cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to High Glucose Alters Action Potential-Induced Ca2+ Transients and Enhances NFAT5 Expression and Nuclear Translocation in Cultured Adult Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Hyperosmolar non-ketotic syndrome (HNKS) is a life-threatening acute metabolic complication of uncontrolled type-2 diabetes characterized by severe hyperglycemia (600-900 mg/dL; 35-50 mM), dehydration, and muscle weakness; usually lasting for several days with a prognosis of 10-20% mortality. In the renal medulla, the transcription factor NFAT5 (or TonEBP) is a key regulator in protection from hypertonic stress. Here we evaluate the effects of sustained elevated extracellular glucose (50 mM of D or L-glucose for 48 hr) on Ca2+ signaling and endogenous NFAT5 activity in cultured adult murine FDB skeletal muscle fibers. Indo1-based ratiometric measurements showed no changes in resting Ca2+ in fibers challenged with high glucose. However, high glucose-exposed fibers displayed abnormal action potential-induced Ca2+ transients, manifest as a double Ca2+ spike upon a single 0.5 ms external field stimulus. Neither gadolinium (10 uM; a blocker of mechano-sensitive channels) nor apamin (1 uM; a Ca-dependent SK K+ channel blocker) reversed the effect of high glucose on AP-induced Ca2+ transients. Di-8-anepps staining revealed that the normally highly regular transverse-tubule morphology was noticeably disrupted in fibers exposed to high glucose. Thus, elevated glucose did not modify resting Ca2+ homeostasis, but affected AP-induced Ca2+ transients, possibly via a modification of T-tubule cable properties. Western blot and immunostaining assays indicated that endogenous NFAT5 was present in control FDB fibers. High glucose increased NFAT5 protein expression and augmented its nuclear translocation. NFAT-driven luciferase assays demonstrated an increase in NFAT-mediated transcriptional activity in fibers keep in high glucose conditions. In conclusion, increased expression and augmented transcriptional activity and abnormal Ca2+ signaling in skeletal muscle may play a role in the pathophysiology of the HNKS. Supported by NIH-NIAMS Grants R01-AR055099, R01-AR056477 and T32-AR007592.
Power control algorithms for soft handoff users in UMTS

This paper presents different strategies of power control in a UMTS FDD system applied to user in soft handoff. The strategy defined in the 3GPP standard is analyzed and compared to an improved strategy aiming at limiting the additional interference generated by soft handoff. It is shown how the proposed algorithm could be implemented in the current release of UMTS with little adaptation. Finally, simulation results based on Monte-Carlo analysis highlight the benefit brought by the proposed method.
Involvement of second messenger systems in stimulation of angiotensin converting enzyme of bovine endothelial cells.

We have demonstrated previously that a variety of agents including corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, cationophores, methylxanthines, and analogues of cAMP--all of which have diversified functions in various tissues--elevate cellular angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity of bovine endothelial cells in culture. In addition to these agents, we have now found that direct and receptor-mediated stimulators of adenylate cyclase, i.e., forskolin and cholera toxin, increase cellular ACE activity after 48 h incubation in culture. In an attempt to search out a more unifying concept of these stimulatory effects, we have further investigated the roles of second messengers in the stimulatory actions. Ca2+ ionophore A23187 produced significant increases in both intracellular Ca2+ and ACE of endothelial cells. In contrast to Ca2+ ionophore, agents that transiently mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular reserves such as bradykinin, acetylcholine, and ATP have no effect on the level of cellular ACE. Representative agents that elevate cellular cAMP (e.g., isobutyl methylxanthine [IBMX] and dibutyryl cAMP) elevated cellular ACE, but the slightly increased [Ca2+]i produced by these agents did not reach statistical significance. While IBMX, cholera toxin, and forskolin elevated cellular cAMP, other ACE stimulatory agents (hormones and cationophores) had no effect on cAMP. Ca2+ ionophore and the agents that elevated intracellular cAMP potentiated the effect of dexamethasone, thyroid hormone, and aldosterone in elevating cellular ACE activity. Increases in ACE activity produced by all stimulants were inhibited by the presence of 10-50 nM ouabain in the culture medium. Inhibition of ACE elevation by oubain was reversed by increasing the extracellular [K+], thereby implicating Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the ACE regulatory mechanism. These results support the presence of multiple independent mechanisms for the regulation of cellular ACE. In addition to possible involvement of intracellular Ca(2+)- and cAMP-dependent pathways, ACE is also increased by corticosteroids and thyroid hormone through mechanisms unrelated to Ca2+ and cAMP.
Long-term follow-up of abdominal wall reconstruction after planned ventral hernia: a 15-year experience.

Background Although damage control strategies and the open abdomen have improved survival, they present their own unique set of challenges in caring for the multiply injured trauma patient. We previously reported the technique of staged abdominal wall closure for the management of the open abdomen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various techniques of abdominal wall reconstruction (final stage of management) on long-term outcomes after planned ventral hernia, and to better define risk factors for recurrence. Study Design Patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction over a 15-year period were identified and stratified by gender, age, severity of shock, injury severity, and method of repair: secondary fascial closure ± prosthetic, standard components separation (SCS) ± prosthetic and modified components separation (MCS) ± prosthetic. Long-term outcomes (recurrence) were determined using hospital records, telephone interview, and physical examination. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of recurrence. Results One hundred fifty-two patients were identified. Fourteen (9%) patients underwent secondary fascial closure ± prosthetic, 47 (31%) underwent SCS ± prosthetic, and 91 (60%) underwent MCS ± prosthetic. Long-term follow-up (up to 14.6 years, mean 5.3 years) was obtained in 114 (75%) patients. Sixteen patients (14%) had a recurrence. Prosthetic use increased recurrence 4-fold. There were 2 known recurrences (5%) in patients with MCS without prosthetic. Logistic regression identified both female gender and body mass index as independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusions The MCS technique is the procedure of choice for repair of giant abdominal wall defects. This approach can avoid the need for prosthetics. In fact, MCS without prosthetic resulted in an acceptably low hernia recurrence rate (5%).
Selective preconcentration for capillary zone electrophoresis using protein G immunoaffinity capillary chromatography

Capillaries with 150 microns inner diameter were packed with a perfused protein G chromatographic support and used as immunoaffinity preconcentrators for capillary zone electrophoresis. Antibody was loaded onto the protein G support to form an immunoaffinity stationary phase. Injection of samples onto the column caused selective retention and preconcentration of antigen. Injection of appropriate buffers onto the column caused desorption of the antibody and antigen which were then separated by capillary zone electrophoresis. The combination was used on-line and off-line. For on-line combination, a flow-gated interface coupled the two columns and allowed injection of desorbed zones onto the electrophoresis system. Off-line coupling required collection of desorbed fractions and then injection onto the electrophoresis system. Flow rates as high as 100 microL/min were used to load sample onto the affinity column. Desorbing flow rates had to be 1 microL/min or less to prevent excessive dilution during desorption. Using the system, 1 mL insulin samples could be loaded onto the affinity column and desorbed in volumes as small as 1 microL for 1000-fold preconcentration. The use of the preconcentrator with serum samples spiked with insulin was demonstrated.
Psychiatrists and child abuse. ii. case assessment by hospitals

A multiple choice self-report questionnaire about hospital staffing patterns for the assessment of child abuse cases, patterns of referral of abuaed and neglected children and their parents to psychiatrists and psychologists was distributed to hospitals in the New York City Metropolitan area listed in the 1974 American Hospital Association Directory as having pediatric beds. Responses indicated that psychiatric and psychological evaluations of abused children and their parents were infrequently done by hospitals. Sixty-six percent of hospitals reported having interdisciplinary committees for child abuse case review, but only 48% of these had psychiatrists as members.
The relations of regulation and emotionality to problem behavior in elementary school children.

The relations of regulation and emotionality to elementary school children's problem behavior was examined. Parents and teachers reported on children's problem behavior. One parent and teachers rated children on various measures of regulation (including resiliency) and emotionality; children's baseline heart rate and facial reactivity were assessed; and physiological and facial distress and gaze aversion while viewing a distress film sequence were measured. In general, low regulation, negative emotionality, and general and positive emotional intensity predicted problem behaviors. Teachers' reports of negative emotionality and regulation interacted in their relation to problem behaviors, with regulation apparently buffering the effects of moderate and high negative emotionality. Baseline heart rate and facial distress were related to low levels of problem behavior, and gaze aversion during the distress film segment was associated with low levels of problem behavior.
High rate video streaming over 802.11n in dense Wi-Fi environments

This paper explores the possible effects on the performance of IEEE 802.11 when high-rate real-time applications such as video streaming are transmitted simultaneously with data over the network. While most of the studies conducted have been limited to 802.11b and 802.11g; this study focuses on the newer 802.11n. It considers the effect on performance parameters like throughput, jitter and packets lost when video transmission is introduced in a network carrying purely data traffic. It also gives insight on the approximate number of users streaming high rate videos that can be supported over different environments (commercial, residential, and isolated) on 802.11n.
Ammonia Monitoring Near 1.5 mum with Diode-Laser Absorption Sensors.

When this research was performed, all the authors were with the High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University. M. E. Webber is now with Pranalytica, Inc. D. S. Baer is now with Informed Diagnostics.
Continued convection and the initial recovery of Dst

[1] We test the hypothesis that abrupt cessation of solar wind driving results in a different recovery profile for Dst than does a slow cessation. The difference arises when abrupt cessation of convection causes a large portion of the asymmetric ring current to be trapped, whereas continued, weakened convection permits a rapid initial loss of ring current particles through the dayside magnetopause. Specifically, we compare the initial recovery of the hourly Dst index for storms with gradual versus abrupt northward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). We consider only storms with minimum Dst between 150 nT and 300 nT. We show that storms with abrupt northwardturningsshowthesamerecoveryinthefirst6hours or slightly more recovery than do the storms with gradual northward turnings. Our results contradict the hypothesis that the rate of northward turning (i.e., shutoff of convection) largely determines the initial rate of recovery in Dst. INDEX TERMS: 2778 Magnetospheric Physics: Ring current; 2784 Magnetospheric Physics: Solar wind/magnetosphere interactions; 2760 Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma convection; 2730 Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere—inner; 2708 Magnetospheric Physics: Current systems (2409). Citation: O’Brien, T. P., R. L. McPherron, M. W. Liemohn, Continued convection and the initial recovery of Dst, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29(23), 2143, doi:10.1029/2002GL015556, 2002.
An efficient approach to test verification for VLSI circuits

A novel fault-detection scheme, called DRC (delay redundancy check), is proposed. This scheme is designed to be combined with VRC and HRC (vertical and horizontal redundancy check) to achieve a high fault coverage. The minimum distance is increased by two, and delay elements are used to skew the outputs in time. The lost fault coverage of the test verification scheme VRC+HRC+DRC is calculated as one out of 2/sup 5n-8/*m/sup 4/ for an n-input and m-output CUT (circuit under test). Using the two-signature approach for the data compaction of the output sequences of VRC+HRC and DRC, the frequency of fault masking is reduced to one in 2/sup 4n/ for an n-input and m-output CUT, where 2/sup n/>m. >
Reproduction and population dynamics of Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes in the primeval forest of Białowieża National Park (NE Poland)

Abstract. The breeding performance of Hawfinches was studied during seven years (1991–98, except 1995) under conditions of an extensive close-to-pristine oak-lime-hornbeam forest in the Bialowieza National Park, eastern Poland. Two 30–31.5 ha plots were regularly checked each year to find most nests present, usually observed since the period of their construction. Mean clutch size (5.27 ± 0.66, for best year — 5.5) finally produced small family size, owing to a partial loss, fledging and post-fledging mortality. Average breeding losses calculated traditional way were 72.8% (n = 202), mostly due to egg robbing, then predation on nestlings (three times less frequent), and, sporadically, adverse weather conditions at the moment of fledging. Nesting success (5.9–35.7%, 27.2% on average), strongly varying between years, is lower than in most Hawfinch populations from other (anthropogenic) habitats, being one of the lowest among temperate Passerines. In spite of low production of young the species remains numer...
Conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to oxidase in ischemic rat intestine: a reevaluation

Oxygen radicals derived from xanthine oxidase (XO) are important mediators of the cellular injury associated with reperfusion of ischemic intestine, stomach, liver, kidney, and pancreas. XO exists in nonischemic tissue predominantly as xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and converts to oxygen radical-producing XO with ischemia. Grinding intestine under liquid nitrogen and placing the powder in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) containing thiol reductants and protease inhibitors adequately preserved total XDH + XO activity and the percentage in the oxidase form (%XO) for 24 h. Total activity in nonischemic intestine ranged from 374 nmol.min-1.g-1 in duodenum to 138 nmol.min-1.g-1 in ileum, while XO activity was approximately 19% of total activity throughout the entire small intestine. The rate of XDH conversion to XO during normothermic ischemia varied only slightly throughout the intestine, increasing 13% per hour to 34, 46, and 61% XO after 1, 2, and 3 h of ischemia, respectively. Our results contrast with previous reports where XDH conversion to XO occurred within 60 s ischemia but are consistent with physiological and morphological evidence of ischemic injury and provide further support for involvement of XO in intestinal injury associated with ischemia.
Modeling the Latitude-Dependent Increase in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Incidence as a Consequence of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

The principal medical concern of stratospheric ozone depletion is that ozone loss will lead to the enhancement of ground-level UV-B radiation. The incidence of non-melanoma (basal and squamous cell) skin cancers is correlated with cumulative lifetime UV exposure. Global ozone climatology (40°S to 50°N latitude) was incorporated into a radiation field model to calculate the biologically accumulated dosage (BAD) of UV-B radiation integrated over days, months, and years. The slope of the annual BAD as a function of latitude was found to correspond to epidemiological data for non-melanoma skin cancers for 30°N to 50°N. Various ozone loss scenarios were investigated. It was found that that a small ozone loss in the tropics can provide as much additional biologically effective UV-B as a much larger ozone loss at higher latitudes. Also, for ozone depletions of >5%, the BAD of UV-B increases exponentially with decreasing ozone levels.
Pulmonary function after whole lung radiation in pediatric patients with malignant solid tumors

10025 Background: Pediatric malignant solid tumors are increasingly curable; whole lung irradiation (WLI) may be used to treat pulmonary tumor involvement. Few studies have addressed long-term pulm...
Extracting fetal from maternal ECG for early diagnosis: theoretical problems and solutions - BAF and ICA

The paper discusses theoretical problems that arise in extracting fetal ECG (fECG) from maternal ECG (mECG) and especially the diagnostically important fetal P-waves and T-waves early in pregnancy for beat-to-beat diagnosis. Such extraction is important for identifying fetal cardiac disorders. This problem illustrates the inadequacy of popular extraction methods, especially ICA (Independent Component Analysis, including underdetermined ICA) and other BSS (Blind Signal Separation) methods to a large class of problems (medicine, speech processing) where either extraction of a single signal or of multitude of signals that are buried in a single observation is concerned or when the number of source signals exceeds the number of observations and especially when extraction of a very weak source signal is required under the above conditions. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the power of the feature-based BAF (Blind Adaptive Filtering), to those problems. Analysis is given as are extraction results for beat-wise extraction fECG and fetal P and T waves, to highlight both the problem and the BAF solution.
BWR Station Blackout: A RISMC Analysis Using RAVEN and RELAP5-3D

The existing fleet of nuclear power plants is in the process of having its lifetime extended and having the power generated from these plants increased via power uprates and improved operations. In...
LibCal: A Product Review

ABSTRACTAcademic, public or special librarians interact with a variety of patrons–students, faculty members, community patrons, or other employees–and often need tools to manage their time and responsibilities in the library. Scheduling appointments and events often takes an inordinate amount of time away from their most important work. This paper reviews LibCal, an online calendaring platform, and three of its components: the appointment scheduler, event scheduler, and room booking service. The functionality of each LibCal component will be thoroughly discussed along with its pros and cons based on the author’s experience. After considering these factors, recommendations are made in regards to adoption and use.
Navier-Stokes computations on flexible advanced transport-type wing configurations in transonic regime

and aeroelastic computations are performed on advanced transonic wing and wing-body configurations. The flow is modeled by the NavierStokes equations and structures for aeroelastic computations are modeled by the modal equations. The inadequacy of Euler equations and importance of using the Navier-Stokes equations with turbulence model is demonstrated for supercritical flows in the transonic regime. Effect of Mach number on steady pressure distributions are illustrated. Steady flow computations for transonic wings are compared with wind tunnel data and also with equivalent conventional wings. Unsteady computations are made in the context of demonstrating the use of the indicial approach for generating aerodynamic data for aeroelastic computations. By using the unsteady data generated by indicial responses, a computationally efficient approach of computing preliminary flutter boundaries is demonstrated. Effect of Mach number on the flutter boundary including the prediction of the 'transonic flutter speed dip' is demonstrated. The flutter boundaries of transonic wings are compared with equivalent conventional wings. Characteristics of the flutter boundaries are correlated with aerodynamic flow characteristics.
Abstract 4307: Characterization of a novel lymphoid progenitor population with predictive value in canine non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) represents a heterogeneous group of lymphoid tumors divided into more than 25 subtypes. Histological classification and clinical stage are used to predict patient outcomes; however, disease progression is variable even within the same NHL subtype. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are etiologically important cells that can maintain tumors, or whose frequency may reflect individual tumor biology. In terms of patient care and outcome, CSCs are considered to be resistant to conventional therapies. Thus, CSCs are not only etiologically important, but also might mediate treatment failure and relapse, suggesting they have prognostic impact for cancer. The presence and significance of CSCs or CSC-like progenitor cells in NHL has not been conclusively established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existence and predictive value of lymphoid progenitor cells (LPCs) in dogs with naturally occurring NHL. We previously reported the use of flow cytometry to prospectively identify and enumerate cells in lymph nodes that co-expressed markers associated with hematopoietic progenitors (CD34, c-Kit, and CD133) and the common leukocyte antigen CD45. The number of these cells was inversely correlated (and predictive) for outcome following standard of care with CHOP-based chemotherapy. We now show that these cells represent an atypical lymphoid population, which harbors progenitor markers and lymphoid differentiation markers found within the B-cell phenotype (CD22+) comprising the malignant population. Furthermore, these cells appear to have clonal antigen receptor rearrangements that are related to the principal rearrangement found in the overall (progenitor antigen-negative) malignant cells. The number of progenitor marker- and CD22-positive cells was significantly greater (P=0.0017) in lymphoma samples as compared to lymph nodes from unaffected control dogs, where cells with this phenotype were present in vanishingly small numbers. Together, our results suggest that LPCs in malignant lymph nodes are not only predictive for survival of dogs with spontaneous NHL, but also may represent the CSC compartment for this disease (i.e., “lymphoma-initiating cells”). To confirm their CSC potential, we have adapted an in vitro culture system and a xenotransplantation model that will allow us to expand and serially transplant these primary canine B-cell lymphomas for more detailed studies. This project establishes a useful large animal (canine) model to test the validity of the cancer stem cell theory in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4307.
Development and Implementation of a Seminar to Combat the Effects of Pornography on Marriage in the Madison Community SDA Church and Strategies for Prevention

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SEMINAR TO COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY ON MARRIAGE IN THE MADISON COMMUNITY SDA CHURCH AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION by Abraham Lincoln Swamidass Adviser: Jerome Thayer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DissertationOF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SEMINAR TO COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY ON MARRIAGE IN THE MADISON COMMUNITY SDA CHURCH AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION Name of researcher: Abraham L. Swamidass Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jerome Thayer, Ph.D. Date completed: June 2010 Problem Recent statistics in the nation, research among Christian couples, and my own counseling experience with couples, “particularly men” who were addicted to pornography, revealed that pornography is one of the leading causes of divorce and family breakdown today. Thus, it needed to be addressed at the Madison Community Church in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of this research project was to develop, implement and evaluate a seminar on The Effects of Pornography on Marriage and Strategies for Prevention. The intent of the seminar was to help couples, and “particularly men,” to understand the harmful effects of pornography on marriage, and provide biblical strategies, boundary plans, and practical steps to help protect oneself from the influences of pornography or avoid the use of it. Method The seminar, The Effects of Pornography on Marriage and Strategies for Prevention was designed over one year and implemented in one day consisting of three sessions to teach participants the addictive nature of pornography, how it distorts God’s gift of sex, its effects on marriage relationships, the best approach to avoid the temptations of pornography, and strategies for prevention. As part of the seminar, a survey was given both before and after the seminar to assess the participants’ knowledge of and attitude towards pornography and to evaluate changes that resulted from the seminar. Results The survey results revealed that there were significant changes in most items on the survey. The individual comments received on the surveys showed that the seminar helped the participants know sexuality is a gift from God, discover that pornography is an enemy of intimacy and distorts God’s intentions for sex, learn pornography’s many effects and how it wrecks marriages, develop healthy intimacy, recognize the need for establishing boundaries, and develop accountability methods to guard themselves from the influences and temptations of pornography. Almost all the respondents believed that pornography has devastating effects on marriage relationships and that it must be avoided
The Clinical and HRCT Characteristics of Post-infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children

Objective To investigate the clinical and HRCT characteristic of postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans(BO) in children in Shenzhen City. Methods Clinical and HRCT data of 35 cases with post-infectious BO between June 2009 and July 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Features of etiology, clinical data, pulmonary function and radiology were summarized. Results 35 patients consisted of 25 boys and 10 girls with mean age of(2.1±1.6) years. Previous infection pathogens included adenovirus(n=10), mycoplasma(n=10), measles virus(n=4), respiratory syncytial virus(n=1), H1N1 infuenza virus(n=1), parainfluenza virus(n=1) and mixed infection(n=1). The etiology was unknown in 5 cases. Most common clinical manifestations were repeated or persistent wheezing(n=35), cough(n=33), short of breath(n=15), crackles(n=30), retraction(n=26) and cyanosis(n=4). Major HRCT findings of 35 cases were as follows: incomplete aeration in 31 cases, mosaic perfusion in 26 cases, air trapping in 8 cases, bronchial wall thickening in 19 cases, bronchiectasis in 4 cases, reticular opacity in 3 cases, consolidation in 13 cases, atelectasis in 5 cases and Swyer-James syndrome in 1 case. 28 cases underwent pulmonary function test with abnormal results: constrictive obstruction in small airway in 24 cases and mixed pattern in the other 4 cases. Conclusions Adenovirus and mycoplasma were the two leading pathogens of post-infectious BO in Shenzhen City. According to the clinical manifestations, abnormal lung function and HRCT findings, post-infectious BO can be diagnosed correctly in an early stage.
Research on the adjustment of the tax preferential policy in the northeastern China

The preferential policy of current tax revenue of our country has a lot of unfavourable factors to Northeastern economic development,such as a long tax preference toward the coastal regions in the southeast,the preferential policy that is not unified,and the regional preferential policy is the main policy.what's more,the regional preferential policy is single.so I propose that we should set up unified enterprise income tax system,strengthen the tax revenue support to the non-public economy,adjust tax preference and implement position in good time and so on,adjust the current preferential policy,create good tax revenue environment for the development of northeastern China.
Determination of iodine in serum by gas chromatography

Objective:To establish a method for determination of iodine in serum by gas chromatography.Methods:In different derivative matrix,iodine in serum was derived by butanone and the derivative was extracted by n-hexane.The derivative was separated by HP-5 capillary column(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μm) and detected by gas chromatography-electon capture detector.Results:In derivative matrix including acidification,sodium sulfite and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide,the iodate was derived by butanone,the derivative efficiency was 97%.The method was applied to analyze iodine,iodine in serum was 780 μg/L,the linear range was 4～100 μg/L.The correlation cofficiency was 0.9992,the recovery 83.0%～95.0%,RSD 3.8%.Conclusion:The method is suitable to analyze the iodine including iodate and iodide in serum.
Epidemiological Analysis of Severe Hand Foot and Mouth Disease in Erqi District in 2009

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of severe hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD) in an attempt to provide a basis for intervention measures.Methods We investigated all severe cases of HFMD in 2009,and analyzed the surveyed data by epidemiological study.Results The peak incidence of severe HFMD in Erqi district was from the April to July.All cases were pre-school children,and most of them were 3 or less than 3 years old,with more male than female,and fever and rash,weak in spirits and a poor appetite in most.The main pathogen was EV71 infection.Conclusion Severe HFMD must be early detected,diagnosed and treated to reduce its mortality.
Distribution System Reliability Assessment Based on ETAP

This paper analyses the reliability of distribution system,introduces the common reliability indexes,explains the characteristics and calculation flow and Reliability Assessment Analysis module of ETAP.Effects of distribution devices to system reliability indexes are also analysed.Finally,how to apply ETAP reliability cost sensitivity analysis to find key devices is stated.The results show that ETAP is an effective tool on distribution system reliability assessment.
Pharmacokinetics I: PK-PD Approach, the Case of Antibiotic Drug Development

The therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics is very dependent not only on the drug itself but also on whether there is enough drug concentration at the site of infection for a sufficient amount of time that would stop the development of bacterial resistance and on the susceptibility and severity of the infection. Therapeutic success of therapy is also dependent on the physiological characteristics of the host, including disease state, age, comorbidity, and other factors that are highly variable in the clinical setting. Understanding how these factors or covariates affect antibiotic disposition and their pharmacological effects as well as the relationship between drug concentration in the body at the site of infection and the drug effect on the bacterial pathogen is part of the general concepts of pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). By using PK-PD principles and linking specific PK exposure parameters to microbiological outcomes, clinicians have designed better dosing strategies for specific classes of antibiotics. By evaluating how covariates affect the drug disposition in specific patient population, dosing regimens can be designed for that population to achieve an optimal therapeutic goal. We examined PK-PD principles that characterize antibiotic activities, experimental designs to characterize pharmacodynamic properties of antimicrobial agents, modeling and simulation approach for translation from in vitro time-kill and animal infection models to human efficacy, and dosing strategies in special populations including critically ill, renal-impaired, obese, geriatric, and pediatric patients, as well as Bayesian approach to individualize dosing regimens based on the sampled drug concentration in a therapeutic drug-monitoring setting. The model-based approach can also streamline the drug development process and support decision-making with greater confidence. These decisions include but not limited to planning clinical trials and developing optimal dosing strategies, and these crucial steps in the drug development process can be costly if the wrong decisions are made. From the perspective of clinical practice, the modeling and simulation approach can provide a more precise medicine to the patients and improve the healthcare outcome. By utilizing all the information available, from in vitro studies, animal models, clinical trials, and patient characteristics, the goal is to maximize the benefits to the patients through evidence-based medicine and practice.
“Students Getting Pregnant Are Not Gonna Go Nowhere”: Manifestations of Stigma in Adolescent Mothers’ Educational Environment:

The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent mothers’ perceptions of how individuals within the schools viewed them and how those views shaped their educational experiences. The sample consisted of 83 primarily Hispanic adolescent mothers who participated in one of 19 semi-structured focus group interviews during the 2014-2015 school year. Although we did not specifically explore stigma, the adolescent mothers described feeling stigmatized by school personnel and their non-parenting classmates. They also discussed how school policies were not conducive to parenting. Based on the results, recommendations are provided that will help school personnel effectively meet the needs of this population by creating an atmosphere in which the students feel safe, supported, and are able to learn.
Teasing apart plant community responses to N enrichment: the roles of resource limitation, competition and soil microbes

Although ecologists have documented the effects of nitrogen enrichment on productivity, diversity and species composition, we know little about the relative importance of the mechanisms driving these effects. We propose that distinct aspects of environmental change associated with N enrichment (resource limitation, asymmetric competition, and interactions with soil microbes) drive different aspects of plant response. We test this in greenhouse mesocosms, experimentally manipulating each factor across three ecosystems: tallgrass prairie, alpine tundra and desert grassland. We found that resource limitation controlled productivity responses to N enrichment in all systems. Asymmetric competition was responsible for diversity declines in two systems. Plant community composition was impacted by both asymmetric competition and altered soil microbes, with some contributions from resource limitation. Results suggest there may be generality in the mechanisms of plant community change with N enrichment. Understanding these links can help us better predict N response across a wide range of ecosystems.
Cysteine S-linked N-acetylglucosamine (S-GlcNAcylation), a new post-translational modification in mammals.

Intracellular GlcNAcylation of Ser and Thr residues is a well-known and widely investigated post-translational modification. This post-translational modification has been shown to play a significant role in cell signaling and in many regulatory processes within cells. O-GlcNAc transferase is the enzyme responsible for glycosylating cytosolic and nuclear proteins with a single GlcNAc residue on Ser and Thr side-chains. Here we report that the same enzyme may also be responsible for S-GlcNAcylation, i.e. for linking the GlcNAc unit to the peptide by modifying a cysteine side-chain. We also report that O-GlcNAcase, the enzyme responsible for removal of O-GlcNAcylation does not appear to remove the S-linked sugar. Such Cys modifications have been detected and identified in mouse and rat samples. This work has established the occurrence of 14 modification sites assigned to 11 proteins unambiguously. We have also identified S-GlcNAcylation from human Host Cell Factor 1 isolated from HEK-cells. Although these site assignments are primarily based on electron-transfer dissociation mass spectra, we also report that S-linked GlcNAc is more stable under collisional activation than O-linked GlcNAc derivatives.
Influenza vaccination: a one-shot deal to reduce cardiovascular events.

This editorial refers to ‘Influenza vaccination and risk of hospitalization in patients with heart failure: a self-controlled case series study’, by H. Mohseni et al. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw411. Influenza contributes to significant morbidity and mortality across the globe every year. The estimated number of hospitalizations attributable to influenza infection are grossly underestimated among patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease, in whom a severe upper respiratory infection can initiate a cascade of physiological events that ultimately lead to acute worsening or exacerbation of underlying heart disease. Patients with heart failure in particular are at a high risk for influenza-related complications,1 including hospitalizations, which occur more frequently during the winter months, often in conjunction with influenza infection.2 A number of mechanisms support a causal association between influenza infection and CV events ( Figure 1 ). Influenza infection can result in increased metabolic demand, adrenergic surge, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, and hypoxia.3 Systemic immune stimulation and inflammation in the setting of influenza infection can trigger acute plaque rupture. Influenza predisposes patients to develop other infections such as pneumonia, which may itself be associated with increased CV risk due to prolonged elevation in cytokine levels and a procoagulant state.4–6 Moreover, influenza is known to cause myocardial depression directly,7 possibly mediated through increases in proinflammatory cytokines,8,9 and histological evidence of myocardial injury, myocarditis, and myocyte necrosis has been demonstrated from patients following influenza-related deaths.10 Figure 1 Influenza infection increases the risk for acute cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and heart failure exacerbations) through several mechanisms involving pro-inflammatory mediators, neurohormonal activation, and activation of the coagulation cascade. Influenza vaccination has been accepted as an effective, well-established strategy to reduce influenza-related illness, and this potential benefit in high-risk …
Brief Amicus Curiae of Michael J.Z. Mannheimer in U.S. v. Farad Roland, CR. NO. 12-298 (ES) (D.N.J.)

Amicus Curiae brief in federal death penalty prosecution in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. The brief argues that the federal death penalty for crimes committed in States that do not authorize capital punishment is unconstitutional.
Evaluation of a Web-Based Holistic Stress Reduction Pilot Program Among Nurse-Midwives.

Purpose: Work-related stress among midwives results in secondary traumatic stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, and job attrition. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the effectiven...
Network analysis of the Caucasus’ image

Destination image is influenced by many factors, including destination promotion materials, the mass media as a general familiarity agent, the perceivers’ own characteristics and even researchers’ methodological choices. To isolate and minimize the impact of research on destination image, different qualitative and quantitative designs and analysis techniques have been utilized. However, no previous study utilized the network analysis technique, which may be useful to reveal a picture of destination image with the interconnections and hidden dynamisms of dimensions as well as its correlates. The present study applies this technique on qualitative data from an online sample of Americans on their perceptions of a relatively remote and unfamiliar destination, the Caucasus region, in order to hone in on the dramatic impact of mass media on destination image. Results revealed networks of meanings with residue of mass media messages about Boston bombing, with some differences among different genders and educatio...
The Potential for Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Management

Pancreatic cancer is one the most lethal malignancies. Only a small proportion of patients with this disease benefit from surgery. Chemotherapy provides only a transient benefit. Though much effort has gone into finding new ways for early diagnosis and treatment, average patient survival has only been improved in the order of months. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from primary tumors, including pre-malignant phases. These cells possess information about the genomic characteristics of their tumor source in situ, and their detection and characterization holds potential in early cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Liquid Biopsies present an alternative to tumor biopsy that are hard to sample. Below we summarize current methods of CTC detection, the current literature on CTCs in pancreatic cancer, and future perspectives.
Assessment of Executive Functions in Research

Assessment of executive functions (EF) for research purposes can take on several different forms, relying on clinical measures of EF, experimental tasks, or self- and informant-reports. Each approach is characterized by a different set of advantages and disadvantages. Researchers need to carefully consider which of these approaches best fits their research question and study design. Additionally, researchers need to make sure that they select tests that are appropriate for the population they use in their research, taking care to avoid floor or ceiling effects. When relying on clinical measures, researches are not only encouraged to rely on norms to help them interpret results but also cautioned to become familiar with the normative samples and normative structures of different tests, so as to ensure comparability across standard scores. A number of psychometric issues also need to be considered, including reliabilities, practice effects, and the contributions of lower order component processes to EF test performance. Lastly, generalization of factor analytic findings to other populations or to the EF construct more globally is discouraged.
A Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Trial of Aripiprazole in Symptomatic Youths at Genetic High Risk for Bipolar Disorder.

Abstract Objective: To determine if acute treatment with aripiprazole (APZ) would be superior to treatment with placebo in reducing dysfunctional symptoms of elevated mood and/or irritability in symptomatic children and adolescents at familial high risk for bipolar disorder (BPD) whose mood episodes occur spontaneously. These are patients we have previously referred to as suffering from “cyclotaxia.” Methods: This was single-site, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient clinical trial in which youths aged 5–17 years who met diagnostic criteria for either cyclothymic disorder (CYC) or BPD not otherwise specified (BP-NOS) were randomly assigned to receive either APZ or placebo. Eligible participants had at least one parent with BPD, another first- or second-degree relative afflicted with a mood disorder, and also had not responded to psychotherapy. Treatment with APZ was initiated at a dose of approximately 0.1 mg/kg/day and could be increased by approximately 0.05 mg/kg/day at each study vi...
Model-based thermal system design optimization for the James Webb Space Telescope

Spacecraft thermal model validation is normally performed by comparing model predictions with thermal test data and reducing their discrepancies to meet the mission requirements. Based on thermal engineering expertise, the model input parameters are adjusted to tune the model output response to the test data. The end result is not guaranteed to be the best solution in terms of reduced discrepancy and the process requires months to complete. A model-based methodology was developed to perform the validation process in a fully automated fashion and provide mathematical bases to the search for the optimal parameter set that minimizes the discrepancies between model and data. The methodology was successfully applied to several thermal subsystems of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Global or quasiglobal optimal solutions were found and the total execution time of the model validation process was reduced to about two weeks. The model sensitivities to the parameters, which are required to solve the optimization problem, can be calculated automatically before the test begins and provide a library for sensitivity studies. This methodology represents a crucial commodity when testing complex, large-scale systems under time and budget constraints. Here, results for the JWST Core thermal system will be presented in detail.
An Exploration of Engagement and Mentoring in On-line Problem Solving

This chapter examines some of the emotional and engagement aspects of on-line communicating and problem solving. We report our findings from an exploratory study of participant interactions in an on-line problem-solving program—the Motorola Internet-based Expeditions. The program provides youth with a non-school experience in solving problems situated on line with real-life aspects and under the guidance of on-line mentors.
Algorithms for Specialized Integer Models

This chapter presents the algorithms that exploit the special properties of certain integer models, including the knapsack, the fixed-charge, the traveling salesman, and the set covering problems. The chapter discusses the fixed-charge and plant location problems. It also discusses the applications of knapsack models in cutting-stock problems and the traveling salesman problem. The cutting-stock problem assumes that for a given material, a stock of standard lengths is maintained. There is no limitation on the number of pieces of each length that are available. All stocked pieces have the same width. It is required to fill the orders, where the order requests pieces each of length and having the same standard width. Gilmore and Gomory utilized Dantzig's dynamic programming approach for solving the knapsack problem. Improvements leading to computational savings were added. A new and efficient dynamic programming model was also developed. A superior dynamic programming model was introduced by Gilmore and Gomory; however, in spite of the improvements, the dynamic programming algorithms tend to get unwieldy as the right-hand side constant becomes large.