cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA: Dynamic Regulators of Macrophage Polarization and Plasticity.

The ability of a healthy immune system to clear the plethora of antigens it encounters incessantly relies on the enormous plasticity displayed by the comprising cell types. Macrophages (MΦ) are crucial member of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) that constantly patrol the peripheral tissues and are actively recruited to the sites of injury and infection. In tissues, infiltrating monocytes replenish MΦ. Under the guidance of the local micro-milieu, MΦ can be activated to acquire specialized functional phenotypes. Similar to T cells, functional polarization of macrophage phenotype viz., inflammatory (M1) and reparative (M2) is proposed. Equipped with diverse Toll-like receptors (TLRs) these cells of the innate arm of immunity recognize and phagocytize antigens and secrete cytokines that activate the adaptive arm of the immune system and perform key roles in wound repair. Dysregulation of MΦ plasticity has been associated with various diseases and infection. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of transcriptome output. Their importance in maintaining health, and their contribution toward disease, encompasses virtually all aspects of human biology. Our understanding of miRNA-mediated regulation of MΦ plasticity and polarization can be utilized to modulate functional phenotypes to counter their role in the pathogenesis of numerous disease including cancer, autoimmunity, periodontitis, etc. Here, we provide an overview of current knowledge regarding the role if miRNA in shaping MΦ polarization and plasticity through targeting of various pathways and genes. Identification of miRNA biomarkers of diagnostic/prognostic value and their therapeutic potential by delivery of miRNA mimics or inhibitors to dynamically alter gene expression profiles in vivo is highlighted.
Concrete cover cracking and service life prediction of reinforced concrete structures in corrosive environments

Abstract Crack initiation of concrete cover due to corrosion defines the end of functional service life where repair or replacement is required for corroded reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This study provides a comprehensive and critical analysis for the analytical and numerical models of corrosion-induced cover crack initiation for both uniform and non-uniform corrosion. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of different factors on crack initiation time and crack propagation patterns using a thermal analogy approach defined in three dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) models. The results show that the type of corrosion products, thickness of interfacial transition zone and rate of corrosion are the parameters that affect crack initiation time the most significantly. The developed FE models are able to study crack initiation and propagation for both uniform and non-uniform corrosion and quantify the extent of concrete damage due to cracks. The FE results show that crack patterns under uniform and non-uniform corrosion differ. Under uniform corrosion, the major crack occurs vertically in the cover. But under non-uniform corrosion, major cracks form diagonally at the location of the pit in the cover. The vertical crack appears later and then becomes the third major crack. The results also show that non-uniform corrosion causes high concentrated pressure at the pits which would lead to earlier cover cracking. It is shown that assuming uniform corrosion may result in non-conservative service life estimation. The efficiency and applicability of the existing empirical models have been analyzed using the outcomes from the finite element models. Recommendations on how to select proper models to estimate crack initiation time have been provided. The outcome of the research provides a reliable approach to predict corrosion-induced cover crack initiation and propagation for RC structures.
Motor Nerve Conduction Studies

Motor nerve conduction studies are straightforward if undertaken carefully in children. These provide important information for diagnosis and delineation of axonal and demyelinating neuropathies, as well as identification of anterior horn or radicular motor pathologies. Myelination of peripheral nerve is a progressive process in children and conduction velocities do not fully reach adult ranges until 4 or 5 years of age. Most abnormalities of CMAP amplitude imply motor axonal loss or motor conduction block but rarely neuromuscular junction or muscle pathologies should be considered.
A 24 V chopper offset-stabilized operational amplifier with symmetrical RC notch filters

The paper presents a 24 V chopper offset-stabilized operational amplifier with symmetrical RC notch filters, having a 4–24 V supply range, and being realized using a 0.25 sm BCD process. The amplifier has a typical offset voltage of 1.2 μV, a minimum PSRR of 128 dB, a minimum CMRR of 120 dB, a minimum open-loop gain of 134dB, a noise PSD of 30 nV/√Hz, 1.8 MHz unity gain bandwidth, and THD + noise of 0.0004 % at 1 kHz, while consuming 500 μΑ. The chopping frequency is 250 kHz. The input chopping clock phases are obtained using a level shifter. Using minimum sized isolated NMOS transistors as switches, the input current was reduced down to maximum 100pA at room temperature.
Enantioconvergent Cross-Couplings of Alkyl Electrophiles: The Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Organosilanes

Metal-catalyzed enantioconvergent cross-coupling reactions of alkyl electrophiles are emerging as a powerful tool in asymmetric synthesis. To date, high enantioselectivity has been limited to couplings of electrophiles that bear a directing group or a proximal p/π orbital. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that enantioconvergent cross-couplings can be achieved with electrophiles that lack such features; specifically, we establish that a chiral nickel catalyst can accomplish Negishi reactions of racemic α-halosilanes with alkylzinc reagents with good enantioselectivity under simple and mild conditions, thereby providing access to enantioenriched organosilanes, an important class of target molecules.
Conversion of 1,2-Propylene Glycol on Rutile TiO2(110)

We have studied the reactions of 1,2-propylene glycol (1,2-PG), DOCH(CH3)CH2OD, on partially reduced, hydroxylated, and oxidized TiO2(110) surfaces using temperature-programmed desorption. On reduced TiO2(110), propylene, propanal, and acetone are identified as primary carbon-containing products. While the propylene formation channel dominates at low 1,2-PG coverages, all of the above-mentioned products are observed at high coverages. The carbon-containing products are accompanied by the formation of D2O and D2. The observation of only deuterated products shows that the source of hydrogen (D) is from the 1,2-PG hydroxyls. The role of bridging oxygen vacancy (VO) sites was further investigated by titrating them via hydroxylation and oxidation. The results show that hydroxylation does not change the reactivity because the VO sites are regenerated at 500 K, which is a temperature lower than the 1,2-PG product formation temperature. In contrast, surface oxidation causes significant changes in the product dist...
Impact of the USPSTF recommendations on prostate cancer stage migration and de-novo metastatic prostate cancer.

166Background: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for men aged≥75 in 2008 and all men in 2012 in an effort to reduce overdi...
Comprehensive kinetic and modeling analyses revealed CYP2C9 and 3A4 determine terbinafine metabolic clearance and bioactivation

Abstract Terbinafine N-dealkylation pathways result in formation of 6,6-dimethyl-2-hepten-4-ynal (TBF-A), a reactive allylic aldehyde, that may initiate idiosyncratic drug-induced liver toxicity. Previously, we reported on the importance of CYP2C19 and 3A4 as major contributors to TBF-A formation. In this study, we expanded on those efforts to assess individual contributions of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, and 2D6 in terbinafine metabolism. The combined knowledge gained from these studies allowed us to scale the relative roles of the P450 isozymes in hepatic clearance of terbinafine including pathways leading to TBF-A, and hence, provide a foundation for assessing their significance in terbinafine-induced hepatotoxicity. We used in vitro terbinafine reactions with recombinant P450s to measure kinetics for multiple metabolic pathways and calculated contributions of all individual P450 isozymes to in vivo hepatic clearance for the average human adult. The findings confirmed that CYP3A4 was a major contributor (at least 30% total metabolism) to all three of the possible N-dealkylation pathways; however, CYP2C9, and not CYP2C19, played a critical role in terbinafine metabolism and even exceeded CYP3A4 contributions for terbinafine N-demethylation. A combination of their metabolic capacities accounted for at least 80% of the conversion of terbinafine to TBF-A, while CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, and 2D6 made minor contributions. Computational approaches provide a more rapid, less resource-intensive strategy for assessing metabolism, and thus, we additionally predicted terbinafine metabolism using deep neural network models for individual P450 isozymes. Cytochrome P450 isozyme models accurately predicted the likelihood for terbinafine N-demethylation, but overestimated the likelihood for a minor N-denaphthylation pathway. Moreover, the models were not able to differentiate the varying roles of the individual P450 isozymes for specific reactions with this particular drug. Taken together, the significance of CYP2C9 and 3A4 and to a lesser extent, CYP2C19, in terbinafine metabolism is consistent with reported drug interactions. This finding suggests that variations in individual P450 contributions due to other factors like polymorphisms may similarly contribute to terbinafine-related adverse health outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of their metabolic capacities on formation of reactive TBF-A and consequent idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity will be mitigated by competing detoxification pathways, TBF-A decay, and TBF-A adduction to glutathione that remain understudied.
Increased circulating cytokine levels in African American women with obesity and elevated HbA1c.

Abstract Purpose Obesity has emerged as one of the biggest health crisis and is the leading cause of death and disabilities around the world. BMI trends suggest that majority of the increase in T2D is resulting from the increased prevalence of obesity. In fact, 85.2% of people with T2D are overweight or obese. The highest prevalence for obesity is seen in non-Hispanic, African American women (56.6%). T2D is classified as an inflammatory disease because of elevated, circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase inflammatory proteins. This study was designed to determine how high HbA1c and serum glucose correlate with circulatory cytokine levels in obese, African American women. Methods We investigated cytokine/chemokine serum levels using a multiplex assay. Then we used Pairwise Pearson Correlation Test to determine the relationship between clinical metabolic parameters and cytokine/chemokine serum levels. Results The results indicated that participants with elevated HbA1c exhibited an up regulation of IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, TNF-α, IFN-α2 and CX3CL1 serum levels compared to participants with normal HbA1c. These cytokines were also correlated with several clinical metabolic parameters. Conclusions The results suggest that IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, TNF-α, IFN-α2 and CX3CL1 serum levels may contribute to the development and onset of type 2 diabetes.
Comparison between the effect of metronidazole and some plant extracts on parasite Cryptosporidium parvium in vivo

The current study included the test of the efficiency of water extract for pomegranate peel and water extract from pumpkin seeds in the treatment of parasite Cryptosporidium parivum within the body of the organism and compared its effectiveness with metronidazole in the treatment to eliminate the same parasite within the body of the organism, was relied on (50) mouse mosquito moss age (8-10 weeks) and weight (25-30 g), the mice were first examined as soon as they were obtained to confirm their safety and the absence of previous intestinal parasites, then they were injected with parasite bags that collapsed to cause the disease, and the mice remained under observation until they were confirmed to obtain the infection, the mice were treated the first group was given the dose 392.0 mg/1.0 ml/mouse of metronidazole, the second group with a dose of 657.14 mg/1.0 ml of water extracts for pomegranate solutions, the third group took 1000 mg/1.0ml /g of pumpkin extract from Pumpkin seeds, plus a positive control group of 2x10 cysts/2.0 ml of bag suspension and 1.0 ml of normal saline solution, the results showed to absence of cysts of parasites completely on the sixth day of the group that took metronidazole and on the seventh and eighth days of the two groups that used water extracts to peel the pomegranate and seeds of the pumpkin respectively for the positive control group, and that both the drug and the plant extracts achieved results of 100% in the treatment of infected mice and the elimination of parasite, and it seems clear that the highest efficiency was the share of the drug metronidazole followed by plant extracts.
Neutropenic enterocolitis

Neutropenic enterocolitis is an acute syndrome characterized by cecal and ascending colon inflammation that may progress to necrosis and perforation. It is most often associated with leukemia but has also been described in patients with solid tumors, multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia, AIDS, and cyclic neutropenia. Medical management usually suffices, but surgical intervention may be required.
Corporate Divestitures and Carve-Outs

Divestiture is when a company sells, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of a subsidiary, business unit, or other type of asset. Companies may decide to divest in a business or asset for several reasons: (i) an asset or business unit is underperforming, (ii) that an old investment is no longer a core competency in alignment with the company’s strategic vision, (iii) as part of a merger or acquisition, and (iv) to improve a company’s value, and (v) mandated via a court order in the name of market competition.
Buoyancy of the continental upper mantle

[1] The thermal boundary layer beneath continental cratons extends into the Earth's mantle to depths of at least 200 km. It has been proposed that chemical depletion of the lithospheric mantle during partial melting offsets the effect of increased density from conductive cooling, resulting in neutral buoyancy with respect to the underlying asthenosphere. Mineral compositions of garnet peridotite xenoliths in the Kaapvaal craton give equilibration temperatures and pressures that define a continental conductive geotherm intersecting a mantle adiabat with a potential temperature of 1300°C at ∼60 kbar. We calculated normative densities for a “low-temperature” garnet and spinel peridotite xenolith suite using Mg#. At their temperatures and pressures of equilibration, all the low-temperature peridotites are positively buoyant with respect to the convecting mantle, which is inconsistent with the hypothesis of a neutrally buoyant thermal boundary layer. To account for the possibility that pressure, temperature, and mineral proportions may have varied over time, equilibrium solidus mineral assemblages for the low-temperature xenoliths over a range of pressures and temperatures were generated by free energy minimization using the program Perplex (http://www.perplex.ethz.ch). The equilibrium solidus densities for xenolith compositions along a 40 mW/m2 conductive geotherm were compared with the density of pyrolite along a mantle adiabat with a potential temperature of 1300°C. These density calculations show that most of the xenoliths are positively buoyant with respect to asthenospheric mantle (“pyrolite”) at their temperatures and pressures of equilibration, confirming the results from the normative density calculations. Also, at the onset of the accretion of the Kaapvaal craton, when the thermal boundary layer was thinner and hotter than today, these Kaapvaal peridotites would have been positively buoyant with respect to the convecting mantle at shallower pressures. Therefore we propose that peridotite at the base of the Kaapvaal “plate,” in the mantle thermal boundary layer, was and is positively buoyant. Combined with evidence from the geoid and geomorphology, which suggests that cratons are isostatically compensated and neutrally buoyant, our results imply that there must be dense layers within cratonic crust or upper mantle that offset the positive buoyancy of depleted cratonic mantle peridotites.
Interference of Elicited Immunity to HIV-1 Gagp55 by Envgp120, but Not by Influenza HA, During Co-immunizations

Immunization with more than one immunogen (coimmunization) is an efficient regimen to induce immunity to multiple antigens. However, immune interference has been reported using multi-plasmid DNA immunizations (e.g. co-immunization using HIV-1 Gag-Polp160 and Vpr). HIV-1 envelope (Env) and Gag gene products are the most predominant immunogens used in current AIDS vaccines, although, few studies have evaluated possible immune interference when these two antigens are coadministered. Therefore, in this study, immune interference during co-inoculation was examined using DNA vaccines expressing Envgp120 and Gagp55 from gene sequences optimized for efficient expression in mammalian cells (codon-optimized). BALB/c mice vaccinated with each plasmid individually elicited high titer immune responses, however, when these same plasmids were coinoculated, there was a reduction in the immunity elicited to Gagp55. In contrast, anti-Envgp120 immunity was not affected. To determine if the anti-Gag immune interference was specific to Env, mice were co-immunized with plasmids expressing a soluble form of hemagglutinin (sHA) from influenza virus (A/PR/8/34) and Gagp55DNA. Similar titers of anti-Gagp55 immunity were observed in mice co-immunized with sHA-DNA and Gagp55-DNA, as mice vaccinated with Gagp55-DNA only. Gagp55-DNA co-immunization did not affect anti-Envgp120 or anti-sHA immune responses. The Envgp120/Gagp55 immune interference elicited during co-immunizations was not dependent on the amount of protein expressed. In addition, this induced immune interference was observed in mice even when the immunizations were performed in separate locations. Therefore, Envgp120 specifically interferes with the elicitation of anti-Gagp55 immune responses following co-immunization. Since Env and Gag are the most commonly used HIV-1 antigens in AIDS vaccine designs, future vaccine development should consider the effect of each immunogen during evaluation of the effectiveness of AIDS vaccines. from 2005 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology Baltimore, USA, 29 August – 2 September 2005
Role of urinary cations in the aetiology of bladder symptoms and interstitial cystitis

Objectives To identify and characterise urinary cationic metabolites, defined as toxic factors, in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) and in control subjects. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of the urinary cationic metabolite fraction of patients with IC vs control subjects and of individual metabolites in cultured urothelial cells. Subjects and Methods Cationic fractions (CFs) were isolated from the urine specimens of 62 patients with IC and 33 control subjects by solid-phase extraction. CF metabolites were profiled using C18 reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV detection, quantified by area-under-the-peaks using known standards, and normalized to creatinine. RP-HPLC and liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS)/tandem MS (MS/MS) were used to identify major CF peaks. HTB-4 urothelial cells were used to determine the cytotoxicity of CFs and of individual metabolites with and without Tamm–Horsfall protein (THP). Results RP-HPLC analysis showed that metabolite quantity was twofold higher in patients with IC compared with control subjects. The mean (sem) for control subjects vs patients was 3.1 (0.2) vs 6.3 (0.5) mAU*min/μg creatinine (P < 0.001). LC-MS identified 20 metabolites. Patients with IC had higher levels of modified nucleosides, amino acids and tryptophan derivatives compared with control subjects. The CF cytotoxicity was higher for patients with IC compared with control subjects. The mean (sem) for control subjects vs patients was −2.3 (2.0)% vs 36.7 (2.7)% (P < 0.001). A total of 17 individual metabolites were tested for their cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity data for major metabolites were all significant (P < 0.001): 1-methyladenosine (51%), 5-methylcytidine (36%), 1-methyl guanine (31%), N4-acetylcytidine (24%), N7-methylguanosine (20%) and L-Tryptophan (16%). These metabolites were responsible for higher toxicity in patients with IC. The toxicity of all metabolites was significantly lower in the presence of control THP (P < 0.001). Conclusions Major urinary cationic metabolites were characterised and found to be present in higher amounts in patients with IC compared with control subjects. The cytotoxicity of cationic metabolites in patients with IC was significantly higher than in control subjects, and control THP effectively lowered the cytotoxicity of these metabolites. These data provide new insights into toxic factor composition as well as a framework in which to develop new therapeutic strategies to sequester their harmful activity, which may help relieve the bladder symptoms associated with IC.
Hyphema: Considerations in the Small Animal Patient

Classification, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhage into the anterior chamber of the eye, or hyphema, can be a challenging and frustrating process for many practitioners, especially in emergency situations. This review outlines an inclusive list of causes, diagnostics, and treatments for traumatic and nontraumatic hyphema in both canine and feline patients. The review is tailored to small animal practitioners, especially in emergency practice, and is designed to provide concise but thorough descriptions on investigating underlying causes of hyphema and treating accordingly.
The effect of ABETS EC2000 on curriculum: early indications

This paper summarizes the background and history leading to the development, adoption, and implementation of ABETS Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2000). A sampling of program and curricula changes which have resulted or which are in the process of being implemented is presented.
Effective interactions and transport properties of degenerate spin-polarized 3 He- 4 He mixtures

We present calculations of the thermal conductivity, viscosity, and longitudinal spin diffusion of degenerate3He-4He mixtures as a function of spin polarization. Physical arguments and sum rules are used to describe qualitatively the behavior of the effective interactions between two3He quasiparticles. A recently proposed potential model is consistent with these expectations and provides the momentum- and polarization-dependent transition probabilities that enter into transport calculations. In the limit of small3He concentrations, our results agree with previous calculations based on the hard sphere model. For concentrations nearing saturation, however, we find structure in the thermal conductivity as a function of polarization with the3He density kept fixed. While the behavior of the viscosity remainsqualitatively similar to that at low concentration, the spin diffusion coefficient is qualitatively different. This behavior of the transport coefficients is largely a consequence of the strongly polarization dependentm z =1 triplet scattering rate which becomes comparable to that in the singlet channel at large polarizations.
Effect of Propranolol on Various Aspects of Thyroid Function in the Rat

Abstract The daily administration of propranolol (5–20 mg/kg) to the intact male rat does not effect the serum thyroxine concentration or the peripheral metabolism of 131 I-labeled thyroxine. Except for a small decrease in 131 I-labeled triiodothyronine, propranolol did not effect the intrathyroidal metabolism of 131 I. These findings further suggest that the efficacious use of propranolol in the treatment of many of the signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis may not be associated with alterations in thyroid gland function or in the peripheral metabolism of thyroxine.
Prediction of noise constrained optimum takeoff procedures

An optimization method is used to predict safe, maximum-performance takeoff procedures which satisfy noise constraints at multiple observer locations. The takeoff flight is represented by two-degree-of-freedom dynamical equations with aircraft angle-of-attack and engine power setting as control functions. The engine thrust, mass flow and noise source parameters are assumed to be given functions of the engine power setting and aircraft Mach number. Effective Perceived Noise Levels at the observers are treated as functionals of the control functions. The method is demonstrated by applying it to an Advanced Supersonic Transport aircraft design. The results indicate that automated takeoff procedures (continuously varying controls) can be used to significantly reduce community and certification noise without jeopardizing safety or degrading performance.
Use of methenamine hippurate in male infertility

In sperm-freezing for infertility patients with low sperm counts, we found that semen containing high numbers of white blood cells, greater than 15 to 20 per high-power field, was both poor in quality and difficult to freeze. In examining these patients carefully, we found that many had smoldering prostatitis and some an overt history of prostatitis. We treated them with methenamine hippurate using various methods and found that by decreasing the white blood cell count in their semen, we could frequently improve the semen quality, particularly sperm motility, also achieve pregnancies in some cases.
Linking earthquakes and hydraulic fracturing operations

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, to extract oil and gas from rock, has been a controversial but increasingly common practice; some studies have linked it to groundwater contamination and induced earthquakes. Scientists discussed several studies on the connection between fracking and earthquakes at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco in December.
Impact of concurrent overexpression of cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) on growth and development in transgenic tobacco

The outcome of simultaneously increasing SPS and GS activities in transgenic tobacco, suggests that sucrose is the major determinant of growth and development, and is not affected by changes in N assimilation. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are the major components required for plant growth and the metabolic pathways for C and N assimilation are very closely interlinked. Maintaining an appropriate balance or ratio of sugar to nitrogen metabolites in the cell, is important for the regulation of plant growth and development. To understand how C and N metabolism interact, we manipulated the expression of key genes in C and N metabolism individually and concurrently and checked for the repercussions. Transgenic tobacco plants with a cytosolic soybean glutamine synthetase (GS1) gene and a sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene from maize, both driven by the CaMV 35S promoter were produced. Co-transformants, with both the transgenes were produced by sexual crosses. While GS is the key enzyme in N assimilation, involved in the synthesis of glutamine, SPS plays a key role in C metabolism by catalyzing the synthesis of sucrose. Moreover, to check if nitrate has any role in this interaction, the plants were grown under both low and high nitrogen. The SPS enzyme activity in the SPS and SPS/GS1 co-transformants were the same under both nitrogen regimens. However, the GS activity was lower in the co-transformants compared to the GS1 transformants, specifically under low nitrogen conditions. The GS1/SPS transformants showed a phenotype similar to the SPS transformants, suggesting that sucrose is the major determinant of growth and development in tobacco, and its effect is only marginally affected by increased N assimilation. Sucrose may be functioning in a metabolic capacity or as a signaling molecule.
Chronic isoproterenol treatment of neonatal rats

The chronic subcutaneous administration of isoproterenol to neonatal and young male and female rats resulted in statistically significant reductions of the norepinephrine concentrations of the heart and submaxillary and parotid glands and increased concentrations in the stellate ganglion. However, the total norepinephrine content of these tissues was not affected. The epinephrine levels of these tissues were not significantly different from controls except for an increased total content in the submaxillary glands. Chronic treatment did not alter the norepinephrine levels of the brain, superior cervical ganglion, adrenal glands, vas de-ferens, uterus, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and small intestine. Growth of neonatal rats was retarded. The wet weights of the submaxillary and parotid glands were significantly greater, while the spleen, uterus, adrenal glands, and stellate ganglion weighed less in iso-proterenol-treated than in control rats. The wet weights of other peripheral tissues were not affected. The ratios of the tissue weight to the body weight were significantly increased for the heart and submaxillary and parotid glands and decreased for the uterus. The first dose of isoproterenol produced hypothermia in mature rats but hyperthermia in newborn rats. Sparse hair growth in neonatal rats and hair loss in weanling rats were also observed during chronic treatment.
Cluster-K+: Network topology for searching replicated data in p2p systems

This paper proposes a new scheme for ensuring data consistency in unstructured p2p networks where peers can subscribe to multiple content types (identified by labels) and are rapidly informed of content updates. The idea is based on using a static tree structure, the Cluster-K^+ tree, that maintains most of the structural information about peers and labels. A label denotes a set of replicated or co-related data in the network. The Cluster-K^+ tree provides efficient retrieval, addition, deletion and consistent updates of labels. Our proposed structure guarantees a short response search time of O(H+K), where H denotes the height of the tree and K the degree of an internal tree node. We present theoretical analytic bounds for the worst-case performance. To verify the bounds, we also present experimental results obtained from a network simulation. The results demonstrate that the actual performance of our system is significantly better than the theoretical bounds.
Student Perceptions of Alcohol Promotion on Campus.

Abstract The reduction or elimination of alcohol promotions and sponsorship on college campuses recently has been promoted as an important alcohol prevention strategy. However, there has been relatively little research exploring this area. The present study therefore examines student perceptions of alcohol promotion at a large university in the southwestern United States. Using survey data, this study found that students differed in their perceptions of alcohol promotion based on their drinking patterns. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Stereo Image Rectification Using Focal Length Adjustment

Stereo Image rectification is more popular due to its robustness and vast amount of search space reduction in stereo correspondence problem. It has wide range of applications in 3d medical imaging, robot navigation, virtual reality, and entertainment etc. Rectified Images includes more distortion which will affect 3d imaging quality. In this paper, we choose time stamped stereo frames from stereo video streams from heterogeneous cameras. These stereo image pairs are verified for suitability for calibration using error pair elimination method. Heterogeneous cameras are calibrated from the selected stereo image pairs and followed by rectification of stereo image pairs by compensating the focal lengths of the cameras. The resultant rectified image has lesser number of hollow pixels as compared to conventional algorithm. Lesser number of hollow pixels results in accurate 3D co-ordinate estimation compared with conventional algorithm.
Methylene Blue Adsorption on Thymine Based Polyvinylphenylsulfonate Films

The immobilization of thymine‐containing copolymers of vinylphenylsulfonate (VPS) and vinylbenzylthymine (VBT) on a nonreactive substrate has been investigated. These polymers are environmentally benign, water‐soluble and when irradiated with low levels of UV light undergo a 2π+2π photodimerization reaction of the thymine moieties. These photoinduced dimers form a crosslinked network that renders the polymer significantly less soluble in water. Consequently the irradiated polymer is immobilized on the substrate, allowing removal of unexposed regions by simple aqueous wash. Visualization of the photoresist is done by “toning” the remaining anionic copolymer with the cationic dye methylene blue. By evaluating the color density of the crosslinked, toned films by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, this report describes the impact of copolymer composition and curing conditions on polymer photoreactivity. Mechanistic rationale is proposed.
Hydromagnetic simple wave flow in nonuniform ducts

Abstract The equations governing the quasi-one-dimensional unsteady motion of an ideal, inviscid, perfectly conducting compressible fluid, subjected to an oblique magnetic field, are linearized in the neighborhood of a known simple wave flow and weakly nonisentropic perturbations are considered. The perturbations superposed on simple wave flow in non-uniform ducts may then be determined by quadratures. Because of the arbitrary orientation of the magnetic field, both slow and fast simple waves may be considered. The author's previous work on the case of a transverse magnetic field and the nonmagnetic case is contained as a special case of the analysis.
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT): considerations for neuropsychological research.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a pillar of clinical medicine (Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes, & Richardson, 1996), but only recently has this been systematically discussed within the context of clinical neuropsychology (e.g., Chelune, 2010). Across the medical sciences, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are often considered the most important source of evidence for treatment efficacy. To facilitate the conduct, dissemination, and evaluation of research findings, reporting standards have been implemented, including the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. This paper considers the implications of the CONSORT statement for the reporting of clinical trials that include neuropsychological endpoints. Adopting specific guidelines for trials involving neuropsychology endpoints will ultimately serve to strengthen the empirical evidence base by increasing uniformity within the literature, decrease ambiguity in reporting, improving trial design, and fostering methodological transpare...
Comment on "Reexamining individual differences in women's rape avoidance" by Snyder and Fessler (2012).

Snyder and Fessler’s (2012) article, entitled ‘‘Reexamining Individual Differences in Women’s Rape Avoidance,’’ was written in response to an article we published (McKibbin, Shackelford,Miner, Bates, & Liddle, 2011).Snyder andFessler criticized our work on both theoretical and empirical grounds. In this Letter, we address their criticisms and problems associated with each criticism.
Filtered Rayleigh scattering based measurements in compressible mixing layers

Results are presented of experiments in which a Rayleigh-scattering-based technique was used to make quantitative planar measurements in the compressible free shear layers. To this end, the absorption characteristics of the iodine molecular filter were investigated, and initial planar density measurements in M(c) = 0.51 shear layer were performed. The preliminary results presented here demonstrate the validity of the measurement technique.
Clearing the air: challenges to introducing smoking restrictions in West Virginia.

Abstract One of the most fundamental rights, the right to breathe air free of unhealthy carcinogens, is continuously threatened by powerful corporate tobacco interests, which spend enormous amounts of money not only to promote smoking, but also to stifle local, state, and national efforts to control smoking in the United States. From the perspective of a “committed participant” this paper discusses recent difficulties encountered in attempting to introduce West Virginia's first comprehensive smoking control legislation, and the strategies used to overcome them. The primary message reported here is that, given the overwhelming financial, emotional, and human-potential costs involved in ongoing tobacco abuse in the United States, it is essential that citizens unite to protect the health of all children and the vast majority of adults who do not smoke, and to discourage the consumption of cigarettes, the single biggest cause of disease and death in our society. The example reported here from West Virginia demonstrates that persistent citizen activism can make a critical difference in promoting laws that protect human health from unhealthy environmental tobacco smoke.
Recruiting Black Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (BMSMW) in an Urban Setting for HIV Prevention Research.

Objectives: Concerns related to stigma and confidentiality limit HIV-related study recruitment and retention of Black men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). This paper examines lessons learned from recruitment strategies utilized in enrolling 437 participants between 2007 and 2011 for a randomized controlled trial to test a culturally specific HIV risk-reduction intervention for Black MSMW. Methods: Interested respondents completed a brief screener and participants completed surveys at baseline and at post, 3 and 6 months follow-up. Recruitment patterns were assessed by examining the source of study information reported when respondents were asked how they learned about the study. Chi-square tests were then conducted to examine differences in the distribution of participants by self-reported HIV status, age group and socio-economic status (SES) for each type of study information source. Results: Regardless of HIV or SES, study respondents were more likely to have received information about the study through a service agency than from other sources. Participants ages 30-49 and 50+ years were most likely to have learned about the study from an agency (34.9% and 27.0%, respectively) or another participant/friend (20.1%, 23.1%) and least likely to have found out from bus (0.8%, 0.0%) or radio (1.3%, 0.0%) advertisements; whereas younger participants were more likely to have heard about the study through a friend/participant (23.4%) than an agency (15.4%). Although, 14.1% of participants’ ages less than 30 years reported the Internet as their source of study information, this compared to just 2.7% and 4.8% for participants in the 30-49 and 50-plus age groups. Conclusions: While agencies and referrals from personal networks appear to be the most significant recruitment source for potential HIV research participants, there is evidence that Internet based tools may enhance recruitment, particularly among younger Black MSMW.
Gas chromatography mass spectrometry computer analysis of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in man and his environment—a multimedia environmental study

As part of a study to make a comparative analysis of selected halogenated compounds in man and the environmental media, a quantitative gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of the levels of the halogenated compounds found in the breath, blood and urine of an exposed population (Old Love Canal area, Niagara, New York) and their immediate environment (air and water) was undertaken. In addition, levels of halogenated hydrocarbons in air samples taken in the general Buffalo, Niagara Falls area were determined.
A comparison of the effects of suckling or transient dopamine antagonism on thyrotropin-releasing hormone and suckling induced prolactin release in lactating rats.

Abstract Prolactin (PRL) release was studied in mid-lactational female rats by comparing the stimulatory influence of suckling to a drug protocol that mimicks the effect of suckling on the anterior pituitary (AP). Animals that nursed pups for 15 minutes and were allowed to suckle again 60 minutes later for 10 minutes, released PRL effectively during both nursing episodes; however, in animals that received the dopamine (DA) agonist 2-Br-α-ergocryptine maleate (CB-154, 0.5 mg/rat i.v.) at the end of the first nursing period did not show an increase in plasma PRL to a second suckling stimulation by the pups. When thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was substituted for the second suckling period in CB-154 treated rats, a slight increase in plasma PRL occurred 5 minutes after the injection. In a third study we transiently blocked the action of DA at the AP by injecting the DA antagonist domperidone (0.01 mg/rat i.v.), followed 5 minutes later by the administration of CB-154. One hour later animals were either allowed to suckle pups for 10 minutes or were injected with TRH. Treatment with TRH resulted in an 11 fold increase in plasma PRL but suckling was completely ineffective in inducing PRL release. These data suggest that the lack of PRL release to suckling in CB-154 treated rats was due to inhibitory effects of CB-154 on neural mechanisms which link nursing to PRL release. In addition, the data show that pharmacologic DA antagonism affects TRH releasable PRL more than does suckling. This may be due to a reduction, by suckling, of the pool of PRL that is available to be released by TRH administration.
IMAGING OF PARANASAL SINUS DISEASE

Sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections represent the most common disease processes treated by primary care pediatricians. In many instances, the diagnosis is a clinical one and imaging is not required. If a suspected sinus infection presents in an equivocal fashion, however, or proceeds in an atypical manner despite treatment, radiologic imaging may confirm a diagnosis, allow for evaluation of treatment efficacy, identify predisposing factors, or illustrate evolving complications.
Fully coupled non‐linear analysis of piezoelectric solids involving domain switching

Domain switching is the cause of significant non-linearity in the response of piezoelectric materials to mechanical and electrical effects. In this paper, the response of piezoelectric solids is formulated by coupling thermal, electrical, and mechanical effects. The constitutive equations are non-linear. Moreover, due to the domain switching phenomenon, the resulting governing equations become highly non-linear. The corresponding non-linear finite element equations are derived and solved by using an incremental technique. The developed formulation is first verified against a number of benchmark problems for which a closed-form solution exists. Next, a cantilever beam made of PZT-4 is studied to evaluate the effect of domain switching on the overall force–displacement response of the beam. A number of interesting observations are made with respect to the extent of non-linearity and its progressive spread as the load on the beam increases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expensive multiobjective optimization for robotics

Many practical optimization problems in robotics involve multiple competing objectives - from design trade-offs to performance metrics of the physical system such as speed and energy efficiency. Proper treatment of these objective functions, while commonplace in fields such as economics, is often overlooked in robotics. Additionally, optimization of the performance of robotic systems can be restricted due to the expensive nature of testing control parameters on a physical system. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithm for expensive-to-evaluate functions that generates a Pareto set of solutions. This algorithm is compared against another leading MOO algorithm, and then used to optimize the speed and head stability of the sidewinding gait for a snake robot.
Remote personal health monitoring with radio waves

We present several techniques utilizing radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology for personal health monitoring. One technique involves using RFID sensors external to the human body, while another technique uses both internal and external RFID sensors. Simultaneous monitoring of many patients in a hospital setting can also be done using networks of RFID sensors. All the monitoring are done wirelessly, either continuously or periodically in any interval, in which the sensors collect information on human parts such as the lungs or heart and transmit this information to a router, PC or PDA device connected to the internet, from which patient's condition can be diagnosed and viewed by authorized medical professionals in remote locations. Instantaneous information allows medical professionals to intervene properly and timely to prevent possible catastrophic effects to patients. The continuously monitored information provides medical professionals more complete and long-term studies of patients. All of these result in not only enhancement of the health treatment quality but also significant reduction of medical expenditure. These techniques demonstrate that health monitoring of patients can be done wirelessly at any time and any place without interfering with the patients' normal activities. Implementing the RFID technology would not only help reduce the enormous and significantly growing medical costs in the U.S.A., but also help improve the health treatment capability as well as enhance the understanding of long-term personal health and illness.
A better surgical technique for repairing pulmonary arteries after banding.

Abstract A technique is presented to eliminate the residual gradient more completely after removing the main pulmonary band at the time of primary repair of ventricular septal defect. The band and underlying pulmonary artery are circumferentially excised, except for a small posterior part, and the pulmonary artery is reanastomosed.
Feeding supplemental dried distiller's grains increases faecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157 in experimentally inoculated calves.

Abstract Escherichia coli O157 is an important foodborne pathogen and asymptomatic cattle serve as major reservoirs for human infection. We have shown a positive association between feeding distiller's grains and E. coli O157 prevalence in feedlot cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding dried distiller's grain (DDG) on faecal shedding of E. coli O157 in calves experimentally inoculated with E. coli O157. Holstein calves (five per treatment group), fed steam-flaked corn-based high-grain diets supplemented with 0% (control) or 25% DDG, were orally inoculated with a five-strain mixture (6 x 10(9) CFU/calf) of nalidixic acid-resistant (NalR) E. coli O157. Faecal samples were taken three times per week for 6 weeks to determine the prevalence and concentration of Nal E. coli O157. At the end of the study (day 43), calves were euthanized and necropsied. Ruminal, caecum, colon, and rectal contents, and rectoanal mucosal swab (RAMS) samples were collected at necropsy to determine NalR E. coli O157 concentration. There was a trend for an interaction between treatment and faecal sampling day. The concentration of NalR E. coli O157 in the faeces was significantly higher in faecal samples from calves fed DDG compared with control calves on days 35, 37, 39 and 42. At necropsy, the concentration of NalR E. coli O157 was higher in the caecum (P = 0.01), colon (P = 0.03) and rectum (P = 0.01) from calves fed DDG compared with control animals. The number of sites at necropsy positive for NalR E. coli O157 was higher in calves fed DDG compared with calves in the control treatment (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that E. coli O157 gut persistence and faecal prevalence increased in calves fed DDG, which potentially have important implications for food safety.