cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scintigraphic Assessment of the Oropharyngeal and Nasal Depositions of Fusafungine from a Pressurized Inhaler and from a Novel Pump Spray Device

The distributions of fusafungine (Locabiotal, Servier) radiolabelled with 99mTc, and delivered either orally or intranasally, have been assessed in healthy volunteers from a pressurized metered-dose aerosol inhaler (125 micrograms per dose) and from a novel mechanical pump spray device (500 micrograms per dose). More than 90% of the dose was initially deposited in the oropharynx for oral dosing (n = 8), and more than 90% in the nose for nasal dosing (n = 9), with no significant penetration of aerosol into the lungs. Although not statistically significant, the mean area of deposition, measured in terms of gamma camera picture elements (pixels), was greater with the pump spray for both oral and nasal dosing. The area of deposition with the nasal pump spray extended into the turbinates in six of nine subjects, compared with only three of nine subjects for the pressurized aerosol. The data suggest that the distribution patterns of pump sprays and pressurized aerosols of fusafungine in the oropharynx and in the nasal passages are similar, and that the former can be substituted for the latter with little change in drug delivery.
Handheld Computers as Tools for Writing and Managing Field Data

Pocket-size handheld computers are powerful, versatile, and rugged tools for taking down and managing ethnographic information. They can increase the speed of writing field data, allowing an ethnographer to take more detailed notes and retain information that might otherwise be lost. They also facilitate new, specifically electronic styles of data collection and management. As nonlinear inscription technologies, they can search, cross-reference, and crunch large data sets quickly in the field. Furthermore, they allow cultural data to be conceptualized and represented in many different configurations. This article specifically reviews the Sharp Wizard, Palm Pilot, Handspring Visor, and Psion.
RELATION BETWEEN RATERS' CHARACTERISTICS AND HALO ERROR

The present study examined the effect of personality characteristics and cognitive style of raters on halo error. To control the information available to raters, a vignette concerning two fictitious individuals was presented. The two individuals were rated on 10 traits by 60 undergraduate raters. These raters also completed a Group Embedded Figures Test and a Thurstone Temperament Schedule. Raters characterized as dominant, vigorous, and stable were less susceptible to halo error than others. These results appear compatible with previous research on the characteristics of accurate raters. The hypothesis that field-independent raters would be less susceptible to halo error than field-dependent raters was not fully supported by the data. Suggestions for the direction of future research are given.
Gabapentin potentiates the conductance increase induced by nipecotic acid in CA1 pyramidal neurons in vitro.

Abstract The anticonvulsant gabapentin (1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane acetic acid) has been found to be effective for treatment of partial seizures, but the mechanism of action is unknown. Recent evidence from the rat optic nerve suggests that gabapentin may enhance promoted release of GABA, which is thought to be due to reverse operation of the GABA transporter. We have used whole-cell patch clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices to directly measure currents induced by nipecotic acid (NPA) during exposure to gabapentin. Under control conditions, pressure microejection of NPA increased whole-cell conductance with a reversal potential equal to the chloride equilibrium potential. This response was mimicked by GABA application, and blocked by bicuculline. The response to NPA was also present after blockade of synaptic transmission in the presence of calcium-free solution. These results are consistent with NPA promoting nonvesicular release of GABA from neighboring neurons or glia via reverse operation of the GABA uptake system, which then activated GABA A receptors on the recorded neurons. In control solution, the response to NPA slowly decreased over 45 min to approximately 50% of the initial response, consistent with GABAA receptor ‘rundown'. However, in the presence of gabapentin there was a ;slow increase in the response, reaching approximately 170% of the control level after 45 min of gabapentin exposure. These results demonstrate that gabapentin enhances the promoted release of GABA by more than three-fold. The potentiation of the NPA response may be due to gabapentin increasing cytosolic GABA in neighboring cells via a delayed metabolic effect, and would have the functional effect of increasing neuronal inhibition during periods of hyperexcitability.
Race, concentrated disadvantage, and recidivism: A test of interaction effects

Abstract This study sought to explore if the structural characteristics of a community (specifically what sociologists term concentrated disadvantage) interact with race in predicting recidivism. The literature on recidivism stresses the effects of individual factors. This study considered whether effects of the community in which an ex-prisoner lives should be further explored. Of particular interest was the possibility of interaction between concentrated disadvantage and race. Results showed that race strongly predicts recidivism (Blacks being much more likely to recidivate than Whites). This remained the case in spite of multiple controls accounting for racial differences. Neither concentrated disadvantage nor the interaction between it and race had significant effects on recidivism. The study considered what might account for the lingering racial effect, and why the community does not affect the likelihood of recidivism.
Weather Derivative Risk Measures for Extreme Events

We consider pricing weather derivatives for use as protection against weather extremes by using max-stable processes to estimate risk measures. These derivatives are not currently traded on any open markets, but their use could help some institutions manage weather risks from extreme events. The central challenge is to model the dependence of payments, which increases the risk of holding multiple weather derivatives. The method described utilizes results from spatial statistics and extreme value theory to first model extremes in the weather as a max-stable process, and then simulate payments for a general collection of weather derivatives. As the joint likelihood function for max-stable processes is unavailable, we use two approaches: The first is based on the composite likelihood, and the second is based on approximate Bayesian computing (ABC). Both capture the spatial dependence of payments. To incorporate parameter uncertainty into the pricing model, we use bootstrapping with the composite likelihood a...
Setting equilibrium prices, approximately

We outline recent results, positive and negative, on pricing indivisible goods to approximately maximize social welfare. We describe a relaxation of standard pricing problems in which a seller can bundle goods together prior to sale.
Notes on Agroecosystem Complexity: Chaotic Price and Production Trajectories Deducible from Simple One-Dimensional Maps

ABSTRACT The process of agricultural production is treated as a discrete process and modelled with a nonlinear cobweb recursion relation, which is a composite of production and price setting mechanisms. The various processes that result in ecological exhaustion enter the model as a nonlinearity in the production function. Under these conditions it is predicted that the trajectories of prices and production through time will generate chaotic, and thus unpredictable, patterns.
On the diagnosis of Byzantine faults

The class of evidence-based diagnosis algorithms is developed to identify Byzantine (and any other faulty) processors. Such algorithms are said to be fair if they identify no failure-free processor as faulty. This paper makes two significant contributions: (i) it introduces a very general and simple formal model of the evidence-based diagnosis algorithms; and (ii) it derives a simple fair diagnosis algorithm, which is proved optimal for a large class of algorithms. It is further demonstrated that no fair evidence-based diagnosis algorithm can guarantee the identification of all faulty processors (completeness). Several insights into the behavior of the algorithm are presented. >
Dissipation inequalities for a class of composite nonlinear systems, with application to constrained disturbance attenuation

We study problems of disturbance attenuation (with local internal stability), for a class of nonlinear systems. One of the purposes of this paper is to show how the existence of a positive definite solution for the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs inequality can be related to the existence of a solution of the (simpler) Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs inequality arising in the problem of disturbance attenuation for the plant. This relation will be demonstrated in the next section, where we will prove a result which, to a limited extent, generalizes a major result on the existence of solutions of the Riccati inequalities arising in the study of the H/sub /spl infin// suboptimal control problem for linear systems. Then, we will show how this extension can be used in order to generalize the results to H/sub /spl infin// suboptimal control problem with steady-state constraints for linear systems. >
A randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the Epley maneuver in the treatment of acute benign positional vertigo.

Objectives To compare the efficacy of the Epley maneuver with that of a placebo maneuver in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with benign positional vertigo (BPV). Methods This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind placebo-controlled trial. Consecutive adult ED patients presenting to a university teaching hospital with BPV were randomized to treatment with either the Epley or placebo maneuver. The severity of vertigo was evaluated on a 0 to 10-point scale before and after the maneuvers. Results Eleven patients were randomized to the Epley group and 11 to the placebo group before the trial was terminated, based on a planned interim analysis. The median decreases in vertigo severity were 6 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 4 to 9) for the Epley group and 1 (95% CI = 0 to 3) for the placebo group (p = 0.001). Conclusions The Epley maneuver is a simple bedside maneuver that appears to be more efficacious than a placebo maneuver in the treatment of acute BPV among ED patients.
Expression and Hormonal Regulation of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 in Myometrium and Leiomyomata

Abstract Objective: The pathogenesis of leiomyoma likely involves interactions of sex steroids with paracrine growth factors or cytokines resulting in modulation of local immunity. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemotactic and activating factor for monocytes and is produced by multiple tumors and has antitumor effects. We investigated the expression of MCP-1 in leiomyoma and myometrium as well as the regulatory role of steroid hormones and cytokines on MCP-1 expression and the effect of MCP-1 on the proliferation of leiomyoma cells. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Women with (n = 20) or without (n = 11) leiomyoma. Intervention(s): First, MCP-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in myometrium and leiomyoma were measured, and then myometrial and leiomyoma cells in culture were treated with steroid hormones and cytokines. Main Outcome Measure(s): The MCP-1 mRNA was evaluated by Northern analysis. Immunoreactive MCP-1 in cell cultures was quantified by ELISA. Leiomyoma cell proliferation was assessed with [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation. Result(s): The MCP-1 mRNA levels in myometrial samples were 4.7-fold higher than in the leiomyoma samples. Myometrial MCP-1 mRNA levels were 2.4-fold higher in secretory than in proliferative phase samples. The highest MCP-1 levels were observed in samples from women using GnRH analogues. Estradiol and progestins, alone or in combination, resulted in a decrease in MCP-1 protein production. There was an increase in the proliferation of leiomyoma cells treated with anti-MCP-1 neutralizing antibody. Conclusion(s): These findings suggest that MCP-1 may have antineoplastic activity in leiomyomata and that sex steroids may be exerting their growth stimulatory effect in leiomyomata through down-regulation of MCP-1.
Space based radar moving target detection challenges

Space based radar (SBR) systems are growing in importance to provide world-wide detection and tracking of ground and surface vehicles, for both civilian and military applications. However, there are several technical challenges that need to be addressed before these systems can be considered affordable. This paper outlines a current assessment of the development needs for reducing the technical risk of SBR to meet the future surveillance requirements. The presentation provides tradeoff analysis in the areas of active electronically scanned antennas, adaptive onboard processing, and satellite power generation and distribution.
Incidental lesions found in veterans referred to dermatology: the value of a dermatologic examination.

Background Few studies have evaluated the detection of incidental skin cancers. Objective We sought to evaluate the rate of incidental cutaneous malignancies in routine dermatology consults. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of all dermatology consults at the Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center over 8.25 years. Inclusion criteria included an in-person clinic visit within 18 months of the initial consult date. Patients with an in-person skin examination by a dermatologist in the 18 months before consult date were excluded. Results Of 28,405 consults sent during the study period, 17,174 met inclusion criteria. In all, 2257 (13.1%) patients had 1 or more biopsied incidental lesions. Half (50.3%; n = 1674) of the 3328 biopsied incidental lesions were malignant, which included 1187 patients. The per-person detection rate for an incidental malignant lesion was 6.9% (1187/17,174). There were 87 incidental melanomas identified in 84 patients. The per-person detection rate for an incidental melanoma was 0.5% (84/17,174). The most frequent anatomical location for biopsied incidental malignancies was the head and neck (53.9%). Incidental melanomas were most frequently located on the back (33.3%). Limitations Nondiverse patient population and conservative detection rate estimates are limitations. Conclusion An in-person skin examination by a trained dermatologist is important for detection of skin malignancies. This may have implications for teledermatology.
Marine Mammals as Ecosystem Sentinels

The earth’s climate is changing, possibly at an unprecedented rate. Overall, the planet is warming, sea ice and glaciers are in retreat, sea level is rising, and pollutants are accumulating in the environment and within organisms. These clear physical changes undoubtedly affect marine ecosystems. Species dependent on sea ice, such as the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the ringed seal (Phoca hispida), provide the clearest examples of sensitivity to climate change. Responses of cetaceans to climate change are more difficult to discern, but in the eastern North Pacific evidence is emerging that gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) are delaying their southbound migration, expanding their feeding range along the migration route and northward to Arctic waters, and even remaining in polar waters over winter—all indications that North Pacific and Arctic ecosystems are in transition. To use marine mammals as sentinels of ecosystem change, we must expand our existing research strategies to encompass the decadal and ocean-basin temporal and spatial scales consistent with their natural histories.
Power Sharing in a Double-Input Buckboost Converter Using Offset Time Control

Multi-input power electronic converters have been gaining popularity in applications such as renewable energy sources and hybrid electric vehicles due to their reduced component count. In this paper, a new control method is introduced and successfully applied to a double-input buckboost converter to adjust the power supplied by each one of the sources. The control scheme is based on controlling the offset time between the switching commands while switching frequency is kept constant. Theoretically, it is proved that the offset time between the switch commands has a direct impact on the amount of current drawn from each source. The proposed control method has a very fast dynamic response and improves the stability of traditional controllers. Simulation results agree with the theoretical analysis.
The Rise and Fall of Constructions and the History of English Do -Support

Do-support is a unique characteristic of English. Many languages other than English have do-periphrasis but not English-type do-support. This raises the obvious question: What is special about English? The goal of this paper is to provide an account of English do-support that explains why do-support, with its attendant properties, is found uniquely in English. I review the classical derivational approaches to do-support and argue that they do not satisfactorily capture the generalizations. I suggest an alternative, non-derivational account of contemporary do-support that makes crucial use of constructions. Finally, I propose an account of the history of do-support in English that characterizes the changes in terms of the content and scope of constructions. The rise of do-support can be understood as a consequence of the contraction and re-specialization of particular constructions in the wake of well-documented changes in the overt morphological system of the language.*
Allelic loss of the active X chromosome during bladder carcinogenesis.

Abstract Context.—Previous studies have shown that loss of the X chromosome is involved in the carcinogenesis of certain human malignancies. Objective.—To determine whether X-linked allelic losses occur during bladder tumorigenesis and whether such losses involve the active or the inactive X chromosome. Design.—We analyzed the deletion status of the X-linked human androgen receptor gene locus in 6 female patients who underwent radical cystectomies for muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Four patients had coexisting urothelial carcinoma in situ. Analysis for inactivation of the X chromosome was carried out in parallel. Results.—Three cases were informative. Invasive tumor samples showed loss of heterozygosity involving the active allele at the androgen receptor locus in all 3 positive cases, whereas carcinoma in situ showed nonrandom X chromosome inactivation but not allelic deletion. Conclusions.—Our data suggest that allelic loss of the activated X chromosome is involved in bladd...
Brownian simulation of protein association and reaction

The Brownian dynamics simulation method has been developed as an alternative to conventional molecular dynamics or simple analytical diffusion theories in order to study the diffusive dynamics and interaction between two whole proteins. Highly detailed and realistic models of protein structures and their electrostatic interactions were used based on an atomic-level spatial description. The Coulombic and excluded volume torques and forces between the molecules are computed at each Brownian time step and rotational and translational diffusional trajectories are generated between interacting proteins. For the first time the rotation of both proteins is included. This method has been applied to study the association and electron transfer between horse heart ferrocytochrome c and yeast cytochrome c peroxidase, horse heart ferricytochrome c and bovine ferrocytochrome b5 and the electron self-exchange of P. aeruginosa cytochrome c551. Accurate residue charge assignments at the appropriate pH and ionic strength are computed by the Tanford-Kirkwood theory with surface accessibility modification. Accurate interaction potentials are computed by iterating solutions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation on a grid. The low dielectric constant inside proteins, electrolyte screening effects, and irregular protein surface topography are taken into account. Realistic criteria for determining the successful docking of the cytochromes are based on a combination of mutual orientation of heme planes and heme edge-to-edge distance. We examine the role of electrostatic charge distribution and solvent mediation in the facilitation of protein-protein docking prior to the electron transfer step. We expect that, with improvements, the Brownian dynamics method will be capable of predicting the effects of site-directed mutagenesis on protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions.
Weight carrying versus handgrip exercise testing in men with coronary artery disease

The clinical merits of handgrip and weight carrying tests were compared in 30 patients with documented coronary artery disease. The static loads in the 2 tests were matched by percentage of maximal static effort and corresponded to 25 and 45% of maximal voluntary handgrip contraction and 25 and 45% of maximal 1-hand lift capacity. Each static load in both tests was continued for ≤3 minutes. At the 25% maximal effort stage, 93 and 90% of patients were able to complete 3 minutes of handgrip and weight carrying, respectively. Only 13 and 10% were able to complete 3 minutes at the 45% maximal effort stage with handgrip and weight carrying, respectively. Arm fatigue and an increase in diastolic blood pressure >120 mm Hg were the predominant endpoints. Weight carrying resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) heart rate, systolic blood pressure, pressure-rate product, ventilation and oxygen consumption compared to handgrip. Diastolic blood pressure responses did not differ between the tests. None of the patients demonstrated ischemic responses to either handgrip or weight carrying and the incidence of arrhythmias was rare. The diastouc blood pressure response to static effort is equally evaluated by handgrip and weight carrying tests. However, the greater myocardial oxygen demand, reflected by the pressure-rate product, in addition to the greater total body oxygen consumption, imposed by weight carrying, enhances the clinical application of the weight carrying test.
The influence of aging on angiotensinogen production by rat vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Aortic smooth muscle cells from 3,12 and 24 mo old rats were grown in cell culture. All of the cultures produced angiotensinogen, but cultures from 24 mo old rats produced significantly more (p<0.01). These results suggest that angiotensinogen is synthesized in arterial smooth muscle. Furthermore, when the activity of the plasma renin system decreases with advancing age, increased activity of a local angiotensin system may contribute to the regulation of vascular tone.
Large lesions in the pre-Bötzinger complex area eliminate eupneic respiratory rhythm in awake goats

In awake goats, 29% bilateral destruction of neurokinin-1 receptor-expressing neurons in the pre-Botzinger complex (pre-BotzC) area with saporin conjugated to substance P results in transient disru...
Gabapentin as add‐on therapy in children with refractory partial seizures: a 24‐week, multicentre, open‐label study

The efficacy and safety of gabapentin as add-on therapy for refractory partial seizures in 237 children, aged 3 to 12 years were evaluated over a 6-month period. All children received gabapentin at 24 to 70 mg/kg/day. Efficacy variables included the percent change in seizure frequency and the responder rate (defined as those patients who showed >50% reduction in seizure frequency). For all partial seizures, the median percent change in seizure frequency was -34% and the overall responder rate was 34%. Simple partial seizures showed a median reduction of -53%; complex partial seizures, -38%; and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, -35%. Thirteen patients (5%) withdrew during the 6-month period because of adverse events. Concurrent antiepileptic medication remained unchanged in 185 patients (78%), was decreased in 27 (11%), and increased in 25 (11%) patients. This 6-month follow-up study has demonstrated that gabapentin was well tolerated and appeared to show a sustained efficacy in a large population of children with refractory partial and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Supporting Immigrant Students in a Newcomer High School: A Case Study.

Many school districts in the United States have developed special schools or programs designed to meet the specific language, academic, and social needs of recent immigrant students. In this article, we examine the experiences of six immigrant students who were enrolled in a U.S. high school designed specifically for adolescent immigrants. Using a qualitative case study research design, we explore the students' experiences in the school and their perceptions of the three teachers they identified as particularly supportive. We also draw on interviews and observations of these three teachers to explore the specific practices that supported the students' academic and social success in the school. The findings suggest that both school context and positive teacher–student interactions facilitated by the teachers' use of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices were significant contributors to students' learning. We discuss the study implications for practice and offer recommendations for edu...
Sublethal effects of acephate and biphenate on fecundity, longevity, and egg viability in greenhouse whitefly (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

Sublethal effects of acephate (an organophosphate) and biphenate (a pyrethroid) on greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.) were investigated by measuring male and female longevity, daily rate and lifetime fecundity per female, and egg viability for cohorts exposed to LC 50 s when Acala SJ-2 cotton was a host. Males T. vaporariorum were more sensitive to sublethal concentrations than females. Significant reductions in male longevity were caused by exposure to acephate and biphenate, whereas female longevity was not significantly affected by exposure. Exposure to biphenate and acephate treatments reduced lifetime fecundity by 29% and 37%, respectively. Viability of eggs laid by treated females was not affected. Analysis of patterns and heterogeneity of reproduction suggests that timing and magnitude of oviposition, average level of daily oviposition and reproductive decline were influenced by sublethal concentrations of insecticides. Results of repeated-measures analysis of variance confirmed reductions in fecundity of females T. vaporariorum exposed to sublethal concentrations
An active learning, student-centered approach to training graduate teaching assistants

For over a decade, new graduate teaching assistants (TAs) from four departments at the Colorado School of Mines have been part of a three-day training program prior to the start of the fall semester. The unique feature of this training program is the strong emphasis on active learning philosophy and methods. Our goal is to teach new TAs how to employ active learning methods in their laboratory and recitation teaching. We do this by having TAs experience most of their training as students in active learning classes and then having them discuss the activities for form, student involvement, and purpose. The TAs spend half their time together focusing on general aspects of effective teaching and the other half with their respective department faculty focusing on the specific course they will teach. This paper will present specifics of activities, logistics, teaching sound bites, and feedback on this TA training program. We feel that it is a model adaptable to other institutions.
One cycle of reproduction consisting of pregnancy, lactation or no lactation, and recovery: effects on fat pad cellularity in ad libitum-fed and food-restricted rats.

Groups of nine ad libitum-fed and food-restricted Osborne-Mendel rats weighing between 200 and 220 g at mating were killed on day 21 of pregnancy, day 21 of lactation and day 21 of the postweaning recovery period. Restricted rats were fed 70% of the mean daily ad libitum intake. Groups of nine ad libitum-fed animals, not permitted to suckle their young, were killed on day 21 postpartum and day 21 of the recovery period. Groups of nine nonpregnant rats of comparable initial body weight were killed at appropriate times to serve as advancing age and growth controls. Changes in carcass composition were determined in each group at the end of the pregnancy, lactation and recovery periods. Carcass fat was elevated in the nonlactating group on day 21 postpartum compared to lactating animals and nonpregnant controls. At the end of the study, carcass weight was highest in the ad libitum-fed lactating group. This was due to increased carcass water and not to increased carcass fat. In fact, carcass fat was significantly reduced in the ad libitum-fed lactating group compared to nonpregnant controls. During the recovery period, the absolute increase in carcass fat was greater in the restricted group than in the ad libitum-fed group. The data indicate that 1) pregnancy followed by no lactation results in an increase in carcass fat content and 2) the postweaning recovery period is marked by a tendency to increase carcass fat even in food-restricted rats.
Distributed information filtering using consensus filters

In this paper we present a new information consensus filter for distributed dynamic-state estimation. Estimation is handled by the traditional information filter, while communication of measurements is handled by a consensus filter. First and second-order statistics of local estimates are discussed. It is shown that local information consensus filter estimates are unbiased, and the actual variance of the local estimation errors is comparable to a centralized estimate. However, local agents believe their local estimates are less accurate.
Clinical use of ictal SPECT in secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures

Partial seizures produce increased cerebral blood flow in the region of seizure onset. These regional cerebral blood flow increases can be detected by single photon emission computed tomography (ictal SPECT), providing a useful clinical tool for seizure localization. However, when partial seizures secondarily generalize, there are often questions of interpretation since propagation of seizures could produce ambiguous results. Ictal SPECT from secondarily generalized seizures has not been thoroughly investigated. We analysed ictal SPECT from 59 secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures obtained during epilepsy surgery evaluation in 53 patients. Ictal versus baseline interictal SPECT difference analysis was performed using ISAS (http://spect.yale.edu). SPECT injection times were classified based on video/EEG review as either pre-generalization, during generalization or in the immediate post-ictal period. We found that in the pre-generalization and generalization phases, ictal SPECT showed significantly more regions of cerebral blood flow increases than in partial seizures without secondary generalization. This made identification of a single unambiguous region of seizure onset impossible 50% of the time with ictal SPECT in secondarily generalized seizures. However, cerebral blood flow increases on ictal SPECT correctly identified the hemisphere (left versus right) of seizure onset in 84% of cases. In addition, when a single unambiguous region of cerebral blood flow increase was seen on ictal SPECT, this was the correct localization 80% of the time. In agreement with findings from partial seizures without secondary generalization, cerebral blood flow increases in the post-ictal period and cerebral blood flow decreases during or following seizures were not useful for localizing seizure onset. Interestingly, however, cerebral blood flow hypoperfusion during the generalization phase (but not pre-generalization) was greater on the side opposite to seizure onset in 90% of patients. These findings suggest that, with appropriate cautious interpretation, ictal SPECT in secondarily generalized seizures can help localize the region of seizure onset.
Frequency of Factors that Complicate the Identification of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Level I Trauma Center Patients.

Aim: Determine the frequency of factors that complicate identification of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in emergency department patients. Setting: Chart review. Materials & methods: Records of 3042 patients (age 18–45 years) exposed to a potential mechanism of mTBI were reviewed for five common complicating factors and signs of mTBI. Results: Most patients (65.1%) had at least one complicating factor: given narcotics in the emergency department (43.7%), on psychotropic medication (18.4%), psychiatric diagnosis (15.3%), alcohol consumption near time of admission (14.2%) and preadmission narcotic prescription (8.9%). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the frequency of these confounding factors in this population. Future research should identify how these factors interact with performance on assessment measures to improve evidence-based mTBI assessment in this population.
Transforming Turkey's Health System--Lessons for Universal Coverage.

In 2003, Turkey embarked on ambitious health system reform to overcome major inequities in health outcomes and to protect all citizens against financial risk. Within 10 years, it had achieved universal health coverage and notable improvements in outcomes and equity.
Abstract WP22: A Scoring System Based on Age and DWI Volume Predicts Poor Functional Outcome Following Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: The Houston IAT (HIAT) score predicts poor outcome following endovascular stroke therapy based on clinical variables (age, serum glucose, and NIHSS score). We aimed to validate the HIAT score in an independent cohort of patients treated with endovascular therapy (DEFUSE 2) and determine if prediction of poor outcome could be improved by including neuroimaging variables in the prediction score. Methods: Patients enrolled in the DEFUSE 2 study had a clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke and underwent MRI prior to endovascular treatment. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 4 to 6 at day 90. The relationship between baseline clinical and neuroimaging variables and poor functional outcome was assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Statistically significant variables in the multivariate model were used to create a new scoring system. We evaluated the new scoring system and the HIAT score using ROC analysis. Results: One hundred and ten patients were included in the analysis; forty-two patients had a poor functional outcome. Validation of the HIAT score demonstrated similar ROC properties in the DEFUSE 2 cohort (AUC=0.69) compared to the Houston derivation cohort (AUC=0.73). In DEFUSE 2, age (p=0.001), baseline DWI volume (p=0.09), baseline NIHSS score (p=0.03) and hypertension (p=0.003) were associated with poor functional outcome in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, age (p<0.001) and baseline DWI volume (p=0.03) were independent predictors of poor functional outcome. Based on this we developed a new scoring system with a maximum of 3 points awarded for age (0 points, 15 cc). The percentage of patients with poor functional outcomes increased with the number of points awarded (0% poor outcomes in patients with 0 points, 25% with 1 point, 30% with 2 points, 75% with 3 points, and 89% with 4 points). The AUC for the new scoring system was 0.82. Conclusion: The new scoring system that incorporates baseline DWI volume and age predicts poor outcome more accurately than a scoring system based on clinical variables alone.
Primary surgery for advanced-stage laryngeal cancer: A stage and subsite-specific survival analysis

Background Treatment recommendations for advanced-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have evolved significantly over the last 2 decades. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database with advanced-stage laryngeal SCC treated between 2004 and 2012. Results A total of 6797 patients were identified in the SEER database who met inclusion criteria, with 2051 patients undergoing primary surgery and 4746 patients undergoing primary radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly better for patients treated with primary surgery when compared using Kaplan–Meier curves and a Cox multivariate regression. When survival analysis was repeated for patients stratified by T classification, N classification, and subsite, OS and DSS benefits from primary surgery were observed for patients with T3 and T4a tumors, N0 neck disease, or supraglottic primaries. Conclusion Patients with advanced-stage laryngeal SCC with T3 and T4a tumors, N0 neck disease, or supraglottic primaries have the greatest chance of survival when treated with primary surgery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016
Nuclear matrix proteins and their potential applications to diagnostic pathology

The nuclear matrix is the nonchromatin scaffolding of the cell nucleus that confers nuclear shape, organizes the nuclear chromatin, and regulates many important intranuclear biochemical events. Although our understanding of the nuclear matrix and its proteins is still evolving, it is clear that nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) hold considerable promise as diagnostic tools for pathologists. Early evidence suggests that NMPs may be useful biomarkers of neoplastic disease in serum, body fluids, and tissues. NMPs are also potential candidates for use as tumor prognostic factors and targets of anticancer drugs. Moreover, NMPs may hold the key to understanding important cellular events, such as neoplastic transformation, steroid hormone binding, and apoptosis. Despite impressive gains made by cellular biologists and biochemists toward understanding the structure and function of the nuclear matrix, many of the potential applications of NMPs to diagnostic pathology are largely unexplored. Thus, NMPs should prove an exciting and fruitful area of investigation for experimental and clinical pathologists who are interested in developing diagnostic tests for detecting, quantitating, and characterizing these proteins in human tissues and body fluids and translating these applications into the clinical pathology laboratory.
Trend Analysis and Forecast of Precipitation, Reference Evapotranspiration, and Rainfall Deficit in the Blackland Prairie of Eastern Mississippi

AbstractTrend analysis and estimation of monthly and annual precipitation, reference evapotranspiration ETo, and rainfall deficit are essential for water-resources management and cropping-system design. Rainfall, ETo, and water-deficit patterns and trends at Macon in eastern Mississippi for a 120-yr period (1894–2014) were analyzed for annual, seasonal, and monthly periods. The analysis showed historical average annual rainfall, ETo, and dryness index (DI) in the location to be 1307 mm, 1210 mm, and 0.97, respectively. Monthly rainfall and ETo ranged from 72 to 118 mm and from 94 to 146 mm, respectively, between May and October, resulting in a monthly rain deficit from 22 to 62 mm. Annual rainfall showed an increasing trend of 1.17 mm yr−1 while annual ETo exhibited a decreasing trend of −0.51 mm yr−1, resulting in an annual DI reduction of 0.001 per year. Seasonal trends were found for rainfall in autumn (1.06 mm yr−1), ETo in summer (−0.29 mm yr−1) and autumn (−0.18 mm yr−1), and DI in autumn (−0.006). ...
Abstract B24: Thoc1 is required for mouse prostate tumorigenesis initiated by loss of Rb and p53

A large percentage of prostate cancers show either mutational inactivation or deregulation of the Rb tumor suppressor gene. Rb mediates its tumor suppressor function through its association with other cellular proteins. Most of the Rb‐binding proteins interact with the A/B pocket domain and the C terminal region. Less than 10 proteins are known to interact with Rb N terminal domain, a domain that appears to be required for normal Rb function in vivo . The Thoc1 gene encodes a protein that binds the Rb N terminal domain. We hypothesize that some of pRb functions in vivo could be mediated in part by interaction with pThoc1. Thoc1 protein has been found to be an essential component of the TREX (transcription/export) complex which is important for mRNP biogenesis and physically couples transcription elongation with RNA processing and export. We have previously reported that E1A/Ras transformed MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) but not normal MEFs were dependent on Thoc1 for their survival. These observations suggest that tumor cells specifically may be dependent on Thoc1 for survival and Thoc1 may play a role in tumorigenesis. To test our hypothesis, we used a mouse model of prostate cancer where prostatespecific deletion of Rb and p53 genes leads to development of metastatic adenocarcinoma. We find that compound loss of Thoc1, Rb and p53 increased the life‐span of mice compared to mice with loss of Rb and p53 alone. Histopathological analyses of prostate tissue showed that initiation of tumorigenesis is delayed in the absence of Thoc1. Tumors that do arise in these mice retain expression of Thoc1. These findings indicate that Thoc1 is required for prostate tumorigenesis. Conditional deletion of Thoc1 alone in mouse prostate does not appear to affect normal prostate development. To test whether Thoc1 is relevant to human prostate cancer, we examined expression of Thoc1 protein in matched normal and prostate tumor tissue cores on tissue microarray. Analysis of nearly 600 patient samples reveals that Thoc1 is significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to normal prostate tissue and pThoc1 levels positively correlated with tumor grade and negatively correlated with biochemical recurrence as indicated by elevated PSA (prostate‐specific antigen) levels. Taken together the above findings suggest that Thoc1 is synthetic lethal with the genetic and epigenetic alterations in prostate tumor cells, and hence it may be a potential target for prostate cancer therapy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):B24.
Thinking on the Establishment of Grassland-agricultural Products Security Cooperation Mechanism in the Asian-Pacific Region

The background of establishing grassland-agricultural products security cooperation mechanism in the Asian-Pacific region was analyzed.And suggestions were given to establishing the cooperation mechanism gradually and break through the international trade barriers on the basis of construction of research and demonstration(training) center for quality and safety of grassland-agricultural products.The necessity and main tasks of the center,the key points and considerations of establishing cooperation mechanism were discussed.Six suggestions were supposed as follows: strengthening technical cooperation,participating in the Asia-pacific region agricultural product quality standardization activities,enhancing the standard certification and international mutual recognition,intensifying technical innovation,improving the mechanism of the anti-technical barriers,building information network to enhance the cooperation and information exchange in grassland-agricultural products standard.
Study on the Shielding Effectiveness of HVDC Converter Valve Hall

In order to control the interference of electromagnetic disturbance from converter valve to equipments and adjacent communication systems,it is necessary to study on the shielding effectiveness of HVDC converter valve hall. The paper makes the measurements for the actual shielding effectiveness of some operating HVDC converter valve hall,and calculates the shielding effectiveness of metal mesh and metal plate with different constructions so as to compare with the actual effectiveness. Some conclusions could be obtained from the results: the shielding effectiveness is about 50dB with colour steel plate and metal mesh installed,but the actual shielding effectiveness would be reduced to 20dB. In fact,the shielding effect is not as good as the calculation result. The results are completely not applied especially for the shielding effect around the wall bushing with outgoing lines. It satisfies the requirements that the valve hall is wholly laid by the galvanized welded wire mesh shield with the diameter of 6mm and the mesh area of 50mm 50mm. If the aluminiumzinc-plated press formed steel plates with the thickness of 0.6mm and the width for the overlapped part greater than 5cm,are in riveted connection by every 30cm,the calculated shielding effectiveness of single layer plate up to 10 MHz is greater than 40dB. Actually,the double layer plate is adopted,and its shielding effectiveness is better.
The Properties and Development of NiZn Power Ferrite Series

NiZn power ferrite materials has been developed at several years in electronic and communication fields, as an outstanding substituer for MnZn power ferrite in high frequency of above 1MHz. At first, this paper summarizes the characteristics and apptications of NiZn ferrite, development status of material, property requirement and technological measures. Finally, the properties of NiZn ferrite series we developed are mainly introduced in detail. We hope that our research will promote the domestic research and development of NiZn power ferrite.
Abstract 4319: Associations of dietary inflammation scores with incident, sporadic adenoma

It is now well-accepted that inflammation is causal in colorectal carcinogenesis and that reducing inflammation reduces risk for colorectal neoplasms. The ability to characterize specific dietary components as having pro- or anti-inflammatory effects is a promising area of cancer prevention. To assess associations of diet with inflammation and diet-associated inflammation with cancer risk, we created a new food-based inflammation (FBI) score based on associations of whole food dietary components (processed meats, red meat, white meat, fish, nuts, coffee, tea, high- and low-fat dairy products, refined and whole grains, and 10 botanical categories) with a panel of biomarkers of inflammation (plasma C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukins-6, -8, and -10) among 590 chronic disease diagnosis-free participants (47% male, 53% female, 57% white, 43% black) in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study. A previously reported Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) is a primarily nutrient-based score developed for the same purposes. We investigated associations of our new FBI score, a DII that includes contributions from foods and nutritional supplements (Food + Supplements DII), and a DII that includes contributions only from foods (Food-only DII) with incident, sporadic adenoma in a case-control study (CPRU; n = 2,195) conducted in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota from 1990 - 1994. Diet was assessed using a Willett food frequency questionnaire. Associations of the scores with adenoma were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, hormone replacement therapy use, family history of colorectal cancer, regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, total energy intake, smoking, physical activity level, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for those in the highest relative to those in the lowest score quartiles were 1.28 (95% CI 0.95, 1.72) for the FBI, 1.23 (95% CI 0.82, 1.85) for the Food + Supplements DII, and 1.14 (95% CI 0.85, 1.53) for the Foods-only DII. These results suggest that 1) a more pro-inflammatory diet may be associated with higher risk of colorectal adenoma, and 2) support further development and investigation of a food-based inflammation score for investigating associations of diet-related contributions to systemic inflammation with colorectal and other cancers and chronic diseases. Citation Format: Ashley C. Holmes, Roberd M. Bostick. Associations of dietary inflammation scores with incident, sporadic adenoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4319.