cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to Second Letter by Lee et al. of 2016.

Response to second Letter to the editor by Dr. Lee et al. OEH472 to Manuscript Entitled, “Asbestos in talcum powder as a cause of mesothelioma in women” By Gordon, Fitzgerald & Millette 2014 [1].I ...
SimVascular as an instructional tool in the classroom

SimVascular is an open source software platform for cardiovascular simulation, providing a complete pipeline from medical image data to volumetric model construction, meshing, and blood flow simulation. Previous workshops and educational programs have utilized SimVascular, but learning assessments have not been used to rigorously quantify gains in conceptual understanding. Goal: The purpose of this study is to assess the learning of students enrolled in graduate engineering courses at two different institutions (Purdue University and Stanford University) who used SimVascular to perform image-based blood flow modeling projects as part of a course. Methods: Twenty-two engineering and medical students were given both pre- and post-assessments to quantify their initial familiarity and eventual progress learning computational techniques for biomedical blood flow simulations. The students rated their agreement with eleven different statements. Results: Initial responses were relatively low, suggesting that there was substantial room for student learning. Students then utilized the SimVascular platform to run multiple hemodynamic blood flow simulations. The post-assessment showed a significant increase in agreement with all 11 statements (p<0.05). Conclusion: These initial efforts demonstrate the effectiveness of SimVascular as a teaching tool in a classroom setting.
Urinary Cytomegalovirus Shedding in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999-2004.

Background There are no data on the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) shedding from a representative sample of the US population. This information is critical for understanding and preventing CMV. Methods We tested urine specimens from CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) G-positive participants aged 6-49 years in 3 racial/ethnic groups from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004 for the presence of CMV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. We examined the association of sociodemographic characteristics with shedding prevalence and viral loads. Results Among 6828 CMV IgG-positive participants tested, 537 had CMV DNA detected in urine-a shedding prevalence of 9.70%. Among persons aged 6-49 years, shedding prevalence was 3.83%. The prevalence of urinary shedding was inversely associated with increasing age (26.60%, 6.50%, and 3.45% in CMV IgG-positive participants aged 6-11, 12-19, and 20-49 years, respectively; P < .001 for trend test and pairwise comparisons). Urinary viral load also decreased significantly with age (mean, 2.97, 2.69, and 2.43 log10 copies/mL in those age groups, respectively; P < .001 for trend test and pairwise comparisons). Conclusions Urinary CMV shedding and viral loads decreased dramatically with age, likely reflecting higher rates of primary CMV infection and longer duration of shedding in younger individuals. The findings demonstrate that children aged 6-11 years continue to shed CMV at higher rates and viral loads than adolescents and adults and thus may still be an important source for CMV transmission.
Research on Mathematics Instruction with Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities: Has Anything Changed?:

In 2008, Browder and colleagues published a meta-analysis on mathematics instruction for learners with significant cognitive disabilities and found that most skills taught to these students were on...
Preoperative Opioid Use and Its Association With Early Revision of Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the impact of preoperative opioid use on risk of subsequent revision following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative opioid use is associated with an increased risk of early revision TKA. METHODS The Humana administrative claims database was queried to identify patients who underwent unilateral TKA during the years 2007-2015. Patients were tracked for the occurrence of an ipsilateral revision procedure within 2 years. Preoperative opioid use was defined as having an opioid prescription filled within the 3 months before TKA. Age, sex, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and anxiety/depression were also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS A total of 35,894 primary TKA patients were identified and 1.2% (n = 413) had a revision TKA procedure within 2 years. 29.2% of patients filled an opioid prescription within the 3 months before TKA. Preoperative opioid users were significantly more likely to undergo early TKA revision (1.6% vs 1.0%, P < .001). Preoperative opioid use (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.88; P < .001), younger age (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.43-3.95; P < .001), obesity (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.56; P = .04), and smoking (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.22-2.22; P < .001) were associated with early revision TKA. CONCLUSION This study identified preoperative opioid use as being independently associated with a greater risk for an early revision TKA. Younger age, obesity, and smoking were also associated with elevated risk. These findings support efforts to reduce inappropriate opioid prescribing.
New England Watersheds: A Data Driven Portrait of Water Pollution in the North Eastern United States

This paper examines the difference between a river that has had no human intervention and rivers with various amounts. huamn influence were evaluated through stream chemistry to determine each one’s overall water quality. water’s composition changes as it falls from the sky and flows over ground. This research makes use of the water chemistry data provided by the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest as well as from the New England Costal Basin National Water Quality Assessment. The data was used to compute monthly averages of ions such as Sodium, Chloride, Calcium and Magnesium. These averages were graphed and the trends analyzed. Data about each river’s drainage area, surrounding population density, and land usage lend insight to the reason for each river’s chemical composition. The study concluded that the land usage around a river has an effect on the chemical composition of the waters. The rivers surrounded by urban areas had significantly more total dissolved solids and high levels of dissolved sodium chloride, especially during the winter months. This is Evidence that anthropogenic effects controlled the stream chemistry.
Exploiting the Nursing Niche

Altricial mammals are born into an extremely supportive and nurturing environment. For days, or even weeks, this environment consists primarily of the mother. Her role is usually cast as provider and protector of the relatively helpless young. Although this is undeniably true, mother—infant interactions are much more complex, much more subtle and elegant, than often portrayed. The behavior of the mother serves not only to nurture the young, but to provide them with cues that guide their behavior. The responses of the young, in turn, elicit contingent responses from the mother, so that even the highly dependent offspring manipulate aspects of the mother’s behavior and physiology to contribute substantially to their own growth and development.
Fault Detection in an Evaporator via Parameter Estimation in Real Time

Detection of faults (here meaning process degradation) can be accomplished by estimating the parameters in a process model in real time. As a specific example, a model of continuous evaporator i s used to illustrate the application of (1) a state observer combined with a least squares procedure and (2) an extended Kaiman filter to the model when faults were introduced. Noise was added to the model inputs and outputs to represent what might occur in the actual operation of equipment.
A case of levodopa responsive rapid onset dystonia-parkinsonism. (P5.053)

Objective: We describe and demonstrate by video a young man with rapid onset dystonia parkinsonism who has a robust response to levodopa. Background: Rapid onset dystonia parkinsonism (RODP) was first described by Dobyns et al. in 1993. This disease is notoriously resistant to treatment with medications and GPi DBS. Treatment with these agents have been unsatisfactory. Treatment with levodopa has not been helpful in improving dystonia or parkinsonism in patients with RODP. Design/Methods: Case Report Results: A 16-year-old boy awoke with a sudden onset of dysarthria and global motoric slowing. He had cranial masking with a risor grin. He was unable to use the fingers of the right hand and had slowing of left hand movements. His 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th fingers of the right hand were clenched and he has dystonic ulnar deviation of the right wrist. Tone was asymmetrically increased in the right extremities. His gait was slow and shuffling. Arm swing was depressed on the left. He was unable to run. MRI of the Brain and EMG were normal. Genetic testing revealed a mutation in the ATP1A3 gene, c2122G>A (p.Gly708 Ser). After starting carbidopa/levodopa, the patient had a noticeable improvement in dysarthria, cranial masking and risor. His voice was louder and articulation was clearer. While he continued to have dystonic ulnar deviation and right handed finger clenching, his rapid movements of his hands improved. He also hand improvement in the tone of his arm. His gait was quicker and he was able to run. Conclusions: We report an unusual case of levodopa responsive RODP. The patient had a robust response to levodopa resulting in an improvement in his cranial masking, speech and gait. This medication responsiveness is encouraging and suggests that patients with newly diagnosed RODP warrant a trial of treatment with levodopa. Disclosure: Dr. Fernandez has nothing to disclose. Dr Frucht has nothing to disclose.
Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Paracentesis by Radiologists: Near Zero Risk of Hemorrhage without Correction of Coagulopathy.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the rate and risk factors for hemorrhage in patients undergoing real-time, ultrasound-guided paracentesis by radiologists without correction of coagulopathy. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study of all patients who underwent real-time, ultrasound-guided paracentesis at a single institution over a 2-year period. In total, 3116 paracentesis procedures were performed: 757 (24%) inpatients and 2,359 (76%) outpatients. Ninety-five percent of patients had a diagnosis of cirrhosis. Mean patient age was 56.6 years. Mean international normalized ratio (INR) was 1.6; INR was > 2 in 437 (14%) of cases. Mean platelet count was 122 x 103/μL; platelet count was Results Significant post-paracentesis hemorrhage occurred in 6 (0.19%) patients, and only 1 patient required an angiogram with embolization. No predictors of post-procedure bleeding were found, including INR and platelet count. Transfusion of 1125 units of fresh frozen plasma and 366 units of platelets were avoided, for a transfusion-associated cost savings of $816,000. Conclusions Without correction of coagulation abnormalities with prophylactic blood product transfusion, post-procedural hemorrhage is very rare when paracentesis is performed with real-time ultrasound guidance by radiologists.
Chapter 19. Non-steroidal Antiinflammatory Agents

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the development and clinical studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NAA). In vitro screens for NAA have been largely neglected, with continuing reliance being placed mainly on the adjuvant arthritis and carrageenin foot edema models in the rat. By the use of both non-established and established adjuvant diseases it has been possible to differentiate between immunosuppressive agents and purely anti-inflammatory agents. The acidic 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2H-l, 2-benzothiazine-3-carboxanilide 1,1-dioxide had about twice the potency (CE) of phenylbutazone. The major urinary metabolite in man had nearly twice the plasma half-life of the parent compound but was reported to have weak antiedema activity in the rat. In spite of the accumulating evidence for the pro-inflammatory nature of prostaglandins, PGE 1 and PGE 2 have been shown to have antiarthritic daily doses of about 1 mg/rat. It is suggested that the antiarthritic effects of the prostaglandins may be related to the concomitant adrenal hyperplasia, prostration, and diarrhea caused by the high pharmacologic doses used.
Variation among known kalihinol and new kalihinene diterpenes from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa

Abstract Seven new diterpene constituents were isolated from the sponge Acanthella cavernosa investigated from Fijian locations. Their structures were established based on a combination of spectroscopic data, x-ray crystallographic data and biogenetic arguments. These new diterpenes, of the kalihinane family, can be divided into the kalihinene (compounds 4 – 6) or the 6-hydroxy-kalihinene (compounds 7 – 10) frameworks. Also present were three known compounds, kalihinol A (1), isokalihinol F (2) and kalihinene (3). It is proposed that the kalihinane type diterpenes are a chemotaxonomic marker for A. cavernosa. Its diterpenes can be clustered into three biogenetic families based on the stereochemistry of the decalin ring forming process. The presence of different members of these biogenetic types might be used to chemically distinguish various populations of A. cavernosa. Its compounds, 1, 3 and 7 were major constituents in both the bulk collection extracted after collection and in 15 specimens held in a controlled aquaculture system for seven months before extraction. A subtle chemical difference could be discerned among these samples based on the content of compounds 1, 3 - 5 and 7.
Shocked ceramics melt: An atomistic analysis of thermodynamic behavior of boron carbide

Macroscale experiments for structural response of materials often do not capture deformation features at the atomistic scale. This limitation becomes more pronounced in materials subjected to shock loading, especially in covalently bonded ceramics such as boron carbide, which exhibit a deleterious mechanism called pressure-induced amorphization. Perhaps because ceramics have high thermal resistance, temperature was never considered a prime factor influencing deformation mechanisms, leaving such phenomena unexplained for more than two decades. In this article, we probe fundamental material behavior using molecular dynamics (MD) to link nanoscale thermodynamics to amorphization during shock loading. We have generated Rayleigh lines via MD shock simulations, subsequently constructing the shock Hugoniot, which aligns well with experimental data. We estimate shock-induced temperature in ceramics to be well above their melting point, resolving a plethora of interconnected scientific issues pertaining to anomalous behavior of boron carbide.
Meta-analysis of animal studies applied to short-term inhalation exposure levels of hazardous chemicals.

Abstract For short-term chemical inhalation exposures to hazardous chemicals, the incidence of a health effect in biological testing usually conforms to a general linear model with a probit link function dependent on inhalant concentration C and the duration of exposure t. The National Academy's Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) Committee relies on these models when establishing AEGLs. Threshold concentrations at AEGL durations are established by the toxic load equation Cn x t = constant, which toxic load exponent n (TLE or n-value) directly follows from the bivariate probit model. When multiple probit datasets are available, the AEGL Committee routinely pools studies' incidence data. Such meta-analytical models are valid only when the pooled data are homogeneous, with similar sensitivities and equivalent responses to exposure concentrations and durations. In the present study, the homogeneity of datasets meta-analyzed by the AEGL Committee was examined, finding that 70% of datasets pooled by the AEGL Committee are heterogeneous. In these instances, data pooling leads to a statistically invalid model and TLE estimate, potentially resulting in under- or over-estimated inhalation guidance levels. When data pooling is inappropriate, other meta-analysis options include categorical regression, fixed-effect and random-effects models, or even designation of a key study based on scientific judgement. In the present work, options of TLE meta-analysis are summarized in a decision tree contingent on statistical testing.
Sampling density and date along with species selection influence spatial representation of tree-ring reconstructions

Abstract. Our understanding of the natural variability of hydroclimate before the instrumental period (ca. 1900 CE in the United States) is largely dependent on tree-ring-based reconstructions. Large-scale soil moisture reconstructions from a network of tree-ring chronologies have greatly improved our understanding of the spatial and temporal variability in hydroclimate conditions, particularly extremes of both drought and pluvial (wet) events. However, certain regions within these large-scale network reconstructions in the US are modeled by few tree-ring chronologies. Further, many of the chronologies currently publicly available on the International Tree-Ring Data Bank (ITRDB) were collected in the 1980s and 1990s, and thus our understanding of the sensitivity of radial growth to soil moisture in the US is based on a period that experienced multiple extremely severe droughts and neglects the impacts of recent, rapid global change. In this study, we expanded the tree-ring network of the Ohio River valley in the US, a region with sparse coverage. We used a total of 72 chronologies across 15 species to examine how increasing the density of the tree-ring network influences the representation of reconstructing the Palmer Meteorological Drought Index (PMDI). Further, we tested how the sampling date and therefore the calibration period influenced the reconstruction models by creating reconstructions that ended in the year 1980 and compared them to reconstructions ending in 2010 from the same chronologies. We found that increasing the density of the tree-ring network resulted in reconstructed values that better matched the spatial variability of instrumentally recorded droughts and, to a lesser extent, pluvials. By extending the calibration period to 2010 compared to 1980, the sensitivity of tree rings to PMDI decreased in the southern portion of our region where severe drought conditions have been absent over recent decades. We emphasize the need of building a high-density tree-ring network to better represent the spatial variability of past droughts and pluvials. Further, chronologies on the ITRDB need updating regularly to better understand how the sensitivity of tree rings to climate may vary through time.
The Dispersion of Power: Choice I

Part I of the text includes four chapters, each of which focus on a critical choice the Framers of the United States made as it pertains to the dispersion of power in our governmental system. To this end, Chapter 1, entitled “The Dispersion of Power: Choice I” analyzes their thinking as it pertains to the allocation of power at the federal level. On the heels of the Revolutionary War, the Framers were reluctant to empower the federal government too much for fear they would once again find themselves subject to a tyrant like King George. By the same token, they were equally reluctant to recreate their experience under the first Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, in which a weak federal government left them vulnerable to insurrection within, attack from abroad, and increasingly tyrannical state legislatures. With these lessons fresh in their minds, the Framers went to Philadelphia determined to construct a new government with enough power to protect their liberties and guard against tyranny from the “top,” as well as “bottom.” In order to make this case, the chapter includes two continua on which all governments can be placed. In addition, it uses examples of current issues (i.e., immigration reform, health care, and gun control) to illustrate the impact of these choices—both positive and negative—on our political lives today.
Metabolites and the tumour microenvironment: from cellular mechanisms to systemic metabolism.

Metabolic transformation is a hallmark of cancer and a critical target for cancer therapy. Cancer metabolism and behaviour are regulated by cell-intrinsic factors as well as metabolite availability in the tumour microenvironment (TME). This metabolic niche within the TME is shaped by four tiers of regulation: (1) intrinsic tumour cell metabolism, (2) interactions between cancer cells and non-cancerous cells, (3) tumour location and heterogeneity and (4) whole-body metabolic homeostasis. Here, we define these modes of metabolic regulation and review how distinct cell types contribute to the metabolite composition of the TME. Finally, we connect these insights to understand how each of these tiers offers unique therapeutic potential to modulate the metabolic profile and function of all cells inhabiting the TME. The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a unique cellular and metabolic landscape. Elia and Haigis describe how metabolism influences, and is affected by, the complexity of cellular interactions within the TME and highlight opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Fundamentals, Panics, and Bank Distress During the Depression

We assemble bank-level and other data for Fed member banks to model determinants of bank failure. Fundamentals explain bank failure risk well. The first two Friedman-Schwartz crises are not associated with positive unexplained residual failure risk, or increased importance of bank illiquidity for forecasting failure. The third Friedman-Schwartz crisis is more ambiguous, but increased residual failure risk is small in the aggregate. The final crisis (early 1933) saw a large unexplained increase in bank failure risk. Local contagion and illiquidity may have played a role in pre-1933 bank failures, even though those effects were not large in their aggregate impact.
Online Model of Professional Translation Learning and Teaching in the Information Technology Era

With the continuous development of network technology, online learning has become more and more popular. But currently the research of online translation teaching and learning system is very limited while the online learning model is backward in communication and intelligence. Therefore, this paper makes a detailed research on online English teaching through combining learners’ model built by Bayesian network with multi-agent system and Repeat-track Interferometry (RTI). The RTI and multi-agent system are applied in the dynamic regulation of learning and teaching strategy. Then a Bayesian online model based on multi-agent RTI system is proposed. Finally, this proposed model is testified by subjects. Through comparison of the learning results using common model and the proposed model, the reliability and validity of the new model is verified. Besides, in order to further analyze the impact of this model on students’ learning habits and learning psychology, a questionnaire survey is conducted on the experimental subjects. It is found that the new model has a positive impact on students’ learning attitudes and learning outcomes. This proves that the new model based on Bayesian Networks with multi-agent RTI is efficient and positive.
DNA Methylation GrimAge and Incident Diabetes: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biological age (epigenetic age) has been suggested as a useful biomarker of age-related conditions including type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its newest iterations (GrimAge measurements) have shown early promise. In this study, we explored the association between epigenetic age and incident T2D in the context of their relationships with obesity. A total of 1,057 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study were included in the current analyses. We stratified the participants into three groups: normal weight, overweight, and obese. A 1-year increase of GrimAge was associated with higher 10-year (study years 15–25) incidence of T2D (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11). GrimAge acceleration, which represents the deviation of GrimAge from chronological age, was derived from the residuals of a model of GrimAge and chronological age, and any GrimAge acceleration (positive GrimAA: having GrimAge older than chronological age) was associated with significantly higher odds of 10-year incidence of T2D in obese participants (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.61–4.11). Cumulative obesity was estimated by years since obesity onset, and GrimAge partially mediated the statistical association between cumulative obesity and incident diabetes or prediabetes (proportion mediated = 8.0%). In conclusion, both older and accelerated GrimAge were associated with higher risk of T2D, particularly among obese participants. GrimAge also statistically mediated the associations between cumulative obesity and T2D. Our findings suggest that epigenetic age measurements with DNAm can potentially be used as a risk factor or biomarker associated with T2D development.
The global politics of celebrity: Introduction to a special issue of Popular Communication: The International Journal of Media and Culture

The proliferation of celebrity studies across multiple fields and disciplines demonstrates an emerging scholarly consensus about the importance of celebrity for understanding the present conjunctur...
Surface characteristics of yttria precursors in relation to their sintering behavior

Sintering experiments on yttria indicated that the most important factor in determining the sinterability of the oxide is the way in which the precursors are prepared, especially during the precipitation and drying steps. The powder retains the effects of these treatments even after calcining and isostatic pressing. The precursors are prepared by precipitating them in the form of yttriumhydroxynitrate hydrates. Physical characteristics of the surface of the precursors were determined and related to sinterability of the oxide.
Analysis of transporter topology using deletion and epitope tagging.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the analysis of transporter topology using deletion and epitope tagging. Several strategies have been employed to elucidate the structure and transmembrane topology of transport proteins. An understanding of transporter structure is crucial for determining the correlation between transporter structure and function. In addition, structural knowledge aids in the design of more specific transporter reagents, which may prove therapeutically useful. Current studies of the transmembrane topology of integral membrane proteins using deletion analysis and epitope tagging derive from gene fusion methods designed to study secretion and topology of bacterial proteins. In these original experiments, a modified form of the Escherichia coli phoA gene, which encodes the secreted periplasmic enzyme alkaline phosphatase, was fused to the C-terminal portion of a protein of interest. Therefore, the level of alkaline phosphatase activity is a direct indication of the location of the enzyme in bacteria and a useful tool for discerning the secretion or topogenic properties of bacterial proteins. The phoA gene fusion method has been used to determine the transmembrane topology of the C-terminal half of the bacterial glutamate transporter in E. coli .
What is a star map

From 1600 to 1800, a number of beautiful star atlases were printed that depicted the constellations according to ancient myths and tales. In Europe, where the quality of celestial atlases was unmatched, classical Greek traditions prevailed, and the constellations were given allegorical visual representations that consisted of heroes and heroines, real and imaginary animals, scientific instruments, and artistic tools. These images were placed in celestial coordinate systems that allowed the positions of the stars to be mapped in the sky and formed the backdrop for predictions of the location of the planets and other heavenly bodies throughout the year. But there was a second kind of image that was found in these celestial atlases as well. These images consisted of diagrams of heavenly bodies or of the entire solar system that reflected both contemporary and ancient cosmological systems. The components of these systems were shown with reference to each other in the sky and in some cases to the background stars. Let’s look at these two types of star map in more detail.
Analysis of the Literature on Emergency Department Throughput

Introduction: The purpose of this paper was to review and analyze all the literature concerning ED patient throughput. The secondary goal was to determine if certain factors would significantly alter patients’ ED throughput.
Competitive Interactions of Phenol Derivatives and Aliphatic Alcohols for Alkenyl and Diol Silica Surfaces

A thermodynamic equation is used to analyze the retention behavior of phenolic solutes at low modifier concentrations on alkenyl and diol chemically modified silica packings. These materials were prepared by attaching alkenyl and diol ligands with four, six, eight and ten carbon atoms to the surface of LiChrosorb Si-60 silica. The thermodynamic analysis of the capacity ratios of various phenolic solutes measured at different concentrations of simple aliphatic alkohols (used as modifiers) in n-hexane have provided information about solute and solvent interactions with the alkenyl and diol modified silicas. This analysis shows that the solute-alcohol competitive interaction for the alkenyl bonded phases changes significantly with chain length, whereas this effect is not observed for the diol phases. Also, the influence of polarity and geometric structure of functional groups on solute retention have been examined.
Options for reducing patient radiation dose with cardiovascular computed tomography

Computed Tomography (CT) scanner manufacturers and users are aggressively pursuing radiation exposure reduction strategies for cardiovascular imaging. Strategies include the design of scanner hardware to prevent X-rays not contributing data to image formation from reaching the patient, user manipulation of scan parameters to decrease the number and/or energy of the X-ray photons interacting with the patient, and hardware and software improvements to increase efficiency of data detection and utilization. This paper provides an overview of CT technology with an emphasis on dose related features and scan parameters and describes in detail the options currently available for reducing radiation exposure with cardiovascular CT.
Inhibin B secretion in males with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency before and during long-term GnRH replacement: relationship to spontaneous puberty, testicular volume, and prior treatment--a clinical research center study.

To evaluate the physiology of inhibin B in the human male, we measured serum concentrations in normal adult men and men with isolated GnRH deficiency before and during long-term replacement with pulsatile GnRH. At baseline, inhibin B levels in the GnRH-deficient men (n = 31) were significantly lower than normal controls (85 +/- 10 pg/mL vs. 239 +/- 14 pg/mL; P or = 60 pg/mL). Increases in serum concentrations of inhibin B occurring during GnRH replacement demonstrate the gonadotropin regulation of gonadal inhibin B secretion. However, the variation in baseline inhibin B levels before GnRH administration suggests an additional gonadotropin-independent level of modulation. The negative correlation between FSH and inhibin B secretion in GnRH-deficient men receiving long-term GnRH replacement is consistent with a putative role of inhibin B in the negative feedback regulation of FSH, although direct confirmation of this role requires further investigation.
Sex-specific modifiers of tail development in mice heterozygous for the brachyury (T) mutation

The brachyury, or T, locus encodes a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the early development of all animals. In the mouse, animals heterozygous for a null mutation at this locus are born with a characteristic short tail. Expressivity of the short tail phenotype is greatly affected by genetic background. As a genetic entry into the identification of genes that interact with the Brachyury locus, we have performed a QTL analysis for modifiers of this phenotype. Surprisingly, we discovered that the major modifiers uncovered all act in a sex-limited manner. We have identified two QTLs—Brm1 on Chr 9 and Brm2 on Chr 15—that act only in female offspring(N2) from female T/+ parents(F1) and are responsible together for most, or all, of the genetic variance in phenotypic expression observed between C57BL/10 and C3H/HeJ animals.
An integrative image measurement technique for dense bubbly flows with a wide size distribution

The measurements of bubble size distribution are ubiquitous in many industrial applications in chemical engineering. The conventional methods using image analysis to measure bubble size are limited in their robustness and applicability in highly turbulent bubbly flows. These flows usually impose significant challenges for image processing such as a wide range of bubble size distribution, spatial and temporal inhomogeneity of image background including in-focus and out-of-focus bubbles, as well as the excessive presence of bubble clusters. This article introduces a multi-level image analysis approach to detect a wide size range of bubbles and resolve bubble clusters from images obtained in a turbulent bubbly wake of a ventilated hydrofoil. The proposed approach was implemented to derive bubble size and air ventilation rate from the synthetic images and the experiments, respectively. The results show a great promise in its applicability for online monitoring of bubbly flows in a number of industrial applications.
Testis biopsies frequently demonstrate sperm in men with azoospermia and significantly elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Men with azoospermia, markedly elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels and testicular atrophy were previously considered irreversibly infertile. Thus, testicular biopsy in this patient population was considered unnecessary. However, presently men with even the most severe infertility disorders are potentially able to initiate a pregnancy with intracytoplasmic sperm injection provided sperm can be recovered in even relatively few numbers directly from the testicular tissue. For these reasons we sought to reevaluate the findings from testicular biopsies in these men in the era of advanced micromanipulation techniques.Materials and Methods: Chart review identified men with azoospermia, confirmed on a pelleted specimen, and a serum follicle-stimulating hormone level of 3 or more times normal. Mature sperm in the touch preparation cytology and testis biopsy specimen were confirmed.Results: A total of 57 men, most with testicular atrophy, underwent a testicular biopsy and in 17 (30%)...
A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Acticoat Versus Silver Sulfadiazine in the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Burns: Which Method Is Less Painful?

Despite recent improvements in analgesia, pain control during dressing changes continues to be a major challenge in patients with burns. We investigated two different dressing modalities to compare how much pain the patient experienced during and after the dressing change. Patients with partial-thickness burns that required only topical wound care were assigned randomly to treatment with Acticoat (Smith and Nephew USA, Largo, FL) or silver sulfadiazine (AgSD). The outcome variable was pain during wound care, which was measured using visual analog pain scores. The mean visual analog pain scores for the wounds treated with Acticoat or AgSD wounds were 3.2 and 7.9, respectively (P < .0001; paired Student's t-test). In 41 of the 47 paired pain score observations, the pain in the wound treated with AgSD was perceived as greater than in the wound treated with Acticoat. Burn wound care with Acticoat is less painful than burn wound care with AgSD in patients with selected partial-thickness burns.
Weak values and the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge

The Aharonov–Vaidman gauge—which additively transforms the mean value of a quantum mechanical observable into an associated weak value—is introduced. It is shown that the unusual eccentric properties of weak values are inherited from this gauge and that a weak value of an observable can be considered as its mean value measured in the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge. The total time derivative of this sum also transforms an observable's mean value equation of motion into the associated weak value equation of motion and it is shown that the weak energy of evolution which influences the evolution of a weak value is intrinsic to the rate of change of the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge. Both of these equations of motion can be expressed in terms of time varying generalized coordinates and their rates of change. These equations satisfy the Euler–Lagrange equations which—in turn—define conjugate momenta and provide for their coordinate/momentum/time Poincare representations. The underlying mathematical forms of these two representations are identical except for three symbols which distinguish them physically and identify three simple replacement operations that are required to transform the mean value Poincare representation into the weak value Poincare representation. This transformational relationship between Poincare representations defines the notion of quasi-form invariance and the replacement operations encode the peculiar physical properties induced by the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge, i.e. the complexification and increased dimension of phase space, and the absorption of the weak energy of evolution by the conjugate momenta. Simple examples are used to illustrate the theory.
A note on responses to ethyl alcohol before and after smoking1

Differential sensitivity was measured before and after smoking a cigarette by 10 smokers, using 10 nonsmokers as controls. Stimuli consisted of reagent grade ethanol in eight concentrations ranging from 4% to 12%. No significant differences were observed between smokers and nonsmokers or before vs after smoking, although slightly higher overall correct responses and correspondingly smaller jnds were obtained for the nonsmokers. No practice affects were noted among the control group between the first and second set of samples. The findings confirm previous results which had been recently questioned.
Evidence linking glycated albumin to altered glomerular nephrin and VEGF expression, proteinuria, and diabetic nephropathy

Evidence linking glycated albumin to altered glomerular nephrin and VEGF expression, proteinuria, and diabetic nephropathy. Background Albumin modified by Amadori-glucose adducts has been linked to the development of diabetic nephropathy through its ability, independent of hyperglycemia, to activate protein kinase C-β (PKC-β), up-regulate the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) system, and stimulate expression of extracellular matrix proteins in glomerular cells, and by the demonstration that reducing the burden of glycated albumin ameliorates renal structural and functional abnormalities in the db/db mouse. Methods To probe whether the salutary effects consequent to lowering glycated albumin, which include reduction of albuminuria, relate to an influence of the Amadori-modified protein on nephrin, the podocyte protein critical to regulation of protein excretion, and on the angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which induces microvascular permeability, diabetic db/db mice were treated with a small molecule that inhibits the nonenzymatic glycation of albumin. Results Compared to nondiabetic db/m mice, diabetic controls exhibited increased urinary excretion of albumin and type IV collagen, elevated renal TGF-β1 protein levels, reduced glomerular nephrin immunofluorescence and nephrin protein by immunoblotting, and increased glomerular VEGF immunostaining and renal VEGF protein content. Diabetic animals receiving test compound showed significant lowering of proteinuria, normalization of renal TGF-β1 protein, and significant restoration of altered glomerular nephrin and VEGF expression. Conclusion The findings causally implicate the increased glycated albumin associated with the diabetic state in the abnormal renal nephrin and VEGF expression found in diabetes, thereby promoting proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis.
A kinase anchor protein 75 targets regulatory (RII) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II to the cortical actin cytoskeleton in non-neuronal cells.

Abstract Neuronal A kinase anchor protein (AKAP) homologs, such as AKAPs 75 and 150, tether cAMP-dependent protein kinase II (PKAII) isoforms to the postsynaptic cytoskeleton, thereby creating target sites for cAMP action. These AKAPs, which bind regulatory subunits (RIIs) of PKAII, are also expressed in certain non-neuronal cells. Non-neuronal cell lines that stably express wild type and mutant AKAP75 transgenes were generated to investigate the extraneuronal function of AKAPs. In non-neuronal cells, AKAP75 accumulates selectively in the actin-rich, cortical cytoskeleton in close proximity with the plasma membrane. AKAP75 efficiently sequesters cytoplasmic RIIα and RIIβ (PKAII isoforms) and translocates these polypeptides to the cell cortex. Two structural modules in AKAP75, T1 (residues 27-48), and T2 (residues 77-100), are essential for targeting AKAP75·RII complexes to the cortical cytoskeleton. Deletions or amino acid substitutions in T1 and/or T2 result in the dispersion of both AKAP75 and RII subunits throughout the cytoplasm. AKAP75 is co-localized with F-actin and fodrin in the cortical cytoskeleton. Incubation of cells with 5 μM cytochalasin D disrupts actin filaments and dissociates actin from the cell cortex. In contrast, the bulk of AKAP75 and fodrin remain associated with the cortical region of cytochalasin D-treated cells. Thus, targeting of AKAP75 does not depend upon direct binding with F-actin. Rather, AKAP75 (like fodrin) may be associated with a multiprotein complex that interacts with integral plasma membrane proteins.
Definition of Climate Regions in the Northern Plains Using an Objective Cluster Modification Technique

Abstract Spatially homogeneous climate regions were developed from long-term monthly temperature and precipitation data for a subset of the U.S. Northern Plains. Climate regions were initially defined using the “best” of three agglomerative and hierarchical clustering methodologies, then the clusters were objectively modified using a “pseudohierarchical” iterative improvement technique. Under the premise of hierarchical cluster analysis, once an object has been assigned to a cluster, it cannot later he reassigned to a different cluster, even if it is statistically desirable. The objective modification technique used herein is employed to compensate for this problem. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce a 147-station dataset, consisting of 24 climatic variables averaged over the 1931–1990 period, to three orthogonal components. The new standardized mars, which explain 93% of the original dataset variance, were then subjected to the Ward's, average linkage, and complete linkage clustering m...
Water stress is a component of cold acclimation process essential for inducing full freezing tolerance in strawberry

Abstract The factors involved in cold acclimation process and their role in inducing freezing tolerance were studied in strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ) plants. The results show that low temperature and water stress are two key components of cold acclimation, in that low temperature typically induced water stress in the plants. After a 2-week exposure of plants to 3/1 °C (day/night temperature), the leaf water potential decreased markedly to below −1.6 MPa. While both of these components contribute significantly to the induction of freezing tolerance, water stress is a dominant factor in inducing freezing tolerance, contributing roughly to 56% of freezing tolerance acquired by natural cold acclimation. Typical cold acclimation treatment of plants for 2 weeks increased their freezing tolerance by about 14 °C to −20.7 °C while the same treatment, in the absence of the accompanying water stress, increased their freezing tolerance only by 5 °C, which indicates the importance of water stress during cold acclimation. Furthermore, both low temperature and water stress independently induced the orthologs of cold-responsive genes, COR47 and COR78, however, stronger expression of these genes was observed in response to cold acclimating conditions. Thus, these results show that both of these factors are essential elements of cold acclimation process and play an important role in inducing freezing tolerance in strawberry plants.
Tubulin and microtubules from bovine kidney: purification, properties, and characterization of ligand binding.

Abstract Tubulin was purified from bovine renal medulla by in vitro assembly of microtubules in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol. Light scattering measurements of the polymerization process demonstrate that dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol decrease the critical concentration of tubulin required for polymerization. The minimum concentration of tubulin from bovine renal medulla is about 1% of the total soluble protein. Assembly occurs in the absence of detectable amounts of high-molecular weight proteins or τ-protein. Microtubules polymerized in the absence and presence of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and 4 m glycerol are similar morphologically as detected by electron microscopy. Molecular weights of α- and β-tubulin from bovine renal medulla are 54,000 ± 700 and 52,000 ± 800, respectively, as determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Colchicine-binding activity of renal medullary tubulin decays in an apparent first-order process which is temperature dependent. The half-time of decay in buffer is 5.1 h and addition of 5 μ m vinblastine sulfate increases the half-time of decay to 10.9 h at 37 °C. Calculations based on measurements of the rate of decay of colchicine-binding activity at different temperatures indicates that vinblastine sulfate stabilizes the binding activity by decreasing the entropy of activation of the decay process. Colchicine decreases the rate of decay about 3.5-fold both in the absence and presence of vinblastine sulfate at 37 °C. Values of the apparent colchicine-binding constant, K A , of bovine renal medullary tubulin are 5.9 × 10 6 and 7.8 × 10 6 m −1 at 37 °C in the absence and presence of vinblastine sulfate. Vinblastine sulfate decreases the rate of decay and increases the apparent binding constant of colchicine binding. Lumicolchicine does not affect the binding of colchicine. Podophyllotoxin apparently competitively inhibits the binding of colchicine; the apparent K i for podophyllotoxin is 4.0 × 10 −7 m at 37 °C. Thus, tubulin from bovine renal medulla has ligand-binding characteristics which exhibit differences and similarities to the corresponding characteristics of the brain tubulin. These biochemical properties of the colchicine-binding activity of bovine renal medullary tubulin support previous physiologic studies which demonstrate that microtubules are required for the function of vasopressin in mammalian kidneys.