cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of artifacts and reproducibility across spectral- and time-domain optical coherence tomography devices.

Purpose To report the frequency of optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan artifacts and to compare macular thickness measurements, interscan reproducibility, and interdevice agreeability across 3 spectral-domain (SD) OCT (also known as Fourier domain; Cirrus HD-OCT, RTVue-100, and Topcon 3D-OCT 1000) devices and 1 time-domain (TD) OCT (Stratus OCT) device. Design Prospective, noncomparative, noninterventional case series. Participants Fifty-two patients seen at the New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center Retina Service, between February and August 2008. Methods Two scans were performed for each of the SD OCT protocols: Cirrus macular cube 512×128 (software version 3.0; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA), RTVue (E)MM5 and MM6 (software version 3.5; Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA), Topcon 3D Macular and Radial (software version 2.12; Topcon, Inc., Paramus, NJ), in addition to 1 TD OCT scan via Stratus macular thickness protocol (software version 4.0; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.). Scans were inspected for 6 types of OCT scan artifacts and were analyzed. Interscan reproducibility and interdevice agreeability were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots, respectively. Main Outcome Measures Optical coherence tomography image artifacts, macular thickness, reproducibility, and agreeability. Results Time-domain OCT scans contained a significantly higher percentage of clinically significant improper central foveal thickness (IFT) after manual correction (11-μm change or more) compared with SD OCT scans. Cirrus HD-OCT had a significantly lower percentage of clinically significant IFT (11.1%) compared with the other SD OCT devices (Topcon 3D, 20.4%; Topcon Radial, 29.6%; RTVue (E)MM5, 42.6%; RTVue MM6, 24.1%; P = 0.001). All 3 SD OCT devices had central foveal subfield thicknesses that were significantly more than that of TD OCT after manual correction ( P Conclusions Out of all OCT devices analyzed, cirrus HD-OCT scans exhibited the lowest occurrence of any artifacts (68.5%), IFT (40.7%), and clinically significant IFT (11.1%), whereas Stratus OCT scans exhibited the highest occurrence of clinically significant IFT. Further work on improving segmentation algorithm to decrease artifacts is warranted. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
The Ultimate Instrument -- Man

It may help to try getting "way off"-- we like to call it being "objective" -- and observe humanity with perspective -- say about 2500 years of perspective. We would then find ourselves probing the my-steries of man with the Greeks. The Greek philosopher Protagorus observed that "Man is the measure of all things." Apparently that idea didn't originate with Plato, but he agreed and gave the concept dissemina-tion by teaching it to his students. How much have we learned about man in the past 2500 years? Of course, we've learned a great deal. But what have we learned about the really important things?© (1966) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distribution of acid and vanadium in Rhopalaea birkelandi Tokioka

The distribution of acidity, vanadium, and fouling in Rhopalaea birkelandi Tokioka, a solitary ascidian common on the Pacific coast of Central America, was investigated. The tunic around the siphons released acid (pH ⩽2) when slightly bruised and was not fouled. However, the basal parts of the tunic, which were non-acidic, were fouled. Whole R. birkelandi has ≈610 ppm vanadium dry wt; the zooid with the tunic removed has ≈ 1956 ppm and the tunic has ≈ 500 ppm vanadium dry wt. Vanadocytes were present. These data are discussed in reference to previous work on the roles of vanadium and acid in benthic ascidians.
The temporal structure of motivation II: Determinants of reinforcement patterns in the local organization of intracranial reward.

When rats and other animals are permitted chronic and continuous access to intracranial reinforcement (intracranial self-stimulation (ICS)) they typically display episodic response patterns (bursts). The motivational determinants of response bursts are not known; however, previous studies have pointed to the importance of priming effects in ICS. To further investigate the role of priming in ICS bursts adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed chronic (minimally 2-week) access to ICS, with bursts collected for a subsequent 10-day period. Analysis of burst patterns indicated (a) relatively higher initial response rates were associated with longer bursts, (b) rates of response generally increased within individual response bursts, and (c) higher initial rates were associated with bursts that persisted in contrast to those which did not. In addition, a tonic reinforcement effect was found in the analysis of overnight records. Several burst parameters were increased in the final vs the initial 2 hr of responding. The first three findings support a role for priming as one determinant of burst patterns. The final effect may point to a second mechanism involved in incentive seeking.
High Spatial Resolution Imaging of Pre-Main-Sequence Binary Stars: Resolving the Relationship between Disks and Close Companions

In order to study the passive and active effects of young close companion stars and to constrain possible multiple star formation mechanisms, we have carried out a high-resolution imaging program of six multiple T Tauri star systems using the Hubble Space Telescope from 0.3 to 0.9 μm and ground-based speckle imaging from 1 to 2 μm. Each system (GG Tau, UZ Tau, DF Tau, RW Aur, V773 Tau, and V410 Tau) has at least one binary pair with separation between 007 and 04 (10-50 AU). In addition to the previously known companions, a third component is discovered in the V410 Tau system. Many of the companion stars contribute significantly to the unresolved spectral energy distribution and thereby bias the inferred stellar and circumstellar properties. Age is the most systematically biased quantity; neglecting a companion causes an overestimate in age by a factor of ~2 typically and more than 10 in the extreme. Excess emission above the photospheric level is detected at ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths for several of the components, which suggests that some close (10-50 AU) T Tauri binaries support at least a minimal circumstellar disk at an age of ~1 Myr. These inner disks not only provide a potential reservoir of material for planetary formation but also may play a key role in the evolution of the components' angular momenta. Possible multiple star formation scenarios are explored in light of the components' relative stellar and circumstellar properties for systems studied here as well as wider and closer systems whose properties are reported in the literature. In summary, the components (1) are coeval, (2) have secondary mass and mass ratio distributions that appear to be independent of both the primary stars' mass and the binary separation, and (3) have UV and NIR excess emission that is either similar or more dominant in the primary. These properties support a scenario in which binary stars form via core fragmentation.
The Wais-R Picture Arrangement Subtest: What do Scores Indicate?

Abstract Despite Wechsler's (1958, 1969) apparent intent, clinicians persist in interpreting the subtest scores of his scales according to traditional assumptions of their personality and behavioral implications. Personality descriptions and prognostications based on those assumtions are incorporated into test reports and computer-generated analyses. The present research examined the relationship between Picture Arrangement scores and the skills and behaviors presented in the literature as related to the subtest. Undergraduates (N = 46) enrolled in two classes in communication techniques were the subjects. Relationships between variables were few, but Picture Arrangement scores correlated highly with general intelligence (g). When intelligence was held out as a source of variance, any relationships between Picture Arrangement scores and other variables (impulsivity, time spent in large group activities, extracurricular participation in high school and college, concern for social convention, and social ski...
Brain angiotensin AT-2 receptor antagonism and water intake

Intracerebroventricular administration of the angiotensin AT-2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319, inhibited drinking induced in rats by hypertonic NaCl, carbachol, isoproterenol, hypovolemia, and water deprivation, but had no effect on food intake. In contrast, the AT-1 antagonist, losartan potassium, had no effect on these intakes. A model of thirst is presented that incorporates an AT-2 receptor in a final common pathway for drinking.
Pulmonary response after exposure to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles: Short and long-term studies in mice

AbstractShort and long-term pulmonary response to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles (nano-Ni(OH)2, CMD = 40 nm) in C57BL/6 mice was assessed using a whole body exposure system. For short-term studies mice were exposed for 4 h to nominal concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/m3. For long-term studies mice were exposed for 5 h/d, 5 d/w, for up to 5 months (m) to a nominal concentration of 100 μg/m3. Particle morphology, size distribution, chemical composition, solubility, and intrinsic oxidative capacity were determined. Markers of lung injury and inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); histopathology; and lung tissue elemental nickel content and mRNA changes in macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (Mip-2), chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2), interleukin 1-alpha (Il-1α), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf-α) were assessed. Dose-related changes in BALF analyses were observed 24 h after short-term studies while significant changes were noted after 3 m and/or 5 m of exposure (24 h). Nickel content wa...
Physiological Changes in Caged Layers During a Forced Molt 1. Body Temperature and Selected Blood Constituents

Abstract The effects of forced molting on body temperature and selected blood constituents were studied. Caged layers, reared under commercial conditions, were force molted successively at 72 and 104 weeks of age. This was accomplished by removing feed for up to 12 days and water for up to 3 days while simultaneously reducing the daylength to 10 hr or less. This procedure resulted in a cessation of egg production within one week of the initiation of feed removal. There was a significant increase in body temperature during feather loss and renewal. Packed cell volume and hemoglobin increased significantly immediately upon removal of feed and water and remained elevated above control levels for the duration of the pause in egg production, while plasma total calcium, and inorganic phosphate decreased significantly during the corresponding period. Plasma total protein and plasma glucose did not exhibit consistent trends. Body temperature and the levels of the measured plasma constituents returned to normal levels upon the resumption of egg production.
Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and other intestinal helminths of Cyprinella lutrensis in Deep Creek, Kansas.

Abstract We investigated the intestinal parasites of a wild fish population in a Kansas stream to determine the prevalence and abundance of potentially harmful parasites. In total, 180 red shiners (Cyprinella lutrensis) were collected from 6 sites in October–November 2007. Fifteen Asian tapeworms (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi) were recovered from 13 fish (prevalence of 7.2%). Prevalence did not differ among sites; however, B. acheilognathi abundance was greatest at the site of a public fishing area. A total of 39 roundworms (Rhabdochona canadensis) were recovered from 28 fish (prevalence of 15.6%). Prevalence did not differ among sites, nor did abundance. However, mean abundance tended to be about 50% greater at the site of a public fishing area compared to all other sites. This paper documents the presence of both B. acheilognathi and R. canadensis in Kansas and offers a compilation of the known potential impacts these parasites may have on the native, federally endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka).
An analysis of image queries in the field of art history

This study investigates end-users' image queries by comparing the features of the queries to those identified in previous studies by Enser and McGregor (1992), Jorgensen (1995), and Fidel (1997). Twenty-nine college students majoring in art history were recruited. They were required to finish a term paper including at least 20 images. The participants' image queries were collected by pre- and postsearch questionnaires, and three human reviewers mapped these queries into the previously identified features. Enser and McGregor's categories of Unique and Nonunique, and Jorgensen's classes of Location, Literal Object, Art Historical Information, People, and People-Related Attributes received high degrees of matching by three reviewers. This finding can be applied to add more details to Enser and McGregor's four categories (Unique, Nonunique, Unique with refiners, and Nonunique with refiners) and to regroup Jorgensen's 12 classes of image attributes.
Disabling of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB (RANK) Receptor Complex by Novel Osteoprotegerin-like Peptidomimetics Restores Bone Loss in Vivo

The tumor necrosis factor family ligand, tumor necrosis factor-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE), and its receptors, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), are known to be regulators of development and activation of osteoclasts in bone remodeling. Sustained osteoclast activation that occurs through TRANCE-RANK causes osteopenic disorders such as osteoporosis and contributes to osteolytic metastases. Here, we report a rationally designed small molecule mimic of osteoprotegerin to inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and limit bone loss in an animal model of osteoporosis. One of the mimetics, OP3-4, significantly inhibited osteoclast formation in vitro (IC(50) = 10 microm) and effectively inhibited total bone loss in ovariectomized mice at a dosage of 2 mg/kg/day. Unlike soluble OPG receptors, which preclude TRANCE binding to RANK, OP3-4 shows the ability to modulate RANK-TRANCE signaling pathways and alters the biological functions of the RANK-TRANCE receptor complex by facilitating a defective receptor complex. These features suggest that OPG-derived small molecules can be used as a probe to understand complex biological functions of RANK-TRANCE-OPG receptors and also can be used as a platform to develop more useful therapeutic agents for inflammation and bone disease.
The Cambridge Companion to Postmodernism

The Cambridge Companion to Postmodernism Steven Connor, Editor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. After the millennium, "postmodern" popped up like wild spring flowers, and caught many of us by surprise. Had "modern times" really ended? If so, when and why? Was this a fad, a trend, or a movement? Would it infect and affect popular culture? Was it merely a new name for the electronic technology -or much more? The term "postmodern" is confusing and controversial. It was used as early as the 1870s by Britain's John Watkins Chapman, and later "first" claims move up through the 1960s. The choice depends on the different ideals and programs spotlighted. The Oxford English Dictionary gives a short, clear definition: "Subsequent to, or later than, what is modern?" This raises another question: What, then, is modern? Steven Connor's book sets out to answer these questions and offer us a comprehensive introduction to postmodernism, and then to relate post-modernism to modernity, stressing its significance and relevance to literature, film, law, architecture, philosophy, and religion. "Modernity" is often taken as the term referring to the social, economic, and scientific institutions flowering in the West during the eighteenth century (some place it earlier), and having worldwide influence in the twentieth. There is no general agreement about just what modern and postmodern mean. The names most frequently associated with postmodernism are Ihab Hasten, Jean Baudrillard, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Frederic Jameson, and Juergen Habermas. Clearly, the center of concern has been Europe, although there are a number of American disciples; most have been philosophers and literary critics. One area in which it has had limited impact, here or abroad, is popular culture. Some attention has been paid to the extension of postmodern ideas into fields of advertising, popular music, MTV, and architecture. How has all of this affected scholars who write about popular culture? What about textbooks? I asked some committed postmodern friends for definitions, finding that there are as many definitions as there are advocates. The ingredients seemed to fit the old cliche: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. If there is a common thought, it is this: We have moved beyond the old "modernity." Remember the McLuhan truism: If it works, it's obsolete. Postmodernists express a desperate need to meet the volatile and unstable elements of the new century head-on. …
Azomethine Ylide Precursors: A Simple Route to N-(Trimethylsilylmethyl) Imines1

Abstract A simple synthesis of N-(trimethylsilylmethyl)amine is reported. This compound was used to prepare N-(trimethylsilylmethyl)imines, useful sources of non-stabilized'' azomethine ylides.
Human herpesvirus-8 glycoprotein B interacts with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein 110 but fails to complement the infectivity of EBV mutants.

Abstract To characterize human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) gB, the open reading frame was PCR amplified from the HHV-8-infected cell line BCBL-1 and cloned into an expression vector. To facilitate detection of expressed HHV-8 gB, the cytoplasmic tail of the glycoprotein was tagged with the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) epitope. Expression of tagged HHV-8 gB (gB-HA), as well as the untagged form, was readily detected in CHO-K1 cells and several lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). HHV-8 gB-HA was sensitive to endoglycosidase H treatment, and immunofluorescence revealed that HHV-8 gB-HA was detectable in the perinuclear region of CHO-K1 cells. These observations suggest that HHV-8 gB is not processed in the Golgi and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum or nuclear membrane. Because both HHV-8 and EBV are γ-herpesviruses, the ability of HHV-8 gB to interact with and functionally complement EBV gp110 was examined. HHV-8 gB-HA and EBV gp110 co-immunoprecipitated, indicating formation of hetero-oligomers. However, HHV-8 gB-HA and HHV-8 gB failed to restore the infectivity of gp110-negative EBV mutants. These findings indicate that although HHV-8 gB and EBV gp110 have similar patterns of intracellular localization and can interact, there is not sufficient functional homology to allow efficient complementation.
Hematology of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears (2005-2007): biomarker for an Arctic ecosystem health sentinel.

Declines in sea-ice habitats have resulted in declining stature, productivity, and survival of polar bears in some regions. With continuing sea-ice declines, negative population effects are projected to expand throughout the polar bear’s range. Precise causes of diminished polar bear life history performance are unknown, however, climate and sea-ice condition change are expected to adversely impact polar bear (Ursus maritimus) health and population dynamics. As apex predators in the Arctic, polar bears integrate the status of lower trophic levels and are therefore sentinels of ecosystem health. Arctic residents feed at the apex of the ecosystem, thus polar bears can serve as indicators of human health in the Arctic. Despite their value as indicators of ecosystem welfare, population-level health data for U.S. polar bears are lacking. We present hematological reference ranges for southern Beaufort Sea polar bears. Hematological parameters in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears varied by age, geographic location, and reproductive status. Total leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and serum immunoglobulin G were significantly greater in males than females. These measures were greater in nonlactating females ages ≥5, than lactating adult females ages ≥5, suggesting that females encumbered by young may be less resilient to new immune system challenges that may accompany ongoing climate change. Hematological values established here provide a necessary baseline for anticipated changes in health as arctic temperatures warm and sea-ice declines accelerate. Data suggest that females with dependent young may be most vulnerable to these changes and should therefore be a targeted cohort for monitoring in this sentinel.
Tobacco carcinogen NNK transporter MRP2 regulates CFTR function in lung epithelia: Implications for lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About 85% of all lung cancers are linked to tobacco smoke, in which more than 50 lung carcinogens have been identified and one of the most abundant is 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). The human lung epithelium constitutes the first line of defense against tobacco-specific carcinogens, in which apically-localized receptors, transporters, and ion channels in the airway may play a critical role in this native defense against tobacco smoke. Here we showed that multidrug resistance protein-2 (MRP2) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), two ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, are localized to the apical surfaces of plasma membrane in polarized lung epithelial cells. We observed that there is a functional coupling between CFTR and MRP2 that may be mediated by PDZ proteins. We also observed the existence of a macromolecular complex containing CFTR, MRP2, and PDZ proteins, which might form the basis for the regulatory cooperation between these two ABC transporters. Our results have important implications for cigarette smoke-associated lung diseases (such as smoke-related emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer).
Pseudo-likelihood Estimation of Multivariate Normal Parameters in the Presence of Left-Censored Data

Environmental data often include left-censored values reported to be less than some limit of detection (LOD). While simple imputation of a specific value such as LOD/2 is common, maximum likelihood methods accounting for censoring provide alternate ways of analyzing such data. Concentration levels of contaminants in water, for example, are typically modeled with normal or lognormal distributions. Corresponding maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of means and variances in univariate analyses can be obtained from standard software packages; however, multivariate analyses may be more appropriate when multiple measurements come from the same entity. For example, measures of several dissolved trace metals may be derived from freshwater stream samples. In less-polluted areas, one or more of these measures fall below the LOD. An index of overall contamination may be formed as a linear function of these measures. The desire to estimate this index led to the need to estimate the parameters in the presence of nondetects, which led to our proposed method. We propose a pseudo-likelihood method utilizing pairs of variables that provides MLEs of mean and unstructured covariance parameters corresponding to a multivariate normal or lognormal distribution in the presence of left-censored data. In conducting hypothesis tests and estimating functions of MLEs with standard errors, we apply this method to trace metal concentration data collected from freshwater streams across Virginia.
Central nervous system damage produced by expression of the HIV-1 coat protein gp120 in transgenic mice.

MANY people infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) develop neurological complications that can culminate in dementia and paralysis1. The discrepancy between the severity of impairment and the paucity of detectable HIV-1 within neurons has led to an intense search for diffusible virus- and host-derived factors that might be neurotoxic (see ref. 2 for review). The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 is an extracellular protein that is shed from infected cells3 and so has the potential to diffuse and interact with distant uninfected brain cells. Studies on cultured immature cells suggest that gp120 induces neurotoxicity (reviewed in refs 2, 4), and systemic injection of gp120 in neonatal rats5 and intracerebroventricular injection in adult rats results in deleterious effects on the brain6,7. To assess the pathogenic potential of gp120 in the intact brain, we have now produced gp120 in the brains of transgenic mice and found a spectrum of neuronal and glial changes resembling abnormalities in brains of HIV-1-infected humans. The severity of damage correlated positively with the brain level of gp120 expression. These results provide in vivo evidence that gp120 plays a key part in HIV-1-associated nervous system impairment. This model should facilitate the evaluation and development of therapeutic strategies aimed at HIV–brain interactions.
Upper critical field of two-band superconductors containing nonmagnetic impurities. II

An approximate equation is derived that is satisfied by the upper critical field of two-band superconductors containing nonmagnetic impurities at temperatures just above zero. On the basis of this equation, it is found that if both the $s$ band and the $d$ band are in the superconducting phase, the upper critical field is larger than that of the two-band superconductor with the $d$ band in the superconducting phase and the $s$ band in the normal phase, at temperatures just above zero.
Competitive Binding Among Oral Streptococci to Hydroxyapatite

The relative affinity of various oral streptococci for hydroxyapatite (HA) differed widely. Streptococcus mutans affinity for dextran-coated HA was the highest of all the streptococci to any HA coating. S salivarius had the lowest affinity, and S sanguis affinity was higher than S miteor for saliva-coated HA. Competition for binding sites on saliva-coated, dextran-coated, and saliva-dextran-coated HA among these streptococci was not observed in any pair of these bacteria on any HA coating except for that of S miteor and S sanguis to saliva-coated HA. However, competition between this pair was not for the same binding site but for closely associated sites.
Tonoplast Intrinsic Protein Isoforms as Markers for Vacuolar Functions

Plant cell vacuoles may have storage or lytic functions, but biochemical markers specific for the tonoplasts of functionally distinct vacuoles are poorly defined. Here, we use antipeptide antibodies specific for the tonoplast intrinsic proteins alpha-TIP, gamma-TIP, and delta-TIP in confocal immunofluorescence experiments to test the hypothesis that different TIP isoforms may define different vacuole functions. Organelles labeled with these antibodies were also labeled with antipyrophosphatase antibodies, demonstrating that regardless of their size, they had the expected characteristics of vacuoles. Our results demonstrate that the storage vacuole tonoplast contains delta-TIP, protein storage vacuoles containing seed-type storage proteins are marked by alpha- and delta- or alpha- and delta- plus gamma-TIP, whereas vacuoles storing vegetative storage proteins and pigments are marked by delta-TIP alone or delta- plus gamma-TIP. In contrast, those marked by gamma-TIP alone have characteristics of lytic vacuoles, and results from other researchers indicate that alpha-TIP alone is a marker for autophagic vacuoles. In root tips, relatively undifferentiated cells that contain vacuoles labeled separately for each of the three TIPs have been identified. These results argue that plant cells have the ability to generate and maintain three separate vacuole organelles, with each being marked by a different TIP, and that the functional diversity of the vacuolar system may be generated from different combinations of the three basic types.
A fully-integrated CAD infrastructure for the design, optimization and virtual manufacturing of discrete and integrable power semiconductor devices and circuits

This paper presents a virtual wafer fabrication infrastructure suitable for power semiconductor development and manufacturing. In the framework, advanced 2D-process and device simulators are interfaced. Mixed-mode circuit simulation is used in which semiconductor device carrier dynamics are optimized in an actual circuit application environment. The results of the circuit simulation are used to develop an optimum device for a given application by carefully trading the process, device, and circuit performance and reliability parameters. The use of this approach is illustrated using the design and optimization of IGBTs in resonant power converter applications. >
Ventricular arrhythmias late after aortic valve replacement and their relation to left ventricular performance.

Abstract Sudden unexplained death is a common cause of late mortality after aortic valve replacement. To evaluate the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with aortic valve replacement, two 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were obtained in 45 such patients (mean age 55 years) who had undergone replacement an average of 3.3 years previously. In 43 patients, ventricular arrhythmia was detected; it was rare (mean premature ventricular complex frequency less than 1 15 min) in 18 patients (40 percent), moderately frequent (mean frequency 1− 10 15 min) in 14 patients (31 percent) and frequent (mean frequency more than 10 15 min) in 11 patients (24 percent). Multiformity was noted in 40 (89 percent), bigeminy in 27 (60 percent), couplets in 27 (60 percent) and ventricular tachycardia in 16 (36 percent) of the 45 patients studied. The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia was not related to the predominant hemodynamic lesion or to the presence of coronary artery disease as determined at the time of preoperative cardiac catheterization. Radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction, determined at the time of electrocardiographic monitoring in 39 patients, demonstrated normal left ventricular function (ejection fraction greater than 50 percent) in 27 patients (60 percent), moderately depressed function (ejection fraction 36 to 50 percent) in 8 (21 percent) and severe dysfunction in 4 (10 percent). When patients with abnormal versus normal left ventricular performance were compared, the mean premature ventricular complex frequency was 21 ± 26 15 min versus 5 ± 11 15 min ( p ; couplets occurred in 10 (83 percent) of 12 versus 13 (48 percent) of 27 patients (p
Effect of ingested interferon-α on β-cell function in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ingested human recombinant interferon-α (hrIFN-α) for preservation of β-cell function in young patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Subjects aged 3–25 years in whom type 1 diabetes was diagnosed within 6 weeks of enrollment were randomly assigned to receive ingested hrIFN-α at 5,000 or 30,000 units or placebo once daily for 1 year. The primary outcome was change in C-peptide secretion after a mixed meal. RESULTS Individuals in the placebo group ( n = 30) lost 56 ± 29% of their C-peptide secretion from 0 to 12 months, expressed as area under the curve (AUC) in response to a mixed meal. In contrast, children treated with hrIFN-α lost 29 ± 54 and 48 ± 35% (for 5,000 [ n = 27] and 30,000 units [ n = 31], respectively, P = 0.028, ANOVA adjusted for age, baseline C-peptide AUC, and study site). Bonferroni post hoc analyses for placebo versus 5,000 units and placebo versus 30,000 units demonstrated that the overall trend was determined by the 5,000-unit treatment group. Adverse events occurred at similar rates in all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS Ingested hrIFN-α was safe at the doses used. Patients in the 5,000-unit hrIFN-α treatment group maintained more β-cell function 1 year after study enrollment than individuals in the placebo group, whereas this effect was not observed in patients who received 30,000 units hrIFN-α. Further studies of low-dose ingested hrIFN-α in new-onset type 1 diabetes are needed to confirm this effect.
Production of specific antibody to Cryptococcus neoformans by hybridomas in vitro

Cells of spleen homogenates from sensitized BALB/c or C57BL/6J mice were fused with cells of a mouse myeloma line (P3X63Ag8 or SP2/0 Ag 14) using polyethylene glycol. Nine of 40 hybridomas from a BALB/c, P3X63Ag8 cross produced anti-cryptococcal antibody. Antibodies of at least four different specificities were identified.
Investigation of copper(II)‐Ethylenediaminetetraacetate complexation by window factor analysis of ultraviolet spectra

Window factor analysis (WFA) is a self-modeling chemometric technique for obtaining the concentration profiles of components from evolutionary processes such as chromotography, titration and reaction kinetics. By specifying the ‘window’, i.e. the region along the evolutionary axis indigenous to a component, the concentration profile of the component can be obtained without recourse to any information concerning the other components. Mathematical expressions required to perform such computations are derived. The method is applied to the investigation of copper(II) complexation with ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) by recording and factor analyzing the ultraviolet spectra of aqueous solutions containing a fixed amount of the disodium salt of EDTA and varying amounts of CuCl2. Evidence for four different species of EDTA is obtained. Clues concerning the stoichiometry of the species are garnered from the concentration profiles.
User interface issues in mobile computing

The age of mobile computing with small portable computers is upon us. However, systems researchers continue to focus on transferring their workstation environments to these machines rather than studying what tasks more typical users wish to perform. Furthermore, we argue that even in the unlikely event that these tasks are the same as those performed by researchers on their workstations, desktop environments and applications may still be inappropriate for the wide range of mobile devices that will be marketed. To explore this area, we have built a mobile computing device along with a user interface system that attempts to address some of these issues. >
American historians and the business elite

One might have supposed that historians, largely occupied as they have been with the activities of ruling classes, would have been among the first to study systematically the problem of the recruitment and tenure of elites. This problem is an especially interesting one in a country such as the United States which has had no official caste systems and no legally established hereditary hierarchies. Yet most American historians have shied away from it. Few of them have even raised questions about the locus and transmission of power or status in modern times. Moreover, those who have discussed in particular the ascent of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century business leaders have tended to attribute their success simply to the possession of more shrewdness or trickiness or more pluck or luck or other private qualities than competitors who failed to rise; the very few historians who have considered social determinants such as family background or work experience have, by stressing the alleged values of poverty or of starting business in boyhood, placed their emphasis, as we shall see, quite at the opposite pole from where it belongs.
EEG Analysis of Alcoholics and Controls Based on Feature Extraction

In this paper, we investigated EEG feature in the alcoholics and the controls. Principle component analysis was applied to preprocess the original data to reduce the dimensions of EEG. Wavelet transform decomposed the EEGs into five corresponding frequency bands. Power spectrum was estimated in each band. By comparing the power spectrum of the alcoholics and controls in five major frequency bands, we found that increased theta and delta power can be observed obviously in the alcoholics, while alpha power of alcoholics was significantly decreased. In the gamma and beta bands, the power of controls was a little greater than that of alcoholics. The results of the experimental analysis are valuable to alcohol detection and have significance to the brain computer interface research
An Introduction to the Special Issue on Ecological Sites

An Introduction to the Special Issue on Ecological Sites DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v32i6_brown
International Co‐operation for Democracy and Good Governance: Moving Towards a Second Generation?

The 1990s have seen the gradual emergence of the promotion of democracy and the strengthening of good governance as both an objective of and a condition for development co-operation. What has democracy assistance achieved? What works, what doesn't and why? After a decade of democracy assistance and considerable resources expended, the strategies pursued by international donors appear to have fallen short of their intended impact and effectiveness. This realisation requires revisiting the assumptions underlying the current practice and exploring alternative strategies. Second generation democracy aid will need to focus more explicitly and more rigorously on issues of power and politics. The concept of political pacts for democratic governance could prove useful in establishing genuine partnerships for development.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ-Independent Repression of Collagenase Gene Expression by 2-Cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic Acid and Prostaglandin 15-Deoxy-Δ(12,14) J2: A Role for Smad Signaling

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix components, and overexpression of these enzymes contributes to tissue destruction in arthritis. Of particular importance are the collagenases, MMP-1 and MMP-13, which have high activity against the interstitial collagens in cartilage. In this study, we address the mechanisms of two inhibitors of collagenase gene expression, the synthetic triterpenoid 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) and 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15-dPGJ2). Although both inhibitors are ligands for the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), a connection between PPAR-γ and collagenase gene expression has yet to be established. Here, we test the hypothesis that CDDO and 15-dPGJ2 use PPAR-γ to repress MMP gene expression. Our findings with the PPAR-γ antagonist 2-[4-[2-[3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1-heptylureido]ethyl]rsqb]-phenylsulfanyl]-2-methylpropionic acid (GW9662) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking PPAR-γ demonstrate that CDDO and 15-dPGJ2 use PPAR-γ-independent mechanisms to inhibit collagenase gene expression. To address a potential PPAR-γ-independent mechanism leading to the repression of MMPs by CDDO, we tested the effect of CDDO on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. We found that CDDO requires Smads (transcription factors activated by TGF-β) for the repression of MMP-1. Specifically, MMP-1 is inhibited neither by CDDO in the absence of TGF-β receptor-activated Smad3 nor when a negative regulator, Smad7, attenuates TGF-β signaling. We conclude that CDDO represses MMP gene expression through a novel PPAR-γ-independent mechanism that requires Smad signaling.
Which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease benefit from the addition of an inhaled corticosteroid to their bronchodilator? A cluster analysis

Objective To identify subsets of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who are more protected from exacerbations with the use of an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2 agonist (ICS/LABA) combination, compared with the use of LABA monotherapy. Design Post hoc cluster analysis of patients from two randomised clinical trials of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFC) and salmeterol (SAL) that had primary endpoints of moderate/severe exacerbation rates. Setting Centres in North America. Participants 1543 COPD patients were studied. Interventions SFC 50/250 µg or SAL 50 µg, twice daily. Primary and secondary outcome measures The analysis identified clusters of COPD patients more responsive to SFC versus SAL with respect to the annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations and compared their baseline clinical characteristics. Results Overall, SFC significantly reduced the annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations as compared with SAL alone (rate ratio (RR)=0.701, p<0.001). Three-patient clusters were identified: COPD patients receiving diuretics (RR=0.56, p<0.001); patients not receiving diuretics but with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) reversibility ≥12% (RR=0.67, p<0.001) exhibited a substantial reduction in the annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations relative to SAL. A third cluster, consisting of patients not receiving diuretics and without FEV1 reversibility, demonstrated no difference for SFC versus SAL. Patients receiving diuretics had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbid cardiovascular disease. Conclusions COPD patients receiving diuretics and those not receiving diuretics but with FEV1 reversibility >12% at baseline were significantly more likely to experience a reduction in COPD-associated exacerbations with SFC versus SAL alone. Trial registration NCT00115492, [NCT00144911][1] [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00144911&atom=%2Fbmjopen%2F3%2F4%2Fe001838.atom
Phylogeography of a pan-Atlantic abyssal protobranch bivalve: implications for evolution in the Deep Atlantic

The deep sea is a vast and essentially continuous environment with few obvious barriers to gene flow. How populations diverge and new species form in this remote ecosystem is poorly understood. Phylogeographical analyses have begun to provide some insight into evolutionary processes at bathyal depths ( 3000 m). Here, we quantify geographical and bathymetric patterns of genetic variation (16S rRNA mitochondrial gene) in the protobranch bivalve Ledella ultima, which is one of the most abundant abyssal protobranchs in the Atlantic with a broad bathymetric and geographical distribution. We found virtually no genetic divergence within basins and only modest divergence among eight Atlantic basins. Levels of population divergence among basins were related to geographical distance and were greater in the South Atlantic than in the North Atlantic. Ocean-wide patterns of genetic variation indicate basin-wide divergence that exceeds what others have found for abyssal organisms, but considerably less than bathyal protobranchs across similar geographical scales. Populations on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic differed, suggesting the Ridge might impede gene flow at abyssal depths. Our results indicate that abyssal populations might be quite large (cosmopolitan), exhibit only modest genetic structure and probably provide little potential for the formation of new species.
A painful lesion of the mandible.

European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases - Vol. 132 - N° 4 - p. 237-238
A case report of primary CNS lymphoma associated with HIV/AIDS

1332 Learning Objectives Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell type, originating within the CNS. Distinguishing imaging features of PCNSL are hyperdensity on noncontrast brain CT (enhances postcontrast), decreased T2WI signal with restricted diffusion and enhances postcontrast (rim-enhacement in immunocompromise) on MR, and hypermetabolic activity on PET/CT. Treatment with stereotaxic biopsy, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Prognosis is generally poor. This is a rare case of primary CNS lymphoma in a patient with HIV/AIDS. We describe the classic appearance of PCNSL in various modalities including brain CT, MR, and PET/CT. PCNSL is classically hyperdense on noncontrast brain CT and enhances (uniformly or rim-enhancing) on contrasted studies +/- hemorrhage/necrosis especially in immunocompromised population. On MR, T1WI and T2WI can be iso-/hypointense to cortex but can be heterogenous from hemorrhage/necrosis (particularly in immunocompromised). PCNSL may demonstrate restricted diffusion on DWI and ADC. T1WI with contrast shows homogenous enhancement in immunocompetent and peripheral rim-enhancement with central necrosis in immunocompromised population. On PET/CT PCNSL demonstrates hypermetabolic activity with CT findings as described above. Our case of a 57 year-old female with HIV/AIDS presented with altered mental status. Brain CT without contrast showed a hyperdense lesion in the right basal ganglia with surrounding edema. Brain MR showed a heterogenous lesion with restricted diffusion and areas of necrosis and peripheral rim-enhancement. PET/CT showed hypermetabolic activity with surrounding edema/necrosis. Histopathology revealed primary CNS lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type.
Occupational exposure to pesticides and bladder cancer risk

Background In the developed world, occupational exposures are a leading cause of bladder cancer. A few studies have suggested a link between pesticide exposures among agricultural populations and bladder cancer. Methods We used data from the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort study which includes 57 310 pesticide applicators with detailed information on pesticide use, to evaluate the association between pesticides and bladder cancer. We used Poisson regression to calculate rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the association between each of 65 pesticides and 321 incident bladder cancer cases which accrued over the course of follow-up (1993-2011), adjusting for lifestyle and demographic and non-pesticide farm-related exposures, including those previously linked to bladder cancer. We conducted additional analyses stratified by smoking status (never, former, current). Results We observed associations with bladder cancer risk for two imidazolinone herbicides, imazethapyr and imazaquin, which are aromatic amines. Ever use of imazaquin (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.26) was associated with increased risk whereas the excess risk among users of imazethapyr was evident among never smokers (RR in highest quartile vs non-exposed = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.46, 6.29, P-interaction = 0.005). We also observed increased risks overall and among never smokers for use of several chlorinated pesticides including chlorophenoxy herbicides and organochlorine insecticides. Conclusions Several associations between specific pesticides and bladder cancer risk were observed, many of which were stronger among never smokers, suggesting that possible risk factors for bladder cancer may be more readily detectable in those unexposed to potent risk factors like tobacco smoke.
A phase Ib study of BKM120 combined with abiraterone acetate for castrate-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer.

274 Background: There is cross-talk between PI3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways, respectively, which are both critical for cell survival in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The primary study objective is to determine the safety profile and MTD of BKM120 (B, pan-PI3K inhibitor) in combination with abiraterone/prednisone (A/P) in CRPC patients. The secondary objectives are to assess the impact of PTEN status on duration of response/time to progression in the expansion cohort, and to evaluate the impact of B on a PI3-kinase activation fingerprint in metastatic bone or lymph node tissue samples. An exploratory objective is to assess the effect of B on transcription of a set of AR-regulated genes in metastatic bone biopsy samples. Methods: The trial design involves a 14 day lead-in phase with B alone, to assess single-agent toxicity and perform correlative studies. A/P is combined with B at the end of 14 days using the standard 3+3 dose-escalation design with 3 dos...