cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PBDE-47 and PBDE mixture (DE-71) toxicities and liver transcriptomic changes at PND 22 after in utero/postnatal exposure in the rat

Pentabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE) are found in human tissue, in household dust, and in the environment, and a particular concern is the potential for the induction of cancer pathways from these fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants. Only one PBDE cancer study has been conducted and that was for a PBDE mixture (DE-71). Because it is not feasible to test all PBDE congeners in the environment for cancer potential, it is important to develop a set of biological endpoints that can be used in short-term toxicity studies to predict disease outcome after long-term exposures. In this study, PBDE-47 was selected as the test PBDE congener to evaluate and compare toxicity to that of the carcinogenic PBDE mixture. The toxicities of PBDE-47 and the PBDE mixture were evaluated at PND 22 in Wistar Han rat (Crl: WI (Han)) pups after in utero/postnatal exposure (0, 0.1, 15, or 50 mg/kg; dams, GD6-21; pups, PND 12-PND 21; oral gavage daily dosing). By PND 22, PBDE-47 caused centrilobular hypertrophy and fatty change in liver, and reduced serum thyroxin (T4) levels; similar effects were also observed after PBDE mixture exposure. Transcriptomic changes in the liver included induction of cytochrome p450 transcripts and up-regulation of Nrf2 antioxidant pathway transcripts and ABC membrane transport transcripts. Decreases in other transport transcripts (ABCG5 & 8) provided a plausible mechanism for lipid accumulation, characterized by a treatment-related liver fatty change after PBDE-47 and PBDE mixture exposure. The benchmark dose calculation based on liver transcriptomic data was generally lower for PBDE-47 than for the PBDE mixture. The up-regulation of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and changes in metabolic transcripts after PBDE-47 and PBDE mixture exposure suggest that PBDE-47, like the PBDE mixture (NTP 2016, TR 589), could be a liver toxin/carcinogen after long-term exposure.
Marine debris at nesting grounds used by the Northern Gulf of Mexico loggerhead recovery unit.

Abstract Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) can cause obstructions for nesting marine turtles and hatchlings, increase their exposure to toxicants, and potentially alter the incubating environment of clutches. Given the potential impacts of AMD on marine turtles, this study provides baseline information on the abundance and distribution of AMD at the ten highest density nesting beaches in Florida used by the Northern Gulf of Mexico Loggerhead Recovery Unit. Monitoring for AMD at nesting beaches was conducted in 2017 following protocols from the International Coastal Cleanup. AMD was present at all the nesting beaches, with the majority of AMD observed at the westernmost sites beginning with St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (363 AMD/km) with a gradual decrease of abundance to the easternmost site, Alligator Point (16 AMD/km). Plastic and foam items accounted for 92% (n = 13,566) of all AMD found.
A Marital First Responders Workshop for Confidants to Queer Relationships: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is the first to examine confiding about problems in marital and long-term committed relationships among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Areas explored include...
2103-P: Sex Differences in Human Adipose Tissue: Comprehensive Transcriptome Profiling

The sexual dimorphism of adipose tissue is incompletely understood. Differences in total and regional adiposity have been described, but the molecular basis for these differences is unclear. We have conducted the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis in adipose tissue from healthy age and BMI-matched women and men. Results demonstrate upregulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in pre and postmenopausal women vs. men. In men few genes were upregulated: the majority of these were related to inflammation vs. upregulation of inflammatory genes in men. Measurement of regional and intrahepatic fat, adipose cell size, and systemic insulin resistance complement RNAseq (n=39) and rtPCR (n=54) results. Disclosure G. Bogu: None. M. Snyder: Advisory Panel; Self; Jungla. Consultant; Self; Merck & Co., Inc. Other Relationship; Self; 10x Genomics, Akna, Filtricine, Illumina, Inc., January, Personalis, Qbio, SensOmics. T. McLaughlin: Advisory Panel; Self; January. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eiger BioPharmaceuticals. Funding American Diabetes Association (1-11-CT-35 to T.M.); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Supporting a Storm: The Impact of Community on #GamerGate's Lifespan

Over the past half-decade, we have seen repeated examples of “firestorms” on social media. These often-negative events focus enormous bursts of attention on particular individuals or topics. While they often die out within days, in some cases, they persist far longer. In this paper, we study one such storm, #GamerGate, with the goal of identifying key differences between it and other, smaller events. We find that this storm has a distinct pattern of growth that differentiates it from previous events: Rather than exploding quickly and burning out, it grows more slowly and develops an underlying community structure. Furthermore, we find that participation in this community structure is a key indicator of whether a user will continue using the hashtag over the following year. Finally, we find that users that become active later in the storm's lifetime contribute significantly to this community structure, though they appear to interact less overall with “older” users. Our results are the first to suggest that the formation of network structures plays a significant and fundamental role in determining the lifecycle of these large-scale firestorms.
Beauty-full tetraquarks

Abstract In this article we present a calculation of the b b b ¯ b ¯ tetraquark ground-state energy using a diffusion Monte Carlo method to solve the non-relativistic many-body system. The static potential for the four quark system is chosen to align with the flux-tube picture of QCD. Using this approach, we find that the 0 + + state has a mass of 18.69 ± 0.03 GeV , which is around 100 MeV below twice the η b mass. This bound state can behave as a four-lepton resonance via its decay to ϒ ( 1 S ) ϒ ( 1 S ) ⁎ → l + l − l + l − .
Cobalt Release from a Nanoscale Multiphase Lithiated Cobalt Phosphate Dominates Interaction with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Bacillus subtilis SB491.

Cobalt phosphate engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are an important class of materials that are used as lithium ion battery cathodes, catalysts, and potentially as super capacitors. As production of these nanomaterials increases, so does the likelihood of their environmental release; however, to date, there are relatively few investigations of the impact of nanoscale metal phosphates on biological systems. Furthermore, nanomaterials used in commercial applications are often multiphase materials, and analysis of the toxic potential of mixtures of nanomaterials has been rare. In this work, we studied the interactions of two model environmental bacteria, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Bacillus subtilis, with a multiphase lithiated cobalt phosphate (mLCP) nanomaterial. Using a growth-based viability assay, we found that mLCP was toxic to both bacteria used in this study. To understand the observed toxicity, we screened for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of Co2+ from mLCP using three abi...
Victor Arnautoff and the Politics of Art: Robert W. Cherny, (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2017), 312 pp., $34.95.

The destruction of public murals, threatened or actualized, runs like a leitmotiv through the life—and now the afterlife—of Victor Arnautoff (1896–1979). A San Francisco–based artist born within th...
A Case of Drug-Induced Liver Injury Secondary to Natalizumab

A 33-year-old Caucasian female with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and was found to have acute liver injury. After thorough investigation, she was diagnosed with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) thought secondary to redosing of Natalizumab therapy.
Abstract B26: A new way of fabricating high-porosity parylene membranes for high-throughput capturing of viable circulating and exfoliated tumor cells from large-volume bodily fluids

Liquid biopsy is a critical component in cancer precision medicine. The ability to capture rare cancer cells from liquid samples, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood as well as exfoliated tumor cells (ETCs) from other body fluids, has shown great promises in cancer detection and prognosis, as well as understanding of cancer biology at different stages. Different ways have been developed for rare cancer cell capture, including biomarker-based immunocapture and capture through other physical processes, such as size, mechanical or dielectric properties, hydrodynamic fluids, etc. However, the throughputs of these techniques are limited to 0.2-2 mL/min. Recently, a high-porosity parylene membrane has been shown to be able to process sample at a fluid rate of > 100 mL/min, which would greatly extend the capability of CTC and ETC-based liquid biopsy. The high porosity of the membrane can also dramatically reduce the shear stress the tumor cells encountered during capture, which has been shown to be critical to maintain cell viability. However, the current parylene membrane fabrication involves deep Si reactive ion etching, which is an expensive process and not widely available. The release of the parylene membrane can also be challenging. We report here a new method to fabricate the parylene membrane using simple photolithography and reactive ion etching techniques. The fabricated parylene membranes and their capability of processing large volume sample for viable cell capture will be presented. Citation Format: Jian Gu, Inad Rabadi, Frederic Zenhausern, David Carpentieri, Jue Wang. A new way of fabricating high-porosity parylene membranes for high-throughput capturing of viable circulating and exfoliated tumor cells from large-volume bodily fluids [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Liquid Biopsies; Jan 13-16, 2020; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(11_Suppl):Abstract nr B26.
Effects of an Electronic Medical Record Intervention on Appropriateness of Transthoracic Echocardiograms: A Prospective Study.

Background Transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) account for approximately half of U.S. spending on cardiac imaging. We developed an electronic medical record (EMR)-based decision-support algorithm for TTE ordering and hypothesized that it would increase the appropriateness of TTE orders. Methods This prospective observational study was performed at the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. From October to December 2016 (preintervention), consecutive TTEs ordered in the inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department settings were included. In May 2017, a decision-support algorithm was incorporated into the EMR, giving immediate feedback to providers. Chart review was performed for TTEs ordered from June to August 2017 (early intervention) and from June to August 2018 (late intervention). Appropriateness was determined based on the 2011 appropriate use criteria for echocardiography. Results Appropriate TTE orders increased from 87.6% preintervention to 94.5% at early intervention (z = 0.00018) but decreased to 90.0% at late intervention (z = 0.51, compared with preintervention). Among patients with no previous TTEs in our system, 95.3% of TTEs were appropriate, compared with 87.7% of TTEs for patients with prior TTEs within 30 days prior (odds ratio = 2.85; 95% CI, 1.18-6.31; P = .005). Conclusions The EMR algorithm initially increased the percentage of appropriate TTEs, but this effect decayed over time. Further study is needed to develop EMR-based interventions that will have lasting impacts on provider ordering patterns.
Anomalous Contrast in Broadband THz Near-Field Imaging of Gold Microstructures

We perform near-field THz imaging on a series of deeply subwavelength gold structures. We observe a contrast unrelated to changes in the material’s local properties, which we attribute to electromagnetic standing waves.
The Sociology of Personal Identification

Systems drawing on databases of personal information increasingly shape life experiences and outcomes across a range of settings, from consumer credit and policing to immigration, health, and emplo...
Rohypnol: More than a Date Rape Drug • 16

Background: Prior reports and media attention have focused on the involuntary use of Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) and subsequent sexual assault. Recently, this drug has become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults because it causes a euphoric, drunken-like high.
A Mixed Methods Examination of Adolescents' Reports of the Values Emphasized in Their Families

Building on value socialization and personal values theories, this study examined adolescents' open-ended reports of the values their families emphasize. Based on open-ended reports of an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of adolescents, we described adolescent-reported familial values using qualitative and cluster analysis techniques. Adolescents' open-ended responses about the values held by their families were coded using a prominent circumplex value model, and values largely, but not completely, aligned with this model. Using person-oriented cluster analysis on the coded data, seven distinct value clusters were identified that captured various sets of values that adolescents hear from families. Several demographic differences emerged among the clusters, and mean differences by familial value cluster were found for adolescents' close-ended reports of values of helping others and religiosity. Results suggest that adolescents are able to articulate values emphasized in their families in ways that fit a universal structure of values; these values are related in meaningful ways to the values that they themselves want to live by.
Organization of the Haemophilus influenzae Rd genome.

Abstract We present the first complete map of the Haemophilus influenzae genome, consisting of a detailed restriction map with a number of genetic loci. All of the ApaI, SmaI, and RsrII restriction sites (total of 45 sites) were mapped by Southern blot hybridization analysis of fragments separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Cloned genes were placed on the restriction map by Southern hybridization, and antibiotic resistance loci were also located by transformation with purified restriction fragments. The attachment site of the HP1 prophage was mapped. In addition, the number, locations, and orientations of the six rRNA operons in the H. influenzae chromosome were determined. The positions of conserved restriction sites in these rrn operons confirm that the direction of transcription is 16S to 23S, as in most other bacteria. The widely used strain BC200 appears to contain an unexpected 45-kilobase duplication.
Diffusion from a Periodically Heated Line-Source Segment and its Application to Measurements in Turbulent Flows

A study of the diffusion of heat from a line-source segment was performed in three test flow conditions with different free-stream turbulence intensities. The line-source segment, or heated spot, was 0.001 inch in diameter and about 0.1 inch long. It was constructed using a length of 0.001 inch diameter platinum-10%-rhodium wire stretched across the test section of the wind tunnel (approximately 3 inches in diameter). The wire was first plated with copper to a diameter of 0.0015 inch everywhere except for the 0.1 inch spot located near the center of the test section. Since the resistivity of the platinum-10%-rhodium wire is much greater than that of copper, the plated sections have much less resistance per unit length than the unplated spot. When current is applied, the temperature of the plated part is much less than that of the unplated part.
Factors affecting the measurement of cholesterol nucleation in human gallbladder and duodenal bile

Abstract The study of cholesterol gallstone disease would be facilitated if the nucleation time of cholesterol crystals could be measured in duodenal bile and was correlated with nucleation occurring in vivo. Therefore, our aims were to determine (a) if nucleation time could be measured in duodenal bile, (b) the effect of bacteria, phospholipase, protease, and dilution on the measurement of nucleation time, and (c) the ability of nucleation time of duodenal bile to reflect changes occurring in vivo that promote the formation of gallstones and, therefore, the potential usefulness of nucleation time in predicting and studying the formation of gallstones. Gallbladder bile was obtained from 27 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy and 19 patients undergoing diagnostic duodenal biliary drainage. Among the 14 bile samples collected by drainage that nucleated within 21 days, mean nucleation time was 6.3 ± 2.8 days. The addition of inhibitors of phospholipase or protease prolonged nucleation time slightly. Bacteria were cultured from one bile sample at the time of collection and five samples at the time of nucleation. The addition of antibiotics had no effect on nucleation time. Dilution of bile collected at cholecystectomy to the concentration of duodenal bile prolonged nucleation time. In 4 of 5 obese patients receiving a very low calorie diet and predisposed to gallstones, the nucleation time in duodenal bile shortened, and the shortest nucleation times were associated with the formation of cholesterol crystals in vivo. Thus, measurement of nucleation time in duodenal bile may be useful in predicting and studying the formation of cholesterol gallstones.
Limitations of energy-based scatter correction for quantitative PET

Energy-based scatter correction (EBSC) was investigated using Monte Carlo simulation. In theory EBSC has possibilities that make it very appealing, including accounting for out-of-the-field-of-view (out-of-FOV) activity distributions without knowledge of those distributions. Out-of-FOV activity can account for a substantial portion of detected scatter in tomographs with septa retracted. Unfortunately, the majority of scattered events consist of photons which have energy too close to 511 keV to be distinguished from unscattered photons. In a head tomograph with no axial collimation, 60% of scattered events have scattered less than 30 degrees (450 keV). For this reason EBSC is unlikely to be useful for quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) at typical energy resolutions (120 keV full width half maximum). >
Self-assembled hybrid supraparticles that proteolytically degrade tumor necrosis factor-α

The strategies of pathogens to evade the human immune system are highly sophisticated and modulate a variety of inflammatory pathways. The similarities in the demands for modulation of inflammatory responses during disease treatment and during pathogenic infection provide opportunities to use pathogenic virulence factors to develop a new class of therapeutic materials that control inflammation. In this work, we harness a strategy from Porphyromonas gingivalis by transforming its major virulence factor, an arginine-specific cysteine protease, into self-assembled protease-inorganic hybrid supraparticles. The cysteine protease degrades the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). It is an irreversible inhibition of TNF-α, which avoids some of the adverse effects of current TNF-α antagonists. We fabricated self-assembled porous supraparticles that specifically incorporate the pathogen-derived protease and showed improved inactivation of TNF-α over soluble enzyme, creating a potential therapeutic for various autoimmune diseases or other sources of inflammation.
The Unfolding Model of Voluntary Turnover: A Replication and Extension

This work reports further theoretical development of Lee and Mitchell's (1994) unfolding model of voluntary turnover, which describes different psychological paths that people take when quitting or...
Supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in cigarettes.

A method for measuring four tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), an important group of compounds in tobacco products, was developed. These compounds were extracted using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and purified by a sodium hydroxide wash of the ethyl acetate eluting solvent and solid-phase extraction. Quantitation was performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Spiking experiments were carried out to determine the recovery, precision, and limits of detection of this method. The detection limits were 0.04 μg per sample for N ‘-nitrosonornicotine and N ‘-nitrosoanatabine and 0.02 μg for 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and N ‘-nitrosoanabine. This method was used to measure TSNAs in various brands of cigarette tobacco with excellent reproducibility. The variation of TSNA levels among the cigarettes of different packs and types was significantly smaller than that among different brands. Comparable TSNA levels were obtained with SFE and liquid extraction methods. Sig...
Book Review: Harrison's Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Joseph Loscalzo. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. 2010. Soft cover, 592 pages, illustrated, $74.95.

Getting one's first copy of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine has been a rite of passage for medical students for years, and it continues to be an essential reference for many. Harrison's Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is one of a series of 9 specialty paperbacks now offered by the
MEMS relative pressure sensor on flexible substrate

The fabrication and characterization of micromachined, piezoresistive, relative pressure sensors sandwiched between flexible polyimide layers is described. This work is motivated by the need to monitor force and pressure on nonplanar surfaces for structural health monitoring. 35-nm-thick nichrome (Ni-80%/Cr-20%) is used as a sensing material for the pressure sensor. The average value of the gauge factor of the nichrome was found to be 1.75.
Vector maximization with two objective functions

This note gives a characterization of an efficient solution for the vector maximization problem with two objective functions. This characterization yields a parametric procedure for generating the set of all efficient solutions for this problem. The parametric procedure can also be used to solve certain bicriterion mathematical programs.
Kinetics of Transport and Phosphorylation of 2-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose in Rat Brain

UNLABELLED The kinetics of transport across the blood-brain barrier and metabolism in brain (hemisphere) of [14C]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) were compared to that of [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose (DG) and D-glucose in the pentobarbital-anesthetized adult rat. Saturation kinetics of transport were measured with the brain uptake index (BUI) method. The BUI for FDG was 54.3 +/- 5.6. Nonlinear regression analysis gave a Km of 6.9 +/- 1.2 mM and a Vmax of 1.70 +/- 0.32 mumol/min/g. The Ki for glucose inhibition of FDG transport was 10.7+/-44 mM. The kinetic constants of influx (k1) and efflux (k2) for FDG were calculated from the Km2, Vmax, and glucose concentrations of the hemisphere and plasma (2.3 +/- 0.2 mumol/g and 9.9 +/- 0.4 mM, respectively). The transport coefficient (k1 FDG/k1 glucose)was 1.67 +/- 0.07 and the phosphorylation constant was 0.55 +/- 0.16. The predicted lumped constant for FDG was 0.89, whereas the measured hexose utilization index for FDG was 0.85 +/- 0.16. CONCLUSION The value for the lumped constant can be predicted on the basis of the known kinetic constants of FDG and glucose transport and metabolism, as well as brain and plasma glucose levels. Knowledge of the lumped constant is crucial in interpreting data obtained from 18FDG analysis of regional glucose utilization in human brain in pathological states. We propose that the lumped constant will rise to a maximum equal to the transport coefficient for FDG under conditions of transport limitation (hypoglycemia) or elevated glycolysis (ischemia, seizures), and will fall to a minimum equal to the phosphorylation coefficient during phosphorylation limitation (extreme hyperglycemia).
Fast-recovery fast spin-echo T2-weighted MR imaging: a free-breathing alternative to fast spin-echo in the pediatric abdomen

In the mid 1990s, the fast spin-echo (FSE) and turbo spin-echo (TSE) T2-weighted (T2-W) sequences became available and are now widely accepted alternatives to conventional spin-echo sequences since they result in reduced acquisition times while maintaining tissue contrast. Since that time, there has been continued development of new sequences to further decrease acquisition times, minimize artifacts, and preserve lesion detection. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to qualitatively illustrate the newly available fast recovery (FR) FSE T2-W MR images of the abdomen compared with the images acquired using the routine FSE T2-W sequence in non-breath-hold studies in children.
Timing the investment grade securities market: Evidence from high quality bond funds

Abstract We examine the ability of bond fund managers to shift assets between bonds and cash and across bonds of different maturities in order to capture the changes in their relative returns. As measured by estimated changes in portfolio allocations, we find strong evidence of perverse market timing ability between cash and investment grade securities, and our results indicate additional perverse timing across the bond maturity spectrum. Results are robust to an alternative performance metric. We present evidence that the survival of the majority of these funds despite their negative performance may reflect the value investors place on the portfolio diversification benefits of holding these funds.
An English-Speaking Prekindergarten Teacher for Young Latino Children: Implications of the Teacher–Child Relationship on Second Language Learning

This case study was designed to describe how an effective English-speaking prekindergarten teacher develops strategies for communicating with and teaching young English language learners. The teacher’s classroom practices to enhance her own relationship with the children promoted opportunities for the Latino children to become full participants in the classroom community. At the end of the year, the Latino children showed progress in formal and informal measures of receptive vocabulary in both English and Spanish. Findings from the study suggest the importance of the affective and social nature of second language learning in young children. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Intelligent civil structures efforts in Vermont: an overview

During the past number of years, research has been underway in Vermont investigating development and implementation of smart civil structures. During the course of this effort, numerous fiber optic and conventional sensor techniques and designs have been developed and tested. Laboratory studies have led to field testing at numerous sites and types of installations ranging from residential homes, conventional multi-story buildings, pedestrian footbridges, interstate highway road surfaces and railway bridges to high performance structures such as a hydroelectric dam. A description of the efforts in sensor design as well as multiplexing and multi-use sensors and systems with particular emphasis on smart civil structures applications is given.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Two messenger ribonucleic acids encoding the common beta B-chain of inhibin and activin have distinct 5'-initiation sites and are differentially regulated in rat granulosa cells.

Inhibin and activin gene expression in the ovary and in cultured granulosa cells is modulated by the pituitary gonadotropins FSH and LH. In granulosa cells, two messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of 4.3 and 3.3 kilobases (kb) encoding the common beta B-chain of inhibin and activin are observed. We demonstrate here that FSH or pharmacological agents that elevate intracellular levels of cAMP induce expression of the 4.3-kb mRNA to a greater extent than that of the 3.3-kb mRNA. To elucidate the mechanism(s) by which the two beta B transcripts are generated, we characterized the rat beta B gene and used probes from various regions of the gene to examine the structures of the beta B mRNAs. RNA blot analysis using probes from the 5'-nontranslated and flanking regions of the beta B gene revealed that the 4.3- and 3.3-kb transcripts differ in the length of their 5'-nontranslated regions. S1 nuclease protection and primer extension assays were used to map two adjacent transcriptional start sites 1051 and 1052 basepairs (bp) u...
The impact of an immunization training certificate program on the perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes of pharmacy students toward pharmacy-based immunizations.

Objective: To assess the impact of a national immunization training certificate program on the perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes of pharmacy students toward pharmacy-based immunizations.Methods: The study design utilized a pre- and post-survey administered to pharmacy students before and after the American Pharmacists Association’s (APhA) Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery program. The primary outcome explored was a change in the perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the pharmacy students. A five-point Likert scale (i.e. strongly agree = 5, strongly disagree = 1) was used for measuring the main outcomes, which was summated by adding the individual item scores in each section to form a composite score for each outcome.Results: The certificate training program resulted in a significant improvement in knowledge (38.5% increase in score, p<0.001) and skills (34.5% increase in score, p<0.001), but not attitudes (1% increase in score, p=0.210).Conclusions: The national immunization training certificate program had a positive impact on the perceived knowledge and skills of pharmacy students. However, no change was observed regarding students’ perceived attitudes toward pharmacy-based immunizations.
The guinea pig myoclonic model: behavioral supersensitivity to 5-hydroxytryptophan induced by intracisternal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine.

Abstract To study the species difference of guinea pigs and rats in response to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), we injected both animals intracisternally with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine. In rats with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions, 5-HTP evoked the well described myoclonic-serotonergic syndrome. In the guinea pig, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions significantly increased the severity of myoclonic response to 5-HTP (150 mg/kg) compared to vehicle controls, resulting in lethal convulsions. Guinea pigs treated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine did not develop spontaneous myoclonus, or when treated with 5-HTP, other ‘serotonergic behaviors’ such as lateral head weaving, hindlimb abduction, and forepaw tapping. Guinea pigs tolerated intracisternal 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine less well than rats, with a higher mortality, although immediate post-injection convulsions were less severe and did not require phenobarbital prophylaxis. Staged lower doses of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (100–200 μg) were better tolerated than a single high dose of neurotoxin (400 μg). The regional profile of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine lesions in the guinea pig resembled that of the rat, with maximal depletion of 5-HT in spinal cord and selected forebrain structures, and little effect in diencephalon and midbrain. Depletions in the guinea pig were less selective for 5-HT using desipramine pretreatment than in the rat. In naive guinea pigs and rats, regional content of 5-HT was similar. These data suggest that the functional integrity of serotonergic neurons is not requisite for the expression of myoclonus induced by 5-HTP in the guinea pig. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine lesions in the guinea pig resulted in behavioral and neurochemical similarities and differences in comparison with the rat.
AIDS POLICY FOR THE WORKPLACE: A CASE STUDY OF BALTIMORE CITY POLICY

(1991). AIDS POLICY FOR THE WORKPLACE: A CASE STUDY OF BALTIMORE CITY POLICY. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. A-10-A-13.
Distributed Leadership and Organizational Change: Implementation of a Teaching Performance Measure

This article explores leadership practice and change as evidenced in multiple data sources gathered during a self-study implementation of a teaching performance assessment. It offers promising models of distributed leadership and organizational change that can inform future program implementers and the field in general. Our experiences suggest that the role of program leaders was to manage key disturbances to the system, to organize activities that emerged from faculty inquiry, to support distributed leadership alignments, and to facilitate private work into the public space. Our data also suggest that distributed leadership among all program faculty was an important element in developing an inquiry versus compliance orientation to implementation.
Olympic fencers: adaptations in cortical and trabecular bone determined by quantitative computed tomography.

We investigated how cortical bone, trabecular bone, and muscle adapt in US Olympic Fencing Team members. These athletes demonstrate femoral cortical bone expansion, greater distal femoral trabecular bone density, and greater muscle mass compared to controls. This is the first study to investigate musculoskeletal adaptations in Olympic fencers. Wolff’s law states that bone remodels according to mechanical forces placed upon it. Our goal was to determine how cortical and trabecular bone adapt in Olympic athletes who perform intermittent high-impact activity. Nine males from the 2004 US Olympic Fencing Team and nine matched controls were evaluated by quantitative computed tomography. Femurs were scanned at 50% and 75% along the shaft. We evaluated cortical thickness (C.Th), cortical (C.Ar), trabecular (Tb.Ar), and total bone areas (Tot.Ar), proportions of C.Ar and Tb.Ar to Tot.Ar, cortical (C.BMD.), trabecular (Tb.MBD), and total bone densities (Tot.BMD), muscle (M.Ar), and thigh areas (Th.Ar). Fencers had greater C.Th (+24.5 to 38.8%), C.Ar (+16.9 to 19.6%), C.Ar/Tot.Ar (+6.3 to 16.3%), and lower Tb.Ar/Tot.Ar (−23.5% to −23.8%; p<0.05). Fencers demonstrated a positive difference in C.Th in the dominant vs. nondominant thigh at 50% (+5.4%, p = 0.040) and at 75% (+13.8%, p = 0.048 by analysis of covariance). Fencers had 54% greater Tb.BMD at 75% (p = 0.025), but not at 50% (p = 0.63). There was no difference between groups for C.BMD (p = .66 at 50%, p = 0.88 at 75%). Fencers had greater M.Ar (+30%) and asymmetrically greater M.Ar (+12.2%) in the dominant thigh (p < 0.004). In world-class athletes who perform intermittent, high-impact activity, cortical bone expands, trabecular bone density is greater, and muscle mass is greater. This is the first study to examine musculoskeletal adaptations in Olympic fencers.
Parental Understanding of Neonatal Congenital Heart Disease

Background This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prenatal diagnosis on parental understanding of congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns. Methods Consenting parents of newborns with CHD answered questions about the cardiac lesion, surgical repair, follow-up management, risk for CHD in future children, and maternal education before neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge. A total understanding score was calculated (0–10) as the sum of five subscores: physician score, CHD score, surgery score, follow-up score, and reproduction score. Each category was scored as 0 (none correct), 1 (some correct), or 2 (all correct). The prenatal and postnatal diagnoses scores were compared. Results From June 2006 to November 2006, 50 families completed the questionnaire. Of these 50 families, 26 reported a prenatal diagnosis. The mean infant age when the parents were approached was 17.3 ± 13.3 days. The summary understanding score for the entire group was 6.3 ± 2.4 of 10. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a difference in scores between prenatal and postnatal diagnosis groups (p = 0.02) when control was used for maternal education. Prenatal diagnosis and maternal education (p < 0.01) had independent effects on the score. Conclusion Prenatal diagnosis increases parental understanding of neonatal CHD. Nevertheless, parental understanding remains suboptimal.
Glycosphingolipid biosynthesis during myogenesis of rat L6 cells in vitro

Glycosphingolipid biosynthesis was examined using [3H]-galactose as a precursor as rat L6 myoblasts fused to form multinucleated myotubes. Incorporation of label into neutral glycolipids decreased steadily as the population of myotubes increased, so that final biosynthesis was one-half that observed with myoblasts (p < 0.02). Conversely, ganglioside biosynthesis doubled during myoblast confluency (p < 0.02) and then decreased as myotubes formed. Qualitatively, L6 cells synthesized large amounts of ganglioside GM3 during all myogenic phases. The major neutral glycosphingolipid products were lactosylceramide and paragloboside (nLcOse4Cer). Few changes in TLC autoradiographic patterns were noted during differentiation, with the exception of a slight decrease in ganglioside GM1. The results indicate that the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids is tightly regulated during myogenesis in vitro and suggest a role for membrane gangliosides in muscle cell differentiation.
Progesterone modulation of α5 nAChR subunits influences anxiety-related behavior during estrus cycle

Smokers often report an anxiolytic effect of cigarettes. In addition, stress-related disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome and depression are often associated with chronic nicotine use. To study the role of the α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit in anxiety-related responses, control and α5 subunit null mice (α5−/−) were subjected to the open field activity (OFA), light–dark box (LDB) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. In the OFA and LDB, α5−/− behaved like wild-type controls. In the EPM, female α5−/− mice displayed an anxiolytic-like phenotype, while male α5−/− mice were undistinguishable from littermate controls. We studied the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis by measuring plasma corticosterone and hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor. Consistent with an anxiolytic-like phenotype, female α5−/− mice displayed lower basal corticosterone levels. To test whether gonadal steroids regulate the expression of α5, we treated cultured NTera 2 cells with progesterone and found that α5 protein levels were upregulated. In addition, brain levels of α5 mRNA increased upon progesterone injection into ovariectomized wild-type females. Finally, we tested anxiety levels in the EPM during the estrous cycle. The estrus phase (when progesterone levels are low) is anxiolytic-like in wild-type mice, but no cycle-dependent fluctuations in anxiety levels were found in α5−/− females. Thus, α5-containing neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors may be mediators of anxiogenic responses, and progesterone-dependent modulation of α5 expression may contribute to fluctuations in anxiety levels during the ovarian cycle.
1341 VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING IN INFANTS WITH INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE (IVH)

We assessed visual attention in an habituation/recovery paradigm and performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development in the second year of life among twelve patients who suffered moderate (Grades II-III) or severe (Grade IV) IVH, either unilateral or bilateral. Test results showed that patients with unilateral bleed had greater habituation to a redundant stimulus, indicating more efficient information processing. Recovery of attention to a novel stimulus appeared to be related to the severity, rather than the laterality, of the IVH. As measured by the Bayley Psychomotor Index (PDI), patients with unilateral bleeds performed better than those with bilateral involvement (mean 85 vs 66). The PDI was unaffected by the grade of IVH. The Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) was affected by severity level, with higher IVH grades showing poorer performance (mean 71 vs 56). The results of the study support the hypothesis that unilateral hemorrhage results in a more optimal development than a bilateral one, and this may be independent of the grade of the bleed.
Recovery of Periodic Clustered Sparse signals from compressive measurements

The theory of Compressive Sensing (CS) enables the efficient acquisition of signals which are sparse or compressible in an appropriate domain. In the sub-field of CS known as model-based CS, prior knowledge of the signal sparsity profile is used to improve compression and sparse signal recovery rates. In this paper, we show that by exploiting the periodic support of Periodic Clustered Sparse (PCS) signals, model-based CS improves upon classical CS. We quantify this improvement in terms of simulations performed with a proposed greedy algorithm for PCS signal recovery and provide sampling bounds for the recovery of PCS signals from compressive measurements.
Nitric oxide synthase and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase concentrated at the neuromuscular endplate

Nitric oxide mediates diverse functions in development and physiology of vertebrate skeletal muscle. Neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-µ is enriched in fast-twitch fibers and binds to syntrophin, a component of the sarcolemmal dystrophin glycoprotein complex. Here, we show that cyclic GMP- dependent protein kinase type I, a primary eVector for nitric oxide, occurs selectively at the neuromuscular junction, in mice and rats, and both neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-µ and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I remain at skeletal muscle endplates at least two weeks following muscle denervation. Expression of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-µ and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I are up-regulated following fusion of cultured primary myotubes. Interestingly, the highest levels of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-µ in muscle are found complexed with dystrophin at the sarcolemma of intrafusal fibers in muscle spindles. Localization of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase-µ and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase type I at the neuromuscular junction suggests functions for nitric oxide and cyclic GMP in the regulation of synaptic actions of intra- and extrafusal muscle fibers. Copyright ? 1996 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Health insurance coverage among Chinese Americans in Los Angeles County.

OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the factors associated with health insurance coverage among Chinese Americans in Los Angeles County. METHODS: Data were obtained through interviews conducted in 1993 and 1994 with Chinese Americans (aged 18 through 65 years) residing in Los Angeles County. A multistage probability sample was used to select respondents. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 1747 respondents, which represented an 82% response rate. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents in the survey were without health insurance at the time of the survey. CONCLUSIONS: Logistic regression analysis showed that marital status, length of residence in the United States, education, employment, and household income were associated with health insurance coverage among Chinese Americans.
Comparison of fusion assessment techniques: computer-assisted versus manual measurements

Object Fusion assessment after cervical arthrodesis can be subjective. Measures such as bridging bone quantification or extent of (limited) motion on dynamic studies are common but difficult to interpret and fraught with biases. We compared manual measurement and computer-assisted techniques in assessing fusion after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods One hundred patients who underwent ACDF (512 intervertebral levels) were randomly selected for this radiographic review (follow-up 3–36 months). Two assessment techniques were performed by different observers, with each blinded to the results of the other. The manual spinous process displacement measurement technique was used to calculate motion between the spinous processes under magnification on a digital imaging workstation. Computer-assisted measurements of intervertebral angular motion were made using Quantitative Motion Analysis (QMA) software. Fusion criteria were arbitrarily set at 1 mm of motion for the manual technique and 1.5°...
Developing the Leadership Team in an Entrepreneurial Venture: A Case Focusing on the Importance of Styles

Abstract In today's competitive environment strongly influenced by increasingly new issues and perspectives, entrepreneurial business firms must be focused on leadership team-building. The purpose of this treatise is to present a conceptual case-based analysis of this team-building process, focusing on the importance of leadership styles within an entrepreneurship. Team-building implies mentoring and enhancement whereby members of a leadership team aze nurtured and developed in important ways. A key element of this process is the paradigm of individual leadership styles represented in the team which, in turn, reflects the many different ways by which the individuals involved behave, communicate, adjust, and respond to each other. Two interactive dimensions at the heart of an individual's behavior assertiveness and responsiveness are foundations of that person's leadership style. The basic interactive dimensions of assertiveness and responsiveness thereby form the two axes of the framework of the leadershi...
Touch sensitivity through latex examination gloves

Two studies were conducted to empirically evaluate individuals' touch sensitivity while wearing latex medical-examination gloves. In Experiment 1, three sensitivity threshold measures (two-point, von Frey, and thumb-index finger opposition) were used in three conditions--no glove, best-fitting glove, and ill-fitting glove. No effect of glove condition was found for the two-point measure, but significant effects were found for the von Frey and finger-opposition measures. In Experiment 2, participants attempted to sense the presence or absence of monofilament fibers of different diameters. Glove condition (no glove, best-fitting, and ill-fitting) and touch strategy (active vs. passive) were manipulated for each participant. Although there was no overall effect for glove condition, active touch proved consistently superior to passive touch.
Comparison of five multiprocessor systems

Abstract This paper generalizes the traditional dataflow model of computation and defines the essential problems in multiprocessing: control implementation, program partitioning, scheduling, synchronization, and memory access. The paper assumes that these essential problems are axes of a multiprocessor design space and that the solutions to these problems are values on the axes. Each point in the space represents a multiprocessor including a computational paradigm that a user must follow to achieve high performance and efficiency on the particular machine. Thus, a classification of machines from the user's point of view is introduced naturally. Five well-known multiprocessors are compared using this classification scheme.
Metabolic and physiologic effects from consuming a hunter-gatherer (Paleolithic)-type diet in type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic and physiologic effects from consuming a hunter-gatherer (Paleolithic)-type diet in type 2 diabetes
A circular-cone test for testing homogeneity against a simple tree order*

Several methods exist for the problem of testing the equality of several treatments against the one-sided alternative that the treatments are better than the control. These methods include Dunnett's test, Bartholomew's likelihood-ratio test, the Abelson-Tukey-Schaafsma-Smid optimalcontrast test, and the multiple-contrast test of Mukerjee, Robertson, and Wright. A new test is proposed based on an approximation of the likelihood-ratio test of Bartholomew. This test involves using a circular cone in place of the alternative-hypothesis cone. The circular-cone test has excellent power characteristics similar to those of Bartholomew's test. Moreover, it has the advantages of being simpler to compute and may be used with unequal sample sizes.