cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The periodicity and architecture of lipid retained and extracted lung surfactant and its origin from multilamellar bodies

Abstract Lipid and carbohydrate retaining procedures were utilized to retain these components of surfactant in thin section. The origin of tubular myelin surfactant from multilamellar bodies was postulated on morphological evidence to be : an expansion of lamellae in pairs caused by the absorption of a homogeneous, probably carbohydratebased, material of undetermined origin; immediately after the pairs expanded to 438 A, the lamella (lipid bilayer) that was most peripheral in the multilamellar body underwent a molecular rearrangement to form the two cross lipid bilayers; the four lipid bilayers formed a square tubule 413 A of side and 0.16–1.8 μ long. The homogeneous material included within each tubule (the surfactant matrix) did not completely fill the intratubular space, but a centrally located, spherical, 57 A diameter, electron transparent, area was observed. The 413 A square tubules were separated on all sides by a 25 A fatty acid tail area. The phospholipid head areas were 46 A and the surfactant matrix was 132 A between the electron transparent, center area and the phospholipid heads layer. Extraction with several organic solvents was also studied: slight ethanol extraction—alteration of surfactant matrix and loss of transparent, central area. Moderate ethanol extraction—alteration of surfactant matrix to form artifactual tubules and filaments, disruption of lipid bilayers. Severe extraction—ethanol produced loss of integrity of both matrix and lipid bilayers; vinylcyclohexane dioxide or methacrylate produced complete loss of all lipid bilayers, but surfactant matrix retained tubular configuration ; DMP-30 produced complete loss of lipid bilayers, and although most of the matrix material was retained, all areas appeared fractured and randomly oriented.
Gender discrepancies in the diagnosis of renal cortical tumors.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is more common in men than women although the relationship between sex and histologic sub-type of RCC is unknown. The Columbia University Urologic Oncology Database of 1,105 patients who underwent nephrectomy from 1990–2005 was reviewed. 1,018 patients were included who underwent renal surgery with complete demographic data and post-operative pathologic information; 49 with incomplete information and 36 with “granular” histology were excluded. Differences in histology, size and volume of primary tumor, laterality, chief complaint, age, pathologic stage and status were evaluated by sex using ANOVA techniques. The cohort included 671 (66.1%) men and 344 (33.8%) women. There were no differences in age (61.0 vs. 60.7 years, P = 0.36), size (6.22 vs. 5.53 cm, P = 0.08) or volume (305 vs. 129cc, P = 0.07) of primary tumor. Men were more likely to have bilateral tumors (9.6 vs. 3.5%, P = 0.003). A greater percentage of men had malignant pathologic histology at nephrectomy (90.9 vs. 84.0%, P = 0.002). The rate of malignancy for women increased from 44.5% for tumors < 1 cm to 92.7% for tumors greater than 10 cm; there was no trend noted in men. Women had a greater percentage of conventional RCC (77.2 vs. 70.5%, P = 0.04). When analyzed by histologic sub-type, men were more likely to have papillary histology than women (17.4 vs. 4.5%), women were more likely to have chromophobe histology (11.2 vs. 5.0%; P = 0.006). Differences in demographics, pathologic parameters and histologic sub-typing are observed between men and women treated for renal masses.
Primary Care Providers Need a Variety of Nutrition and Wellness Patient Education Materials

Abstract Objective To assess and document the need for nutrition and wellness patient education materials. Design The results of open-ended interviews and focus groups were used to develop a mail-type survey. The 46-item survey addressed barriers to using nutrition and wellness education materials as well as format, education/ reading level, foreign languages, and topics needed. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES) family and consumer education agents distributed surveys to family and general practices throughout North Carolina. Subjects Of the 721 primary care providers surveyed, 303 (42%) returned usable surveys. Respondents practiced in 89 of the 100 counties of the state served by NCCES family and consumer education agents. Statistical analysis performed Descriptive statistics and independent sample t tests were used to analyze survey results. Results Limited time with patients and inability to obtain materials because of cost or being unsure of sources were most often identified as barriers to using nutrition and wellness materials. Of the 26 topics surveyed, 6 had mean levels of need greater than or equal to high need (mean score ≥4): weight control for adults, smoking cessation, changing dietary fat intake, exercise guidelines for healthy adults, general stress management guidelines, and healthful eating for older adults. Twenty-four of the 26 topics had mean levels of need greater than or equal to moderate need (mean score ≥3). Topics with moderate need included guidelines for overweight children and adolescents, nutrition for chronic disease prevention, and healthful eating for various stages of the life cycle. The combined mean score for topics dealing with weight control and exercise for adults, adolescents, and children was greater than the score for high need (mean score >4). Eighty-three percent of respondents preferred 1-page, printed handouts. Forty-five percent requested materials in Spanish. Applications Dietitians who work in a variety of settings can use techniques similar to those described here to determine the patient education materials practitioners need for the populations they serve. The information obtained from this study will be used to develop 1-page, printed handouts. A registered dietitian and a food and nutrition specialist with NCCES will develop and pilot-test the handouts. These materials will be made available to primary care providers in North Carolina via local NCCES family and consumer education agents, many of whom are registered dietitians. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:462–466.
Some Reflections on Conscience

When we say to physicians, “Don't impose your values on your patients,” we are articulating a basic principle integral to a pluralistic society. And for those who subscribe to this principle, it do...
Workplace fun: the moderating effects of generational differences

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate how generational differences moderate the relationship between workplace fun and individual workplace outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – The authors review and integrate the literatures on workplace fun and generational theory and empirically test the interaction effects of generation membership and workplace fun with job satisfaction, task performance, and OCB using a sample of 701 workers.Findings – The findings suggest that not only do members of different generational cohorts respond differently to workplace fun, but cohort membership moderates the relationship between workplace fun and some individual workplace outcomes.Research limitations/implications – Snowball sampling and cross‐sectional data limit the generalisability of the study's findings.Practical implications – The authors provide managerial implications for promoting workplace fun.Originality/value – The paper contributes to the workplace fun conversation by addressing the overlooked question o...
Endicott College at 2014 TREC Session Track

Abstract : Endicott College submitted three runs to Task 1 of the 2014 TREC Session Track. All runs re-ranked the baseline runs provided by the track organizers. One of the runs made use of a click graph to re-rank results for RL1, RL2, and RL3. The other two used relevance models computed over snippets from the session, and boosted their RL3 run using click graph recommendations. In the absence of clicks (e.g., RL1 and clickless sessions in RL2 and RL3), two of the runs used pseudo relevance feedback over the session, while the other used the unmodified baseline ranking. All runs used a similar pre-processing procedure, which we describe in Section 2. We then discuss our click graph re-ranking technique for the ECxCGxPRF run in Section 3 and the session relevance modeling technique for our ECxSRMxOS and ECxSRMxPRF runs in Section 4. We follow that with an analysis of the performance of our runs compared to each other, as well as the track minimums, medians, and maximums. Finally, we wrap up with some closing thoughts and future directions in Section 6.
Anticoagulant control in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract An analysis of 484 cases of acute myocardial infarction was undertaken to determine relationships which exist between anticoagulant control and mortality rate, thromboembolic complications, and hemorrhagic complications. On the basis of anticoagulant control, the cases were assigned to various groups. A comparative study of mortality rates revealed that the results obtained with moderate anticoagulant control were equal to, or better than, the results obtained with rigid control. There was no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolic complications between the rigidly and moderately controlled groups. The mortality rates associated with thromboembolic complications also varied little between these groups. Hemorrhagic complications were frequently associated with prothrombin times below 20 per cent. A therapeutic range of 20 to 40 per cent using the modified Quick one-stage prothrombin time should: (1) favorably influence the mortality rate in acute myocardial infarction, (2) provide adequate protection against thromboembolic complications, and (3) significantly minimize the risk of hemorrhagic complications.
Ouabain-sensitive and oligomycin-sensitive adenosine-triphosphatase activities of normal human lymphocytes.

Summary. Homogenates of highly purified normal human lymphocytes contained two different adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities. One of these activities was present in a supernatant fraction of the lymphocyte homogenates, possibly related to mitochondria. This activity was independent of the presence of monovalent cations, was insensitive to ouabain, but was inhibited by oligomycin and stimulated by 2,4 dinitrophenol. Exchange of Mg++ with Ca++, or addition of sodium fluoride completely inhibited this ATPase activity. A Km-value for the substrate ATP was determined to be 0.83 mm. The specific activity of the oligomycin-sensitive, supernatant ATPase was 0.31 ± 0.13 (SD) μmoles Pi per mg protein per 30 min. The other ATPase activity was activated by Na+ and K+ and was inhibited by ouabain. This ATPase activity was only found in the pellet fraction after centrifugation, possibly associated with the cell membranes. The specific activity of this ATPase was 0.25 ± 0.09 (SD) μmoles Pi per mg protein per 30 min. The effect of ouabain in various cation combinations of the assay is reported. Optimal ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity was found at 100 mm Na+, 15 mm K+ and 6 mm Mg++. Only the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activity increased after short time stimulation of the lymphocytes by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and this could be inhibited by puromycin. The increased ATPase activity of normal lymphocytes caused by the non-specific mitogen PHA suggest the possibility that the increased ATPase activity of lymphocytes from patients with malignant tumours could be due to a stimulation of the lymphocytes by tumour specific antigens in vivo.
The influence of image magnification in first-trimester screening for Down syndrome by fetal nuchal translucency in Asians.

Objective The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of image magnification in the measurements of crown-rump length (CRL) and nuchal translucency (NT) thickness for first-trimester Down syndrome screening in Asians. Methods Ultrasound measurements of NT and CRL were performed in 561 consecutive Taiwanese unaffected fetuses and 11 cases of Down syndrome fetuses between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation. All sonographic images were measured by one qualified examiner to prospectively undergo first-trimester NT screening for Down syndrome. Fetal CRL and NT thickness were measured on three separated images including the original image, regular image, and the magnified image. Results A significant mean difference (0.59 ± 4.24 mm) of CRL was found between measurements on the original and regular image (p < 0.001). There was a significant mean difference of NT thickness measurements between the regular and magnified image (0.12 ± 0.25 mm, p < 0.001). Seven out of the 11 cases (63.6%) of Down syndrome with NT thickness ≥2.5 mm was measured on three separated images. A significantly reduced incidence of NT thickness ≥2.5 mm on the magnified image was noted than those of the original and regular image measurements in unaffected cases (p < 0.001). Either using the assessing method by the 95th centile cutoff value of NT thickness or combined risk, our results could achieve observed detection rate of 63.6% measured on three separated images. Conclusions Our data indicate that the image magnification could reduce the false-positive rate by using a fixed cutoff value of NT thickness, but would have no influence on the results when using the assessing method either by the 95th centile cutoff value of NT thickness or the combined risk. In order to place the caliper more accurately, a magnified image should be recommended as a standard image in the measurements of the NT thickness. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power performance improvements for high pressure ripple energy harvesting

A hydraulic pressure energy harvester (HPEH) device, which utilizes a housing in order to isolate a piezoelectric stack from the hydraulic fluid via a mechanical interface, generates power by converting the dynamic pressure within the system into electricity. Energy harvester prototypes were designed for generating low-power electricity from pressure ripples. These devices generate low-power electricity from off-resonance dynamic pressure excitation. The power produced per volume of piezoelectric material is analyzed to increase the power density; this is accomplished through evaluating piezoelectric stack characteristics, adding an inductor to the system circuit, and solving for optimal loading in order to achieve maximum power output. The prototype device utilizes a piezoelectric stack with high overall capacitance, which allows for inductance matching without using an active circuit. This work presents an electromechanical model and the experimental results of the HPEH devices using a parallel connection of inductive and resistive loads as the energy harvesting circuit. A non-ideal inductive load case is also considered and successfully modeled by accounting for the parasitic resistance of the inductive load. Various HPEH prototypes are fabricated, modeled, and compared in terms of their normalized power density levels, and milli-Watt level average power generation is demonstrated. The highest power density is reported for the single-crystal HPEH prototype.
Potentiation of pteroylglutamic acid by ascorbic acid in anemia of scurvy.

SummaryTwo men with scurvy and associated anemia, while maintained on a scorbutic diet, displayed hematologic responses to 125 and 250 μg of PGA, respectively, given intramuscularly daily. A potentiation of this hematologic effect of PGA occurred on subsequent administration of 1 g of ascorbic acid daily in addition to the PGA.
Mutant Ecologies: Radioactive Life in Post–Cold War New Mexico

A political ecology of the nuclear age developed through a theorization of “mutation” interrogates the contemporary terms of radioactive nature in New Mexico. As an analytic, the value of “mutation” is its emphasis on multigenerational effects, enabling an assessment of biosocial transformations as, alternatively, injury, improvement, or noise. Cold War radiation experiments, the post–Cold War transformation of nuclear production sites into “wildlife reserves,” and the expanding role that biological beings play as “environmental sentinels” in New Mexico are all sites where concerns about “species” integrity may be articulated in relation to radioactive nature.
Simulation model for tracheotomy education for primary health-care providers.

Objectives:We performed this study to evaluate the competency of health-care providers managing patients with tracheotomies, and assess the need for, and efficacy of, a multidisciplinary educationa...
Distributed analog phase shifters with low insertion loss

This paper describes the design and fabrication of distributed analog phase-shifter circuits. The phase shifters consist of coplanar-waveguide (CPW) lines that are periodically loaded with varactor diodes. The circuits are fabricated on GaAs using standard monolithic processing techniques. The phase velocity on these varactor diode-loaded CPW lines is a function of applied reverse bias, thus resulting in analog phase-shifting circuits. Optimally designed circuits exhibit 0/spl deg/-360/spl deg/ phase shift at 20 GHz with a maximum insertion loss (IL) of 4.2 dB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the lowest reported IL for a solid-state analog phase shifter operating at 20 GHz.
Defining disease-modifying therapies for PD—A road map for moving forward†

A disease-modifying therapy that slows or stops disease progression is one of the major unmet needs in the management of Parkinson's disease. To date, no therapy has been approved for disease modification despite promising laboratory data and positive results in clinical trials. This is because confounding symptomatic or pharmacologic effects cannot be excluded. The delayed start study provides an opportunity to define therapies that provide benefit that cannot be explained by an early symptomatic effect alone. However, this trial design does not necessarily provide a meaningful measure of the effect of the intervention on cumulative disability. In contrast, the long-term simple study provides a measure of the effect of the drug on cumulative disability but does not address mechanism of action. Together these two trials provide a road map for defining a disease modifying drug and determining the long term cumulative effect of the drug on the disease.
Donor CD8+ T Cells Prevent Toxoplasma gondii De-Encystation but Fail To Rescue the Exhausted Endogenous CD8+ T Cell Population

ABSTRACT Functional exhaustion of CD8+ T cells due to increased expression of inhibitory molecule PD-1 (Programmed Death-1) causes reactivation of latent disease during later phases of chronic toxoplasmosis. Onset of disease recrudescence results in decreased parasite cyst burden concomitant with parasites undergoing stage conversion from a primarily encysted, quiescent bradyzoite to a fast-replicating, highly motile tachyzoite. Thus, reduced cyst burden is one of the early hallmarks of disease recrudescence. This was further validated by depleting gamma interferon (IFN-γ), a cytokine known to control latent toxoplasmosis, in chronically infected prerecrudescent mice. Since CD8+ T cells (an important source of IFN-γ) lose their functionality during the later phases of chronic toxoplasmosis, we next examined if adoptive transfer of functional CD8+ T cells from acutely infected donors to the chronically infected prerecrudescent hosts could impede parasite de-encystation and rescue exhausted CD8+ T cells. While the transfer of immune CD8+ T cells temporarily restricted the breakdown of cysts, the exhausted endogenous CD8+ T cell population was not rescued. Over time, the donor population got deleted, resulting in parasite de-encystation and host mortality. Considering that donor CD8+ T cells fail to become long-lived, one of the cardinal features of memory CD8+ T cells, it bears the implication that memory CD8 differentiation is impaired during chronic toxoplasmosis. Moreover, our data strongly suggest that while adoptive immunotherapy can prevent parasite de-encystation transiently, reduced antigen burden in the chronic phase by itself is insufficient for rescue of exhausted CD8+ T cells. The conclusions of this study have profound ramifications in designing immunotherapeutics against chronic toxoplasmosis.
Eugregarines reduce susceptibility of the hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus, to apicomplexan pathogens and retard larval development

Eugregarines are abundant in a great diversity of invertebrates, and yet their relationships with their hosts are subject to controversy and confusion. We tested the effect of the eugregarine, Pyxinia crystalligera, on growth, development, and susceptibility to two Apicomplexa pathogens of the hide beetle, D. maculatus. Heavy infection with eugregarines provided partial protection from two pathogenic members of Apicomplexa, M. trogodermae and A. tribolii. Infection with P. crystalligera caused lower weight in beetle larvae, but did not significantly retard pupation or adult emergence. A. tribolii infection of Lepidoptera and M. trogodermae infection of D. maculatus are reported for the first time.
Laxative abuse among women with eating disorders: An indication of psychopathology?

Objective The results of the scant research on laxative abuse among women with eating disorders suggest that laxative abuse is a diagnostic indicator of greater psychopathology. We further investigated the relationship of history of laxative abuse to eating and related attitudes, impulsivity, and personality pathology. Method: Women assessed in an outpatient clinical setting and diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type (n = 51) or bulimia nervosa, purging type (n = 280) completed measures of laxative abuse, eating and related attitudes, and personality psychopathology at intake. Results: More than one-half of both groups had abused laxatives at some point. History of laxative abuse was unrelated to eating disorder diagnostic category, current age or body weight, history of stealing, self-induced injury, having attempted suicide, interpersonal distrust, maturity fears, or compulsive or dependent personality features. Compared to nonabusers, laxative abusers demonstrated more perfectionism and avoidant personality features. Significant statistical interactions among variables revealed that bulimia nervosa patients who had abused laxatives exhibited the most pathological scores on scales measuring drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, lack of interoceptive awareness, and passive-aggressive and borderline personality features. Anorexia nervosa patients who had abused laxatives had the highest scores on the histrionic scale. Discussion: Results are discussed with regard to past research and clinical implications. We propose that laxative abuse among eating disordered women may serve different functions depending on diagnosis and underlying personality dynamics. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Studies on contact inhibition of growth in the mouse fibroblast, 3T3. II. Effects of amino acid deprivation and serum on growth rate.

The effect of amino acid concentration on the initial growth rate of the contact-inhibited mouse fibroblasts 3T3 and its SV40-transformed derivative 3T3T has been studied. In medium in which the serum had been passed through a Sephadex column, and the concentration of amino acids lowered 1000-fold, one acid at a time, the growth rate constants were computed. For most of the 16 amino acids studied, the initial growth rate of 3T3 decreased more profoundly than that of 3T3T. The presence in serum of a factor which stimulates amino acid uptake and growth rate of 3T3T is described.
Myocardial Infarction in Rats Fed Diets Containing High Fat, Cholesterol, Thiouracil, and Sodium Cholate

Investigators have produced arteriosclerosis in experimental animals by dietary means for almost half a century. In contrast to the situation in man, however, all previous reports indicate that complicating thrombosis and infarction have been extremely rare in experimental animals. The current report presents dietary regimens by means of which the authors have produced significant numbers of myocardial and renal infarcts in rats (6 of 10 in one group and 4 of 10 in each of 2 others). It is notable that thrombosis occurred before the appearance of severe structural changes in the arterial walls, although abundant fat could often be demonstrated histochemically.
Tlatelolco's Persistent Legacy: A Comparative Analysis of Three Mexican Novels

This article analyses how three Mexican novels, published between 1971 and 1999, respond to the effects of political violence on national identity. It focuses particularly on fictional representations of state-sponsored, politically motivated murder and on how survivors negotiate a social space forever changed by unsolved crimes. The article concludes that an important consequence of political violence is that it undermines the validity of systems of representation that once seemed capable of portraying the national community. Each of the three novels interpreted here adopts a different stance regarding literary language's relationship to its ever-changing sociopolitical contexts.
Myocardial infarction in young women

Abstract This study of 24 women under age 40 years with myocardial infarction demonstrates that even in young women myocardial infarction is most commonly due to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Other causes of coronary occlusion were documented in 17 percent of these patients, indicating that these lesser causes of myocardial infarction are more common in young women than in older persons or in young men. In those patients with coronary atherosclerosis one or more significant risk factors could usually, but not always, be documented. The clinical manifestation of the coronary occlusion in the study group was not unlike its manifestation in groups of different ages or sex, or both.
Lipopolysaccharide Augments Aflatoxin B1-Induced Liver Injury through Neutrophil-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

Exposure to small, noninjurious doses of the inflammagen, bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) augments the toxicity of certain hepatotoxicants including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Mediators of inflammation, in particular neutrophils (PMNs), are responsible for tissue injury in a variety of animal models. This study was conducted to examine the role of PMNs in the pathogenesis of hepatic injury after AFB1/LPS cotreatment. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats (250 ‐350 g) were treated with either 1 mg AFB1/kg, ip or its vehicle (0.5% DMSO/saline), and 4 h later with either E. coli LPS (7.4 3 10 6 EU/kg, iv) or its saline vehicle. Over a course of 6 to 96 h after AFB1 administration, rats were killed and livers were stained immunohistochemically for PMNs. LPS resulted in an increase in PMN accumulation in the liver that preceded the onset of liver injury. To assess if PMNs contributed to the pathogenesis, an anti-PMN antibody was administered to reduce PMN numbers in blood and liver, and injury was evaluated. Hepatic parenchymal cell injury was evaluated as increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in serum and from histologic examination of liver sections. Biliary tract alterations were evaluated as increased concentration of serum bile acids and activities of g-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and 5*-nucleotidase (5*-ND) in serum. Neutrophil depletion protected against hepatic parenchymal cell injury caused by AFB1/LPS cotreatment but not against markers of biliary tract injury. This suggests that LPS augments AFB1 hepatotoxicity through two mechanisms: one of which is PMNdependent, and another that is not.
Lack of definitive evidence for the use of renin-angiotensin system antagonists for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Commentary on Lund LH, Benson L, Dahlstrom U, et al . Association between use of renin-angiotensin system antagonists and mortality in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. JAMA 2012; 308 :2108–17. Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately half of all patients with HF in the community.1 The condition is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, yet no medications have been proven to reduce mortality in these patients. Debate continues about HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) representing overlapping or distinct phenotypes within the HF spectrum.2 ,3 The benefit of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists including ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is well established in reducing mortality and morbidity in HFrEF. Although RAS activation is implicated in the pathophysiology of HFpEF, …
A shooting algorithm for complex immunodominance control problems

Although T cells are able to recognize a wide variety of target peptides, they are often strongly focused on a few of the peptides and leave the rest of them unattended. This phenomenon of strongly biased immune response is known as immunodominance. Mathematically, an immunodominance problem can be formulated using optimal control principles as a two-point boundary-value problem. The solution of this problem is challenging especially when the control variables are bounded. In this work, we develop a numerical algorithm based on the shooting technique for bounded optimal control problems. The algorithm is applied to a group of immunodominance problems. Numerical simulations reveal that the immune system selects either a broad or a specific strategy of immunodominance based on different optimization goals. The shooting algorithm can also be utilized to solve other complex optimal control problems.
Low depth carry look ahead circuits using rail-to-rail capacitive threshold logic

Compact low depth carry look-ahead circuits using rail-to-rail capacitive threshold logic are proposed. Experimental results of a fabricated test chip from MOSIS in 0.5 mum CMOS technology are presented that validate the proposed circuits operating with a single supply as low as 1.8 V.
REEXAMINING THE VALUE OF HEMATURIA TESTING IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE FLANK PAIN

AbstractPurpose: Hematuria testing is routinely performed in patients with acute flank pain to screen for ureterolithiasis and to help determine the need for excretory urography. Unenhanced helical computerized tomography (CT) has recently been shown to be superior to excretory urography in diagnosing ureteral obstruction and can evaluate many other causes of flank pain. Given the speed, accuracy and safety of CT the value of hematuria testing for acute flank pain should be reexamined.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 267 consecutive patients with acute flank pain referred for unenhanced helical CT. Microscopic and dipstick urinalysis data were obtained in 195 patients. Using helical CT as the gold standard, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and accuracy of hematuria for diagnosing ureterolithiasis.Results: Of the patients with ureterolithiasis 33% had 5 or less, 19% had 1 or less and 11% had no red blood cells (RBCs) per high power field. Of the patients...
Decentralized, adaptive resource allocation for sensor networks

This paper addresses the problem of resource allocation in sensor networks. We are concerned with how to allocate limited energy, radio bandwidth, and other resources to maximize the value of each node's contribution to the network. Sensor networks present a novel resource allocation challenge: given extremely limited resources, varying node capabilities, and changing network conditions, how can one achieve efficient global behavior? Currently, this is accomplished by carefully tuning the behavior of the low-level sensor program to accomplish some global task, such as distributed event detection or in-network data aggregation. This manual tuning is difficult, error-prone, and typically does not consider network dynamics such as energy depletion caused by bursty communication patterns.We present Self-Organizing Resource Allocation (SORA), a new approach for achieving efficient resource allocation in sensor networks. Rather than manually tuning sensor resource usage, SORA defines a virtual market in which nodes sell goods (such as sensor readings or data aggregates) in response to prices that are established by the programmer. Nodes take actions to maximize their profit, subject to energy budget constraints. Nodes individually adapt their operation over time in response to feedback from payments, using reinforcement learning. The behavior of the network is determined by the price for each good, rather than by directly specifying local node programs.SORA provides a useful set of primitives for controlling the aggregate behavior of sensor networks despite variance of individual nodes. We present the SORA paradigm and a sensor network vehicle tracking application based on this design, as well as an extensive evaluation demonstrating that SORA realizes an efficient allocation of network resources that adapts to changing network conditions.
Nuclear alterations in mammalian cells induced by L-canavanine†

Mammalian cells treated four hours with the L-arginine analogue, L-canavanine (Cana), develop alterations in nuclear architecture characterized by the formation of irregular aggregates of nucleoplasmic contents, frequently attached to the nuclear membrane. On the basis of previous studies showing that Cana is incorporated into nuclear proteins and inhibits DNA synthesis over similar periods of exposure, it is postulated that the formation of canavanyl protein-DNA aggregates interfere with DNA replication.
Alignment-free methods for metagenomic profiling

Background The primary goal of metagenomic studies is to analyze and evaluate the rich microbial communities present in all natural environments. The construction and utilization of a large index required by alignment-based methods for thousands of microbial genomes can be computationally prohibitive. To avoid this computational cost, we investigated three different variations of an alignmentfree method for profiling abundances of microbial communities.
Use of a specialty clinic to teach a standardized approach to mood disorders in a family medicine residency

The Mood Disorder Clinic was started at the Cone Family Medicine Residency in 2004 with the threefold purpose of providing a patient care service to a largely uninsured or underinsured population; teaching Family Medicine resident physicians how to more accurately identify, diagnose, and treat mood disorders in their patients; and modeling a team-based approach to addressing mental stress, distress, and dysfunction in the primary care setting. The authors present the logistics of the clinic and the standard approach to mood issues that is taught to resident physicians. Formal feedback suggests that the resident physicians find the experience useful in developing psychiatric knowledge and skills.
Psychosocial and traditional risk factors in early ischaemic heart disease: cross-sectional correlates.

Background Psychosocial/emotional distress has been repeatedly found to be a correlate of the onset/aggravation of ischaemic heart disease. Methods Eighty-three patients (63 men and 20 women) with known coronary artery disease who entered an aggressive lifestyle modification programme were administered a clinical/demographic history and the Symptom Checklist 90--Revised at baseline. Several measures of social isolation/alienation (shyness/self-consciousness, feeling lonely, feeling abused and overall) were derived from the the Symptom Checklist 90--Revised. Results Univariate tests of the association of known cardiovascular risk factors and the Symptom Checklist 90--Revised scales with age at initial diagnosis yielded several significant results for history of hypercholesterolaemia (P = 0.018), history of hypertension (P = 0.030), somatization (P = 0.007), obsessive-compulsive (P = 0.009), depression (P = 0.006), anxiety (P = 0.021), hostility (P = 0.003), paranoia (P = 0.050), psychoticism (P = 0.029), the Global Severity Index (P = 0.007), the Positive Symptom Distress Index (P = 0.005), the Positive Symptom Total Score (P = 0.003) and feeling abused (P = 0.037). Only history of hypertension, history of hypercholesterolaemia and the hostility scale (overall F = 6.08 and P = 0.0009) emerged as unique correlates of age at initial diagnosis in a multiple regression using only the significant univariate predictors. Conclusions Psychosocial factors are sufficiently confounded with one another that they lose their predictive value once one is entered in the equation. High scores on the hostility scale were associated with a 5.7 year differential in age at initial diagnosis. The younger a patient is at initial diagnosis, the more likely he/she is to have high levels of emotional distress.
Thinking through participation in renewable energy decisions

Scholars and practitioners have advocated for greater public participation in decisions about renewable energy technologies. Nonetheless, many questions remain regarding the role of the public and the scope, purpose and openness of these decision processes.
455 DIABETES EDUCATION DURING ‘FUN WALKS’ ON THE YAKAMA RESERVATION.

Purpose One in five Yakama Indians over the age of 50 have diabetes. People with diabetes have increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complications, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Recent research has determined that modest weight loss and increased physical activity could reduce the incidence of diabetes by 58% and reverse pre-diabetes. A community project was designed to inform and encourage American Indians with diabetes or pre-diabetes by using educational signs placed around an exercise track during monthly Diabetes Fun Walks. Methods Observation and assessment of a Diabetes Fun Walk determined that patients could benefit from the incorporation of educational and motivational materials into their walking experience. Collaboration with local health care workers, a literature search via PubMed, and on-line resources were used to develop sign content. Graphic design and sign construction focused on diabetes prevention and complications, exercise suggestions, and patient inspiration. Conclusion Subsequent Diabetes Fun Walks occurred after leaving the community, preventing evaluation of sign effectiveness through observation. However, health care workers expressed high satisfaction with completed signs. Their feedback suggested that this creative project for disseminating information to motivated fun walk participants would empower walkers to construct healthier lives, leading to positive community change. Future analysis of project impact through questionnaire would be valuable.
Carcinoma of the prostate: overview of the most common malignancy in men.

n the United States and North Carolina carcinoma of the prostate is the most common non-cutaneous malignant process and second most common cause of cancer death among United States men. Since carcinoma of the prostate strikes middleaged and elderly men and usually has a prolonged progression, the controversy regarding the health effects, treatment, survival, and, most importantly, screening continues throughout the medical literature. Because of this prolonged course and the difficulty with identifying the most indolent tumors, it has been widely suggested that prostate cancer is over diagnosed, as many men may live with prostate cancer with no effect on either their quality of life or ultimate longevity. More than 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States annually. Of these, more than 30,000 die of their disease. Mortality from prostate cancer is, therefore, second only to lung cancer for men in the United States. The possibility of an American man acquiring prostate cancer during his lifetime is approximately 15%. Of great importance, however, is the fall in prostate cancer mortality witnessed since 1994. Similarly, the incidence of prostate cancer in all populations has begun to decline, with the initial decline beginning in 1993. This decline is observed in both white and black patients. While the etiology of carcinoma of the prostate remains elusive, some associated risk factors have been identified.
Novel Treatments in Neuroprotection for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

New neuroprotective treatments aimed at preventing or minimizing “delayed brain injury” are attractive areas of investigation and hold the potential to have substantial beneficial effects on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) survivors. The underlying mechanisms for this “delayed brain injury” are multi-factorial and not fully understood. The most ideal treatment strategies would have the potential for a pleotropic effect positively modulating multiple implicated pathophysiological mechanisms at once. My personal management (RFJ) of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage closely follows those treatment recommendations contained in modern published guidelines. However, over the last 5 years, I have also utilized a novel treatment strategy, originally developed at the University of Maryland, which consists of a 14-day continuous low-dose intravenous heparin infusion (LDIVH) beginning 12 h after securing the ruptured aneurysm. In addition to its well-known anti-coagulant properties, unfractionated heparin has potent anti-inflammatory effects and through multiple mechanisms may favorably modulate the neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory processes prominent in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. In my personal series of patients treated with LDIVH, I have found significant preservation of neurocognitive function as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) compared to a control cohort of my patients treated without LDIVH (RFJ unpublished data presented at the 2015 AHA/ASA International Stroke Conference symposium on neuroinflammation in aSAH and in abstract format at the 2015 AANS/CNS Joint Cerebrovascular Section Annual Meeting). It is important for academic physicians involved in the management of these complex patients to continue to explore new treatment options that may be protective against the potentially devastating “delayed brain injury” following cerebral aneurysm rupture. Several of the treatment options included in this review show promise and could be carefully adopted as the level of evidence for each improves. Other proposed neuroprotective treatments like statins and magnesium sulfate were previously thought to be very promising and to varying degrees were adopted at numerous institutions based on somewhat limited human evidence. Recent clinical trials and meta-analysis have shown no benefit for these treatments, and I currently no longer utilize either treatment as prophylaxis in my practice.
The displacement disorder of atoms in diamond crystals revealed by X-ray imaging plate detector

Abstract Cylindrical Imaging Plate Area Detector of Rigaku (IPD) was used to register the X-ray diffraction patterns from diamond crystals grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. The analysis revealed a deviation from cubic diamond lattice symmetry. X-ray diffraction patterns have been taken by oscillation and stationary crystal methods. Due to high resolution, sensitivity and speed, the IPD detector, allows registration of scattering in the vicinity of Bragg reflections such as broadening, splitting, and satellite reflections. These details were recognized via comparison with the diffraction pattern from a nearly perfect natural diamond crystal and a single crystal of silicon, which were used as diffraction standards. We report data on highly oriented diamond film (HOD) on (001) Si. Powder diffraction patterns show a split of the 111 diffraction line. The line at 2.056 A corresponds to cubic diamond, and the other line at 2.036 A is assigned to a disordered polytype. Two superstructure spots were located at 4.076 A and 4.092 A. Creation of this polytype during growth annihilates desired heteroepitaxy. The issues of lattice disorder, specifically for diamond crystals, are discussed in the framework of kinematical theory of X-ray diffraction.
Chair’s Message

We are living in an exciting time in the field of clinical research. There are changes occurring that will alter how medical care is provided, and it is the work of clinical research professionals that will lead these changes. In this column, the Chair of ACRP’s Association Board of Trustees considers the impact of genetics in medicine and their application through precision medicine.
Transcriptional Regulation of Erythropoiesis.

Abstract SCI-7 Efforts to define the mechanisms of globin gene expression and transcriptional control of erythrocyte formation have provided key insights into our understanding of developmental hematopoiesis. Our group has focused on GATA-1, a zinc finger protein that was initially identified through its ability to bind a conserved cis element that regulates globin gene expression. GATA-1 is essential for erythroid development and mutations in the GATA1 gene are associated with human cytopenias and leukemia. Several general principles have emerged through studies to define the mechanisms of GATA-1 action. First, GATA-1 activates not only globin genes, but also virtually every gene that defines the erythroid phenotype. This observation sparked successful gene discovery efforts to identify new components of erythroid development and physiology. Second, GATA-1 also represses transcription through multiple mechanisms. This property may help to explain how GATA-1 regulates hematopoietic lineage commitment and also how GATA1 mutations contribute to cancer, since several directly repressed targets are proto-oncogenes. Third, GATA-1 regulates not only protein coding genes, but also microRNAs, which in turn, modulate erythropoiesis through post-transcriptional mechanisms. Fourth, GATA-1 interacts with other essential erythroid-specific and ubiquitous transcription factors. These protein interactions regulate gene expression by influencing chromatin modifications and controlling three-dimensional proximity between widely spaced DNA elements. Recently, we have combined transcriptome analysis with ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq studies to correlate in vivo occupancy of DNA by GATA-1 and other transcription factors with mRNA expression genome-wide in erythroid cells. These studies better elucidate how GATA-1 recognizes DNA, discriminates between transcriptional activation versus repression and interacts functionally with other nuclear proteins. I will review published and new aspects of our work in these areas. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Coarse-grained learning-based dynamic voltage frequency scaling for video decoding

Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) is widely used in today's mobile devices. Commonly adopted OS level DVFS policies usually operate with high sampling and adjustment frequency in order to compensate for the lack of information from applications. In this paper, we consider the application of video decoding and propose a method that enables DVFS at a coarse time granularity by taking advantage of application level semantics. Using machine learning, we build a prediction model for the choice of CPU frequency based on the estimated workload and the progress of execution. We show that with our method, the system is able to perform DVFS with a frequency of only around 1 Hz, abiding by the practical constraints imposed by existing operating systems, but still saves an average of 40.1% in energy consumption compared with the execution at nominal speed. Further, we argue that the law of diminishing returns applies if we increase the frequency at which DVFS operates, and thus it may be costly and impractical to perform application level DVFS at a very fine time granularity.