cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROLE OF STABILITY AND LIMB SUPPORT IN RECOVERY AGAINST A FALL FOLLOWING A NOVEL SLIP INDUCED IN DIFFERENT DAILY ACTIVITIES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether stability and limb support play a similar role in governing slip outcome in gait-slip as in sit-to-stand-slip, and whether such prediction could also be derived based on measures of these variables during regular, unperturbed movements. Fifty-three and forty-one young subjects all took one recovery step following an unannounced, novel, forward slip induced in gait and in sit-to-stand, respectively. Logistic regression was used to predict recovery outcome based on preslip and reactive measures of stability and limb support across tasks. Following slip onset, all subjects in both tasks experienced rapid decay in stability and limb support (indicated by a hip descent), leading to some actual falls that could not have been predicted from regular, preslip walking. Immediately before recovery step touchdown, stability and limb support could together best predict 88.9% and 100% falls, respectively, for gait-slip and sit-to-stand-slip. Because of differences in the execution of the recovery step, stability became a better predictor of fallers in sit-to-stand-slip than in gait-slip after recovery limb touchdown. Recovery steps were highly effective in restoring stability, regardless of outcome and task. The predictive strength of stability diminished in gait-slip or reduced in sit-to-stand-slip after recovery touchdown, while limb support remained able to differentiate fallers from those who recovered in both tasks. When slip-induced instability was combined with inadequate limb support, falls were nearly inevitable in both tasks.
Erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine as a specific inhibitor of herpes simplex virus replication in the presence and absence of adenosine analogues

Abstract Erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA; erythro-9-[3-(hydroxynonyl)]adenine), a reversible inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, significantly inhibits replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV), whereas the more active inhibitor of the deaminase, 2'-deoxycoformycin, does not. At 10 micron EHNA, which does not affect viability, growth, or DNA synthesis of uninfected HeLa cells, production of HSV and HSV-specific DNA is inhibited 75-90% and 60%, respectively. HSV multiplies normally in cells pretreated with EHNA and washed to remove this inhibitor. EHNA (10 micron) also markedly potentiates the toxicity of adenine arabinonucleoside and of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) against HeLa cells and against the production of HSV in those cells. Cordycepin alone (10 micron) does not inhibit HSV replication whereas in combination with 10 micron EHNA there is a greater than 99% inhibition of virus production. Under these conditions, RNA synthesis is inhibited by more than 80% whereas protein and DNA synthesis are inhibited to a lesser extent; in this system, virtually all of the DNA synthesis in infected cells is that of host DNA. Thus, EHNA appears to affect the synthesis of HSV DNA specifically in two different ways, depending on whether it is used alone or in the presence of cordycepin.
Morphological and Morphometric Characterization of Microborings Caused by Heterotrophic Endoliths: ABSTRACT

Microbial endoliths leave morphologically characteristic and preservable boring traces within carbonate substrates. When cast in resin and studied by scanning electron microscopy, these morphologies can be correlated with distribution, environmental conditions, or geological age of the substrate for use as paleoenvironmental indicators. This paper assesses morphological characteristics of a cluster of ichnotaxa comparable to the description of the genus Dodgella (cladochytrid, lower fungi). These forms have a worldwide distribution in Holocene marine sediments End_Page 486------------------------------ and are commonly preserved in fossil shells. The microborings studied have the following morphological elements in common: sac-like enlargements (sporangia) with narrow necks (for spore release) opening to the substrate surface, and fine filaments (hyphae) interconnecting the sporangia. The following characteristics of these three elements are compared: sporangia--shape, size, direction of the main axis, and degree of complexity; necks--length, cross section, and profile; hyphae--average width, constancy of diameter, branching, and mode of sporangial connection. The separation of three ichnotaxa within this cluster of forms is based on reconstruction of probable life cycles, morphometric analysis on the population level, and identification of the influence of different substrates on the morphology of the borings. End_of_Article - Last_Page 487------------
Technology Transfer to Overseas Subsidiaries by U. S.-Based Firms

Although economists and policymakers have devoted considerable attention to the transfer of technology by US-based multinational firms to their overseas subsidiaries, very little is known about the nature of the technology that is being transferred overseas in this way, the extent to which it leaks out to non-US competitors, the size of the benefits it confers on the host (and other non-US) countries, and the sorts of non-US firms that receive the largest benefits of this sort. The findings presented shed new light on each of these topics, but are only a beginning. 18 references, 5 tables.
Basic research on heredity and alcohol: implications for clinical application.

Abstract Alcoholism has been described as a behavioral condition comprised of symptoms of alcohol dependence and the psycho‐socio‐biologic consequences of chronic alcohol dependence. Progress in clarifying the role of genetic factors in explaining differences in onset of dependence upon alcohol, frequency of consequences of chronic alcohol use, and transmission of patterns of alcoholism within a family pedigree has been based upon use of diagnostic methods that reliably and validly separate alcohol dependence from alcohol abuse. Twin methods, which control for genotypic variation, and adoption studies, which control for differences in rearing, have provided significant support for a genetic vulnerability hypothesis for development of alcoholism and a genetic heterogeneity hypothesis for type of alcoholism. The author reviews data from basic and clinical investigation of two subtypes of alcoholism: one associated with antisocial personality, and one that is “familial” (family‐history‐positive alcoholism). ...
Behavior Problems in New York City's Children After the September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks.

Children's behavior was assessed with 3 cross-sectional random-digit-dial telephone surveys conducted 11 months before, 4 months after, and 6 months after September 11, 2001. Parents reported fewer behavior problems in children 4 months after the attacks compared with the pre-September 11 baseline. However, 6 months after the attacks, parents' reporting of behavior problems was comparable to pre-September 11 levels. In the 1st few months after a disaster, the identification of children who need mental health treatment may be complicated by a dampened behavioral response or by a decreased sensitivity of parental assessment to behavioral problems.
Preliminary evaluation of an aqueous wax emulsion for controlled-release coating

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of an aqueous carnauba wax emulsion (Primafresh HS, Johnson Wax) in a spray-coating process. This involved assessing the effectiveness of the wax in sustaining the release of the drug, theophylline. Second, the process by which the drug was released from the wax-coated pellets was modeled. Finally, a method to determine the optimum blend of pellets with different wax thicknesses, in order to yield a zero-order release profile of the drug, was addressed. Nonpareil pellets were loaded with theophylline using a novel powder coating technique. These drug-loaded pellets were then coated with different levels of carnauba wax in a 6-in. diameter Plexiglas fluid bed with a 3.5-in. diameter Wurster partition. Drug release was measured using a spin-filter dissolution device. The study resulted in continuous carnauba wax coatings which showed sustained drug release profile characteristics typical of a barrier-type, diffusion-controlled system. The effect of varying wax thickness on the release profiles was investigated. It was observed that very high wax loadings would be required to achieve long sustained-release times. The diffusion model, developed to predict the release of the drug, showed good agreement with the experimental data. However, the data exhibited an initial lag-time for drug release which could not be predicted a priori based on the wax coating thickness. A method of mixing pellets with different wax thicknesses was proposed as a way to approximate zero-order release.
Experiments on collisions between solitary waves

Experiments on ‘head-on’ collisions between two solitary waves show that the waves reach a maximum amplitude greater than twice the initial wave amplitude and that they suffer a time delay during their interaction. These results are compared with available theories and found to be in qualitative but not quantitative agreement.
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: An Introduction for Rehabilitation Psychologists.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) represents a new way for rehabilitation psychologists and other health care providers to classify health and functioning. The ICF classifies functioning and disability through the constructs of Body Functions and Structures and Activities and Participation and addresses contextual influences through Environmental and Personal Factors. The ICF and its companion classification, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, provide a complementary, broad, and meaningful picture of the health of an individual or of entire populations. Research and clinical implementation efforts suggest that the ICF is a useful and meaningful public health tool. The development of the ICF and its universe and scope of application are reviewed. Critical concepts are defined, the structure of the ICF is illustrated, and clinical‐research utility are featured in light of the ethical considerations for responsible use by rehabilitation psychologists. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; World Health Organization [WHO], 2001) was endorsed by the 54th World Health Assembly for international use on May 22, 2001. Given its focus on health, disability, and functioning, the ICF is an important and relevant development in rehabilitation psychology practice. This article orients rehabilitation psychologists to the ICF so they can apply it to research and practice. The structure of the ICF is described, and important concepts are defined. Reviewed are related research, clinical applications, and ethical considerations associated with the use of the ICF in rehabilitation psychology and general clinical practice. The ICF is intended to be used with its companion classification, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10; WHO, 1992). There is some overlap between the ICF and the ICD-10 in that they both classify impairments in various body systems. However, the ICD-10 provides an etiological classification of health conditions (e.g., diseases, disorders, injuries), whereas the ICF offers a framework for conceptualizing functioning and disability associated with health conditions. Disease may manifest itself differently in two individuals, and similar functioning does not necessarily imply similar health conditions. Thus, together the ICD-10 and the ICF yield a complementary, broad, and meaningful picture of the health of an individual or of entire populations. Health outcomes data gleaned from the ICF can be used in tandem with ICD-10 mortality data to monitor the health of international populations, allowing a much broader picture of public health to emerge than either alone could permit. For a comprehensive review of other health status measures, the reader is referred to Stucki, Ewert, and Cieza (2003).
Classroom Behavior of Participants with ADHD Compared with Peers: Influence of Teaching Format and Grade Level

Few studies examine the classroom behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison with classroom peers and which teaching formats best support classroom engagement. Observations (N = 312) of second- and fourth-grade students with ADHD and their randomly selected classroom peers were conducted using a systematic classroom observation method. Linear regressions analyzed classroom behavior compared with peers and effects of teaching format, grade, and treatment status on classroom behavior. Children with ADHD displayed lower engagement (p <.001) and higher inattention (p <.001) during teacher-led instruction compared with other teaching formats, and lower engagement in fourth grade than in second grade (p <.05). Despite treatment plans, children with ADHD present with increased classroom behavior challenges. Adapting teaching formats to benefit children with ADHD should be considered.
Effect of bursty source traffic on rate-based ABR congestion control schemes

Congestion control is an important function of traffic management in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) net works. Available Bit Rate (ABR) is a category of service for ATM networks wherein the source adapts its generation rate to network conditions based on feedback. In this paper we study closed-loop ABR congestion control using special cells called Resource Management (RM) cells to relay feedback to the source. In particular, we investigate both the effectiveness of rate-based ABR congestion control in the presence of bursty source traffic and the relationship between the burst time scale and the ABR control time scale. Two ABR congestion control schemes, the ABR Explicit Forward Congestion Indication (EFCT) and ABR Congestion Indication (CT) schemes, are compared with Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) transport which makes no effort to control congestion. Traffic sources of various burst lengths of 100, 1000, 10000, and an equal mix of 100 and 10000 cells are used in simulations. It is found that ABR congestion control effectively controls low frequency, medium to long term traffic load transients, but does not control high frequency, short term load transients. In the latter case, ABR control is not necessary since short term transients do not require large amount of buffering. Of the two AABR schemes considered, the more sophisticated ABR CT scheme performs significantly better than the ABR EFCI scheme in terms of delay and buffer occupancy.
Soft real-time scheduling on simultaneous multithreaded processors

Simultaneous multithreading (SMT) improves processor throughput by processing instructions from multiple threads each cycle. This is the first work to explore soft real-time scheduling on an SMT processor. Scheduling with SMT requires two decisions: (1) which threads to run simultaneously (the co-schedule), and (2) how to share processor resources among co-scheduled threads. We explore algorithms for both decisions for soft-real time multimedia applications, focusing more on co-schedule selection. We examine previous multiprocessor co-scheduling algorithms, including partitioning and global scheduling. We propose new variations that consider resource sharing and try to utilize SMT more effectively by exploiting application symbiosis. We find (using simulation) that the best algorithm uses global scheduling, exploits symbiosis, prioritizes high utilization tasks, and uses dynamic resource sharing. This algorithm, however, imposes significant profiling overhead and does not provide admission control. We propose alternatives to overcome these limitations, but at the cost of schedulability.
Early Intervention for Adolescent Substance Abuse: Pretreatment to Posttreatment Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Multidimensional Family Therapy and Peer Group Treatment

This randomized clinical trial evaluated a family-based therapy and a peer group therapy with 80 urban, low-income, and ethnically diverse young adolescents (11 to 15 years) referred for substance abuse and behavioral problems. Both treatments were outpatient, relatively brief, manual-guided, equal in intervention dose, and delivered by community drug treatment therapists. Adolescents and their parents were assessed at intake to treatment, randomly assigned to either MDFT or group therapy, and reassessed at six weeks after intake and at discharge. Results indicated that the family-based treatment (MDFT, an intervention that targets teen and parent functioning within and across multiple systems on a variety of risk and protective factors) was significantly more effective than peer group therapy in reducing risk and promoting protective processes in the individual, family, peer, and school domains, as well as in reducing substance use over the course of treatment. These results, which add to the body of previous findings about the clinical and cost effectiveness of MDFT, support the clinical effectiveness and dissemination potential of this family-based, multisystem and developmentally-oriented intervention.
Hepatic protein synthetic activity in vivo after ethanol administration.

Hepatic protein synthetic activity in vivo was measured by the incorporation of (/sup 3/H)puromycin into elongating nascent polypeptides of rat liver to form peptidyl-(/sup 3/H)puromycin. Our initial experiments showed that saturating doses of (/sup 3/H)puromycin were achieved at 3-6 mumol/100 g body weight, and that maximum labeling of nascent polypeptides was obtained 30 min after injection of the labeled precursor. Labeled puromycin was found to be suitable for measuring changes in the status of protein synthesis, since the formation of the peptidyl-(/sup 3/H)puromycin was decreased in fasted animals and was increased in rats pretreated with L-tryptophan. (/sup 3/H)Puromycin incorporation into polypeptides was then measured after acute ethanol administration as well as after prolonged consumption of ethanol which was administered as part of a liquid diet for 31 days. Acute alcohol treatment caused no significant change in (/sup 3/H)puromycin incorporation into liver polypeptides. In rats exposed to chronic ethanol feeding, peptidyl-(3H)puromycin formation, when expressed per mg of protein, was slightly lower compared to pair-fed controls, but was unchanged compared to chow-fed animals. When the data were expressed per mg of DNA or per 100 g body wt, no differences in protein synthetic activity were observed among the three groups. These findingsmore » indicate that neither acute nor chronic alcohol administration significantly affects protein synthetic activity in rat liver. They further suggest that accumulation of protein in the liver, usually seen after prolonged ethanol consumption, is apparently not reflected by an alteration of hepatic protein synthesis.« less
Electrophysiologic Biomarkers for Assessing Disease Progression and the Effect of Riluzole in SOD1 G93A ALS Mice

Objective: To compare electrical impedance myography (EIM) 50 kHz phase to weight, motor score, paw grip endurance (PGE), CMAP amplitude, and MUNE for the identification of disease progression and the effect of riluzole in the SOD1 G93A mouse. Methods: Twenty-three animals received 8 mg/kg/day riluzole in the drinking water starting at 6 weeks of age; 22 animals served as controls. Weight, motor score, PGE, CMAP, MUNE, and EIM were performed weekly to evaluate disease progression. Results: No difference in clinical disease onset or survival was found between treated and untreated groups. In addition, all methods failed to identify any beneficial effect of riluzole. Thus, data from all animals were combined for additional analyses. Of the 4 parameters, EIM phase showed the earliest change from baseline and the most linear decline throughout the entire measurement period. In addition, EIM phase correlated with PGE, CMAP amplitude, and MUNE (Spearman r=0.92, 0.90, and 0.72, respectively, p,0.01 for all). The rate of EIM phase decline also correlated with individual animal survival (Spearman r= 20.31, p,0.05). Conclusions: At this dose, riluzole is ineffective in slowing progression of ALS. However, EIM phase shows early linear declines, supporting its potential as a useful new biomarker for preclinical drug testing.
Gait style and gait content: bilinear models for gait recognition using gait re-sampling

Human identification using gait is a challenging computer vision task due to the dynamic motion of gait and the existence of various sources of variations such as viewpoint, walking surface, clothing, etc. In this paper we propose a gait recognition algorithm based on bilinear decomposition of gait data into time-invariant gait-style and time-dependent gait-content factors. We developed a generative model by embedding gait sequences into a unit circle and learning nonlinear mapping, which facilitates synthesis of temporally, aligned gait sequences. Given such synthesized gait data, bilinear model is used to separate invariant gait style, which is used for recognition. We also show that the recognition can be generalized to new situations by adapting the gait-content factor to the new condition and therefore obtain corrected gait-styles for recognition.
Identification of buried unexploded ordnance

This paper summarizes much information concerning identification of buried targets (mines and unexploded ordnance). This utilizes concepts from the singularity expansion method and symmetry as they appear in the electromagnetic scattering. See the reference list for locating many more references.
The hunting handicap: costly signaling in human foraging strategies

Humans sometimes forage or distribute the products of foraging in ways that do not maximize indi- vidual energetic return rates. As an alternative to hypoth- eses that rely on reciprocal altruism to counter the costs of inefficiency, we suggest that the cost itself could be recouped through signal benefit. Costly signaling theory predicts that signals can provide fitness benefits when costs are honestly linked to signaler quality, and this in- formation is broadcast to potential mates and competi- tors. Here, we test some predictions of costly signaling theory against empirical data on human food acquisition and sharing patterns. We show that at least two types of marine foraging, turtle hunting and spearfishing, as prac- ticed among the Meriam (a Melanesian people of Torres Strait, Australia) meet key criteria for costly signaling: signal traits are (1) differentially costly or beneficial in ways that are (2) honestly linked to signaler quality, and (3) designed to effectively broadcast the signal. We conclude that relatively inefficient hunting or sharing choices may be maintained in a population if they serve as costly and reliable signals designed to reveal the signaler's qualities to observers.
Neural Mechanisms of Communication: From Pheromones to Mosaic Signals

The purpose of this chapter is, first, to review concepts about the types of chemical signals that are used for communication, ranging from classic, single-compound pheromones to complex mixtures used for social recognition and, second, to summarize what we know about the neural mechanisms underlying responsiveness to these different types of signals in mammals. The specific examples come primarily from my own research and that of others on golden hamsters.
Constraining bacterial production, conversion efficiency and respiration in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, January–February, 1997

Bacteria consume dissolved organic carbon at rates averaging about 50% of primary production across a wide spectrum of marine ecosystems. However, total utilization rates are poorly constrained due to a lack of data on conversion e$ciencies and/or bacterial respiration rates. We estimated total community dark respiration rates (DCR) from in vitro oxygen utilization and estimated bacterial production from 3H-leucine incorporation during January}February 1997 in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Bacterial respiration rates (BR) were estimated by assuming that BR was less than some fraction of DCR, and by choosing values for the bacterial growth e$ciency. By comparing these derived bacterial respiration rates with the DCR we were able to constrain conversion e$ciency and bacterial production within various bounds. Bacterial biomass was 10% of phytoplankton stocks, and we considered that bacterial respiration was a similar fraction of the total respiration. To meet this constraint bacterial production rates likely averaged about 5}10% of the net community production, and conversion e$ciencies had to be in the range of 35}45%, similar to independent discrete measurements made during the summer season on this cruise. Dark respiration rates are an absolute constraint on the estimates of bacterial carbon demand. A low value of the leucine conversion factor (1.5 kgC mol~1) was required to meet this strong constraint. ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Analytic Field Propagation TFSF Boundary for FDTD Problems Involving Planar Interfaces: Lossy Material and Evanescent Fields

Recently, total-field scattered-field (TFSF) boundaries have been developed for the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method which are essentially perfect. The implementation requires an analytic description of the incident field and hence is termed the analytic field propagation (AFP) TFSF method. Previous papers described the implementation for problems involving homogeneous as well as layered media. In this work we provide the details for problems involving lossy media. Additionally, the case of fields incident beyond the critical angle are considered (i.e., when, for lossless material, there is total reflection of the incoming wave and the fields in the second medium are evanescent)
Tumor suppression by small molecule inhibitors of translation initiation

Translation initiation factors are over-expressed and/or activated in many human cancers and may contribute to their genesis and/or progression. Removal of physiologic restraints on translation initiation causes malignant transformation. Conversely, restoration of physiological restrains on translation initiation reverts malignant phenotypes. Here, we extensively characterize the anti-cancer activity of two small molecule inhibitors of translation initiation: #1181, which targets the eIF2∙GTP∙Met-tRNA i ternary complex, and 4EGI-1, which targets the eIF4F complex. In vitro, both molecules inhibit translation initiation, abrogate preferentially translation of mRNAs coding for oncogenic proteins, and inhibit proliferation of human cancer cells. In vivo, both #1181 and 4EGI-1 strongly inhibit growth of human breast and melanoma cancer xenografts without any apparent macroscopic- or microscopictoxicity. Mechanistically, #1181 phosphorylates eIF2α while 4EGI-1 disrupts eIF4G/ eIF4E interaction in the tumors excised from mice treated with these agents. These data indicate that inhibition of translation initiation is a new paradigm in cancer therapy.
Role of Exosomes/Microvesicles in the Nervous System and Use in Emerging Therapies

Extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs) are nanometer sized vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles capable of transferring DNAs, mRNAs, microRNAs, non-coding RNAs, proteins, and lipids among cells without direct cell-to-cell contact, thereby representing a novel form of intercellular communication. Many cells in the nervous system have been shown to release EMVs, implicating their active roles in development, function, and pathologies of this system. While substantial progress has been made in understanding the biogenesis, biophysical properties, and involvement of EMVs in diseases, relatively less information is known about their biological function in the normal nervous system. In addition, since EMVs are endogenous vehicles with low immunogenicity, they have also been actively investigated for the delivery of therapeutic genes/molecules in treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. The present review summarizes current knowledge about EMV functions in the nervous system under both physiological and pathological conditions, as well as emerging EMV-based therapies that could be applied to the nervous system in the foreseeable future.
The Effects of Neonatally-Administered Monosodium Glutamate on the Reproductive System of Adult Hamsters

The effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) administered neonatally o n Days 1-5 6-10 and 1-10 at a dose of 4 or 8 mg/gm body weight were studied in hamsters. MSG significantly lowered reproductive organ weights in both male and female animals (p less than .001-p less than .05) compared with controls. Animals receiving 8 mg MSG on Days 1-10 or 6-10 showed lesions in the arcuate nucleus. Female animals failed to show an estrous cycle and had ovaries with small follicles and the absence of corpora lutea. 50 IU of pregnant mares serum produced follicular maturation in these animals though 10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was required to stimulate ovulation. MSG caused atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in male hamsters and reduced delta5-3beta steroid dehydrogenase activity in the interstitial cells to a minimum. The administration of 200 IU HCG for 7 days restored seminif erous tubule histology and delta5-3beta dehydrogenase activity to near control levels. The results suggest that MSG influences the hypothalamic center controlling the release of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone when administered on Days 1-10 or 6-10 of life.
Decisions, Decisions … SRF Coactivators and Smooth Muscle Myogenesis

Smooth muscle-restricted gene transcription depends on a highly conserved cis -regulatory element termed a CArG box [CC(A/T)6GG]. The CArG box binds serum response factor (SRF), an evolutionarily conserved MADS (MDM1, agamous, deficiens, SRF) domain-containing protein that is required for specification of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle lineages from early mesoderm.1 SRF is a multifunctional protein that not only binds DNA but also provides docking surfaces within the conserved core MADS domain for interaction with a wide variety of accessory cofactors. Most, but not all, smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker genes examined to date require SRF interactions with pairs of CArG-like elements that often contain single G/C substitutions in the AT-rich core region. However, SRF-CArG interactions alone are not sufficient to produce the diversity of smooth muscle subtypes found within the vascular system. A report by Yoshida et al in this issue of Circulation Research confirms and extends previous work by Wang et al,2,3 Chen et al,4 and Du et al,5 suggesting that myocardin is a potent SRF-dependent coactivator for smooth muscle differentiation.6 SRF-CArG box interactions confer context-dependent and signal-responsive control of muscle-specific gene transcription (Figure). This is accomplished at multiple levels of regulation including control of SRF expression, cytoplasmic to nuclear translocation, alternative splicing, and posttranslational modifications of SRF itself. Perhaps the most important mechanism for control of CArG box-dependent transcription is the physical association of SRF with various cell-restricted and/or signal-dependent accessory factors that confer coactivator or corepressor activity via ternary complex formation. This feature of SRF-mediated transcription was first described for the 23 base pair (bp) serum response element (SRE) of the c-fos gene.7 Growth factor responsiveness of the c-fos promoter is a result of the association of SRF with a family of Ets domain-containing transcription factors called ternary complex …
Pampers: The Disposable Diaper War (a)

Procter & Gamble (P&G) introduced disposable diapers in the United States in 1961. Since entering the market in 1968, Kimberly-Clark (K-C) had battled with P&G for market leadership, with P&G maintaining the lead for the majority of over three decades. In the late 1990s, however, K-C began to pull away from P&G. By August 1999, K-C held a 44 percent share of the $4.2 billion U.S. Market, while P&G's share had declined to 36%. As some retailers began dropping Pampers from their shelves, P&G executives wondered what they could do to retain distribution and reverse the downward trend inthe company's share of the disposable diaper market.
Validity of anthropometry in classifying youths as obese.

Using densitometrically-determined percentage body fat as the criterion of true obesity, 316 youths aged 8.4-18.99 years were classified as obese or not obese using conventional referent values for five anthropometric indicators of obesity (weight, BMI, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold and percent body fat estimated from the sum of four skinfolds). Estimates of sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and efficiency were used to describe the relative validity of the anthropometric indicators, and the nature of misclassification resulting when the indicators were applied. The indicators were characterized generally by low levels of sensitivity and corresponding high rates of false negatives, i.e. truly obese youths who were considered not obese by the indicators. Although indicators had high specificities, there were significant differences among indicators. The general pattern of high specificity is desirable, given the nature of obesity in youths. Using the validity criteria and conventional referent values, triceps skinfold thickness in boys and BMI in girls are the preferred single anthropometric indicators of obesity in youths.
Perivascular delivery of resolvin D1 inhibits neointimal hyperplasia in a rat model of arterial injury

Objective Lipid mediators derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as resolvin D1 (RvD1) accelerate the resolution of inflammation and have potential as vascular therapeutics. The objective of this study was to evaluate local perivascular delivery of RvD1 as a means to attenuate neointimal hyperplasia in a rat model of arterial injury. Methods Smooth muscle cells were harvested from rat aortas to study the effects of RvD1 on rat arterial vascular smooth muscle cell responses in vitro, with focus on inflammation, proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal changes, and cytotoxicity. The safety and efficacy of perivascular delivery of RvD1 through thin biodegradable three-layered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) wraps or 25% Pluronic F127 gels were studied in a rat model of carotid angioplasty. A total of 200 ng of RvD1 was loaded into each construct for perivascular delivery after injury. Morphometric and histologic analyses were performed 3 and 14 days after injury. Results RvD1 attenuated rat arterial vascular smooth muscle cell inflammatory pathways, proliferation, migration, and mitogen-induced cytoskeletal changes in vitro, without evidence of cytotoxicity. RvD1-loaded wraps reduced neointimal formation after carotid angioplasty by 59% vs no-wrap controls ( P = .001) and by 45% vs vehicle-wrap controls ( P = .002). RvD1-loaded Pluronic gels similarly reduced neointimal formation by 49% vs no-gel controls ( P = .02) and by 52% vs vehicle-gel controls ( P = .02). No group was associated with infection, thrombosis, or negative vessel remodeling. Wraps were found to be easier to apply than gel constructs. Ki67 proliferation index was significantly lower in RvD1-loaded wrap-treated arteries compared with both no-wrap and vehicle-wrap controls at both 3 and 14 days after injury (65% vs no-wrap group and 70% vs vehicle-wrap group at day 3, 49% vs both control groups at day 14; P P P Conclusions Local perivascular delivery of RvD1 attenuates formation of neointimal hyperplasia without associated toxicity in a rat model of carotid angioplasty. This effect is likely due to attenuation of inflammatory pathways as well as decreased arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.
369 EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE ON INSULIN-STIMULATED K+ UPTAKE: EVIDENCE FOR DEXAMETHASONE INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANCE

Background Patients treated with adrenal steroids for chronic obstructive lung disease have elevated skeletal muscle ouabain binding sites. We have recently shown that rats treated for 14 days with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (dex) have 50% increases in Na,K-ATPase (NKA) α2 and β1 isoform protein levels, the major isoform in muscle. These findings raise the concern that in this group acute stimulation of an increased pool of muscle NKA by catecholamines or insulin could precipitate acute hypokalemia. Aim determine if the dex induced increase in muscle sodium pumps provokes an increase in insulin stimulated cellular K+ uptake. Alternatively, dex treatment could provoke insulin resistance of cellular K+ uptake analogous to dex induced insulin resistance of glucose uptake. Method Rats were treated with dex (0.1 mg/kg/day) or vehicle via subcutaneous osmotic mini-pumps for 7 days (n=6 each). Vehicle infused rats were paired by weight to dex infused rats since dex treatment slowed weight gain. In conscious rats with tail venous and arterial cannulas, insulin (5 mU/kg.min) stimulated cellular uptake of K+ and glucose were measured by determining the amount of exogenous K+ infusion (Kinf) and glucose infusion (Ginf) needed to clamp plasma K+ and glucose at their baseline levels, measured at 10 min intervals over 2.5 hrs. Results In the dex treated group insulin stimulated cellular uptake of glucose was reduced, as expected (Ginf (mmol/kg/hr): 10.2 ± 0.6 in shams, 5.2 ± 0.6 in dex treated). Insulin stimulated cellular uptake of K+ was, likewise, reduced (Kinf (μmol/kg/hr): 533 ± 77 in shams, 266 ± 82 in dex treated). NKA α2 levels in dex treated group, measured by immunoblots, were increased 1.67 ± 0.03 fold in gastrocnemius and 1.35 ± 0.1 in soleus; NKA α1 levels were unchanged. Conclusion These results demonstrate that although dexamethasone treatment significantly increases muscle Na K ATPase levels, insulin stimulated cellular K+ uptake is significantly depressed, novel evidence for insulin resistance of K+ clearance during chronic dexamethasone treatment. DK057678.
Interaction of Borrelia spirochetes with human mononuclear leukocytes causes production of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin

Abstract Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia spirochetes is characterized by episodes of spirochetemia, fever, and DIC. We examined the ability of Borrelia hermsii to induce production of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin from human blood leukocytes in vitro. Organisms were found devoid of endotoxin by the Limulus assay. Human peripheral blood leukocytes were separated into MNC and PMN fractions and were incubated with two to five spirochetes per cell in 10% human serum. Supernatant fluids from MNC-spirochete mixtures produced mean increases in the temperature of rabbits of 0.80 ° to 1.35 ° C, which were significantly higher than those caused by supernatant fluids of MNC or spirochetes alone (p Borrelia spirochetes stimulated human MNCs to produce increased amounts of leukocytic pyrogen and thromboplastin and that this stimulation required de novo synthesis of protein, was not mediated by endotoxin, and was not prevented by omitting opsonic proteins or by inhibiting phagocytosis.
The Scope of the Problem: History, Trends, and Current Facts

Chapter 1 reviews the nature of modern-day maritime piracy by offering data on the incidence and type of attacks in recent years. It also offers estimates of the cost of piracy, which ranges between $1 billion and $16 billion per year. Finally, the chapter previews the content of the remaining chapters in the book.
Chemokine Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Severity of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation from Sibling Donors.

Abstract Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other genetic variations in various genes involved in the immune response have been variably associated with acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). The interaction of chemokines with their receptors is crucial for organ-specific recruitment of immune cells. Trafficking of recipient antigen presenting cells as well as donor lymphocytes between lymph nodes and target tissues are especially important events in acute GVHD pathogenesis. In this pilot, retrospective study, we sought to examine the role of recipient and donor chemokine receptor gene polymorphisms in determining the incidence of severe acute GVHD in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from matched sibling donors. Methods: Patient and donor samples were genotyped for the following chemokine receptor polymorphisms: CCR5 -59029 A/G, CCR2 190 A/G (V64I), CX3CR1 745 A/G (V249I) and CX3CR1 839 C/T (T280M) and CCR5Δ32. Due to the extreme rarity of homozygosity for the Δ32 deletion in CCR5, the CCR5Δ32 homozygotes and heterozygotes were grouped together for analysis. The relationship between polymorphism genotypes and acute GVHD outcomes (Grade 0 vs Grades III/IV) were evaluated. Results: A total of 103 donor-recipient pairs were analyzed which included 58 recipients who experienced severe acute GVHD (Grades III/IV) and 45 recipients who did not develop acute GVHD (Grade 0). Compared to the wild type CCR5 allele, the presence of the CCR5Δ32 allele in the donor conferred an increased risk for severe acute GVHD (P=0.04). The odds ratio is estimated to be 6.16 (95% CI [0.73, 52.05]). Presence of CCR5Δ32 in the recipient was not associated with increased acute GVHD risk (P=0.14). For the CCR5 -59029 A/G polymorphism, there was the suggestion of a decreased trend for developing severe acute GVHD if the donor had the A/A genotype (P=0.09). A trend for an association with the incidence of severe acute GVHD was observed for the CCR2 V64I polymorphism in the recipient. (P= 0.08). Donor genotype for this polymorphism was not associated with severe GVHD (P=0.17). A trend towards increased incidence of severe GVHD was observed for the 745 A/G (V249I) polymorphism (P=0.1). No significant effect was observed for the CX3CR1 839 C/T (T280M) polymorphism in this study. Conclusions: CCR5Δ32 polymorphism in the donor was associated with severe acute GVHD in this study. This and other functional chemokine receptor polymorphisms are potential candidates for evaluation in large prospective studies in future to precisely determine their association with acute GVHD.
Positive L 1-gain filter design for positive continuous-time Markovian jump systems with partly known transition rates

The paper is concerned with the problem of positive L 1-gain filter design for positive continuous-time Markovian jump systems with partly known transition rates. Our aim is to design a positive full-order filter such that the corresponding filtering error system is positive and stochastically stable with L 1-gain performance. By applying a linear co-positive Lyapunov function and free-connection weighting vectors, the desired positive L 1-gain filter is provided. The obtained theoretical results are demonstrated by numerical examples.
Evaluation of neutron light output response functions in EJ-309 organic scintillators

Abstract An accurate model of the nonlinear detector response of organic scintillators to neutrons is required to correctly simulate fast neutron detection, as well as interpret measured pulse height data. Several empirical and semi-empirical models are available to fit measured scintillator light output data. In this work, EJ-309 light output data from neutrons depositing 1.15–5.15 MeV on hydrogen were analyzed using empirical models as well as semi-empirical models based on the work of Birks and Voltz. Although all tested models fit the experimental light output data well in the measured range, the models were observed to diverge in low-energy extrapolation. The models were then tested by comparing a measurement and MCNPX-PoliMi simulation of an EJ-309 detector response to fast neutrons from a 252 Cf spontaneous fission source. The agreement between the measured and simulated pulse height distributions varied significantly depending on the light output model used. The best agreement between simulated and measured neutron pulse height distributions was achieved by using the Birks model. The bin-by-bin agreement was better than 5% over the range 0.08–2.18 MeVee, and better than 10% from 2.18 to 3.13 MeVee. The integral count rate over the range 0.08–3.14 MeVee differed by less than 1% in absolute units.
Is Color Experience Cognitively Penetrable

Is color experience cognitively penetrable? Some philosophers have recently argued that it is. In this paper, we take issue with the claim that color experience is cognitively penetrable. We argue that the notion of cognitive penetration that has recently dominated the literature is flawed since it fails to distinguish between the modulation of perceptual content by non-perceptual principles and genuine cognitive penetration. We use this distinction to show that studies suggesting that color experience can be modulated by factors of the cognitive system do not establish that color experience is cognitively penetrable. Additionally, we argue that even if color experience turns out to be modulated by color-related beliefs and knowledge beyond non-perceptual principles, it does not follow that color experience is cognitively penetrable since the experiences of determinate hues involve post-perceptual processes. We conclude with a brief discussion of the implications that these ideas may have on debates in philosophy.
Comments On ‘Theories and Hypotheses in Biology’

The philosophy of science has been dominated by physics to such an extent during past decades that any discussion of theory formation in biology must start out with the similarities between physics and biology. June Goodfield has, therefore, quite rightly concentrated on aspects of biology that have a good deal in common with the physical sciences, such as theoretical entities and functional processes. It is good strategy to start out with functional biology, the part of biology where indeed physical entities (e.g. molecules), and physical processes, such as energy and information transfer, often play a decisive role. It is surely no coincidence that a biological entity, the gene, conforms so closely to the physical entities as described by the philosophers of physics, because the gene is simultaneously a macromolecule and thus as much an object of the physical as of the biological sciences. This still leaves the question open to what extent the simplicistic notions of physical theory formation are useful in the more complex areas of biology.
Outreach to veterans with serious mental Illness who are lost to care: Predictors of outreach contact

Abstract This evaluation identified factors associated with outreach contact to veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) who were lost to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care. From March 2012 through September 2013, the VHA SMI Re-Engage initiative identified 4,241 veterans for reengagement outreach; 31% of whom were successfully contacted. Higher odds of contact was associated with older age, married status, no history of homelessness, bipolar disorder diagnosis, having no recent inpatient stay, living closer to a VHA medical center, fewer years since last visit, and having a service-connected disability. Several factors are associated with recontact with veterans with SMI who are lost to VHA care. These may promote treatment engagement and retention. Study findings may inform outreach interventions to enhance access for these veterans. (PsycINFO Database Record