cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-weighted imaging for prediction of volumetric response of leiomyomas following uterine artery embolization: a preliminary study.

Purpose To determine if pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of leiomyomas could predict volumetric response (VR) following uterine artery embolization (UAE). Materials and Methods We retrospectively studied 11 women who underwent pelvic MRI before and >120 days following UAE. MRI included conventional and diffusion weighted imaging sequences. Percentage change in leiomyoma volume was determined by multiplanar T2-weighted imaging. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between leiomyoma VR following UAE and the following pre-embolization parameters: initial volume, relative enhancement, relative T2 signal intensity (SI) and ADC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ADC for predicting volumetric response. Results Twenty-eight leiomyomas were included with a mean interval from UAE to follow-up MRI of 207 days. The preprocedural volume of the leiomyomas ranged from 18 to 182 cm3 (median 47 cm3). and ADC ranged from 0.37 to 1.71 mm2/s (mean 0.80 mm2/s). All leiomyomas were 100% necrotic following UAE. Leiomyoma VR following UAE was 48% ± 3.5%. with significant correlation between VR and ADC (r = 0.41; P = 0.017) but no correlation with initial leiomyoma volume, relative T2 SI, or relative enhancement. Using a threshold of 0.875 × 10−3 mm2/s, ADC could predict > 50% VR with sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 83%, respectively. Conclusion Pre-UAE ADC of leiomyomas correlated significantly with percent VR following UAE. In contrast, no correlation was seen between VR post-UAE and conventional imaging findings. This suggests that VR following UAE depends on leiomyoma histology reflected in DWI rather than features revealed by conventional MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:641–646. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nonvitamin, Nonmineral Dietary Supplementation in HIV‐Positive People

Background: Many consumers with chronic diseases attempt to take control of their health by using dietary supplements. The objective of this study was to describe current nonvitamin, nonmineral (NVNM) supplement use of HIV-infected persons in the Nutrition for Healthy Living (NFHL) cohort, the financial burden that buying these supplements might pose to this population, and to review current literature on potential interactions between NVNM supplements. Methods: At baseline visit, participants were educated by a registered dietitian on keeping a complete 3-day food record (including all supplements) for 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day. Seventy-two subjects reported consumption of NVNM supplements, and their food records were reviewed in detail. Results: Each of the 72 subjects in this study used a mean of 6 NVNM supplements, which may have been in the form of a pill, powder, bar, or liquid. The 6 most common were glutamine (51%), N-acetyl-cysteine (36%), fish oil (33%), α-lipoic acid (32%), acetyl-l-carnitin...
The Jacobian derivative method for three‐dimensional fracture mechanics

SUMMARY This paper presents a new algorithm to compute the distribution of the strain energy release rate along the crack front for three-dimensional cracks (e.g surface cracks). The algorithm is economical and accurate. The algorithm is illustrated via two-dimensional and three-dimensional examples including a surface crack in a cylinder under internal 'pressure and sieJe-grooved compact-test specimens. It is shown, via specific examples, that only a single, self-similar virtual crack extension is necessary to accurately compute the strain-energy release-rate distribution along the crackfront. Two main areas have received attention in fracture mechanics analyses: (i) to model accurately the singular behaviour near the crack front; (ii) to compute the stress intensity factor from the solution to the finite-element model of the problem. The present study deals with the second problem, with emphasis on the use of isoparametric elements. The method presented here has its origins in the virtual crack extension method of Hellen 4 and the stiffness derivative method of Parks. 5 But in contrast to the VCEM, the Jacobian derivative method presented herein does not require an arbitrary choice of a 'virtual' 6xtension that in the VCEM becomes an 'actual' extension. We take advantage of the isoparametric formulation to compute the strain energy release rates directly from the displacement field. The Jacobian derivative method is a tr,ue post-processor algorithm. In thiS method the stress intensity factors are computed from an independently obtained displacement solution. Therefore, the displacement solution can be obtained with a program without any fracture mechanics capability, although adequate representation 'of the singular behaviour near the crack front is necessary. The displacement field may even be obtained by experimental techniques. Furthermore, the proposed technique does not require computation of stresses,
Additive neuroprotective effects of creatine and a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor against dopamine depletion in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

There is evidence that both inflammatory mechanisms and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. We investigated whether the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor rofecoxib either alone or in combination with creatine could exert neuroprotective effects in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine model of PD in mice. Both rofecoxib and creatine administered alone protected against striatal dopamine depletions and loss of substantia nigra tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons. Administration of rofecoxib with creatine produced significant additive neuroprotective effects against dopamine depletions. These results suggest that a combination of a COX-2 inhibitor with creatine might be a useful neuroprotective strategy for PD. Index Entries: Inflammation; free radicals; mitochondria; cyclooxygenase; creatine; Parkinson’s disease.
Axillary ultrasound and sentinel lymph node biopsy: an evolving paradigm for management of the axilla

SUMMARY Axillary lymph node dissection was used to treat and to provide staging information for women with invasive breast cancer. With the adoption of sentinel lymph node biopsy over the past two decades, evaluation and management of the axilla has become less invasive for many patients. However, as treatment decisions are more frequently based on tumor biology rather than anatomic staging information, the information obtained from even more minimal axillary surgery may be less clinically relevant, and any surgery may cause morbidity. Imaging technologies, such as axillary ultrasound, offer the capability of providing some staging information without the risks associated with surgery. In addition, the therapeutic need for axillary surgery is in question, and less invasive means of managing the axilla are under investigation.
Batch-Level Costs In Activity-Based Costing Refinement, Optimization & Allocation

In the past decade, the Activity-Based Costing and the allocation of the batch-level costs have been presented and discussed in almost all cost/managerial accounting textbooks. A widely used example of batch-level cost, in most of the textbooks, is the set-up cost. In almost all of these textbooks, the annual set-up cost is assumed to be known in advance and is allocated based on the number of set-ups. In reality, the set-up cost should be determined first before it can be allocated properly. For the computation of the optimal total set-up cost, first the various factors influencing this category of cost should be discussed and then the methods of the allocation be applied. This paper discusses the various factors affecting the calculation of annual set-up cost. It also demonstrates a model that computes the optimum size of each set-up and the economical number of annual set-ups. Based on the outcomes of the model, the paper demonstrates the calculation of total allocable set-up cost and its allocation to various products.
Adaptive guardband scheduling to improve system-level efficiency of the POWER7+

The traditional guardbanding approach to ensure processor reliability is becoming obsolete because it always over-provisions voltage and wastes a lot of energy. As a next-generation alternative, adaptive guardbanding dynamically adjusts chip clock frequency and voltage based on timing margin measured at runtime. With adaptive guardbanding, voltage guardband is only provided when needed, thereby promising significant energy efficiency improvement. In this paper, we provide the first full-system analysis of adaptive guardbanding's implications using a POWER7+ multicore. On the basis of a broad collection of hardware measurements, we show the benefits of adaptive guardbanding in a practical setting are strongly dependent upon workload characteristics and chip-wide multicore activity. A key finding is that adaptive guardbanding's benefits diminish as the number of active cores increases, and they are highly dependent upon the workload running. Through a series of analysis, we show these high-level system effects are the result of interactions between the application characteristics, architecture and the underlying voltage regulator module's loadline effect and IR drop effects. To that end, we introduce adaptive guardband scheduling to reclaim adaptive guardbanding's efficiency under different enterprise scenarios. Our solution reduces processor power consumption by 6.2% over a highly optimized system, effectively doubling adaptive guardbanding's original improvement. Our solution also avoids malicious workload mappings to guarantee application QoS in the face of adaptive guardbanding hardware's variable performance.
p27kip1 Protein Expression Correlates With Survival in Myxoid and Round-Cell Liposarcoma

PURPOSE: The p27kip1 protein (p27) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that has been shown to be an independent prognostic factor in a variety of human neoplasms. Low expression of p27 tends to occur in more aggressive neoplasms. The role of p27 as an independent prognostic factor in the spectrum of myxoid and round-cell liposarcomas has not been examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven cases of myxoid and round-cell liposarcomas were examined. Clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical expression of p27 and Ki-67 antigen were studied in all cases. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and the Cox multivariate regression model. RESULTS: The male:female ratio was 1.4:1, and the mean age at diagnosis was 45 years. The tumors were located in the lower extremities (94%) and retroperitoneum (6%). The median tumor size was 13.5 cm. The median follow-up was 6.3 years, and the overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 76% and 67%, respectively. Low expression of p27 was identifie...
Statistical solution to the two-point resolution problem

We compute the mutual information between object and image in a two-point imaging system with exponential intensity statistics. We show that the achievable resolution is better than that predicted by Rayleigh resolution theory and Gaussian statistics.
Human androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer following androgen ablation

Objective: Metastatic prostate cancer kills patients because their tumor cells fail to respond to combined androgen blockade (CAB) or respond and then relapse. To understand the molecular basis of androgen-insensitive growth of prostate tumor cells, we evaluated changes in human androgen receptor gene (hAR) mRNA levels in patients with prostate cancer treated with CAB. Methods: The study was carried out using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. The levels of hAR mRNA were compared to serum prostate-specific antigen and the mutant status of p53 in the tumor. Results: hAR was expressed in 44 of 46 tumors from untreated patients, as opposed to 30 of 45 from those who had received CAB (p = 0.001). These 30 were from 8 of 9 stage D patients and from 22 of 36 patients on downsizing CAB therapy prior to radical prostatectomy. Expression was most often seen in high stages (56% of stage B vs. 89% of stage D) and high grades (52% of Gleason 3-7 vs. 92% of Gleason 8-10, p = 0.015). No tumor with a missense p53 mutation had hAR expression following CAB. Twenty-two patients following CAB were found to have undetectable serum prostate-specific antigen levels, while their tumor expressed hAR. Conclusions: hAR expression after CAB is seen preferentially in high-grade, high-stage tumors, the type of prostate carcinomas that fail to have a durable remission. Undetectable serum prostate-specific antigen from tumors that remain hAR positive may predict relapse after hormonal ablative therapy.
Long term responses with cetuximab therapy in glioblastoma multiforme

Commentary to:Long Term Responses with Cetuximab Therapy in Glioblastoma MultiformeCristobal Belda-Iniesta, Javier de Castro Carpeno, Enrique Casado Saenz, Manuel Gutierrez, Rosario Perona and Manuel Gonzalez BaronVolume 5, Issue: 8http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/cbt/article/3118
Chaotic experiences and low-income children's social-emotional development

Development in early childhood is increasingly likely to take place in multiple contexts. Continuity and discontinuity in children's experiences across multiple contexts have important implications for their development. This study examines the extent to which children experience chaos in their homes and in their preschool settings is linked with their social-emotional development over the course of the preschool year. Data from a large, representative sample of low-income preschool children attending Head Start was used to test a series of multi-level models. Children whose experiences of their homes were highly chaotic, regardless of the how chaotic their experiences of their classroom were, decreased in their social-emotional skills over the preschool year. Chaotic experiences in the home environment thus appear to have more influence on children's development than do chaotic preschool experiences.
Consent from Child for Organ Donation

An 8 year old student develops chronic glomerulonephritis and is begun on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with fair rehabilitation. Over two years of dialytic therapy, his growth is maintained by injections of recombinant human growth hormone. The patient’s monozygotic (identical) twin brother shows no sign of kidney disease. After a series of dialysis access infections, and a worsening depression in the patient, the parents request that a kidney transplant be performed between their iwin sons. The donor twin states that he wishes to do everything for his brother but that he is afraid of being hurt by the surgeon-doctor. His parents request that the kidney transplant be performed promptly, advising their donor son that he will feel no pain once the surgery is finished.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

A case report is recorded of a female aged 46 years presenting the features of Melkersson’s syndrome.
Effects of ophthalmologic solutions on sinonasal ciliated epithelium

Background Off-label use of topical ophthalmologic formulations for treatment of rhinologic disease is cited in recent literature and is anecdotally prevalent among practicing otolaryngologists. Steroids, antibiotics, and other drugs designed for ocular use have subjective clinical efficacy in the nose and sinuses, but their specific effects on the ciliated epithelium are less well defined. This study examines 9 commercially available ophthalmologic drug formulations for effects on ciliary motility in sinonasal cultures, in an effort to characterize their utility as topical therapies for sinonasal diseases. Methods Ophthalmologic solutions were tested on human sinonasal cultures grown at an air-liquid interface. Baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was recorded and compared with CBF changes in the 20 minutes after drug addition. Substances were categorized by degree of ciliostimulation or cilioinhibition. Results All ophthalmologic solutions tested had only moderate effects on CBF during the 20-minute experimental period, with no solutions causing overt ciliostasis. Azithromycin, neomycin, and olopatadine were slightly ciliostimulatory, whereas levofloxacin, tobramycin, dexamethasone, azelastine, and prednisolone acetate were cilioinhibitory. Ciprofloxacin elicited moderate cilioinhibition that progressed to ciliostimulation. Conclusion All solutions tested appear to have moderate effects on ciliated cell surfaces for a period of time typical of mucociliary clearance (10 to 20 minutes). Both active drugs and excipients can play a role in ciliary modulation, and specific formulations can show unique or unexpected properties. Any other individual ophthalmologic solutions to be used in a nasal drug delivery system should be tested in this manner to evaluate potential ciliary effects before clinical use.
One size doesn't fit all: A trial of individually tailored skills training.

Objectives This article describes a pilot test of an individually tailored program to improve community living and health self-management skills in older adults with serious mental illness. Method This study provided the Helping Older People Experience Success-Individually Tailored (HOPES-I) intervention, an adaptation of an empirically supported, manualized, group-based skills training program shown to improve community functioning, psychiatric symptoms, self-efficacy, and receipt of preventive health. HOPES-I targets 5 skill areas: leisure time, communication, independent living, friendships, and health self-management. We enrolled 47 adults age 50 and older (mean age = 62) with serious mental illness (38% schizophrenia spectrum, 62% mood disorders). Trained HOPES-I coaches evaluated participants' skills and functioning and engaged them in shared decision-making to select which curricular areas to receive. Participants received 1 HOPES-I session per week for 9-12 months, with assessments of overall psychosocial functioning and the 5 skill areas targeted by the program at baseline, postintervention, and at 3 and 6 months. Results Participants with baseline impairments in overall functioning and in each of the skill areas targeted by the program demonstrated significant improvements on related outcome measures. Selection of specific HOPES-I curriculum was not associated with level of impairment in associated skill areas at baseline, but participants with more impairment overall chose and completed more curriculum modules. Conclusions and implications for practice The results of this study support the feasibility and potential benefits of an individually tailored skills training program for the rapidly growing and vulnerable group of older people with serious mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record
Honey Bee(Apis mellifera)Exposomes and Biological Pathways Associated withNosema ceranaeInfection

A pilot study was conducted to determine if exposome profiles of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) are associated with Nosema ceranae infection and whether xenobiotic exposures effect changes in known biological pathways of bees. Thirty stationary hives were selected from seven apiaries representing urban and suburban geographies. Foraging bees were harvested during the summer of 2015 and analyzed for Nosema ceranae infection via semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (sq-PCR) and discovery-based exposome analysis via gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF). The resulting datasets were divided into case and control groups based on the prevalence of N. ceranae infection. Xenobiotic burden was determined to be associated with N. ceranae infection, and co-variate analysis determined differentially expressed biological chemicals and naturally occurring chemicals in the bee exposomes. Biological pathways analyses putatively identified 10 dysregulated pathways as well as the presence of the P450 oxidative metabolism of naphthalene for detoxification. Based on these results, it is evident that the integration of genetic disease screening with discovery-based exposomics provides a promising multi-omic platform to identify adverse biological effects to bees occurring from exposures to chemicals and parasites. In addition, this approach will generate new hypotheses for targeted follow-up studies to examine bee health.
Pharmacists' Attitudes and Perceived Barriers to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Services.

Use of non-traditional settings such as community pharmacies has been suggested to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake and completion rates. The objectives of this study were to explore HPV vaccination services and strategies employed by pharmacies to increase HPV vaccine uptake, pharmacists’ attitudes towards the HPV vaccine, and pharmacists’ perceived barriers to providing HPV vaccination services in community pharmacies. A pre-piloted mail survey was sent to 350 randomly selected community pharmacies in Alabama in 2014. Measures included types of vaccines administered and marketing/recommendation strategies, pharmacists’ attitudes towards the HPV vaccine, and perceived system and parental barriers. Data analysis largely took the form of descriptive statistics. 154 pharmacists completed the survey (response rate = 44%). The majority believed vaccination is the best protection against cervical cancer (85.3%), HPV is a serious threat to health for girls (78.8%) and boys (55.6%), and children should not wait until they are sexually active to be vaccinated (80.1%). Perceived system barriers included insufficient patient demand (56.5%), insurance plans not covering vaccination cost (54.8%), and vaccine expiration before use (54.1%). Respondents also perceived parents to have inadequate education and understanding about HPV infection (86.6%) and vaccine safety (78.7%). Pharmacists have positive perceptions regarding the HPV vaccine. Barriers related to system factors and perceived parental concerns must be overcome to increase pharmacist involvement in HPV vaccinations.
A Comparison of Some Theoretical Proposals of J. R. Kantor and T. C. Schneirla

Schneirla’s experimental work and Kantor’s interbehavioral system complement one another. Their similar beliefs probably derive from commitments to naturalism, emphasis on comprehensive understanding in psychology, and the influence of Darwinian biology. Their naturalism explicitly emphasizes “integrative levels.” Their “field” orientation eliminates biological reductionism and emphasizes comprehensive descriptions of empirical relationships among field factors. And, their developmental approach is integral to their explanation of behavior.
Scattering Of Obliquely Incident Rayleigh Waves by a Surface-Breaking Crack

Recent results on reflection, transmission and scattering of obliquely incident Rayleigh surface waves by an infinitely long surface-breaking crack are reviewed. Sets of crack-opening displacements for infinitely long cracks with various depths are used to construct approximate crack-opening fields for the scattering of a Rayleigh wave by a surface-breaking crack of large length-to-depth ratio. The scattered surface-wave fields for the finite-length crack are subsequently obtained by the use of a representation integral over an appropriate Green’s function and the approximate crack-opening displacements. Polar diagrams are presented for the amplitude of the scattered surface-wave field.
Stagg vs. Yost: the birth of cutthroat football, by John Kryk, Lanham, MD, Rowman & Littlefield, 2015, 349 pp., £120.88/$CDN98.64 (hardcover), ISBN 978-1-4422-4825-0

Stagg vs. Yost: The Birth of Cutthroat Football is a furiously paced book that starts with outrage and indignation and ends with outrage and indignation. In between is a book that is scrupulously r...
Allosteric modulation of protein-protein interactions by individual lipid binding events

The diverse lipid environment of the biological membrane can modulate the structure and function of membrane proteins. However, little is known about the role that lipids play in modulating protein-protein interactions. Here we employed native mass spectrometry (MS) to determine how individual lipid-binding events to the ammonia channel (AmtB) modulate its interaction with the regulatory protein, GlnK. The thermodynamic signature of AmtB-GlnK in the absence of lipids indicates conformational dynamics. A small number of lipids bound to AmtB is sufficient to modulate the interaction with GlnK, and lipids with different headgroups display a range of allosteric modulation. We also find that lipid chain length and stereochemistry can affect the degree of allosteric modulation, indicating an unforeseen selectivity of membrane proteins toward the chemistry of lipid tails. These results demonstrate that individual lipid-binding events can allosterically modulate the interactions of integral membrane and soluble proteins.
Race, Preoperative Risk Factors, and Death After Surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: African American children are more than twice as likely to die after surgery compared with white children. In this study, we evaluated whether risk factors for death after surgery differ for African American and white children, and we also assessed whether race-specific risk stratification models perform better than non–race-specific models. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric Participant Use Data File contains clinical data on operations performed on children at participating institutions in the United States. Variables predictive of death within 30 days of surgery were analyzed for differences in prevalence and strength of association with death for both African American and white children. Classification tree and network analysis were used. RESULTS: Network analyses revealed that the prevalence of preoperative risk factors associated with death after surgery was significantly higher for African American than for white children. In addition, many of the risk factors associated with death after surgery carried a higher risk when they occurred in African American children. Race-specific risk models provided high accuracy, with a specificity of 94% and a sensitivity of 83% for African American children and a specificity of 96% and a sensitivity of 77% for white children, and yet these 2 models were significantly different from each other. CONCLUSIONS: Race-specific models predict outcomes after surgery more accurately compared with non–race-specific models. Identification of race-specific modifiable risk factors may help reduce racial disparities in surgery outcome.
Complement inhibition by soluble complement receptor type 1 fails to moderate cerulein-induced pancreatitis in the rat.

Cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats associated with remote liver and lung dysfunction. Soluble complement receptor 1 (sCR1) does not reduce the local or remote injury. Thus complement activation does not moderate cerulein-induced pancreatitis or the associated liver and lung injury. The local and remote injury of pancreatitis resembles other inflammatory events that are mediated by complement. This study examines the effect of complement inhibition with sCR1 in cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Thirteen Sprague-Dawley rats received five hourly subcutaneous doses of cerulein (100 μg initially, then 50 μg/kg). Six of these animals received hourly iv sCR1 (15 mg/kg, a proven complement-inhibiting dose in rats) and the other seven received iv saline. In parallel, 12 additional rats received hourly sc and iv saline. Compared to saline controls, rats receiving cerulein showed increased pancreatic wet-to-dry ratio (3.25∶8.52) hematocrit (40 to 47%), ascites volume (2.1 to 6.1 mL), serum amylase (1680 to 10,700 U/L), and ascites amylase (32,200 to 167,000 U/L) (allp<0.05). None of these parameters were modified by treatment with sCR1. Serum SGPT, which increased from 33.4 to 46.6 U/L in cerulein-infused rats, showed a trend toward reduction to 38.8 U/L in rats treated with sCR1. Cerulein-treated rats also had increased lung myeloperoxidase (0.069 to 0.097 U/g) and lung permeability, as assessed by alveolar lavage to serum ratio of labeled albumen (0.041∶0.121) (bothp<0.05). Neither were changed by sCR1 treatment.
Item-based parsing schemata

Many parsing algorithms, like CYK and Earley, are in fact recognition algorithms. Such an algorithm does not construct parse trees by glueing together partial parse trees as in a tree-based parsing system. Only the existence of a parse tree is derived, based on items that denote the existence of partial parse trees. In the CYK algorithm, as described in Example 3.20, an item [A,i,j] is valid iff \(A{ \Rightarrow ^*}{a_i}...{a_j}\). That is, in the notation of Section 3.1, some tree \(\left\langle {A \rightsquigarrow \,{{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{a} }_{i + 1}}...{{\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{a} }_j}} \right\rangle\) exists, but we don’t care about the structure of the particular tree. It might be the case that several different trees exist with root A and yield \({\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{a} _{i + 1}}...{a_j}\)
Pharmacology of Local Anesthetics

Understand the basic mechanisms of local anesthetic action and metabolism Appreciate the differences in the properties among commonly used local anesthetics Learn the signs of local anesthetic toxicity and its treatment
Dynamic Properties of Quantum Solids and Fluids

The study of excitations in solidified 3He and 4He by inelastic neutron scattering provides the experimental tool to test our microscopic understanding of quantum solids. A review of this study, with emphasis on its relation to our current microscopic picture, is presented. A similar review of elementary excitations in liquid 3He, since they were first observed by neutrons in 1974, is also presented. Some recent new results on excitations, in the substantially larger field, of liquid 4He are highlighted again with an attempt to relate these to a microscopic picture of Bose liquids.
Ultra High Field MRI: High-Frequency Coils

This chapter reviews RF volume, array, and surface coil modeling, design, construction, control, safety, and human in-vivo application examples for field strengths from 4 to 9.4 T. While a comprehensive variety of coils is included, focus is on the transmission line (TEM) technology head, body, surface, and array coils developed by the author over the past 16 years. References provide a supplement to this material for the many details that cannot be covered in a single book chapter.
The Gut Microbiome in Multiple Sclerosis: A Potential Therapeutic Avenue

Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the number of studies focused upon connecting the gut microbiome with cases of central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative autoimmune disorder of the CNS. Recent experimental and clinical evidence suggests the presence of microbial imbalances in the gut of MS sufferers. The gut microbiome is defined as the summation of all the microbial entities as well as their genes, proteins, and metabolic products in a given space and time. Studies show the MS gut microbiome as having general alterations in specific taxa, some associated with the promotion of inflammatory cytokines and overall inflammation. In conjunction with these findings, experimental models of the disease have reported that T regulatory (Treg) cells have deficits in their function as a result of the aberrant gut microbiota composition. The findings suggest that the interactions between the host and the microbiota are reciprocal, although more extensive work is required to confirm this. Moreover, evidence indicates that changes in microbiota composition may result in imbalances that could result in disease, with the gut as a potential novel therapeutic avenue. By understanding the biological effects of aberrant gut microbiome composition, it is possible to contemplate current therapeutic options and their efficacy. Ultimately, more research is necessary in this field, but targeting the gut microbiota may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Optimal Location of Biogas Plants in Supply Chains under Carbon Effects: Insight from a Case Study on Animal Manure in North Dakota

Faced with increasing concerns over the negative environmental impact due to human and industrial activities, biomass industry practitioners and policy makers have great interest in green supply chains to reduce carbon emissions from supply chain activities. There are many studies which model the biomass supply chain and its environmental impact. However, animal waste sourced biogas supply chain has not received much attention in the literature. Biogas from animal manure not only provides energy efficiency, but also minimizes carbon emissions compared to existing biomass products. Therefore, this study proposes a mixed integer linear program that minimizes total supply costs and carbon emissions from an animal waste sourced biogas supply chain while it also incorporates carbon price in the model to see the impact of a carbon policy on tactical and strategic supply chain decisions. To validate the model proposed, a case study of North Dakota is adopted where there is a high potential for a biogas plant to be developed. The results of our optimization experiment indicate that supply chain performance in terms of both costs and emissions is very sensitive to a carbon pricing mechanism.
Surface Spreading System—Infiltration Basins

Surface spreading is the simplest, oldest, and mostly widely used method of managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Stormwater, river water, treated wastewater, and other waters are either applied to a land surface or locally impounded in infiltration basins, reservoirs, or modified stream channels. Typically, the water table is located below land surface, at least at the start of surface spreading, and the infiltrated water passes through the unsaturated zone. As infiltration progresses, the water table may rise to land surface at the spreading site. Surface spreading can be an efficient means of recharging shallow unconfined (water-table) aquifers where conditions are favorable. Infiltration basins are shallow impounded areas designed to temporarily store, infiltrate, and treat water. Hydrogeological characterization of prospective infiltration basin sites involves infiltration testing and evaluation of the hydraulic properties of the strata between the basin floor and the water table. The main operational challenge of infiltration basin systems is usually management of clogging, which is addressed through pretreatment and periodic maintenance activities.
DAM: A Bayesian Method for Detecting Genome-wide Associations on Multiple Diseases

Taking the advantage of high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping technology, large genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been considered to hold promise for unraveling complex relationships between genotypes and phenotypes. Current multi-locus-based methods are insufficient to detect interactions with diverse genetic effects on multifarious diseases. In addition, statistic tests for high order epistasis (≥ 2 SNPs) raise huge computational and analytical challenges because the computation increases exponentially as the growth of the cardinality of SNPs combinations. In this paper, we provide a simple, fast and powerful method, DAM, using Bayesian inference to detect genome-wide multi-locus epistatic interactions on multiple diseases. Experimental results on simulated data demonstrate that our method is powerful and efficient. We also apply DAM on two GWAS datasets from WTCCC, i.e. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes, and identify some novel findings. Therefore, we believe that our method is suitable and effective for the full-scale analysis of multi-disease-related interactions in GWASs.
Examining the associations between alcohol-related parental communication, alcohol use, and protective behavioral strategy use among young adults

Abstract Underage alcohol use is a public health concern as it remains prevalent and problematic. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) may prevent or reduce alcohol-related consequences, yet daily-level findings show they instead might be associated with increased drinking and consequences. While parents are a possible source of influence to their child’s decision making, it is unclear whether parental communication about alcohol affects drinking outcomes, with mixed findings noted in the literature. Furthermore, little research focuses on understanding how parental communication may impact the use of PBS. This study assessed whether alcohol specific parental communication would be associated with reduced drinking and increased use of PBS. Data from baseline and 3-month follow up were evaluated from a control group of a larger randomized controlled trial on 18- to 20-year-olds in the U.S. (N = 269). Outcomes included drinks per week, peak drinks per occasion, negative consequences and use of PBS. Using negative binomial regression modeling, controlling for age, sex, and whether participants lived with parents, findings revealed that parental communication was not associated with drinks per week, peak drinks per occasion, or negative consequences reported 3 months later. However, it was positively associated with limiting/stopping drinking PBS, manner of drinking PBS, and serious harm reduction PBS reported 3 months later. Results suggest that parental communication about alcohol may be more effective in increasing the use of protective behavioral strategies rather than reduction of drinking. Research is needed to determine why parental communication may influence the use of PBS and how we can strengthen the quality or focus of communication to ultimately increase the impact on risk behaviors.
Disaster Waste Management Challenges in Nepal: Health Impacts and the Need for Safe Practices

AbstractDeveloping countries are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, their aftermath, and the impact on peoples’ health and wellbeing, specifically as a result of lacking resources to mitiga...
Outcomes of Synchronization and Timed Insemination Coupled with Retained Ownership in a Commercial Beef Cattle Operation

GnRH-based estrous synchronization programs have allowed for outstanding success in getting cows pregnant with timed insemination (TAI). This technology allows pregnancy rates approximating those of natural service to a single insemination. The system minimizes the requirement for estrus detection with its attendant error rates and high demand for labor. The overall method allows producers to select semen from superior sires with known progeny performance to meet the outcomes that are most economical for their operations. These outcomes include traits that provide for desirable parturition outcomes, high rates of growth and feed efficiency, and the production of carcasses that are sold for a premium because they receive desirable quality and yield grades. Retained ownership beef cattle production schemes are different from traditional beef cattle management approaches wherein calves change ownership from the cow/calf operation to the growing phase and finally to the finishing or feedlot phase. Retained ownership through the feedlot and then marketing finished cattle through a value-based program allows the cow/calf producer to be compensated for the actual value of the beef produced. Because most calf marketing schemes tend to value cattle based on industry averages, there is the potential to augment income through retained ownership if cattle have characteristics that result in performance and end-product that is superior to industry average.
Association between gestational phthalate exposure and newborn head circumference; impacts by race and sex.

Abstract Observational and experimental studies report associations between gestational phthalate exposure and fetal development, yet few data exist to characterize phthalate effects on head circumference (HC) or to estimate the impact of race or sex. To address this data gap, we enrolled 152 African American and 158 white mothers with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies from the Charleston, South Carolina (USA) metropolitan area in a prospective birth cohort. Study participants provided up to two urine specimens during mid and late gestation, completed a study questionnaire, and allowed access to hospital birth records. We measured eight phthalate monoester metabolites using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and calculated molar sums of phthalate parent diesters. After specific gravity correction, we tested for associations between phthalates and neonatal HC (cm) and cephalization index (cm/g) using multiple informant linear regression with inverse probability weighting to account for selection bias between repeated urine sampling, adjusted for maternal race, age, body mass index, education, and smoking. We explored interactions by maternal race and infant sex. A doubling of urinary monoethyl phthalate (MEP) concentration was associated with a −0.49% (95%CI: -0.95%, −0.02%) smaller head circumference, although seven other phthalate metabolites were null. There were no statistically significant associations with cephalization index. HC was larger for whites than African American newborns (p
Role of Rhinopharyngoscopy in Diagnosis of Rhinopathies

Rhinopathies, or diseases of the sinonasal cavity, are a heterogeneous group of disorders ranging from benign entities to malignant processes. Proper evaluation and treatment of rhinopathies are dependent on accurate visualization and characterization of the disease processes. Prior methods of evaluation of the sinonasal cavity were dependent largely on anterior rhinoscopy, which unfortunately provides poor visualization of the superior, posterior, and lateral extent of the sinonasal cavity. With the advent of high-definition flexible and rigid endoscopes, rhinopharyngoscopy has proven to be a critical component in the evaluation of the sinonasal cavity. Here, we discuss rhinopharyngoscopy with emphasis on technique and evaluation of common rhinopathies and future developments.
Intramural Sportsmanship Rating Systems: A Case Study on Participant Knowledge and Perceived Effectiveness:

This qualitative case study explored the manner by which team captains and intramural players were educated about the Sportsmanship Rating System (SRS) used by their intramural sports program and their perceptions about the SRS. While some form of an SRS is widely used by NIRSA members (Stier et al., 2008), virtually no research has been conducted as to its effectiveness. The site was a medium sized, public, four year institution in the mid-Atlantic region. A total of 31 participants took part in the study. Data collection took place over a six-week time period and included a) observation, b) document analysis, c) interviews, and d) focus groups. The findings revealed that an SRS is mostly ineffective in positively modifying sportsmanship behavior unless the intramural participants are properly educated about the SRS and understand its scoring criteria.
Fos-defined activity in rat brainstem following centripetal acceleration

To identify rat brainstem nuclei involved in the initial, short-term response to a change in gravito-inertial force, adult Long-Evans rats were rotated in the horizontal plane for 90 min in complete darkness after they were eccentrically positioned off the axis of rotation (off- axis) causing a centripetal acceleration of 2 g. Neural activation was defined by the brainstem distribution of the c-fos primary response gene protein, Fos, using immunohistochemistry. The Fos labeling in off- axis animals was compared with that of control animals who were rotated on the axis of rotation (on-axis) with no centripetal acceleration, or who were restrained but not rotated. In the off-axis animals there was a significant labeling of neurons: in the inferior, medial, and y-group subnuclei of the vestibular complex; in subnuclei of the inferior olive, especially the dorsomedial cell column; in midbrain nuclei, including the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, nucleus of Darkschewitsch, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray; in autonomic centers including the solitary nucleus, area postrema, and locus coeruleus; and in reticular nuclei including the lateral reticular nucleus and the lateral parabrachial nucleus. Also, there was greater Fos expression in the dorsomedial cell column, the principal inferior olive subnuclei, inferior vestibular nucleus, the dorsolateral central gray, and the locus coeruleus in animals who had their heads restrained compared to animals whose heads were not restrained. As one control, the vestibular neuroepithelium was destroyed by injecting sodium arsanilate into the middle ear, bilaterally. This resulted in a complete lack of Fos labeling in the vestibular nuclei and the inferior olive, and a significant reduction in labeling in other nuclei in the off-axis condition, indicating that these nuclei have a significant labyrinth-sensitive component to their Fos labeling. The data indicate that several novel brainstem regions, including the dorsomedial cell column of the inferior olive and the periaqueductal gray, as well as more traditional brainstem nuclei including vestibular and oculomotor related nuclei, respond to otolith activation during a sustained centripetal acceleration.
Two Regions of Down-Regulation in the IgE-Mediated Signaling Pathway in Human Basophils

Previous studies demonstrated that after stimulation of human basophils with a polyclonal anti-IgE Ab, early signaling elements showed sustained phosphorylation, whereas later elements were transient, suggesting that a region of down-regulation involved inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3 kinase or its products. However, the current studies show that under some conditions, syk phosphorylation is transient. Generally, stimulation with a variety of Ags makes this early form of down-regulation more apparent. An exploration of the conditions needed to induce early down-regulation indicates that both the nature of aggregation and the cell surface density of IgE play roles. It was also found that the previously described late form of down-regulation (PI3 kinase product transience) can occur in cells displaying early down-regulation (transient syk phosphorylation), but this phenomenon is revealed by testing for subsequent down-regulation of the response to non-cross-reacting stimuli, altering their ability to induce phosphorylation of Akt or extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In contrast, phosphorylation of syk kinase, in response to a non-cross-reacting stimulus, was relatively unaffected by prior stimulation. The magnitude of cross-desensitization of the Akt or extracellular signal-regulated kinase response was a function of the strength of the first stimulus. Mediator release showed a similar cross-desensitization effect. Therefore, stimulation induces two forms of down-regulation, one operating before or at the level of syk phosphorylation, possibly characterizing the process formerly known as specific desensitization, and one that operates in the region of PI3 kinase, accounting for the process formerly known as nonspecific desensitization, which is dependent on the strength of stimulus.
Structural and thermal interface characteristics of Stirling cycle cryocoolers for space applications

Integration of a Stirling cycle cryocooler into a flight system will require careful attention to the thermal, structural, and electrical interfaces between the cryocooler, the instrument and the spacecraft. These issues are currently under investigation by National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) personnel in laboratory tests of representative longlife cryocoolers.