cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of macrophage activation in obesity-induced insulin resistance

Chronic inflammation is now recognized as a key step in the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This low-grade inflammation is mediated by the inflammatory (classical) activation of recruited and resident macrophages that populate metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue and liver. These findings have led to the concept that infiltration by and activation of macrophages in adipose tissue are causally linked to obesity-induced insulin resistance. Studies have shown, however, that alternatively activated macrophages taking residence in adipose tissue and liver perform beneficial functions in obesity-induced metabolic disease. Alternatively activated macrophages reduce insulin resistance in obese mice by attenuating tissue inflammation and increasing oxidative metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle. The discovery that distinct subsets of macrophages are involved in the promotion or attenuation of insulin resistance suggests that pathways controlling macrophage activation can potentially be targeted to treat these comorbidities of obesity. Thus, this Review focuses on the stimuli and mechanisms that control classical and alternative activation of tissue macrophages, and how these macrophage activation programs modulate insulin action in peripheral tissues. The functional importance of macrophage activation is further discussed in the context of host defense to highlight the crosstalk between innate immunity and metabolism.
Three-Dimensional Theory Of The Raman Free-Electron Laser

A fully self-consistent theory of the free-electron laser is derived in the collective regime which includes all transverse variations in the wiggler field as well as the effects of a finite waveguide geometry. A set of coupled differential equations is found which describes an arbitrary radial beam profile, and a dispersion equation is obtained under the assumption of a thin monoenergetic beam which is solved numerically for the growth rates of the TE11 and TM11 modes in a cylindrical waveguide.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Conformations and vibrational dynamics of six monoalkyltrifluoroacetamides. Low-resolution microwave and gas-phase NMR spectroscopic studies

Pour chacune des molecules etudiees, les constantes de rotation, les bandes microondes anormalement larges, et l'absence de structure fine resoluble observees sont en accord avec les effets prevus de redistribution de vibration intramoleculaire (IVR)
Analytical solution of the rectangular hyperbola for estimating daily net photosynthesis

Abstract Simulation models require algorithms that are accurate yet efficient. Many simulation models use rectangular hyperbolas to express the light-response curve for net photosynthesis. The diurnal light-distribution function must be superimposed on that functional relation and numerically integrated to obtain daily net photosynthetic amounts. Usually, leaf and ambient temperature, soil moisture, leaf-water potential, and other controlling environmental data are not available for use in large, multi-species simulation models. In this paper a procedure is given for integrating the diurnal light-response curve. The model assumes that light is evenly distributed throughout the plant canopy. The algorithm is computationally more efficient than the iterative numerical solution and is most useful for open canopies or when investigators are not concerned about simulating light depletion in relation to canopy density.
An evaluation of worker lead exposures and cleaning effectiveness during removal of deteriorated lead-based paint.

We evaluated worker lead exposures and cleaning effectiveness during initialcleanup of 19th-century buildings with highly deteriorated lead-based paint. Eighteen rooms of similar size and condition in two university-owned buildings were selected for a pilot project to compare three methods for removing loose paint, paint chips, and dust. The methods used were: dry scraping followed by dry sweeping (no engineering or work practice controls); wet scraping and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming; and the latter method with the addition of a portable HEPA-filtered exhaust fan in the room providing about 40 air changes per hour. The final step for all methods was wet-mopping once with tri-sodium phosphate solution. During a single day 18 rooms were cleaned; each of three two-person work crews cleaned six rooms, two with each method. Air and surface samples were collected before, during, and after cleaning. All of the methods were potentially hazardous to workers: 44 percent of the method-based exp...
Liquid scintillation counting of alpha;-particles and energy resolution of the liquid scintillator for alpha;- and β-particles

Abstract The experimental conditions are determined for the absolute counting of alpha;-particles in the liquid scintillator. Results are compared with those obtained by 4π gas proportional counting. From an analysis of the pulse height distributions obtained for polonium alpha;-particles and barium-137 conversion electrons it has been possible to calculate a conversion efficiency in the liquid scintillator of approximately 1 photon per 125 electron volts for β-particles and 1 photon per 1400 electron volts for alpha;-particles. A further analysis of the phototube noise spectrum shows that the observed phototube noise pulses are primarily due to photocathode emission of single electrons.
Renal Artery End-Diastolic Velocity and Renal Artery Resistance Index as Predictors of Outcome After Renal Stenting

T have been numerous reports on renal angioplasty and stenting that have opposing results and opinions. Long-term hypertension may cause nephrosclerosis or glomerulosclerosis, and increase vascular resistance. Treatment of the renal artery is unlikely to improve perfusion in patients with increased microvascular resistance, and such patients are unlikely to obtain clinical benefit. Radermacher et al demonstrated that a renal artery resistance index (RI) has good predictive value in identifying patients who are unlikely to benefit from renal revascularization. In this study, we evaluated whether renal artery peak systolic (PSV) and end-diastolic (EDV) velocities and the renal artery RI can predict outcomes after renal artery stenting. • • • Patients treated for renal artery stenosis between August 2000 and February 2001 were identified from a comprehensive database of all peripheral procedures at our institution (Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio). Seventeen patients with renal artery stenosis underwent stenting with a 100% procedural success rate (Figure 1) and underwent complete preprocedural ultrasound study. Clinical indication for renal stenting was medically refractory or difficult to treat hypertension. Clinical follow-up was systematically obtained by chart review for outpatient visit evaluation and telephone interview by physicians. All patients had a follow-up of 30 days. Renal ultrasound was performed using B-mode ultrasound guidance (ATL HDI 5000, Phillips Corporation), and a C5-2 curved array transducer (Phillips Corporation, Bothell, Washington). The PSV and the EDV were measured and the dimensionless RI was calculated as:
Antipsychotics block muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated cyclic GMP formation in cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells

ANTIPSYCHOTIC drugs (for example, phenothiazines, butyrophenones) have side effects similar to those of atropine1, suggesting that they block the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Receptor-binding studies with radioactively-labelled ligands have been used to study the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and to show that antipsychotic drugs vary in their potency at displacing the ligand from binding sites in rat brain homogenates2,3. In all receptor binding studies it is essential to demonstrate that binding data in fact reflect a drug-receptor interaction in a pharmacological sense4. These correlations are ideally determined using the same tissue for binding and for biological studies such as was done for certain polypeptide hormone receptors4 and for the β-adrenergic receptor5. For the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor of nervous tissue, however, a direct correlation of binding data with pharmacological data has not been shown6. Thus, there remains a question whether the displacement by antipsychotic drugs of a radioactively-labelled muscarinic receptor antagonist from brain homogenates reflects blockade by these drugs of this receptor. We report here that antipsychotic drugs block the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in cultured nerve cells.
Stressors Experienced by Women Within Marine Corps Families: A Qualitative Study of Discourse Within an Online Forum

The social constructionist perspective frames this exploration of the socioemotional and relational aspects of stress experienced by significant others of active duty Marines. Interpretive methods were applied to data from an online forum for Marine Corps wives, fiancees, and girlfriends. Open coding revealed six stressors: (a) stuck in a state of flux, (b) going through changes, (c) relational uncertainty, (d) loneliness, (e) alienation, and (f) anxiety related to deployment. Axial coding revealed three properties underlying these stressors: (a) issues of control and helplessness, (b) concerns over privileging individual or relational goals, and (c) the matter of locus of blame.
Genetic Markers in Adult High-Grade Gliomas☆

Diffuse gliomas are the most common primary central nervous system malignancy in adults and most are high grade. Although current morphologic classification by the World Health Organization provides considerable information, significant variability continues to exist in each diagnostic category. Recent molecular advances define distinct molecular signatures and elucidate gliomagenesis pathways, leading to alternative methods for subclassification beyond morphology alone. In addition, each newly described molecular aberration represents a potential new biomarker with variable diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value for further guiding patient management. In this review, we summarize the most commonly used genetic biomarkers in the workup of adult high-grade gliomas.
A Black hole solution to the cosmological monopole problem

Abstract We propose a solution to the cosmological monopole problem: primordial black holes, produced in the early universe, can accrete magnetic monopoles before the relics dominate the energy density of the universe. These small black holes quickly evaporate and thereby convert most of the monopole energy density into radiation. We estimate the range of parameters for which this solution is possible: under very conservative assumptions we find that the black hole mass must be less than 10 9 g.
Impact of previously frozen deglycerolized red blood cells on cytomegalovirus transmission to newborn infants

The incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in low birth weight newborn infants was compared in infants transfused with liquid red blood cells (RBC) and previously frozen deglycerolized red blood cells (FRBC). Three of 21 transfused infants with seropositive mothers who had positive CMV titers developed positive cultures; two became clinically ill. Two of the 16 infants born to seronegative mothers developed positive cultures, one became clinically ill. There were no deaths. With FRBC, one culture was positive in the 23 babies born to seropositive mothers and one in the 26 born to seronegative mothers. This infant received a single transfusion of 28 mL FRBC from a donor with a positive titer, but his mother's serology converted while she was breast-feeding him. Neither of these two infants who received FRBC developed clinical disease. Substitution of FRBC for transfusion of the low birth weight newborns was associated with a significantly lower incidence of transfusion-associated CMV infection and clinical illness.
Context-fixing semantics for instructable robots

Abstract Instructable robots must be able to interpret a wide range of ordinary natural-language commands. This paper presents an approach to the interpretation of commands that takes into account the context in which the commands are given. It shows how the precise interpretation of many ordinary English words can be fixed only within their context of use and not before. It examines the role of the perceptual situation in fixing that interpretation, the role of the cognitive and perceptual functioning of the robot, and the role of the immediate linguistic surround. Our approach draws on the model-theoretic tradition in semantics in that it defines a set of models in terms of which the English commands to the robot are interpreted. At the same time, it uses a procedural semantics for the lexicon, thus addressing the question of how the robot can use the instruction it is given to perform the task described by that instruction. Examples are drawn primarily from instruction in elementary mathematics, Other examples come from our recent work with a robotic aid for the physically disabled.†
Advanced Color Sensing and Control Methods

Utilizing the unique properties of photovoltaic cells for color sensing provides a radically new concept for adaption to control and packaging processes. Integrated with conventional electronic circuitry they may be used for controlling many processes dependent upon color. This paper discusses the properties of photo-voltaic cells, concepts for use as color sensors, and potential areas of application in control processes.
Operator Behavioral Biases Using High-Resolution Touch Input Devices

Real-world applications of touch-input technology often do not occur under ideal conditions. Users often must contend with off-axis viewing and nonoptimal positioning, introducing the possibility of vertical or horizontal bias error. In the present study the effects of screen angle relative to line of sight and positioning of targets were examined with a high-resolution (1 pixel or about 1/12 mm) resistive touch input device thought to have minimal parallax. Results replicated earlier findings of Beringer & Peterson (1985) in that a 17-degree declination of the touch surface below orthogonal to line of sight induced a high-touch bias error of 9 pixels (about 3/4 mm) whereas orthogonality of the interface to line of sight virtually eliminated bias. Both software and behavioral compensation strategies are discussed.
Validation of a Rapid Assay for Determination of Leptin Binding in Serum† 417

We have previously reported the measurement of leptin binding protein(s) in serum by subjecting incubates of serum and 125I- leptin, neat and with excess cold leptin, to filtration on Ultragel ACA 44 columns (BBRC233:818-822, 1997). We have now developed a more rapid “spun-column” method. With the plunger removed, a tuberculin syringe suspended in a 15 mL centrifuge tube was packed with 1.0 mL of Sephacryl S-200 HR resin by centrifugation at 860 × gav for 3 min at 40C. After packing, the spun-column was equilibrated against 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5, 0.15 M NaCl by three successive washes of 100 μL of buffer and centrifugation. To collect the sample eluate, a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube was placed at the bottom of the 15 mL centrifuge tube into which the spun-column was inserted with the syringe tip inside the microcentrifuge tube. 125I-Leptin was purchased from Linco Inc.(St. Charles, MO) and further purified by filtration on an Ultragel ACA 34 and 44 column. Serum (150μL) was incubated with 150μL purified125 I-leptin (approximately 10-20,000 cpm) and 100μL of buffer, neat or with 100 ng of cold leptin for 2 hr at 40C. An aliquot (300μL) of the incubate was then assayed as previously described using the Ultragel ACA 44 column. At the same time, an aliquot (100μL) of the incubate was loaded on a spun-column and centrifuged. After centrifugation, the microcentrifuge tube containing the spun-column eluate was removed and counted to determine “bound” counts while the resin was blown from the spun-column into a test tube with an air jet and counted to assess “unbound” leptin. Total binding was determined by dividing “bound” by total counts. Percent specific binding was calculated by subtracting percent total binding determined in the presence of excess competitor leptin from percent total binding in the absence of competitor. Serum was collected from 27 patients and assayed simultaneously by both methods. Specific binding was higher by the Ultragel method (mean=18.3% vs 14.0%, p<0.02) and the values were highly correlative (r=.89,p<.0001). Specific binding in both methods correlated inversely with serum leptin levels (Ultragel, r=-0.79, p<0.0001; and spun-column, r=-0.63, p<0.001). We conclude that the “spun-column” method offers a simple, rapid, and quantitative method for determination of leptin binding in serum.
Correlations between Age and California Psychological Inventory Scale Scores

This study examined the correlations between age and scores on scales of the California Psychological Inventory for 1,137 accountants An analysis of within-scale score differences showed statistically significant correlations between age and Dominance, Capacity for Status, Sense of Well-being, Responsibility, Self-control, Good Impression, Achievement via Conformance, and Flexibility. Differences in direction of only three of the 28 correlation pairs found by the matching of scores on these scales and those reported by Gough in 1975 suggest that the latter intercorrelations are not sample- or situation-specific. Finally, age had only a negligible influence on the intercorrelations, allowing the inference that age has a direct rather than a moderating influence on these scores.
Internet marketing: A content analysis of the research

The amount of research related to Internet marketing has grown rapidly since the dawn of the Internet Age. A review of the literature base will help identify the topics that have been explored as well as identify topics for further research. This research project collects, synthesizes, and analyses both the research strategies (i.e., methodologies) and content (e.g., topics, focus, categories) of the current literature, and then discusses an agenda for future research efforts. We analyzed 411 articles published over the past eighteen years (1994-present) in thirty top Information Systems (IS) journals and 22 articles in the top 5 Marketing journals. The results indicate an increasing level of activity during the 18-year period, a biased distribution of Internet marketing articles focused on exploratory methodologies, and several research strategies that were either underrepresented or absent from the pool of Internet marketing research. We also identified several subject areas that need further exploration. The compilation of the methodologies used and Internet marketing topics being studied can serve to motivate researchers to strengthen current research and explore new areas of this research.
Advances in clinical management of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune/antigen-mediated clinicopathologic condition that has become an increasingly important cause of upper gastrointestinal morbidity in adults and children over the past 2 decades. It is diagnosed based on symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, the presence of at least 15 eosinophils/high-power field in esophageal biopsy specimens, and exclusion of competing causes of esophageal eosinophilia, including proton pump inhibitor–responsive esophageal eosinophilia. We review what we have recently learned about the clinical aspects of EoE, discussing the clinical, endoscopic, and histological features of EoE in adults and children. We explain the current diagnostic criteria and challenges to diagnosis, including the role of gastroesophageal reflux disease and proton pump inhibitor–responsive esophageal eosinophilia. It is also important to consider the epidemiology of EoE (with a current incidence of 1 new case per 10,000 per year and prevalence of 0.5 to 1 case per 1000 per year) and disease progression. We review the main treatment approaches and new treatment options; EoE can be treated with topical corticosteroids, such as fluticasone and budesonide, or dietary strategies, such as amino acid–based formulas, allergy test–directed elimination diets, and nondirected empiric elimination diets. Endoscopic dilation has also become an important tool for treatment of fibrostenotic complications of EoE. There are a number of unresolved issues in EoE, including phenotypes, optimal treatment end points, the role of maintenance therapy, and treatment of refractory EoE. The care of patients with EoE and the study of the disease span many disciplines; EoE is ideally managed by a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, allergists, pathologists, and dieticians.
Nokia’s MMS: A cultural analysis of mobile picture messaging

This article takes a cultural studies approach to analyzing what could be termed the ‘cultural uptake’ of a new commercial visual technology, mobile-to-mobile picture messaging, in three key interdependent areas: user adoption, political economic contexts, and textual representation. Nokia’s early investment and marketing of multimedia messaging service (MMS) is juxtaposed to actual trends in user adoption and cultural appropriation, which in turn encouraged the company to deploy narrative practices based on perceived user needs and later focus on popular internet-based services, such as online image sharing. The goal of this study is to highlight the complex contested ground onto which new media technologies ‘emerge,’ while offering a partial, yet multilayered, snapshot of the first few years of a still relatively new, but already pervasive, personal media tool.
A four-description MDC for high loss-rate channels

One of the most difficult problems in video transmission is communication over error-prone channels, especially when retransmission is unacceptable. To address this problem, Multiple Description Coding (MDC) has been proposed as an effective solution due to its robust error resilience. Considering applications in scalable, multicast and P2P environments, it is advantageous to use more than two descriptions (which is designated multi-description MDC in this paper). In this paper, we present a new four-description MDC for high lossrate channel using a hybrid structure of temporal and spatial correlations. A Gilbert model is used as the channel model for burst packet loss simulation. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.
The Roles of Bilingual Special Educators in Creating Inclusive Classrooms

One group of students whose unique needs present a challenge to educators seeking to create inclusive general education classrooms is learners who are learning english as a second language. The purpose of this article is twofold: (a) to distill from the literature of bilingual special education, bilingual education, and special education a description of the roles of bilingual special educators in cooperative teaching endeavors designed to educate second language learners in general education classrooms; and (b) to offer the observations of a bilingual special educator who worked as part of a cooperative teaching team.
Decline in Microbial Studies for Patients with Pulmonary Infections

There appears to be a substantial decline in the quality of microbiology done in the context of pulmonary infections during the current era, compared with 3 decades ago, and the question posed to the medical community is whether this change is acceptable or reversible. The decline seems to be well documented. In the prepenicillin era, for example, Bullowa [1] reported his own experience with 14000 cases of pneumonia, from 80% of which S. pneumoniae was recovered. In the 1950s, most reports had a yield of pneumococci in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia of 40%– 70%. During the past 15 years, it has been a challenge to find any US-based study in which the yield of pneumococci was 118%. The experience at Johns Hopkins
Prevalence of knee pain and knee OA in southern Sweden and the proportion that seeks medical care

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of frequent knee pain in radiographic, symptomatic and clinically defined knee OA in middle-aged and elderly patients and the proportion that seeks medical care.
Hyperexpression of the X Chromosome in Both Sexes Results in Extensive Female Bias of X-Linked Genes in the Flour Beetle

A genome’s ability to produce two separate sexually dimorphic phenotypes is an intriguing biological mystery. Microarraybased studies of a handful of model systems suggest that much of the mystery can be explained by sex-biased gene expression evolved in response to sexually antagonistic selection. We present the first whole-genome study of sex-biased expression in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Tribolium is a model for the largest eukaryotic order, Coleoptera, and we show that in whole-body adults, ;20% of the transcriptome is differentially regulated between the sexes. Among T. castaneum, Drosophila melanogaster, and Anopheles gambiae, we identify 416 1:1:1 orthologs with conserved sex-biased expression. Overrepresented functional categories among sex-biased genes are primarily those involved in gamete production and development. The genomic distribution of sex-biased genes in T. castaneum is distinctly nonrandom, with the strongest deficit of male-biased genes on the X chromosome (9 of 793) of any species studied to date. Tribolium also shows a significant enrichment of X-linked female-biased genes (408 of 793). Our analyses suggest that the extensive female bias of Tribolium X chromosome gene expression is due to hyperexpression of X-linked genes in both males and females. We propose that the overexpression of X chromosomes in females is an evolutionary side effect of the need to dosage compensate in males and that mechanisms to reduce female X chromosome gene expression to autosomal levels are sufficient but imperfect.
Attenuated modulation of the N170 ERP by facial expressions in schizophrenia.

In psychiatrically-well subjects the modulation of event related potentials (ERPs) by emotional facial expressions is found in several ERPs from ~100 ms and later. A face-related EPR, the N170, is abnormally reduced in schizophrenia to faces relative to other complex objects and research suggests emotional modulation of N170 may be reduced as well. To further examine facial emotion modulation of N170, subjects detected neutral facial expressions from among five emotional expressions (happy, sad, fearful, angry, and disgusted). Over occipitotemporal sites, psychiatrically-well subjects showed bilateral differences in N170 amplitude among expressions (P=0.014). Schizophrenia subjects failed to show this modulation (P=0.551). Accuracy on the task did not differ between groups, nor did the pattern of errors. However, in patients, greater positive and negative symptom ratings were associated with increased failure to button press to neutral faces, suggesting misattribution of emotion to neutral expressions in the more ill patients. Because the N170 is largely specific to faces, these results suggest that an impairment specific to the visual processing of facial expressions contributes to the well-known behavioral abnormalities in facial emotion tasks in schizophrenia.
Gritty People Try Harder: Grit and Effort-related Cardiac Autonomic Activity during an Active Coping Challenge

Grit, a recently proposed personality trait associated with persistence for long-range goals, predicts achievement in a wide range of important life outcomes. Using motivational intensity theory, the present research examined the physiological underpinnings of grit during an active coping task. Forty young adults completed the Short Grit Scale and worked on a self-paced mental effort task. Effort-related autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity was assessed using impedance cardiography, which yielded measures of sympathetic activity (pre-ejection period; PEP) and parasympathetic activity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA). Multilevel models revealed that people high on the Perseverance of Effort subscale showed autonomic coactivation: both PEP and RSA became stronger during the task, reflecting higher activity of both ANS divisions. The Consistency of Interest subscale, in contrast, predicted only weaker sympathetic activity (slower PEP). Taken together, the findings illuminate autonomic processes associated with how “gritty” people pursue goals, and they suggest that more attention should be paid to the facets' distinct effects.
The use of group psychotherapy with cancer patients: A review of recent literature

Abstract This literature review presents the most recent investigations and reports related to group psychotherapy use in cancer patients' treatment, describes the primary characteristics and results of the studies, and discusses suggestions for future investigation.
Prevalence of the Agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Coastal Southeastern United States

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is an emerging tick-borne disease recently recognized in the United States. The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, is the principle vector in the eastern United States. The disease has been commonly reported in the northeastern and upper midwestern states; however, suitable vectors and reservoir hosts exist in the southeast. To assay the prevalence of the HGE agent in vector ticks, we screened 818 individual I. scapularis from 15 locations in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida using nested polymerase chain reaction, which targets the HGE agent 16S rRNA gene. Prevalence among locations ranged from 0 to 20%. The overall average prevalence of 15 sites was 1.6% (n = 818). Verification by sequencing the 16S rDNA from the positive samples showed 99.8-100% nucleotide identities with the sequences of the HGE agent in GenBank. These results were supported by the phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences.
LOCAL CIRCUITS IN PRIMARY VISUAL CORTEX OF THE MACAQUE MONKEY

The basic laminar organization of excitatory local circuitry in the primary visual cortex of the macaque monkey is similar to that described previously in the cat’s visual cortex (Gilbert 1983). This circuitry is described here in the context of a twolevel model that distinguishes between feedforward and feedback connections. Embedded within this basic framework is a more complex organization. Within the strictly feedforward pathway, these circuits distribute unique combinations of magno-, parvo-, and koniocellular input from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to neurons in layers 2‐4B. Their input is dependent on the extrastriate cortical areas they target. The local feedback connections from deep layers (5 and 6) arise from a diverse population of pyramidal neurons. Each type forms local connections with a unique relationship to more superficial layers. In the case of layer 6 neurons, these connections are closely related to layer 4 subdivisions receiving input from different functional streams.
Secondary glaucoma diagnosis technique using retinal nerve fiber layer arteries

Glaucoma is an eye disease. In glaucoma retinal nerve fiber layers are damaged and if it is not treated earlier then it can cause permanent vision loss. This paper represents algorithm for detection of glaucoma using retinal nerve fiber layers. For this work we have used 2D median filter and HAAR wavelet transform methods. For this work we have also used Drishti-GS dataset which contains 101 glaucomatous images and HRF (High Resolution Fundus image) database. We have extracted the retinal nerve fiber layer Arteries. Then we have calculated its area and diameter. On the normal database we got the 100% result. We got 71.28% accuracy on glaucomatous images and when we have combined the normal and glaucomatous images then we got the 62.06% accuracy.
Approximating common knowledge with common beliefs

Abstract Strict common knowledge seems almost impossible; we can never be sure what others know. It is shown that common knowledge can be approximated by the weaker and more easily obtained condition of common belief. This approximation justifies the standard assumption in game theory that the description of the game is common knowledge. Aumann's result on the impossibility of agreeing to disagree can also be approximated when common knowledge is replaced by common belief.
Dynamic Compaction of Aluminum Nitride Powder: Hugoniot Measurement and Comparison with Static Behavior

A limited number of shock Hugoniot measurements were performed on two unsintered aluminum nitride powder compacts having initial densities of 1.30 and 1.53 g/cm3. Stresses achieved ranged from 0.25 to 1.8 GPa, corresponding to linear compaction rates of 0.2 to 0.6 km/s. Densification is incomplete behind the first shock wave, proceeding only to ∼70% of the solid density, regardless of the initial density. On reshock, however, significantly higher densities are achieved. Initial compaction of the powder to a relative density of 65% to 70% occurs readily at stresses below 0.25 GPa. For greater stresses, however, densification is slight. Comparisons with static compression data for the same powders suggest that this resistance to compaction is an effect of compaction rate.
Linkage analysis of alcohol dependence using both affected and discordant sib pairs

The basic idea of affected-sib-pair (ASP) linkage analysis is to test whether the inheritance pattern of a marker deviates from Mendelian expectation in a sample of ASPs. The test depends on an assumed Mendelian control distribution of the number of marker alleles shared identical by descent (IBD), i.e., 1/4, 1/2, and 1/4 for 2, 1, and 0 allele(s) IBD, respectively. However, Mendelian transmission may not always hold, for example because of inbreeding or meiotic drive at the marker or a nearby locus. A more robust and valid approach is to incorporate discordant-sib-pairs (DSPs) as controls to avoid possible false-positive results. To be robust to deviation from Mendelian transmission, here we analyzed Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism data by modifying the ASP LOD score method to contrast the estimated distribution of the number of allele(s) shared IBD by ASPs with that by DSPs, instead of with the expected distribution under the Mendelian assumption. This strategy assesses the difference in IBD sharing between ASPs and the IBD sharing between DSPs. Further, it works better than the conventional LOD score ASP linkage method in these data in the sense of avoiding false-positive linkage evidence.
An Empirical Analysis of the Commute to Work Patterns of Males and Females in Two-Earner Households:

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the proposition that residential decisions are made with reference to the male head of household's job location, disadvantaging females in the labor market. A sample of approximately 50,000 adults in two-earner households in urban areas distributed across the United States is selected from public use microdata from the 1980 census and used to estimate a simultaneous model to explain commute to work behavior of men and women. The model is estimated separately for households that did and did not change residences in the past year. The impacts of the new residences on the commute times of both male and female workers, holding other variables constant, are compared. We conclude that residential selection does favor males relative to females, although there is evidence that this advantage is eliminated as the ratio of female to male earnings in the same household narrows.
Dirty Wars: Counterinsurgency in Vietnam and Today

Counterinsurgency doctrine emerged in the early 1960s as the Kennedy administration sought a politically progressive alternative to “pacification” campaigns waged by the French against the Vietnamese revolution. But its architects could not come up with a substitute for the conventional military reliance on massive firepower, which brought devastation to the Vietnamese people and failed to crush the “Viet Cong.” The Americans were again unsuccessful in transferring legitimacy to their allies in Saigon. After the war, the notion of counterinsurgency was kept alive among military writers. Rechristened as “COIN,” it has been given the task of providing cover for further “dirty wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Analysis of genetic systems using experimental evolution and whole-genome sequencing

The application of whole-genome sequencing to the study of microbial evolution promises to reveal the complex functional networks of mutations that underlie adaptation. A recent study of parallel evolution in populations of Escherichia coli shows how adaptation involves both functional changes to specific proteins as well as global changes in regulation.
The significance of non-uniform anatomic geometry on diffusion to the intervertebral disc

Low back pain is a prevalent medical condition in the United States population. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc is associated with low back pain. The intervertebral disc is avascular and thus must receive nutrients via diffusion, primarily from the vertebral bodies through the endplates. One proposed mechanism for development of degeneration is through the sclerosis of the endplates and diminished diffusion. In this study, we utilized a finite element analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of multiple physiologic parameters that regulate diffusion in order to establish which have the most significant effects. Data from our model indicate that nonuniformitiy of endplate characteristics was the most significant parameter. Thus, models that assume symmetry or uniform geometry are inducing artifacts and future models should strive to use 3D patient specific data.
Iron oxide nanoparticles induce human microvascular endothelial cell permeability through reactive oxygen species production and microtubule remodeling

Engineered iron nanoparticles are being explored for the development of biomedical applications and many other industry purposes. However, to date little is known concerning the precise mechanisms of translocation of iron nanoparticles into targeted tissues and organs from blood circulation, as well as the underlying implications of potential harmful health effects in human. The confocal microscopy imaging analysis demonstrates that exposure to engineered iron nanoparticles induces an increase in cell permeability in human microvascular endothelial cells. Our studies further reveal iron nanoparticles enhance the permeability through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the stabilization of microtubules. We also showed Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathways are involved in iron nanoparticle-induced cell permeability. The inhibition of ROS demonstrate ROS play a major role in regulating Akt/GSK-3β – mediated cell permeability upon iron nanoparticle exposure. These results provide new insights into the bioreactivity of engineered iron nanoparticles which can inform potential applications in medical imaging or drug delivery. Our results indicate that exposure to iron nanoparticles induces an increase in endothelial cell permeability through ROS oxidative stress-modulated microtubule remodeling. The findings from this study provide new understandings on the effects of nanoparticles on vascular transport of macromolecules and drugs.
CHK2-dependent phosphorylation of BRCA1 in hypoxia

Abstract Gibson, S. L., Bindra, R. S. and Glazer, P. M. CHK2-Dependent Phosphorylation of BRCA1 in Hypoxia. Radiat. Res. 166, 646–651 (2006). Hypoxia induces a diverse spectrum of changes in the expression and activity of numerous DNA repair factors within the tumor microenvironment. In particular, we and others have shown that hypoxia induces phosphorylation and activation of the checkpoint kinase, CHK2, in an ATM-dependent manner. One downstream target of CHK2, the BRCA1 protein, plays a critical role in both DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint regulation in mammalian cells. Here we report that BRCA1 is specifically phosphorylated on Serine 988 in response to hypoxic stress, and phosphorylation at this site is dependent on CHK2 expression. These findings enhance our understanding of ATM-CHK2 pathway activation in hypoxia, and they identify a novel role for BRCA1 in the response to hypoxic stress.
Computer models of the heart: from single beat to fatal arrhythmias

Supercomputers have greatly influenced the studies of biological cells and cellular networks. Electrophysiological properties of the cells are now known in great detail. Therefore, computer models are constructed to simulate the electrical activity of single heart cells and networks of coupled heart cells. These simulations are used to mimic the rhythms of the heart, including arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (VF). Computer simulations require very large scale computational resources, with parallel or vector architectures offering distinct benefits in terms of the ease of coding the algorithms and in terms of computational performance. Three models, one implemented on a personal computer, the second on a Connection Machine and the third on a Cray C90, are reported. The computer simulations reveal the mechanism of generation of VF-like rhythms in the form of wavelets and spiral waves and suggest novel strategies for terminating these arrhythmias.
Postpartum Depression: An Overview.

Occurring in about 12% of postpartum women, postpartum depression has been the focus of considerable research. Variables that have been correlated with postpartum depression range from biological causes, to lack of social support, to relationship with husband, to attributional styles, to psychodynamic explanations. There is a need for a more circumscribed operational definition of the syndrome and norming of depression measures. It is also important to assess each person individually and to design interventions that focus on particular contributive factors.
Organizational Differences in Hazard Mitigation Investment Decision Making: Outside the Organization

In this chapter, we present three critical categories of factors that we believe influence whether, why, and how individual hospital organizations make extreme hazard mitigation investment decisions. Each category reflects internal organizational concerns and perspectives. We describe each category from a theoretical perspective, drawing on relevant academic literature. Then, we augment our description of each category with examples drawn from our qualitative research. As stated earlier, the examples capture decision making by California hospitals facing the decision to comply with SB 1953, by hospitals facing seismic threats in Oregon and Washington, and by hospitals facing hurricane threats in Louisiana and Mississippi. In this way, our examples illustrate the impact of the critical categories beyond the environment of SB 1953. The three categories are: (1) organizational leadership, (2) organizational strategy, and (3) economic. They are intended to be illustrative, rather than exhaustive. The unit of analysis is the individual organization and its key decision makers, usually the members of the top management team (i.e., the CEO, CFO, COO, and other members of the C-suite).
Performance testing of STANAG 5065 LF waveforms

STANAG 5065 was developed to provide NATO countries with interoperable shore-to-ship broadcast communications using the low frequency (LF) band (specifically 60 kHz-160 kHz). This paper begins with an overview of STANAG 5065. Following this, the Harris RF-5710A modem implementation is discussed along with performance data. The paper concludes with a summary of the results.
Should stimulation parameters be individualized to stop seizures: Evidence in support of this approach

Summary Objective Deep-brain electrical stimulation (DBS) is a treatment modality being explored for many neurologic diseases and is a potentially potent means of disrupting the aberrant rhythms that arise during the epileptic seizures that afflict >1% of the population. However, current DBS protocols typically employed are formulated a priori and do not reflect the electrophysiologic dynamics within the brain as seizures arise, which may underlie their limited efficacy. This study investigates how the efficacy of DBS could be improved using endogenous dynamics to inform stimulation protocols. Methods Multisite brain dynamics within the circuit of Papez were calculated in a chronic rat limbic epilepsy model induced via lithium chloride/pilocarpine intraperitoneal injections. Stimulation/recording electrodes were placed in the CA3 region of the left and right hippocampi and the anteromedial nucleus of the left thalamus. Deconvolution of local field potentials using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and phase synchrony analysis revealed multisite coherence as seizures approached natural termination that could not be detected with Fourier analysis. Multisite stimulation used charge-neutral biphasic square waves at frequencies observed during natural termination. Results Synchronization of electrical activity across sites occurred as both spontaneous and evoked seizures naturally terminated. Furthermore, the location and frequency of the synchrony varied between subjects but was stable in time within each animal. DBS protocols were significantly more effective at rapidly stopping seizures when the frequency and location of multisite stimulation reflected the endogenous synchrony dynamics observed in each subject as seizures naturally terminated. Significance These results strongly support the approach of tailoring DBS protocols to individual endogenous rhythms that may represent how brains naturally resolve epileptic seizures. This approach may significantly improve the overall efficacy of this potentially important therapy.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older women after adjuvant breast cancer therapy

560 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is associated with the development of secondary AML, but this risk in an older population has not been previously quantified. Methods: We queried data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database for women who were diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer from 1992–1999. We compared the risk of AML in patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy (C), and by differing C regimens. The primary endpoint was a claim with an inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of AML (ICD-09 codes 205–208). Risk of AML was estimated using the method of Kaplan-Meier. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors independently associated with AML. Results: 36,904 patients were included in this observational study, 4,572 who had received adjuvant C and 32,332 who had not. The median patient age was 75.3 (66.0–103.3). The median follow up was 63 months (13–132). Patients who received C were significantly younger, ha...
Owner Beware: California Mechanics' Lien Law is Constitutionally Biased

This article, entitled "Owner Beware: California Mechanic's Lien Law is Constitutionally Biased," is essential for any private property owner in California contemplating a remodel or improvement to residential or commercial real property. The article reviews in detail the California statutory bias towards contractors, subcontractors or materialmen performing work on property. Also, the article provides a detailed legal critique to the current statutory mechanic's lien law. Further, it provides analysis and creative legal solutions to avoid paying twice for work performed on real property.