cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A schedule of recombinant Mpl ligand highly effective at preventing lethal myelosuppression in mice given carboplatin and radiation

Abstract Objective To determine a thrombopoietin schedule that would effectively enhance hematopoiesis and prevent death in mice after lethal myelosuppression. Methods First, we determined whether recombinant Mpl ligand (Mpl-L) has a priming effect on thrombopoiesis in normal mice. Mice were given pegylated recombinant murine Megakaryocyte Growth and Development Factor (PEG-rmMGDF) intravenously as a single injection or as two injections separated by intervals of 1 to 10 days. Second, we examined the scheduling of PEG-rmMGDF that would most effectively reduce thrombocytopenia in mice given a lethal myelosuppressive regimen (80 mg/kg carboplatin + 750 R Cs-137 total-body irradiation). Results In normal mice, peak platelet count with a 4-day to 8-day interval between PEG-rmMGDF injections was significantly higher than that with single injection. This priming effect was optimal with a 4-day interval between injections. In the lethal myelosuppression model, all mice given intravenous PEG-rmMGDF as a single injection on day 0 or as two injections (on days −4 and 0 or on days 0 and 4) survived; PEG-rmMGDF on day 0 was given immediately after the myelosuppressive regimen. In contrast, all mice given a single intravenous PEG-rmMGDF injection on day −4 or day 4 died. Two PEG-rmMGDF injections given on days −4 and 0 enhanced hematopoietic recovery more than did a single injection on day 0 or two injections on days 0 and 4. Conclusion Mpl-L administration immediately after lethal carboplatin and radiation prevents death and enhances hematopoietic recovery in mice; this protective effect is further enhanced by a priming Mpl-L dose given 4 days before the myelosuppressive regimen.
Symptom management strategies used by elderly patients after coronary artery bypass surgery

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe symptom management strategies used by elderly patients (n = 236) 3 and 6 weeks after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS). Three weeks after surgery, the most frequently used strategies were rest to manage shortness of breath (53%) and fatigue (53%), medications for incision pain (24%), and repositioning for swelling (35%) and sleep disturbance (18%). Overall, fewer patients experiencing sleep disturbances (39%), incision pain (39%), swelling (46%), and appetite problems (17%) reported using a strategy to manage their symptom. Nurses must assist patients in symptom identification and problem solving to accomplish effective symptom management.
Driver behavior during bicycle passing maneuvers in response to a Share the Road sign treatment

The interaction of motorists and bicyclists, particularly during passing maneuvers, is an area of concern to the bicycle safety community as there is a general perception that motor vehicle drivers may not share the road effectively with bicyclists. This is a particular concern on road sections with centerline rumble strips where motorists are prone to crowd bicyclists during passing events. One potential countermeasure to address this concern is the use of a bicycle warning sign with a “Share the Road” plaque. This paper presents the results of a controlled field evaluation of this sign treatment, which involved an examination of driver behavior while overtaking bicyclists. A series of field studies were conducted concurrently on two segments of a high-speed, rural two-lane highway. These segments were similar in terms of roadway geometry, traffic volumes, and other relevant factors, except that one of the segments included centerline rumble strips while the other did not. A before-and-after study design was utilized to examine changes in motor vehicle lateral placement and speed at the time of the passing event as they relate to the presence of centerline rumble strips and the sign treatment. Centerline rumble strips generally shifted vehicles closer to the bicyclists during passing maneuvers, though the magnitude of this effect was marginal. The sign treatment was found to shift motor vehicles away from the rightmost lane positions, though the signs did not significantly affect the mean buffer distance between the bicyclists and passing motorists or the propensity of crowding events during passing. The sign treatment also resulted in a 2.5 miles/h (4.0 km/h) reduction in vehicle speeds. Vehicle type, bicyclist position, and the presence of opposing traffic were also found to affect lateral placement and speed selection during passing maneuvers.
Deep levels in semiconductors

Abstract The 3d transition element ion impurities in silicon are reviewed for the broad insight they provide in understanding deep levels in semiconductors. As interstitials, their interaction with the host tends to confine the d-levels to the forbidden gap, providing many deep states. The interaction at the substitutional site is best considered as an interaction with the lattice vacancy, into which the impurity is placed. This interaction tends to repel deep a1 and t2 levels from the gap. When the levels are present, they are mostly vacancy-like and the defect is likely to display the large lattice relaxations characteristic of the vacancy.
Abstract 1727: Interleukin-6 and intracrine androgens in prostate cancer cells

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The standard systemic treatment for prostate cancer patients is androgen deprivation therapy. Although serum testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced after androgen deprivation therapy, levels of intraprostatic androgens are reproducibly measured at concentrations sufficient to activate androgen receptor (AR) and stimulate tumor growth, suggesting that prostate cancer cells may survive androgen deprivation therapies by increasing intracrine androgen synthesis within the prostate. However, factors that regulate de novo intracrine androgen synthesis have not been identified. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated in the modulation of AR activation and growth and differentiation in prostate cancer. In this study, we investigate whether IL-6 regulates intraprostatic androgen synthesis in prostate cancer cells. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot were performed to detect expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes. AKR1C3 promoter reporter was constructed and analyzed for IL-6-mediated AKR1C3 transcriptional activity. IL-6-mediated signaling was knocked down using siRNAs specific to IL-6R and gp130 and the effect on AKR1C3 expression was examined. To measure intraprostatic androgen levels, IL-6 overexpressing LNCaP-IL6+ cells were inoculated orthotopically into the prostate of castrated male nude mice and generated tumors. Intraprostatic androgen levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (Testosterone EIA kit) based on the competition between testosterone and a testosterone-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) conjugate (testosterone tracer) for a limited amount of testosterone in the sample. RESULTS: We found that IL-6 increases the expression of genes encoding many steroidogenic enzymes including HSD3B2 and AKR1C3 involved in androgen biosynthesis. Down regulation of IL-6 receptor and gp130 expression using specific siRNA abolished IL-6 mediated AKR1C3 expression, suggesting that IL-6 signaling is responsible for AKR1C3 expression. IL-6 increases AKR1C3 promoter activity, indicating that the increase in IL-6-mediated AKR1C3 expression is in part at the transcriptional level. Treatment of IL-6 increased testosterone level in LNCaP cells. The tumor testosterone levels were detected at 378 pg/g in tumors generated from IL-6 overexpressing LNCaP-IL6+ cells inoculated orthotopically into the prostates of castrated male nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IL-6 increases levels of intracrine androgens through enhanced expression of genes mediating androgen metabolism in prostate cancer cells during androgen deprivation therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1727.
Two-color short-pulse laser altimeter measurements of ocean surface backscatter.

The timing and correlation properties of pulsed laser backscatter from the ocean surface have been measured with a two-color short-pulse laser altimeter. The Nd:YAG laser transmitted 70- and 35-ps wide pulses simultaneously at 532 and 355 nm at nadir, and the time-resolved returns were recorded by a receiver with 800-ps response time. The time-resolved backscatter measured at both 330-m and 1291-m altitudes showed little pulse broadening due to the submeter laser spot size. The differential delay of the 355-nm and 532-nm backscattered waveforms were measured with a rms error of about 75 ps. The change in aircraft altitudes also permitted the change in atmospheric pressure to be estimated by using the two-color technique.
IKKγ Mediates the Interaction of Cellular IκB Kinases with the Tax Transforming Protein of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1

The Tax oncoprotein of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 constitutively activates transcription factor NF-κB by a mechanism involving Tax-induced phosphorylation of IκBα, a labile cytoplasmic inhibitor of NF-κB. To trigger this signaling cascade, Tax associates stably with and persistently activates a cellular IκB kinase (IKK) containing both catalytic (IKKα and IKKβ) and noncatalytic (IKKγ) subunits. We now demonstrate that IKKγ enables Tax to dock with the IKKβ catalytic subunit, resulting in chronic IκB kinase activation. Mutations in either IKKγ or Tax that prevent formation of these higher order Tax·IKK complexes also interfere with the ability of Tax to induce IKKβ catalytic function in vivo. Deletion mapping studies indicate that amino acids 1–100 of IKKγ are required for this Tax targeting function. Together, these findings identify IKKγ as an adaptor protein that directs the stable formation of pathologic Tax·IKK complexes in virally infected T cells.
Venous Thromboembolism and Other Venous Disease in the Tecumseh Community Health Study

The prevalence and incidence of venous thromboembolism and other venous disease has been determined as part of a longitudinal study of health and disease in a Michigan community. When these data are extrapolated to 1970 U.S. census figures, a rough estimate of annual incidence of clinically recognized deep venous thrombosis is over 250,000 cases while that of superficial thrombophlebitis is over 123,000. An estimated 24 million US citizens have "significant" varicose veins while 6 to 7 million have stasis changes in the skin of the legs and 400,000 to 500,000 have or have had a varicose ulcer. The relatively high frequency of these conditions in the adult population of Tecumseh, Michigan, indicates that they represent several of the more common medical problems encountered by the practicing physician.
Sentiment Web Mining Architecture - Shahriar Movafaghi

Abstract In this paper we discuss the architecture of the system under development the purpose of which is to capture the sentiment of web users regarding any topic such as retail products, financial instruments (FI), or social issues like immigration. The first step is knowledge acquisition. A Sentiment Web Mining (SWM) system requires acquisition of knowledge from several sources on the web. Such knowledge may be found on blogs, social networks, email, or online news. A SWM system has customization and personalization capabilities. For our purposes, customization occurs when the SWM user can change his/her preferences to select specific sites to be used for data mining and evaluation. Personalization occurs when the system decides which sites to be used for data mining based on the user profile. The user profile dynamically changes depending on the type of user request from the system and the specific sites the user visits to verify the result of the SWM system. The second step is knowledge storage, which involves the creation of a database. Appropriate web sites will be indexed and tagged. Taxonomy is the hardest part of this step. In this paper we will demonstrate a unique way of tagging the knowledge obtained from the web. The third step is the knowledge analysis/data mining. A SWM system will use a series of off–the-shelf knowledge analysis/data mining tools including SWM knowledge analysis/data mining engine which is based on web services technology. The type of questions used can be: 1) The volume of sentiment for a particular topic; 2) The intensity of sentiment (good or bad) for a particular topic; 3) The interrelationship between the writers of material written on the web, especially if the writer is anonymous; 4) Who is/are the leader(s) of the sentiment? If the information is maliciously posted on the web the user may want to pursue it through legal means.The last step is dissemination of knowledge to the user(s). A SWM system uses third party visualization tools as well as web based user interfaces and reports that are written internally. The presentation component of a SWM system is decoupled from other components, namely, the process component, business rule component, and data access component for ease of maintainability.
Market Valuation Models of the Effect of Advertising and Promotional Spending: A Review and Meta-Analysis:

A narrative review is presented, within the organizing framework of a meta-analysis, of econometric models reported in the business literature that estimate the effect of advertising and promotional spending on the market value of the firm. Results from published market valuation models are aggregated, and various model specifications are appraised. In brief the meta-analysis finds support for a positive relationship between levels of advertising and promotional spending and the market value of the firm. That is, marketing activities (represented here by observed advertising and promotions spending) are generally expected to deliver future cashflows and produce increases in shareholder wealth. The review seeks to enhance understanding among the community of marketing scholars of the properties of market valuation models published in the literature and serves as a springboard for ongoing investigation of a crucial question for marketing theory and practice.
21st Century Thrombolytic Use

The role of thrombolytic therapy has evolved since the discovery of the first lytic agent, streptokinase, in 1931. Since then, there have been several agents developed for specific areas of clot and some that have been forcibly adapted for use outside of their intended scope. Traditional use for thrombolytic therapy included acute MI, PE, and DVT. We have adapted thrombolytic therapy to treat acute occlusions of peripheral bypass grafts, dialysis fistula and grafts, venous access devices, and nonhemorrhagic stroke. Even newer uses are for fibrin sheaths around chest tubes. This presentation reviewed the history of the development of thrombolytic therapy, its uses in the coronaries and peripheral vasculature, the various agents that can be used, and the events of the mid-1990s that changed the practice in IR, NIR, and cardiac cath labs across the nation. This presentation allowed the participants to understand the role of each agent in thrombolytic therapy for each indication. They were able to better understand the roles of streptokinase, urokinase, and alteplase in acute MI, PE, DVT, and stroke. The participants have an understanding of the patient care associated with each clinical indication based on evidence-based medicine. The participants were also able to understand the difference in dosing each medication and the financial cost of each medication when treating clots at standard doses for each agent used. In addition, the participants were aware of the clients who were not having their clot treated adequately.
Contraceptive use at time of conception for pregnancies resulting in unwanted births.

Abstract Of all women having unwanted births in the Albany Health Region between 1969 and 1974, 42.5% had them as a result of contraceptive failure. This segment of unwanted fertility could be reduced by upgrading the methods used by women at risk of unwanted births and increasing the efficiency with which methods are being employed. Of the majority (57.5%) who were not using contraception at the time of conception, two-thirds adopted methods soon after the birth, and most of these began using highly effective methods. This group depended, to a greater extent than the general population, on public programs, but the large majority obtained their contraceptive services from private physicians. The remaining women who did not adopt methods are a small group of chronic non-users who account for far beyond their share of unwanted births (17.9%). This group should be given high priority as a program target.
Particle Fluidization with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Experiments and Theory

Glass and Amberlite particles ranging in size from 0.18 to 1.0 mm were fluidized by supercritical CO2. For a given material in a narrow size range, the volume of the random packing increases exponentially with CO2 mass flow rate. In the supercritical region investigated (35−55 °C, 83−124 bar), the bed expansion has relatively weak temperature and pressure dependences due to the counteracting effects of the density and viscosity variations of supercritical CO2. Consistent with conventional particle fluidization correlations, the minimum fluidization velocity (umf) values obtained experimentally depend only on the packing material, size, and fluidization conditions (pressure and temperature). A plot (log u vs log e) of the Richardson−Zaki correlation is nearly linear with the value of the exponent (∼2.6) being in the range of values reported for spherical particles. The umf values and terminal velocity (ut) predicted with conventional correlations bracket those obtained from experiments, confirming that suc...
CO adsorption site occupation on Pt(335): a quantitative investigation using TPD and EELS

Abstract In a study of CO on Pt(335) at various coverages using TPD and EELS we observe bridge-bonded CO. Bridge-bonded CO on Pt(335) is inconsistent with existing models of CO adsorption on highly stepped Pt surfaces. Previous studies of CO on Pt(335) and on the similar Pt(112) surface identified two atop CO species: edge atop and terrace atop. We observe two additional species: edge bridge and terrace bridge. Edge atop and edge bridge CO both adsorb before CO adsorbs at terrace sites. Activation energies are estimated for CO desorption from edge and terrace sites. A model that explains our data, based on a quantitative analysis of the TPD and EELS spectra, is presented. Possible overlayer structures are proposed at selected coverages. At saturation, all edge sites are occupied with atop CO, half of the terrace sites are occupied, and on the terrace the atop-to-bridge ratio is 2:1. At low coverage the overlayer reaches equilibrium within a few minutes at 100 K. At high coverage equilibrium is not reached in tens of minutes at 100 K, but annealing 10 s at 280 K does allow the overlayer to reach equilibrium.
Design and development of enhanced extraction biosensors based on photonic crystal slabs

Enhanced extraction of molecular fluorescence as provided by photonic crystal slabs is studied. An enhanced extraction biosensor capable of boosting fluorescence output in the detection of the cytokine TNF-alpha by over 20x is demonstrated.
The importance of precise timing in pulsed, rotor-synchronous MAS NMR

Abstract Magic-angle spinning NMR experiments with synchronously applied pulse trains are used to measure a variety of different anisotropic interactions, such as heteronuclear dipolar couplings and chemical-shift anisotropies. When the sample rotation speed and the pulse-sequence timings are not properly synchronized, the resulting spectra may contain artifacts and anisotropic interactions may be measured incorrectly. Sample-rotation/pulse-sequence asynchrony can result from short-term fluctuations in spinning speed, even when the average spinning speed is carefully regulated. Here we examine three simple, spin-echo pulse sequences under conditions where the pulse trains are incommensurate with the sample rotation.
Challenges to Superfund Community Nutrition Programs in Kentucky

Since 2000, the University of Kentucky's (UK's) Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) Community Outreach Core has provided support and guidance through Superfund Community Action through Nutrition (SCAN) programs, which meet the needs of individuals and communities affected by environmental contaminants. It has been shown that nutrition may modulate the toxicity of Superfund chemicals. SCAN programs integrate nutrition education, nutrition science research, and health communication to increase understanding of health risks associated with residing near Superfund sites. Two critical tasks must be accomplished. SCAN personnel must identify and recruit affected community members, and then, offer meaningful programs. Certain quantitative outcome measures and legal issues presented both challenges and opportunities. Community members preferred qualitative evaluation discussions, which showed increased knowledge and improved attitudes following SCAN programs. SCAN, in full partnership with affected communities, translates safe, effective nutrition information to reduce health risks associated with exposure to Superfund pollutants.
Office-based physician services provided by dermatologists in the united states in 1990

Published epidemiologic data regarding dermatologic practice may no longer be current. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey conducted in 1990 provides a comprehensive assessment of ambulatory medical practice including patient demographics, chief and secondary complaints, diagnoses, and drug treatments prescribed. Many specialties including dermatology were represented in the sampling technique. The database was reviewed for descriptive aspects of visits to dermatologists surveyed. Using standardized weighting techniques, we estimated the total number of physician visits. Dermatologists had an estimated 24.0 million patient encounters in 1990. Dermatologists treated a disproportionately large number of female and younger patients. After adjusting for their proportion of the population, Asians and Whites had greater numbers of dermatologic encounters than Blacks and Native Americans. Patients had two or more complaints 27.2% of the time, and received two or more diagnoses 28.9% of the time. The most common complaints accounting for 49.7% of visits included "pimples," "rash," "discoloration," "skin lesion," "wart," and "skin growth." The most common diagnoses, accounting for 52.7% of all encounters, were acne, keratosis, wart, dermatitis or eczema, benign neoplasm, and malignant neoplasm. This paper presents demographic information, chief and secondary complaints, and chief and secondary diagnoses of patients visiting dermatologists in the United States in 1990. Whites and Asian or Pacific Islanders have increased utilization of services compared with Blacks and Native Americans or Eskimos; this disparity correlates with median family income.
The Impact of Government Functional Responsibility on Local Expenditure

This article examines the variation in the number of functions performed by local governments and the impact of these functions on local expenditures in a national sample of communities with populations over 10,000 persons and located both inside and outside the country's Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The findings indicate that control over the least-common governmental functions has a significant effect on local expenditure and that this effect differs by type of community.
Recent advances in the treatment of life-threatening, invasive fungal infections

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose significant morbidity and are often life-threatening to many high-risk patients. Timely diagnosis and treatment of these infections with optimal therapy is imperative. Areas covered: Advances have been made in diagnostic biomarkers such as peptide nucleic acid fluorescent in situ hybridization, β-D-glucan and galactomannan, although more research is needed in this area to assist with both diagnosis and monitoring for improvement of IFI management. Novel antifungal agents (azole antifungals and echinocandins) are being investigated that have activity against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. Optimizing the pharmacodynamics (PD) of our current antifungal therapies through such strategies as continuous infusion of amphotericin B and dose escalation of echinocandins and liposomal formulations of amphotericin B have also been investigated with mixed results. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) shows promise as evident from data with such agents as flucytosine,...
Allograft Replacement for Absent Native Tissue

Context:Structural instability due to poor soft tissue quality often requires augmentation. Allografts are important biological substitutes that are used for the symptomatic patient in the reconstruction of deficient ligaments, tendons, menisci, and osteochondral defects. Interest in the clinical application of allografts has arisen from the demand to obtain stable anatomy with restoration of function and protection against additional injury, particularly for high-demand patients who participate in sports. Traditionally, allografts were employed to reinforce weakened tissue. However, they can also be employed to substitute deficient or functionally absent tissue, particularly in the sports medicine setting.Objective:This article presents a series of 6 cases that utilized allografts to restore functionally deficient anatomic architecture, rather than just simply augmenting the degenerated or damaged native tissue. Detailed discussions are presented of the use of allografts as a successful treatment strateg...
Norepinephrine controls astroglial responsiveness to local circuit activity

Summary Astrocytes perform crucial supportive functions, including neurotransmitter clearance, ion buffering, and metabolite delivery. They can also influence blood flow and neuronal activity by releasing gliotransmitters in response to intracellular Ca 2+ transients. However, little is known about how astrocytes are engaged during different behaviors in vivo. Here we demonstrate that norepinephrine primes astrocytes to detect changes in cortical network activity. We show in mice that locomotion triggers simultaneous activation of astrocyte networks in multiple brain regions. This global stimulation of astrocytes was inhibited by alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists and abolished by depletion of norepinephrine from the brain. Although astrocytes in visual cortex of awake mice were rarely engaged when neurons were activated by light stimulation alone, pairing norepinephrine release with light stimulation markedly enhanced astrocyte Ca 2+ signaling. Our findings indicate that norepinephrine shifts the gain of astrocyte networks according to behavioral state, enabling astrocytes to respond to local changes in neuronal activity.
Photosensitization of a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus by a dental operating light: report of case

Discoid lupus erythematosus lesions developed on the patient’s face after her exposure to light emitted by a dental operating lamp. A case of discoid lupus erythematosus following the patient’s exposure to light emitted by a dental operating light is reported. Lupus erythematosus photosensitivity to ultraviolet emissions is referenced and evidence that the lamp emitted light in the ultraviolet range is introduced.
Radioisotopic labelling by surface catalysis—II. Mechanism of radioiodinations on chromatographic surfaces

Abstract The mechanism of iodine for hydrogen and iodine for halogen exchange on chromatographic surfaces has been investigated by allowing no-carrier-added 131 I − to react with model aromatic compounds. Reactions with phenol and aniline resulted in 2- and 4-position substitution. The absolute yield and 2:4 ratio varied as a function of initial solvent used; hydrogen ion concentration; type of chromatographic surface; and contact time on the surface. Reaction with iodo- and bromophenols revealed that iodine for hydrogen exchange occurs more readily than iodine for halogen exchange. The results indicate that with aromatic systems the reactions occur by electrophillic substitution, the iodinating species arising from surface catalysed oxidation of 131 I − .
Changes of 5′ Terminal Nucleotides of PCR Primers Causing Variable T-A Cloning Efficiency

T-A cloning takes advantage of the unpaired adenosyl residue added to the 3′ terminus of amplified DNAs by Taq and other thermostable DNA polymerase and uses a linearized plasmid vector with a protruding 3′ thymidylate residue at each of its 3′ termini to clone polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-derived DNA fragments. It is a simple, reliable, and efficient ligation-dependent cloning method for PCR products, but the drawback of variable cloning efficiency occurs during application. In the present work, the relationship between variable T-A cloning efficiency and the different 5′ end nucleotide base of primers used in PCR amplification was studied. The results showed that different cloning efficiency was obtained with different primer pairs containing A, T, C and G at the 5′ terminus respectively. The data shows that when the 5′ end base of primer pair was adenosyl, more white colonies could be obtained in cloning the corresponding PCR product in comparison with other bases. And the least white colonies were formed when using the primer pair with 5′ cytidylate end. The gluanylate end primers resulted in almost the same cloning efficiency in the white colonies amount as the thymidylate end primer did, and this efficiency was much lower than that of adenosyl end primers. This presumably is a consequence of variability in 3′dA addition to PCR products mediated by Taq polymerase. Our results offer instructions for primer design for researchers who choose T-A cloning to clone PCR products.
Three Dimension Accuracy Measurement Methods for Robots

Commercially, there are several part manipulators (robots) available today. The major task of these robots is to position parts accurately in space or to orient its gripper so as to pick up a part accurately. Several of these devices have a “teach” mode, where the positional commands can be recorded in some form of memory when the robot is moved manually through its task.
Effect of cannulae in the ampulla of the oviduct and in the tubo-uterine junction on reproductive phenomena in sheep

Abstract Permanent cannulation systems designed for injecting spermatozoa or for collecting eggs and fluids at the tubo-uterine junction and at the ampulla near its junction with the isthmus of the oviduct are described. In a preliminary experiment three ewes bilaterally cannulated in the tubouterine junction had spermatozoa injected through the cannulae and 4 of 8 eggs recovered were fertilized. Six more ewes were bilaterally cannulated. They continued to cycle and few complications were experienced. But cannulation appeared to reduce superovulatory response to exogenous gonadotropins. This also occurred in a confirmatory study with 16 rabbits in which super-ovulated controls averaged 25.6 ovulations versus 8.6 in those with cannulae. When cannulae were installed near the ampullar-isthmic junction no eggs were recovered surgically from 4 controls. Thus, these cannulae appeared to interfere with ampullary transport of eggs. Blood plasma concentrations of LH and progesterone were not affected by cannulae. As cycle length also was normal it appeared that these devices were not luteolytic. The cannulae were still functioning in the animals euthanized more than six months after installation. Thus, once installed, they appear to offer a non-surgical means of examining several aspects of reproductive function associated with fertilization. The observations on altered egg transport and ovarian response to gonadotropins may be of significance in certain cases of infertility.
Chronic Ethanol Ingestion Increases Expression of the Angiotensin II Type 2 (AT2) Receptor and Enhances Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α‐ and Angiotensin II‐Induced Cytotoxicity Via AT2 Signaling in Rat Alveolar Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND Alcohol abuse increases the risk of acute lung injury in critically ill patients. We have shown that alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) apoptosis in response to inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), parallels endotoxin-mediated acute lung injury in ethanol-fed rats. Although angiotensin II mediates TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of AECs in vitro, its role in ethanol-mediated susceptibility to AEC apoptosis is unknown. METHODS Adult male rats were fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet for 6 weeks. AECs were isolated, and TNF-alpha- and angiotensin II-induced cytotoxicity (by terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining) was determined with or without the addition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (lisinopril) or a selective blocker of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)) or type 2 receptor (AT(2)). Finally, the relative expression of the AT(1) and AT(2) receptors in AECs was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity, but not angiotensin II-induced cytotoxicity, was prevented by lisinopril, indicating that de novo angiotensin II synthesis is required for TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in these cells. Both TNF-alpha- and angiotensin II-induced cytotoxicity in AECs from control-fed and ethanol-fed rats were inhibited by the selective AT(2) blocker, PD123319, but not by the selective AT(1) blocker, losartan. In parallel, ethanol ingestion doubled AT(2) expression in AECs (by Western blot) but had no significant effect on AT(1) receptor expression. CONCLUSIONS Chronic ethanol ingestion increases AT(2) expression in the alveolar epithelium and enhances TNF-alpha- and angiotensin II-induced cytotoxicity, both of which act via AT(2). Together, these findings suggest that selective AT(2) receptor inhibition could limit the development of acute lung injury in alcoholic patients.
Species-specific avoidance responses by blue crabs and fish to chronic and episodic hypoxia

Although both chronic and episodic hypoxia (O2<2 mg l−1) alter the distribution and abundance patterns of mobile animals within estuaries, recent evidence suggests that some animals may be more likely to remain within hypoxic or anoxic water than others, due to differences in physiological tolerance and movement responses to the dynamics of hypoxia. Determining avoidance responses to hypoxia is important for identifying the species most susceptible to the direct and indirect impacts of these events. A trawl survey was used to examine the avoidance responses of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and several fish [pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), and paralichthid flounders (Paralichthys dentatus and Paralichthys lethostigma)] to chronic hypoxia and episodic hypoxic upwelling events in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA. Trawl collections were made in three depth strata (3.0–4.6 m, 1.7–3.0 m, and 0.9–1.7 m depth) to quantify changes in the depth-specific distribution and abundance patterns of the six most common estuarine taxa during three dissolved oxygen conditions: normoxia, chronic hypoxia, and episodic hypoxic upwelling events. Pinfish, anchovies, blue crabs, and paralichthid flounder abundance increased with increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations. The two taxa most closely associated with the bottom (blue crabs and flounder) showed the strongest avoidance response to hypoxia. All taxa showed a stronger avoidance response to chronic hypoxia as compared to episodic hypoxic upwelling events. This difference is attributed to a reduced ability to avoid the rapid intrusions of hypoxic water during episodic events, or to increased risks of injury and predation in shallow refuge habitats, which may force some individuals back into hypoxic water.
Risk of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers after hepatitis C virus infection: A population-based study of U.S. veterans

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may increase the risk of hepatopancreaticobiliary tumors other than hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous case control studies indicated a possible association between HCV and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Little is known about the association between HCV and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) or pancreatic cancer. We conducted a cohort study including 146,394 HCV-infected and 572,293 HCV-uninfected patients who received care at Veterans Affairs health care facilities. Patients with two visits between 1996 and 2004 with HCV infection were included, as were up to four matched HCV-uninfected subjects for each HCV-infected subject. Risks of ICC, ECC, pancreatic cancer, and HCC were assessed using proportional hazards regression. In the 1.37 million person-years of follow-up, which began 6 months after the baseline visit, there were 75 cases of ECC, 37 cases of ICC, 617 cases of pancreatic cancer, and 1679 cases of HCC. As expected, the risk of HCC associated with HCV was very high (hazard ratio [HR], 15.09; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 13.44, 16.94). Risk for ICC was elevated with HCV infection 2.55; 1.31, 4.95), but risk for ECC was not significantly increased (1.50; 0.60, 1.85). Adjustments for cirrhosis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis B, alcoholism, and alcoholic liver disease did not reduce the risk for ICC below twofold. The risk of pancreatic cancer was slightly elevated (1.23; 1.02, 1.49), but was attenuated after adjusting for alcohol use, pancreatitis, and other variables. Conclusions: Findings indicated that HCV infection conferred a more than twofold elevated risk of ICC. Absence of an association with ECC was consistent in adjusted and unadjusted models. A significant association with pancreatic cancer was erased by alcohol use and other variables. (HEPATOLOGY > 2009;49:116-123.)
The Blended Language of Partisanship in the 2012 Presidential Campaign

Here, we track the language patterns of Mitt Romney and other Republican candidates during 2008 and 2012 and contrast them with their Democratic counterparts to better understand the language of partisanship in the U.S. We employ DICTION (www.dictionsoftware.com), an automated text-analysis tool, to process some 8,000 campaign documents. We find (a) that Mitt Romney was an unconventional Republican in 2012 (but not in 2008); (b) that Romney employed both “Republican” and “Democratic” language and did so to good effect (both in the primaries and in the general election); (c) that Barack Obama matched Romney in these ways, departing sharply from his own 2008 campaign style; and (d) that the candidates increasingly resembled one another as election day approached. We conclude that, no matter what their party of origin, all national politicians must be versed in the Democratic/Republican lexicon, a requirement that distinguishes the American political ethos.
Minimum Bayes-Risk Word Alignments of Bilingual Texts

We present Minimum Bayes-Risk word alignment for machine translation. This statistical, model-based approach attempts to minimize the expected risk of alignment errors under loss functions that measure alignment quality. We describe various loss functions, including some that incorporate linguistic analysis as can be obtained from parse trees, and show that these approaches can improve alignments of the English-French Hansards.
Probabilistic palm rejection using spatiotemporal touch features and iterative classification

Tablet computers are often called upon to emulate classical pen-and-paper input. However, touchscreens typically lack the means to distinguish between legitimate stylus and finger touches and touches with the palm or other parts of the hand. This forces users to rest their palms elsewhere or hover above the screen, resulting in ergonomic and usability problems. We present a probabilistic touch filtering approach that uses the temporal evolution of touch contacts to reject palms. Our system improves upon previous approaches, reducing accidental palm inputs to 0.016 per pen stroke, while correctly passing 98% of stylus inputs.
Temperament Differences Among Children with Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Temperament-based learning style preferences of 80 children, ages 8 to 17, 40 with conduct disorder (CD) and 40 with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were examined using the Student Styles Questionnaire (SSQ). The SSQ measures four dimensions of learning style preferences based on temperament theory (Extroverted-Introverted, Thinking-Feeling, Practical-Imaginative, and Organized-Flexible). Their T-scores were compared for strength of preference between the two disorders. In addition, analysis for frequency of preference among children with CD and ODD was compared to the frequency of preference typically found in the general population. When comparing the strength of temperament preferences of children with CD and ODD significant differences were noted only for Practical-Imaginative styles. Children with ODD displayed a stronger preference for acquiring and assessing new information in Practical styles than did children with CD. Students with CD or ODD did not differ significantly for strength of preference on Extroverted-Introverted, Thinking-Feeling, and Organized-Flexible styles. When comparing the frequency of temperament preferences of children with CD and ODD to preference rates found in the general population, significant differences were noted only for children with ODD. They more often indicated a preference for Practical and Thinking styles.
The cellular transformation of injected colloidal iron complexes into ferritin and hemosiderin in experimental animals; a study with the aid of electron microscopy.

As revealed by electron microscopy and electron diffraction, the physical state of ferric hydroxide micelles contained in iron-dextran, saccharated iron oxide, and hydrous ferric oxide ("ferric hydroxide") differs notably from the state of the ferric hydroxide in ferritin or hemosiderin. By virtue of this difference one can trace the intracellular transformation of colloidal iron, administered parenterally, into ferritin and hemosiderin. One hour after intraperitoneal injection of iron-dextran or saccharated iron oxide into mice, characteristic deposits were present in splenic macrophages, in sinusoidal endothelial cells of spleen and liver, and in vascular endothelial cells of various renal capillaries. Four hours after injection, small numbers of ferritin molecules were identifiable about intracellular aggregates of injected iron compounds; and by the 6th day, ferritin was abundant in close proximity to deposits of injected iron compounds. The latter were frequently situated in cytoplasmic vesicles delimited by single membranes. These vesicles were most frequently found in tissue obtained during the first 6 days after injection; and in certain of the vesicles ferritin molecules surrounded closely packed aggregates of injected material. Much unchanged ferric hydroxide was still present in macrophages and vascular endothelial cells 3 to 4 weeks after injection. While electron microscopy left no doubt about the identity of injected ferric hydroxide on the one hand, and of ferritin or hemosiderin on the other, histochemical tests for iron failed in this respect. Precipitation of ferric hydroxide (hydrous ferric oxide) from stabilized colloidal dispersions of iron-dextran was brought about in vitro by incubation with minced mouse tissue (e.g. liver), but not by incubation with mouse serum or blood. Subcutaneous injections of hydrous gel of ferric oxide into mice initially produced localized extracellular precipitates. Most of the material was still extracellular 16 days after injection, though part of it was phagocytized by macrophages near the site of injection; but apparently none reached the spleen in unaltered form. Five days after injection and thereafter, much ferritin was present in macrophages about the site of injection and in the spleen. The findings show that iron preparations widely used in therapy can be identified within cells, and that their intracellular disposition and fate can be followed at the molecular level. Considered in the light of previous work, they indicate that the characteristic structure of the ferric hydroxide micelles in molecules of ferritin is specific, and develops during the union of apoferritin with ferric hydroxide. Apparently this union does not depend upon specific cell components.
Charter Schools and Students with Disabilities Parent Perceptions of Reasons for Transfer and Satisfaction with Services

Currently, charter school laws exist in 30 states, and more than 1,000 charter schools are now in operation (Center for Education Reform, 1998). The rapid increase in the number of charter schools suggests that this educational reform may have the potential to become a major factor in the education of U.S. children. Charter schools are serving a variety of students, and recent studies at the national level show that a sizable proportion of students being served in charter schools have disabilities. Yet few studies address the provision of special education services and whether the needs of students with disabilities are being met. The Enrollment Options Project at the University of Minnesota has been examining the impact of Minnesota's charter schools on students with disabilities. Parents of students with and without disabilities enrolled in Minnesota's charter schools were surveyed to answer questions about their experiences with charter schools. Results from more than 600 respondents who completed the ...
Dual-Layer Adaptive Error Control for Network-on-Chip Links

In this work, we present a new error control method to improve the energy efficiency and reliability of network-on-chip (NoC) links. The proposed method combines the error control coding (ECC) capabilities of the NoC's datalink and network layers to dynamically adjust the error control strength in variable noise conditions. Network-layer ECC is used in low noise conditions and error control strength is enhanced by adding datalink-layer ECC in high noise regions. To switch between the two ECC modes at runtime without interrupting normal operation, we propose a dual-layer cooperative error control protocol and its hardware-efficient implementation using the concept of product codes. Theoretical analyses of residual error rate and performance show the proposed method outperforms previous single-layer fixed and adaptive error control schemes. Compared to previous solutions, the proposed method reduces residual packet error rate by up to four orders of magnitude, achieves up to 72% energy reduction and improves average latency by up to 64%. The energy and latency reduction benefits are maintained as the routing path length and packet size increase, at the cost of a moderate increase in area overhead.
Measuring Unemployment: Family Considerations

Unemployment statistics are based on aggregates of individuals, not families, yet the family as a unit suffers from unemployment-especially of the major wage earner. This paper explores the ramifications of using the individual rather than the family as the unit of analysis. Two issues in particular are discussed: the tendency to equate employment/unemployment with family economic well-being and the narrow operationalization of the term "unemployed." Policy implications in the form of additional indicators are discussed.