cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mouse model of carbon tetrachloride induced liver fibrosis: Histopathological changes and expression of CD133 and epidermal growth factor

In the setting of chronic liver injury in humans, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR) are up-regulated and have been proposed to have vital roles in both liver regeneration and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic liver injury also leads to hepatic stellate cell (HSC) differentiation and a novel subpopulation of HSCs which express CD133 and exhibit properties of progenitor cells has been described in rats. The carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse model has been historically relied upon to study liver injury and regeneration. We exposed mice to CCl4 to assess whether EGF and CD133+ HSCs are up-regulated in chronically injured liver. CCl4 in olive oil was administered to strain A/J mice three times per week by oral gavage. Multiple well-differentiated HCCs were found in all livers after 15 weeks of CCl4 treatment. Notably, HCCs developed within the setting of fibrosis and not cirrhosis. CD133 was dramatically up-regulated after CCl4 treatment, and increased expression of desmin and glial fibrillary acidic protein, representative markers of HSCs, was also observed. EGF expression significantly decreased, contrary to observations in humans, whereas the expression of amphiregulin, another EGFR ligand, was significantly increased. Species-specific differences exist with respect to the histopathological and molecular pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. CCl4-induced chronic liver injury in A/J mice has important differences compared to human cirrhosis leading to HCC.
Automorphisms of λ-matrices

Abstract We study λ-matrices ΣM〈i〉 associated with automorphisms. We show that they are characterized by the fact that for some k, all products of at least k summand matrices M〈i〉 have rank 1, and all products of the M〈i〉 have 0 or 1 entries. We give a polynomial-time algorithm to determine if a given λ-matrix represents an automorphism. We give a method for determining the dimension-group representation of the automorphism, and compute it for the full shift. We show that one-sided inert automorphisms of full shifts have a special form, although their order can be infinite. For lag 2, they can readily be written out. We give results partially reducing the lag-n case to lag 2 and the general case to the inert case. We determine all quotient groups for a filtration of the one-sided inert automorphisms of a full k-shift. One-sided inert automorphisms can be described in terms of labelings of a partition associated with the partitions of the transformations M〈i〉. For higher lags, we can show that every suitable lag-r partition is associated with a lag-(r − 1) partition.
The Role of GABRA2 in Risk for Conduct Disorder and Alcohol and Drug Dependence across Developmental Stages

We use findings from the behavior genetics literature about how genetic factors (latently) influence alcohol dependence and related disorders to develop and test hypotheses about the risk associated with a specific gene, GABRA2, across different developmental stages. This gene has previously been associated with adult alcohol dependence in the Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) sample [Edenberg, H. J., Dick, D. M., Xuei, X., Tian, H., Almasy, L., Bauer, L. O., Crowe, R., Goate, A., Hesselbrock, V., Jones, K. A., Kwon, J., Li, T. K., Nurnberger Jr., J. I., O'Connor, S. J., Reich, T., Rice, J., Schuckit, M., Porjesz, B., Foroud, T., and Begleiter, H. (2004). Am. J. Hum. Genet. 74:705-714] and other studies [Covault, J., Gelernter, J., Hesselbrock, V., Nellissery, M., and Kranzler, H. R. (2004). Am. J. Med. Genet. B Neuropsychiatr. Genet. 129B:104-109; Lappalainen, J., Krupitsky, E., Remizov, M., Pchelina, S., Taraskina, A., Zvartau, E., Somberg, L. K., Covault, J., Kranzler, H. R., Krystal, J., and Gelernter, J. (2005). Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res. 29:493-498]. In a sample of children and adolescents ascertained as part of the COGA project, we find that GABRA2 is significantly associated with childhood conduct disorder symptoms, but not with childhood alcohol dependence symptoms. A consistent elevation in risk for alcohol dependence associated with GABRA2 is not evident until the mid-20s and then remains throughout adulthood. GABRA2 is also associated with other drug dependence in our sample, both in adolescence and adulthood.
Synergism in Binary (MWNT, SLG) Nano-carbons in Polymer Nano-composites: A Raman Study

Load transfer and mechanical strength of reinforced polymers are fundamental to developing advanced composites. This paper demonstrates enhanced load transfer and mechanical strength due to synergistic effects in binary mixtures of nano-carbon/polymer composites. Different compositional mixtures (always 1 wt. % total) of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single-layer graphene (SLG) were mixed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and effects on load transfer and mechanical strength were studied using Raman spectroscopy. Significant shifts in the G-bands were observed both in tension and compression for single as well binary nano-carbon counterparts in polymer composites. Small amounts of MWNT0.1 dispersed in SLG0.9/PDMS samples (subscripts represents weight percentage) reversed the sign of the Raman wavenumbers from positive to negative values demonstrating reversal of lattice stress. A wavenumber change from 10 cm-1 in compression (-10% strain) to 10 cm-1 in tension (50% strain), and an increase in elastic modulus of ∼103% was observed for MWNT0.1SLG0.9/PDMS with applied uniaxial tension. Presence of MWNTs in the matrix reduced the segmental polymeric chain length and provided limited extensibility to the chains. This in turn eliminated compressive deformation of SLG and significantly enhanced load transfer and mechanical strength of composites in tension. The orientation order of MWNT with application of uniaxial tensile strain directly affected the shift in Raman wavenumbers (2D band and G-band) and load transfer. It is observed that the cooperative behavior of binary nano-carbons in polymer composites resulted in enhanced load transfer and mechanical strength. Such binary compositions could be fundamental to developing advanced composites.
Constraints from jet calculus on quark recombination

Within the quantum-chromodynamic jet-calculus formalism, we deduce an equation describing recombination of quarks and antiquarks into mesons within a quark or gluon jet. This equation relates the recombination function R(x/sub 1/,x/sub 2/,x) used in current literature to the fragmentation function for producing that same meson out of the parton initiating the jet. We submit currently used recombination functions to our consistency test, taking as input mainly the u-quark fragmentation ''data'' into ..pi../sup +/ mesons. The qq-bar..--> pi.. recombination functions popular in the literature are consistent with measured fragmentation functions, but they must be supplemented by other contributions to provide the full D..pi../sup +//sub u/. We also discuss the Q/sup 2/ dependence of the resulting fragmentation functions.
Resistance mechanisms in Cucurbita moschata to pickleworm and melonworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Laboratory and field tests were conducted to determine the resistance mechanisms of two Cucurbita moschata (Poir. cultivars (‘Calabaza’ and ‘Butternut’) to pickle-worm, Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll), and melon-worm, Diaphania hyalinata (L.). Antibiosis to pickleworm was found in whole fruits of ‘Calabaza.’ However, the principal mechanism to both species by the two C. moschata cultivars was oviposition nonpreference.
A Cohort Study Assessing Difficult Patient Encounters in a Walk-In Primary Care Clinic, Predictors and Outcomes

Background Previous studies have found that up to 15% of clinical encounters are experienced as difficult by clinicians.
Classical and quantum mechanical infrared echoes from resonantly coupled molecular vibrations.

The nonlinear response function associated with the infrared vibrational echo is calculated for a quantum mechanical model of resonantly coupled, anharmonic oscillators at zero temperature. The classical mechanical response function is determined from the quantum response function by setting ℏ→0, permitting the comparison of the effects of resonant vibrational coupling among an arbitrary number of anharmonic oscillators on quantum and classical vibrational echoes. The quantum response function displays a time dependence that reflects both anharmonicity and resonant coupling, while the classical response function depends on anharmonicity only through a time-independent amplitude, and shows a time dependence controlled only by the resonant coupling. In addition, the classical response function grows without bound in time, a phenomenon associated with the nonlinearity of classical mechanics, and absent in quantum mechanics. This unbounded growth was previously identified in the response function for a system...
Acute somatomedin response to growth hormone: radioreceptor assay versus radioimmunoassay.

The acute somatomedin (SM) response to GH therapy has been examined in 21 GH-deficient children using a placental membrane radioreceptor assay (RRA) which measuresa variety of SMs and a RIA specific for SM-C and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Plasma for determination of SM peptide content was obtained before initiation of therapy and 13 h after each of four daily injections of GH (0.1 U/kg). An additional SM determination was performed after 6 weeks of GH therapy (0.1 U/kg, three times per week) in seven of the subjects. RRA and RIA SM determinations were performed on the same acid-chromatographed sample and were compared to an acid-chromatographed pooled plasma standard. The 4 days of GH therapy resulted in an increase in SM levels from 0.39 ± 0.24 to 1.18 ± 0.62 (±SD) U/ml, determined by RIA. A single injection of GH resulted in a significant rise in plasma SM levels, measured by either RRA or RIA (P < 0.001). Subjects who responded poorlyto two injections of GH also had low SM levels after 4 day...
Prediction of concrete initial setting time in field conditions through multivariate regression analysis

Construction of large concrete structures usually requires pouring multiple batches of concrete mixes along 1 day, which creates setting irregularities that increase the potential of crack development within pours. For the case of bridge decks, it is recommended that the initial concrete material should stay plastic over the entire casting operation of a poured bridge segment. Uniform setting of multiple batches is possible if setting times could be predicted and controlled in field conditions. In this study, more than 70 different Class K concrete mixes were manufactured and cast in field conditions, which provided material characteristics along with environmental data that were used to predict concrete initial setting times through multivariate regression analysis. Two prediction models were achieved, corresponding to the addition of set retarding and set accelerating admixtures, respectively. Validating field tests demonstrated that good predictions of concrete initial setting times can be accomplished with 2% error, when accurate field weather forecasts are available. This work also demonstrates the use of the prediction relations, with the objective of achieving uniform thermo-mechanical properties of a pouring sequence in the field.
Femtosecond laser control of a chemical reaction

The critical stage in a chemical reaction — the progression through the transition state from reagents to products — occurs in less than a picosecond (10^(−12)s). Using laser pulses of femtosecond (10^(−15)s) duration it is possible to probe the nuclear motions throughout formation and break-up of the transition state. The coherence and very short duration of these femtosecond pulses provides a means to influence the course of the reaction during this stage if the time resolution is made sufficiently short. Here we describe a demonstration of such control of a chemical reaction on the femtosecond timescale. Using two sequential coherent laser pulses, we can control the reaction of iodine molecules with xenon atoms to form the product XeI by exciting the reactants through the transition state, in a two-step process. The yield of product XeI is modulated as the delay between the pulses is varied, reflecting its dependence on the nuclear motions of the reactants.
Gold laser tonsillectomy: A safe new method

Abstract Objectives To determine if Gold laser tonsillectomy is an acceptably safe method of removing tonsils by comparing its complication rates to other established methods, namely Coblation tonsillectomy and cold steel dissection tonsillectomy. Study design A retrospective review of 748 consecutive patients, ages 2–18, undergoing tonsillectomy at a pediatric teaching institution. Methods Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy was performed utilizing either the Gold laser (n = 435), Coblation device (n = 153), or by cold steel dissection (n = 160) between August 2005 and August 2007. Hospital charts were then reviewed to determine the rates of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage and dehydration requiring hospital admission. Results In the Gold laser group there were 7 bleeding events (1.61%) and 7 dehydration admissions (1.61%). The Coblation group had 9 bleeding events (5.88%) and 1 dehydration admission (0.65%). The cold steel group had 1 bleed (0.63%) and 2 dehydration admissions (1.25%). The hemorrhage rate associated with Gold laser tonsillectomy was statistically equivalent to cold steel dissection (p = 0.3710) and significantly lower than in our Coblation control group (p = 0.0286). Conclusions Tonsillectomy by means of the Gold laser can be safely performed in the pediatric population.
Miller Fisher syndrome: an uncommon acute neuropathy.

The syndrome of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia was first described in 1956 by Miller Fisher. This syndrome has long been believed to be a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), mainly because of its areflexia, cerebrospinal fluid findings, and its postinfectious presentation. The case of an 11-year-old male with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is described. MFS differs from GBS in several key clinical features and presents an extensive and challenging differential diagnosis. It is useful to recognize MFS as both a variant of GBS and a distinct entity with its own therapeutic considerations.
Setpoint PI controllers for systems with large normalized dead time

This paper derives proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms for first-order plants with time lag. First, the effects of proportional control on overshoot and rise time are analyzed. Then these results are applied to aid in the design of PI controllers that utilize a pole-zero cancellation. New PI tuning methods are proposed for design criteria typical of those found in metal rolling mill applications with large normalized dead time.
Successful limb-sparing treatment strategy for diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

Background: Diabetic foot osteomyelitis is common and causes substantial morbidity, including major amputations, yet the optimal treatment approach is unclear. We evaluated an approach to limb salvage that combines early surgical debridement or limited amputation with antimicrobial therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients treated between May 1, 2005, and May 31, 2007. The primary end point was cure, defined as not requiring further treatment for osteomyelitis of the affected limb. The secondary end point was limb salvage, defined as not requiring a below-the-knee amputation or a more proximal amputation. Results: Fifty patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis met the study criteria. Initial surgical management included local amputation in 43 patients (86%) and debridement without amputation in seven (14%). Most infections (n = 30; 60%) were polymicrobial, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (n = 23; 46%). Parenteral antibiotics were used in 45 patients (9...
Plasma modification of bulk niobium surface for SRF cavities

Summary form only given. Particle accelerator performance, in particular the average accelerating field and the cavity quality factor, depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of the superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavity surface. Plasma based surface modification provides an excellent opportunity to eliminate non-superconductive pollutants in the penetration depth region and to remove the mechanically damaged surface layer, which improves the surface roughness. Here we show that the non-equilibrium plasma treatment of bulk polycrystalline Nb presents a viable surface preparation method due to possibility to use plasma-generated radicals and due to the inherent anisotropy of the etching action. We have optimized the experimental conditions in the microwave glow discharge system and their influence on the Nb removal rate on the flat samples and achieved etching rate of 1.7 μm/min using up to 3% Cl2 in the reactive Ar/Cl2 mixture. Combining a fast etching step with a moderate one, we have improved the surface roughness without exposing the fresh sample surface to the environment.The geometry of SRF cavities made of bulk polycrystalline Nb requires the use of asymmetric RF discharge configuration for plasma etching. The asymmetry in the surface area of a driven and grounded electrode creates a difference in the voltage drop over the plasma sheath attached to the driven electrode and the sheath attached to the cavity surface. The driven electrode geometry is optimized to achieve homogeneous sheath conditions at the surface. Specially designed single cell cavity is used to study these asymmetric discharges which contain 20 sample holder holes symmetrically placed over the cell. These sample holder holes can be used for both diagnostics and sample etching purposes. The approach is to combine radially and spectrally resolved profiles of optical intensity of the discharge with direct etched surface diagnostics to obtain an optimum combination of etching rates, roughness and homogeneity in a variety of discharge types, conditions and sequences.
The Immunosuppressive Aspects of Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is associated with immunosuppression, although the exact etiology of the immunosuppressive effect is not fully understood. The clinical significance of the immunosuppressive effect of blood transfusion has been examined in three situations: (1) studies of renal allograft survival after renal transplantation, (2) outcome studies in patients who have had surgical resection of solid cancer tumors, and (3) studies of infection rates in postoperative patients. In each scenario, the data support the conclusion that transfusion is associated with immunosuppression as manifested by increased renal allograft survival, increased recurrence and mortality rates in patients with cancer, and increased infection rates in postoperative patients who are transfused. Not all studies demonstrate an immunosuppressive effect of transfusion. There are several possible explanations for these discrepancies. First, prognostic variables other than transfusion itself account for the outcome results in these retrosp...
Impact of the Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act on abdominal ultrasonography use among Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: We used a 20% sample of traditional Medicare enrollees from 2004 to 2008 to identify 65-year-old men eligible for screening and 3 control groups not eligible for screening (70-year-old men, 76-year-old men, and 65-year-old women). We used logistic regression to examine the change in outcomes at 365 days for eligible vs ineligible beneficiaries before and after SAAAVE Act implementation, adjusting for comorbidities, state-level smoking prevalence, geographic variation, and time trends. Results: Fewer than 3% of abdominal ultrasonography claims after 2007 were for SAAAVE-specific AAA screening. There was a significantly greater increase in abdominal ultrasonography use among SAAAVE-eligible beneficiaries (2.0 percentage points among 65-year-old men, from 7.6% in 2004 to 9.6% in 2008; 0.7 points [8.9% to 9.6%] among 70-year-old men; 0.7 points [10.8% to 11.5%] among 76-year-old men; and 0.9 points [7.5% to 8.4%] among 65-year-old women) (P.001 for all comparisons with 65-year-old men). The SAAAVE Act was associated with increased use of abdominal ultrasonography in 65-year-old men compared with 70-year-old men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11-1.19) (P.001), and this increased use remained even when SAAAVE-specific AAA screening was excluded (AOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16) (P.001). Implementation of the SAAAVE Act was not associated with changes in rates of AAA repair, AAA rupture, or all-cause mortality. Conclusions: The impact of the SAAAVE Act on AAA screening was modest and was based on abdominal ultrasonography use that it did not directly reimburse. The SAAAVE Act had no discernable effect on AAA rupture or all-cause morality.
Investigation of Nasal CO2 Receptor Transduction Mechanisms in Wild-type and GC-D Knockout Mice

The main olfactory system of mice contains a small subset of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) that are stimulated by CO2. The objective of this study was to record olfactory receptor responses to a range of CO2 concentrations to further elucidate steps in the proposed CO2 transduction pathway in mice. Electro-olfactograms (EOGs) were recorded before and after inhibiting specific steps in the CO 2 transduction pathway with topically applied inhibitors. Inhibition of extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) did not significantly affect EOG responses to CO 2 but did decrease EOG responses to several control odorants. Inhibition of intracellular CA or cyclic nucleotide-gated channels attenuated EOG responses to CO2, confirming the role of these components in CO2 sensing in mice. We also show that, like canonical OSNs, CO2-sensitive OSNs depend on Ca 2+ -activated Cl − channels for depolarization of receptor neurons. Lastly, we found that guanylyl cyclase-D knockout mice were still able to respond to CO2, indicating that other pathways may exist for the detection of low concentrations of nasal CO2. We discuss these findings as they relate to previous studies on CO 2-sensitive OSNs in mice and other animals.
A local‐probe analysis of the rheology of a "solid liquid"

Results are shown demonstrating the application of the interfacial force microscope to a study of the micro-scale mechanical properties of an extreme example of a viscoelastic material, one that is often referred to as a “solid liquid.” Experiments involve relaxation measurements taken over a range of deformations, to establish linearity, and scaled according to the optically determined contact radius. In addition, the data is Fourier analyzed to obtain the frequency response of both the real and imaginary components of the shear modulus. The results from such an analysis of a single 3 s measurement are shown to be in remarkable agreement with published results from a series of single-frequency measurements using a classical rheometer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2993–2999, 2005
Quake `06: A Campaign to Reduce Earthquake Risk in the San Francisco Bay Area

The Quake \`06 Campaign is a volunteer effort capitalizing on the extraordinary earthquake risk management expertise in the San Francisco Bay area. Begun in April 2002, Quake \`06 is a four-year campaign to reduce earthquake risk in the Bay Area by the hundredth anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. The campaign is a partnership between the community of earthquake professionals in the Northern California Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and representatives of cities, institutions, agencies, and other earthquake-risk stakeholders. Quake `06 is different from other risk-reduction efforts because our achievements depend on the altruistic efforts of public-spirited volunteers. It is more than an awareness campaign; we are acting to motivate facility owners, institutional officers, and other decision makers …
Biochemical and Kinetic Characterization of Xylulose 5-Phosphate/Fructose 6-Phosphate Phosphoketolase 2 (Xfp2) from Cryptococcus neoformans

Xylulose 5-phosphate/fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase (Xfp), previously thought to be present only in bacteria but recently found in fungi, catalyzes the formation of acetyl phosphate from xylulose 5-phosphate or fructose 6-phosphate. Here, we describe the first biochemical and kinetic characterization of a eukaryotic Xfp, from the opportunistic fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which has two XFP genes (designated XFP1 and XFP2). Our kinetic characterization of C. neoformans Xfp2 indicated the existence of both substrate cooperativity for all three substrates and allosteric regulation through the binding of effector molecules at sites separate from the active site. Prior to this study, Xfp enzymes from two bacterial genera had been characterized and were determined to follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics. C. neoformans Xfp2 is inhibited by ATP, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and oxaloacetic acid (OAA) and activated by AMP. ATP is the strongest inhibitor, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.6 mM. PEP and OAA were found to share the same or have overlapping allosteric binding sites, while ATP binds at a separate site. AMP acts as a very potent activator; as little as 20 μM AMP is capable of increasing Xfp2 activity by 24.8% ± 1.0% (mean ± standard error of the mean), while 50 μM prevented inhibition caused by 0.6 mM ATP. AMP and PEP/OAA operated independently, with AMP activating Xfp2 and PEP/OAA inhibiting the activated enzyme. This study provides valuable insight into the metabolic role of Xfp within fungi, specifically the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, and suggests that at least some Xfps display substrate cooperative binding and allosteric regulation.
The ferroxidase center is essential for ferritin iron loading in the presence of phosphate and minimizes side reactions that form Fe(III)-phosphate colloids

Ferritin iron loading was studied in the presence of physiological serum phosphate concentrations (1 mM), elevated serum concentrations (2–5 mM), and intracellular phosphate concentrations (10 mM). Experiments compared iron loading into homopolymers of H and L ferritin with horse spleen ferritin. Prior to studying the reactions with ferritin, a series of control reactions were performed to study the solution chemistry of Fe2+ and phosphate. In the absence of ferritin, phosphate catalyzed Fe2+ oxidation and formed soluble polymeric Fe(III)-phosphate complexes. The Fe(III)-phosphate complexes were characterized by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, which revealed spherical nanoparticles with diameters of 10–20 nm. The soluble Fe(III)-phosphate complexes also formed as competing reactions during iron loading into ferritin. Elemental analysis on ferritin samples separated from the Fe(III)-phosphate complexes showed that as the phosphate concentration increased, the iron loading into horse ferritin decreased. The composition of the mineral that does form inside horse ferritin has a higher iron/phosphate ratio (~1:1) than ferritin purified from tissue (~10:1). Phosphate significantly inhibited iron loading into L ferritin, due to the lack of the ferroxidase center in this homopolymer. Spectrophotometric assays of iron loading into H ferritin showed identical iron loading curves in the presence of phosphate, indicating that the ferroxidase center of H ferritin efficiently competes with phosphate for the binding and oxidation of Fe2+. Additional studies demonstrated that H ferritin ferroxidase activity could be used to oxidize Fe2+ and facilitate the transfer of the Fe3+ into apo transferrin in the presence of phosphate.
Serum Osteoprotegerin in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa

Low bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with a low bone turnover state. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a cytokine that acts as a decoy receptor for receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand, decreases bone resorption by inhibiting differentiation of osteoclast precursors and activation of mature osteoclasts, and by stimulating osteoclast apoptosis. We compared OPG levels in 43 adolescent girls with AN with 38 controls and examined bone density, bone turnover, and hormonal parameters. Girls with AN had lower fat mass, lean body mass, lumbar BMD z-scores, and lumbar bone mineral apparent density than controls. OPG levels were higher in girls with AN than in controls (44.5 +/- 22.5 pg/ml vs. 34.5 +/- 12.7 pg/ml, P = 0.02). Osteocalcin, deoxypyridinoline, estradiol, free testosterone, IGF-I, and leptin were lower in AN than in healthy adolescents. OPG values correlated negatively with body mass index (r = -0.27, P = 0.02), percent fat mass (r = -0.35, P = 0.0002), leptin (r = -0.28, P = 0.02), lumbar BMD z-scores (r = -0.25, P = 0.03), and lumbar bone mineral apparent density (r = -0.26, P = 0.03). In conclusion, adolescent girls with AN have higher serum OPG values than controls. OPG values correlate negatively with markers of nutritional status and lumbar bone density z-scores and may be a compensatory response to the bone loss seen in this population.
Molecular Biology of Pseudorabies Virus: Impact on Neurovirology and Veterinary Medicine

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a herpesvirus of swine, a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, and the etiological agent of Aujeszky's disease. This review describes the contributions of PRV research to herpesvirus biology, neurobiology, and viral pathogenesis by focusing on (i) the molecular biology of PRV, (ii) model systems to study PRV pathogenesis and neurovirulence, (iii) PRV transsynaptic tracing of neuronal circuits, and (iv) veterinary aspects of pseudorabies disease. The structure of the enveloped infectious particle, the content of the viral DNA genome, and a step-by-step overview of the viral replication cycle are presented. PRV infection is initiated by binding to cellular receptors to allow penetration into the cell. After reaching the nucleus, the viral genome directs a regulated gene expression cascade that culminates with viral DNA replication and production of new virion constituents. Finally, progeny virions self-assemble and exit the host cells. Animal models and neuronal culture systems developed for the study of PRV pathogenesis and neurovirulence are discussed. PRV serves as a self-perpetuating transsynaptic tracer of neuronal circuitry, and we detail the original studies of PRV circuitry mapping, the biology underlying this application, and the development of the next generation of tracer viruses. The basic veterinary aspects of pseudorabies management and disease in swine are discussed. PRV infection progresses from acute infection of the respiratory epithelium to latent infection in the peripheral nervous system. Sporadic reactivation from latency can transmit PRV to new hosts. The successful management of PRV disease has relied on vaccination, prevention, and testing.
Governing Cities in the Coming Decade: The Democratic and Regional Disconnects

How will cities be governed in 2020? The answer will depend to a significant degree on reducing two “disconnects”: one between municipal government and its citizenry, and the other between municipal government and its region. Elected, managerial, and intellectual leaders need to strengthen their understanding, capacities, and skills regarding public engagement and regional engagement across jurisdictional boundaries. Enhanced performance of these functions will improve cities’ ability to address problems and seize opportunities in the decade ahead.
Conditional radioresistance of Tet-inducible manganese superoxide dismutase bone marrow stromal cell lines.

Mitochondrial targeted manganese superoxide dismutase is a major antioxidant enzyme, the levels of which modulate the response of cells, tissues and organs to ionizing irradiation. We developed a Tet-regulated MnSOD mouse (MnSODtet) to examine the detailed relationship between cellular MnSOD concentration and radioresistance and carried out in vitro studies using bone marrow culture derived stromal cell lines (mesenchymal stem cells). Homozygous MnSODtet/tet cells had low levels of MnSOD, reduced viability and proliferation, increased radiosensitivity, elevated overall antioxidant stores, and defects in cell proliferation and DNA strand-break repair. Doxycycline (doxy) treatment of MnSODtet/tet cells increased MnSOD levels and radioresistance from n of 2.79 ± 1.04 to 8.69 ± 1.09 (P = 0.0060) and normalized other biologic parameters. In contrast, MnSODtet/tet cells showed minimal difference in baseline and radiation induced mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β, Nrf2 and NF-κB and radiation induced cell cycle a...
Dose-volume complication analysis for visual pathway structures of patients with advanced paranasal sinus tumors☆

Abstract Purpose : The purpose of the present work was to relate dose and volume information to complication data for visual pathway structures in patients with advanced paranasal sinus tumors. Methods and Materials : Three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions for chiasm, optic nerve, and retina were calculated and analyzed for 20 patients with advanced paranasal sinus malignant tmors. 3D treatment planning with beam's eye view capability was used to design beam and block arrangemeents, striving to spare the contralateral orbit (to lessen the chance of unilateral blindness) and frequently the ipsilateral orbit (to help prevent bilateral blindness). Point doses, dose-volume histogram analysis, and normal tissue complciation probability (NTCP) calculations were performed. Published tolerance doses that indicate significant risk of complications were used as guidelines for analysis of the 3D dose distributions. Results : Point doses, percent volume exceeding a specified published tolerance dose, and NTCP calculations are given in detail for patients with complications versus patients without complications. Two optic nerves receiving maximum doses below the published tolerance dose sustained damage (mild vision loss). Three patients (of 13) without optic nerve sparing and/or chiasm sparing had moderate or severe vision loss. Complication data, including individual patient analysis to estimate the overall risk for loss of vision, are given. Conclusion : 3D treatment planning techniques were used successfully to provide bilateral sparing of the globe for most patients. It was more difficult to spare the optic nerves, especially on the ipsilateral side, when prescription dose exceeded the normal tissue tolerance doses. NTCP calculations may be useful in assessing complication risk better than point dose tolerance criteria for the chiasm, optic nerve, and retina. It is important to assess the overall risk of blindness for the patient in addition to the risk for individual visual pathway structures.
Ablative Therapies for Gastrointestinal Malignancies: The Gastrointestinal Oncologist’s Viewpoint

Surgical resection, radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy are the primary treatment modalities for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Ablative therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation hold potential as alternative treatment options that, in the appropriate setting, may be both efficacious and well tolerated. However, while ablative therapies are used commonly in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, their precise role in such patients is poorly defined. Initial studies of ablative therapies have focused on malignancies such as colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors, in which surgical resection, particularly of metastatic lesions, has played an important role. Ablative therapies are less likely to play a significant role in the treatment of gastric and pancreatic cancer, which are more commonly associated with widespread dissemination and peritoneal disease.
Dual-Chamber Plasma Deposition of a-Si:H Solar Cells at High Rates Using Disilane

The use of a separated chamber deposition system for the fabrication of a-Si:H solar cells from disilane at high deposition rates results in a substantial improvement in short circuit current compared to that obtained from a single-chamber system. The spectral responses of cells fabricated in the dual-chamber mode are compared to those made in the single-chamber mode. The results are interpreted by assuming that the rate of removal of boron contaminants from the chamber is independent of deposition rate.
Fatigue crack propagation in high-density polyethylene

An investigation of the influence of crystalline microstructure on fatigue crack propagation (FCP) in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is reported. Various thermal histories were used to generate samples with the same crystallinity and supermolecular structure for three different molecular weight HDPEs. Estimation of tie chain densities were obtained from measurements of brittle fracture stress and predicted from the estimated chain dimensions of the polymers using the modified version of the approach originally taken by Huang and Brown. A significant decrease in FCP resistance and a clear transition to a more brittle fracture surface was observed with decreasing molecular weight. Detailed studies of damaged zones preceding the growing crack show a transition to a more highly branched crack structure for those samples associated with a higher FCP resistance. These results strongly suggest that the branched damaged zone structure improves the FCP resistance by enlarging and blunting the crack tip and, therefore, consuming more energy during the fatigue crack propagation. Additional efforts were made to prepare samples with the same crystallinity and tie chain density, but different supermolecular structure. However, in contrast to reports in the literature, no significant difference in FCP resistance was observed for specimens with different average spherulite sizes. This is probably because the propagating crack front is preceded by a significant zone of plastic deformation and is not expected to directly encounter the spherulites.
Tumor stroma and regulation of cancer development.

AbstractIn the past 25 years, a majority of cancer studies have focused on examining functional consequences of activating and/or inactivating mutations in critical genes implicated in cell cycle control. These studies have taught us a great deal about the functions of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and the signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and/or cell death. However, such studies have largely ignored the fact that cancers are heterogeneous cellular entities whose growth is dependent upon reciprocal interactions between genetically altered “initiated” cells and the dynamic microenvironment in which they live. This review highlights the aspects of cancer development that, like organogenesis during embryonic development and tissue repair in adult mammals, are regulated by interactions between epithelial cells, activated stromal cells, and soluble and insoluble components of the extracellular matrix.
Implications of Respirometric Evaluation for Diagnosis and Management of Vocal Fold Pathologies

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the respirometer as a clinical tool in the diagnosis and management of laryngeal disease. Airflow measurements of an adult male with a vocal fold polyp are reported. A respirometric voice profile for this client was developed over a 14-week period representing 13 preoperative test sessions and one postoperative test session. The findings indicate that a respirometric voice profile may aid the voice pathologist in determining the effectiveness of ongoing therapy procedures and help provide more objective criteria in determining whether to continue or terminate voice therapy. Results suggest that the respirometer is sensitive to small changes in laryngeal function.
Genetic analysis workshop III: Sampling considerations and assumptions in gene mapping

We comment on three aspects of genetic linkage studies: 1) estimation of interference, 2) determining order of loci, and 3) sex differences in recombination.
Determining two-port S-parameters from a one-port measurement using a novel impedance-state test chip

A novel custom high-speed test chip and data reduction technique that allows for the accurate determination of the two-port S-parameters of a passive network from a set of one-port measurements is presented. A typical application for this technique is high-speed integrated circuit package characterization where one-port is of a microelectronic size scale and inside the package. The test chip is designed to operate up to 20 GHz.
Two New Species of Styrax (Styracaceae) from South America

Two new species of Styrax L. from South America are described and illustrated. Styrax macarenensis P. W. Fritsch, endemic to the Serrania de la Macarena in the department of Meta, Colombia, is similar to S. rigidifolius Idrobo & R. E. Schult. but differs in its longer petioles, more rounded leaf blades with denser and larger ferruginous trichomes abaxially, more frequently and more deeply bifurcating leaf blade secondary veins, and drupes without an apical ring. Styrax prancei P. W. Fritsch, endemic to the Serra do Araca in Amazonas State, Brazil, is similar to S. guaiquinimae (Maguire & Steyerm.) P. W. Fritsch but differs in its more narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate to elliptic leaves with nine to 12 secondary veins on each side of the midvein, 2- to 4-flowered inflorescences, and smaller flowers. Both species are known only from their types.
“From Blueprint to Reality”: The Dubuque Leader's Transformation under Cooperative Ownership

Abstract This article considers the economic reorganization and journalism of the Dubuque Leader, a weekly labor newspaper published in Dubuque, Iowa, since 1906. In 1935, in an effort to implement a project of working class journalism unencumbered by extraneous political or economic forces, several figures involved in the eastern Iowa labor movement founded the Iowa Cooperative Publishing Company to take over the Dubuque Leader. In the ensuingyears the newspaper figured centrally in the labor movement's political and organizing campaigns while steering a delicate course vis-a-vis local business and industrial interests and AFL and CIO rivalry.
Accountability for Reasonableness and Priority Setting in Health

Priority setting, whether in health or investments in other goods, is required whenever a society must provide for the needs and welfare of its population and resources are limited, which is always. Since health is only one good among many that a society must provide, however important people claim it is, resources for it are always limited. Yet disagreement about resource allocation is pervasive. Arguably, this means that a form of procedural justice must be used to arrive at priority setting commitments. Although health technology assessment (HTA) gives important advice, standard forms of it underdetermine choices about priority setting. If HTA is embedded in a fair, deliberative process, one that meets the conditions involved in accountability for reasonableness, it can enhance the legitimacy and fairness of its recommendations.
The Actinomyces of the Human Mouth

From time to time it has been suggested that actinomyces normally present in the human mouth might be the cause of actinomycosis' or other pathological conditions in the mouth.2 As yet, however, there is little definite knowledge either regarding the nature of the oral actinomyces or their frequency of occurrence. This investigation of the actinomyces-like organisms of the normal mouth was undertaken in an at-
The Continuing Effort to Enhanced Learning of Mechanical Behavior of Materials via Combined Experiments and nanoHUB Simulations: Learning Modules for Sophomore MSE Students

This paper outlines updates to and evaluation of a learning module that incorporates a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation tool with a physical lab to introduce students to the atomic-level processes that are responsible for plastic deformation. Sophomore materials science and engineering (MSE) students at Purdue University get experience with both a physical laboratory, where they perform and analyze tensile tests of macroscopic samples, and a simulation laboratory, where they run and analyze MD simulations of tensile tests of metal nanowires. By integrating these two activities and discussing reasons for the large difference in yield stress, students may build an intuitive feel for how plastic deformation is linked across length scales
Anti-saturation based robust control of excitation controller

The overshoot of generator excitation controllers often makes the controller operation into the strong nonlinear area with non-ideal control performance.Robust control analysis results reveal that,under the strong interference,the better the controller performance indexes,the easier to get into the overshoot state.Anti-saturation theory based anti-saturation excitation controller with gain matrix feedback is proposed in this paper.By solving the linear matrix inequality,the feasible solution with the amplitude constraint and the gain matrix of compensation part are obtained.When the controller is overshoot,it is adjusted by compensation part.Simulation results show that the extra anti-saturation part is capable of effectively suppress the controller overshoot and improve stability under large disturbances.
Antibodies are back for thymic attack in cGVHD.

In this issue of Blood , [Jin et al][1] uncover how antibodies contribute to B- and T-cell pathology in sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).[1][2] ![Figure][3] Working model of how donor-derived antibodies may help perpetuate cGVHD immune pathology. GCs are required for
Treatment of meningitis in children

The authors offer a treatment plan for bacterial meningitis consisting of a combination of antimicrobial therapy and supportive care of the patient. The treatment of viral meningoencephalitis and fungal meningitis is also discussed.
Opioid-induced Loss of Local Anesthetic Potency in the Rat Sciatic Nerve

BACKGROUND Previous evidence suggests that opioid-tolerant patients are less responsive to local anesthetics (LAs) for postoperative pain management. METHODS To determine whether this apparent loss of LA potency is due to an intrinsic change in the peripheral nerve, the effect of systemic morphine was assessed on the potency of lidocaine-induced block of the compound action potential in isolated rat sciatic nerves. Analgesic efficacy was assessed with the heat withdrawal assay. RESULTS While acute administration of 10 mg/kg morphine had no detectable influence on lidocaine potency, seven daily subcutaneous injections of morphine produced a three-fold decrease in potency (EC50 for block A and C waves for naive rats were [mean ± SD] 186 ± 32 μM [n = 6] and 201 ± 31 μM [n = 6], respectively, vs. 608 ± 53 μM [n = 6] and 613 ± 42 μM [n = 6], respectively [P < 0.001], in nerves from rats that had received seven daily injections of morphine [10 mg/kg]). This loss in potency was both dose-dependent and injection number dependent, such that the magnitude of the loss of lidocaine potency was significantly (n = 6; P < 0.01) correlated (r = 0.93) with the development of morphine tolerance. Interestingly, despite the complete recovery of analgesic efficacy within days after cessation of morphine administration, the morphine-induced decrease in lidocaine potency was fully manifest even 35 days after the last morphine injection. Coadministration of naloxone (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), but not of naloxone methiodide (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously), with each of seven daily injections of morphine blocked the decrease in lidocaine potency. CONCLUSIONS These preclinical data suggest that the morphine-induced decrease in LA potency is due, at least in part, to the intrinsic changes in the peripheral nerve. Identification of the underlying mechanisms may suggest strategies for more effective postoperative pain management in the growing population of opioid-tolerant patients.
New Biology to New Treatment of Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial carcinogen that is supposed to have the highest known level of risk for the development of gastri