cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Nitric Oxide–Induced Vasodilatation: Refilling of Intracellular Stores by Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase and Inhibition of Store-Operated Ca2+ Influx

The precise mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO) decreases free [Ca2+]i, inhibits Ca2+ influx, and relaxes vascular smooth muscle are poorly understood. In rabbit and mouse aorta, agonist-induced contractions and increases in [Ca2+]i were resistant to nifedipine, suggesting Ca2+ entry through non-L-type Ca2+ channels. Relaxations to NO were inhibited by thapsigargin (TG) or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) indicating the involvement of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA). Studies of the effect of NO on [Ca2+]i and the rate of Mn2+ influx with fura-2 fluorometry in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in primary culture were designed to test how SERCA is involved in mediating the response to NO. When cells were stimulated with angiotensin II (AII), NO accelerated the removal of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm, decreased [Ca2+]i, and inhibited Ca2+ and Mn2+ influx. Inhibition of SERCA abolished all the effects of NO. In contrast, inhibition of the Na+/Ca2+exchanger or the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase had no influence on the ability of NO to decrease [Ca2+]i. NO maximally decreased [Ca2+]i within 5 s, whereas significant inhibition of AII-induced Ca2+ and Mn2+ influx required more than 15 s. The inhibition of cation influx strictly depended on [Ca2+]o and functional SERCA, suggesting that during the delay before NO inhibits Ca2+ influx, the influx of Ca2+ and the uptake into intracellular stores are required. In the absence of [Ca2+]o, NO diminished the AII-induced [Ca2+]i transient by a SERCA-dependent mechanism and increased the amount of Ca2+ in the stores subsequently released by ionomycin. The present study indicates that the initial rapid decrease in [Ca2+]i caused by NO in vascular smooth muscle is accounted for by the uptake of Ca2+ by SERCA into intracellular stores. It is proposed that the refilling of the stores inhibits store-operated Ca2+ influx through non-L-type Ca2+ conducting ion channels and that this maintains the decrease in [Ca2+]i and NO-induced relaxation.
The scene of Harlem Cabaret: Race, sexuality, performance, by Shane Vogel

The scene of Harlem Cabaret: Race, sexuality, performance, by Shane Vogel, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2009, 272 pp., 14 half-tones/illustrations, US$22.00 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-2268-6...
Functional selection of adaptive auditory space map by GABAA-mediated inhibition.

The external nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the barn owl contains an auditory map of space that is based on the tuning of neurons for interaural differences in the timing of sound. In juvenile owls, this region of the brain can acquire alternative maps of interaural time difference as a result of abnormal experience. It has been found that, in an external nucleus that is expressing a learned, abnormal map, the circuitry underlying the normal map still exists but is functionally inactivated by inhibition mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptors. This inactivation results from disproportionately strong inhibition of specific input channels to the network. Thus, experience-driven changes in patterns of inhibition, as well as adjustments in patterns of excitation, can contribute critically to adaptive plasticity in the central nervous system.
Inactivation of E. coli alkaline phosphatase prior to phosphodiesterase digestion of oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Abstract Experiments are described that demonstrate the inability of chloroform-isoamyl alcohol deproteinization to remove E. coli alkaline phosphatase from aqueous reaction mixtures. The inconstant inactivation of alkaline phosphatase with the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid alone is also noted. Total inactivation of alkaline phosphatase was obtained by incubation of the enzyme-containing reaction mixture for 3 hr at pH 2.1 and 25°C in the presence of 0.005 M EDTA; following restoration of the pH to 8.0 and addition of Mg++ to 0.05 M, no reactivation of the enzyme was noted. The presence of inorganic phosphate in the reaction mixture during the pH 2.1 incubation did not protect the enzyme against inactivation. Both bovine spleen and snake venom phosphodiesterase, when placed in reaction mixtures that had first been subjected to inactivation conditions followed by pH restoration and addition of Mg++, were found to be quite active. The procedure described is thus useful for removal of terminal phosphate groups from oligonucleotides prior to complete phosphodiesterase digestions.
Restoring literary wholeness to the fragmented account of Antoine Despine's magnetic cure of Estelle L'Hardy's dissociative disorder.

Dr. Charles-Humbert Antoine Despine's (1777-1852) De L'Emploi du magnetisme animal et des eaux minerales dans le traitement des maladies nerveuses, suivi d'une observation tres curieuse de guerison de nevropathie [A Study of the uses of animal magnetism in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system followed by a case of a highly unusual cure of neuropathy] (Paris: Germer, Bailliere, 1840) is one of the earliest published, complete accounts of a successful cure with animal magnetism of a dissociative disorder. Despine's methodical and gentle treatment of more than 20 patients with multiple personalities repeatedly brought fusion to separation. His writing style displays a lack of order and unity that resembles the dissociative symptoms of his patients, but the monograph's sloppiness belies Despine's methodical approach to his work and his thoughtful handling of his patients. This paper explores these inconsistencies and how translators of the monograph act as literary therapists for his confused and fragmented account.
NMSU EORL adaptive optics testbed and its performance evaluation

In this paper, we present a novel adaptive optics testbed and its performance evaluation procedures. The testbed was built in the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Electro-optics Research Laboratory (EORL). NMSU's EORL adaptive optics testbed includes a tip-tilt error compensation system and a higher-order phase aberration compensation system. The tip-tilt error compensation was completed using a fast steering mirror with a quadrant cell detector. The higher-order phase aberration compensation was achieved using a 37-actuator deformable mirror and image sharpness with a stochastic parallel gradient descent algorithm (SPGDA). A metric optimization process was added in the SPGDA to fit an 8-bit deformable mirror control card. The system performance is evaluated using both static and dynamic phase aberration test conditions.
Gender differences in spiritual development during the college years

Gender differences in spirituality and related traits are an assumed reality despite the lack of empirical information that directly compares women and men. I used a national and longitudinal sample of 3,680 college students surveyed with the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Freshman Survey (2000) and later with the College Students’ Beliefs and Values (CSBV) Survey (2003) to examine gender differences on 13 spiritual characteristics and explore the personal and educational factors associated with changes in spirituality during college. The results showed marked gender differences in spiritual qualities, and gendered patterns of spiritual development were identified that are associated with religious identity, peer relationships, and science exposure.
Alkaline phosphatase isozymes in cultured human cancer cells

Alkaline phosphatase, an ubiquitous enzyme is known to exist in several isozymic forms. At least three different isozymes have now been identified in humans. Alkaline phosphatase isozymes are among the substances synthesized ectopically by a variety of human tumors and many continuous cell lines derived from different cancers have retained the capacity to produce these membrane-located glycoproteins. This paper reviews the identification of alkaline phosphatase isozymes in cultured tumor cells and relates these findings with recent developments concerning these cell membrane located glycoproteins.
Plant regeneration from somatic tissue of Rhododendron laetum x aurigeranum

The influence of the source of plant material (greenhouse-grown plants or in vitro shoot cultures), the type of tissue explant (shoot-tip, single-node stem segment, whole leaf, leaf strip or half-leaf section) and growth regulator concentration on shoot regeneration from somatic tissue of Rhododendron laetum × aurigeranum was evaluated. No regeneration response was obtained on explants from greenhouse-grown plants. Adventitious shoots were obtained from callus produced at the basal end of shoot-tip and single-node stem segment explants derived from in vitro-grown shoots cultured on Anderson's medium supplemented with 22.8 μM IAA and 73.8 μM 2iP. The greatest percentage of adventitious shoot regeneration (77%) was induced on leaf sections cultured in the presence of 22.8 μM IAA and 147.6 μM 2iP. Plant regeneration was accomplished with minimal callus formation. This technique represents a further step toward gene manipulation of Rhododendron.
Assessment of debond simulation and cohesive zone length in a bonded composite joint

Abstract Finite element methods combined with cohesive elements were used to simulate progressive failure behaviour in a bonded double cantilever beam configuration. The introduced cohesive zone was represented by three cases. Responses of both global load–displacement and local cohesive traction–separation were investigated. An unexpected finding was that the overall cohesive traction stiffness was much less than the assumed input value. In addition, the local nodal separation moment was identified. Consequently, correct cohesive zone lengths were obtained using the extracted traction profile along the cohesive zone path at this moment. Information of the global load–displacement profile, traction stiffness, and cohesive zone length induced by the three zone cases was explored. Moreover, the study can explain why very small cohesive zone lengths are generated numerically, as compared to theoretical solutions. Recommendations on the application of the numerical model with cohesive elements to practical experimental analysis were suggested.
Triallate resistance in Avena fatua L. is due to reduced herbicide activation

Abstract Extensive use of triallate, a preemergence herbicide used for wild oat (Avena fatuaL.) control in cereal crops, has selected for resistant (R) wild oat populations. Triallate is thought to be activated via metabolic sulfoxidation to create the more potent triallate sulfoxide. Treatment of R and susceptible (S) wild oat lines with [1-14C]triallate showed that triallate is metabolized to the same primary endproduct, 2,3,3-trichloropropene sulfonic acid, in both types. However, the rate of triallate metabolism was more than 12-fold slower in R than in S plants. Dose–response studies indicated that although R plants were 6- to 20-fold more resistant than S plants to triallate treatment, both types were equally sensitive toin vitrosynthesized triallate sulfoxide. In addition, [1-14C]triallate sulfoxide was metabolized to the same endproducts and at the same rate in R and S plants. The data indicate that resistance is conferred by a reduced rate of triallate sulfoxidation and represent the first documented case of herbicide resistance in plants conferred by reduced metabolism.
Promoting the Sexual Health of MSM in the Context of Comorbid Mental Health Problems

Despite the moderate efficacy of HIV prevention interventions for at risk gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), MSM continue to represent the largest group of new HIV infections and the largest number of individuals living with HIV in the US. Environmental factors such as sexual minority stress increase the vulnerability of MSM for mental health problems. These mental health problems can be a barrier to consistently engaging in self-care health behaviors such as sexual risk reduction. We consider the following observations critical to identifying priorities for HIV prevention among MSM: (1) gay, bisexual and other MSM have higher rates of mental health problems than general population estimates; (2) these mental health problems co-occur with each other and interact synergistically to increase HIV risk; and (3) comorbid mental health problems may compromise the impact of prevention programs, and integrating treatment of mental health issues into prevention programs may improve program efficacy. Novel prevention interventions for at risk MSM that integrate programming with the treatment of co-occurring and interfering mental health issues are the most promising avenue to increase prevention intervention efficacy and effectiveness. By addressing significant mental health issues and supporting broad based prevention efforts at the individual and community level, there is also the potential to improve the overall quality of life and public mental health of gay, bisexual, and other MSM.
The reaction of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal with Nα-acetyl-l-histidine

The reaction of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and Nα-acetyl-L-histidine was studied in pH 7.1 phosphate buffer. The main product isolated was assigned a cyclic hemiacetal structure formed by the additon of one of the imidazole nitrogen atoms to the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde system of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. This structural assignment was based on the analyses of the NMR and mass spectral data of two derivatives obtained from the cyclic hemiacetal. The establishment of this cyclic hemiacetal structure supports the proposal made by Uchida and Stadtman6 that 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified histidyl residues in insulin by a Michael reaction.
Toward the chiral limit of the thermodynamics of quantum chromodynamics

Abstract SU(3) lattice gauge theory with four flavors of very light fermions is simulated on 4 × 83 and 6 × 103 lattices to observe the return of the finite temperature transition now associated with chiral symmetry restoration. For masses = 0.0375, 0.0250 and 0.01250 (in lattice units) the transition is first order on the 4 × 83 lattice. Coexisting states are found in all cases. On the 6 × 103 lattices long runs with m = 0.0250 also favor a first order transition. The discontinuities in the chiral condensates, Wilson-Polyakov lines and internal energy densities are measured at the transition. The transition temperature is found T c /Λ MS =(2.14±0.10) .
Avian Cone Photoreceptors Tile the Retina as Five Independent, Self-Organizing Mosaics

The avian retina possesses one of the most sophisticated cone photoreceptor systems among vertebrates. Birds have five types of cones including four single cones, which support tetrachromatic color vision and a double cone, which is thought to mediate achromatic motion perception. Despite this richness, very little is known about the spatial organization of avian cones and its adaptive significance. Here we show that the five cone types of the chicken independently tile the retina as highly ordered mosaics with a characteristic spacing between cones of the same type. Measures of topological order indicate that double cones are more highly ordered than single cones, possibly reflecting their posited role in motion detection. Although cones show spacing interactions that are cell type-specific, all cone types use the same density-dependent yardstick to measure intercone distance. We propose a simple developmental model that can account for these observations. We also show that a single parameter, the global regularity index, defines the regularity of all five cone mosaics. Lastly, we demonstrate similar cone distributions in three additional avian species, suggesting that these patterning principles are universal among birds. Since regular photoreceptor spacing is critical for uniform sampling of visual space, the cone mosaics of the avian retina represent an elegant example of the emergence of adaptive global patterning secondary to simple local interactions between individual photoreceptors. Our results indicate that the evolutionary pressures that gave rise to the avian retina's various adaptations for enhanced color discrimination also acted to fine-tune its spatial sampling of color and luminance.
Sensitivity of Grain Sorghum to High Temperature Stress during Reproductive Development

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) grown in semiarid regions is often exposed to short periods of high-temperature (HT) stress dur- ing reproductive development. Objectives of this research were (i) to quantify the effects of short episodes of HT stress during reproductive development on physiological, growth, and yield processes of grain sorghum and (ii) to identify the stage(s) most sensitive during the reproduc- tive development phase to HT stress. Plants of hybrid DK-28 E were grown in growth chambers at daytime maximum/nighttime minimum opti- mum temperature (OT) of 32/22°C until 29 d after sowing. Thereafter, plants were exposed to OT or HT (40/30°C) or were reciprocally transferred at 10-d intervals (10 d before fl owering, 0, 10, 20, and 30 d after fl owering (DAF)) from OT to HT and vice versa. Transferred plants remained in the new temperature regime for 10 d before being returned to their original temperature regime. Continuous HT stress delayed panicle emergence and decreased plant height, seed set, seed numbers, seed yield, seed size, and harvest indices but did not infl uence leaf pho- tosynthesis. Exposure to short (10-d) periods of HT stress at fl owering and 10 d before fl ower- ing caused maximum decreases in seed set and seed yield, and HT stress during postfl owering stages (10, 20, and 30 DAF) decreased seed yield, with a larger reduction at early stages of seed development.
Real power transfer capability calculations using multi-layer feed-forward neural networks

This paper proposes a neural network solution methodology for the problem of real power transfer capability calculations. Based on the optimal power flow formulation of the problem, the inputs, for the neural network are generator status, line status and load status and the output is the transfer capability. The Quickprop algorithm is used in the paper to train the neural network. A case study of the IEEE 30-bus system is presented demonstrating the feasibility of this approach. The new method will be useful for reliability assessment in the new utility environment.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Specific CD4+ T Cells That Proliferate In Vitro Detected in Samples from Most Viremic Subjects and Inversely Associated with Plasma HIV-1 Levels

Diminished in vitro proliferation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific CD4+ T cells has been associated with HIV-1 viremia and declining CD4+ T-cell counts during chronic infection. To better understand this phenomenon, we examined whether HIV-1 Gag p24 antigen-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferation might recover in vitro in a group of subjects with chronic HIV-1 viremia and no history of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We found that depletion of CD8+ cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before antigen stimulation was associated with a 6.5-fold increase in the median p24-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferative response and a 57% increase in the number of subjects with positive responses. These p24-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferative responses from CD8-depleted PBMC were associated with expansion of the numbers of p24-specific, gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD4+ T cells. Among the 20 viremic, treatment-naive subjects studied, the only 5 subjects lacking proliferation-competent, p24-specific CD4+ T-cell responses from CD8-depleted PBMC showed plasma HIV-1 RNA levels > 100,000 copies/ml. Furthermore, both the magnitude of p24-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferative responses from CD8-depleted PBMC and the frequency of p24-specific, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells expanded from CD8-depleted PBMC were associated inversely with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. Therefore, proliferation-competent, HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells that might help control HIV-1 disease may persist during chronic, progressive HIV-1 disease except at very high levels of in vivo HIV-1 replication.
Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in very low-birth-weight infants after administration of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

The effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-7 (PCV-7) in reducing pneumococcal nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants has not been studied. Our primary objective was to characterize NP carriage of S. pneumoniae in a group of VLBW infants (401-1500 grams) before administration of first PCV-7 (PRE) and at 4-6 weeks after a 3-dose PCV-7 primary series (POST). We also investigated the correlation between vaccine induced pneumococcal IgG antibody level and pneumococcal NP carriage POST PCV-7.
Assessing Mitral Valve Area and Orifice Geometry in Calcific Mitral Stenosis: A New Solution by Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Background Planimetry of mitral valve area (MVA) is difficult in calcific mitral stenosis (CaMS) in which limiting orifice is near the annulus, and unlike rheumatic mitral stenosis (RhMS), does not present an area for planimetry at the leaflet tips. Moreover, pressure half time (PHT)-derived MVA (MVA PHT ) has limitations in patients with CaMS in whom there are coexisting conditions that affect LV chamber compliance. We tested the hypothesis that real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3D) can guide measurement at the narrowest orifice in CaMS. Methods In 34 patients with CaMS, MVA by RT3D (MVA RT3D ) was obtained using a color-defined planimetry technique performed "en face" at the smallest annular orifice cross-section (diastolic maximum). MVA RT3D and MVA PHT were compared with an independent standard: MVA by continuity equation (MVA CEQ ). In a subgroup of 10 patients with CaMS or RhMS, the 3-dimensional shape of the stenotic mitral valve was examined, guided by color flow mapping. Results MVA PHT overestimated the mitral orifice area compared with MVA CEQ (2.01 ± 0.52 cm 2 vs 1.75 ± 0.46 cm 2 ; P = .037), whereas there was no significant difference in MVA RT3D and MVA CEQ (1.83 ± 0.52 cm 2 vs 1.75 ± 0.46 cm 2 , respectively, P = .61). MVA RT3D had a greater correlation with MVA CEQ than MVA PHT (R = 0.86 vs 0.59 MVA RT3D vs MVA PHT , respectively). There was better agreement between MVA by RT3D and MVA by continuity equation than MVA by PHT and MVA by continuity equation (difference in MVA: 0.23 ± 0.15 cm 2 vs 0.43 ± 0.29 cm 2 ; P RT3D − MVA CEQ vs MVA PHT − MVA CEQ, respectively). In CaMS, there was a tubular geometry to the valve shape. In contrast, RhMS had a doming funnel-shaped geometry. Conclusion RT3D provides an accurate measurement of MVA in CaMS. In contrast with the doming valve shape present in RhMS, the limiting anatomic orifice area occurs at the annulus in CaMS as measured by RT3D and reflects the effective orifice area as present in a tubular valve geometry.
Polyradiculopathy Associated with Ganciclovir-Resistant Cytomegalovirus in an AIDS Patient: Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Sequential Virus Isolates

To investigate the role of antiviral drug resistance in cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease progression, CMV cultured from an AIDS patient who developed progressive CMV disease despite continual anti- CMV treatment was characterized. In 7 CMV isolates, 1 ganciclovir-resistant strain predominated. Ganciclovir-resistant CMV, containing a UL97 mutation, was cultured from blood and urine before clinical indication of CMV central nervous system (CNS) disease, suggesting that the development of ganciclovir resistance preceded the dissemination of CMV to the CNS. Quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction indicated that the isolation of ganciclovir-resistant CMV was concurrent with increased CMV DNA in plasma. The results suggest that antiviral resistance should be considered when selecting therapy for CMV CNS disease that develops in patients receiving treatment for CMV retinitis. In addition, plasma CMV DNA in AIDS patients receiving anti-CMV therapy may be a useful marker of disease progression and antiviral resistance.
First-day weight loss predicts eventual weight nadir for breastfeeding newborns

Objective To examine the relationship between high (≥5%) weight loss during the first 24 h after birth and eventual excess weight loss (EWL) of ≥10% of birth weight. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals. Patients 63 096 infants born at ≥36 weeks in 2009–2010, of whom 59 761 (94.5%) had a weight subsequent to birth weight measured at Main predictor measure Per cent of birth weight lost by 24 h of age. Main outcome measure Weight nadir, defined as the lowest recorded inpatient or outpatient weight in the first 30 days after birth, expressed as a percentage of birth weight. Results Among infants who breastfed at least once, mean (±SD) weight nadir was 6.3±3.5% below birth weight, and 9.6% of the newborns lost ≥10% of birth weight. Among 2670 infants who lost ≥5% of their birth weight in the first 24 h, 782 (29%) eventually developed EWL, compared with 4840 (8%) of 57 109 infants who lost Conclusions High first-day weight loss predicts eventual weight nadir and can be used to identify infants who might benefit from targeted interventions to support breastfeeding and prevent EWL.
Circulating soluble ICAM-1 levels shows linkage to ICAM gene cluster region on Chromosome 19: the NHLBI Family Heart Study Follow-up Examination

Atherogenesis is a chronic inflammatory process in which intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) plays a critical role. Circulating soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) is thought to be the result of cleavage of membrane-bound ICAM-1 and its concentration in serum/plasma has been shown to be heritable. Genome-wide linkage scans were conducted for quantitative trait loci influencing sICAM-1. Phenotype and genetic marker data were available for 2617 white and 531 black individuals in the NHLBI Family Heart Study follow-up examination. Heritability for sICAM-1 was 0.39 in whites and 0.59 in blacks. Significant linkage was observed on chromosome 19 (LOD = 4.0 at 14 cM) in whites near the ICAM gene cluster that includes the structural gene for ICAM-1. The T-allele of ICAM-1 SNP rs5491 has been strongly associated with the specific sICAM-1 assay we used in our study. Through additional genotyping we were able to rule out rs5491 as the cause of the linkage finding. This study provides preliminary evidence linking genetic variation in the ICAM1 structural gene to circulating sICAM-1 levels.
Patient analgesia after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND): outcomes in pain management using long-term continuous local anesthesia delivery

Abstract Background: Although considered a safe surgical procedure, ALND is associated with post-operative numbness, paresthesias, pain, and muscle weakness. Despite meticulous surgical technique, and absent evidence of long thoracic or thoracodorsal nerve injury, the risk of these complications have been reported as 35–50%, with a subset of patients developing chronic pain. Methods: Female patients (n = 25) undergoing Level I–II ALND for breast cancer were recruited. After ALND, patients were randomized to three groups. Group #1 received no pump or infusion. Patients assigned to group #2–#3 (double-blinded) received 120 hours continuous bupivacaine (BPV) or saline infusion using an On-Q pump (I-Flow Corporation) via an axillary catheter. Patients were discharged with oral opioid analgesics and performed twice-daily assessment of pain, sedation, and nausea using validated visual-analog scale measures. Daily opioid analgesic requirements were recorded. Results: Patients treated with bupivacaine experienced statistically-significant lower pain scores (p Table I . TABLE—ABSTRACT 14 . Measure Control (n = 8) BPV (n = 8) Saline (n = 9) Morning Pain Score 29.7 7.6 21.54 p = 0.001 Evening Pain Score 30.1 7.0 19.0 p =0.0002 Morning Sedation Score 19.3 4.4 16.0 p Evening Sedation Score 18.6 7.0 10.0 p Morning Nausea Score 6.8 1.5 7.4 p = 0.039 Evening Nausea Score 6.3 1.6 5.2p P = 0.015 Oral Opioid Analgesics 122.6 22.0 52.0 p POD: Post-operative day 1–14, Score: Visual Analog Scale (0–100); Opioid Analgesics (total mg) There were no complications. Conclusions: Use of continuous administration of axillary local anesthesia significantly decreases pain, sedation, and opioid analgesic requirements following ALND. This pilot study is encouraging, warranting further evaluation of this treatment modality to determine its potential impact upon long-term complications following ALND.
Precision Registration and Mosaicking of Multicamera Images

A method for registering and mosaicking multicamera images is described. Registration is achieved using control points and projective transformation, paying special attention to factors that contribute to the precision registration of images. Among the corresponding control points found in overlapping images, those that best satisfy the projective constraint are used to register the images. Experimental results show that a small number of correspondences that satisfy the projective constraint produce a more accurate registration than a large number of correspondences in least squares fashion. To achieve seamless mosaics, the intensities of all images captured by the cameras are transformed to the intensities of one of the images to minimize the intensity difference between the registered images. Mosaicking results on 4096 image sets acquired by a six-camera system are presented and discussed.
An edge detection operator for SAR images

The detection of small linear features from SAR imagery is complicated by the presence of speckle and the nonstationarity of the image data. A feature detector is derived from the contrast ratio edge detector to extract linear features from SAR imagery with a constant probability of false alarm. The output of the feature detector is then passed through a thresholded grey level closure operator to thin the detected features, connect adjacent linear features, and remove isolated noise points and linear fragments. The resulting operators are applied to ERS-1 images to illustrate their effectiveness. >
Relationship between step length asymmetry and walking performance in subjects with chronic hemiparesis.

Balasubramanian CK, Bowden MG, Neptune RR, Kautz SA. Relationship between step length asymmetry and walking performance in subjects with chronic hemiparesis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2007;88:43-9. Objective: To understand the relationship between step length asymmetry and hemiparetic walking performance. Design: Descriptive. Setting: Gait analysis laboratory. Participants: Convenience sample of 49 subjects with chronic hemiparesis. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Subjects walked at their self- selected walking speed over both an instrumented mat and forceplates to collect spatiotemporal parameters and ground reac- tion forces, respectively. Step length asymmetry was quantified by using a step length ratio (SLR) defined as paretic step length divided by nonparetic step length. Paretic leg propulsion, self- selected walking speed, hemiparetic severity (assessed by Brunnstrom stages of motor recovery), and some spatiotempo- ral walking parameters quantified the hemiparetic walking per- formance. Paretic leg propulsion was quantified by the paretic propulsion (PP) ratio, calculated as the percentage contribution of paretic leg to the total propulsive impulse. Results: Significant negative correlation (r.78) was re- vealed between SLR and PP, indicating that subjects generating less propulsive force with the paretic leg walked asymmetri- cally with longer paretic steps than nonparetic steps. SLR and self-selected walking speed revealed a weaker correlation (r.35), whereas hemiparetic severity correlated strongly with SLR (.53). Conclusions: Step length asymmetry is related to propulsive force generation during hemiparetic walking. Subjects gener- ating least paretic propulsion walk with relatively longer pa- retic steps. This suggests that one of the mechanisms for the longer paretic step may be the relatively greater compensatory nonparetic leg propulsion. Further, those with more severe hemiparesis (those dependent on abnormal flexor and extensor synergies) walk with the longest paretic steps relative to non-
Count/mass category acquisition: distributional distinctions in children's speech.

The count/mass distinction represents a categorical differentiation of nouns into count nouns which can be individuated when quantified (e.g. a car, several tables) and mass nouns which may not (cf. *a water, *several sands). The emergence of this distinction was examined in the longitudinal speech data of two children. In the first analysis, use of count nouns and mass nouns was compared in noun phrase contexts that require count nouns (e.g. a X, another X). It was found that from the earliest samples children used more count nouns in these contexts, hence showing a distributional distinction of noun types. This result suggests very rapid acquisition of count/mass subcategories. A series of further analyses assessed the possibility that early differentiation of count and mass nouns may be due to rote learning. No evidence was found for this proposal. A final analysis examined the development of a rule that requires that singular count nouns must be modified by a determiner. Acquisition here was found to be more protracted in nature since determiners are not used consistently in ‘telegraphic’ speech. Problems concerning the learnability of the obligatory determiner rule are discussed along with some speculations concerning the role of semantics in the acquisition of the count/mass distinction.
A second-order accurate Super TimeStepping formulation for anisotropic thermal conduction

Astrophysical fluid dynamical problems rely on efficient numerical solution techniques for hyperbolic and parabolic terms. Efficient techniques are available for treating the hyperbolic terms. Parabolic terms, when present, can dominate the time for evaluating the solution, especially when large meshes are used. This stems from the fact that the explicit time-step for parabolic terms is proportional to the square of the mesh size and can become unusually small when the mesh is large. Multigrid-Newton–Krylov methods can help, but usually require a large number of iterations to converge. Super TimeStepping schemes are an interesting alternative, because they permit one to take very large overall time-steps for the parabolic terms while using only a modest number of explicit time-steps. Super TimeStepping schemes of the type used in astrophysics have, so far, been only first-order accurate in time and prone to instabilities. In this paper, we present a Runge–Kutta method that is based on the recursion sequence for Legendre polynomials, called the RKL2 method. RKL2 is a time-explicit method that permits us to treat non-linear parabolic terms robustly and with large, second-order accurate time-steps. An s-stage RKL2 scheme permits us to take a time-step that is ∼s2 times larger than a single explicit, forward Euler time-step for the parabolic operator. This permits an s-fold gain in computational efficiency over explicit time-step sub-cycling. For modest values of ‘s’, the advantage can be substantial. The stability properties of the new schemes are explored and they are shown to be stable and positivity preserving for linear operators. We document the method as it is applied to the anisotropic thermal conduction operator for dilute, magnetized, astrophysical plasmas. Implementation-related details are discussed. The RKL2 Super TimeStepping scheme has been implemented in the riemann code for computational astrophysics. We explain the method for picking an s-stage RKL2 scheme for the parabolic terms and show how it can be integrated with a hyperbolic system solver. The method’s simplicity makes it very easy to retrofit the s-stage RKL2 scheme to any problem with a parabolic part when a well-formed spatial discretization is available. Several stringent test problems involving thermal conduction in astrophysical plasmas are presented and the method is shown to perform robustly and efficiently on all of them.
A Gibbs Sampler for the Multidimensional Item Response Model

Current procedures for estimating compensatory multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques are inadequate in that they do not directly model the interrelationship between latent traits. This limits the implementation of the model in various applications and further prevents the development of other types of IRT models that offer advantages not realized in existing models. In view of this, an MCMC algorithm is proposed for MIRT models so that the actual latent structure is directly modeled. It is demonstrated that the algorithm performs well in modeling parameters as well as intertrait correlations and that the MIRT model can be used to explore the relative importance of a latent trait in answering each test item.
Shifting the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis to children and young adults: a new paradigm for the 21st century

Over the past century, the practice of medicine has largely been reflexive, primarily focusing on treating acute manifestations of disease. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease have increased the lifespan and quality of life for many of our patients. However, despite
The Epidemic of HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Is Here: Is It Time to Change Our Treatment Paradigms?

Although relatively uncommon, oropharyngeal cancers are increasing in incidence despite declining prevalence of smoking and in direct opposition to a decreasing incidence of all other head and neck cancers. An epidemic of human papillomavirus (HPV)--associated oropharyngeal cancers seems to account for these incidence trends. Important demographic, behavioral, and prognostic characteristics define this unique population. Changes in prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, staging, and treatment are needed. This article summarizes the epidemiology and clinical behavior of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer and discusses evolving/potential paradigms of treatment. However, data are currently insufficient to change treatment paradigms for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer outside of a closely monitored clinical trial.
How Can We Avoid Closed-ended and Single Exit Theories in Economics and Political Economy: Reflections on Richard Wagner's Mind, Society and Human Action

Economics basically begins with two empirical observations. First, individuals pursue their interests. Second, Paris gets fed. And the task of the economist is to reconcile those two observations. In one version, the profit maximizing behavior of individuals results in a general competitive equilibrium; in another version, individuals will be alert to those opportunities that are in their interest to be alert to, discovering opportunities for mutually beneficial exchange; and in still another version, the reconciliation fails to result because of any number of human imperfections. The main versions that get played out in public debate over the virtues of not only the market economy but also the discipline of economics itself are the first and third. And both of those are built on closed-ended models of choice and single-exit theories of equilibrium. The first version results in an optimal outcome; the third results in a suboptimal outcome. This scientific vision of economics reached its pinnacle in the 1960s and 1970s with the Arrow-Hahn-Debreu model of general competitive equilibrium and the proof of the first and second fundamental theorems of welfare economics, and its flip-side the pure theory of market failure (as developed by Samuelson, Bator, Arrow, Akerlof, and Stiglitz) focusing on the various implications of imperfect information and imperfect market structure. Ironically, both the model of general competitive equilibrium, and the model of market failure, scarcely paid attention to the institutional environment within which market processes are played out. The first and third versions of the intellectual efforts to square selfinterest with social order while clearly simply being flip-sides of one another,
Redevelopment and the Four Dimensions of Class in Land Use

This essay begins with the proposition that the battle over the exercise of eminent domain as a question of the extent to which we accept local economic development as a proper exercise of local governmental authority. In light of the reality that economic development seeks to accomplish redevelopment to meet the social needs and consumption tastes of the affluent, the issue of local governments' autonomy to engage in redevelopment for economic development purposes is suffused with socioeconomic class struggles over land use. Therefore, the changes wrought by redevelopment challenge us to think and talk about class in ways for which we are inadequately prepared. The class issue is possibly most difficult to acknowledge in the redevelopment context because class permeates the existing system of property ownership and land regulation. As a first step in addressing the inherent conflicts surrounding class in the issue of redevelopment, this essay delineates a typology of four dimensions of class as it affects, interrelates, and operates with land use law and argues that the dimensions illustrate points of tension that must be considered and resolved in formulating redevelopment practices.
Incarcerating Youth With Mental Health Problems: A Focus on the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness

Mental health problems among youth in the juvenile justice system are of particular concern given their high prevalence rate. The current study applies attribution theory and focal concerns to examine how mental health problems influence the judicial decision to commit youth to confinement. Furthermore, the study examines whether the effect of mental health problems is conditioned by race and ethnicity, hypothesizing that minorities with mental health problems will be treated more severely than Whites with mental health problems. Using administrative court records from Maricopa County, AZ (n = 5,501), findings reveal that mental health problems increased the likelihood of confinement, and this effect was moderated by race. Implications for theory and policy are discussed.
Advising 101: Lessons in advising for nursing student success

Abstract Faculty teaching associate degree nursing students should use advising approaches that will provide support for students, facilitate success, and enhance retention. This manuscript discusses issues advisors encounter, approaches to advising, and strategies for faculty, students, and administrators to use to help students.
High-Fidelity Simulation in Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Review of Simulation Reviews

Abstract The purpose of this focused review was to provide an overview of existing high-fidelity simulation reviews in undergraduate nursing education. ​Over the last 10 years, there has been a substantial increase in the use of high-fidelity simulation in undergraduate nursing education. Six reviewers conducted a systematic literature search on existing reviews of high-fidelity simulation and undergraduate nursing education from January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2015. Using a comprehensive search of literature databases and hand searches, a total of 34 reviews were initially selected for full review with seven reviews included in the final analysis after rereview of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Findings from simulation research and reviews revealed significant differences in design and assessment methods leading to a wide variety of measurement outcomes and a variety of limitations. Of the seven reviews, five were integrative reviews and two were reviews of the literature. No meta-analysis or systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. The review suggests a need for methodologically sound research that translates simulation outcomes to future performance and practice. Findings from the review support the multitude of challenges in simulation research including a lack of funding, a lack of simulation training for faculty and staff, and a lack of support for faculty conducting simulation research. Limitations of prior studies include weak designs, mixed samples, and a lack of valid and reliable evaluation tools.
Plasma lactoferrin reflects granulocyte activation in vivo

N-formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP) causes polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to secrete and become "sticky" in vitro. We related these events to in vivo FMLP-induced neutropenia. FMLP was intravenously administered to anesthetized rabbits in doses ranging from 0.01 microgram to 1.0 microgram. Controls received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the diluent for FMLP. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and arterial Po2 were monitored. High and intermediate doses of FMLP caused a dramatic but transient decrease in blood pressure and an increase in respiratory rate. Prior to FMLP infusion, plasma lactoferrin level was 6.4 +/- 4.1 micrograms/ml, and the absolute granulocyte account (AGC) was 2008 +/- 1229 (mean +/- SD). There was a positive linear correlation between AGC and plasma lactoferrin level prior to injection of FMLP (R2 = 0.74, p less than 0.01). At 1 min after FMLP injection, the percent change in AGC decreased as an exponential function of dose to as low as 10% of baseline (R2 = 0.86, p = 0.002) and plasma concentration of lactoferrin increased as an exponential function of dose to as high as 30 micrograms/ml (R2 = 0.84, p = 0.006). Thus, FMLP-induced neutropenia is associated with increased levels of plasma lactoferrin, suggesting that PMN are induced to degranulate in vivo.
Readings in Law and Popular Culture edited by Steve Greenfield and Guy Osborn

The editors of this volume acknowledge the traditional hesitancy of law schools to incorporate subjects in the curriculum that do not serve the interests of 'black-letter hegemony' (p 1), leading to a conservative notion of what is acceptable in terms of subject matter and a difference in how subjects are treated.