cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nashville Experience with Liver Transplantation in Veterans Administration Patients

In this study, we compared results of 28 liver transplants performed in 25 patients referred through the Veterans Administration with 82 transplants performed in 75 nonveteran patients. The evaluation and follow-up care was provided by the same team of physicians and nurses and the transplant procedure performed in the same hospital for both patient groups. There was a significantly greater incidence of hepatitis C and/or previous alcohol abuse in veteran compared with non-VA patients [23/25 (92%) vs 29/75 (39%); P < 0.05] and a greater incidence of native portal vein thrombosis [6/25 (24%) vs 2/75 (2.6%); P < 0.01], but no difference in Child's-Pugh score (10.8 vs 9.9) or UNOS listing status (mean status 2.7 vs 2.8). The increased incidence of native portal vein thrombosis did not appear to be solely related to previous alcohol abuse or hepatitis C, since only 1 of 29 (3.4%) non-VA patients with these etiologies had this finding. There was no difference in patient or graft survival between the VA and non-VA groups with overall actuarial 6-, 12-, and 18-month patient survival of 86, 84, and 83% and graft survival of 80, 78, and 77%. There was no difference in major complication rates but there was a significantly longer average hospital stay (27 ± 31 vs 18 ± 12 days; P < 0.05) in the VA compared with non-VA group. One patient with native portal vein thrombosis in the non-VA group developed portal vein thrombosis in the postoperative period. There was no documented recidivism in any patient with a history of prior substance abuse in either group. This study confirms that veteran patients have a higher incidence of hepatitis C and previous alcohol abuse as causes of liver disease, have a higher incidence of native portal vein thrombosis, and have longer mean hospital stays, but experience the same survival in the first 18 months compared with nonveteran patients.
BAFF: B cell survival factor and emerging therapeutic target for autoimmune disorders

The prevailing treatment strategies for autoimmune disorders employ global immunosuppressants that have harmful side effects with long-term use. A new vision for drug development relies on the generation of therapeutics that have specific and narrow targets, such as pathogenic cell populations. The cellular processes that initiate and maintain B cell dysregulation are not well understood and autoimmune disease results, in part, from the survival and activation of self-reactive B cells. Such B cells produce tissue-damaging pathogenic autoantibodies. BAFF (B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family), a member of the TNF family of ligands, may play a role in B cell-mediated diseases. BAFF is a survival factor for peripheral B cells. When BAFF is overexpressed in mice, B cell number and immunoglobulin production is increased and an autoimmune-like phenotype is observed. Mouse models of lupus-nephritis have been shown to exhibit increased serum BAFF levels correlating with disease severity, and many ...
Production of Genetically Engineered Antibodies in Myeloma Cells: Design, Expression, and Applications

The criteria for producing recombinant antibodies in myeloma cells are discussed. Heavy- and light-chain genes are cloned into expression vectors with different selectable markers and transfected simultaneously into recipient cells. Expression vectors that contain not only the elements required for gene expression but features that facilitate the exchange of variable or constant region genes have been designed. Obtaining variable region genes of interest has been greatly facilitated by the advent of the polymerase chain reaction. Murine variable region genes may be joined to human constant regions, whose domain structure has been exploited by the design of cloning “cassettes.” In these, unique restriction sites placed between constant region exons allow for domain duplication, deletion, or exchange. Immunoglobulin fusion proteins, in which antigen specificities have been fused to heterologous proteins, have been produced successfully. Certain antibody properties have also been altered by site-directed mutagenesis. These manipulations not only have provided useful insights into structure-function relationships in antibodies, but enable the production of antibodies with altered or novel properties.
The tamoxifen metabolite norendoxifen is a potent and selective inhibitor of aromatase (CYP19) and a potential lead compound for novel therapeutic agents

To improve the treatment of breast cancer, there has been a need for alternative aromatase inhibitors (AIs) that bring about adequate aromatase inhibition, while limiting side effects. Since two tamoxifen metabolites have been documented as AIs, we tested a wide range of tamoxifen metabolites on aromatase in order to better understand structural interactions with aromatase and constructed structure-function relationships as a first step toward the development of novel inhibitors. The ability of ten tamoxifen metabolites to inhibit recombinant aromatase (CYP19) was tested using microsomal incubations. The selectivity of the most potent aromatase inhibitor identified, norendoxifen, was characterized by studying its ability to inhibit CYP450 enzymes important in clinical drug-drug interactions, including CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A. Computerized molecular docking with the X-ray crystallographic structure of aromatase was used to describe the detailed biochemical interactions involved. The inhibitory potency order of the tested compounds was
Low pressure flame determinations of rate constants for OH(A) and CH(A) chemiluminescence

Abstract Absolute excited state concentrations of OH(A), CH(A,B), and C2(d) were determined in three low pressure premixed methane-air flames. Two-dimensional images of chemiluminescence from these states were recorded by a filtered CCD camera, processed by Abel inversion, and calibrated against Rayleigh scattering. Using a previously validated 1-D flame model with known chemistry and excited state quenching rate constants, rate constants are extracted for the reactions CH + O2 → OH(A) + CO and C2H + O → CH(A,B) + CO at flame temperatures. Variations of flame emission intensities with stoichiometry agree well with model predictions.
Hemodynamic Response to Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

At six centers, 203 patients with stabilized hypoxemic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated hemodynamically during a continuous or 12-hour oxygen therapy program. Neither oxygen therapy program resulted in correction or near-correction of the baseline hemodynamic abnormalities. The continuous oxygen therapy group did show improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial pressure, and stroke volume index. The improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance was associated with improved cardiac function, as evidenced by an increase in baseline and exercise stroke volume index. The nocturnal oxygen therapy group showed stable hemodynamic variables. For both groups, changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure during the first 6 months were associated with subsequent survival after adjustment for association with the baseline mean pulmonary artery pressure. Continuous oxygen therapy can improve the hemodynamic abnormalities of patients with hypoxic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The hemodynamic response to this treatment is predictive of survival.
Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP, Vitamin D and Intestinal Permeability to Calcium

The diffusibility of calcium across the wall of rat small intestine was measured by an in vitro everted intestinal loop system incubated at 22 C under anaerobic conditions to eliminate energy-linked active transport of calcium. In this system vitamin D treatment of the donor animal resulted in an increase in the in vitro mucosal to serosal transfer of calcium. Pretreatment of everted duodenal loops with dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline in vitro caused a further increase in mucosal to serosal transfer of calcium in preparations from vitamin d-treated rats but not in those from vitamin d-deficient animals. The same concentration of theophylline alone did not alter calcium transfer. Administration of dibutyryl cyclic AMP to the rats prior to removal of the intestine also effected an increase in the in vitro diffusibility of calcium across the intestine of vitamin d-treated rats but not of vitamin d-deficient rats. The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in increasing calcium transfer across the intestinal mu...
Scaling phloem transport: information transmission

Sieve tubes are primarily responsible for the movement of solutes over long distances, but they also conduct information about the osmotic state of the system. Using a previously developed dimensionless model of phloem transport, the mechanism behind the sieve tube’s capacity to rapidly transmit pressure/concentration waves in response to local changes in either membrane solute exchange or the magnitude and axial gradient of apoplastic water potential is demonstrated. These wave fronts can move several orders of magnitude faster than the solution itself when the sieve tube’s axial pressure drop is relatively small. Unlike the axial concentration drop, the axial pressure drop at steady state is independent of the apoplastic water potential gradient. As such, the regulation of whole-sieve tube turgor could play a vital role in controlling membrane solute exchange throughout the translocation pathway, making turgor a reliable source of information for communicating change in system state.
Recruiting and keeping women students and faculty in engineering: a case study of women at the University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Science

The University of Virginia (USA) did not admit undergraduate women into its College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science until 1970. Since that time the undergraduate engineering student body has grown to 26% female and the women faculty to 13.5% in 1998, and close to 15% in 1999; these are among the highest percentage rates in major engineering schools in the nation. Using the UVa Engineering School as case study, the paper points to successful strategies to draw women into engineering and also calls for further action to increase the presence of women in engineering to a more representational level.
SPECIFIC AND NON‐SPECIFIC DESENSITIZATION OF GUINEA‐PIG ILEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE

The effects of cis-2-methyl-4-dimethylaminomethyl-1-3-dioxolane methiodide (CD), a muscarinic agonist, histamine, substance P and K+-stimulation on the mechanical responses, Ca2+-dependence and desensitization in guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle have been studied. The mechanical responses to all four stimulants are highly dependent upon extracellular Ca2+(Ca2+EXT) and are blocked by the Ca2+ channel antagonist nicardipine. The tonic (slow) components of response are more dependent on Ca2+EXT and are more sensitive to nicardipine (IC50 values 5.0 X 10(-8) - 2.5 X 10(-9)M) than are the phasic (fast) components of response. Tissue exposure to CD (5 X 10(-7)M, 10 min) or histamine (3 X 10(-6)M and 3 X 10(-4)M, 10 min) produces short term nonspecific desensitization but substance P (5 X 10(-8)M, 10 min) produces only specific desensitization. K+-induced responses neither desensitize nor are desensitized. Desensitization is concentration- and time-dependent for both specific and nonspecific processes. Nonspecific desensitization is protected by elevation of K+ concentration (5.36mM) in the incubating medium, by dithiothreitol and by inhibitors (mepacrine,p-bromophenacyl bromide and phenylgloxal) of phospholipase A2 and is potentiated by mellitin, an activator of phospholipase A2. Desensitization produced by the muscarinic agonist CS is protected by Gpp(NH)p (10(-4)M), but histamine-induced desensitization is unaffected. There is no loss of muscarinic receptors, measured by [3H]QNB binding following tissue exposure to low concentrations of CD (5.0 X 10(-7)M) for up to 72 h. However, an apparent loss of receptors (20-30%) is measured following 10-90 min exposure of tissue to 10(-3)M CD. It is suggested that contractions of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle elicited by CD, histamine, substance P or K+ mobilize a common pool of Ca2+ through a Ca2+ channel antagonist (nicardipine) sensitive pathway. However, the existence of short term nonspecific desensitization (CD and histamine), specific desensitization (substance P) or no desensitization (K+ stimulation) indicates that significant differences exist in the pathways linking initial stimulus to mechanical response. The ability of elevated K+ to protect against nonspecific desensitization suggest that post stimulus membrane hyperpolarization may represent one contributing component to nonspecific desensitization. Products of phospholipid degradation may also contribute to desensitization since inhibitors or activators of phospholipase A2 prevented or potentiated respectively, nonspecific desensitization.
MOTIVATING CONTENT: HOW INTEREST AND SELF-EFFICACY RESPOND TO SUBJECT MATTER TAUGHT IN AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Understanding how teachers’ motivational levels respond to the course content is particularly relevant in Catholic schools, where instructors are routinely required to teach courses both within and beyond their certification area because of budgetary constraints. Students in the ACE alternative licensure program face this challenge during their 2 years of teacher preparation. Pre and post data from first- and second-year ACE students (n = 107) revealed that although subject matter interest levels remained relatively robust throughout the academic year for primary certification subjects, significant differences emerged in scores for religion and other out-of-certification courses. In addition, sense of self-efficacy in classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies also varied by subject matter taught and year in the program.
Anticholinergic effects and plasma desipramine levels

Anticholinergic effects of the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine were studied in 12 outpatients. Objective measurements of salivation and pulse rate and subjective ratings of mouth dryness and palpitations were made before and during treatment with desipramine at a final daily dosage of 150 mg. There were significant changes after 3 wk of treatment in all parameters except ratings of palpitation. Subjects with moderate or high plasma desipramine levels had more suppression of salivation than those with low levels. Changes in salivation and pulse did not correlate, nor did they correlate with subjective reports. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 28, 703–706; doi:10.1038/clpt.1980.224
Therapeutic Potential of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonists for Neurological Disease

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) mediates the insulin-sensitizing effects of thiazolidinediones used for treatment of type 2 diabetes, owing to changes in the transcription and expression of genes influencing carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. However, PPAR activation can have additional effects upon cellular physiology, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory. These effects are observed in many cell types, including brain glial cells and blood lymphocytes, cells whose activation contributes to the initiation and progression of damage occurring in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). In view of the need for development of additional therapeutic options, several recent studies have tested the possibility that PPAR agonists would be neuroprotective in these diseases. This paper will summarize data from cell culture experiments and from studies in animal models, demonstrating that PPARgamma agonists can exert neuroprotective effects, thereby providing the basis for the design of clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of thiazolidinediones in neuroinflammatory conditions such as AD and MS.
Beyond work and family: a measure of work/nonwork interference and enhancement

Though early research on the work/nonwork interface was broader in scope, most recent research has focused on the interface between work and family. There is a need for an inclusive, validated measure of work/nonwork interference and enhancement that is appropriate for all workers regardless of their marital or family life status. The authors report here on 3 studies in which they develop a theoretically grounded and empirically validated multidimensional, bidirectional measure of work/nonwork interference and enhancement. All scale items refer to work/nonwork, whereas previous measures have mixed work/family and work/nonwork items or emphasize family roles in the nonwork domain. Quantitative analysis of the scale items yielded 17 items to measure work interference with personal life, personal life interference with work, work enhancement of personal life, and personal life enhancement of work. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling results provide evidence for convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity for the scale from 2 large samples of workers (N = 540, N = 384) across multiple job types and organizations.
Coherent optical vortices from relativistic electron beams

The interaction between light and a relativistic electron beam can be used to generate optical vortices in a free electron laser, providing a way to engineer bright orbital angular momentum light at shorter X-ray wavelengths.
A patient-centered perspective on cancer survivorship.

Survivorship is a complicated notion because people often confuse a process of survivorship with a mythic identity of being a cancer survivor. This confusion may be a distraction to addressing the real-life struggles and challenges experienced by all people diagnosed with cancer. A more expansive perspective of survivorship, one that attends to patients’ physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and existential challenges throughout a continuum of care, would be more in line with what is known empirically about people’s experiences with cancer. In an effort to gain a patient-centered perspective on cancer, and one that emphasizes multiple dimensions of cancer survivorship, the author reports findings from a non-scientific social media poll (via Facebook and personal emails) in which survivors and colleagues working in the field of cancer survivorship answered the question: What does cancer survivorship mean to you? The comments are enlightening and useful for guiding the development of a patient-centered, and, thus, more comprehensive, approach to caring for people affected by cancer.
A survey of current software for haplotype phase inference

In the past two years, tracking the explosion in data due to ever-improving single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) maps and cheaper high-throughput genotyping technologies, a bewildering array of new algorithms and relevant software have appeared for haplotype phase inference. The alternatives to haplotype inference are to resolve haplotypes completely, either by in vitro methods or by typing close pedigrees, which is expensive and is not guaranteed in pedigrees, or to ignore haplotype-level analysis in favour of genotype-level analysis, which avoids the danger of treating inferred haplotypes as real but denies the researcher, potentially, any valuable analytic insights. This review attempts a snapshot of this rapidly moving field as it stands at present, and is mainly restricted, given the current predominance of SNP genotyping, to the consideration of diallelic data. For completeness, the review will occasionally refer to algorithms for which no software exists.
Genetically-based trait variation within a foundation tree species influences a dominant bark lichen

abstract Lichens frequently exhibit preference for tree species, however, tree traits that inﬂuencepreference also vary intraspeciﬁcally. We hypothesized that genetically-based trait varia-tion within Populus angustifolia affects bark lichens. To test this hypothesis, we quantiﬁedthe lichen Xanthomendoza galericulata, and factors that could inﬂuence its distribution,including photosynthetically active radiation, bark roughness, bark condensed tannins,bark nitrogen and bole circumference on replicated P. angustifolia genotypes in a commongarden. Several key ﬁndings emerged: (1) Tree genotype explained one-third of the varia-tion in X. galericulata cover (broad-sense heritability: H 2 ¼0.32); (2) Bark roughness,condensed tannins and bole circumference varied among tree genotypes (H 2 ¼0.25e0.35);(3) Structural equation modelling suggested that bark roughness is the genetically-basedtrait that positively inﬂuences X. galericulata, and that bark roughness is positively inﬂu-enced by bole circumference. This is the ﬁrst study to link genetically-based trait variationin a foundation tree species to variation in the cover of a dominant lichen.a 2010 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.
BIOSOCIAL INHERITANCE: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES

Proponents of global market expansion claim that economic growth brings prosperity and creates a more equitable global society, yet these efforts may result in the exacerbation of economic disparities that translates into significant disparities in health. These trends underscore the importance of research examining the social determinants of health in an increasingly unequal world. This article brings together concepts from biocultural anthropology, developmental origins of health and disease, and research examining the long-term effects of early environments on social capital to formulate the notion of biosocial inheritance. Biosocial inheritance is the process whereby social adversity in one generation is transmitted to the next through reinforcing biological and social mechanisms that impair health, exacerbating social and health disparities. Such a theoretical framework considers contemporary and historic political-economic forces that shape inequalities in human health, across generations. We examine the biosocial determinants of growth in the Andes as a case study of biosocial inheritance, developing a model that will illuminate the contemporary and historic sources of persistent poverty in low-income communities around the world. By highlighting the biosocial mechanisms underpinning the intergenerational transmission of poverty, this model allows for the formulation of interventions aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and a reconsideration of the way we think about poverty and social mobility.
An efficient and accurate method of representing magnetic saturation in physical-variable models of synchronous machines

When analyzing machine/converter systems it is convenient to represent the stator variables in physical (abc) form. It has been shown that a physical-variable voltage-behind-reactance form of the synchronous machine model can be derived which is numerically more efficient than existing physical-variable models. In this research, a new voltage-behind-reactance model is derived which incorporates the effects of magnetic saturation. This model is shown to have the same numerical efficiency of the unsaturated model and is readily implemented in either circuit-based or differential-equation based simulation languages. An example system is provided which demonstrates the accuracy and efficiency of this model for a wide-range in operating conditions.
Estrogen Receptor (ER) β Modulates ERα Responses to Estrogens in the Developing Rat Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus

The mechanisms by which estradiol exerts specific actions on neural function are unclear. In brain the actions of estrogen receptor (ER) α are well documented, whereas the functions of ERβ are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we report that ERβ inhibits the activity of ERα in an anatomically specific manner within the neonatal (postnatal d 7) brain. Using selective agonists we demonstrate that the selective activation of ERα in the relative absence of ERβ activation induces progesterone receptor expression to a greater extent than estradiol alone in the ventromedial nucleus, but not the medial preoptic nucleus, despite high ERα expression. Selective activation of ERβ attenuates the ERα-mediated increase in progesterone receptor expression in the ventromedial nucleus but has no effect in medial preoptic nucleus. These results suggest that ERα/ERβ interactions may regulate the effects of estrogens on neural development and reveal the neonatal brain as a unique model in which to study the specificity of steroid-induced gene expression.
Gellé Test with Békésy Audiometry: II. Normal Values

A standardized method of performing the Gelle test with Bekesy audiometry was used for the determination of normal test values. It could be shown that normal reactions can be duplicated with remarkable accuracy and stability.Similar to Bekesy audiometry in general, the audiometric Gelle test is subject to certain individual variations. The dependence of these variations on certain psycho-acoustic abilities has been discussed. Among these, musicality is one of the favorable abilities which facilitate the performance of the Gelle test.As with vestibular testing, there are no sharply definable normal values of the Gelle test. Rather, individual variations scatter around some predominant average values of TTS in response to altered meatal air pressure. An average normal response is sufficiently different from the great multitude of pathologic findings to permit the clear distinction between normal and abnormal test results.
Object location in realistic networks

We devise an object location scheme that achieves a guaranteed low stretch in a wider and more realistic class of networks than previous schemes. The distinctive feature of our scheme is that it is inherently adaptive to the underlying topology. In particular, the system achieves 1+e stretch (for arbitrarily fixed e>0), with a neighbor list size that depends on the local density around the node (but not on the global growth rate bound). As a byproduct, our scheme has several advantages over existing ones, such as robustness to errors in network measurements, and simpler design choices of system builders, which may lead to improved and more robust deployments.
PHIGURE: a parallel hierarchical global router

A new parallel hierarchical algorithm for global routing (PHIGURE) is presented. The router is based on the work of M. Burstein and R. Pelavin, (IEEE Trans. CAD, vol.CAD-2, no.4, p.223-34, Oct. 1983) but has many extensions for general global routing and parallel execution. Main features of the algorithm include structured hierarchical decomposition into separate independent tasks which are suitable for parallel execution and adaptive simplex solution for adding feedthroughs and adjusting channel heights for row-based layout. The algorithm is described and results are presented for a shared-memory multiprocessor implementation. >
In-Bag Morcellation

In-bag morcellation seems to be a viable alternative to open power morcellation and offers the advantage of minimal to no spillage of tissue or fluids during morcellation. We report our initial experience and technique using this approach.
Preliminary analysis of chronic gastrointestinal toxicity in gynecology patients treated with intensity-modulated whole pelvic radiation therapy.

Abstract Purpose To provide a preliminary analysis of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity in gynecology patients treated with intensity-modulated whole pelvic radiation therapy (IM-WPRT). Methods and materials Between February 2000 and August 2001, 36 gynecology patients received IM-WPRT. All patients underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, and a clinical target volume (CTV) was contoured consisting of the upper vagina, parametria, uterus (if present), and presacral and pelvic lymph node regions. The CTV was expanded by 1 cm to create a planning target volume (PTV). Seven or 9-field IM-WPRT plans were generated. IM-WPRT plans were highly conformal, providing excellent coverage of the PTV and considerable sparing of normal tissues, including the small bowel and rectum. Chronic GI toxicity was scored: 0 (no symptoms), 1 (mild symptoms, no medications required), 2 (moderate symptoms, medications required), and 3 (severe symptoms, hospitalization, surgery required). Chronic GI toxicity in 30 gynecology patients treated with conventional WPRT patients before the implementation of IM-WPRT was also evaluated. Median follow-up in the IM-WPRT and WPRT groups were 19.6 and 30.2 months, respectively. Results The IM-WPRT and WPRT groups were well balanced in terms of most patient and treatment factors, including age, site, stage, chemotherapy, WPRT dose, and brachytherapy, except for a higher frequency of surgery (75 vs. 54%, p = 0.02) in the IM-WPRT group. Overall, IM-WPRT patients had a lower rate of chronic GI toxicity (11.1 vs. 50.0%, p = 0.001) than WPRT patients. The percentage of IM-WPRT patients with Grade 1, 2, and 3 toxicity were 8.3%, 2.8%, and 0%, respectively. Corresponding percentages in the WPRT group were 30.0%, 16.7%, and 3.3%, respectively. The only other factor correlated with chronic GI toxicity was age ( p = 0.02). On multivariate (logistic regression) analysis controlling for age and other clinical factors, IM-WPRT retained its statistical significance ( p = 0.01; odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.04, 0.67) Conclusions Our results suggest that IM-WPRT is associated with less chronic GI toxicity than conventional WPRT in patients with gynecologic malignancies. However, longer follow-up and more patients are clearly needed to ascertain whether the benefits of IM-WPRT treatment seen here translate into true long-term reductions in chronic GI toxicity.
Effect of Training with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Elbow Flexion Strength

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be used to prevent strength loss associated with postsurgical immobilization. Most studies testing the effectiveness of NMES have trained the knee extensors. The purpose of this investigation was to test the effectiveness of NMES when training the elbow flexors. Twenty-four students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: NMES training, isometric training or control. Testing and training were completed using a Biodex™ dynamometer. After a standard warm-up, subjects were positioned on the Biodex™ with left shoulder in anatomical neutral, elbow flexed to 90° and forearm supinated. Subjects performed three maximum isometric contractions of 5 seconds duration, with 1 min rest between repetitions. Average peak torque during three repetitions was calculated. Subjects trained on three days per week for four weeks. Training included 15 maximum contractions of 15 seconds duration with 45 seconds recovery between repetitions. Russian current was delivered by a Forte 400 Combo via electrodes placed over ends of biceps brachii. A maximum tolerable ramped intensity was delivered with frequency of 90 bps and duty cycle of 15:45. After training, subjects were post-tested in a manner identical to pretest. Mean normalized strength data were analyzed using a 3 (Group) x 2 (Test) ANOVA. The Group x Test interaction was significant. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the voluntary training group (normalized means of 0.49 to 0.71 for the pretest and post-test, respectively) had a significantly greater increase than the other two groups, which were not significantly different from each other. The lack of significant strength gains with NMES was likely due to low average training intensity, which was only 20.4% of MVIC. Based on these results, NMES training may not be an effective alternative to voluntary training in healthy subjects.
The DbpA catalytic core unwinds double-helix substrates by directly loading on them

DbpA is a DEAD-box RNA helicase implicated in the assembly of the large ribosomal subunit. Similar to all the members of the DEAD-box family, the DbpA protein has two N-terminal RecA-like domains, which perform the RNA unwinding. However, unlike other members of this family, the DbpA protein also possesses a structured C-terminal RNA-binding domain that mediates specific tethering of DbpA to hairpin 92 of the Escherichia coli 23S ribosomal RNA. Previous studies using model RNA molecules containing hairpin 92 show that the RNA molecules support the DbpA protein's double-helix unwinding activity, provided that the double helix has a 3' single-stranded region. The 3' single-stranded region was suggested to be the start site of the DbpA protein's catalytic unwinding activity. The data presented here demonstrate that the single-stranded region 3' of the double-helix substrate is not required for the DbpA protein's unwinding activity and the DbpA protein unwinds the double-helix substrates by directly loading on them.
Legitimate and Illegitimate Uses of Violence

It is possible to take the position that no violence is ever legitimate under any circumstances. It is possible to take the position that all violence is legitimate. Both views are rare. Most people most of the time do make some distinction between legitimate and illegitimate (or nonlegitimate) acts of violence. In addition, there is often an overlapping but distinct discrimination between justified and unjustified violence; for example, a particular act of violence may be judged legitimate (“he had a right to do it”) but not fully justified under the circumstances (“but he shouldn’t have done it”). It is immediately evident that the relations between the two distinctions, although real and important in everyday affairs, are complex and often ambiguous. The main axis of contrast is between social right—“validated” by law, status, custom, or general acceptance—as opposed to moral justification—validated by appeal to religious precepts, ethical principles and reasoning, or consensual moral judgments. A legitimate but immoral act may be performed by a duly invested incumbent of a legally established position. An illegitimate but moral act may be carried out by a principled opponent of an evil political regime. In this chapter, we must put aside a fuller conceptual analysis. Instead our primary task is empirical: we seek to find out what main orientations actually do exist, and how beliefs and evaluations concerning violence vary at different times and among different subsections of the societal community.
Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging of the gastrointestinal tract

Currently, the evaluation of lesions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using ultrasound suffers from poor contrast between healthy and diseased tissue. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging provides information about the mechanical properties of tissue using brief, high-intensity, focused ultrasound to generate radiation force, and conventional, ultrasonic correlation-based methods to track tissue displacement. Using conventional linear arrays, ARFI imaging has shown improved contrast over B-mode images when applied to solid masses in the breast and liver. The purpose of this work is to (1) demonstrate that ARFI imaging can be performed with an endocavity probe, and (2) demonstrate that ARFI imaging can provide improvements over conventional B-mode imaging of GI lesions. An EC94, 6.2 MHz, endocavity probe was modified to perform ARFI imaging in tissue-mimicking phantoms using a Siemens SONOLINE Antares/spl trade/ scanner. ARFI imaging was performed on fresh, surgically excised, GI lesions using a 75L40, 7.2 MHz. linear array on a modified Siemens SONOLINE Elegra/spl trade/ scanner. The endocavity probe created ARFI images to a depth of over 2 cm in tissue-mimicking phantoms, with maximum displacements of 5 /spl mu/m. The endocavity probe did not heat appreciably during ARFI imaging, demonstrating that the probe's small size will not limit in vivo ARFI imaging. ARFI images of an adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal (GE) junction status post chemotherapy and radiation treatment, demonstrate better contrast between healthy and fibrotic/malignant tissue than standard B-mode images. ARFI images of healthy gastric, esophageal, and colonic tissue specimens differentiate normal anatomic tissue planes (i.e., mucosal, muscularis, and adventitial layers), as confirmed by histologic evaluation. ARFI imaging of an ex vivo colon cancer portrays interesting contrast and structure not present in B-mode images. These findings support the clinical feasibility of endoscopic ARFI imaging to guide diagnosis and staging of disease processes in the GI tract.
Separation and determination of C21 dicarboxylic acid and xylenesulfonate hydrotropes in mixtures with dodecylbenzenesulfonate

Column chromatographic procedures have been developed for separating binary mixtures of commercial sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DDBS) with the hydrotropes sodiumm-xylenesulfonate (SXS) and 8-[5(6)-carboxy-4-hexyl-cyclohex-2-enyl] octanoic acid (DAC) and ternary mixtures of these three materials. The materials are separated on a specially purified silica gel column. The C21 dicarboxylic acid (DAC) is eluted with 2:3 (v/v) chloroform/acetone in the presence of SXS, with 3:2 (v/v) chloroform/acetone in its absence. The DDBS is eluted with 1:9 (v/v) isopropyl alcohol/acetone in the presence of SXS, with methanol in its absence. The SXS is eluted with methanol in the presence of DAC, with 8:2 (v/v) isopropyl alcohol/acetone in its absence. The presence of SXS in mixtures with DDBS in greater than equimolar amounts interferes with the Hyamine 1622, mixed indicator titration for DDBS.
Ecological Studies of the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Boone County, Iowa

An ecological study of the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.), was conducted in Boone County, Iowa, from 1950 through 1965. The average date of the beginning of first-generation pupation was 12 May, with completion 8 June. Moth flight usually began in late May, peaked during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June, and ended in early July. First-generation oviposition was greatest during the last half of June. Most (69.0%) first-generation ECB eggs hatched; a significant number (25.5%) were lost, probably due to heavy rains and violent winds. Greatest total numbers of first-generation ECB egg masses and larvae occurred in maize planted 6–10 d after the first planting date. The average date of the beginning of second-generation pupation was 16 July, with the average completion 14 August. Peak second-generation moth flight was during the first half of August. Peak oviposition was in early to mid-August. Percentage of second-generation eggs missing was less than that of the first generation, probably because severe storms were less frequent during August than in June. Heavy second-generation infestations often occurred in early-planted maize; more than 65% of second-generation larvae were found in maize planted during the first 10 d of the planting period. Heaviest infestations were in maize planted 21–30 d after the first planting date. A small third-generation moth flight occurred in some years. Predators were much more numerous during the second-generation oviposition period than during the first-generation oviposition. More second-generation eggs were eaten by predators than were first-generation eggs. The most common parasitoid of the ECB was Lydella thompsoni Herting; this species was uncommon after 1959. Other parasitoids were recorded but were not numerous.
Tubovaginal Leakage: An Unusual Cause of Incontinence

Incontinence after hysterectomy may be caused by an abnormal fallopian tube draining into the vaginal cuff. We report 2 cases of this condition, which generally is known as hydrops tubae profluens. One patient also had genuine stress urinary incontinence and the other suffered persistent disease after 2 failed suspension procedures. This rare condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual causes of incontinence.
The health professional as human rights promoter: ten years of Physicians for Human Rights (USA)

The founding of Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) arose out of concern within the scientific and medical community about the human rights violations affecting their colleagues and the severe health effects of human rights violations on the general population. PHR, as a membership organization, has pioneered the field of the activist health professional in human rights, through its many missions documenting violations both of human rights and of humanitarian law; its advocacy efforts; and its educational programs. It identifies new challenges and effective strategies to protest abuses, engage governments and professional colleagues in dialogue, and support likeminded health professionals who work in situations in which their obligations to their patients are often overridden by their obligations to States that want to hide human rights violations.
Vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of gastric bypass surgery patients.

Abstract The vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of 22 gastric bypass subjects aged 23 to 60 years was evaluated before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Before surgery, 77% of subjects had adequate plasma vitamin E levels; 36%, adequate plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels; 100%, adequate plasma vitamin B-12 levels; and 45%, adequate plasma folate levels. The food intake of all subjects was sharply reduced after surgery. After surgery, subjects were classified into three vitamin supplement groups on the basis of average daily vitamin supplement intake. Subjects taking higher levels of supplements containing the vitamins in question had significantly higher plasma concentrations of the vitamins than those taking low or moderate levels. The mean plasma vitamin values in the moderate supplement group were indicative of adequate status for all vitamins, but plasma vitamin B-12 levels at 12 months post-surgery were significantly lower than pre-surgery levels. In the low supplement group, mean plasma vitamin levels were in or near marginal or deficient ranges. The majority of subjects consuming supplements of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and folate near the US RDA maintained normal vitamin status. Subjects taking more than 100 µg vitamin B-12 daily had adequate vitamin B-12 status. Significant correlations (r=. 67 to. 94) were observed between vitamin supplement levels and the respective plasma vitamin concentrations. J Am Diet Assoc 88:579, 1988.
Precision Medicine an Interprofessional Science

Precision medicine is the science community’s movement to address differences in individual treatment responses. Precision medicine has been defined as the development of prevention and treatment strategies that take into account individual variability (Collins & Varmus, 2015). Precision medicine entails using large-scale biological databases, powerful methods of categorizing individual data, including, but not limited to, proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and diverse cellular assays and mobile health technology. In addition, computational tools will be required for analyzing these large data sets (Collins & Varmus, 2015). No one discipline can support all these required scientific methods. This movement is designed to ultimately use precision medicine to build the evidence-base needed to guide clinical practice and will require significant resources from the nursing, medicine, and the biological sciences (Collins & Varmus, 2015). President Obama has committed more than 215 billion dollars to a Precision Medicine Initiative. He describes this initiative as a new model of patientpowered research that promises to accelerate biomedical discoveries and provide clinicians with new tools, knowledge, and therapies to select which treatments work best for a given individual (White House, 2015). There are two components to this initiative. The first component is a near-term focus specifically on cancer, and the second component, a more long-term goal, is to focus on generating knowledge that is applicable to the whole range of health and disease (Collins & Varmus, 2015). The potential benefits of the Precision Medicine Initiative include the development of the following:
Special Kinds of Theorems

This chapter addresses proof techniques that are usually employed to work on statements that have some distinctive forms: equivalence theorems (also recognizable by the use of the “if and only if” connective form), existence theorems, uniqueness theorems, theorems to be proved by mathematical induction, theorems that have composite hypotheses or conclusions, theorems about equality of numbers. The chapter also includes a section about the use of counterexamples to prove the falsehood of statements.
Delay Prediction of Aircrafts Based on Health Monitoring Data

Flight delay is a major issue faced by airline companies. Delay in the aircraft take off can lead to penalty and extra payment to airport authorities leading to revenue loss. The causes for delays can be weather, traffic queues or component issues. In this paper, we focus on the problem of delays due to component issues in the aircraft. In particular, this paper explores the analysis of aircraft delays based on health monitoring data from the aircraft. This paper analyzes and establishes the relationship between health monitoring data and the delay of the aircrafts using exploratory analytics, stochastic approaches and machine learning techniques.
MIF, a controversial cytokine: a review of structural features, challenges, and opportunities for drug development

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has emerged as a promising drug target in diseases including sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. MIF has multiple properties that favor development of specific, targeted therapies: it is expressed broadly among human cells, has noted roles in diverse inflammatory and oncological processes, and has intrinsic enzymatic activity amenable to high-throughput screening. Despite these advantages, anti-MIF therapy remains well behind other cytokine-targeted therapeutics, with no small molecules in the pipeline for clinical development and anti-MIF antibodies only recently beginning clinical trials.Areas covered: In this review we summarize current literature regarding MIF structure and function–including challenges and controversies that have arisen in studies of anti-MIF therapeutics–and propose a strategy for development of clinically relevant anti-MIF drugs.Expert opinion: We believe that the field of anti-MIF therapeutics would benefit f...
Bowel function of postmenopausal women: Effects of daily consumption of dried plum

ABSTRACTCalcium and vitamin D were provided to 48 postmenopausal women for 6 months and randomly assigned into control, 50 g/d dried plum, or 100 g/d dried plum groups to examine dried plum influences on bowel habits. No adverse effects of dried plum were detected, whereas pain and constipation ratings increased (p<0.05) in the control group. Pain was higher (p=0.049) at 6 months for control versus 50 g/d dried plum and lower (p=0.042) at 3 months for 100 g/d dried plum versus 50 g/d. Constipation ratings were higher for control than 100 g/d dried plum at 6 months. Dried plum in the dose of 50 or 100 g per day did not produce adverse effect and may decrease discomfort of bowel movements.