cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation Dependence of Hsp27 Multimeric Size and Molecular Chaperone Function

The molecular chaperone Hsp27 exists as a distribution of large oligomers that are disassembled by phosphorylation at Ser-15, -78, and -82. It is controversial whether the unphosphorylated Hsp27 or the widely used triple Ser-to-Asp phospho-mimic mutant is the more active molecular chaperone in vitro. This question was investigated here by correlating chaperone activity, as measured by the aggregation of reduced insulin or α-lactalbumin, with Hsp27 self-association as monitored by analytical ultracentrifugation. Furthermore, because the phospho-mimic is generally assumed to reproduce the phosphorylated molecule, the size and chaperone activity of phosphorylated Hsp27 were compared with that of the phospho-mimic. Hsp27 was triply phosphorylated by MAPKAP-2 kinase, and phosphorylation was tracked by urea-PAGE. An increasing degree of suppression of insulin or α-lactalbumin aggregation correlated with a decreasing Hsp27 self-association, which was the least for phosphorylated Hsp27 followed by the mimic followed by the unphosphorylated protein. It was also found that Hsp27 added to pre-aggregated insulin did not reverse aggregation but did inhibit these aggregates from assembling into even larger aggregates. This chaperone activity appears to be independent of Hsp27 phosphorylation. In conclusion, the most active chaperone of insulin and α-lactalbumin was the Hsp27 (elongated) dimer, the smallest Hsp27 subunit observed under physiological conditions. Next, the Hsp27 phospho-mimic is only a partial mimic of phosphorylated Hsp27, both in self-association and in chaperone function. Finally, the efficient inhibition of insulin aggregation by Hsp27 dimer led to the proposal of two models for this chaperone activity.
The U.S. versus the Soviet incentive models

Abstract : The report is concerned with models of the use of performance incentives in the Soviet Union and United States. The principal analytical result is an extension of an analysis of the methods whereby Soviet planners make the decision about production targets a variable under control of the producer, who is the only one possessing a knowledge of the uncertain conditions of production. It is shown that this device can be viewed as a classical inventory problem. There is also an examination of the 'U.S. incentive program' referring to multi-incentive contracts in which the profits received by the private producers are related to performance, outcome and cost. The analysis describes how this device can be extended to solve the target output selection problem of the Soviet planning system. (Author)
Optimum impulsive midcourse guidance with control dependent errors

The problem of determining the optimum guidance policy for an interplanetary spacecraft is treated as a stochastic optimal control problem. An algorithm for computing the optimum velocity correction and the optimum execution time (with allowance for correction-dependent errors) is derived in the case of a single midcourse correction. The performance index was chosen to be an upper bound for the probability that the mission fails, and it is defined as a function of the maximum allowable velocity correction and the maximum allowable deviation of the terminal state. Numerical results obtained for a Jupiter fly-by mission indicate that the execution errors have a significant influence on the performance index, but an acceptably small upper bound on the probability of mission failure can be obtained for sufficiently small execution errors.
Male rudimentary ovaries: A case of cellular symbiosis in Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Abstract Males of the cockroach, Blattella germanica, possess ovary-like structures with a few small oocytes as a constant feature. The rudimentary ovaries are located, just as female ovaries, in the 4th and 5th abdominal segments. The embryonic development of these organs is reviewed. Symbiotic microorganisms, which are transmitted only ovarially by the female parent, have been found in well-developed male oocytes. It is postulated that the mesoderm of the 4th–5th abdominal segments induces the genetic male egg cells to form yolk, and that the symbiotes are then attracted to the yolk-cytoplasmic substrate.
Creep behavior of pack cementation aluminide coatings on Grade 91 ferritic–martensitic alloy

Abstract The creep behavior of various pack cementation aluminide coatings on Grade 91 ferritic–martensitic steel was investigated at 650 °C in laboratory air. The coatings were fabricated in two temperature regimes, i.e., 650 or 700 °C (low temperature) and 1050 °C (high temperature), and consisted of a range of Al levels and thicknesses. For comparison, uncoated specimens heat-treated at 1050 °C to simulate the high temperature coating cycle also were included in the creep test. All coated specimens showed a reduction in creep resistance, with 16–51% decrease in rupture life compared to the as-received bare substrate alloy. However, the specimens heat-treated at 1050 °C exhibited the lowest creep resistance among all tested samples, with a surprisingly short rupture time of
ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis in the very elderly.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (GN) is the most common finding in very elderly patients biopsied for acute kidney injury. Appropriate treatment strategies in this age group are currently undefined since it is unclear whether the benefits of immunosuppression exceed the risks. We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 78 cases of biopsy-proven pauci-immune GN in individuals aged >80 years of whom 72% were p-ANCA and 20% were c-ANCA positive. The patients treated with immunosuppression had a significantly lower incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) 1 year after biopsy (36%) compared with untreated patients (73%; P =0.03). Only peak serum creatinine before biopsy and the use of immunosuppression influenced progression to ESRD. There was no significant difference in the 1-year mortality rates between these groups (46 vs 64%; P =0.3). However, when follow-up was extended beyond 2 years, immunosuppression was associated with a lower risk of death (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11–0.97) and death or ESRD (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06–0.42) in multivariable models.
How molecular motors work

What is the molecular basis of cell movement and changes in cell shape? The integration of three approaches is revealing how the molecular motors that drive these processes move and produce force.
Oriental Despotism: The Case of Qajar Iran

As R. H. Tawney once remarked, ‘the past reveals to the presenr what the present is capable of seeing’. Present political scientists who are interested in comparing past power structures have been the first observers to reveral methodically the fundaqmental differences between feudalism and oriental despotism. They have shown how the feudal monarchies of Europe, in their ideal form, were restricted by hereditary and independent aristocrats, by institutions representing the estates of the real, and with civil societies with corporate rights, immunities, and inalienable privileges. And they have shown how despots in the East, in their ideal form, ruled through patrimonial bureaucracies, did not contend with estate institutions, could withdraw concessions granted previously, and were unhampered by independent intermediaries between themselves and their subjects.
Ten year experience with induction therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): is clinical re-staging predictive of pathological staging?

Objective: To verify if in our experience with ‘induction therapy’ in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the clinical re-staging is really predictive of pathological staging. Materials and methods: From January 1990 to February 2000, 136 patients with locally advanced NSCLC underwent a protocol of induction therapy according to three different treatment plans: Carboplatin 1 radiotherapy ‐ study A; Cisplatin 1 5-Fluorouracil 1 radiotherapy ‐ study B; Gemcitabine 1 radiotherapy ‐ study C. Results: Clinical re-staging showed in the patients enrolled in study A a clinical Complete Response rate (cCR) of 2.3%; a clinical Partial Response rate (cPR) of 50%; a clinical Stable Disease (cSD) rate of 44.3%; a clinical Disease Progression (cDP) rate of 3.4%. In study B, cCR was 0%; cPR: 71.4%; cSD 10.7%; cDP: 17.9%. In study C, cCR was 0%; cPR: 23.5%; cSD: 11.8%; cDP: 64.7%. After clinical re-staging, 76 patients (47 group A; 23 group B; 6 group C) were judged to be resectable and underwent a surgical operation. Pathological staging showed no tumour in eight patients (10.5%; 8/76) (three in study A, four in study B, one in study C) and microscopic neoplastic remnants in seven (9.2%; 7/76). Thirty-nine patients were pN0. Overall downstaging rate in the operated patients was 51%. No precise correlation was found among clinical re-staging and pathological staging. We had two cCRs and eight pCRs, and all of these pCRs had been re-staged as cPR except in one case (cSD). In seven cases, where only microscopic remnants have been found, six had been clinically restaged as cPR and one as cSD. Conclusions: Our experience confirmed how often the clinical re-staging data are unreal. Accordingly surgery should be indicated in any case where an induction therapy has been administered, if it is reasonably possible. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Technological change in Capitalism: some Marxian themes

Most social theorists agree with Adam Smith's assertion that 'consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production', with technology serving as a means to that end. Marx acknowledged the great benefits that capitalism's unprecedented technological dynamism has brought to humanity. For Marx, however, the 'end and purpose' of capitalist production is the accumulation of surplus value. From this perspective technology in capitalism is, first and foremost, a means to capital's end, valorisation, with technological change furthering human ends in a profoundly partial and precarious manner. This paper reconstructs Marx's argument in favour of this general thesis. It concludes with a discussion of three illustrations. When technological development is subsumed under the valorisation imperative, technological change in the workplace will tend to reinforce coercive and exploitative social relations. Full development of the immense potential of network technologies will be systematically hampered, and technological change will tend to generate overaccumulation and financial crises.
On-Line Estimation of the Optimal Value Function: HJB- Estimators

In this paper, we discuss on-line estimation strategies that model the optimal value function of a typical optimal control problem. We present a general strategy that uses local corridor solutions obtained via dynamic programming to provide local optimal control sequence training data for a neural architecture model of the optimal value function.
Effect of Dietary 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol Level on Broiler Performance

Studies were conducted to evaluate the level of dietary 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] required to decrease the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in male broilers at 3 and 5 wk of age. The birds were reared in floor pens with wood shavings and fed a corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 3, 6, or 9 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3. The diet contained, by averaged analyses, 0.73% calcium, 0.74% total phosphorus, and 0.22% phytate phosphorus. There was no treatment effect on body weight or gain: feed at either age. The incidence and severity of TD and the percentage of severe lesions were decreased and bone ash was increased by 6 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 3 wk of age. At 5 wk of age, the incidences of TD and severe lesions were decreased when 6 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3 was fed. Bone ash was increased by this level in one of the two experiments. Plasma calcium was increased at 5 wk when 9 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3 was fed, but there was no treatment effect on plasma dialyzable phosphorus or 1,25-(OH)2D3. The results indicate that 6 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3 is effective for decreasing TD under practical rearing conditions.
Dim-Red-Light-Induced Increase in Polar Auxin Transport in Cucumber Seedlings: I. Development of Altered Capacity, Velocity, and Response to Inhibitors

We have developed and characterized a system to analyze light effects on auxin transport independent of photosynthetic effects. Polar transport of [3H]indole-3-acetic acid through hypocotyl segments from etiolated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings was increased in seedlings grown in dim-red light (DRL) (0.5 μmol m−2 s−1) relative to seedlings grown in darkness. Both transport velocity and transport intensity (export rate) were increased by at least a factor of 2. Tissue formed in DRL completely acquired the higher transport capacity within 50 h, but tissue already differentiated in darkness acquired only a partial increase in transport capacity within 50 h of DRL, indicating a developmental window for light induction of commitment to changes in auxin transport. This light-induced change probably manifests itself by alteration of function of the auxin efflux carrier, as revealed using specific transport inhibitors. Relative to dark controls, DRL-grown seedlings were differentially less sensitive to two inhibitors of polar auxin transport, N-(naphth-1-yl) phthalamic acid and 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid. On the basis of these data, we propose that the auxin efflux carrier is a key target of light regulation during photomorphogenesis.
Differential Outcomes of Expanded-Criteria Donor Renal Allografts According to Recipient Age

Summary Background and objectives Expanded-criteria donor (ECD) kidneys are used to expand the number of deceased-donor kidney transplants, often for elderly recipients. This study sought to determine whether older recipients had significantly worse outcomes from receiving ECD kidneys and whether outcomes of ECD versus standard-criteria donor (SCD) kidneys differed in younger recipients. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This is a single-center, retrospective review of all primary deceased-donor kidney transplantations performed between 2000 and 2005. Group 1 consisted of patients ≥60 years of age (n=189) who received an ECD (n=96) or an SCD (n=93) kidney. Group 2 consisted of patients 40–59 years of age (n=370) who received an ECD (n=105) or an SCD (n=265) kidney. Results Older recipients (group 1) who received ECD kidneys demonstrated significantly shortened 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival rates compared with older recipients of SCD allografts. Group 1 ECD recipients also had significantly worse outcomes than younger (group 2) ECD recipients. In multivariate analysis, ECD kidneys remained an independent predictor of poorer outcome in group 1. Conclusions Morbidity and mortality were increased in elderly recipients of ECD kidneys. These findings may have implications in kidney allocation policy developments that encourage placement of ECD kidneys for older recipients.
Performance of a Robust Filter-based Approach for Contour Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

A robust filter-based approach is proposed for wireless sensor networks for detecting contours of a signal distribution over a 2-dimensional region. The motivation for contour detection is derived from applications where the spatial distribution of a signal (such as temperature, soil moisture level, etc.) is to be determined over a large region with minimum communication cost. The proposed scheme applies multi-level quantization to the sensor signal values to artificially create an edge and then applies spatial filtering for edge detection. The spatial filter is localized and is based on an adaptation of the Prewitt filter used in image processing. Appropriate mechanisms are introduced that minimizes the cost for communication required for collaboration. Simulation results are presented to show the error performance of the proposed contour detection scheme and the associated communication cost (single-hop communications with immediate neighborhood in average) in the network.
Personalized peptide-based vaccine design for prostate cancer immunotherapy

Background: The recent approval by the FDA of the autologous, cell-based vaccine Provenge was hailed as a major advance for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) and reinvigorated interest in the field of PCa immunotherapy. Peptide-based vaccines represent a viable, cost-effective formulation in the field of cancer vaccine development. This approach has been used successfully to treat melanoma where vaccination with gp100-derived peptide in combination with IL-2 gave a 6.7 month improvement in overall survival compared to IL-2 alone. Objectives: Our goal was to identify immunogenic epitopes from gene rearrangement products and tumor coding mutations to generate vaccines for prostate cancer immunotherapy. Methods: We used a 3-step, in silico/in vitro/in vivo approach to identify HLA-A2.1-restricted, immunogenic epitopes derived from the highly prostate tumor-specific antigen ERG, a component of the TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion that occurs in about 50% of PCa cases. We designed longer epitopes that exhibit helper function through activation of CD4 T lymphocytes. We screened RNAseq data from prostate tumors to identify potential immunogenic epitopes that rise from coding mutations. Predicted epitopes are tested in humanized mice for immunogenicity. Anti-tumor effect of epitope-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes is tested against human prostate tumor cell lines. Results: We have identified several epitopes from ERG that induced a strong immune response in humanized HLA-A2.1+ mice and overcame peripheral tolerance in prostate specific ERG-expressing TRAMP-HLA-A2.1-ERG+ mice. Additionally, we have designed long peptides that target both MHC-I and MHC-II molecules and overcome the need for helper peptides. These immunogenic epitopes are naturally processed and presented by tumor cells to mediate cytotoxicity. Finally, we used RNAseq to identify a high number of tumor-specific, panHLA-customized, coding mutations, including those from KRas oncogene, that exhibit immunogenicity in vivo. Conclusion: Our findings provide proof of concept for peptide-based vaccines that are tailored to the tumor's molecular profile, and lay the ground for future development of personalized vaccines for clinical use.
Modification of stool content by increased bran intake

Six healthy subjects, four males and two females, were studied for 8 weeks with daily dietary history, 72-hr weekly stool collections, and analysis ofstooh specimens for fecal weight, water, pH, and total aerobic and anaerobic qualitative and quantitative bacteria. Subjects were studied first for a 3-week control period, followed by 3 weeks of5.4 g ofcrude fiber supplementation daily (Kellogg's "All Bran"), and then by a 2-week control period. Analysis of diets revealed that the mean intake of crude fiber rose to at least 10 g/day, and stool volume increased significantly during the high-fiber intake. The stools remained at the same pH, and the same percentages of water and solids were present during control and high-fiber-intake periods. Bacteriological analysis revealed no significant differences in qualitative or quantitative counts; however, the ratio of anaerobic to aerobic organisms appeared to increase. Am. J. Clin. Nuir. 31: 5185-5189, 1978.
Automatic invariant generation for hybrid systems using ideal fixed points

We present computational techniques for automatically generating algebraic (polynomial equality) invariants for algebraic hybrid systems. Such systems involve ordinary differential equations with multivariate polynomial right-hand sides. Our approach casts the problem of generating invariants for differential equations as the greatest fixed point of a monotone operator over the lattice of ideals in a polynomial ring. We provide an algorithm to compute this monotone operator using basic ideas from commutative algebraic geometry. However, the resulting iteration sequence does not always converge to a fixed point, since the lattice of ideals over a polynomial ring does not satisfy the descending chain condition.We then present a bounded-degree relaxation based on the concept of "pseudo ideals", due to Colon, that restricts ideal membership using multipliers with bounded degrees. We show that the monotone operator on bounded degree pseudo ideals is convergent and generates fixed points that can be used to generate useful algebraic invariants for non-linear systems. The technique for continuous systems is then extended to consider hybrid systems with multiple modes and discrete transitions between modes.We have implemented the exact, non-convergent iteration over ideals in combination with the bounded degree iteration over pseudo ideals to guarantee convergence. This has been applied to automatically infer useful and interesting polynomial invariants for some benchmark non-linear systems.
Self-concept change and self-presentation : the looking glass self is also a magnifying glass

Studies 1 and 2 showed that identical behaviors had greater impact on the self-concept when performed publicly rather than privately. That is, the self-concept is more likely to change by internalizing public behavior than by internalizing behavior that is identical but lacks the interpersonal context. The self-concept change extends even to behavioral changes and occurs even when participants are unaware of being observed. In addition, those who are high in self-monitoring are more likely to internalize their behavior than those who are low in self-monitoring. Study 3 provided evidence about what components of a public situation affect the internalization of behavior. Choice about making the self-portrayal, drawing on episodes from one's own past rather than relying on a yoked script, and expecting future interaction with the audience all increased the internalization of a public behavior.
Oral Fat Exposure Increases the First Phase Triacylglycerol Concentration Due to Release of Stored Lipid in Humans

Oral exposure to dietary fat (through modified sham feeding, which entails mastication and expec- toration of foods) augments the postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration, in part, though augmented lipid absorption. This study was designed to characterize early events in this process. At 2200 h, 25 healthy adults (13 men, 12 women) consumed 80 g of almonds (high oleic acid content) and fasted until 0700 h. After placement of a catheter in a hand vein and 4 blood draws at 10-min intervals, 50 1-g safflower oil (high linoleic acid content) capsules were consumed. After another blood draw, modified sham feeding was initiated with a cracker only or cracker with cream cheese in random order with 1 wk between trials. Oral exposures occurred at 5-min intervals for 60 min then at 15-min intervals from min 60 to 120. Additional blood draws occurred at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360 and 480 min. Oral stimulation, especially by fat, prompted the rapid (mean 23 min) release of lipid stored from the previous meal (almonds) in all participants. This resulted in multimodal postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) peaks generally occurring at 0 -30 min, 60 -120 min and 240 - 480 min after loading and initiation of oral stimulation. TAG magnitudes during these times were correlated (r 0.40 - 0.89, P 0.001-P 0.053). It is proposed that the sensory-enhanced release of lipid from the residual pool initiates an early TAG rise, which augments the peak attributable to absorption of meal lipid; this in turn supplements a later peak associated with release of endogenously synthesized TAG because lipid from all three sources competed for a common clearance mechanism. If substantiated, additional understanding of the behavioral factors (e.g., eating patterns) that initiate this cascade will be warranted. J. Nutr. 132: 3656 -3662, 2002.
Use of a Generalized Stokes Number to Determine the Aerodynamic Capture Efficiency of Non-Stokesian Particles from a Compressible Gas Flow

The aerodynamic capture efficiency of small but nondiffusing particles suspended in a high-speed stream flowing past a target is known to be influenced by parameters governing small particle inertia, departures from the Stokes drag law, and carrier fluid compressibility. By defining an effective Stokes number in terms of the actual (prevailing) particle stopping distance, local fluid viscosity, and inviscid fluid velocity gradient at the target nose, it is shown that these effects are well correlated in terms of a 'standard' (cylindrical collector, Stokes drag, incompressible flow, sq rt Re much greater than 1) capture efficiency curve. Thus, a correlation follows that simplifies aerosol capture calculations in the parameter range already included in previous numerical solutions, allows rational engineering predictions of deposition in situations not previously specifically calculated, and should facilitate the presentation of performance data for gas cleaning equipment and aerosol instruments.
Fixed point sets of smooth group actions on disks and Euclidean spaces

Une variete lisse compacte F (resp. une variete lisse F sans bord) est l'ensemble de points fixes d'une action lisse de G sur un disque (resp. un espace euclidien) si et seulemeent si: 1) G est un tore: F est Z-acyclique; 2) G est un 2-groupe ou son extension par un tore: F est Z 2 - acyclique; 3) G est un p-groupe ou son extension par un tore pour un p premier impair: F est Zp-acyclique et complexe de facon stable
The role of the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer progression

We performed comprehensive molecular analysis of each cell type composing normal breast tissue and in situ and invasive breast carcinomas. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using serial analysis of gene expression, genetic changes were analyzed by single nucleotide polymorphism arrays, while epigenetic changes were analyzed using methylation-specific digital karyotyping. Based on these data we determined that gene expression and epigenetic changes occur in all cell types during breast cancer progression, while genetic alterations were only detected in tumor epithelial cells. Many of the differentially expressed genes encode for secreted proteins and receptors suggesting alterations in autocrine and paracrine interactions in breast tumorigenesis. Two of these genes, the CXCL14 and CXCL12 chemokines, overexpressed in tumor myoepithelial cells and in myofibroblasts, respectively, bind to receptors on epithelial cells and enhance their proliferation, migration, and invasion. Chemokines may thus play a role in breast tumorigenesis by acting as paracrine factors. The role of these chemokines, and myoepithelial and stromal cells in the progression of in situ carcinomas to invasive carcinomas was investigated using a xenograft model of human ductal carcinoma in situ. Based on our studies we determined that changes in the tumor microenvironment and epithelial–myoepithelial and epithelial–stromal cell interactions play an important role in breast tumor progression.
Papillary Glioneuronal Tumor

The recognition of papillary glioneuronal tumor as a distinct entity was clearly and well established with the detailed description of this tumor in the case series of nine such tumors by Komori et al. (Am J Surg Pathol 22: 1171–1183, 1998). Presently, the literature abounds with several dozen reports of this tumor, which in a nutshell, characterize it as a biphasic tumor of mixed glial and neuronal differentiation. These cerebral neoplasms are supratentorial, and relatively circumscribed solid lesions with a cystic component. Mag-netic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) reveal contrast-enhancing masses with negligible mass effect. The histopathology exhibits gliovascular pseudopapillae composed of single or multi-layered astrocytic cells enclosing often hyalinized blood vessels lying in a bed of aggregates of neurocytes, neurons, and ganglioid cells. Because of the overwhelming evidence from the various reported cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) which initially placed this tumor as a variant of ganglioglioma, eventually recognized it as a neoplasm worthy of placement in a separate category in a recent publication. These rare and low-grade tumors behave in a fashion characteristic of WHO grade I tumors. This review is an overview of the clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropathologic features of the neoplasm, and addresses the evidence supporting its classification as a distinct entity.
A Technique to Measure Trends in the Frequency of Discrete Random Events

Time series of extreme meteorological and hydrological events frequently present problems with the use of traditional parametric statistical techniques. These difficulties arise from the frequent use of count data, the presence of zero values, data with nonnormal distributions, and/or truncated data. This paper presents a parametric method to evaluate temporal trends in extreme events that overcomes these problems. The technique includes the testing of the arrival structure of extreme event data for the Poisson distribution, then prepares and tests time series of interarrival times for trend analysis through linear regression. Nor’easters along the east coast of the United States and heavy rainfall events at Covington, Louisiana, are examined.
Implications of Repealing the Cuban Embargo for US Medicine and Public Health

The author reflects on the potential impacts that the American government's repeal of a Cuban embargo might have on U.S. medicine and public health as of 2015, and it mentions the medical research that various Cuban researchers have been carrying out regarding vaccines and preventive medicines. It states that Cuba's Finlay Institute has developed inexpensive hepatitis B virus vaccines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Cuban-American diplomatic relations are assessed.
Transmission Networks and Market Power

Combined cycle technologies and other electric power generation technologies have reduced the economies of and the critical size of a single generation unit, enabling the multiplication of generators and reducing their individual market power. This phenomenon is expected to facilitate the emergence of a competitive generation market and is one of the major arguments in favor of deregulating the electric power industry. Without transmission constraints and losses, the market for generation would have a unique equilibrium price and the features of a classical perfect or oligopolistic market, and a reduction in the critical size of a generator should definitely improve the competitiveness of the market. Nevertheless, because of loop flows, transmission constraints, and other network externalities, the electric power market is unique and must be studied carefully.
Management of Radiation Adverse Effects

As outlined in other sections of this textbook, radiation therapy is very effective for treatment of prostate cancer. As with all forms of therapy, complications can occur. In this chapter, we discuss the adverse effects of radiation therapy. We address how these complications can be avoided when possible and treated when they occur. We will focus on three major themes: (1) acute complications of radiation therapy, (2) late complications of radiation therapy, and (3) management of secondary malignancies after therapy. Since the field of radiation therapy is evolving rapidly with new delivery modalities and fractionation schemes, we attempt to provide readers with insight from current literature. However, for the rare but severe long-term side effects of therapy, historical data on management is provided.
Bayesian case-deletion model complexity and information criterion

We establish a connection between Bayesian case influence measures for assessing the influence of individual observations and Bayesian predictive methods for evaluating the predictive performance of a model and comparing different models fitted to the same dataset. Based on such a connection, we formally propose a new set of Bayesian case-deletion model complexity (BCMC) measures for quantifying the effective number of parameters in a given statistical model. Its properties in linear models are explored. Adding some functions of BCMC to a conditional deviance function leads to a Bayesian case-deletion information criterion (BCIC) for comparing models. We systematically investigate some properties of BCIC and its connection with other information criteria, such as the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC). We illustrate the proposed methodology on linear mixed models with simulations and a real data example.
Saturation of an α,β-unsaturated ketone: A novel xenobiotic biotransformation in mammals

1. Reduction of an α,β-unsaturated ketone to the corresponding saturated ketone in a 2-benzylidene-3-ketocoumaran derivative has been investigated.2. Reductase activity resides in the cytosolic fraction of liver, lung and kidney. Rat and human blood also contain significant reductase activity.3. Hepatic reductase activity was high in guinea-pigs followed by hamsters, rabbits, rats and mice. The substrate had an apparent Km and Vmax of 5·6 μM and 1·3 nmol/min per mg protein, respectively. The reduction was dependent upon NADPH having an apparent Km of 14·8 μM and a Vmax of 1·0 nmol/min per mg protein.4. Only the A side hydrogen of NADPH was incorporated into the reduced product.5. The reaction was inhibited by cyanide, and sulphydryl reagents. Phenobarbital did not induce the activity in rats.
GE-24CHARACTERIZING INTRATUMOR HETEROGENEITY AND TUMOR EXTENSION IN PEDIATRIC DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an understudied pediatric brain cancer. The validity of at-diagnosis tumor biopsy is currently under debate with no published studies investigating tumor heterogeneity within the same patient. METHODS: Two whole brains obtained at postmortem from patients with DIPG were studied. Frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens were stained for H&E, GFAP and Ki67. Histologic analysis revealed a high-grade infiltrating astrocytoma with variable cellularity and mitotic activity. Core punches representing different tumor anatomical locations, as well as tumor grades were obtained, and used for DNA and RNA extractions. DNA was analyzed for methylation (Illumina 450), and mRNA for NanoString expression profiling. To investigate molecular disparities within each grade, specimens were reanalyzed based on geographic location and pathology. Each tumor grade was then designated as classic or non-classic (not fitting all criteria for a specific grade). RESULTS: We show that mRNA profiles (unsupervised clustering) correspond to tumor grade across the brainstem (n = 12 per case). The expression pattern of twelve genes is sufficient for accurate molecular grading (WHO II, III, IV) of tissue specimens when compared with neuropathological assessment. We show detectable differential mRNA expression patterns within each grade, helping to discriminate between classic and non-classic specimens. Methylation analysis (n = 24, 12/case) verified the heterogeneous nature of mRNA expression data (within tumor grades), where WHO grade III non-classic specimens clustered with WHO grade II classic specimens. The largest molecular changes were observed in tumors from distinct geographic locations (brainstem versus lateral ventricles). CONCLUSIONS: Significant intratumor heterogeneity may affect the accuracy of targeted diagnosis in small biopsy specimens. A better understanding of these differences will help in improving therapy and devising accurate molecular-based tumor grading.
A Mixture Model for Middle Category Inflation in Ordered Survey Responses

Recent research finds that, for social desirability reasons, uninformed individuals disproportionately give “neither agree nor disagree” type responses to survey attitude questions, even when a “do not know” option is available. Such “face-saving” responses inflate the indifference (i.e., middle) categories of ordered attitude variables with nonordered responses. When such inflation occurs within the middle category of one's ordered dependent variable, estimates from ordered probit (and ordered logit) models are likely to be unreliable and inefficient. This article develops a set of mixture models that estimate and account for the presence of “face-saving” responses in middle categories of ordered survey response variables, and applies these models to (1) simulated data and (2) a commonly studied survey question measuring attitudes toward European Union (EU) membership among individuals in EU-candidate countries. Results from the survey data set and the Monte Carlo experiments suggest that, when middle category inflation is present in one's ordered dependent variable, the estimates obtained from middle category mixture models are less biased than—and in some cases substantively distinct from—the estimates obtained from “naive” ordered probit models.
Analysis of monitoring results on food additives in some foods in Guangzhou during 2006-2008

Objective:To understand the situation of food additives of foods in Guangzhou.Methods: Food samples were collected from the spots such as food market,supermarket,catering industry,wholesale and retailoutlet of 12 districts in Guangzhou during 2006-2008.and food contaminants including some food additives were detected.Results: The content of benzoic acid in the pickled vegetables and preserved fruits samples exceeded the national standards by 11.4% and 6.3% respectively.The content of sorbic acid in the preserved fruits and cooked meat products samples were higher than the national standards allowable amount by 6.3% and 0.3%.The content of residual sulfur dioxide in the preserved fruits samples were 5.5% above.The content of nitrites in the cooked meat products samples exceeded the permit volume by 0.3%.The content of saccharin in the preserved fruits and pickled vegetables samples exceeded by 17.2% and 5.7%.The content of sodium cyclamate in the preserved fruits and drinks samples were higher by 49.6%and 20.0% respectively.The excessive content of acesulfame K,poncea,tartrazine and sunset yellow in the preserved fruits samples were 1.8%,3.2%,2.5% and 1.6%.Conclusion: Close attention should be paid to the problem of food additives in some foods in Guangzhou.
Benign pleural lesions and malignant mesothelioma

In a series of eighteen diffuse malignant mesotheliomas, five cases were encountered in which thoracic surgery with benign nontumorous diagnosis preceded the development of a malignant mesothelioma by several years. The morphological findings in three of these five cases are compared with the morphology of the tumor specimens and an attempt is made to recognize the earliest possible malignant features. Crowding of mesothelial cells, their variability in size and nuclear hyperchromatism are pointed out as warning signs. In relation to these findings, the histogenetic significance of predominantly fibroproliferative versus epithelial-like pleural lesions is discussed. A histogenetic classification, based on the studies of eighteen diffuse malignant mesotheliomas, two benign fibrous mesotheliomas, one pleural fibrosarcoma, and numerous pleural plaques as well as reactive mesothelial lesions, is offered. The therapeutic aspects are mentioned.
Idiopathic Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis

Approximately 70% of patients who form metabolic stones have the idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis syndrome, which is diagnosed by exclusion of other identifiable metabolic abnormalities. This article reviews the classification, risk factors, and treatment options for those patients with this syndrome.
Metabolic Genetic DisordersWith Prominent Skin Findings

Specific skin lesions associated with internal disorders result from metabolic defects. Excesses in specific aromatic amino acids owing to autosomal-recessive diseases cause distinctive skin lesions. Excess phenylalanine is associated with decreased hair and skin pigment, tyrosine excess with skin blisters and hyperker-atosis of the palms and soles, and homogentisic acid excess with deposition of colored polymers in the skin and cartilage. Excessive iron stimulates melanin synthesis in hemochromatosis. Storage of complete carbohydrates is responsible for vascular lesions in Fabry disease and fucosidosis. Genetic defects of por-phyrin synthesis causes increased sensitivity to visible light leading to blisters. A defect in a urea cycle enzyme causes fragile hair in argininosuccinic aciduria.
Mass transport processes in orange-fleshed sweet potatoes leading to structural changes during in vitro gastric digestion

During cooking, food undergoes structural modifications, which may impact its behavior during digestion. The objective of this study was to determine the macro- and micro-structural changes, moisture uptake, and acid uptake into sweet potatoes during simulated gastric digestion as influenced by cooking method. Sweet potatoes were cut and cooked (boiled, steamed, microwave steamed or fried), followed by in vitro gastric digestion (up to 240 min). Acidity, moisture content, and hardness were measured during the digestion period. Light microscopy was completed on cooked and digested samples to observe microstructural changes. Effective diffusivity of acid and moisture was modeled following Fick's second law in MATLAB. Acid and moisture uptake were significantly influenced by cooking method and digestion time (p < 0.0001). Hardness was significantly influenced by cooking method, digestion time, and their interaction (p < 0.0001). Microstructural changes were observed both as a result of cooking and after in vitro gastric digestion.
Murine Flexor Tendon Injury and Repair Surgery

Tendon connects skeletal muscle and bone, facilitating movement of nearly the entire body. In the hand, flexor tendons (FTs) enable flexion of the fingers and general hand function. Injuries to the FTs are common, and satisfactory healing is often impaired due to excess scar tissue and adhesions between the tendon and surrounding tissue. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular components of FT repair. To that end, a murine model of FT repair that recapitulates many aspects of healing in humans, including impaired range of motion and decreased mechanical properties, has been developed and previously described. Here an in-depth demonstration of this surgical procedure is provided, involving transection and subsequent repair of the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon in the murine hind paw. This technique can be used to conduct lineage analysis of different cell types, assess the effects of gene gain or loss-of-function, and to test the efficacy of pharmacological interventions in the healing process. However, there are two primary limitations to this model: i) the FDL tendon in the mid-portion of the murine hind paw, where the transection and repair occur, is not surrounded by a synovial sheath. Therefore this model does not account for the potential contribution of the sheath to the scar formation process. ii) To protect the integrity of the repair site, the FT is released at the myotendinous junction, decreasing the mechanical forces of the tendon, likely contributing to increased scar formation. Isolation of sufficient cells from the granulation tissue of the FT during the healing process for flow cytometric analysis has proved challenging; cytology centrifugation to concentrate these cells is an alternate method used, and allows for generation of cell preparations on which immunofluorescent labeling can be performed. With this method, quantification of cells or proteins of interest during FT healing becomes possible.
Molecular Order and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Plastics

The main difference between polymer materials and low-molecular solids originates in the enormous difference of molecular size and shape in both cases. The linear structure of macromolecules introduces an unusually high degree of anisotropy in mechanical forces. In the amorphous plastics the long chainlike molecules are randomly coiled. Below the glass-transition temperature the chain mobility is so small that the polymer solid is quite rigid and behaves like glass. Above this temperature it exhibits rubberlike elasticity. The elastic forces are a consequence of entropy increase on stretching. Crystals act as permanent cross-links. The larger the ratio of crystals in a polymer plastic, the higher the mechanical strength, but also the greater the brittleness. Therefore a proper equilibrium between crystalline and amorphous areas is needed for obtaining useful properties of material under consideration. In addition, in many cases, particularly in fibers, a high alignment of crystals and of molecular chains in amorphous areas is desirable. This can be achieved by irreversible mechanical deformation (cold-drawing).
The Effect of Incarceration on Residential Mobility between Poor and Nonpoor Neighborhoods

This study examines the impact of incarceration on residential mobility between poor and nonpoor neighborhoods. Formerly incarcerated individuals move at high rates, but little is known about if or...
Penile gangrene in a HIV patient

Abstract Introduction The good vascularization of penis protects this organ from necrosis. Critical reduction of blood supply and aggressive infection of the genitalia are some of the rare conditions which can lead to penile necrosis. HIV infection can provide the two conditions and lead to a rapidly extensive penile gangrene. Observation A 47-year-old man developed a rapidly extensive penile necrosis despite local and systemic care. He was HIV positive and was not adherent with medical follow-up. Classical risk factors of blood vessels damages such are diabetes, hepatitis or cigarette smoking were absent. Total penectomy was performed. We describe the possibilities of HIV infection-induced penile gangrene. Conclusion HIV infection should be taken in account among causes of penile necrosis.
The Future of Neuropsychology in Medical Specialties

Although neuropsychology continues to grow as a valued service in most medical specialties, because of its multiple uses with diverse populations, it is necessary to evaluate the specialty critically in order to ensure continued future success. This article reviews areas in which neuropsychology is most firmly established, potential growth areas, and likely obstacles to success in the future. Suggestions are provided for ways in which neuropsychology can be improved/adapted in clinical, business, research, and training areas.
mTOR drives cerebral blood flow and memory deficits in LDLR-/- mice modeling atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive impairment.

We recently showed that mTOR attenuation blocks progression and abrogates established cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse models. These outcomes were associated with the restoratio...
The Aetna-NDA Partnership for Achieving Racial and Ethnic Health Equity.

The author discusses the Racial and Ethnic Health Care Equity Project, a partnership between Aetna insurance company and the National Dental Association (NDA) to educate non-dental health professionals about the importance of oral health and to create opportunities for medical and dental clinicians to interact with one another in an effort to address oral health disparities in the U.S.
Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system is one of the most important systems in maintaining homeostasis of the human body. It is one of the two parts of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system consists of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic nervous system. The ANS controls automatic functions and responses such as heart rate and blood pressure. Understanding ANS physiology enables anesthesiologists to safely use medications while maintaining homeostasis.
Frequent Hub-Spoke Contact Is Associated with Improved Spoke Hospital Performance: Results from the Massachusetts General Hospital Telestroke Network.

Abstract Background: For acute ischemic stroke patients, shorter time to thrombolytic (tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]) is associated with improved outcomes. Introduction: Telestroke increases t...