cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory activity of aronia berry extracts in murine splenocytes

Aronia berries are a rich source of dietary polyphenols, with diverse polyphenol profiles among its genotypes. The objective of this work was to characterize the anti-inflammatory effects of underutilized aronia berries and their polyphenols using primary C57/BL6 mouse splenocytes. At 125 μg gallic acid equivalents/mL, the commercial ‘Viking’ aronia berry and underutilized aronia extracts inhibited LPS-stimulated IL-6 to a similar extent. ‘Viking’ extracts inhibited IL-6 predominately in CD4− lymphocytes. The primary polyphenol constituents of extracts were subsequently evaluated for inhibition of LPS-stimulated IL-6. Cyanidin-3-arabinoside, but not the primary aronia anthocyanin cyanidin-3-galactoside, inhibited IL-6 at 10 μg/mL. Quercetin, but not its 3-galactoside or glucoside, inhibited LPS-stimulated IL-6. Quercetin also inhibited LPS-stimulated IL-10, whereas ‘Viking’ extract increased splenocyte IL-10 in the absence of LPS. Thus, the capacity of aronia extracts to modulate LPS-stimulated splenocyte IL-6 and IL-10 in vitro was not attributed to its principal polyphenols.
Multi-source cooperative adaptation for QoE-aware video multicast rate-control

We consider a wide-area video conferencing application where the video sources adapt their send rates according to the available bandwidth in the network paths. We advocate a QoE-aware cooperative rate control of the sources to relieve the congestion, instead of running multiple (independent) instances of a single-source adaptation algorithm in a QoE-oblivious manner and additively superposing their results. Our paper focuses on the architecture of such a QoE-aware video multicast system. Dove-tailed to the core functionality of rate adaptation is the session-layer configuration control mechanisms to deliver video to various end-user devices.
ROMANS II A two-dimensional process simulator for modeling and simulation in the design of VLSI devices

During the past decade considerable effort has been devoted to the development of two-dimensional (2D) device simulators while the development of two-dimensional process simulators, except for the past few years, has been almost nonexistent. To eliminate this lag in the development of 2D process simulators recent research has been directed entirely towards the development of simulators for predicting the thermal redistribution of impurities in bulk device structures; whereas, in the present paper a process simulator, ROMANS II, has been developed which is capable of simulating the redistribution of impurities in both bulk and SOS device structures. All the elements of two-dimensional process modeling which were used to assemble ROMANS II are presented. For example, Runge's approximate procedure for characterizing 2D distributions of ion implants in physical domains of actual device structures is discussed in great detail. Also discussed in great detail are the 2D empirical and phenomenological models used to specify oxide growths on silicon surfaces. A complete formulation of the governing nonlinear boundaryvalue problem for the redistribution of impurities in the physical domain of a device and the corresponding transformation of this problem to a fixed-time invariant rectangular domain by means of a translation-scaling transformation are presented. The numerical algorithm used to solve the nonlinear boundary-value problem in the fixed-time invariant rectangular domain is briefly discussed since a more detailed discussion is given elsewhere. Finally, ROMANS II is utilized to simulate the thermal redistribution of the field, channel, and source/drain implants which were used in fabricating a 1 μmn-channel enhancement mode device. The simulation was carried through the entire device fabrication schedule and the surface topography and corresponding equi-density contours for the net impurity concentration at the end of key process steps are given.
Hypotheses, strategies, and stereotypes in discrimination learning

Abstract In the course of two experimentss groups of kindergarten, second, fourth, sixth grade and college students received several discrimination problems. Each trial with feedback was followed by a series of blank trials, which served as a probe for S's hypothesis. Ss responded systematically during the blank trials on about 90% of the probes. Beginning at the second grade they typically showed characteristic hypothesis-testing behavior, viz., keeping confirmed hypotheses, rejecting those disconfirmed, etc. Hypotheses were systematically selected according to two general systems: Strategies (Focusing, Dimension Checking and Hypothesis Checking, in descending order of efficiency), which, in principle, allow S to discover the solution, and Stereotypes (Stimulus Preference, Position Preference and Position Alternation), which produce the persistent repetition of an hypothesis despite its disconfirmation. The college students almost always manifested the two most effective Strategies and never any Stereotypes. The 2nd–6th graders showed mostly Strategies, but practically no Focusing. The kindergarten children virtually always displayed Stereotypes.
Group-Item and Directed Scanning: Examining Preschoolers' Accuracy and Efficiency in Two Augmentative Communication Symbol Selection Methods.

Purpose The current investigation compared directed scanning and group-item scanning among typically developing 4-year-old children. Of specific interest were their accuracy, selection speed, and efficiency of cursor movement in selecting colored line drawn symbols representing object vocabulary. Method Twelve 4-year-olds made selections in both directed and group-item scanning conditions using a 36-symbol array that required matching line drawn symbols to pictures. Results The majority of participants took more time in the directed scanning condition. Though not statistically significant, participants tended to be more accurate in their use of directed scanning. The cursor movements required (as a proportion of optimal cursor movements) were similar for both scanning selection techniques. Conclusions Among typically developing 4-year-olds, there appears to be a trade-off between speed and accuracy in symbol selection when using directed or group-item scanning. Better accuracy with directed scanning appea...
Role of D1-His190 in proton-coupled electron transfer reactions in photosystem II: a chemical complementation study.

Recent models for water oxidation in photosystem II propose that His190 of the D1 polypeptide facilitates electron transfer from tyrosine YZ to P680+ by accepting the hydroxyl proton from YZ. To test these models, and to further define the role of D1-His190 in the proton-coupled electron transfer reactions of PSII, the rates of P680+ reduction, YZ oxidation, QA- oxidation, and YZ• reduction were measured in PSII particles isolated from several D1-His190 mutants constructed in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. These measurements were conducted in the absence and presence of imidazole and other small organic bases. In all mutants examined, the rates of P680+ reduction, YZ oxidation, and YZ• reduction after a single flash were slowed dramatically and the rate of QA- oxidation was accelerated to values consistent with the reduction of P680+ by QA- rather than by YZ. There appeared to be little correlation between these rates and the nature of the residue substituted for D1-His190. However, in nea...
Ball milling of systems with positive heat of mixing : Effect of temperature in Ag-Cu

Abstract Ag50Cu50 alloys prepared by ball milling were subsequently milled at different temperatures ranging from about 85 to 473 K and investigated by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Milling at subambient temperatures led to a homogeneous f.c.c. solid solution, while milling at 473 K led to a fully decomposed, two-phase mixture. Partially decomposed systems were obtained during milling at intermediate temperatures with three co-existing phases all present. The milling-induced decomposition process had a very low apparent activation enthalpy, ≈ 0.11 eV, which is attributed to a first-order kinetic process involving non-equilibrium vacancies. The results are discussed in terms of competing mixing and de-mixing reaction rates.
Increased Expression of a Mitochondrial Gene (NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 5) after Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) Treatment of Human Lymphoblasts† 416

Increased Expression of a Mitochondrial Gene (NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit 5) after Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) Treatment of Human Lymphoblasts† 416
Sequential products on effect algebras

Abstract A sequential effect algebra (SEA) is an effect algebra on which a sequential product with natural properties is defined. The properties of sequential products on Hilbert space effect algebras are discussed. For a general SEA, relationships between sequential independence, coexistence and compatibility are given. It is shown that the sharp elements of a SEA form an orthomodular poset. The sequential center of a SEA is discussed and a characterization of when the sequential center is isomorphic to a fuzzy set system is presented. It is shown that the existence, of a sequential product is a strong restriction that eliminates many effect algebras from being SEA's. For example, there are no finite nonboolean SEA's, A measure of sharpness called the sharpness index is studied. The existence of horizontal sums of SEA's is characterized and examples of horizontal sums and tensor products are presented.
Anomalous Hall effect in disordered fe ferromagnetic films

Recently experiments have shown that disordered Fe thin films on ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ substrates exhibit the anomalous Hall effect even in the very high resistance region. To understand this phenomenon, we employ the spin-dependent Boltzmann equations with the inclusion of spin-orbit coupling to investigate the transverse voltage in insulating disordered Fe films. We use the Boltzmann equations to describe each spin channel inside each Fe island, which is about $100\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ wide. The Hall conductance of the system is shown to be non-vanishing in the high resistance limit and also independent of the longitudinal charge current. Results from our simulations reveal physical mechanisms underlying experimental observations.
Reliability of utilization measures for primary care physician profiling.

Abstract Background Given rising health care costs, there has been a renewed interest in using utilization measures to profile physicians. Despite the measures' common use, few studies have examined their reliability and whether they capture true differences among physicians. Methods A local health improvement organization in New York State used 2008–2010 claims data to create 11 utilization measures for feedback to primary care physicians (PCP). The sample consists of 2938 PCPs in 1546 practices who serve 853,187 patients. We used these data to measure reliability of these utilization measures using two methods (hierarchical model versus test–retest). For each PCP and each practice, we estimate each utilization measure’s reliability, ranging from 0 to 1, with 0 indicating that all differences in utilization are due to random noise and 1 indicating that all differences are due to real variation among physicians. Results Reliability varies significantly across the measures. For 4 utilization measures (PCP visits, specialty visits, PCP lab tests (blood and urine), and PCP radiology and other tests), reliability was high (mean>0.85) at both the physician and the practice level. For the other 7 measures (professional therapeutic visits, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, readmissions, skilled nursing facility days, skilled home care visits, and custodial home care services), there was lower reliability indicating more substantial measurement error. Conclusions The results illustrate that some utilization measures are suitable for PCP and practice profiling while caution should be used when using other utilization measures for efforts such as public reporting or pay-for-performance incentives.
SOCIAL CONTROL AND SOCIAL LEARNING MODELS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR A Synthesis

Social control and social learning models of delinquent behavior are reviewed and compared. The data analysis shows that predictions from the social learning model ficrther specify the control perspective. Thus, attachments are an important influence on delinquent behavior only when the source of attachment is taken into consideration, Further, the data presented suggest that observational learning has an influence on delinquent acts as suggested by social learning theory. Particular parental behaviors which influence the reinforcing value of the home appear to have the primary influence on delinquent behavior in the parent/child bond. From this study, it is concluded that a combination of the social “bonding” notion from control theory along with specific principles of social learning lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive theory of delinquent behavior than either perspective alone.
Statistical properties and correlation functions for drift waves

The dissipative one-field drift wave equation is solved using the pseudospectral method to generate steady-state fluctuations. The fluctuations are analyzed in terms of space-time correlation functions and modal probability distributions. Nearly Gaussian statistics and exponential decay of the two-time correlation functions occur in the presence of electron dissipation, while in the absence of electron dissipation long-lived vortical structures occur. Formulas from renormalized, Markovianized statistical turbulence theory are given in a local approximation to interpret the dissipative turbulence.
Bowen's disease in blacks

Bowen's disease is an epidermal neoplasm often stated to be rare in black patients. We believe this phenomenon to be more frequent than heretofore recognized. Seven such cases are presented to illustrate clinical and histologic features. Arsenic exposure is implicated in some instances.
Heart Rate Reduction: An Old and Novel Candidate Heart Failure Therapy

See related article, pp 949–957 Accumulating evidence suggests that increased resting heart rate is an independent risk and prognostic factor for heart failure (HF). For every 5-bpm increase in heart rate, the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for worsening HF increases by 16%. Selective heart rate reduction strongly relates to decreased energy expenditure by decreasing contraction numbers and increased blood supply and improved force-frequency associations by extending diastole.1 Although an increase in heart rate mediated by β-adrenergic receptor activation of the sympathetic system is common in HF, the mechanisms linking heart rate and HF are unclear. In this issue of Hypertension , Moritz Becher et al2 investigated the effect of lowering heart rate, either by I f channel or β-receptor blockade, on angiotensin II–induced HF. Despite similar heart rate reductions, ivabradine, a selective inhibitor of the I f channel, showed a more positive impact on remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) than metoprolol, a β-receptor blocker. Ivabradine attenuated systolic and diastolic dysfunction and reduced LV hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis. In contrast, this study failed to demonstrate that metoprolol could prevent the development of dysfunction and adverse remodeling of the LV, despite similar reductions in heart rate and inflammatory responses, as well as lower systolic blood pressure. Ivabradine selectively reduces heart rate by directly inhibiting the I f channel current, which governs the electric pacemaker activity in the sinoatrial node. Ivabradine does not affect intramyocardial conduction or myocardial contractility, even in patients with compromised ejection fraction.3 Metoprolol blocks sympathetic nervous system action by …
PhenoMiner: a quantitative phenotype database for the laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus. Application in hypertension and renal disease.

Rats have been used extensively as animal models to study physiological and pathological processes involved in human diseases. Numerous rat strains have been selectively bred for certain biological traits related to specific medical interests. Recently, the Rat Genome Database (http://rgd.mcw.edu) has initiated the PhenoMiner project to integrate quantitative phenotype data from the PhysGen Program for Genomic Applications and the National BioResource Project in Japan as well as manual annotations from biomedical literature. PhenoMiner, the search engine for these integrated phenotype data, facilitates mining of data sets across studies by searching the database with a combination of terms from four different ontologies/vocabularies (Rat Strain Ontology, Clinical Measurement Ontology, Measurement Method Ontology and Experimental Condition Ontology). In this study, salt-induced hypertension was used as a model to retrieve blood pressure records of Brown Norway, Fawn-Hooded Hypertensive (FHH) and Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat strains. The records from these three strains served as a basis for comparing records from consomic/congenic/mutant offspring derived from them. We examined the cardiovascular and renal phenotypes of consomics derived from FHH and SS, and of SS congenics and mutants. The availability of quantitative records across laboratories in one database, such as these provided by PhenoMiner, can empower researchers to make the best use of publicly available data. Database URL: http://rgd.mcw.edu
Training staffs multidimensional perceptions of a class of Medex (physician's extension) trainees: a method of grading.

Summary.-A recently proposed multidimensional similarity judgment analysis methodology (the Stone-Coles method) was used to analyze the dimensionality of a class of Medex (physician's extension) uainees as perceived by the staff of the involved Medex training project. The extracted dimensions associated with the "early-in-program" and "about-to-be-graduated" perceptions accounted for 76 and 7955, respectively, of the judgmental variances; all dimensions appeared to be readily interpretable. The major dimension for the last obtained judgments clearly seemed to be some kind of "quality of trainee" characterization. This particular evaluation judgment dimension was accepted by the involved training staff, the judges, as a satisfactory "grading" measure for the uainees. A conclusion reached is that multidimensional scaling can be used, with advantage, in the academic grading of students when the basis for such grading is limited to evaluative opinion of others (e.g., teachers).
Realistic Modeling and Svnthesis of Resources for Computational Grids

Understanding large Grid platform configurations and generating representative synthetic configurations is critical for Grid computing research. This paper presents an analysis of existing resource configurations and proposes a Grid platform generator that synthesizes realistic configurations of both computing and communication resources. Our key contributions include the development of statistical models for currently deployed resources and using these estimates for modeling the characteristics of future systems. Through the analysis of the configurations of 114 clusters and over 10,000 processors, we identify appropriate distributions for resource configuration parameters in many typical clusters. Using well-established statistical tests, we validate our models against a second resource collection of 191 clusters and over 10,000 processors, and show that our models effectively capture the resource characteristics found in real world resource infrastructures. These models are realized in a resource generator, which can be easily recalibrated by running it on a training sample set.
Etretinate as an Effective Adjunctive Therapy for Recalcitrant Palmar/Plantar Hyperkeratosis in Patients with Erythrodermic Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma Undergoing Photopheresis

BACKGROUND. Patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) frequently have debilitating hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles that is refractory to therapy. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the efficacy of etretinate as an adjunctive therapy for recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis in erythrodermic CTCL patients undergoing photopheresis. METHODS. Five patients with erythrodermic CTCL and recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis were given etretinate (0.8 mg/kg per day) while undergoing photopheresis therapy. RESULTS. There was a rapid and marked improvement of the hyperkeratosis in all patients. CONCLUSION. Etretinate is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis in erythrodermic CTCL patients undergoing photopheresis. Dermatol Surg 1995 ;21 :597-599.
A hybrid/symbolic connectionist production system

The task of implementing a simple rule-based production system in terms of a hybrid symbolic/connectionist architecture is discussed. The aim is to achieve parallel execution of rules. The architecture uses a local representation and builds upon prior work, which resulted in the symbolic/connectionist expert system development tool SC-net. The Hybrid Symbolic/Connectionist Production System (HSC-PS) reported supports two types of working memory elements, the attribute/value pair and the object/attribute/value triplet. HSC-PS can provide variable binding in an individual condition and across conditions and variable value instantiation from the left-hand side to the right-hand side in a rule. The network is constructed from production rules such that only one value is bound to a variable at any one time. An implementation of the farmer's dilemma planning problem is given to illustrate the potential of this approach. >
Instability dependency of osteoarthritis development in a rabbit model of graded anterior cruciate ligament transection.

Background: Joint instability has long been empirically recognized as a leading risk factor for osteoarthritis. However, formal mechanistic linkage of instability to osteoarthritis development has not been established. This study aimed to support a clinically accepted, but heretofore scientifically unproven, concept that the severity and rapidity of osteoarthritis development in unstable joints is dependent on the degree of instability. In a survival rabbit knee model of graded joint instability, the relationship between the magnitude of instability and the intensity of cartilage degeneration was studied at the organ level in vivo. Methods: Sixty New Zealand White rabbits received either complete or partial (medial half) transection of the anterior cruciate ligament or sham surgery (control) on the left knee. At the time that the animals were killed at eight or sixteen weeks postoperatively (ten animals for each treatment and/or test-period combination), the experimental knees were subjected to sagittal plane stability measurement, followed by whole-joint cartilage histological evaluation with use of the Mankin score. Results: Sagittal plane instability created in the partial transection group was intermediate between those in the complete transection and sham surgery groups. The partial and complete transection groups exhibited cartilage degeneration on the medial femoral and/or medial tibial surfaces. The average histological score (and standard deviation) for the medial compartment in the partial transection group (2.9 ± 0.9) was again intermediate, significantly higher than for the sham surgery group (1.9 ± 0.8) and significantly lower than for the complete transection group (4.5 ± 2.3). The average histological scores for the medial compartment in the partial transection group correlated significantly with the magnitude of instability, with no threshold effect being evident. The significance level of alpha was set at 0.05 for all tests. Conclusions: The severity of cartilage degeneration increased continuously with the degree of instability in this survival rabbit knee model of graded instability. Clinical Relevance: These results are supportive of the current intuitively based concept for orthopaedic treatment of unstable joints, which is that surgical reconstruction to reduce pathological joint instability contributes to prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis regardless of the degree of instability initially present.
Structural Basis for the Function of the β Subunit of the Eukaryotic Signal Recognition Particle Receptor

Protein translocation across and insertion into membranes is a process essential to all life forms. In higher eukaryotes, this process is initiated by targeting the translating ribosome to the endoplasmic reticulum via the signal recognition particle (SRP) and its membrane-associated heterodimeric receptor (SR). This targeting step is regulated by three G proteins, SRP54, SR alpha, and SR beta, which act in concert. Little is known about the regulatory role of SR beta. Here, we present the 1.7 A crystal structure of the SR beta-GTP subunit in complex with the interaction domain of SR alpha. Strikingly, the binding interface overlaps largely with the switch 1 region of SR beta. This finding, together with additional biochemical data, shows that the eukaryotic SR is a conditional and not an obligate heterodimer. The results suggest that the GTP/GDP switch cycle of SR beta functions as a regulatory switch for the receptor dimerization. We discuss the implications for the translocation pathway.
Encapsidation of Viral DNA Requires the Adenovirus L1 52/55-Kilodalton Protein

Previous work demonstrated that the adenovirus L1 52/55-kDa protein is required for assembly of viral particles, although its exact role in the assembly process is unclear. The 52/55-kDa protein’s early expression, however, suggests that it might have other roles at earlier times during infection. To uncover any role the 52/55-kDa protein might have at early times and to better characterize its role in assembly, a mutant adenovirus incapable of expressing the 52/55-kDa protein was constructed (H5pm8001). Analysis of the onset and extent of DNA replication and late protein synthesis revealed that H5pm8001-infected 293 cells entered the late stage of infection at the same time as did adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-infected cells. Interestingly, H5pm8001-infected cells displayed slightly lower levels of replicated viral DNA and late proteins, suggesting that although not required, the 52/55-kDa protein does augment these activities during infection. Analysis of transcripts produced from the major late and IVa2 promoters indicated a slight reduction in H5pm8001-infected compared to Ad5-infected cells at 18 h postinfection that was not apparent at later times. Analysis of particles formed in H5pm8001 cells revealed that empty capsids could form, suggesting that the 52/55-kDa protein does not function as a scaffolding protein. Subsequent characterization of these particles demonstrated that they lacked any associated viral DNA. These findings indicate that the 52/55 kDa-protein is required to mediate stable association between the viral DNA and empty capsid and suggest that it functions in the DNA encapsidation process.
On synthesizing and identifying stuck-open testable CMOS combinational circuits

It is shown that a class of CMOS circuits is a testable realization and static CMOS circuits synthesized by some existing synthesis systems belong to this class. A more 'direct' solution is proposed to the problem of computing robust test-pairs for stuck-open faults by defining a new six-valued logic. This in turn gives a solution to the problem of identifying stuck-open testable circuits. >
Rice Consumption and Urinary Arsenic Concentrations in U.S. Children

Background: In adult populations, emerging evidence indicates that humans are exposed to arsenic by ingestion of contaminated foods such as rice, grains, and juice; yet little is known about arseni...
The practical aspects of utilizing Digital Power Controller for monitoring of power supply operation

Utilization of digital control in the design of power controllers provides designers with the capability to monitor multiple operational parameters of a power converter. This functionality is often harder to achieve with converter designs based on analog controllers. The reason for this difference is that the information used for internal control purposes in the case of a digital controller is digitized, and thus is readily available for reading by an external device. In the case of an analog controller, this is not the case, so achieving monitoring and measurement functionality with an analog controller requires significant increases in system complexity. Monitor and measurement capabilities are in many cases very much welcomed by both power and system designers. To be able to fully utilize this functionality, however, and to be able to realize reliable results from measurements made internally by the controller poses a set of complex challenges that most of engineers who design power converters have little familiarity with. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the measurement techniques, the design considerations involved in the utilization of these techniques, and also to assess what are reasonable expectations for the accuracy of such measurements. To achieve this goal we are going to review examples of how Input Voltage, Output Voltage, Output Current and Temperature sensing are implemented, as well as the influence of external components, board layout and operating range on the results of such measurements. We are also going to review what kind of information from the controller IC manufacturer is required to properly realize the maximum achievable accuracy of readings for a specific design.
A Retrospective Look at 20 Years of ASM Education Programs (1990–2010) and a Prospective Look at the Next 20 Years (2011–2030)

Professional societies provide visibility and legitimacy to the work of their post secondary educator members, advocate best practices in courses and sponsored student research, and establish deep networks and communities that catalyze members to collectively engage in undergraduate teaching and learning scholarship. Within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Education Board, established in the mid-1970s, assumes this role. I have been fortunate enough to watch several pivotal programs support our growth and change the status quo by providing opportunities for biology educators to flourish. In this retrospective review, the background and details I offer about each initiative help explain ASM Education offerings, how our growth has been supported and how the status quo has changed. In this prospective look, I offer my vision of the future in post secondary education where classroom learning is student-centered and focused on global problems affecting our health and environment. For the profession to proliferate, the ASM must provide members as many opportunities in learning biology as they do with advancing biology to new frontiers.
A fluorescent in vivo microscopic method to assess surface mucosal integrity in the rat stomach: Effects of ethanol and prostaglandin*

Abstract A new sensitive in vivo fluorescent method to assess gastric mucosal integrity in the anesthetized rat is described. Topically applied fluorescein diacetate enters gastric mucosal cells. The diacetate is cleaved by intracellular esterases leaving fluorescein trapped within the cells. The pattern of fluorescence can be visualized, and the intensity of fluorescence measured, using a fluorescent in vivo microscopy system. Frozen section studies revealed that fluorescein was located in the surface mucous cells and the mucous neck cells. Topically applied ethanol caused a dose-dependent decline in intensity of fluorescence. Measurement of fluorescence in the supernatant bathing the mucosa revealed that leak of fluorescein out of cells or shedding of cells was, at least in part, responsible for the decline in fluorescence intensity. Pretreatment with a "cytoprotective" dose of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 did not protect against the decline in fluorescence seen after 12.5% and 25% ethanol. This confirms findings of previous histologic studies that prostaglandin "cytoprotection" does not include surface cell protection. We conclude that this technique provides a sensitive, quantitative in vivo method to study gastric surface cell injury.
Lymphoid Organ Size Varies Among Inbred Lines 63 and 72 and Their Thirteen Recombinant Congenic Strains of Chickens with the Same Major Histocompatibility Complex

The objective was to evaluate lymphoid organ size in chickens from a series of 13 recombinant congenic strains (RCS) and their highly inbred parental lines (6(3) and 7(2)). The parental line 6(3) was selected for resistance to tumors induced by Marek's disease virus and avian leukosis viruses, whereas line 7(2) was selected for susceptibility to these tumors. Each RCS on the average contains a random one-eighth of genome from the donor line 7(2). Previous studies have shown that lines 6(3) and 7(2) differ in the size of primary lymphoid organs; i.e., the bursa of Fabricius (BF) and the lobes of the thymus (T) are smaller in line 6(3) than line 7(2). In the current study, the relative size of the T, BF, and spleen was first examined in about 15 males from each of 13 RCS and the 2 parental lines at 60 to 69 d of age. The differences of relative BF, T, and spleen size among the RCS and the parental lines 6(3) and 7(2) differed significantly (P < 0.001). Males and females from 4 RCS and the 2 parental lines were evaluated a second time, and differences in the relative sizes in lymphoid organs among the RCS and parental lines were consistent. In 2 RCS, the size of the T and BF was comparatively large as in line 7(2), leading to the conclusion that different allelic forms at 1 or more loci in these RCS regulate the size of both organs. In 2 other RCS, the BF was large compared with the T, suggesting that allelic forms at some loci in these RCS influence the BF independent of the T. The relative lymphoid organ size among the RCS appeared to cosegregate with the concentration of IgG in the plasma measured previously. The evaluation of genomic variability of these lines is underway, and the RCS are available for research on traits that differ between lines 6(3) and 7(2).
Exercise as an Adjuvant Therapy for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) using mobilized peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (HSPCs) is the only curative strategy for many patients suffering from hematological malignancies. HSPC collection protocols rely on pharmacological agents to mobilize HSPCs to peripheral blood. Limitations including variable donor responses and long dosing protocols merit further investigations into adjuvant therapies to enhance the efficiency of HSPCs collection. Exercise, a safe and feasible intervention in patients undergoing HSCT, has been previously shown to robustly stimulate HSPC mobilization from the bone marrow. Exercise-induced HSPC mobilization is transient limiting its current clinical potential. Thus, a deeper investigation of the mechanisms responsible for exercise-induced HSPC mobilization and the factors responsible for removal of HSPCs from circulation following exercise is warranted. The present review will describe current research on exercise and HSPC mobilization, outline the potential mechanisms responsible for exercise-induced HSPC mobilization, and highlight potential sites for HSPC homing following exercise. We also outline current barriers to the implementation of exercise as an adjuvant therapy for HSPC mobilization and suggest potential strategies to overcome these barriers.
Greater Depressive Symptoms and Higher Viral Load Are Associated with Poor Physical Function among Latino Men Living with HIV

Physical function limitations have been associated with poor health outcomes, which have a negative impact on quality of life of older individuals. This study examined the association between depression, viral load, and acculturation with physical function among Latino men living with HIV. A secondary data analysis was performed using a cross-sectional data of 146 Latino immigrant men living with HIV in New York City and Washington, DC. Physical function was measured using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Uncontrolled HIV infection and depression were associated with worse physical function, thus implying the importance of adequate health care to address these conditions. Preserving physical function should start during middle adulthood, particularly among people living with HIV because of their greater risk of developing age-related challenges such as depression, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases among others. This study informs future interventions to preserve physical function and achieve the goal...
A prospective microstructure imaging study in mixed-martial artists using geometric measures and diffusion tensor imaging: methods and findings

Although diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) has been widely used to characterize the effects of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI), to date no studies have investigated how novel geometric models of microstructure relate to more typical diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequences. Moreover, few studies have evaluated the sensitivity of different registration pipelines (non-linear, linear and tract-based spatial statistics) for detecting dMRI abnormalities in clinical populations. Results from single-subject analyses in healthy controls (HC) indicated a strong negative relationship between fractional anisotropy (FA) and orientation dispersion index (ODI) in both white and gray matter. Equally important, only moderate relationships existed between all other estimates of free/intracellular water volume fractions and more traditional DTI metrics (FA, mean, axial and radial diffusivity). These findings suggest that geometric measures provide differential information about the cellular microstructure relative to traditional DTI measures. Results also suggest greater sensitivity for non-linear registration pipelines that maximize the anatomical information available in T1-weighted images. Clinically, rmTBI resulted in a pattern of decreased FA and increased ODI, largely overlapping in space, in conjunction with increased intracellular and free water fractions, highlighting the potential role of edema following repeated head trauma. In summary, current results suggest that geometric models of diffusion can provide relatively unique information regarding potential mechanisms of pathology that contribute to long-term neurological damage.
Farmers,Conference and Politics——a reinterpretation of the rural world written by Zhou Libo

Zhou Libo in his novels of the rural farmers continued writing and trying to get with the times described by the farmers and political life closely hooked.He carved the image of peasants,painted meetings of farmers,expressed political psychology,with the purpose to characterize contemporary farmers,and to construct a modern political awareness and consciousness of the rural world.And all in all,to establish the farmers' group portrait,spirit and life of farmers,to build a political community of the rural farmers.Although Zhou as a writer had delved into the depth of folk life,his left-winged status served as an invisible constraint in digging into the depth of the personality of the farmers;what's more his highlighted political enthusiasm inadvertently expressed his frustration to blunt the edge of rural life This article,a re-reading of the works of the farmers,meeting,political psychology,is an inspiration from Zhou Libo's rural theme in search for the necessity and possibility to deepen the studies of current novels with rural subject matters.
In Utero Induction of Sister Chromatid Exchanges to Detect Transplacental Carcinogens

Analysis of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) is proving to be a sensitive technique for detecting mutagens and carcinogens. To assess the transplacental carcinogenic potential of chemicals, we are evaluating SCE induction in developing fetuses exposed in utero to known carcinogens.
Teratology: Monsters and Prodigies

In considering teratology and congenital malformations, the problems of birth defects and monstrosities in humans and animals have attracted attention since earliest times. The question arises, how these anomalies were viewed during the period encompassed by this work, and the manner in which ideas evolved as to their genesis. In earlier times, congenital anomalies were regarded as of supernatural origin. Pictorial records of malformations were made long before man could write, and are to be found on ancient rock carvings. As a naturalist, Aristotle appears to have been the first to examine abnormalities and to view them as a natural biological phenomenon. The Roman scholar Pliny “the elder” (23–79) described many well-known examples, but did not distinguish between those monstrosities that were actual and those legendary. During the middle ages these were treated in the fullest spirit of superstition, and numerous relics of this genre survive. For the most part, human anomalies were believed to represent punishment from God, Divine wrath, or to have been conceived in the wombs of women who commerced with the devil. The belief that such monsters is a consequence of unnatural union between women and male animals, or between men and female animals, is a continued form of the satanic legend. As originally used, the word monster was not pejorative, but, derived from the Latin monere, to warn, and monstrum, prodigy or portent, indicated a demonstration of something worth viewing. Many held that monsters were a consequence of excess or insufficiency of semen within the womb. Alternatively, it was believed that they were a result of admixture of semen from different fathers. Another popular view had an epigenetic basis, that it was the mother’s imagination, from experiences or other influences during pregnancy, that eventuated in this outcome.
Living donor liver transplantation for inborn errors of metabolism – An underutilized resource in the United States

Inborn metabolic diseases of the liver can be life-threatening disorders that cause debilitating and permanent neurological damage. Symptoms may manifest as early as the neonatal period. Liver transplant replaces the enzymatically deficient liver, allowing for metabolism of toxic metabolites. LDLT for metabolic disorders is rarely performed in the United States as compared to countries such as Japan, where they report >2000 cases performed within the past two decades. Patient and graft survival is comparable to that of the United States, where most of the studies are based on deceased donors. No living donor complications were observed, suggesting that LDLT is as safe and effective as deceased donor transplants performed in the USA. Increased utilization of living donors in the USA will allow for early transplantation to prevent permanent neurological damage in those with severe disease. Pediatric transplant centers should consider utilizing living donors when feasible for children with metabolic disorders of the liver.
Response: Re: Patient-Provider Communication: Does Electronic Messaging Reduce Incoming Telephone Calls?

To the Editor: We appreciate the thoughtful correspondence. Our article addresses the question of what would happen to phone call volume in the face of expanding electronic messaging. Although we offered multiple hypotheses about why we had unexpected findings, the reason for this outcome is unclear
HCP-03NEWLY DIAGNOSED SINGLE BRAIN MASS – IMPLEMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF A HOSPITAL-WIDE MANAGEMENT PATHWAY.

BACKGROUND: Prior to 2012 there was no standardized admission protocol at our institution for patients presenting with a single brain mass. The service to which they were admitted, specialty consultations requested, and diagnostic testing employed varied significantly, both in the emergency department and on the inpatient services. In order to enhance management of this patient population we created and implemented a Single Brain Mass admission protocol. Our goal was to provide specialized care from a single multidisciplinary team from admission to discharge, reduce length of hospitalization, limit unnecessary diagnostic testing, and enhance patient care. METHODS: We reviewed records of 94 patients without a cancer history admitted to our emergency department with a new single brain mass between 12/2010 - 08/2014. Patients admitted prior to the protocol implementation (11/2012) were designated the pre-intervention group (PRE), and those admitted following implementation comprised the post-intervention group (POST). RESULTS: 46 patients were PRE and 48 were POST. When patients discharged to rehabilitation (35/94) were excluded from the analysis, a significantly longer mean length of stay was noted in the PRE compared to POST group (7.37 days versus 4.6 days; P= 0.01). More patients underwent CT scans of the chest, abdomen or pelvis in the PRE compared to the POST group (49% versus 17%, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of patients discharged to a rehabilitation center (38% in PRE vs. 35% in POST) or diagnosed with a brain metastasis (0.04% for both groups). Length of stay in the emergency room and time to surgery was similar across groups. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a management protocol executed by a single, specialized, multidisciplinary team streamlined the care of patients with a new single brain mass, decreased their average length of stay and reduced unnecessary diagnostic imaging tests.
INTERFACE STATES IN GaAs/LaF3 CONFIGURATIONS

ABSTRACT We have used a refined version of the well-established quasistatic and conductance methods to examine undoped GaAs samples with composite insulators. The insulator consists of thin native oxides ≈ 20 A thick, followed by 500 A of LaF 3 . The resulting insulator capacitance is 500 nF/cm 2 . With this large insulator capacitance, it is possible to cause the Fermi energy to scan over the principal interface state density peak that occurs at ≈ 0.95 eV above the valence band edge. The peak corresponds to an interface state density of 5 x 10 12 eV -1 -cm -2 . Several subsidiary features are also observed. Part of the refinement involves the use of low-intensity light at photon energies above the band gap. The principal effect of the light is to shorten the response time of some interface states. This helps to separate the measured interface state profile into contributions from various origins. The shape of the observed hysteresis in C-V curves, with and without light, can be understood from the behavior of the interface states.
Filosofía hoy: filosofía y techne

Este articulo comprende la filosofia y la techne lo cual es un tema esencial para un filosofo, aunque este sea un tema con el cual los filosofos nunca se han sentido muy comodos dado que estos creen que es contrario de los que ellos creen
Bisubstrate Kinetics of Glutathione S-Transferase: A Colorimetric Experiment for the Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory

Most biochemical transformations involve more than one substrate. Bisubstrate enzymes catalyze multiple chemical reactions in living systems and include members of the transferase, oxidoreductase, and ligase enzyme classes. Working knowledge of bisubstrate enzyme kinetic models is thus of clear importance to the practicing biochemist. However, such models are infrequently explored in the undergraduate biochemistry laboratory. This deficiency suggests the need for well-defined, tractable, and economical methods for characterization of bisubstrate enzyme activity. The application of an established real-time colorimetric assay to investigate kinetic parameters of glutathione transfer by glutathione S-transferase is described. The reported method relies on commercially available materials and uses experimental conditions that are suited to application in the introductory biochemistry laboratory. Investigation of bisubstrate kinetic parameters was performed as part of a three-week laboratory experiment that em...