cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on Lymphocyte Homing in Autoimmune Prone NZB Mice

Lymphocyte homing patterns in young (3-5 months old) and old (10-12 months old) autoimmune prone NZB mice were investigated by transferring 51Cr labelled lymphoid cells into syngeneic and H-2 compatible allogeneic recipients. We confirmed that non H-2 alloantigens as well as H-2 alloantigens can be important determinants of apparent abnormalities of cellular distribution with the techniques employed. No gross abnormalities of lymphocyte traffic were present in the young NZB mice as compared to the autoimmune resistant strains of mice when syngeneic cells are used. Spleen of older NZB mice appeared to be less attractive to lymph node cells than was the spleen from young NZB mice. Splenocytes of older NZB mice localized significantly more in the liver and less in the lymph nodes as compared with splenocytes from young NZB mice. The mechanisms underlying abnormalities of lymphoid cell distribution which feature the autoimmune-prone NZB mice are not yet clear and further studies will be necessary before they ...
CD40-Associated TRAF 6 Signaling Is Required for Disease Induction in a Retrovirus-Induced Murine Immunodeficiency

LP-BM5 retrovirus-infected C57BL/6 mice develop splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, hypergammaglobulinemia, and immunodeficiency; thus, this disease has been named mouse AIDS. In this syndrome, CD154/CD40 interactions are required for but do not mediate disease by upregulation of CD80 or CD86. We report here that there is nonetheless a necessity for CD40 signaling competence, specifically an intact tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF 6) binding site.
Promoting Independence: An Analysis of Assisted Living Facility Marketing Materials

This project examined the content of marketing materials published by assisted living facilities (ALF) in Oregon. The goals included comparing what is required by the state rules governing ALFs to what is described in marketing materials, focusing on the organizational principles of assisted living, services and fees, and residency criteria; identifying content addressing negative consequences of aging; and reviewing changes in marketing materials over nearly four years. Marketing materials from 63 of 66 ALFs licensed in Oregon as of August 1996 were collected first in 1997 and again in 2000. The dominant organizational principle at both times was supporting resident “independence.” The majority of ALFs address issues such as incontinence and cognitive impairment in their marketing materials. Although most facilities revised their marketing materials between 1997 and 2000, the majority of changes were cosmetic rather than content oriented. One issue notably lacking from these materials was descriptions of...
Relationship between Population Size and Fitness

: Long-term effective population size, which determines rates of inbreeding, is correlated with population fitness. Fitness, in turn, influences population persistence. I synthesized data from the literature concerning the effects of population size on population fitness in natural populations of plants to determine how large populations must be to maintain levels of fitness that will provide adequate protection against environmental perturbations that can cause extinction. Integral to this comment on what has been done and what needs to be done, sThe evidence suggests that there is a linear relationship between log population size and population fitness over the range of population sizes examined. More importantly, populations will have to be maintained at sizes of >2000 individuals to maintain population fitness at levels compatible with the conservation goal of long-term persistence. This approach to estimating minimum viable population size provides estimates that are in general agreement with those from numerous other studies and strengthens the argument that conservation efforts should ultimately aim at maintaining populations of several thousand individuals to ensure long-term persistence. Resumen: El tamano poblacional a largo plazo, que determina tasas de endogamia, esta correlacionado con la adaptabilidad de la poblacion. A su vez, la adaptabilidad influye en la persistencia de la poblacion. Sintetice datos de la literatura relacionados con los efectos del tamano poblacional sobre la adaptabilidad en poblaciones naturales de plantas para determinar como deben mantener niveles de adaptabilidad que proporcionen proteccion adecuada a poblaciones grandes contra perturbaciones ambientales que pueden causar su extincion. La evidencia sugiere que hay una relacion lineal entre el logaritmo del tamano poblacional y la adaptabilidad de la poblacion en el rango de tamanos poblacionales examinados. Mas relevantemente, las poblaciones se deberan mantener en tamanos de >2000 individuos para mantener niveles de adaptabilidad compatibles con la meta de conservacion de persistencia a largo plazo. Este metodo para la estimacion del tamano poblacional minimo viable proporciona estimaciones que concuerdan en lo general con numerosos estudios y refuerza el argumento de que, a fin de cuentas, los esfuerzos de conservacion deben tener como meta el mantenimiento de poblaciones de varios miles de individuos para asegurar la persistencia a largo plazo.
Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) in Engineering Electromagnetics: A Nature-Inspired Evolutionary Algorithm

This paper presents representative electromagnetic engineering applications of a particle swarm optimization (PSO) engine developed at UCLA antenna lab. The paper provides a conceptual overview of the PSO engine that accommodates real-number, binary, single-objective and multi-objective optimizations, along with five examples illustrated to validate the algorithm's functionality in a large variety of practical problems. Examples include the design of dual/multi-band patch antennas, aperiodic antenna arrays, periodic structures, correlator antenna arrays, etc. In most cases the designs provided by PSO are prototyped, with high-quality performance observed from the measurement results.
On the Distance Between Cumulative Sum Diagram and Its Greatest Convex Minorant for Unequally Spaced Design Points

The supremum difference between the cumulative sum diagram, and its greatest convex minorant (GCM), in case of non-parametric isotonic regression is considered. When the regression function is strictly increasing, and the design points are unequally spaced, but approximate a positive density in even a slow rate (n � 1/3 ), then the difference is shown to shrink in a very rapid (close to n � 2/3 ) rate. The result is analogous to the corresponding result in case of a monotone density estimation established by Kiefer and Wolfowitz, but uses entirely different representation. The limit distribution of the GCM as a process on the unit interval is obtained when the design variables are i.i.d. with a positive density. Finally, a pointwise asymptotic normality result is proved for the smooth monotone estimator, obtained by the convolution of a kernel with the classical monotone estimator.
Logic simulation in an introductory course

Summary form only given. A commercial digital logic simulation program was used to demonstrate the functional and time behavior of digital logic circuits. Students used the same program in the laboratory to verify designs prior to constructing their hardware. Cut and paste operations are used to transfer circuit and timing diagrams generated by the simulator to student laboratory reports. >
WHAT PROPORTION OF NEWSPAPER STORIES ABOUT CHILD MOLESTATION INVOLVES HOMOSEXUALITY

Do homosexuals disproportionately molest children? A survey of 8 of the nation's newspaper news stories of child molestation during the first 9 months of 1995 showed that about 40% of child molestation stories in the major cities involve homosexuality. An Internet survey of FirstSearch for 1989 through 1995 indicated 46%, and of Newsbank for 1990 through 1995 60% of molestations were homosexual. About half of teachers, day care workers and other professionals caught molesting children assaulted them homosexually. It is argued that large unbiased sets of newspaper news stories appear to approximate the figures for incidence of child molestation by those occupying a newsworthy status but overreport homosexual molestation in general.
Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Knee in the Community Setting

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used in the diagnosis of sports-related knee injuries.Purpose: To determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of MRI compared with...
The Economy of Communion Model A Spirituality-Based View of Global Sustainability and its Application to Management Education

This paper describes recent concerns with management education and offers the Economy of Communion (EoC) Model as an example that maybe used in management education programs to illustrate a spirituality-based approach to sustainability. With its foundation in Catholic social teaching, the EoC model gives priority to the development of relationships among internal and external stakeholders, with profits regarded as an outcome of sustainable practices that respect both people and planet.
Oculomotor paresis with cyclic spasms. A critical review of the literature and a new case.

Abstract Oculomotor paresis with cyclic spasms is a rare syndrome, usually noticeable at birth or developing during the first year of life. On a background of oculomotor paresis, spastic movements occur at regular intervals: about every second minute the lid is raised, the globe wanders toward midline, the pupil contracts, and accommodation increases. These spasms last from 10 to 30 seconds, and then give way again to paresis. Since this phenomenon was first described, opinions were divided about its mechanism and about the site of the responsible defect. Based on a quantitative analysis of a new case, and of all previously published reports, a new theory is proposed which can account for all features of the syndrome.
Pathophysiology of plaque rupture and the concept of plaque stabilization

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the major cause of death, in men and women, in the United States and in much of the Western world. Atherosclerosis is responsible for coronary heart disease, limb ischemia, and most strokes. Although luminal narrowing by an atherosclerotic plaque and exaggerated or anomalous vasoconstriction contribute to some of the clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic arterial disease, it is the superim-position of a thrombus over an underlying ruptured or eroded plaque that results in the acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden death) that are the most serious clinical manifestations of this disease.
Body Mass Index and Asthma Severity Among Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department

Study objectives: Among adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma, we sought to determine the prevalence of obesity, and the relation of body mass index (BMI) to asthma severity in this high-risk population. Design: Multicenter, prospective cohort study. Setting: Twenty-six North American EDs. Participants: Five hundred seventy-two patients aged 18 to 54 years presenting with acute asthma. Interventions: None. Measurements and results: A standardized interview assessed demographic characteristics, asthma history, and details of the current asthma exacerbation. Data on ED medical management and disposition were obtained by chart review. Three of four asthmatic patients were either overweight (BMI, 25 to 29.9; 30%) or obese (BMI, > 30; 44%). Normal weight/underweight, overweight, and obese patients did not differ on several markers of chronic asthma severity; obese subjects tended to rate symptoms more severely and to use more inhaled -agonists in the 6 h hours prior to ED presentation despite a significantly higher initial percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF) [44%, 45%, and 51%, respectively; p < 0.05]. The three BMI groups responded similarly to acute therapy in the ED, with all groups demonstrating reversible airway obstruction. The sex distribution by BMI group differed markedly (p < 0.001), with women less often overweight (40% vs 24%) and more often obese (30% vs 52%). Since women were more likely have a higher initial PEF (45% vs 53%, p < 0.001), we stratified by sex to further examine the relation of BMI to asthma severity. The observed BMI-asthma associations were due largely, but not entirely, to confounding by sex. Conclusions: Despite lingering concerns about the veracity of “asthma” among obese individuals, asthma exacerbations among obese and nonobese adults were remarkably similar. Potential differences (eg, in symptom perception, use of inhaled -agonists before ED presentation, initial PEF rate) were due, in large part, to confounding by sex. (CHEST 2003; 124:795–802)
Resistance to thermal stress in desert Drosophila

1. Four species of Drosophila are endemic to the Sonoran Desert of North America where daily and seasonal high temperatures exceed those experienced by other species in this genus. The close association between these species and their cactus hosts means that they reside only in the desert and raises the question as to whether they are better able to survive heat stress than are non-desert species of Drosophila. The tolerance of adult flies of the four desert species D. mojavensis, D. nigrospiracula, D. pachea and D. mettleri and the cosmopolitan D. simulans to acute heat stress was tested. 2. There was considerable variability among the desert endemic species with respect to survival following heat exposure. Two species, D. mojavensis and D. pachea, were more resistant at 44 °C and 46 °C than the others, with D. mettleri exhibiting similar heat stress resistance to D. simulans. 3. While there was no consistent influence of gender on heat resistance, younger flies (1-day-old) showed significantly greater survival than did older flies (7- or 14-days old).
Presence of functional, autoreactive human milk-specific IgE in infants with cow’s milk allergy

SummaryBackground Occasionally, exclusively breastfed infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA) remain symptomatic despite strict maternal milk avoidance. Objective To determine whether or not persistence of symptoms could be due to sensitization against endogenous human milk proteins with a high degree of similarity to bovine allergens. Methods Ten peptides representing known bovine milk IgE-binding epitopes [α-lactalbumin (ALA), β- and κ-casein] and the corresponding, highly homologous human milk peptides were labelled with sera from 15 breastfed infants with CMA, aged 3 weeks to 12 months, and peptide (epitope)-specific IgE antibodies were assessed. Nine of the 15 breastfed infants became asymptomatic during strict maternal avoidance of milk and other major food allergens; six infants remained symptomatic until weaned. Ten older children, aged 5–15 years, with CMA were also assessed. The functional capacity of specific IgE antibodies was assessed by measuring β-hexosaminidase release from rat basophilic leukaemia cells passively sensitized and stimulated with human and bovine ALA. Results A minimum of one human milk peptide was recognized by IgE antibodies from 9 of 15 (60%) milk-allergic infants, and the majority of older children with CMA. Genuine sensitization to human milk peptides in the absence of IgE to bovine milk was occasionally seen. There was a trend towards specific IgE being detected to more human milk peptides in those infants who did not respond to the maternal milk elimination diet than in those who did (P = 0.099). Functional IgE antibody to human ALA was only detected in infants not responding to the maternal diet. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Endogenous human milk epitopes are recognized by specific IgE from the majority of infants and children with CMA. Such autoreactive, human milk-specific IgE antibodies appear to have functional properties in vitro. Their role in provoking allergic symptoms in infants exclusively breastfed by mothers strictly avoiding dietary milk remains unclear.
Sex differences in FSH-regulatory peptides in pubertal age boys and girls and effects of sex steroid treatment

BACKGROUND: FSH concentrations are higher in girls than in boys before puberty. We hypothesized that steroid-mediated changes in FSH-regulatory proteins underlie the sex differences in FSH secretion and pubertal timing. METHODS: FSH-regulatory proteins, LH, FSH and sex steroids were measured in five boys, 10 girls, and five girls with Turner syndrome before and during sex steroid treatment (girls, 0.05 mg/day estradiol; boys, 5 mg/day testosterone) for up to 4 weeks. Blood was obtained every 15 min from 20.00 to 08.00 h before and during sex steroid treatment. RESULTS: The mean FSH concentration was higher in girls than in boys (P = 0.0044). Activin-A concentrations were greater (P < 0.0001) and inhibin-B concentrations lower (P < 0.0001) in girls compared with boys. Steroid treatment (i) suppressed LH/FSH concentrations in all subjects; (ii) increased the mean activin-A concentration in all but the Turner girls (P = 0.001); and (iii) decreased inhibin-B concentrations in boys (P = 0.005) but not in girls. Total follistatin and follistatin 288 concentrations did not differ by sex. CONCLUSIONS: Sex steroids regulate circulating activin-A and inhibin-B concentrations in children. The lower inhibin-B and higher activin-A concentrations may explain the higher FSH and earlier onset of puberty in girls.
Gravitropism and mechanical signaling in plants

Mechanical stress is a critical signal affecting morphogenesis and growth and is caused by a large variety of environmental stimuli such as touch, wind, and gravity in addition to endogenous forces generated by growth. On the basis of studies dating from the early 19th century, the plant mechanical sensors and response components related to gravity can be divided into two types in terms of their temporal character: sensors of the transient stress of reorientation (phasic signaling) and sensors capable of monitoring and responding to the extended, continuous gravitropic signal for the duration of the tropic growth response (tonic signaling). In the case of transient stress, changes in the concentrations of ions in the cytoplasm play a central role in mechanosensing and are likely a key component of initial gravisensing. Potential candidates for mechanosensitive channels have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and may provide clues to these rapid, ionic gravisensing mechanisms. Continuous mechanical stress, on the other hand, may be sensed by other mechanisms in addition to the rapidly adapting mechnaosensitive channels of the phasic system. Sustaining such long-term responses may be through a network of biochemical signaling cascades that would therefore need to be maintained for the many hours of the growth response once they are triggered. However, classical physiological analyses and recent simulation studies also suggest involvement of the cytoskeleton in sensing/responding to long-term mechanoresponse independently of the biochemical signaling cascades triggered by initial graviperception events.
Resting-state functional connectivity of the striatum in early-stage Parkinson's disease: Cognitive decline and motor symptomatology.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by changes to dopaminergic function in the striatum and a range of cognitive and motor deficits. Neuroimaging studies have repeatedly shown differences in activation and functional connectivity patterns of the striatum between symptomatic individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls. However, the presence and severity of cognitive and motor symptoms seem to differ dramatically among individuals with Parkinson's disease at the early-stages. To investigate the neural basis of such heterogeneity, we examined the resting state functional connectivity patterns of caudate and putamen subdivisions in relation to cognitive and motor impairments among 62 early-stage individuals with Parkinson's disease (21 females, 23 drug naive, ages 39-77 years, average UPDRS motor scores off medication = 18.56, average H&Y stage = 1.66). We also explored how changes in striatal connectivity relate to changes in symptomatology over a year. There are two main findings. First, higher motor deficit rating was associated with weaker coupling between anterior putamen and midbrain including substantia nigra. Intriguingly, steeper declines in functional connectivity between these regions were associated with greater declines in motor function over the course of 1 year. Second, decline in cognitive function, particularly in the memory and visuospatial domains, was associated with stronger coupling between the dorsal caudate and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. These findings remained significant after controlling for age, medication, gender, and education. In sum, our findings suggest that cognitive decline and motor deficit are each associated with a differentiable pattern of functional connectivity of striatal subregions. Hum Brain Mapp 37:648-662, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Continuous Center Problems

The minimax facility location problem (also called the one center problem) seeks to locate a facility so that the maximum distance to a set of demand points is minimized. Using Euclidean distances in the plane, this problem is equivalent to finding the center of the smallest circle enclosing all points, hence the term “center” regarding this problem. When other metrics are used, the 1-center problem is equivalent to covering all points with a shape similar to the unit ball of the metric. For example, when rectilinear distances are used, the problem is to cover all points with the smallest possible diamond.
Anticoagulant Drugs: Current and Novel

The injectable anticoagulant unfractionated heparin (UFH), identified nearly a century ago by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical School, was first used in humans in 1937 and still enjoys widespread use today [1]. During The Great Depression, financially strapped farmers in the Canadian prairies and Northern Plains of the United States were forced to feed their livestock moldy sweet clover hay resulting in the death from internal bleeding of previously healthy animals [1]. The investigation into the cause of this devastating blow to the farmers’ livelihoods eventually culminated in the discovery of the world’s most widely used oral anticoagulant, warfarin [1]. Decades elapsed before the next advance in anticoagulation therapy, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was introduced into widespread use in the mid 1990s. Since then, several new anticoagulants including argatroban, bivalirudin, lepirudin, fondaparinux, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban have become available, with numerous others likely to be marketed in the near future.
The Evolution of Heterogeneous Naming Conventions

In the real world we observe a proliferation of regional dialects and jargons. Most of the research on naming conventions focuses on how to explain the process that allows a single naming convention to establish itself. This paper presents a different approach that aims to investigate why different conventions may emerge and coexist for a certain amount of time. The naming game is an abstraction of lexical acquisition dynamics, in which n agents try to find an agreement on the names to give to objects. To understand how different heterogeneous conventions emerge, I discuss a naming game model that takes into account experimental data on human and animal learning.
Interactive Design and Visualization of a Chemical Plant

This paper describes a Virtual Reality (VR) based environment for conceptual design that allows the generation of an entire plant design along with an accurate cost estimate. The use of visualization coupled with advanced design and optimization methodologies help to rapidly investigate competing plant designs. The software is composed of two modules; the Optimization Engine or Optimizer and the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or Visualizer. The Optimizer comes up with various layouts (designs) along with a cost estimate, which the Visualizer uses to give a 3-D model of the plant. The Visualizer operate in three different modes; (1) Virtual Reality mode with advanced interface to visualize on a CAVE type large display systems, (2) Web viewer designed to be used in conjunction with a distributed design environment and (3) a PC desktop mode for quick design review with additional functionalities over a Web based system. To allow a seamless integration between the Optimizer and the Visualizer an efficient XML based data transfer has been developed. XML provides a robust, non-proprietary, persistent and verifiable file format for the storage and transmission of text and data. As XML data is to be manipulated from within a programming language, the Xerces XML parser, written in a portable subset of C++, has been used.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Metabolism ofL-sorbose by enzymes fromGluconobacter melanogenus IFO 3293

Studies on the metabolism ofL-sorbose by cell-free extracts fromGluconobacter melanogenus IFO 3293 grown inL-sorbose — containing media confirm by different methodology the observations by Makover et al. that the sequence in this bacterium isL-sorbose →L-sorbosone → 2-keto-L-gulonic acid →L-idonic acid.
Duty Cycle and Frequency Effects of Pulsed-DC Currents on Electromigration-Induced Stress in Al Interconnects

The effects of the duty cycle and frequency of a pulsed-current stress on the critical length-current density product, (jlc) were measured using edge-displacement techniques. In our study, Al edge-displacement segments were stressed at a temperature of 200 °C and at peak pulsed-dc current densities below 6×105 A/cm2 in a nitrogen ambient. jlc was measured for duty cycles of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% at 100 kHz, and for 50% duty cycle at lower frequencies. jlc was observed to increase with decreasing duty cycle and increasing frequency. We measured a 2.6-fold increase in jlc for the 25% duty cycle at 100 kHz as compared to dc. We have used the vacancy supersaturation model to predict the jlc enhancement for lower duty cycle operation.
Differentiating among renal stones.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of each type of renal stone disease provides clues to the underlying metabolic derangement and enables prompt intervention to reduce the chance of recurrence.
Team Autonomy and New Product Development Performance

The practice of empowered teams has been advocated as an important tool to address the challenges of today's fast-changing business environment. Empirical studies, however, have not consistently supported the performance benefits of team empowerment. By integrating situational leadership with the structural contingency theory, we propose the performance benefits of team autonomy depend on technological turbulence. A study of 212 new product development projects supports this proposition. Specifically, the relationship between team autonomy and performance is U-shaped in technologically turbulent environments and U-shaped in technologically stable environments. Implications for team autonomy, team effectiveness, and shared power are discussed.
Rare events of marked finite point processes

We study the rare events of a marked finite point process, where the epochs of the point process are assumed to be the ordered statistics of a finite number of i.i.d. standard uniform random variables, and the marks are assumed to be i.i.d. generally distributed random variables that are themselves independent of the epochs. Under the assumption that the ‘mark’ random variables are not degenerate at the mean, we derive the large deviations principle satisfied by a ladder process derived from the marked finite point process. The analysis utilizes Varadhan's Lemma in a non-trivial manner to derive the large deviations result.
On the Contrast and Translation of Animal Metaphors in English and Chinese

The meanings of animal metaphors are determined by culture.But due to differences in cultural backgrounds,thinking patterns,traditions,psychology,religions,etc.,the implied meanings of many animal metaphors in English and Chinese are different.So the paper contrasts and analyzes similarities and differences between them in terms of conceptual meaning and pragmatic implication,and some strategies to translate them are also addressed.
DNA sequencing with [alpha-33P]-labeled ddNTP terminators: a new approach to DNA sequencing with Thermo Sequenase DNA polymerase.

A new approach to DNA sequencing is described. The method is based on the use of [α-33P]-labeled dideoxyribonucleoside triphosphate terminators and Thermo SequenaseTM DNA polymerase in cycle sequen...
Abdominal myomectomy as a treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

SUMMARY Using the previously described approach, I find abdominal myomectomy in general to be a procedure quite comparable with other major pelvic procedures, such as hysterectomy. My postoperative course is associated with a 12% complication rate, the majority of which represents transient febrile morbidity, which resolves quite promptly. In addition, my transfusion rate is 3% or less and my postoperative length of stay is 2 to 3 days. This is consistent with other currently reported series and in my estimation justifies the continued philosophy of offering abdominal myomectomy as a primary treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids regardless of future childbearing options.
Edwin H. Ellison

This biographical sketch for Edwin H. Ellison describes his early surgical training and mentorship under Dr. Robert Zollinger at Ohio State University Hospital. His academic interests included nutrition and peptic ulcer disease leading to the discovery of the Zollinger–Ellison syndrome. Ellison’s leadership as the first full-time surgery chairman at Marquette University School of Medicine and the struggles to develop the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center are presented.
Torsional Restraint of Lateral Buckling

Elastic solutions to six problems in lateral-torsional buckling of I-beams with torsional restraint are presented. The loadings considered are equal moments at the end, concentrated load at mid-span at the shear center, and uniform load at the shear center. Two types of torsional restraint are considered: point torsional restraint, and continuous torsional restraint. All solutions, with one exception, are obtained by numerical methods and the results are presented in the form of charts.
Prescription drug abuse, heroin, & IV drug use among incarcerated black men

Aims: Episodic future thinking (i.e., mental simulation of future life events) has been shown to reduce delay discounting in healthy and obese populations. In the present study, we sought to determine whether episodic future thinking would reduce delay discounting in cigarette smokers and whether this effect would differ between nicotine-deprived and -sated states. Methods: Cigarette smokers (N=12) completed a guided interview designed to generate vivid future events to occur following each of five delays used in a hypothetical delay-discounting task (i.e., one day to one year). In a within-subjects design, participants completed the discounting task in both nicotine-deprived and sated stateswhilewepresented textual cues associatedwith future events (active sessions) and recent past events (control sessions). Results: Episodic future thinking significantly reduced discounting when participants were both nicotine-deprived and –sated (in both cases, p< .05). However, Cohen’s d effect sizes indicated relatively stronger effects of episodic future thinking in the nicotine-deprived (d=0.55) vs. -sated (d=0.41) state. Conclusions: The present study extends prior research by demonstrating that episodic future thinking reduces delay discounting in cigarette smokers. The longevity and clinical impact of acute reductions in discounting with the use of episodic future thinking has yet to be determined. Financial Support: Institutional funds (WKB).
Human Sociability and Moral Deliberation

This chapter discusses the intrinsic social character of human existence, and how social structures provide expression for and variation of biological preferences of choice. A discussion is provided of the divide between social sciences and evolutionary theory in regard to the role of evolutionary dynamics for human social behavior, and how this disconnect furthers elements of artificiality in ethical deliberation. Social norms, social emotions, mirror neurons, language, and community will be discussed in reference to the judgments and deliberation about moral value.
Nephrotoxic Medication Exposure in U.S. Adults with Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: Health Services Utilization and Cost Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotoxic medication exposure increases risks for acute kidney injury, permanent renal function loss, and costly preventable adverse drug events. Exposure to medications associated with inducing acute tubular nephritis or tubular toxicity versus nonexposure among those with predialysis renal disease—a population vulnerable to increased risk of kidney injury—may affect health services utilization and cost outcomes. Few studies quantify nephrotoxic medication exposure in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated costs. OBJECTIVE: To examine exposure to medications associated with inducing acute tubular nephritis or tubular toxicity versus nonexposure and the effect on health services utilization and cost outcomes in a nationally representative sample of adults with predialysis CKD. METHODS: This retrospective study used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) household component longitudinal files (years 2006-2012; panels 11-16). Participants included 809 MEPS respondents aged > 18 years wit...
Treatment de-intensification strategies for head and neck cancer

Increasingly, squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (OPSCC) is attributable to transformation resulting from high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Such cancers are significantly more responsive to treatment than traditional tobacco- and alcohol-associated squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Conventional management with definitive chemoradiation, surgery and adjuvant radiation, or radiation given with altered fractionation schemes, while effective, incurs long-term morbidity that escalates with treatment intensity and significantly impairs quality of life. Recent trials have suggested that less intensive treatment regimens may achieve similar efficacy with decreased toxicity. In this article, we review the primary strategies used for de-escalation of treatment, which include the reduction of radiation dose, substitution and/or elimination of concurrent radiosensitising chemotherapy, and the use of minimally invasive surgery. We discuss the rationale behind these approaches and the preliminary data demonstrating the success of de-escalation, as well as potential considerations raised by treatment de-intensification in HPV-associated OPSCC.
Abstract P105: ACE2 Activator, Diminazene Aceturate, Reduces Adiposity, but Preserves Lean Mass in Young and Old Rats

Obesity is severely debilitating, and increases the risk for cardiovascular events. Recent evidence suggests increased Ang-(1-7)/Mas activity in obese animal models leads to significant reductions in body weight. We hypothesize that activation of ACE2, via Diminazene Aceturate (DIZE), will significantly reduce body weight of both young and aged rats fed 60% high fat diet. Male Fisher 344 x Brown Norway rats, ages 4 (n=12) and 23 months (n=17) were fed 60% high fat diet for one week, whereupon, animals were further divided, and given either 15mg/kg/day DIZE s.c. (Young DIZE, n=6; Old DIZE, n=9) or vehicle (Young Control, n=6; Old Control, n=8). Body weight and food intake were measured throughout the experiment. Time Domain-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR) was used to assess body composition 1 week and 3 weeks after the start of DIZE treatment. DIZE treatment resulted in a significant reduction of food intake and change in body weight in both young and old animals. TD-NMR results determined the weight-loss was primarily a result of decreased body fat percentage, with a preservation of lean mass as indicated by a reduced fat/lean mass ratio. Tissue weights at the time of sacrifice confirm the significant loss of white adipose tissue (WAT), with no significant difference in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle weights. Importantly, when assessing heart weights, we observed a significant reduction in aged rats treated with DIZE when compared to age matched controls, suggesting a prevention of cardiac hypertrophy associated with obesity. Our data suggests DIZE may be a useful tool in the treatment of obesity along with associated co-morbidities. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
AGRICULTURE IN ECONOMIC POLICY OF SERBIA IN 2009

The necessity of state taking care of its own agriculture is needless to explain particularly. The agriculture еnsures food security. Agricultural production is the main source of raw material for food industry. Therefore, its position in economic policy documents must be secured. This documents are legal framework for operationalization activities which comprise set of development priorities and tasks. Agricultural sector has a significant role in serbian economy. It takes a considerable part in GDP. Substantial financial support for agriculture is provided from the national budget. In past few years, budgetary support to agriculture and rural development differ according to its volume and structure. In 2009, these transfers are substantially lower than in last few years, which will have negative influece on agricultural production. This paper comprises a brief review of the role of agriculture in economic policy in 2009.
Epithelial Patterning, Morphogenesis, and Evolution: Drosophila Eggshell as a Model

Understanding the mechanisms driving tissue and organ formation requires knowledge across scales. How do signaling pathways specify distinct tissue types? How does the patterning system control morphogenesis? How do these processes evolve? The Drosophila egg chamber, where EGF and BMP signaling intersect to specify unique cell types that construct epithelial tubes for specialized eggshell structures, has provided a tractable system to ask these questions. Work there has elucidated connections between scales of development, including across evolutionary scales, and fostered the development of quantitative modeling tools. These tools and general principles can be applied to the understanding of other developmental processes across organisms.
Advances of Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) in bioanalytical chemistry. A review.

Abstract Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) is a unique and relatively new spectroscopic technique that is capable of determining an absolute configuration of chiral molecules. VCD can be also used to determine structure of large macromolecules. This review highlights the most recent advances of VCD in bioanalytical chemistry. It shows that VCD is capable of unraveling supramolecular organization of peptides, proteins, saccharides, glycerophospholipids, polypeptide microcrystals, as well as amyloid fibrils and DNA. This review also demonstrates how VCD can be utilized to explore molecule-molecule interactions that determine mechanisms of chiral separations in chromatography. It aims to attract attention of scientists from all different research areas demonstrating the strength and capability of this very powerful spectroscopic technique.
Radiotherapy and Regional Nodes

Comprehensive nodal irradiation to the axillary, supraclavicular, and internal mammary (IM) nodes is necessary in node-positive and certain high-risk patient populations. Since surgery or radiation are both effective in controlling microscopic regional node disease, radiation treatment (RT) is often provided only to the undissected nodal basins. Although IM nodal irradiation is controversial, recent evidence suggests that it confers a local control and survival advantage. In the post-mastectomy setting, chest wall and comprehensive nodal irradiation is standard for patients with T4 disease and ≥4 axillary nodes involved, but randomized studies and meta-analysis data strongly suggest that post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) benefits patients with any number of nodes involved. Patients with high-risk disease undergoing upfront neoadjuvant chemotherapy also may benefit from comprehensive nodal radiation after surgery, but this data is currently maturing.
Foster Parents’ Knowledge of Child Trauma: An Exploratory Study

To promote trauma-informed professional supports and services to maltreated youth, it is imperative that researchers explore foster parents’ knowledge of child trauma. However, there is a dearth in...
Developmental associations with muscle morphology, physical performance, and asymmetry in youth judo athletes

This study evaluated the contributions of somatic maturity (years from estimated peak height velocity) and training experience as developmental indicators of muscle morphology, biomechanical parameters, and bilateral asymmetries in youth judo athletes. Twenty-six judo athletes aged 8–18 years (mean ± SD; age = 12.9 ± 2.6 years, maturity offset = − 0.6 ± 2.2 years, training experience = 6.1 ± 2.9 years) completed anthropometric measurements, performance testing, and ultrasound evaluation of the vastus lateralis. Somatic maturity had the greatest relationship with handgrip performance (r2 = 0.76–0.80; p < 0.01) and lower-body plyometric ability (r2 = 0.23–0.72; p < 0.05). Somatic maturity and training experience accounted for 72% of the variance in hopping power. Bilateral asymmetries in average/peak force and 1-/2-s force–time integration during isometric handgrip increased with training experience (r2 = 0.17–0.46 p < 0.05). Muscle morphology (r2 = 0.29–0.75; p < 0.01) was best related to somatic maturity. Significant differences were found between child and adolescent judo athletes in force–time curve parameters, muscle morphology, and plyometric ability. These results indicate that somatic maturity and training experience exert unique influences on muscle morphology, biomechanical parameters, and bilateral asymmetries in youth judo athletes.
Adjunctive and Alternative Treatment of Insomnia

Adjunctive and alternative treatments for insomnia are a diverse group of interventions that include natural products, mind–body interventions, manipulative and body-based therapies, and other self-regulating interventions. The use of these treatments is widespread and often perceived as involving few risks while being associated with a health-promoting lifestyle. Although the evidence for mind–body interventions, acupuncture, passive body heating, and moderate exercise shows promise, other alternative treatments have limited empirical support and some, such as natural products, have been found to be associated with significant safety concerns. Overall, more rigorous research is needed on adjunctive and alternative treatments to establish their efficacy and safety profiles, and to specify their role in the prevention and treatment of insomnia.
Radiological evaluation of metastases to the liver: The Emory Experience

There are several different imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, which can be used to evaluate the liver for metastatic deposits. Furthermore, there are different ways to perform each of these imaging modalities. As a result, the role and sequence of various modalities and techniques can be very confusing. In devising schemes for screening the liver for metastatic disease, the goal is to detect the presence of neoplastic foci with a high degree of certainty and consistency in a noninvasive fashion. In devising schemes for the preoperative evaluation of potential candidates for hepatic resection, the goal is to determine the number, size, and location of every metastatic deposit. Invasive techniques are acceptable in this setting, since in some instances detection of additional lesions may render a patient unresectable and unnecessary surgery will be avoided. The purpose of this discussion is to elucidate the role of various noninvasive and invasive imaging techniques for screening and evaluating the liver preoperatively for metastatic disease.
Over—Regularization of Ill—Posed Problems

The method of Tikhonov regularization is one of the most widely applied methods for solving ill-posed inverse problems which arise in a wide variety of problems in science and engineering. As is well-known, the main difficulty in applying this method occurs in the choice of a regularizing parameter, usually denoted by a, depending on the error in the data. Both apriori and aposteriori methods of choosing a have been developed, mainly for the case of finitely smoothing forward operators (cf. [7, 15, 16]). However, many problems occurring in partial differential equations (cf. [2–4, 6, 8–12, 17–19]), statistics (cf. [5]), and the inversion of the Laplace transform (cf. [1]), are characterized by linear ill-posed problems determined by infinitely smoothing forward operators.
Observations of Toddlers' sensory-based exploratory behaviors with a novel food

Abstract Background Food neophobia hinders the acceptance of healthy foods in young children, and may be overcome by repeated food exposure. Prevalent literature states that children exhibit five sensory-based exploratory behaviors (SBEBs): smelling, licking, spitting, manipulating and/or swallowing as they progress towards accepting a novel food, yet there is a paucity of research on these behaviors. This study aimed to use direct observations of SBEBs across first-time exposures to hummus to (1) determine the prevalence of five SBEBs (smelling, licking, spitting, manipulating and swallowing) in 12–35 month olds, (2) quantify the psychometric properties of the SBEB assessment; and (3) examine the association of SBEBs with parent-assessed food fussiness, and consumption of the novel food. Methods Direct observations of SBEBs during a 15–20 min snack time were conducted by trained staff members for 55 hummus-naive toddlers ages 12–35 months, across 16 exposures to a novel food (hummus). Parents completed the child eating behavior questionnaire. Hummus consumption was measured using digital plate waste method. Results Very low base rates of spitting (0.06%), smelling (0.97%) and licking (1.95%) were observed but manipulation (26.36%) and swallowing (62.15%) were more prevalent. Observation data on two behaviors over 16 occasions gave rise to a reliability coefficient from our G study portion of our generalizability analyses of Eρ2 = 0.65. SBEBs did not significantly associate with parent-assessed food fussiness, nor hummus consumption. Conclusions Although literature refers to the prevalence of SBEBs, we did not observe this for three proposed behaviors. We did observe manipulation, but more research is needed to determine if there are additional SBEBs not noted in the literature, and to better delineate the process that leads to acceptance/rejection of novel food.
Temporal Impact of Substrate Anisotropy on Differentiating Cardiomyocyte Alignment and Functionality.

Anisotropic biomaterials can affect cell function by driving cell alignment, which is critical for cardiac engineered tissues. Recent work, however, has shown that pluripotent stem cell-derived car...
Dyad to triad: A longitudinal analysis of humor and pregnancy intention during the transition to parenthood:

The transition to parenthood is a stressful life event that often leads to decreases in relationship satisfaction over time. Guided by the Stress Buffering Model, we examined how pregnancy intentio...