cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking Autoimmunity and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Several U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies are now available for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); nevertheless, patients with PAH continue to die from progression of their disease. Therefore, there is a pressing need to better understand the pathobiology of PAH and identify new therapeutic targets for this deadly condition. Recent reports suggest an association between treatment with type I interferons (IFNs), a group that includes IFN-α and -β and the development of PAH. Moreover, the incidence of PAH is higher in conditions in which type I IFN is chronically elevated, including systemic sclerosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection. George et al . studied whether the activation of certain IFN pathways, such as IFN-induced protein 10 (IP 10) and endothelin-1, contributes to the development of PAH. In human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, IFN-α and IFN-γ, a type II IFN, induced the release of IP 10 and endothelin-1. IP 10 promotes inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, whereas endothelin-1 mainly acts as a vasoconstrictor and stimulant of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Serum levels of IFN-α, IFN-γ, IP 10, and endothelin-1 were higher in patients with systemic sclerosis and PAH than in those without PAH. Similarly, the expression of IFN-α receptor (IFNAR1) was higher in the lungs of patients with systemic sclerosis and PAH as compared with those of controls. In addition, mice lacking functional IFNAR1 (IFNAR1−/−) were protected from the development of PAH and had no significant rise in serum endothelin-1 when exposed to chronic hypoxia. The results of this study provide a link (type I IFN) that connects autoimmunity with the development of PAH, an association partially mediated by endothelin-1. Although treatment with endothelin receptor antagonists (bosentan, ambrisentan, and the newly released macitentan) is currently available, the present investigation suggests that targeting upstream targets in the IFN pathway might be more effective. P. M. George et al ., Evidence for the involvement of type i interferon in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circ. Res. , published online 13 December 2013 (10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.302221). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://circres.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/12/13/CIRCRESAHA.114.302221.abstract
THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF QUADRUPOLE PERTURBATIONS ON TIME-INTEGRATED ANGULAR CORRELATIONS.

Recent advances in the dynamic reorientation effect1) have stimulated this examination of the possibility of performing static measurements of nuclear quadrupole moments. Comparisons of results from the two methods could lead to new insights concerning the static or dynamic nature of nuclear deformations during Coulomb excitation. The electric field gradients required for such static experiments are readily supplied by the lattice field gradients found in commercially available single crystals.
Predicting vaginal birth after cesarean delivery: a review of prognostic factors and screening tools.

Abstract Objective Our purpose was to identify the factors associated with vaginal delivery after trial of labor in patients with a prior cesarean and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing screening tools. Study design Studies were identified through MEDLINE and HealthSTAR (1980-2002), reference list reviews, and suggestions of national experts. Results Thirteen of the 100 eligible studies provided fair to good quality evidence for the predictive nature of 12 factors. Two of the six screening tools were considered promising and demonstrated reproducibility through validation studies. Conclusions There is little high-quality data to guide clinical decisions regarding which women are likely to have a successful trial of labor. Although we identified two validated screening tools that may be reasonable for practitioners to use, further development is needed to deliver them in a user-friendly manner and further research is needed to determine the clinical setting in which they are most useful. Conducting high-quality research on the factors that delineate women who are at higher likelihood of vaginal delivery without complications and developing accurate user-friendly screening tools to integrate these data should be a national research priority.
Drug-Taking Behavior, Compulsory Treatment, and Desistance: Implications of Self-Organization and Natural Recovery for Policy and Practice

Abstract The tremendous economic, social, and human costs associated with fighting the war on drugs-in conjunction with its demonstrable lack of success-have led criminologists and policymakers to search for alternative models/strategies with which to understand and confront drug-taking behavior. In recent years, the medical model of substance use has resurfaced. In this paradigm, consumers are diseased, sick, and in need of treatment rather than subjected to wholesale punishment. Given this revival in orientation, drug offenders increasingly are diverted to behavioral and psychopharmacological therapy in lieu of more punitive (and retributive) dispositions. Critics, however, raise ethical as well as pragmatic concerns about such compulsory treatment. This essay reviews these concerns. Drawing on the self-organization, natural recovery, and harm reduction literature, a number of pivotal themes are enumerated that reconfigure what it means to foster ethical drug policy and sound rehabilitative practice as ...
4551 Long-term outcome of 200 patients after endoscopic ultrasound/fine needle aspiration for indeterminate pancreaticobiliary lesions.

Lesions found at CT scan or ERCP that are indeterminate for cancer (CA) are a diagnostic dilemma. AIM: To compare the diagnostic yield, accuracy, and long-term outcome of EUS/FNA for the diagnosis of indeterminate pancreatico-biliary (PB) lesions. METHODS: Patients (pts)with indeterminate lesions (mass or fullness by CT scan and/or ductal stricture at ERCP with no or atypical symptoms) were prospectively evaluated by EUS/FNA and compared to negative and positive controls. Negative controls had a low risk of CA (normal CT with symptoms, abnormal CT, or stricture without symptoms). Positive controls had a high risk of CA (mass ± invasion or metastasis by CT, ductal stricture(s), pain, jaundice, weight loss, and/or anorexia). EUS/FNA was repeated for indeterminate lesions if initially nondiagnostic or surgery not performed. Final diagnoses was determined by FNA, surgery, or minimum follow-up of 6 months. RESULTS: 200 pts (21 low, 171 indeterminate, 8 high) were studied over 3 years. Follow-up was available on all but 9 pts. Mean follow-up was 14 months (range 7-37). 97 pts had EUS/FNA and 71 pts had surgery. 0%, 30%, and 88% of low, indeterminate, and high risk lesions, resp, were diagnosed by EUS/FNA as tumor (52 adenoCA, 4 islet cell, 1 lymphoma). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS for diagnosis of tumor in all pts was 96%, 95%, and 96%, resp. EUS/FNA provided a histologic diagnosis of CA in 3/5 and 3/6 pts with nondiagnostic surgery/surgical biopsies and percutaneous FNA, resp. EUS led to a change in diagnosis or CA stage, diagnostic or treatment plan in 86% of pts with indeterminate lesions. 32 patients had 1-3 repeat EUS/FNA for persistent lesions, which led to diagnosis of 3 more CA and showed stability, improvement, or complete resolution of all benign masses. Pseudotumors were due to focal pancreatitis and pancreas divisum. Compared to CT, EUS was more likely to visualize a tumor (65% vs 17%, resp, p =.004) and diagnose earlier stage, resectable indeterminate lesions (41% vs 10% Stage I, resp, p=.02). Significantly more patients with CA diagnosed by EUS alone were alive at follow-up (62% vs. 24%, p=.001). CONCLUSION: EUS/FNA is the diagnostic modality of choice for indeterminate PB lesions. It accurately differentiates tumor from pseudotumor, diagnoses early lesions, impacts on patient care, and improves outcome. EUS/FNA can diagnose CA when percutaneous biopsy and surgical exploration are nondiagnostic. Repeat EUS/FNA improves diagnostic yield.
A practical guide to modern airborne networking

This paper reviews recent experiments with airborne networking, including Bold Quest 2007 and Joint Expeditionary Force Experiments (JEFX) in 2006 and 2008, to examine the different options for building airborne networks given the current state of technology and installed equipment base. This includes combining data between legacy data-links and the IP world of applications, deploying IP applications designed for more robust networks, and airborne network management. Three different general architectures are examined for their inherent strengths and weaknesses in functionality, implementation, and extensibility. The author of this paper, from the Air Forcepsilas Electronic Systems Center(ESC), implemented network management and assessment tools to collect network performance data at multiple terrestrial and airborne points in the network to gather the data presented, along with application logs, and user comments. This paper is intended for readers with a cursory knowledge of military data-links and IP networks.
Measurements of PANs during the New England Air Quality Study 2002

[1] Measurements of peroxycarboxylic nitric anhydrides (PANs) were made during the New England Air Quality Study 2002 cruise of the NOAA RV Ronald H Brown. The four compounds observed, PAN, peroxypropionic nitric anhydride (PPN), peroxymethacrylic nitric anhydride (MPAN), and peroxyisobutyric nitric anhydride (PiBN) were compared with results from other continental and Gulf of Maine sites. Systematic changes in PPN/PAN ratio, due to differential thermal decomposition rates, were related quantitatively to air mass aging. At least one early morning period was observed when O3 seemed to have been lost probably due to NO3 and N2O5 chemistry. The highest O3 episode was observed in the combined plume of isoprene sources and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx sources from the greater Boston area. A simple linear combination model showed that the organic precursors leading to elevated O3 were roughly half from the biogenic and half from anthropogenic VOC regimes. An explicit chemical box model confirmed that the chemistry in the Boston plume is well represented by the simple linear combination model. This degree of biogenic hydrocarbon involvement in the production of photochemical ozone has significant implications for air quality control strategies in this region.
Effect of jet-jet spacing on convective heat transfer to confined, impinging arrays of axisymmetric air jets

Abstract The effects of jet-jet spacing ( X n D ), low nozzle-plate spacings ( H D = 0.25, 1.0 and 6.0 ) and spent air exits located between the jet orifices were studied on the magnitude and uniformity of the convective heat transfer coefficients for confined 3 × 3 square arrays of isothermal axisymmetric air jets impinging normally to a heated surface. Local and average Nusselt numbers are presented for Reynolds number range of 3500–20 400. The local Nusselt numbers illustrate the (non)uniformity of the heat transfer and aid in understanding the variations in the average Nusselt number. The jet-jet spacing affects the convective coefficient by varying the influence of the adjacent jet interference and fraction of the impingement surface covered by the wall jet. The addition of spent air exits increased the convective coefficient and influenced the location of the optimum separation distance. In addition, significant enhancement of the uniformity and the convective coefficients was observed at H D = 0.25 and 1.0 when compared to H D = 6.0 .
A two-dimensional hardware design language for VLSI

Abstract Hardware design languages which allow compile-time parameterization have had only limited success so far in getting user acceptance. A major stumbling block has been their one-dimensional nature. Designers prefer to represent the connectivity aspects of their designs in terms of pictures due to the two-dimensional nature of circuits. Therefore we propose a two-dimensional language for parameterized structural descriptions which is intended as graphical input language for a silicon compiler. This graphical language is useful for other applications which involve describing parameterized hierarchical directed graphs.
Determination of Interstitial Deuterium Locations in Niobium by Channeling

Channeling provides a new technique for determining the lattice positions of deuterium atoms in single crystals at low concentrations. In the present investigation the D(d,p)T reaction yield was measured around the 〈100〉 and the 〈111〉 incidence directions of a 300 keV deuteron beam penetrating through niobium loaded with 2 atomic percent deuterium. In combination with flux and energy distribution calculations of the channeled deuterons the conclusion was reached that at 150 K the dissolved deuterium atoms are located at tetrahedral lattice sites. Measurements at room temperature indicate that deuterium at 295 K occupies the same sites. Channeling liefert eine neue Methode zur Bestimmung der Gitterpositionen von Deuteriumatomen in Einkristallen bei niedrigen Konzentrationen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Protonenausbeute aus einer D(d, p) T-Kernreaktion zwischen Deuteriumatomen, gelost in einem Niobeinkristall (Konzentration: 2 Atomprozent), und einem 300 keV-Deuteronenstrahl in Abhangigkeit vom Einfallswinkel der Deuteronen zur 〈100〉 und 〈111〉)-Achse des Kristalls gemessen. Durch Vergleich dieser Protonenausbeuteprofile, deren Struktur empfindlich von der jeweiligen Zwischengitterposition der Deuteriumatome abhangt, mit Profilen, die aus der Deuteronenflus- und energieverteilung fur verschiedene Deuteriumpositionen berechnet wurden, konnte geschlossen werden, daO Deuterium bei 150°K und einer Konzentration von 2 Atomprozent in Niob Tetraederplatze einnimmt. Messungen bei Zimmertemperatur ergaben, das Deuterium bei 295°K die gleichen Platze besetzt.
Hepatic synthesis of apoproteins of very low density and high density lipoproteins in perfused rat liver: influence of chronic heavy and moderate doses of ethanol.

The effects of 6 weeks of heavy and moderate ethanol feeding to rats upon lipids and lipoprotein metabolism were determined. As compared to the control group, the heavy ethanol feeding resulted in the following changes: liver weight/kilogram body weight increased by 48% (p < 0.001) with a concomitant 52% increase (p < 0.001) in liver protein/kilogram body weight and a 2.75-fold (p < 0.001) increase in liver total lipids/kilogram body weight. in contrast, liver DNA/kilogram body weight or per liver was not affected significantly. Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were higher by 53% (p < 0.01) and 77% (p < 0.01), respectively. Liver cholesterol and triglycerides were 4.4-fold and 3.6-fold higher (p < 0.001), respectively. Plasma total A, was 1.72-fold higher (p < 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in plasma apo E levels between the two groups. However, plasma high density lipoproteins (HDI) apo E was 48% lower (p < 0.02) while the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) E was 2.15-fold higher (p < 0.02). Hepatic total protein synthetic rate in the ethanol group was not significantly different from the control group. In contrast, labeled leucine incorporation into the total secretory proteins was inhibited by 36% (p < 0.01) in ethanol-fed group. Specifically, inhibitions of the synthetic rates of various secretory proteins in the ethanol group compared to the control group were as follows: by 55% (p < 0.005) for total VLDL apoproteins, by 44% (p < 0.05) for apo A1 protein, by 55% (p < 0.001) for total apo E proteins, by 62% (p < 0.001) for VLDL apo E, by 52% (p < 0.001) for HDL apo E and by 50% (p < 0.001) for transferrin. In contrast, moderate ethanol feeding for six weeks did not alter any of the above parameters. Thus, impaired synthesis/secretion of VLDL and HDL could be the major cause for fatty liver after alcohol abuse.
The Embryonic Development of Ear-Tufts and Associated Structural Head and Neck Abnormalities of the Araucana Fowl

Abstract Developing embryonic structural abnormalities of ear-tufted embryos of the Araucana fowl are described. These abnormal structures are peduncle, cleft, ear opening, tympanic membrane, and columella auris. The structural abnormalities are believed to be due to the early incomplete fusion of the hyoid and mandibular arches from the distal part of the ear opening to the neck area.
Increased erythrocyte Ca2+ content in hereditary spherocytosis.

Extract: The Ca2+ content of red blood cells (RBC) appears to correlate inversely with the Ca2+-ATPase activity of the red cell membrane (Fig. 1). When hereditary spherocytosis (HS) cells and normal control erythrocytes are compared, the dependence of Ca2+ content upon ATPase activity is similar. The Ca2+ content of HS red cells is increased compared with appropriate control erythrocytes matched for cell age (Fig. 2). Splenectomy has a different effect upon HS cells than upon normal cells (Fig. 2). Erythrocytes of splenectomized patients with HS seem to contain less Ca2+ than do those of presplenectomy patients with H S, whereas the reverse appears to pertain in normal subjects. Speculation: The control of RBC Ca2+ content is complex. Although there may be some dependence upon Ca2+-ATPase, other factors are involved. The splenic environment may be particularly unfavorable for the extrusion of Ca2+ from the HS red cell, thus leading to excessive accumulation of Ca2+ and further impairment of RBC membrane function in the splenic milieu. This process may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of hemolysis in hereditary spherocytosis.
Polarization properties of Scarabaeidae

Beetles of the scarab family are known to reflect circularly polarized light from incident unpolarized light. They are unusual in that there are many animals that use polarized light in some form and several that actually create it, but there are few examples of the creation of circularly polarized light by animals. Scarabs have been measured with a spectropolarimetric reflectometer and are found to reflect light that is generally left-hand circularly polarized. Previous work is summarized, and what is believed to be new measurements of several scarab specimens are presented.
NMR SOLUTION STRUCTURE AND CONFORMATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE CALCIUM RELEASE AGENT CYCLIC ADENOSINE 5′-DIPHOSPHATE RIBOSE (cADPR)

A high-resolution NMR study of the solution structure of the calcium release agent cADPR has been performed. Pseudorotationals analysis reveals that in solution both sugar rings in cADPR adopt predominantly (approximately 75%) South conformations, with the A and N rings adopting approximately 2T3 (C2'-endo(major)-C3'-exo(minor) and 4(3)T (C3'-exo-C4'-endo) conformations, respectively. The backbone torsion angles beta and gamma have also been determined. While the minor North conformers were not observed in the crystal structure of cADPR, the solution values of the major South conformers compare well to those found in crystal structure.
Lack of a unique termination site for the first round of bacteriophage lambda DNA replication.

Abstract From previous data on the first round of bacteriophage λ c II c III DNA replication (Schnos & Inman, 1970) it is possible to estimate, by extrapolation, the position on circular λ DNA where bidirectional growing points meet. In the present study we have investigated whether this position occurs at a genetically defined site. To this end, replicative intermediates of λ mutants containing either deletions to the left of the replication origin, or one deletion plus a duplication to the right, were analyzed in the electron microscope. Our results indicate that: (i) leftward growing points can traverse the extrapolated termination point calculated from the λ c II c III data, (ii) no discontinuity of either right or leftward growing fork position is observed, and (iii) the extrapolated termination points for these mutants are well removed from those calculated for λ c II c III DNA. From these data we conclude that there is probably no unique termination site for the first round of λ DNA replication and that termination occurs simply by collision of the growing forks.
The Effect of Stable Dissolved‐Oxygen Stress on Marine Benthic Invertebrate Community Diversity

The Fosa de Cariaco off the coast of Venezuela is an anoxic basin which is subject to small seasonal fluctuations in the depth of the anoxic water. Samples taken in the interface region (between oxic and anoxic waters) contained from 13 to 37 species represented by 117 to 380 individuals. Species-diversity, based on H′(s), was greater than that previously reported for samples from oxygen minimum regions. It is suggested that the relatively stable low dissolvedoxygen concentrations allow the development of diverse assemblages.
False Alarm Rate for Rank Quantizer When Input Range Samples are not Independent

Under the assumption that the non-independent range samples fed into the rank quantizer form a first-order Markov sequence, the first threshold false alarm probability Pn is written in the form of a multiple integral, the multiplicity being equal to the number of samples or quantizer taps. The Rice model for narrow-band noise (clutter) is used to check the effect of correlation on Pn using the derived formula. For the limited case examined, correlation be tween samples decreases Pn as compared with the independent samples case.
A Study of the Frequency and Social Determinants of Exposure to Cancer-Related Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Among Breast, Prostate, and Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Cancer-related direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) is controversial because cancer treatment is complex and entails more risks and costs than typical treatments that are advertised for other conditions. Drawing from the Structural Influence Model of Communication, this study explores communication inequalities in DTCA exposure across social determinants among a population-based sample of 2013 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancers. Three survey items assessed patients’ frequency of encountering ads concerning treatment alternatives for cancer, dealing with side effects of treatment, and doctors or hospitals offering services for cancer following their diagnosis. The analysis showed that overall exposure to DTCA in this study population was modest (median was once per week). Breast cancer patients reported significantly higher exposure to all three ad categories and overall DTCA exposure than prostate and colorectal cancer patients. Older patients consistently reported lower over...
Inherited thrombophilia: a possible cause of in utero vascular thrombosis in children with intestinal atresia.

Abstract Background: Congenital atresia of the small and large intestine is thought to evolve from in utero mesenteric vascular occlusion of the corresponding intestinal segment. Because spontaneous thrombosis recently has been described in association with inherited thrombophilia, the authors wondered if inherited thrombophilia also might be found in babies with intestinal atresia. Methods: Genetic analysis was done on 28 children treated for congenital intestinal atresia. DNA was analyzed for point mutations to detect the 2 most common types of inherited thrombophilia, the G1691A mutation in the factor V gene (factor V Leiden) and the G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene. In addition, other genetic risk factors for thrombosis were analyzed including the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) and 2 polymorphisms of the factor VII gene (the R353Q and the hypervariable region 4 polymorphisms). Results: The factor V Leiden mutation was present in 5 of 28 (18%) children treated for congenital intestinal atresia. This is increased significantly when compared with the reported carrier frequency of 3% to 7% in the general population and a reported carrier rate of 4.2% in the local population ( P P MTHFR gene, or the hypervariable region of the factor VII gene. Conclusions: The factor V Leiden mutation and the RR subtype of the R353Q polymorphism of the factor VII gene are seen at an increased frequency in children with congenital intestinal atresia. This suggests that inherited thrombophilia may play a role in the etiology of these in utero mesenteric thrombotic events. J Pediatr Surg 36:1146-1149. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Three-component isotopic heterogeneity near the Oceanographer transform, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Tholeiitic basalts collected over an area of less than 100 km2 near the Oceanographer transform fault have isotopic compositions interpreted as mixing between three chemically distinct mantle sources. Of the two enriched sources, one has an isotopic composition not previously observed in basalts from the North Atlantic. Its characteristics suggest a model whereby portions of the mantle currently beneath 35° N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge contain detached fragments of old sub-continental mantle.
The analysis of three-way contingency tables by three-mode association models

TheRC(M) association model (Goodman, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1991) is useful for analyzing the relationship between the variables of a 2-way cross-classification. The models presented here are generalizations of theRC(M) association model for 3-way tables. The family of models proposed here, “3-mode association” models, use Tucker's 3-mode components model (Tucker, 1964, 1966; Kroonenberg, 1983) to represent either the three factor interaction or the combined effects of two and three factor interactions. An example from a study in developmental psychology (Kramer & Gottman, 1992) is provided to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed models.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in the Elderly

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in elderly individuals is associated with a unique set of challenges, some of which are related to age. This article examines the diagnosis and management of IBD in the context of recent advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis, and newer therapeutic modalities that have been possible from these advances.
EXPRESSION OF NUCLEAR LAMINS IN HUMAN TISSUES AND CANCER CELL LINES AND TRANSCRIPTION FROM THE PROMOTERS OF THE LAMIN A/C AND B1 GENES

We have examined the expression of lamins A, B1, and C in human tissues and cancer cell lines and the function of the lamin A/C and B1 gene promoters in transfected cells. Northern analysis and immunoblotting demonstrated that lamin A/C mRNA and protein were not detectable in some human cell lines whereas lamin B1 was always present. Sequencing of approximately 2.6 kb of the lamin A/C and 1.6 kb of the lamin B1 genes 5' to the translation initiation sites showed that they did not contain typical TATA boxes near the transcription start sites. The lamin B1 and A/C proximal promoter regions were transcribed in transfected HeLa, Raji, and NT2/D1 cell lines even if the cells did not contain detectable endogenous lamin A/C mRNA or protein. These results show that, similar to most cytoplasmic intermediate filament genes, transcriptional regulatory elements in the promoters of the human nuclear lamin A/C and B1 genes do not control their cell type-specific expression in culture lines.
Fifty Years Later: From a War on Poverty to a War on the Poor

> “There is no blight on American life so great as the enduring poverty in our great cities and of the still unseen poor in the rural and mountain regions. And, of course, in the larger world.” > > John K. Galbraith, The Affluent Society ([1958] 1998:xii) It was images of poor families taken in rural Appalachia by photographers Billy Barnes, John Dominis, and Andrew Stern, coupled with the writings of The New York Times journalist Homer Bigart and seminal books by scholars Michael Harrington ( The Other America [1962]) and John Galbraith ( The Affluent Society [{1958}1998]) that brought poverty to light as a major social problem facing a relatively affluent America of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Concerned with expanding opportunities and increasing income for the 37 million Americans living in poverty at the time, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an unconditional war on poverty on January 8, 1964, initiating a “new era of direct federal involvement in schools, hospitals, labor markets, and neighborhoods” (quoted in Bailey and Danziger 2013:1-3). The overarching goals of the War on Poverty were to: sustain high levels of employment; accelerate national and regional economic growth; improve labor markets; regenerate urban and rural communities; expand educational and training opportunities for youth as well as adults; advance the nation’s health; and expand support to the elderly and disabled (Bailey and Danziger 2013:7). To address these goals, Johnson worked with Congress to pass more than 200 pieces of legislation, resulting in the largest expansion of social safety net programs in U.S. history. This legislation created the Medicaid and Medicare programs providing health care to low-income people and the elderly; expanded the Head Start early education program; increased funding for K-12 and postsecondary education; established Food Stamps (currently known as SNAP) and other school and community-based nutrition programs; …
Comparative Activity of Vitamin H Curative of Egg-White Injury Administered Orally and Parenterally to Rats

ConclusionThe factor (vitamin H) curative of egg-white injury in rats is 3 to 5 times more effective in parenteral than in oral administration.
Tissue engineered cartilage: utilization of autologous serum and serum-free media for chondrocyte culture.

Summary Background Standard culture medium contains bovine serum. If standard culture methodology is used for future human tissue-engineering, unknown risks of infection from bovine disease or immune reaction to foreign proteins theoretically might occur. In this study we wished to evaluate the potential of chondrocyte expansion using autologous and serum free media. Methods Autologous auricular cartilage was harvested in a swine model. An initial concentration of 100 × 10 3 cells per group were expanded in three groups. Group A, F-12 with 10% fetal calf serum; Group B, F-12 supplemented with 10% autologous serum; Group C, F-12 supplemented with growth factors. Cell numbers were counted at days 3, 6, 9 and 12. Results The cells in all the three groups exhibited normal chondrocyte morphology. At early time points there was a statistically significant difference in the number of cells between Group A and the two other groups ( p p Conclusion The results suggest that both autologous serum as well as serum free media might be substituted for the expansion of the number of chondrocytes, thus avoiding the potential need for a bovine serum supplement.
In-bed posture classification and limb identification

We propose an algorithm that uses pressure image data to detect a person's sleeping posture and identifies different body limbs. Our algorithm can be used in monitoring bed-bound patients and assessing the risk of pressure ulceration. We used a GMM-based clustering approach for concurrent posture classifi- cation and limb identification. Our proposed technique, applied on 9 healthy subjects instructed to sleep in 13 different postures, resulted in 98.4% classification accuracy in distinguishing three main stable sleeping postures. Additionally, 8 limbs in supine and 5 limbs in left/right side postures were identified with the overall accuracy of 91.6%. I. INTRODUCTION Pressure ulcers are injuries to skin and underlying tissues as a result of prolonged pressure. They may develop quickly (e.g. in multi-hour surgery or within a few days recovery after surgery) and are difficult to treat and must be taken seriously. If left unchecked, an ulcer can lead to amputation or even death (1). Once developed, pressure ulcers increase hospital stay costs and impose an enormous burden on our healthcare system. A system that can monitor and record patient's sleeping postures unobtrusively over time has a unique value for the researchers in the pressure ulcer field as well as better management of hospital resources (2). Electronic pressure monitoring systems are commercially available in the form of pressure mats that can cover beds and wheelchairs (3). Posture detection using these thin layer of pressure sensors not only has the advantage of saving the patient's privacy (in comparison with using video camera), but also provides the pressure experienced by each body limb at a given posture. Every posture exposes the body to a different set of pressures. Every time the patient is moved between postures, the actual pressure applied on each limb may be slightly different. An automated body limb identification would allow patient's risk of ulceration to be tracked in real time for various limbs based on the actual experienced pressure. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that simultaneously detects the sleeping postures and the corresponding body limbs that are in touch with the bed surface. The limb identification method divides the pressure image of the human body into regions that are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers. We created an advanced clustering based around carefully chosen initial conditions and constraints. Our approach uses a 2D Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) with a boosting system based on a tree classifier for posture classification. There are existing approaches to label postures from an image acquired from a camera. Pressure images have significantly lower resolution than camera images. However, they contain pressure information, which our approach uses to obtain higher accuracy than could be obtained from treating the image as a simple silhouette.
Separate may not be equal: a preliminary investigation of clinical correlates of electronic psychiatric record accessibility in academic medical centers.

Abstract Objectives Electronic Medical Records (EMR) have the potential to improve the coordination of healthcare in this country, yet the field of psychiatry has lagged behind other medical disciplines in its adoption of EMR. Methods Psychiatrists at 18 of the top US hospitals completed an electronic survey detailing whether their psychiatric records were stored electronically and accessible to non-psychiatric physicians. Electronic hospital records and accessibility statuses were correlated with patient care outcomes obtained from the University Health System Consortium Clinical Database available for 13 of the 18 top US hospitals. Results 44% of hospitals surveyed maintained most or all of their psychiatric records electronically and 28% made psychiatric records accessible to non-psychiatric physicians; only 22% did both. Compared with hospitals where psychiatric records were not stored electronically, the average 7-day readmission rate of psychiatric patients was significantly lower at hospitals with psychiatric EMR (5.1% vs. 7.0%, p =.040). Similarly, the 14 and 30-day readmission rates at hospitals where psychiatric records were accessible to non-psychiatric physicians were lower than those of their counterparts with non-accessible records (5.8% vs. 9.5%, p =.019, 8.6% vs. 13.6%, p =.013, respectively). The 7, 14, and 30-day readmission rates were significantly lower in hospitals where psychiatric records were both stored electronically and made accessible than at hospitals where records were either not electronic or not accessible (4% vs 6.6%, 5.8% vs 9.1%, 8.9 vs 13%, respectively, all with p =0.045). Conclusions Having psychiatric EMR that were accessible to non-psychiatric physicians correlated with improved clinical care as measured by lower readmission rates specific for psychiatric patients.
Solubilization sites in phospholipid bilayers: studies with photochemically reactive probes [1]

Abstract We have used a number of photochemically reactive probes, primarily derivatives of trans -stilbene, all-trans 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene to study fluidity, polarity and order in different regions of various phospholipid bilayers. The molecules synthesized and studied include functionalized surfactants, hydrophobic and relatively polar derivatives, all of which might be expected to localize at different sites and to perturb the bilayer to varying extents. Results of this study demonstrate that a wide variety of sites exist for solubilization of molecules in phospholipid bilayers and indicate that in some cases distribution between different sites can be controlled by very subtle factors.
The vitamin D receptor, the skin and stem cells

The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, has been shown to have pro-differentiation and antiproliferative effects on keratinocytes that are mediated by interactions with its nuclear receptor. Other cutaneous actions of the vitamin D receptor have been brought to light by the cutaneous phenotype of humans and mice with non-functional vitamin D receptors. Although mice lacking functional vitamin D receptors develop a normal first coat of hair, they exhibit impaired cyclic regeneration of hair follicles that leads to the development of alopecia. Normal hair cycling involves reciprocal interactions between the dermal papilla and the epidermal keratinocyte. Studies in mice with targeted ablation of the vitamin D receptor demonstrate that the abnormality in the hair cycle is due to a defect in the keratinocyte component of the hair follicle. Furthermore, expression of mutant vitamin D receptor transgenes in the keratinocytes of vitamin D receptor knockout mice demonstrates that the effects of the receptor that maintain hair follicle homeostasis are ligand-independent. Absence of a functional vitamin D receptor leads to impaired function of keratinocyte stem cells, both in vivo and in vitro. This is manifested by impaired cyclic regeneration of the hair follicle, a decrease in bulge keratinocyte stem cells with ageing and an abnormality in lineage progression of these cells, leading to their preferential differentiation into sebocytes.
A Practical Approach to the Family That Expects a Miracle

When a patient is extremely ill and/or dying, and the family expects a miraculous recovery, this situation can be very challenging to physicians, particularly when there is certainty that the miracle will occur through divine intervention. A practical approach is therefore provided to clinicians for engaging families that anticipate the miraculous healing of a sick patient. This strategy involves exploring the meaning and significance of a miracle, providing a balanced, nonargumentative response and negotiation of patient-centered compromises, while conveying respect for patient spirituality and practicing good medicine. Such an approach, tailored to the specifics of each family, can be effective in helping a family come to a place of acceptance about the impending death of their loved one.
Negotiating Borders with Valores del Rancho

While much has been written on the effects of Mexican immigration in the United States, little research exists on the ways in which transnationals who have returned to Mexico have adapted to and/or...
Superoxide dismutase restores eNOS expression and function in resistance pulmonary arteries from neonatal lambs with persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) expression and activity are decreased in fetal lambs with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). We sought to determine the impact of mechanical ventilation with O2 with or without inhaled NO (iNO) or recombinant human SOD (rhSOD) on eNOS in the ductal ligation model of PPHN. PPHN lambs and age-matched controls were ventilated with 100% O2 for 24 h alone or combined with 20 ppm iNO continuously or a single dose of rhSOD (5 mg/kg) given intratracheally at delivery. In 1-day spontaneously breathing lambs, eNOS expression in resistance pulmonary arteries increased relative to fetal levels. eNOS expression increased in control lambs ventilated with 100% O2, but not in PPHN lambs. Addition of iNO or rhSOD increased eNOS expression and decreased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PPHN lambs relative to those ventilated with 100% O2 alone. However, only rhSOD restored eNOS function, increased tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a critical cofactor for eNOS function, and restored GTP cyclohydrolase I expression in isolated vessels and lungs from PPHN lambs. These data suggest that ventilation of PPHN lambs with 100% O2 increases ROS production, blunts postnatal increases in eNOS expression, and decreases available BH4 in PPHN lambs. Although the addition of iNO or rhSOD diminished ROS production and increased eNOS expression, only rhSOD improved eNOS function and levels of available BH4. Thus therapies designed to decrease oxidative stress and restore eNOS coupling, such as rhSOD, may prove useful in the treatment of PPHN in newborn infants.
The Proximal Effects of Acute Alcohol Consumption on Male-to-Female Aggression: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Experimental Literature

The current meta-analytic review examined the experimental literature to quantify the causal effect of acute alcohol consumption on self-reported and observed indicators of male-to-female general, sexual, and intimate partner aggression. Database and reference list searches yielded 22 studies conducted between 1981 and 2014 that met all criteria for inclusion and that were subjected to full text coding for analysis. RESULTS detected a significant overall effect (d =.36), indicating that male participants who consumed alcohol evidenced greater aggressive behavior toward females while completing a subsequent laboratory aggression paradigm than male participants who received no alcohol. We found homogeneity across all categories of potential moderator variables. RESULTS further indicated that alcohol resulted in comparable increases of male-to-female sexual (d =.32) and intimate partner (d =.45) aggression. Further research is required to draw meaningful conclusions about individual and situational factors that may interact with acute alcohol consumption to produce the highest levels of risk. Language: en
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

With his revolutionary work "The Origin of Species", Charles Darwin overthrew contemporary beliefs about Divine Providence and the beginnings of life on earth. Written for the general public of the 1850s, it is a rigorously documented but highly readable account of the scientific theory that now lies at the root of our present attitude to the universe. Challenging notions such as the fixity of species with the idea of natural selection, and setting forth the results of pioneering work on the ecology of animals and plants, it made a lasting contribution to philosophical and scientific thought.
From Lash to Red Star: the pitfalls of counter-insurgency in Ethiopia, 1980-82

By 1980, Ethiopia was gripped in escalating civil wars. After a series of punitive expeditions had failed to suppress them, the government organised large-scale operations in the early 1980s against the insurgencies in the eastern and northern territories. The operations seemed to have been informed by what is called ‘total strategy’. Although the emphasis was on the coercive component, the state also used psychological and economic incentives. The results were mixed. The eastern rebels were defeated more easily because they were factious. The northern campaign failed because of the rebels' staunchness and the terrain's unsuitability. In a cold test of wills, the Eritrean fighters not only held the offensive to a stalemate, but also went on to win total military victory. Same strategy, different outcomes: this suggests that no single counter-insurgency strategy can always have the same results as it is influenced by numerous factors that may vary from one place to another.
Algebraically Defined Gramians for Nonlinear Systems

In this paper, controllability and observability Gramian definitions central to the model reduction method for bilinear state space systems due to Al-Baiyat, et al. are extended to the nonlinear affine control case. While in general these algebraically defined Gramians lack a direct physical interpretation, their numerical tractability is superior to the established general nonlinear Gramian generalizations known as the energy functions. The latter can only be determined at present by either solving a pair of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations or by Monte-Carlo simulation. Connections between the algebraic Gramians developed here and existing nonlinear Gramian generalizations are presented. A connection to approximation theory for nonlinear operators is also described. Cascade lemma for set-stable systems
Learning 3-D Scene Structure from a Single Still Image

We consider the problem of estimating detailed 3D structure from a single still image of an unstructured environment. Our goal is to create 3D models which are both quantitatively accurate as well as visually pleasing. For each small homogeneous patch in the image, we use a Markov random field (MRF) to infer a set of "plane parameters" that capture both the 3D location and 3D orientation of the patch. The MRF, trained via supervised learning, models both image depth cues as well as the relationships between different parts of the image. Inference in our model is tractable, and requires only solving a convex optimization problem. Other than assuming that the environment is made up of a number of small planes, our model makes no explicit assumptions about the structure of the scene; this enables the algorithm to capture much more detailed 3D structure than does prior art (such as Saxena et ah, 2005, Delage et ah, 2005, and Hoiem et el, 2005), and also give a much richer experience in the 3D flythroughs created using image-based rendering, even for scenes with significant non-vertical structure. Using this approach, we have created qualitatively correct 3D models for 64.9% of 588 images downloaded from the Internet, as compared to Hoiem et al.'s performance of 33.1%. Further, our models are quantitatively more accurate than either Saxena et al. or Hoiem et al.
Progressive limb ataxia following inferior olive lesions

Cerebellar climbing fibres originate in the inferior olive (IO). Temporary IO inactivation produces movement deficits. Does permanent inactivation produce similar deficits and, if so, do they recover? The excitotoxin, kainic acid, was injected into the rostral IO of three cats. Behaviour was measured during reaching and locomotion. Two cats were injected during the reaching task. Within minutes, grasping became difficult and the trajectories of the reaches showed higher arcing than normally seen. During locomotion, both cats showed head and trunk deviation to the injected side, walking paths curved to the injected side, and the paws were lifted higher than normal. Limbs contralateral to the injections became rigid. Within 1 day, posture had normalized, locomotion was unsteady and high lifting of the paws had reversed to a tendency to drag the dorsum of the paws. Passive body movement produced vestibular signs. Over a few days, locomotion normalized and vestibular signs disappeared. Reach trajectories were normal but grasping deficits persisted. Over the first week, the amplitude of limb lift during reaching and locomotion began to increase. The increase continued over time and, after several months, limb movements became severely ataxic. The effects followed the somatotopy of the rostral IO: a loss of cells in medial rostral IO only affected the forelimb, whereas a loss of cells in medial and lateral IO affected both forelimb and hindlimb. Deficits produced by IO lesions involve multiple mechanisms; some recover rapidly, some appear stable, and some worsen over time. The nature of the progressive deficit suggests a gradual loss of Purkinje cell inhibition on cerebellar nuclear cells.