cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parasitization of Corn Earworm Eggs on Sweet Corn Silk in Southern California, with Notes on Larval Infestations and Predators

Parasitization of corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), eggs on sweet corn silk was studied on successive plantings in southern California from 1963 through 1965. Larval infestations and predators were also investigated. Trichogramma pretiosum Riley was the only species reared from parasitized eggs, with an average of 2.5 adults emerging per egg. Parasitization was higher on plantings maturing during the middle of the growing season than on early or late plantings, and was higher overall in 1963 than in 1964 or 1965. The percentage of parasitized eggs in each planting increased as the silk matured, with up to 100% of the eggs being parasitized on dried-up silk. Average parasitization of eggs during the 3-year study was 38%. Ninety-nine percent of the cars were infested at the roasting-ear stage, with an average of 3 larvae per ear. The number of larvae per car ranged from 0 to 12. Orius sp., coccinellids, Chrysopa sp., and Geocoris sp. were the commonest predators, in that order. The Orius population was almost twice as high as the others combined, reaching its highest peak in August on the third planting.
Extracellular redox status regulates Nrf2 activation through mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

The redox status of the extracellular compartment has only just been elucidated as a mechanism controlling intracellular signal transduction and correlates with aging, diabetes, heart disease and lung fibrosis. In the present paper, we describe a mechanism by which oxidizing extracellular environments, as maintained by the cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) redox couple, induce mitochondria-derived ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation and cause the activation of Nrf2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2), inducing an antioxidant response. NIH 3T3 cells were cultured in medium with extracellular Cys/CySS redox potentials ( E h ), ranging from 0 to −150 mV. Cellular and mitochondrial ROS production significantly increased in cells incubated under more oxidizing extracellular conditions (0 and −46 mV). Trx2 (thioredoxin-2) is a mitochondrial-specific oxidoreductase and antioxidant and became oxidized in cells incubated at 0 or −46 mV. MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) from Trx2 -overexpressing transgenic (Trx2 Tg) mice produced less intracellular ROS compared with WT (wild-type) MEFs at the more oxidizing extracellular conditions. Nrf2 activity was increased in WT MEFs at the 0 or −46 mV conditions, but was inhibited in Trx2 Tg MEFs under the same conditions. Furthermore, Nrf2-regulated gene expression was significantly increased in the WT MEFs, but not in the Trx2 Tg MEFs. These results show that the Cys/CySS redox status in the extracellular compartment regulates intracellular ROS generated primarily in the mitochondria, which play an important role in the activation of Nrf2 and up-regulation of antioxidant and detoxification systems.
Factors affecting local permit ownership in Bristol Bay

Abstract Since the first limited entry Bristol Bay drift and set gillnet permits were issued in 1975, many local residents have sold their permits to non-resident fishermen. Declining local permit ownership destabilizes the main economic base of the region. Previous studies have documented the decline of locally owned permits and have proposed social and economic hypotheses that could explain why local permit ownership is declining in limited entry fisheries in Alaska. To stem the outward flow of permits, the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation operates a Permit Loan Program to assist Bristol Bay watershed residents in buying permits. Despite its generous benefits, it has not reversed the decline in local permit ownership. This paper examines why residents enter or exit the fishery. Hypotheses on permit retention were tested through interviews with Bristol Bay fishery participants. Interviewees indicate stronger cultural and familial ties than economic factors to fishing. As local permit ownership has declined, these ties are being lost, leading to declining interest in the fishery. Commercial fishing is a competitive and costly enterprise. Successful participants in the fisheries, especially the drift gillnet fishery, are financially savvy with supplemental non-fishing income that outcompete residents by catching most of the fish. The Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation Permit Loan Program appears unable to stop the local loss of permits. There are no obvious ways to expand local permit ownership and retaining local permits remains a major challenge for the region. However, it is important for local residents to participate in the fishery because it keeps communities economically and socially healthy, gives residents access to their local resources and strengthens their voice in managing their local resources.
A synoptic view of trends and decadal variations in autumn precipitation across the United States from 1948 to 2004

[1] Precipitation and streamflow have increased in United States since 1948 with the largest increases generally observed in the Midwest and in the autumn. Autumn precipitation in the central United States also exhibits spatially correlated decadal-scale variability with a period of approximately 12 years. In this study, we identify synoptic circulation patterns from daily atmospheric data conducive for precipitation anomalies in the central United States and link changes in the frequency of these patterns to the observed trends and decadal variations in autumn precipitation over the central United States. A synoptic air-mass classification approach based on classification and regression trees is applied to daily NCAR-NCEP Reanalysis data to identify synoptic circulation patterns associated with changing air-mass characteristics and developing surface weather systems in the central United States. The advantage of the proposed approach is that precipitation data are not used to identify recurring synoptic patterns over North America. The analysis identifies four daily circulation types conducive to spatially correlated precipitation anomalies across the central United States. The frequency of these circulation types is then linked to the observed trends and decadal variations in autumn precipitation over the central United States. Our analysis suggests that the trends and decadal variations in autumn precipitation are related to an increase (decrease) in the frequency of days with a trough (ridge) over the western United States. The effect of this change in circulation on the occurrence of intense precipitation is discussed.
Nuclear β‐catenin promotes non‐neural ectoderm and posterior cell fates in amphioxus embryos

In vertebrate development, Wnt/β-catenin signaling has an early role in specification of dorsal/anterior identity and a late one in posterior specification. To understand the evolution of these roles, we cloned β-catenin from the invertebrate chordate amphioxus. The exon/intron organization of β-catenin is highly conserved between amphioxus and other animals including a cnidarian, but not Drosophila. In development, amphioxus β-catenin is concentrated in all nuclei from the 16-cell stage until the onset of gastrulation when it becomes undetectable in presumptive mesendoderm. Li+, which up-regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, had no detectable effect on axial patterning when applied before the late blastula stage, suggesting that a role for β-catenin in specification of dorsal/anterior identity may be a vertebrate innovation. From the mid-gastrula through the neurula stage, the highest levels of nuclear β-catenin are around the blastopore. In the early neurula, β-catenin is down-regulated in the neural plate, but remains high in adjacent non-neural ectoderm. Embryos treated with Li+ at the late blastula stage are markedly posteriorized and lack a neural plate. These results suggest that in amphioxus, as in vertebrates, down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the neural plate is necessary for maintenance of the neuroectoderm and that a major evolutionarily conserved role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is to specify posterior identity and pattern the anterior/posterior axis. Developmental Dynamics 233:1430–1443, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Light scattering from deformed droplets and droplets with inclusions II : theoretical treatment

We provide theoretical results from the scattering of light by deformed liquid droplets and droplets with inclusions. With improved instrumentation and computer technologies available, researchers are able to employ two-dimensional angular optical scattering as a tool for analyzing such particle systems and which then could be applied in industrial, occupational, and military aerosol measurement. We present numerically calculated spatial light-scattering data from various droplet morphologies. We describe characteristic features of the theoretical data and compare these with the experimental results.
Management issues in massive pediatric facial plexiform neurofibroma with neurofibromatosis type 1

Background Plexiform neurofibroma is a relatively common but potentially devastating manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Surgical management is the mainstay of therapy, but within the head and neck region it is limited by the infiltrating nature of these tumors, inherent operative morbidity, and high rate of regrowth. Method We describe a case of a 7-year-old girl with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a massive facial plexiform neurofibroma with the aim of emphasizing the treatment and timing issues involved in the management of this difficult problem. A MEDLINE search (1966 through December 2000) was carried out, and pertinent literature on the subject was reviewed. Result The patient described in this case report was carefully observed for a period of 6 years from diagnosis before surgical excision of the tumor was undertaken with an uneventful recovery. Conclusion Surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment for these locally invasive tumors, but functional disturbances are almost inevitable in resecting substantial tumors involving the head and neck region. The indication and timing of surgery in pediatric patients therefore needs to be carefully weighed against the physical and psychologic consequences of treatment. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An intelligent system for real time automatic defect inspection on specular coated surfaces

Product visual inspection is still performed manually or semi automatically in most industries from simple ceramic tile grading to complex automotive body panel paint defect and surface quality inspection. Moreover, specular surfaces present additional challenge to conventional vision systems due to specular reflections, which may mask the true location of objects and lead to incorrect measurements. There are some sophisticated visual inspection methods developed in recent years. Unfortunately, most of them are highly computational. Systems built on those methods are either inapplicable or very costly to achieve real time inspection. In this paper, we describe an integrated low-cost intelligent system developed to automatically capture, extract, and segment defects on specular surfaces with uniform color coatings. The system inspects and locates regular surface defects with lateral dimensions as small as a millimeter. The proposed system is implemented on a group of smart cameras using its on-board processing ability to achieve real time inspection. The experimental results on real test panels demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of proposed system.
Incentives and revenue sharing in college football: Spreading the wealth or giving away the game?

The incentive mechanism literature is mostly theoretical since data limitations typically prohibit the testing of predictions. This paper offers an empirical study of the relationship between incentives and economic performance as applied to conference revenue sharing in college football. Revenue sharing acts as a disincentive to build a stronger team since the pecuniary rewards of team success are diminished if a team must share these rewards with conference opponents. This proposition is tested using data on team performance and revenue sharing rules in Division I-A college football. The results confirm the main theoretical proposition – conferences which share more, tend to be weaker.
Echocardiographic analysis of ventricular geometry and function during repair of congenital septal defects.

Abstract Background This study investigated changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry and systolic function after corrective surgery for atrial (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD). Methods Transesophageal LV short-axis echocardiograms were recorded before and after operative repair of ASD (n = 11) and VSD (n = 7). Preload was measured using LV end-diastolic area indexed for body surface area. Measurements of septal-freewall (D1) and anterior-posterior (D2) endocardial diameters were used to assess LV symmetry from D1/D2. Systolic indices included stroke area, area ejection fraction, and fractional shortening. Results Preload, stroke area, area ejection fraction, and fractional shortening of D1 increased after ASD repair but decreased after VSD repair ( p p 2 = 0.80, p Conclusions Preload was the primary determinant of changes in LV function in this series of ASD and VSD repairs. Intraoperative changes in position of the interventricular septum affected systolic and diastolic LV symmetry and septal free wall shortening. Additional studies are needed to define changes in afterload and contractility as well as diastolic compliance and systolic mechanics.
Abnormal aortic arch.

There are a variety of aortic arch anomalies, including coarctation of the aorta, interrupted aortic arch, and vascular rings, which present with clinical signs and symptoms. We report a unique case of an abnormal aortic arch as a spurious finding in the workup of an infant with a heart murmur. A 20-day-old previously healthy, term infant was admitted with respiratory synctial virus and progressive respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed a nonspecific grade 2/6 systolic ejection murmur audible along the left sternal border. Blood pressures in the arms and legs were normal and pulses were easily palpable in all extremities. An echocardiogram showed no intracardiac abnormalities, but suprasternal and subcostal imaging suggested an abnormal aortic arch [2] (Fig. 1) but failed to adequately define its course in the thorax. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to further clarify the arch anatomy [1]. Double-inversion recovery sagittal images show a tortuous and elongated but unobstructed proximal descending aorta (Fig. 2) coursing lateral and posterior to the usual course of the aorta, extending into the paraspinal region posterior to the level of the vertebral bodies. Despite the unusual course, the aorta remained widely patent throughout. This unusual aortic arch variant, which was poorly defined using two-dimensional echocardiography due to its traverse through several planes of sound, was clearly defined by MRI, thus preventing more invasive evaluation and verifying that intervention was unnecessary.
the effects of GARP and other future large programs on education and research in the atmospheric sciences

Abstract The atmospheric sciences, no less than other fields of scientific endeavor, are experiencing growing demands and budgetary pressures for more direct concern with the problems of society. At the same time, the field has advanced to the stage where the meteorologist himself senses the need for more massive efforts, if progress is to be made with many of the major scientific problems. Thus the era ahead promises to be one in which increased emphasis is given to large problems of social and economic consequence such as weather prediction, weather and climate modification, and air pollution. The attacks on these large, complex problems will necessarily be multidisciplinary and will require new organizational aligments within government and educational institutions and new patterns of cooperation between public and private sectors. They will also necessitate a vast growth in size and sophistication of measuring and data handling systems. The Global Atmospheric Research Program is discussed as a concret...
Influence of delayed injection time on the creep behavior of acrylic bone cement.

It has been proposed that creep of acrylic bone cement may contribute to loosening of cemented total joint replacements. If true, it is important that factors affecting creep of bone cement are identified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an operator-controlled variable, injection time, on the creep behavior of acrylic bone cement. Results from this investigation showed that injection time significantly (p < 0.0001) influenced creep behavior of bone cement. “Delayed” injection time of acrylic bone cement increased creep by approximately 5 times in 24 h compared to specimens prepared according to standard injection procedures. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 37, 151–154, 1997.
An entropy based ideal observer model for visual saliency

In this paper we present an information theoretic based model for saliency founded in the statistics of natural scenes. Our model uses the statistical models of natural images to estimate entropy as a measure of salience in those images. Theoretical models of the statistics of natural scenes have been used to solve a number of problems in image analysis and we demonstrate how it can be used to model fixation. We evaluate our model against human fixation data collected from a set of 100 images showing the value of incorporating image models based on the statistics of Natural Scenes for calculating salience. From our evaluation we find that our model identifies more locations in an image as being salient compared to other models, but for the most salient locations, which are fixated on by human subjects our model assign a higher salience value than other competing fixation models.
Generalized rational identities of power series rings

In Cl], Amitsur introduced the notion of rational identities of division rings. Bergman simplified and generalized Amitsur’s work in proving that any two infinite dimensional division algebras with infinite centers satisfy the same generalized rational identities (GRIs). We emphasize that the coefficients of these identities lie in a fixed division ring. We refer the reader to the account given by Desmarais and ~artindale in [3]. Since GRIs of infinite dimensional division rings are universal in the above sense, it is natural to ask whether a similar result holds for a wider class of rings. Thus one is led to consider non-GPI prime algebras. Certain difliculties are inherent in studying GRIs in this case. For instance, there may bc a scarcity of invertible elements. Furthermore, many division ring constructions are not applicable to prime rings. Bergman’s result relies heavily on the following fact: if D is a division ring, then D[t] has a skew field of quotients o(t). Consequently, we will work with power series over prime rings. We remark that power series figure prominently in the work of Amitsur and Bergman. In this paper we prove the following theorem: Let A be a fixed algebra over a field F. If R, and R, are non-GPI prime A-rings, then any nondegenerate GRI of RJ[x]] is a GRI of R,[[x]], i,j= 1,2.
Septic shock in pregnancy.

Objective To evaluate the etiology, management, and maternal and perinatal outcome in patients with septic shock during pregnancy. Methods In 18 patients with septic shock during pregnancy, the criteria for the diagnosis were sepsis-induced hypotension unresponsive to adequate fluid resuscitation and requirement for vasopressors. Results Causes of shock were pyelonephritis ( n = 6), chorioamnionitis ( n = 3), postpartum endometritis ( n = 2), toxic shock ( n = 2), and one each of septic abortion, ruptured appendix, ruptured ovarian abscess, necrotizing fasciitis, and bacterial endocarditis. Five women (28%) died. Comparing medians of the initial laboratory data for the 13 survivors with those of the five nonsurvivors revealed significant differences for hematocrit (26 compared with 35%; Z = −2.267, P = .023), aspartate aminotransferase (30 compared with 287 U/L; Z = −2.068, P = .042), total bilirubin (1.6 compared with 5.8 mg/dL; Z = 2.046, P = .045), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (30 compared with 19 mmHg; Z = −2.384, P = .013), and arterial oxygen pressure (62 compared with 104 mmHg; Z = −2.004, P = .048). Comparing medians of the hemodynamic data showed differences in blood pressure (88 compared with 70 mmHg; Z = −2.439, P = .013), stroke volume (74 compared with 52 mL; Z = −2.041, P = .038), and left ventricular stroke work index (42 compared with 12 g · m · m 2 ; Z = −1.929, P = .052). Sixty-four percent of survivors and 80% of nonsurvivors had depressed left ventricular function (Fisher exact test, P > .99). Locating the source of infection was difficult and delayed in eight patients. Conclusion In women with septic shock, progression to death can be dramatically rapid. Because vascular permeability is increased, it may be appropriate to administer vasopressors early during resuscitation. An initial low cardiac output is a poor prognostic sign.
A comparison of the effects of partial surgical and partial chemical (CCl 4) hepatectomy on microsomal cytochrome b 5 and P 450 and oxidative N-demethylation.

The effects of partial surgical hepatectomy and chemical (CCl4) hepatectomy on microsomal cytochromes b5 and P450, and oxidative N-demethylation were measured. CCl4-induced liver injury was associated with decreased levels of P450 and both steps in oxidative N-demethylation of dimethylaniline (N-oxide accumulation and formaldehyde release). Cytochrome b5 was rapidly restored to control levels. Surgical hepatectomy resulted in decreased cytochromes, decreased formaldehyde production, but increased N-oxide accumulation. These results were found in adrenalectomized animals, suggesting a direct effect of the hepatectomy.
Equilibrium in International Trade: The United States, 1919–26

I. The American balance of payments, 1919–26, 388. — Wide but strikingly parallel fluctuations of net capital and commodity movements, 390. — The domestic situation, 393. — II. General analysis of the maintenance of equilibrium in international payments, 395. — The effects of importation, 399. — The correction of excesses is not equally rapid in all cases, nor does the "causal sequence" always proceed along the same lines, 407. — III. The effects of exportation, 412. — Imports and exports taken together, 416. — The correction of excesses; effects of the business cycle. If foreign trade is relatively unimportant, the correction of large excesses must wait on domestic cyclical movements, 422. — IV. Application of these conclusions to the United States, 423. — The period 1919–21, 424. — The period 1922–26, 429. — The changes in the net items of the American balance of payments have had little effect on internal conditions; and their origin has usually made them mutually offsetting, 432.
Mitigation of patient harm from testing errors in family medicine offices: a report from the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network

Objectives: Little research has focused on preventing harm from errors that occur in primary care. We studied mitigation of patient harm by analysing error reports from family physicians’ offices. Methods: The data for this analysis come from reports of testing process errors identified by family physicians and their office staff in eight practices in the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network. We determined how often reported error events were mitigated, described factors related to mitigation and assessed the effect of mitigation on the outcome of error events. Results: We identified mitigation in 123 (21%) of 597 testing process event reports. Of the identified mitigators, 79% were persons from inside the practice, and 7% were patients or patient’s family. Older age was the only patient demographic attribute associated with increased likelihood of mitigation occurring (unadjusted OR 18– 44 years compared with 65 years of age or older = 0.27; p = 0.007). Events that included testing implementation errors (11% of the events) had lower odds of mitigation (unadjusted OR = 0.40; p = 0.001), and events containing reporting errors (26% of the events) had higher odds of mitigation (unadjusted OR = 1.63; p = 0.021). As the number of errors reported in an event increased, the odds of that event being mitigated decreased (unadjusted OR = 0.58; p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that an event had higher odds of being mitigated if it included an ordering error or if the patient was 65 years of age or older, and lower odds of being mitigated if the patient was between age 18 and 44, or if the event included an implementation error or involved more than one error. Mitigated events had lower odds of patient harm (unadjusted OR = 0.16; p,0.0001) and negative consequences (unadjusted OR = 0.28; p,0.0001). Mitigated events resulted in less severe and fewer detrimental outcomes compared with non-mitigated events. Conclusion: Nearly a quarter of testing process errors reported by family physicians and their staff had evidence of mitigation, and mitigated errors resulted in less frequent and less serious harm to patients. Vigilance throughout the testing process is likely to detect and correct errors, thereby preventing or reducing harm.
The invention of Peel's principles: A study of policing ‘textbook’ history

Abstract Beyond noting the importance of the Act for Improving the Police in and near the Metropolis (1829) (hereafter referred to as the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829) to the origins of modern policing, law enforcement and policing textbooks commonly include a list identified as Peel's principles. In researching the origins of such lists and their principles, this study found that they are largely the invention of twentieth century textbook authors. From this understanding emerge several considerations for the future of textbook history and of Peel's principles. These include the ongoing importance of incorporating new scholarship and changing historical interpretation into texts. In such an endeavor, however, care should be taken not to impose twentieth or twenty-first century concepts on the past.
A preclinical orthotopic model for glioblastoma recapitulates key features of human tumors and demonstrates sensitivity to a combination of MEK and PI3K pathway inhibitors

Current therapies for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the highest grade malignant brain tumor, are mostly ineffective, and better preclinical model systems are needed to increase the successful translation of drug discovery efforts into the clinic. Previous work describes a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model that contains perturbations in the most frequently dysregulated networks in GBM (driven by RB, KRAS and/or PI3K signaling and PTEN) that induce development of Grade IV astrocytoma with properties of the human disease. Here, we developed and characterized an orthotopic mouse model derived from the GEM that retains the features of the GEM model in an immunocompetent background; however, this model is also tractable and efficient for preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutic regimens. Orthotopic brain tumors are highly proliferative, invasive and vascular, and express histology markers characteristic of human GBM. Primary tumor cells were examined for sensitivity to chemotherapeutics and targeted drugs. PI3K and MAPK pathway inhibitors, when used as single agents, inhibited cell proliferation but did not result in significant apoptosis. However, in combination, these inhibitors resulted in a substantial increase in cell death. Moreover, these findings translated into the in vivo orthotopic model: PI3K or MAPK inhibitor treatment regimens resulted in incomplete pathway suppression and feedback loops, whereas dual treatment delayed tumor growth through increased apoptosis and decreased tumor cell proliferation. Analysis of downstream pathway components revealed a cooperative effect on target downregulation. These concordant results, together with the morphologic similarities to the human GBM disease characteristics of the model, validate it as a new platform for the evaluation of GBM treatment.
Overview of osteoporosis: pathophysiology and determinants of bone strength

Recent advances in both the pharmacological and surgical treatment of osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures offer exciting new options for elderly patients. However, these treatments should be considered only with an indepth knowledge of osteoporosis as a metabolic disorder with complex effects on bone, its homeostatic regulation, and vertebral strength. Bone homeostasis is under the influence of both endogenous hormonal changes and external mechanical loads resulting from physical activity. These impart their effects through regulation of the relative activities of bone cells, in particular osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which control bone deposition and resorption, respectively. The strength of a vertebra is directly influenced by the amount and relative proportions of its components, with bone mineral density a useful measure of fracture risk. The purpose of this article is to discuss these issues, among others, in order to offer the reader a better understanding of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and the determinants of bone strength as they relate to the aging skeleton.
Contracting caravans: partnership and profit in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century trans-Saharan trade.

Organizing trans-Saharan camel caravans was a complicated business requiring skills, stamina, resources, and human capital. This article focuses on the contractual world of caravanning in the nineteenth and early twentieth century based on interviews with retired caravanners, original trade records, and legal sources mined in private family archives. It surveys the different contractual agreements that featured commonly in this ‘paper economy’, which was based on a reliance on literacy and Islamic law. It is argued that contracts were key instruments for accounting and accountability even between traders with kinship ties and other sources of solidarity, and that they were often the only channel for women to engage in long-distance trade via proxy.
Monolithic III-V nanowire solar cells on graphene via direct van der Waals epitaxy.

Dr. P. K. Mohseni, Dr. A. Behnam, Dr. J. D. Wood, X. Zhao, N. C. Wang, Prof. J. W. Lyding, Prof. E. Pop, Prof. X. Li Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana , Illinois 61801 , USA E-mail: xiuling@illinois.edu K. J. Yu, Prof. A. Rockett, Prof. J. A. Rogers Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana , Illinois 61801 , USA
Endothelin-1 actions on resorption, collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis, and phosphatidylinositol turnover in bone organ cultures.

The effects of endothelin-1 (ET) on several tissues are mediated by prostaglandins. In this study, we investigated the actions of ET on bone and determined whether they are mediated through prostaglandin-dependent pathways. Bone resorption, collagen, and non-collagen protein synthesis and inositol phosphate (IP) production were studied in neonatal mouse calvaria and fetal rat limb bone cultures. The effects of ET in the calvaria model were examined in the presence or absence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (INDO). Bone resorption was stimulated by ET in the neonatal mouse calvaria, and this effect was inhibited by INDO. 45Ca release in the fetal rat limb bones was not affected by ET. ET stimulated collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis significantly in the calvaria model in the presence but not in the absence of INDO, suggesting that the anabolic effects of ET were masked by endogenous prostaglandin production. ET increased phosphatidylinositol turnover in both bone organ cultures. Althou...
Amiodarone‐induced vasculitis and a review of the cutaneous side‐effects of amiodarone

Summary Amiodarone is a valuable agent, used in the management of intractable cardiac arrbythmias. Its widespread use persists despite a list of well recognized side-effects. Skin reactions are common, usually presenting as photosensitivity or less frequently as a blue/grey pigmentation on light-exposed sites. Leucocytoclastic vasculitis following treatment with amiodarone bas been reported rarely. We describe a further case and briefly review the unwanted cutaneous manifestations of amiodarone therapy.
Diagnosis of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Developmental Pediatricians in Academic Centers: A DBPNet Study

Abstract Objective To describe the developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBPs), patients, and clinical practices used in the diagnostic assessments of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) within all 12 academic medical centers comprising Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet). Methods Between December 2011 and June 2012, all DBPs who evaluated children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders were asked to complete a diagnostic encounter survey form for up to 10 consecutive new cases that resulted in the diagnosis of ADHD or autism spectrum disorder. Fifty-two clinicians returned one or more forms for children diagnosed with ADHD (n = 211). Results DBPs were generally experienced full-time academics. Children were 76.3% male, 62.3% white, 24.5% African American, and 20.7% Hispanic. Mean child age was 8.0 + 3.1 years. DBPs reviewed parent ratings of behavior in 84.4% and teacher ratings in 69.2% of cases. They reviewed or completed at least one developmental assessment in 79.2% of cases: intelligence (60.2%), academic (57.8%), fine motor or visual motor (39.3%), speech/language (34.6%), or adaptive skills (28.9%). They made the diagnosis of coexisting conditions in 82.7% of cases, including learning disabilities (31.8%), speech/language disorders (31.8%), anxiety (14.2%), externalizing disorders (10.9%), and sleep disorders (9.5%). Among 146 children not medicated before the visit, stimulant medications were initiated in 15 children (10.2%). Conclusions Within DBPNet, DBPs were highly likely to complete comprehensive assessments of ADHD that went beyond the requirements of primary care practice guidelines. They typically identified coexisting developmental and learning conditions. They did not typically prescribe medication at the end of diagnostic encounters.
A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determining [3H]T-2 and its metabolites in biological fluids of the cynomolgus monkey.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HP/C) was used to separate, identify, and quantitate the trichothecin mycotoxin, T-2 (4~,15-diacetoxy-30c-hydroxy-8oc [3-methyl-butyryloxy]-I 2,13epoxy Ag-trichothecin), and its metabolites in plasma and urine samples from cynomolgus monkeys treated with the toxin. A 15rain gradient elution system was developed to separate and measure radiolabeled T-2 mycotoxin and its metabolites. The HPLC technique for separating 1-2 and its metabolites was compared with thin-layer chromatography. Samples from the in vitro metabolism of T-2 by plasma and urine were included as controls and as a measure of the toxin's stability in biological samples. Within 5 min, 22% of the plasma radiolabeled 1"-2 toxin was detected as metabolites after an intravenous administration of [3H] T-2 toxin to cynomolgus monkeys. By 24 h post-exposure, there was no parent 1-2 toxin detected in plasma or urine. T-2 tetraol was the major metabolite detected in the plasma and urine of monkeys. Other metabolites observed in urine up to 5 days after exposure were 3'OH-T-2 and 3'OH-HT-2. We conclude that 1-2 toxin was rapidly metabolized to more polar metabolites, which were eliminated in urine. Several assay methods have been developed for detection and quantitation of T-2 toxin and other mycotoxins. Biological samples are usually analyzed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) (8), immunological methods, radioimmunoassays (9), gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry (10-15). Biological methods can also be used, including mouse bioassay (16), skin test (17), and assays of inhibition of protein synthesis (18) and inhibition of cell growth in culture (19). There is also an enzyme method (20) (binding with reduced glutathione in the presence of glutathione-s-epoxide transferase) that is currently used. The disadvantages of these methods include low detection limits, la(:k of specificity and sensitivity, or they are excessively expensive for assaying T-2 and metabolites in biological samples. In this study, we compared high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer radio chromatography to isolate, separate, identify, and quantitate T-2 toxin and its metabolites in biological samples of cynomolgus monkeys.
What's New In Elder Abuse Programming? Four Bright Ideas

This article presents four "best practice models" that address some common problems faced by community agencies working with elder abuse cases: a multidisciplinary case consultation team; a senior advocate volunteer program; a victim support group; and a master's of social work degree specialization in adult protective services. Their relatively low cost, flexibility, and level of success make them worthy of replication. Language: en
PULSATORY AND AUSCULTATORY PHENOMENA IN PSEUDOANEURYSM OF THE HEART.

Abstract A case in which a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle developed following a stab wound of the heart is described. The following clinical signs, hitherto undescribed, were observed: (1) attenuation of the systolic murmur with inspiration and intensification with expiration, and (2) abnormal “persistent” splitting of the second sound. The mechanisms responsible for these findings are discussed.
Teaching NeuroImages: Vein of Galen aneurysm mimicking pineal mass in a young adult

A 22-year-old man presented with intractable progressive headaches over 2 months. Noncontrast head CT and contrast-enhanced MRI scan revealed a hyperdense pineal-based mass (figure, A and B). Arteriogram was normal (figure, C and D).
Adaptive reduced-rank interference suppression with adaptive rank selection

An adaptive reduced-rank filter for interference suppression in direct-sequence (DS)-code-division multiple access (CDMA) is presented. The projection subspace is constructed by successively multiplying an initial basis vector (estimated steering vector or matched filter) by the sample covariance matrix. It is shown that this technique is equivalent to adaptive reduced-rank filtering based on the multi-stage Wiener filter of Goldstein and Reed (see IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, vol.44, no.7, 1998). This method has the important property that the rank needed to achieve a target performance does not scale with the system size (number of users and processing gain). Methods for rank selection are presented along with numerical examples illustrating performance.
Characterization of (Al,Ga)As/GaAs Multilayer Structures by X-Ray Interference

An experimental study of x-ray interference effects from GaAs/Al x Ga 1−x As multilayer structures was conducted. The presence of a GaAs layer, whose thickness ranged from 50 A to 10 μm, between two Al 0.30 Ga 0.70 As layers was found to significantly affect the x-ray rocking curves from these structures. We determined both the thickness and the composition of the Al x Ga 1−x As layers and the thickness of the GaAs layers by comparing the rocking curves to simulated ones using a dynamical x-ray diffraction model. A sensitivity analysis showed that the thickness predicted for the GaAs buried layer was precise to within 90 A for a ≃ 2000 A GaAs layer and that the barrier layer Al content and thickness could be determined to within 1% and 80 A, respectively for ≃ 5000A layers. This analysis also showed that, within experimental resolution limits, the structure determined from comparing simulated and experimental rocking curves was unique. Both the limits of this technique in determining interfacial grading and applications to specific device structures and other materials systems are discussed.
The role of a metastable RNA secondary structure in hepatitis delta virus genotype III RNA editing

RNA editing plays a critical role in the life cycle of hepatitis delta virus (HDV). The host editing enzyme ADAR1 recognizes specific RNA secondary structure features around the amber/W site in the HDV antigenome and deaminates the amber/W adenosine. A previous report suggested that a branched secondary structure is necessary for editing in HDV genotype III. This branched structure, which is distinct from the characteristic unbranched rod structure required for HDV replication, was only partially characterized, and knowledge concerning its formation and stability was limited. Here, we examine the secondary structures, conformational dynamics, and amber/W site editing of HDV genotype III RNA using a miniaturized HDV genotype III RNA in vitro. Computational analysis of this RNA using the MPGAfold algorithm indicated that the RNA has a tendency to form both metastable and stable unbranched secondary structures. Moreover, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that this RNA forms both branched and unbranched rod structures when transcribed in vitro. As predicted, the branched structure is a metastable structure that converts readily to the unbranched rod structure. Only branched RNA was edited at the amber/W site by ADAR1 in vitro. The structural heterogeneity of HDV genotype III RNA is significant because not only are both conformations of the RNA functionally important for viral replication, but the ratio of the two forms could modulate editing by determining the amount of substrate RNA available for modification.
An experimental investigation on intra-fractional organ motion effects in lung IMRT treatments

Respiration-induced tumour motion can potentially compromise the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as a dose escalation tool for lung tumour treatment. We have experimentally investigated the intra-fractional orga nm otion effects in lung IMRT treatments delivered by multi-leaf collimator (MLC). An in-house made motor-driven platform, which moves sinusoidally with an amplitude of 1 cm and a period of 4 s, was used to mimic tumour motion. Tumour motion was simulated along cranial-caudal direction while MLC leaves moved across the patient from left to right, as in most clinical cases. The dose to a point near the centre of the tumour mass was measured according to geometric and dosimetri cp arameters from two five-field lung IMRT plans. For each field, measurement was done for two dose rates (300 and 500 MU min −1 ), three MLC delivery modes (sliding window, step-and-shoot with 10 and 20 intensity levels) and eight equally spaced starting phases of tumour motion. The dose to the measurement point delivered from all five field sw as derived for both a single fraction and 30 fractions by randomly sampling from measured dose values of each field at different initial phases. It was found that the mean dose to a moving tumour differs slightly (<2–3%) from that to a static tumour. The variation in breathing phase at the start of dose delivery results in a maximum variation around the mean dose of greater than 30% for one field. The full width at half maximum for the probability distribution of the point dose is up to 8% for all five fields in a single fraction, bu tl ess than 1–2% after 30 fractions. In general, lower dose rate can reduce the motion-caused dose variation and therefore might be preferable for lung IMRT when no motion mitigation techniques are used. From the two IMRT cases we studied where tumour motion is perpendicular to MLC leaf motion, the dose variation was found to be insensitive to the MLC delivery mode. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
Septic Cerebral Embolism

In order to study the effects of septic embolism on neurovascular structures, cerebral infarction was produced in a series of dogs by injecting silicone rubber cylinders through an internal carotid artery cannula. Each embolic particle was first incubated with one of four known bacterial pathogens. Death occurred in three animals on the second postoperative day, at which time ten other moribund dogs were sacrificed. Eleven animals made apparently uneventful recoveries from early hemiplegia and appeared well when sacrificed electively one to five weeks after embolism. Autopsies revealed subarachnoid and acute subdural hemorrhages in the early group with gross and microscopic evidence of mycotic aneurysm in each instance. Chronically surviving animals showed histological lesions in the putamen or temporal pole consistent with brain abscess. In this series, mycotic aneurysm with hemorrhage was an extremely dramatic complication of emboli infected with the virulent pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escheri...
Characteristics and long-term outcomes of contemporary patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Abstract Background We sought to study the impact of surgical intervention on long-term outcomes in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients who develop aortic valvular complications and/or have a concomitant aortopathy. Methods We studied 1890 consecutive patients with BAV (age 50 ± 14 years; 75% men), evaluated in the time period 2003 to 2007. Clinical and imaging data were recorded. The endpoint was a composite of death or type A aortic dissection. Results The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 55% ± 8%; 31% had New York Heart Association class ≥ III aortic regurgitation, and 17% had mean aortic valve (AV) gradient ≥30 mm Hg. Dilated (≥4 cm) aortic root and ascending aorta were observed in 35% and 42% of patients, respectively. At 8.1 ± 2 years, 918 (49%) patients underwent surgery (883 had AV replacement and/or repair (± combination procedures), 471 with ascending aortic grafting (30 had isolated aortic grafting), and 171 (9%) events (169 deaths and 2 dissections) occurred; 0.4% was the 30-day mortality). On multivariable Cox survival analysis, increasing age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.05-1.07]), increasing aortic root size (HR 1.32, 95% CI [1.07-1.65]), decreasing LV ejection fraction (HR 1.04, 95% CI [1.03-1.05]), and hyperlipidemia (HR 1.51, 95% CI [1.20-1.89]) had higher associated events, and surgery related to BAV (time-dependent covariate) (HR 0.44, 95% CI [0.31-0.70]) was associated with significantly lower events (all P P = .01). Conclusions Patients with BAV have a high prevalence of AV dysfunction and concomitant aortopathy. Undergoing surgery (AV replacement and/or repair ± AAR) was associated with a significantly lower incidence of death and/or dissection.
Improvement of Shear Wave Motion Detection Using Harmonic Imaging in Healthy Human Liver

Quantification of liver elasticity is a major application of shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) to non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis stages. SWEI measurements can be highly affected by ultrasound image quality. Ultrasound harmonic imaging has exhibited a significant improvement in ultrasound image quality as well as for SWEI measurements. This was previously illustrated in cardiac SWEI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate liver shear wave particle displacement detection and shear wave velocity (SWV) measurements with fundamental and filter-based harmonic ultrasound imaging. In a cohort of 17 patients with no history of liver disease, a 2.9-fold increase in maximum shear wave displacement, a 0.11 m/s decrease in the overall interquartile range and median SWV and a 17.6% increase in the success rate of SWV measurements were obtained when filter-based harmonic imaging was used instead of fundamental imaging.