cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting Behavioral Deficits in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Through Uncinate Fasciculus Integrity

Behavioral dysregulation is a common and detrimental consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children that contributes to poor academic achievement and deficits in social development. Unfortunately, behavioral dysregulation is difficult to predict from either injury severity or early neuropsychological evaluation. The uncinate fasciculus (UF) connects orbitofrontal and anterior temporal lobes, which are commonly implicated in emotional and behavioral regulation. Using probabilistic diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), we examined the relationship between the integrity of the UF 3 months post-injury and ratings of executive functions 12 months post-injury in children with moderate to severe TBI and a comparison group with orthopedic injuries. As expected, fractional anisotropy of the UF was lower in the TBI group relative to the orthopedic injury group. DTT metrics from the UF served as a biomarker and predicted ratings of emotional and behavior regulation, but not metacognition. In contrast, the Glasgow Coma Scale score was not related to either UF integrity or to executive function outcomes. Neuroanatomical biomarkers like the uncinate fasciculus may allow for early identification of behavioral problems and allow for investigation into the relationship of frontotemporal networks to brain-behavior relationships.
Second-order elastic analysis of dilute distribution of spherical inclusions

The volume change and the strain energy stored in an isotropic elastic matrix by a disperse substitution of spherical inclusions are determined by a non-linear analysis which accounts for the second-order elastic effects. When reduced to linear theory, the results are compared with those of Eshelby.
Transgenic strategies for combinatorial expression of fluorescent proteins in the nervous system

Detailed analysis of neuronal network architecture requires the development of new methods. Here we present strategies to visualize synaptic circuits by genetically labelling neurons with multiple, distinct colours. In Brainbow transgenes, Cre/lox recombination is used to create a stochastic choice of expression between three or more fluorescent proteins (XFPs). Integration of tandem Brainbow copies in transgenic mice yielded combinatorial XFP expression, and thus many colours, thereby providing a way to distinguish adjacent neurons and visualize other cellular interactions. As a demonstration, we reconstructed hundreds of neighbouring axons and multiple synaptic contacts in one small volume of a cerebellar lobe exhibiting approximately 90 colours. The expression in some lines also allowed us to map glial territories and follow glial cells and neurons over time in vivo. The ability of the Brainbow system to label uniquely many individual cells within a population may facilitate the analysis of neuronal circuitry on a large scale.
Swine composite tissue allotransplant model for preclinical hand transplant studies

Our laboratory previously developed and used an orthotopic radial forelimb osteomyocutaneous flap in the pig as a preclinical composite tissue allograft (CTA) model. To ensure that it mimicked the clinical situation as closely as possible we developed this model taking many immunologic and reconstructive considerations into account. While our original pig CTA model was ideal for studying the methods of preventing skin, muscle, bone, vessel and nerve rejection, and systemic toxicity, it did not include specialized tissues/structures of a joint and digit. Therefore, we were unable to evaluate rejection of these specialized tissues and their functional properties. Recognizing the importance of assessing joint rejection and function in hand transplantation research we developed a new swine forelimb CTA model that included the animal's medial digit. The present study describes the anatomy and the transplantation technique used in this new preclinical CTA model. We transplanted a radial osteomyocutaneous flap that included the medial digit between two size- (17-21 kg) and age- (6-8-week) matched farm pigs. We removed the digit from the recipient pig's forelimb in continuity with a section of the radial bone and replaced it with the same structure transplanted from a donor pig. After transplantation, a full-length cast was placed on the recipient pig's operated limb and changes in flap color, temperature and the presence of edema were monitored continuously for 6 h, and then regularly at predetermined intervals over 4 days. No weight bearing restrictions were placed on the animal's operated limb. After 4 days, the animal was euthanized. Direct visual monitoring of the allograft during 4 days revealed it was viable with no signs of graft failure due to technical complications associated with the transplant procedure. Upon waking from anesthesia, the animal stood and wandered freely about its cage with no apparent difficulty. Based on the animal's high level of activity at this time, we concluded that the procedure caused it minimal morbidity. At 4 days after the operation, early signs of rejection (skin erythema and edema) were observed. By incorporating a digit into our original CTA pig forelimb model we have made it a better model for performing preclinical hand transplant studies. The added advantage of being able to assess methods of preventing rejection in the specialized joint/digital tissues (articular cartilage, digital flexor and extensor systems, the nail complex) and assess long-term function of these structures is important. The fact that the procedure does not cause major morbidity to the animal makes it possible to conduct long-term graft survival and functional studies.
Expert Systems As Decision Aids for Disaster Management

Discussion d'une nouvelle facette de la technologie de l'information l'intelligence artificielle
Sodium chloride and aldosterone: harbingers of hypertension-related cardiovascular disease.

Both dietary NaCl consumption and aldosterone have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension-related cardiovascular disease. Animal, epidemiological, and clinical studies suggest that a high NaCl intake is associated with myocardial hypertrophy, independent of blood pressure. In vitro, NaCl directly induces hypertrophy in myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Independent of the level of hypertension, NaCl induced cardiac hypertrophy may be mediated by nitric oxide synthase isoforms.1 In the rat, dietary NaCl restriction prevents oxidative stress and cardiac hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II infusion. Clinically, a high NaCl intake is associated with increased left ventricular mass in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals.2 In hypertensive patients, a high NaCl intake amplifies the effect of target organ damage, including increased left ventricular mass and microalbuminuria. Left ventricular mass decreases in response to dietary NaCl restriction,3 and in hypertensive patients the effect of NaCl on left ventricular structure may be modulated by variants in the angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene.2 Aldosterone is also associated with alterations of myocardial structure and function. Mineralocorticoid receptors are located in nonepithelial (heart, blood vessels, brain) as well as in epithelial tissues, and stimulation of these receptors may cause oxidative stress leading to vascular inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiac hypertrophy.4 Additionally, aldosterone may contribute to end organ damage by enhancing the proinflammatory effects of angiotensin II.5 In animal models, both cardiac load and high circulating …
Potts model for solvent effects on polymer conformation

Abstract Orientational degrees of freedom of polymer subunits can be represented by q -state Potts variables in a lattice theory. As an example, a one-dimensional decorated-lattice model is introduced to describe the effects of a hydrogen-bonding solvent on helix-coil transitions of polypeptides. The results suggest that Potts variables provide a useful representation of highly directional interactions in a variety of systems.
Ethnic differences in spirituality in a sample of men and women in diverse substance abuse treatment settings: implications for practitioners.

There has been a growing recognition of the need to understand the role of spirituality in ethnically diverse populations in social work and other helping professions. Although researchers are increasingly examining ethnic variations in prevalence rates, treatment utilization, and treatment outcomes for individuals with substance abuse problems, limited research attention has been focused on the relationship between spirituality and ethnicity in the substance abuse field. The current study addressed this gap in the literature by comparing three ethnically diverse groups in terms of multiple aspects of spirituality. Findings showed that African Americans scored significantly higher in spiritual well-being, religiousness, and cognitive orientation toward spirituality compared to Whites, whereas Whites scored significantly higher in existential well-being compared to African Americans. Hispanics scored significantly lower in experiential/phenomenological dimension of spirituality compared to Whites and Afric...
Current and emerging therapies in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder leading to decreased bone mineralisation and a propensity for fracture. The disease affects millions of people and is a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Fracture-related costs have skyrocketed in recent years and projections suggest an increase as the population ages. Recent advances in the understanding of bone biology have improved the therapeutic options for osteoporosis. This is a review of the osteoporotic therapies that have recently become available and a discussion of emerging options. An overview on current practice guidelines is provided.
Do characteristics of walkable environments support bicycling? Toward a definition of bicycle-supported development

Does walkability equate with bikeability? Through a comprehensive review of studies of the built environment and bicycling, including mode choice, route choice, safety, and urban design literature, this paper addresses this question. Previous work has raised the issue that the two modes are functionally different, despite them often being combined into a nonmotorized category, and has highlighted research challenges. Existing studies of bikeability have largely focused on infrastructure. This paper contributes to the literature on bicycling and the built environment by providing a thorough review of past research with a focus on the relationships between land use, urban form, and bicycling. Highly walkable and highly bikeable environments are quite different, and there is little consistency in the built-environment attributes associated with cycling across studies. We postulate that this inconsistency is due in part to a disconnect between theory and methods of measuring the environment for cycling along with data limitations, including sample sizes and our understanding being based mainly on cross-sectional data. Many research opportunities are present for land-use planning policies now that planning for cycling is a top priority for cities and regions across the world.
Focal Cryotherapy for Clinically Unilateral, Low-Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer in 73 Men with a Median Follow-Up of 3.7 Years

Abstract Background Evolution of cryotherapy for prostate cancer is likely to result in parenchyma-sparing modifications adjacent to the urethra and neurovascular bundle. Results of initial series of focal therapy to minimize cryosurgery-related morbidity without compromising oncologic control have been encouraging, but limited in short-term outcomes. Objective To retrospectively report (1) median 3.7-yr follow-up experience of primary focal cryotherapy for clinically unilateral prostate cancer with oncologic and functional outcomes, and (2) matched-pair analysis with contemporaneous patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). Design, setting, and participants Over 8.5 yr (September 2002 to March 2011), focal cryoablation (defined as ablation of one lobe) was performed in 73 carefully selected patients with biopsy-proven, clinically unilateral, low-intermediate risk prostate cancer. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and Doppler-guided sextant and targeted biopsies at entry. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Post-therapy follow-up included measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level every 3–6 mo; TRUS biopsies at 6–12 mo and yearly, as indicated; and validated symptom questionnaires. Matched-pair analysis compared oncologic outcomes of focal cryotherapy and RP (matched for age, PSA, clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason score). Results and limitations Complete follow-up was available in 70 patients (median follow-up: 3.7 yr; range: 1–8.5 yr). No patient died or developed metastases. Precryotherapy mean PSA was 5.9 ng/ml and Gleason score was 6 ( n = 30) or 7 ( n =43). Postcryotherapy mean PSA was 1.6 ng/ml (70% reduction compared to precryotherapy; p n = 12) occurred in the untreated contralateral ( n = 11) or treated ipsilateral lobe ( n = 1). Complete continence (no pads) and potency sufficient for intercourse were documented in 100% and 86% of patients, respectively. Matched-pair comparison of focal cryotherapy and RP revealed similar oncologic outcome, defined as needing salvage treatment. Conclusions Primary focal cryoablation for low-intermediate risk unilateral cancer affords encouraging oncologic and functional outcomes over a median 3.7-yr follow-up. Close surveillance with follow-up whole-gland biopsies is mandatory.
Current prevalence of latex sensitization in children with spina bifida with use of latex precautions

Bifida Meeting abstracts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available here . http://www. biomedcentral.co m/content/files/ pdf/174 3-8454-4-S1-info .pdf
Studies of the Idaho black shale belt: Stratigraphy, depositional environment, and economic geology of the Permian Dollarhide Formation

The Permian Dollarhide Formation, which consists of three informal members and is ∼2,300 m thick, is contained within the central Idaho black siliceous shale belt. The formation is a tectonostratigraphic unit within the Pioneer Mountains thrust stack. Major lithologies in the formation consist of calcareous, carbonaceous, siliceous siltite inter-bedded with fine-grained calcareous sandstone; fine-grained calcareous quartzite; and medium to dark gray, thin-bedded limestone. In the middle member, there are distinctive calcareous quartzites, and the upper member has conspicuous black (carbonaceous), pyritic argillite units. Sedimentary structures contained within the Dollarhide Formation include convolute bedding, cross-bedding, graded beds, flame structures, small-scale diapiric structures, synsedimentary folds, and load casts. It is suggested that the Dollarhide Formation correlates to the upper portion of subunit 6 and to subunit 7 of the Wood River Formation, which was deposited shoreward of the Dollarhide Formation. Petrology suggests deposition near and within an oxygen-minimum zone, rapid sedimentation at times, and, in places, turbidity-flow–emplaced beds. Mature quartz clasts and heavy minerals suggest possible derivation from a successor to the Antler highland to the east, with a sedimentary (Ordovician Kinnikinic Quartzite?) and crystalline basement as sources. Suggested depositional setting of the Dollarhide Formation is slope (lower and middle members) and basin outboard of the slope (upper member), thereby indicating transgression or subsidence during deposition. Trace-element geochemistry of the Dollarhide Formation rocks of the lower and middle members shows that they conform to the general values in black shales, as defined for Ag, Co, Cr, Mn, and Mo. The upper member, however, hosts epigenetic lead-silver-zinc veins and is locally the hanging-wall sequence of a syngenetic barite horizon.
Extracellular norepinephrine, norepinephrine receptor and transporter protein and mRNA levels are differentially altered in the developing rat brain due to dietary iron deficiency and manganese exposure

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element, but overexposure is characterized by Parkinson's like symptoms in extreme cases. Previous studies have shown that Mn accumulation is exacerbated by dietary iron deficiency (ID) and disturbances in norepinephrine (NE) have been reported. Because behaviors associated with Mn neurotoxicity are complex, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of Mn exposure and ID-associated Mn accumulation on NE uptake in synaptosomes, extracellular NE concentrations, and expression of NE transport and receptor proteins. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four dietary groups: control (CN; 35 mg Fe/kg diet), iron-deficient (ID; 6 mg Fe/kg diet), CN with Mn exposure (via the drinking water; 1 g Mn/L) (CNMn), and ID with Mn (IDMn). (3)H-NE uptake decreased significantly (R=-0.753, p=0.001) with increased Mn concentration in the locus coeruleus, while decreased Fe was associated with decreased uptake of (3)H-NE in the caudate putamen (R=0.436, p=0.033) and locus coeruleus (R=0.86; p<0.001). Extracellular concentrations of NE in the caudate putamen were significantly decreased in response to Mn exposure and ID (p<0.001). A diverse response of Mn exposure and ID was observed on mRNA and protein expression of NE transporter (NET) and alpha(2) adrenergic receptor. For example, elevated brain Mn and decreased Fe caused an approximate 50% decrease in NET and alpha(2) adrenergic receptor protein expression in several brain regions, with reductions in mRNA expression also observed. These data suggest that Mn exposure results in a decrease in NE uptake and extracellular NE concentrations via altered expression of transport and receptor proteins.
ISOLATION OF CYTOPLASMIC AND CHLOROPLAST RIBOSOMES AND THEIR DISSOCIATION INTO ACTIVE SUBUNITS FROM CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII

A mixture of cytoplasmic (80S) and chloroplast (70S) ribosomes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was freed of contaminating membranes by sedimentation of the postmitochondrial supernatant through a layer of 1.87 M sucrose. The purified ribosomes were separated into 80S and 70S fractions by centrifugation at a relatively low speed on a 10–40% sucrose gradient containing 25 mM KCl and 5 mM MgCl2. Both the 80S and 70S ribosomes were dissociated into compact subunits by centrifugations in 5–20% high-salt sucrose gradients. The dissociations of both ribosomal species under these conditions were not affected by the addition of puromycin, indicating that the ribosomes as isolated were devoid of nascent chains. Subunits derived from the 80S ribosomes had apparent sedimentation coefficients of 57S and 37S whereas those from the 70S ribosomes had apparent sedimentation coefficients of 50S and 33S. In the presence of polyuridylic acid and cofactors, the 80S and 70S ribosomes incorporated [14C]phenylalanine into material insoluble in hot TCA. The requirements for incorporation were found to be similar to those described for eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes. Experiments with antibiotics showed that the activity of the 80S ribosomes was sensitive to cycloheximide, whereas that of the 70S ribosomes was inhibited by streptomycin. The isolated subunits, when mixed together in an incorporation medium, were also active in the polymerization of phenylalanine in vitro.
HERBEAL FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE NEW MEXICO MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE (ZAPUS HUDSONIUS LUTEUS)

Abstract. We report the first observations of feeding behavior by free-ranging New Mexico meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius luteus). We made observations during a radiotelemetry study of Z. h. luteus in the floodplain of the Rio Grande at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro Co., New Mexico, in 2009 and 2010. We observed Z. h. luteus eat the achenes or seeds of the order Cyperales: common threesquare (Schoenoplectus pungens), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), Saunder's wildrye (Elymus saundersii), Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), and knotgrass (Paspalum distichum). Mice frequently foraged 0.5–1 m above the ground in the canopy of herbaceous vegetation. Seed heads for consumption were harvested in several ways.
Benchmarking approximate density functional theory for s/d excitation energies in 3d transition metal cations

Holthausen has recently provided a comprehensive study of density functional theory for calculating the s/d excitation energies of the 3d transition metal cations. This study did not include the effects of scalar relativistic effects, and we show here that the inclusion of scalar relativistic effects significantly alters the conclusions of the study. We find, contrary to the previous study, that local functionals are more accurate for the excitation energies of 3d transition method cations than hybrid functionals. The most accurate functionals, of the 38 tested, are SLYP, PBE, BP86, PBELYP, and PW91. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
Interbasin water transfers at the US–Mexico border city of Nogales, Sonora: implications for aquifers and water security

Nogales, Sonora, on the US–Mexico border, employs interbasin water and wastewater transfers to address water scarcity in the context of a rising population, a warming climate, and cross-border institutional asymmetries. A unique feature of its geography and border context is Nogales's export of wastewater both north to the US and, starting with the August 2012 commissioning of a strategically positioned wastewater treatment plant, south to the Alisos basin, which is its principal drinking-water source. Thus, when the new plant is fully operational, it will result in indirect potable reuse of effluent via recharge of the source-water aquifer. This paper finds that such strategies contribute to increased water scarcity in Nogales, and to detrimental health, livelihood and environmental impacts in the source basin, thus raising questions about interbasin transfers as a principal water management strategy.
Integrated multilevel image fusion and match score fusion of visible and infrared face images for robust face recognition

This paper presents an integrated image fusion and match score fusion of multispectral face images. The fusion of visible and long wave infrared face images is performed using [email protected] SVM which uses multiple SVMs to learn both the local and global properties of the multispectral face images at different granularity levels and resolution. The [email protected] performs accurate classification which is subsequently used to dynamically compute the weights of visible and infrared images for generating a fused face image. 2D log polar Gabor transform and local binary pattern feature extraction algorithms are applied to the fused face image to extract global and local facial features, respectively. The corresponding match scores are fused using Dezert Smarandache theory of fusion which is based on plausible and paradoxical reasoning. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is validated using the Notre Dame and Equinox databases and is compared with existing statistical, learning, and evidence theory based fusion algorithms.
Glucocorticoids repress basal and stimulated manganese superoxide dismutase levels in rat intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract Background/Aims: Elevated expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been shown to mitigate the toxic effects of cytokine and free radical production. Because of the multiple anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, we hypothesized that the MnSOD gene may be under glucocorticoid regulation. Methods: IEC-6 cells were treated with 0.5 μmol/L dexamethasone (DEX), 50 μmol/L cycloheximide, 4 μmol/ L actinomycin D, 0.5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide, or 10 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor α. MnSOD messenger RNA was evaluated by Northern analysis. MnSOD protein levels were evaluated by Western analysis. Results: IEC-6 treatment with DEX reduced MnSOD messenger RNA by 77% at 8 hours. Treatment with DEX plus cycloheximide or actinomycin showed a requirement for protein synthesis and implicated transcriptional regulation of MnSOD messenger RNA by DEX. DEX cotreatment inhibited the induction of MnSOD messenger RNA by lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor α. Twenty-four hours of DEX exposure reduced basal MnSOD protein levels by 43%, whereas 24-hour treatment with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor α resulted in a 3.5-fold and 2.4-fold increase in MnSOD protein levels, respectively, that was blocked by DEX. Conclusions: DEX represses both basal and stimulated MnSOD messenger RNA and protein levels. Repression of MnSOD seems detrimental; however, this may not be the case because DEX also inhibits oxygen free radical production as well as cytokine release and action.
Diagnostic approach to bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis has been noted at increasing rates in recent years. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, although there is a wide range in the severity of bronchiectasis in different patients. There are many different potential causes of bronchiectasis. The aim of this review is to provide a structured approach to the clinical assessment of patients with known or suspected bronchiectasis, including evaluation of severity, airway microbiology, and potential causes of bronchiectasis. The discussion includes a rationale for each component of the diagnostic workup, including how certain diagnostic features can impact treatment, but this is not a comprehensive review of bronchiectasis treatment.
“Not a Club for Ethical Culture”: The Early Writings of Max Weber, Liang Qichao, and Kang Youwei on the Stock Exchange

This paper examines early discussions of stock exchanges by Max Weber, Liang Qichao, and Kang Youwei and considers their contemporaneity. Despite different contexts, the discussions shared a nineteenth-century preoccupation with global competition and Darwinian struggles for survival. All reveal the attendant anxieties of latecomer nations experiencing belated modernity. Weber, however, wrote from a position that embraced German colonialism, whereas Liang and Kang’s advocacy of stock exchanges was marked by concerns for the Chinese nation that emerged as a result of the experience of colonialism and economic imperialism.
Language Access to Louisiana Courts: A Failure to Provide Fundamental Access to Justice

This article examines how the State of Louisiana has legislatively and judicially conceptualized interpreters, what effect such conceptualization has on the rights of non-English speaking litigants, and Louisiana jurisprudence and whether the current approach should be re-conceptualized to provide interpreters as a function of justice in providing access to the courts in all legal proceedings in Louisiana. Within this framework, this article will further consider whether the current approach should be re-framed to legislatively provide training and minimum qualification standards for interpreters; and also seek clear guidelines for Louisiana courts assessing the legal need, utilization, evaluation and performance of interpreters in court.
Death of The New Republic

When The New Republic owner and Facebook founder Chris Hughes replaced the magazine's top editors in December 2014, it set off a round of vociferous commentary declaring “The Death of The New Republic.” Portrayed as a conflict between journalistic tradition and Silicon Valley values, changes at the magazine crystallized lingering anxieties about the future of journalism and its relationship to the demands of the market. This article examines commentary about changes at the magazine through the lens of metajournalistic discourse, arguing that the discourses analyzed established the means by which structural conditions and philosophical challenges in the journalism industry were rendered sensible to the broader public. Though acts of personalized blame and schadenfreude at the publication's supposed demise characterized much of the discourse, other texts worked to clarify the stakes in the conflict, ultimately creating the terms by which the conflict could be made sense of and its consequence articulated to...
Long-Term Functional Efficacy of a Novel Electrospun Poly(Glycerol Sebacate)-Based Arterial Graft in Mice

Many surgical interventions for cardiovascular disease are limited by the availability of autologous vessels or suboptimal performance of prosthetic materials. Tissue engineered vascular grafts show significant promise, but have yet to achieve clinical efficacy in small caliber (<5 mm) arterial applications. We previously designed cell-free elastomeric grafts containing solvent casted, particulate leached poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) that degraded rapidly and promoted neoartery development in a rat model over 3 months. Building on this success but motivated by the need to improve fabrication scale-up potential, we developed a novel method for electrospinning smaller grafts composed of a PGS microfibrous core enveloped by a thin poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) outer sheath. Electrospun PGS-PCL composites were implanted as infrarenal aortic interposition grafts in mice and remained patent up to the 12 month endpoint without thrombosis or stenosis. Many grafts experienced a progressive luminal enlargement up to 6 months, however, due largely to degradation of PGS without interstitial replacement by neotissue. Lack of rupture over 12 months confirmed sufficient long-term strength, due primarily to the persistent PCL sheath. Immunohistochemistry further revealed organized contractile smooth muscle cells and neotissue in the inner region of the graft, but a macrophage-driven inflammatory response to the residual polymer in the outer region of the graft that persisted up to 12 months. Overall, the improved surgical handling, long-term functional efficacy, and strength of this new graft strategy are promising, and straightforward modifications of the PGS core should hasten cellular infiltration and associated neotissue development and thereby lead to improved small vessel replacements.
The D.E.A.'s Hemisphere Project: Raising New Fourth Amendment Issues Through the Integration of Big Government and Telecommunications Giant AT&T

Although Edward Snowden is keeping the American public on its feet with continuing leaks regarding the N.S.A.'s trove of private information, the D.E.A. is effectively eclipsing them in both the amount and variety of information being collected. The recently revealed Hemisphere Project circumvents Fourth Amendment issues since much of the phone data collected is owned by giant AT&T. This note will explore the newly revealed relationship between the U.S. government and AT&T, and explain why the multi-million dollar project is dangerous for Americans' ever-dwindling Fourth Amendment protections.
[Whipple's disease].

A typical case of Whipple's disease is reported, substantiated by histopathologic study. Treatment with steroids has been used with good results. A prolonged clinical remission has occurred, although persistance of pathologic changes in the small intestine has been demonstrated. This disease is a generalized one with polyserositis and malabsorption, the etiology of which is unknown. A genetic factor has been suggested, with the presence of a basic defect in intestinal cell absorption. That it may represent a general sensitivity reaction with inflammation, is possible. It may be amenable to steroid therapy.
The role of mycoplasma in rat arthritis induced by 6-sulfanilamidoindazole.

SummaryArthritis could be induced in rats by the oral and subcutaneous administration of 6-sulfanilamidoindazole (6-SAI). M. arthritidis could be occasionally isolated from involved joints, but the results obtained from tetracycline therapy, histopathology, and serologic studies, in comparison with mycoplasma-induced arthritis, indicated that these organisms were not the etiologic agent of the disease. It was concluded that mycoplasma could appear in 6-SAI arthritis as secondary invaders.
Shiga Toxin Type 1 Activates Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Transcription and Nuclear Translocation of the Transcriptional Activators Nuclear Factor-κB and Activator Protein-1

Shiga toxins (Stxs) produced by Shigella dysenteriae 1 and Escherichia coli have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bloody diarrhea, acute renal failure, and neurologic abnormalities. The pathologic hallmark of Stx-mediated tissue damage is the development of vascular lesions in which endothelial cells are swollen and detached from underlying basement membranes. However, in vitro studies using human vascular endothelial cells demonstrated minimal Stx-induced cytopathic effects, unless the target cells were also incubated with the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1bta). These cytokines have been shown to upregulate the expression of the Stx-binding membrane glycolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). We show here that purified Stx1 induces TNF secretion by a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with both lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Stx1 results in augmented TNF production. Treatment with the nontoxic Gb3-binding subunit of Stx1 or with an anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody did not trigger TNF production. Northern blot analyses show that Stx1 causes increased TNF-alpha production through transcriptional activation. Increased levels of TNF-alpha mRNA are preceded by the nuclear translocation of the transcriptional activators NF-kappaB and AP-1 and the loss of cytoplasmic IkappaB-alpha. These data are the first to show that, in addition to direct cytotoxicity, Stxs possess cellular signaling capabilities sufficient to induce the synthesis of cytokines that may be necessary for target cell sensitization and the development of vascular lesions.
The Research on the Finance Structure and Modes of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Different Growing Periods

The paper uses the practice data of China to demonstrate that the finance behaviors of small and medium sized enterprises are matched with the finance growing cycle theory,which the finance structures will vary with the development of the periods of the small and medium sized enterprises.Meanwhile,we find that the small and medium sized enterprises' financial characters in different growing periods.Furthermore,we find that the finance modes are evolved when they are growing.
In vivo induction of proteins during therapy of hairy cell leukemia with alpha-interferon.

The mechanism of the antineoplastic effect of interferon (IFN) is not known and may result from direct effects on the neoplastic cells themselves, activation of intermediary effector cells, or a combination of these effects. The synthesis of specific proteins is induced in hairy cells when they are exposed to alpha-IFN in vitro. In particular, the called p80, is markedly induced. We investigated this effect in the hairy cells of seven patients in the leukemic phase of hairy cell leukemia who were being treated with subcutaneous (SC) IFN alpha 2b (r- Hu-IFN-alpha 2). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was carried out on [35S]methionine-labeled whole cell lysates visualized by autoradiography and silver staining. Within 2 days of starting IFN therapy, induction of specific protein synthesis, including p80 was seen by [35S]methionine labeling in freshly isolated circulating hairy cells from 6 of 6 patients tested. Therefore, alpha-IFN has a direct biochemical effect on hairy cells in vivo that is similar to in vitro effects, at least with regard to p80 synthesis, although the kinetics of this effect may vary in the two situations.
Potassium channel assembly from concatenated subunits: Effects of proline substitutions in S4 segments

A concatenated cDNA was made that comprised four contiguous copies of the rat brain potassium channel subunit Kv1.1. Currents were measured in oocytes that had been injected with in vitro transcribed RNA. A Pro residue was introduced by site-directed mutagenesis into the S4 transmembrane region of one of the four domains, at a position corresponding to that in which a Pro is found in voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels. This substitution (L305P in any one domain) led to currents having a shallow activation curve, and an additional fast component of deactivation from strongly positive potentials. cDNAs with L305P substitution in two domains formed functional channels only if the domains were non-adjacent; the properties of the currents were similar to the wild-type concatemer. In both cases, 100-1000 x more RNA was injected to obtain maximal currents similar to those seen with the wild-type concantemer. The point mutation Y379V is known to reduce the blocking potency of extracellular tetraethylammonium; this residue from each of the four domains is exposed at the outer mouth of the pore because the progressive introduction of 1, 2, 3 and 4 such mutations causes progressive reductions in tetraethylammonium sensitivity. The Y379V mutation was introduced into concatenated cDNAs with two non-adjacent Pro-containing domains; the sensitivity to TEA of the resulting currents showed that the Pro-containing subunits did not contribute to the pore-forming part of the channel. The results suggest that channels can form with a Pro substitution in a single S4 domain, but they require strong depolarization to open and deactivate rapidly upon repolarization. With Pro substitutions in two domains, channels appear to be formed as a multimerized concatemer, in which the Pro-containing domains are excluded from pore formation.
No-regret algorithms for heavy-tailed linear bandits

We analyze the problem of linear bandits under heavy tailed noise. Most of the work on linear bandits has been based on the assumption of bounded or sub-Gaussian noise. This assumption however is often violated in common scenarios such as financial markets. We present two algorithms to tackle this problem: one based on dynamic truncation and one based on a median of means estimator. We show that, when the noise admits only a 1 + e moment, these algorithms are still able to achieve regret in O (T2+e/2(1+e)) and O (T1+2e/1+3e) respectively. In particular, they guarantee sublinear regret as long as the noise has finite variance. We also present empirical results showing that our algorithms achieve a better performance than the current state of the art for bounded noise when the L∞ bound on the noise is large yet the 1+e moment of the noise is small.
Mitochondrial Depolarization in Endothelial and Other Vascular Cells and Their Role in the Regulation of Cerebral Vascular Tone

Mitochondrial initiated events of the diverse cells types comprising the neurovascular unit promote changes in cerebrovascular tone through multiple signaling pathways. Activation of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent potassium channels on the inner mitochondrial membrane (mitoKATP channels) leads to mitochondrial depolarization as well as activation of cell-specific signaling mechanisms in endothelium, vascular smooth muscle (VSM), and perivascular and parenchymal nerves resulting in an integrated dilator response of cerebral arteries. Activation of mitoKATP channels relaxes VSM via generation of calcium sparks and subsequent downstream signaling mechanisms, and this relaxation can be augmented by nitric oxide (NO) produced by mitoKATP channel activation in endothelium and adjacent neurons. Some research suggests that calcium activated potassium channels may also be present in mitochondria (mitoKCa channels) and may affect cerebral vascular tone, but more research is needed to support this view. Pre-existing chronic conditions such as insulin resistance (IR) and/or diabetes impair mitoKATP channel-relaxation of cerebral arteries. Surprisingly, mitoKATP channel function after intense stress such as ischemia appears to be retained in large cerebral arteries despite generalized cerebral vascular dysfunction. Production of vasoactive factors following activation of mitochondria in response to physiological stimuli in one or more of the cells comprising the neurovascular unit may represent the elusive signaling link between metabolic rate and blood flow. In addition, our data indicate that mitoKATP channels represent an important, but underutilized target toward improving vascular dysfunction and decreasing brain injury in stroke patients.
Simulation of nonlinear systems with sparse input vectors using CRC technique

The cross referenced coordinate (CRC) method is introduced for computationally efficient analysis and simulation of nonlinear systems encountering a class of sparse vectors. In the CRC technique, the non-zero sections of the vector are used to form a matrix known as the CRC equivalent representation of the sparse vector. The system operators, including convolution, have been modified to operate with these equivalent matrices. A non-iterative algorithm is developed to provide the solution to nonlinear dynamic systems. In contrast to existing solutions, convergence of this algorithm is not an issue. A general purpose MATLAB toolbox is presented which is capable of CRC method based simulation of nonlinear systems.
Shape-Memory Nanocomposite Elastomers Filled with Carbon Nanomaterials

In this contribution, the preparation and characterization of new shape-memory epoxy based nanocomposites filled with modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes are reported. The study has been focused on the optimization of the preparation methodology and on the evaluation of the effect of different contents of surface modified carbon nanotubes on the properties and the microstructure of the obtained materials. In particular, dispersion test, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and bright field transmission electron microscopy have been carried out to analyze the modified filler. Moreover, the obtained nanocomposites have been characterized by morphological analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis and X-ray analysis in order to clarify the effect of the nanofiller on the structure and shape memory properties of the materials.
Systematic review of the Dasymutilla monticola species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): using phylogenetics to address species-group placement and sex associations

Using the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) 1 and 2, the phylogeny of the Dasymutilla monticola species-group is reconstructed. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the monophyly of the D. monticola species-group and to determine the species-group placement of numerous unplaced Dasymutilla species. Taxonomic changes are made based on these results. New synonymy is proposed for Mutilla birkmani Melander 1903, ♀ (=Dasymutilla corcyra Mickel 1928, ♀, syn. nov.; =Dasymutilla arcana Mickel 1928, ♂, syn. nov.), Mutilla macilenta Blake 1871, ♂ (=Dasymutilla chattahoochei Bradley 1916, ♀, syn. nov.), Dasymutilla saetigera Mickel 1928, ♀ (=Dasymutilla polia Mickel 1928, ♂, syn. nov.). The currently associated male of D. chattahoochei belongs to D. arenerronea (♀), stat. resurr., which was previously recognized as a synonym of D. chattahoochei. The currently recognized male of D. archboldi belongs to D. vesta; the true male of D. archboldi is newly described. Dasymutilla vesta, D. radkei, and D. archboldi are transferred into the D. monticola species-group. A male identified as D. fasciventris (♂), which has gray apical tergal setae like many males of the D. monticola species-group, was recognized as a member of the D. quadriguttata species-group; the true D. fasciventris was not studied. Dasymutilla chalcocephala (♀) and D. spilota (♀), which bear a superficial resemblance to the D. monticola species-group, are determined to not belong to any currently recognized species-group. Inferences are made about the homology of tubercles on the female’s posterior margin of the head, the necessity for phylogenetic research on species-group placement, and the necessity for both morphological and molecular data.
Estrogen Replacement Reduces Risk and Increases Survival Times of Women With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background & Aims Environmental factors have been identified that affect risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but little is known about the effects of sex hormones on liver cancer development or outcome. The authors investigated whether menopause hormone therapy (MHT) affects risk, age at onset, or outcome of HCC. Methods We performed a case–control study of 234 female patients treated for HCC at a tertiary medical center and with 282 healthy women (controls) from January 1, 2004 through May 31, 2015. We collected detailed information on environmental exposures, ages of menarche and menopause, hysterectomies, and uses of birth control and MHT. We performed multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses to determine the independent effects of factors associated with women on risk and clinical outcome in HCC. The primary outcomes were effect of MHT on HCC risk, the relationship between MHT with hepatitis virus infection on HCC development, and effect of MHT on age at HCC onset or survival after diagnosis of HCC. Results The estimated adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for HCC in women who ever used estrogen was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–0.88). This association was supported by the older age of HCC onset among estrogen users (mean, 64.5 ± 0.9 years) vs nonusers (mean 59.2 ± 1.1 years; P = . 001) and the reduced risk of HCC among long-term users (more than 5 years) (AOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20–0.63). Users of estrogen also had a reduced risk for hepatitis-associated HCC: AOR for users, 4.37 (95% CI, 1.67–11.44) vs AOR for nonusers, 17.60 (95% CI, 3.88–79.83). Estrogen use reduced risk of death from HCC (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.40–0.77; P = . 01). Median overall survival times were 33.5 months for estrogen users (95% CI, 25.7–41.3 months) and 24.1 months for nonusers (95% CI, 19.02–29.30 months; P = . 008). Conclusion In a case–control study of women with HCC vs female control subjects at a single center, we associated use of estrogen MHT with reduced risk of HCC and increased overall survival times of patients with HCC. Further studies are needed to determine the benefits of estrogen therapy for women and patients with HCC, and effects of tumor expression of estrogen receptor.
Melatonin Receptor Blockers Enhance Photoreceptor Survival and Function in Light Damaged Rat Retina

Melatonin is an important retinal neurohormone involved in rhythmic photoreceptor metabolism and in regulating the release of retinal dopamine. Systemic administration of melatonin and conditions supporting its synthesis in the retina seem to be related to increased light damage susceptibility. We found that intraocular injection of competitive melatonin receptor antagonists prior to the dark period before bright light exposure resulted in substantial protection of photoreceptors from light damage. Photoreceptor cell structure was much better preserved in antagonist injected eyes and the ERG threshold was approximately 2 log units of intensity lower. Intraocular injection of a number of other compounds which are known to affect endogenous dopamine levels or stimulate or block dopamine receptors did not have a significant effect on the ERG. However, some showed a tendency to reduce or enhance the effect of light damage on the ERG depending on their expected effect on dopamine levels. These results indicate that blocking the action of endogenous melatonin at retinal receptors can protect photoreceptors from damage by light. Further work is needed to investigate a possible role for dopamine in this protection.