the ensuing disease, COVID-19, has presented enormous and unprecedented challenges for all medical specialists. However, to date, children, especially neonates, have been relatively spared from the devastating consequences of this infection. Neurologic involvement is being increasingly recognized among adults with COVID-19, who can develop sensory deficits in smell and taste, delirium, encephalopathy, headaches, strokes, and peripheral nervous system disorders. Among neonates and children, COVID-19-associated neurological manifestations have been relatively rare, yet reports involving neurologic dysfunction in this age range are increasing. As discussed in this review, pediatric neurologists and other pediatric specialists should be alert to potential neurological involvement by this virus, which might have neuroinvasive capability and carry long-term neuropsychiatric and medical consequences.
Oncology approvals in 2020: a year of firsts in the midst of a pandemic.

In 2020, despite challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US FDA approved 30 new drugs and biologic agents, 45 supplemental drug and biologic applications and 1 biosimilar application in oncology.
Increasing or Decreasing Interest in Activities: The Role of Regulatory Fit

What makes people's interest in doing an activity increase or decrease? Regulatory fit theory (E. T. Higgins, 2000) provides a new perspective on this classic issue by emphasizing the relation between people's activity orientation, such as thinking of an activity as fun, and the manner of activity engagement that the surrounding situation supports. These situational factors include whether a reward for good performance, expected (Study 1) or unexpected (Study 2), is experienced as enjoyable or as serious and whether the free-choice period that measures interest in the activity is experienced as enjoyable or as serious (Study 3). Studies 1-3 found that participants were more likely to do a fun activity again when these situational factors supported a manner of doing the activity that fit the fun orientation-a reward or free-choice period framed as enjoyable. This effect was not because interest in doing an activity again is simply greater in an enjoyable than a serious surrounding situation because it did not occur, and even reversed, when the activity orientation was important rather than fun, where now a serious manner of engagement provides the fit (Study 4a and 4b).
Racial disparities in COVID-19 associated pulmonary embolism: A multicenter cohort study.

Abstract Background Thromboembolism is a recognized component of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. However, research into racial disparities in COVID-19-related pulmonary embolism is limited. Materials and methods In this retrospective cohort study, we examined adults diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 20 and September 30, 2020, using a multicenter electronic health record dataset of over 73 million patients (TriNetX), mostly in the USA. The main study outcomes were development of pulmonary embolism or mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. Secondary outcome analysis included hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission within 30 days of diagnosis, as well as lab values within 0–1 days of diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were used to create balanced cohorts via propensity matching. Results 346,953 patients were identified, with 56.0% non-Hispanic white and 14.7% non-Hispanic black; the mean age was 47.6 years. 3879 patients developed PE, with 2036 (1.30% of 157,049) white and 1088 (2.16% of 50,376) black patients. After propensity matching, black race was associated with higher mortality (risk ratio 1.890 [95% CI 1.727–2.067]) and PE (RR 1.537 [1.380–1.711]; p Interpretation Black race was associated with higher risk of pulmonary embolism and mortality after COVID-19. Additionally, black patients with COVID-19 and PE had a higher mortality compared to white patients.
Unifying K-12 Learning Processes: Integrating Curricula through Learning.

This study was designed to examine whether a set of cross-curricular learning processes could be found in the respective K-12 US national standards for math, language arts, foreign language, science, social studies, fine arts, and technology. Using a qualitative research methodology, the standards from the national associations for these content areas were narrowed to thirteen distinct learning processes consisting of both singleton and hybridizations of several learning processes. The determination of a superset of learning processes will allow researchers, curriculum developers, and teachers both in and outside the United States to better understand the relatedness of certain types of instruction, irrespective of content area; develop novel techniques regarding content integration within instruction; better develop students’ capacities for 21st century learning; and develop new standards more attuned to these process standards. This investigation concludes with a call for National Learning Processes Standards.
Transport of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract

A comparative evaluation of the physiologic and anatomic mechanisms of sperm transport in the vagina cervix uterus and oviduct with special emphasis on conception and contraception is presented. The variations in the glans penis of different species are described and related to the female uterine anatomy. The degree and promptness of coagulation of seminal plasma varies with the animal species. In humans and other primates semen coagulates within 1 minute but then liquefies within several minutes. Spermatozoa do not attain full motility until l iquefaction of the coagulum. In most animals a vaginal plug is formed b y the coagulation of the semen itself. This plug may assist in the tran sport of spermatozoa into the uterus. In women the vaginal environment is hostile to the survival of spermatozoa. The vaginal pH reaches its maximum at ovulation. Various physiologic mechanisms are involved in sperm transport in the cervix varying with the species. Progesterone inhibits sperm transport to the site of fertilization by causing changes in the orientation of micelles of mucin. Sperm migration is related to pH of cervical mucin. Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by leukocytes occurs in the uterine lumen. Neurohumoral pathways may activate the rapid transport of spermatozoa. Contractions of vagina and uterus in humans may aid. Oxytocin may also be produced in humans. Ovarian hormones affect the activities of the oviducts and the pattern and rate of sperm transport. A rapid rate of sperm transport is reported in women sheep and rabbits. This information throws doubt on the value of the postcoital douche as a contraceptive measure. Oxytocin exerts an effect on myometrial activity and sperm transport. Prostaglandin effects are unknown. Hereditary factors may affect sperm transport. Immunologic factors reduce mobility and transport. Psychological stress may inhibit transport in the female reproductive tract of animals. IUDs permit sperm transport in women but not in sheep. Some areas of comparative research which may further help to elucidate the physiology biochemistry and dynamics of sperm transport in the female reproductive tract are suggested.
The Economics of Food Choice Behavior: Why Poverty and Obesity Are Linked

Obesity in the United States does not affect all segments of the population equally. It is more prevalent in deprived neighborhoods and among groups with lower education and incomes. Inequitable access to healthy foods is one mechanism by which socioeconomic factors can influence food choice behaviors, overall diet quality, and bodyweight. Having a supermarket in the immediate neighborhood has been linked to better diets and to lower obesity rates. However, the affordability of healthy foods may have more of an impact on food patterns than does distance to the nearest store. Grains, added sugars, and added fats are inexpensive, good-tasting, and convenient. Their consumption has been linked to lower quality diets, lower diet costs, and lower socioeconomic status. By contrast, the recommended healthier diets not only cost more but were consumed by more affluent groups. New techniques of spatial analysis are a promising approach to mapping obesity rates and linking them with measures of socioeconomic status based on diverse social and economic aspects of the built environment. Low residential property values predicted bodyweights of women better than did either education or incomes. Shopping in low-cost supermarkets was another powerful predictor of bodyweight. Bodyweight gain may be best predicted not by any one nutrient, food or beverage but by low diet cost. Higher obesity rates in poor neighborhoods may be the toxic consequence of economic insecurity. Alleviating poverty may be the best, if not the only, way to stop the obesity epidemic.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension or left heart disease with pulmonary hypertension? Toward noninvasive clarity, but time for a new paradigm.

PAH or left heart disease with PH? Perspective on group 1 and 2 PH differentiators and a call for a unified approach http://ow.ly/OtRxU
Development of novobiocin analogues that manifest anti-proliferative activity against several cancer cell lines.

Recent studies have shown that the DNA gyrase inhibitor, novobiocin, binds to a previously unrecognized ATP-binding site located at the C-terminus of Hsp90 and induces degradation of Hsp90-dependent client proteins at ∼700 μM. As a result of these studies, several analogues of the coumarin family of antibiotics have been reported and shown to exhibit increased Hsp90 inhibitory activity; however, the monomeric species lacked the ability to manifest anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines at concentrations tested. In an effort to develop more efficacious compounds that produce growth inhibitory activity against cancer cell lines, structure−activity relationships were investigated surrounding the prenylated benzamide side chain of the natural product. Results obtained from these studies have produced the first novobiocin analogues that manifest anti-proliferative activity against several cancer cell lines.
Analysis of disorder distributions in boron implanted silicon

Abstract Channeling effects on the yield of large angle backscattered energetic H+ or He+ were used to investigate properties of the disorder in Si samples previously implanted with B11 ions at substrate temperatures of -150°C to -50°C. Exposure of the implanted samples to the analyzing beam at room temperature caused a large reduction in the amount of disorder measured. A successive layer removal technique by anodic oxidation and stripping was used to obtain a depth scale for 1.8 MeVHe+ analyses of lightly disordered samples. The results of additional experiments indicate that for 1 MeV He+ in Si the aligned stopping power is about 80 per cent of the random stopping power. Measured and calculated values of the minimum yield X R for the substrate underlying amorphous layers suggested a plural scattering treatment of dechanneling of the analyzing beam using previously measured values of the critical angle. The scattering center distributions calculated from this treatment of dechanneling are presented for ...
Interaction of heavy metal toxicants with brain constitutive nitric oxide synthase

This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of transition heavy metal cations on activity of constitutive isoform of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in rat brain. NOS activity was determined in the cytosolic fractions of rat cerebral hemispheres by conversion of 3H-L-arginine to 3H-L-citrulline. Different concentrations of mercury (Hg2+), nickel (Ni2+), manganese (Mn2+), zinc (Zn2+), cadmium (Cd2+), lead (Pb2+) and calcium (Ca2+) were tested on NOS activity. While all the cations caused inhibition, there were differences in the apparent inhibition constants (Ki) among the cations. With the exception of calcium ion no other cation required preincubation with the enzyme preparation. These results indicate that while calcium ion modulate cNOS activity at regulatory site(s), inhibitory influence of toxic heavy metal cations may be exerted on the catalytic site(s) either by direct binding to it or by interfering with the electron transfer during catalysis.
Education and Clinical Research Issues in Women’s Health

The evolution of women’s health both in the United States and abroad is a direct result of an intense committment to scientific investigation and education. Society serves to benefit greatly from this
An examination of phonological awareness treatment outcomes for seventh-grade poor readers from a bilingual community

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine posttreatment outcomes following direct, systematic phonological awareness instruction for seventh-grade poor readers, most of whom had English as the...
An RBD that does not bind RNA: NMR secondary structure determination and biochemical properties of the C-terminal RNA binding domain from the human U1A protein*

We have obtained backbone 1H, 15N, and 13C assignments and determined the secondary structure and folding topology of the C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD) of the human U1A protein. The secondary structure derived from NOE data is in excellent agreement with the predicted structure from the 1H and 13C chemical shift indices. This 88 amino acid domain exhibits a βαβ-βαβ folding pattern, with conserved RNP1 and RNP2 sequences located in two adjacent strands of a four-strand antiparallel β-sheet. This global folding pattern is typical of this class of RNA binding proteins. Although this domain contains residues that are conserved in all RBDs, its RNA binding properties are very unusual. RNA binding studies show that this domain does not bind U1, U2 or U5 snRNA, an RNA hairpin, rA16, rU16, rC16 or rA3U3GUA4, nor does it show significant association to populations of random sequence RNAs.
Linear magnetoresistance, hall effect, and the geometry of anisotropic quantum scattering

A series of model calculations for the magnetoresistance and Hall effect of free-electron-like metals is presented. They involve anisotropic-quantum-flucfruation coherent scattering and yield linear longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistances. The models here studied exhibit various anisotropic behaviors for the magnetoresistance slopes. The Hall coefficient is not affected by the coherent scattering and is a constant equal to the free-electron model in all cases. The results are compatible with existing experimental data for potassium. Es wurde eine Serie von Modellen fur den magnetischen Widerstand und den Hall-Effekteines „freien Elektronen”-ahnlichen Metalls gerechnet. Diese Rechnungen schliesenkoharente Streuungen, hervorgerufen durch anisotrope, quantenmechanische Fluktuationen, ein und liefern lineare, longitudinale und transversale magnetische Widerstandsanderungen. Die hier untersuchten Modelle zeigen verschiedenes anisotropes Verhalten fur den Verlauf des magnetischen Widerstandes. Der Hall-Koeffizient wird nicht von der koharenten Streuung beeintrachtigt und ist in allen Fallen konstant gleich der des Modells freier Elek-tronen. Die Kesultate sind mit bestehenden experimentellen Daten far Kalium vertraglich.
Pre- and post-initiation chemoprevention activity of 2-alkyl/aryl selenazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acids against tobacco-derived nitrosamine (NNK)-induced lung tumors in the A/J mouse

The efficacy of a series of 2-aryl/alkyl selenazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acids (SCAs) in reducing NNK [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone]-induced lung adenomas in female A/J mice, a model for tobacco-related lung tumorigenesis, has been investigated. With selenazolidines in the diet for 1 month prior to carcinogen administration and during the subsequent 4 months of tumor development, 2-butylSCA, 2-cyclohexylSCA, 2-phenylSCA and 2-oxoSCA were chemopreventive, significantly reducing mean lung tumor numbers from the 10.9 of unsupplemented controls to 4.7, 5.3, 2.8 and 4.7, respectively. When selenazolidine supplementation began three days after carcinogen administration (i.e., post-initiation), 2-butylSCA, 2-cyclohexylSCA, and 2-oxoSCA were chemopreventive. In both regimens, selenocystine was also chemopreventive. In the post-initiation protocol, but with intervention at a precancerous stage (13 days), whole genome expression analysis of lung RNA identified six gene transcripts that weakly correlated with the efficacy of tumor reduction by the four selenocompounds at 4 months. None of these genes were among those identified to be influenced by chemopreventive selenium compounds in human lung cancer cell lines. When supplementation was for 1 month-prior until 3 days-after carcinogen administration, 2-butylSCA, and 2-phenylSCA were chemopreventive but selenocystine was ineffective. Both 2-butylSCA and 2-phenylSCA retained their chemopreventive activity (44% and 40% tumor number reduction, respectively), when the supplementation was shortened and restricted to a pre-initiation period (days -9 to -2). With supplementation spanning 2 days-prior until 3 days-after NNK, reductions in tumor numbers by 2-phenylSCA (26%) and 2-butylSCA (17%) did not achieve statistical significance. Thus, several 2-aryl/alkyl selenazolidines possess chemopreventive activity against NNK-induced lung tumors, and variously demonstrate pre-initiation and post-initiation efficacy.
Towards an integrative human pathway database for systems biology applications

While there are more than 217 online pathway databases of different coverage and quality as of September 2007, our knowledge of human pathways is still far from complete. It has been challenging to develop pathway tools and database resources that could expand the coverage of existing annotated pathway data by integrating these resources both at the syntactic and semantic levels. While developing the Human Pathway Database (HPD), we use data warehousing techniques and a unified pathway data model to integrate a total of 1,895 pathways and 10,631 molecular entities from four different annotated and predicted pathway resources in human. HPD provides a comprehensive and integrated view linking human proteins, genes, RNAs, signaling reactions, gene regulatory events for future systems biology applications. We studied pathways in the database for their merging potentials and showed a preliminary pathway merging result as 2-D clusters. We also examined pathway scale and the distribution of pathway-spanning proteins, pathway characteristics that suggest small pathways and large pathways may still be under-represented in the HPD. We also found many proteins with important energy metabolism, cell growth, and cell differentiation functions span across vast number of pathways. The raw data for HPD can be queried at: http://discover.uits.indiana.edu:8340/spathway/s_pathway/
RESPIRATOR FIT AND PROTECTION THROUGH DETERMINATION OF AIR AND PARTICLE LEAKAGE

A laboratory technique for determining the respirator protection factor from a test of fit is described. A dynamic pressure test quantifies the air flow through the leak. Calibration data, stored in a computer, relate the contaminant influx to this air flow, and a similar pressure test determines the flow through the respirator cartridges and, therefore, the dilution characteristics. Contaminant removal characteristics of the cartridges are stored in the computer. The contaminant penetration is calculated from these data on flow and removal efficiency. Through specification of the aerosol size distribution and the method of measurement, protection factors are calculated for specific work environments, work loads and respirator cartridges. The protection factor is shown to be highly dependent on the method of measuring the contaminant and on the cartridges used.
Combined Endoscopic Ultrasound and Secretin Endoscopic Pancreatic Function Test in Patients Evaluated for Chronic Pancreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic secretin pancreatic function test may be combined in a single endoscopic session (EUS/ePFT) to diagnose chronic pancreatitis (CP). Our primary aim was to assess the correlation and concordance of combined EUS and secretin ePFT bicarbonate results in suspected minimal change CP. Radial EUS included scoring for nine criteria (normal <4 criteria) with endoscopic collection of duodenal samples at 15, 30, and 45 min after secretin stimulation (normal peak bicarbonate ≥80 mmol/l). Three hundred and two patients completed the EUS/ePFT (252 for suspected minimal change CP, 38 for established CP, 12 for painless steatorrhea). In patients evaluated for suspected minimal change CP, a moderate negative correlation was observed between endoscopic ultrasound score and peak bicarbonate (r = −0.38, P < 0.001). The EUS and ePFT results were 76% concordant and 24% discordant. The ePFT was 85% sensitive and EUS was 100% sensitive for detecting patients with established calcific CP. The EUS/ePFT diagnosed CP in two of 12 of patients evaluated for painless steatorrhea or diarrhea with weight loss. The combined EUS/ePFT is feasible and safe. There is only moderate correlation and concordance of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic pancreatic function test results in patients with suspected minimal change CP. The EUS and ePFT results produce complimentary functional and structural information for the evaluation of CP.
Management of cutaneous malignant melanoma by dermatologists of the American Academy of Dermatology. I. Survey of biopsy practices of pigmented lesions suspected as melanoma.

Abstract Background: The incidence of malignant melanoma (MM) has rapidly increased during the past five decades. Relatively little information is available on whether the role of the dermatologist has increased concomitantly in the surgical management of this cancer. Objective: Our purpose was to learn how members of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) treat patients with lesions highly suspected as being MM and how the management of these patients may have changed over the past decade. This, the first of a two-part series, concerns biopsies. Methods: The data for the study were collected by means of a questionnaire that was sent to all members of the AAD practicing in the United State ( N = 7412). Results: A total of 2991 valid questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 40%. The majority of respondents (89% in 1982; 90% in 1992) stated that they performed the biopsies of pigmented lesions suspected of being MMs. Excisional biopsy was the preferred technique (58% in 1982; 68% in 1992). The type of biopsy and who performed the initial biopsy of a suspected MM were associated with the following factors: (1) the number of years in practice, (2) the type of practice, and (3) whether the dermatologist subsequently performed the definitive surgery for the MM. Regional variations in biopsy practices were also noted. Conclusion: Most AAD dermatologists who responded to the questionnaire perform the biopsies of lesions highly suspected of being MM. During the last decade an increasing proportion of dermatologists are performing excisional biopsies rather than other types of biopsies for such lesions.
Peace Profile: Christian Pacifism and War Objection in Early Twentieth-Century Japan

At the turn of the twentieth century, Japan was winning war after war, establishing itself as an emerging colonial power in Asia. The Sino–Japanese War of 1894–95 allowed Japan to acquire Taiwan an...
FROZEN INSECTS STARVING FOR OXYGEN

![Figure][1] Freeze-challenged insects can invoke either of two strategies. They may resist freezing altogether, using an arsenal of molecules that inhibit ice formation; good freeze-avoiders remain liquid to below –30°C. Alternatively, insects may allow or even encourage ice formation,
Consumer heterogeneity and the shape of purchase rate functions

This study suggests that non-monotonic purchase rates, frequently observed in empirical studies of consumer purchase timing, can be an artifact of consumer heterogeneity. We use a theoretical purchase timing model with consumer heterogeneity to develop market scenarios under which non-monotonic rates may obtain. The results suggest that non-monotonic rates are more likely to observe in product markets that are either highly concentrated or where the heavy buyer segment is large. In such markets, therefore, one should not rely on non-monotonic rate curves to predict household purchase incidence.
Minimum-time acceleration of aircraft turbofan engines

Minimum-time accelerations of the F100 turbofan engine are presented. A piecewise-linear engine model, having three state variables and four control variables, is used to obtain the minimum-time solutions. The linear model which applies at a given time in the trajectory is determined by calculating a normalized distance from the current state to the equilibrium state associated with each linear model. The linear model associated with the closest equilibrium point is then used. The control histories for the minimum-time solutions are used as input to a nonlinear simulation of the F100 engine to verify the accuracy of the piecewise linear solutions.
Regulation of human synovial fibroblast collagenase messenger RNA by interleukin-1.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) may contribute to tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, in part, by inducing messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes interstitial collagenase. In human synovial fibroblasts in vitro, IL-1 induced collagenase mRNA accumulation 6 hours after being added to the cells. High levels of mRNA remained present for at least 48 hours after treatment. The rate of transcription of collagenase in isolated nuclei peaked after approximately 6 hours of treatment with IL-1 and declined thereafter, becoming nearly undetectable by 24 hours. The persistence of mRNA, in view of the transient peak of transcription, suggested that collagenase mRNA was stable in synovial fibroblasts. The half-life of collagenase mRNA after the synoviocytes were treated with actinomycin D was approximately 27 hours, both in the presence and in the absence of IL-1. It has been noted that induction of the expression of collagenase by phorbol esters requires fos protein synthesis and is mediated through a tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate response element in the 5′-flanking region of the gene. However, we found that cycloheximide, when added to synovial fibroblast cultures up to 6 hours after treatment with IL-1, inhibited the expression of collagenase mRNA. These results suggest that fos alone is unlikely to be sufficient for collagenase expression, and that additional factors, or alternative pathways, are involved in the induction of collagenase by IL-1.
Self-Control A Function of Knowing When and How to Exercise Restraint

To successfully pursue a goal in the face of temptation, an individual must first identify that she faces a self-control conflict. Only then will the individual exercise self-control to promote goal pursuit over indulging in temptation. We propose a new model that distinguishes between the problems of conflict identification and those of conflict resolution. We then review research on the factors that influence conflict identification and those that determine conflict resolution.
Splenic consumptive coagulopathy in a patient with disseminated lymphangiomatosis

FOCAL CONSUMPTION of fibrinogen and platelets is classically described in the Kasabach-Merri t t syndrome. ~ Coagulation abnormalit ies associated with lymphangiomas have included reports of thrombocytopenia ~" and fibrinolysis.:' We wish to report the case of a 4-year-old boy with disseminated lymphangiomatosis in whom focal consumption in a diseased spleen was followed by a bleeding diathesis. The coagulation abnormalit ies resolved following splenectomy.
Thyroxine binding globulin deficiency

Summary An 11-year-old boy with X-chromosome-linked thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) deficiency and constitutional growth retardation was erroneously treated for isolated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiency and secondary hypothyroidism. Growth hormone, TSH, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were normal. Since TSH deficiency can be confused with TBG deficiency, it is recommended that all such patients be checked for TBG deficiency by comparison of the T-3 uptake with the protein bound iodine (PBI) concentration. The lack of response of a low PBI value to thyroid replacement may be another clue to TBG deficiency.
Nuchal translucency and its relationship to congenital heart disease

Nuchal translucency refers to the normal subcutaneous space, observed on first trimester ultrasound evaluation, between the skin and cervical spine. Increased nuchal translucency is known to be associated with an increased risk of aneuploidy, particularly Trisomy 21, and recent studies have also identified increased nuchal translucency as a nonspecific marker for various genetic syndromes and multiple structural anomalies, to include congenital heart disease. This increased risk applies to euploid and aneuploid pregnancies and is directly related to the degree of nuchal translucency thickening. This article reviews the role of nuchal translucency as a screening tool for congenital heart disease