cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interplay Between Heart and Skeletal Muscle Disease in Heart Failure The 2011 George E. Brown Memorial Lecture

The study of single gene disorders often provides insight for more complex human disease. Mutations in the genes encoding the dystrophin protein complex cause muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy by destabilizing the plasma membrane of skeletal myofibers and cardiomyocytes. In these diseases, progressive skeletal muscle degeneration and weakness contribute to cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, the pace and pattern of muscle weakness, along with onset of cardiomyopathy, is highly variable even when associated with the same identical mutation. Using a mouse model of muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy, we identified genetic loci that modify muscle pathology and cardiac fibrosis. Distinct genetic modifiers were identified for diaphragm and abdominal musculature, and these genetic intervals differ from those that regulate pathology in the skeletal muscle of the limbs and the heart. One modifier gene was identified and highlights the importance of the transforming growth factor-β pathway in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy. We determined that canonical transforming growth factor-β signaling contributes to heart and muscle dysfunction using a Drosophila model. Together, these studies demonstrate the value of using a genetically sensitized model to uncover pathways that regulate heart failure and muscle weakness.
Hockey-related facial injuries: a population-based analysis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Recognition of the potentially severe sequelae arising from inadequate facial protection has facilitated sustained efforts to increase the use of protective visors in recent decades. Our objective was to characterize nationwide trends among patients presenting to emergency departments (ED) for facial injuries sustained while playing ice hockey. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was searched for hockey-related facial injuries, with analysis for incidence; age and gender; and specific injury diagnoses, mechanisms, and facial locations. RESULTS: There were an estimated 93,444 ED visits for hockey-related facial injuries from 2003 to 2012. The number of annual ED visits declined by 43.8% from 2003 to 2012. A total of 90.6% of patients were male; and the peak age of injury was 17 years. Lacerations were the most common form of facial injury (81.5% of patients) across all age groups. Contusions/abrasions and fractures followed in frequency, with fractures increasing with advancing age. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of ED visits due to facial injuries from ice hockey has significantly decreased over the last decade, concurrent with increased societal use of facial protective equipment. Nonetheless, facial hockey injuries facilitate a significant number of ED visits among both adults and children; thus, the knowledge of demographic-specific trends described in this analysis is relevant for physicians involved in the management of facial trauma. These findings reinforce the need to educate individuals who play hockey about the importance of appropriate facial protection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 2014. Language: en
MRI analysis of in vivo meniscal and tibiofemoral kinematics in ACL-deficient and normal knees.

The objectives of this study were to analyze simultaneously meniscal and tibiofemoral kinematics in healthy volunteers and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient patients under axial load-bearing conditions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten healthy volunteers and eight ACL-deficient patients were examined with a high-field, closed MRI system. For each group, both knees were imaged at full extension and partial flexion (∼45°) with a 125N compressive load applied to the foot. Anteroposterior and medial/lateral femoral and meniscal translations were analyzed following three-dimensional, landmark-matching registration. Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibilities were less than 0.8 mm for femoral translation for image processing and data analysis. The position of the femur relative to the tibia in the ACL-deficient knee was 2.6 mm posterior to that of the contralateral, normal knee at extension. During flexion from 0° to 45°, the femur in ACL-deficient knees translated 4.3 mm anteriorly, whereas no significant translation occurred in uninjured knees. The contact area centroid on the tibia in ACL-deficient knees at extension was posterior to that of uninjured knees. Consequently, significantly less posterior translation of the contact centroid occurred in the medial tibial condyle in ACL-deficient knees during flexion. Meniscal translation, however, was nearly the same in both groups. Axial load-bearing MRI is a noninvasive and reproducible method for evaluating tibiofemoral and meniscal kinematics. The results demonstrated that ACL deficiency led to significant changes in bone kinematics, but negligible changes in the movement of the menisci. These results help explain the increased risk of meniscal tears and osteoarthritis in chronic ACL deficient knees. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Plaque Angiogenesis Versus Compensatory Arteriogenesis in Atherosclerosis

See related article, pages 900–908 Many atherosclerotic lesions are vascularized by a network of capillaries that arise from the adventitial vasa vasorum.1 These capillaries may be important regulators of plaque instability. Reflecting their inflammatory microenvironment, the capillaries are immature endothelial tubes with disorganized branching, fragile and prone to rupture. The accumulation of erythrocytes after intraplaque hemorrhage may promote the transition from lesion stability to instability.2 Research interest in both angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, the maturation or de novo growth of collateral vessels,3,4 in atherosclerotic disease has intensified in recent years, reflecting the emerging success of antiangiogenesis strategies in cancer therapy. The bench-to-bedside milepost was reached in February 2004, when the US Food and Drug Administration approved bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech), an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of colorectal cancer.5 It is controversial whether angiogenesis-targeted therapy holds similar promise in atherosclerotic disease.3 It must be remembered, however, that it has been 35 years since Folkman published his then-heretical hypothesis that tumor growth depended on angiogenesis,6 and 30 years since Brem and Folkman reported the first-known angiogenesis inhibitor.7 Many of the complex, multigene events of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in atherosclerotic disease remain to be elucidated. The challenge is all the more difficult because of the diverse pathophysiological mechanisms of those two major kinds of new vascular growth associated with lesion development, one composed mainly of new capillaries, the other the collateral circulation formed by capillaries, arterioles, and arteries.2,4 Bochkov and colleagues in the current issue of Circulation Research distinguish new mechanisms of angiogenesis in atherosclerotic lesions.8 Lipoproteins accumulated in the extracellular space of the intima may be particularly susceptible to oxidative modification because they are not in contact with plasma antioxidants. It is …
Introduction: evolutionary theory and the search for a unified theory of fertility.

Demography and evolutionary biology share common origins but have divergent emphasis on the role of theory in understanding population phenomena. A unified theory of fertility would be beneficial in explaining variation in demographic characteristics across geographic and temporal gulfs and in integrating disparate perspectives. The sixpapers in this thematic collection represent a nascent but vital field: human evolutionary demography. These papers examine the ways in which evolutionary theory can inform, strengthen, and focus research on topics of long-standing interest to demographers by explicitly modeling the relationship of socioecological variables to life history traits. The papers demonstrate that an understanding of human life history evolution and the use of evolutionary theory as an organizing framework can lead to a productive reassessment of five areas, which are of long-standing concern to demographers, and which conventional demographic approaches have had limited success in understanding. These are conflicts of interest between par- ents and children and between men and women, the allocation of resources to competing and/or alternative forms of investment in reproduction and parenting, resource flow within the household, demographic transitions and particularly the fertility transition associated with economic develop- ment, and variation in life history characteristics such as fertility and mortality across populations. Future research integrating models of trait-environment correlation with models of individual in- formation processing and decision-making will help identify areas of focus, revitalize current models, and play a leading role in the development of a unified theory of fertility applicable across societies and times. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14: 145-148, 2002. 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Restructuring the Morbidity and Mortality Conference in a Department of Pediatrics to Serve as a Vehicle for System Changes

Purpose. Morbidity and mortality conference (MMC) serves an important role in medical care and education. We restructured our Department of Pediatrics MMC to focus on multidisciplinary participation and improved communication among disciplines, quality improvement, and system changes for safer clinical care and enhanced learning from adverse outcomes. Method. The structure and philosophy of the Department of Pediatrics MMC was changed. We present guiding principles for the restructuring process and evaluation results postrestructuring, which examined achievement of conference goals, including quality improvement. Results. The MMC led to system changes within the Department of Pediatrics as well as other parts of the hospital. Satisfaction with these changes was high among conference participants, who felt that the conference achieved its goals of including multiple disciplines and creating system changes. Conclusions. The successful change in the focus of the pediatric MMC conference resulted in significa...
Nutrition Assessment in Long-Term Care

Assessment of nutrition status is necessary in long-term care settings for both optimal patient care and to meet regulatory standards. Careful nutrition assessment leads to development of an individual plan of care to optimize nutrition status. Although the Minimum Data Set is mandated as the nutrition assessment tool in long-term care settings, published studies show that the use of the Minimum Data Set to assess nutrition status is problematic. Two types of nutrition assessment instruments have been developed. The first type aims to identify those at risk for malnutrition but is not used to diagnose clinical malnutrition, whereas the second type has been designed to diagnose malnutrition. A number of commonly used nutrition assessment tools have not been validated in long-term care populations. This review focuses on the available tools used in the long-term care setting and provides an overview of their characteristics and performance measures.
HURRICANE EVACUATION: ORIGIN, ROUTE AND DESTINATION

Evacuation operations can be divided into three main levels: at the origin (region at risk), routes, and destination. This research encompasses all the three aspects and proposes a framework to assess the whole system in its entirety. At the origin the demand dictates when to schedule evacuation orders, it also dictates the capacity required on different routes. On the routes it is crucial to determine where to provide access to the contraflow lanes. This research also provides a new and innovative technique to improve operations by operating a "network breathing strategy" at destinations. These breakthroughs will provide a framework for a real time decision support system.
Outpatient Use of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound to Assess the Inferior Vena Cava in Patients With Heart Failure

Accurate assessment of volume status is critical in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). We studied the utility of a pocket-sized ultrasound device in an outpatient cardiology clinic as a tool to guide volume assessment. Inferior vena cava (IVC) size and collapsibility were assessed in 95 patients by residents briefly trained in focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU). Cardiologist assessment of volume status and changes in diuretic medication were also recorded. Patients were followed for occurrence of 30-day events. There was a 94% success rate of obtaining IVC size and collapsibility, and agreement between visual and calculated IVC parameters was excellent. Most patients were euvolemic by both FCU IVC and clinical bedside assessment (51%) and had no change in diuretic dose. Thirty-two percent had discrepant FCU IVC and clinical volume assessments. In clinically hypervolemic patients, the FCU evaluation of the IVC suggested that the wrong diuretic management plan might have been made 46% of the time. At 30 days, 14 events occurred. The incidence of events increased significantly with FCU IVC imaging categorization, from 11% to 23% to 36% in patients with normal, intermediate, and plethoric IVCs. By comparison, when grouped in a binary manner, there was no significant difference in event rates for patients who were deemed to be clinically volume overloaded. Assessment of volume status in an outpatient cardiology clinic using FCU imaging of the IVC is feasible in a high percentage of patients. A group of patients were identified with volume status discordant between FCU IVC and routine clinic assessment, suggesting that IVC parameters may provide a valuable supplement to the in-office physical examination.
Development of a Theoretically Driven mHealth Text Messaging Application for Sustaining Recent Weight Loss

Background: Mobile phone short message service (SMS) text messaging, has the potential to serve as an intervention medium to promote sustainability of weight loss that can be easily and affordably used by clinicians and consumers. Objective: To develop theoretically driven weight loss sustaining text messages and pilot an mHealth SMS text messaging intervention to promote sustaining recent weight loss in order to understand optimal frequency and timing of message delivery, and for feasibility and usability testing. Results from the pilot study were used to design and construct a patient privacy compliant automated SMS application to deliver weight loss sustaining messages. Methods: We first conducted a pilot study in which participants (N=16) received a daily SMS text message for one month following a structured weight loss program. Messages were developed from diet and exercise guidelines. Following the intervention, interviews were conducted and self-reported weight was collected via SMS text messaging. Results: All participants (N=16) were capable of sending and receiving SMS text messages. During the phone interview at 1 month post-baseline and at 3 months post-baseline, 13/14 (93%) of participants who completed the study reported their weight via SMS. At 3 months post-baseline, 79% (11/14) participants sustained or continued to lose weight. Participants (13/14, 93%) were favorable toward the messages and the majority (10/14, 71%) felt they were useful in helping them sustain weight loss. All 14 participants who completed the interview thought SMS was a favorable communication medium and was useful to receive short relevant messages promptly and directly. All participants read the messages when they knew they arrived and most (11/14, 79%) read the messages at the time of delivery. All participants felt that at least one daily message is needed to sustain weight loss behaviors and that they should be delivered in the morning. Results were then used to develop the SMS text messaging application. Conclusions: Study results demonstrated the feasibility of developing weight loss SMS text messages, and the development of an mHealth SMS text messaging application. SMS text messaging was perceived as an appropriate and accepted tool to deliver health promotion content. [JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2013;1(1):e5]
A mixture probabilistic PCA model for multivariate processes monitoring

A mixture probabilistic principal component analysis (PCA) model is proposed as a multivariate process monitoring tool in this paper. High dimensional measurement data could be aggregated into some clusters based on the mixture distribution model, where the number of these clusters is automatically determined by the maximum likelihood estimation procedure. The multivariate statistical process monitoring mechanism is developed first with the learning of a finite mixture model for describing the local statistical patterns in each cluster, followed by the construction of the statistical process confidence intervals for the identified regions or nodes from T2 and Q charts. The abnormal input measurement would fall out of the acceptance region set by the confidence control limits and probabilistic PCA model. The experimental studies have illustrated that the mixture probabilistic PCA model conforms to the multivariate data well in the experiments involving Gaussian mixtures, and helps identify the underlying root causes of variation patterns in complicated multivariate manufacturing processes.
Modified KS, AD, and C-vM tests for the Pareto distribution with unknown location and scale parameters

Standard goodness-of-fit tests based on the empirical CdF (Edf) require continuous underlying distributions with all parameters specified. Three modified Edf-type tests, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S), Anderson-Darling (A-D), and Cramer-von Mises (C-vM), are developed for the Pareto distribution with unknown parameters of location and scale and known shape parameter. The unknown parameters are estimated using best linear unbiased estimators. For each test, Monte Carlo techniques are used to generate critical values for sample sizes 5(5)30 and Pareto shape parameters 0.5
Compensation of Transport Delay in Driving Simulator

Methods to compensate for transport delay in a ground vehicle driving simulator are developed to optimize the fidelity of the driving simulator. The compensation methods are designed to compensate for individual transport delays in visual and motion subsystems of the simulator, and, at the same time, ensure synchronization between compensated delays. A driver - driving simulator model including a driver, a nonlinear multibody vehicle dynamics, a visual subsystem, and a motion subsystem models is used to analyze the transport delay effects and demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed compensation methods.
Liquid volume measurements in the cavity formed by single droplet impacts into a thin, static liquid film

Abstract The time variation of the liquid volume beneath the cavity formed by the impact of a single droplet into a static liquid film (termed the “sub-cavity volume”) over an unheated, horizontal surface has been measured for the first time, using water as the test liquid. Droplet Weber numbers, Reynolds numbers, and initial liquid film thickness-to-drop diameter ratios were studied that are representative of the impact conditions that are expected for typical sprays. The thin liquid film thickness beneath the droplet impact cavity (the “sub-cavity liquid film thickness”) was measured using a non-contacting optical thickness sensor, as a function of both time and radial distance away from the impact cavity centerline. These data have been numerically integrated to determine the time variation of the sub-cavity liquid volume. The measured liquid film thickness decreases away from the cavity centerline in the immediate vicinity of the inner crown wall. The sub-cavity volume is typically between 30% and 35% of the droplet volume, and remains near this plateau value over much of the cavity lifetime. The measured sub-cavity liquid volume and cavity lifetime are used for one example case to demonstrate the predicted values of both the local heat flux averaged over an individual cavity, and the overall heater average heat flux, that would be required to dry out the cavity prior to cavity fill in. The computed average heat flux value for this first example case, on the order of 4–6 MW/m 2 , is the same order of magnitude as the range of measured overall critical heat flux values referenced in the spray cooling literature.
Mobile multimedia scenario using ATM and microcellular technologies

New technologies, such as personal communication systems (PCS) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), hold the promise to usher in a new era of mobile multimedia communication. Switching networks have evolved from circuit switching to TDMA to packet switching. ATM is the next step in the evolution of switching systems, with the promise of carrying multimedia service on a single network. Cellular communications are evolving from an analog FM system to a digital system based on TDMA. CDMA technology has also been proposed as an alternative for digital cellular. At present, cellular business is driven by the voice market. But the lessons learned from the switching business indicate that cellular networks will evolve toward packet based technology, e.g., ALOHA, for adapting to multimedia service based on the ATM backbone network. The technology for building a multimedia terminal is already here. The challenge for industry is to design and standardize a packet based cellular network that can act as a wireless front end to the backbone ATM network. >
Stability of potassium phenethicillin I. Kinetics of degradation in aqueous solution

Kinetic studies of the degradation of potassium phenethicillin in aqueous solution have been carried out and presented with a view toward stability prediction. Phenethicillin, an acid with pKa 2.9, is hydrolyzed by both acid and base with minimum rate of degradation at about pH 6.5 at 35°. In acid solution the ionic form of phenethicillin is hydrolyzed about 13 times as fast as the free acid. The HPO4− ion was found to be a general base catalyst. The effect of temperature in the neutral pH region has been determined, and from this data the aqueous solution stability of potassium phenethicillin at 25 and 4° has been predicted.
Liver-Specific Inhibition of Acyl-Coenzyme A:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 2 With Antisense Oligonucleotides Limits Atherosclerosis Development in Apolipoprotein B100–Only Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor −/− Mice

Objective— The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of liver-specific inhibition of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) on the development of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in mice. Methods and Results— Apolipoprotein B100–only low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor −/− mice were given saline, a nontargeting control antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), or ASOs targeting ACAT2 biweekly for a period spanning 16 weeks. Mice treated with ACAT2 targeting ASOs had liver-specific reduction in ACAT2 mRNA, yet intestinal ACAT2 and cholesterol absorption was left undisturbed. ASO-mediated knockdown of ACAT2 resulted in reduction of total plasma cholesterol, increased levels of plasma triglyceride, and a shift in LDL cholesteryl ester (CE) fatty acid composition from mainly saturated and monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acid enrichment. Furthermore, the liver-specific depletion of ACAT2 resulted in protection against diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and aortic CE deposition. This is the first demonstration that specific pharmacological inhibition of ACAT2, without affecting ACAT1, is atheroprotective. Conclusions— Hepatic ACAT2 plays a critical role in driving the production of atherogenic lipoproteins, and therapeutic interventions, such as the ACAT2-specific ASOs used here, which reduce acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) function in the liver without affecting ACAT1, may provide clinical benefit for cardiovascular disease prevention.
ADSORPTION OF BENZENE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY BENTONITE TREATED WITH QUATERNARY AMINES

The adsorptive properties of Wyoming bentonite, which has been tailored using various tetraalkylammonium (TAA{sup +}) ions, have been investigated for the selective removal of hazardous organic pollutants found in waters and soils contaminated by petrochemical spills. The effectiveness of the tailoring agents is evaluated by comparing the adsorption isotherms of benzene on both treated and untreated soils. Five TAA{sup +}-type compounds are investigated: ammonium (NH{sub 4}{sup +}), tetramethylammonium (TMA{sup +}), tetraethylammonium (TEA{sup +}), tetrapropylammonium (TPA{sup +}), and tetrabutylammonium (TBA{sup +}). The optimum dose characteristics are determined for each tailoring cation. The adsorption capacity of the treated clay decreases for doses that exceed the optimum dose because of the increase in organic content in solution, which induces a reduction in the partition coefficient between organically coated solid and the liquid phase. Despite the similarity in nature of the TAA{sup +} cations used in this study, significant differences in the adsorption capacities are obtained for the various compounds.
Integrated lot-sizing and scheduling for just-in-time production of complex assemblies with finite set-ups

This paper addresses the integrated scheduling and lot-sizing problem in a manufacturing environment which produces complex assemblies. Given the duedates of the end items, the objective is to minimize the cumulative lead time of the production schedule (total makespan) and reduce set-up and inventory holding costs. A JIT production strategy is adopted in which production is scheduled as late as possible (to minimize WIP costs), but without backlogging end items. The integrated scheduling and lot-sizing problem within such an environment has been formulated and is NP hard. An efficient heuristic is developed that schedules operations by exploiting the critical path of a network and iteratively groups orders to determine lot-sizes that minimize the makespan as well as set-up and holding costs. The performance of the proposed heuristic is evaluated and numerical results are presented comparing the savings achieved in makespan and cost over a lot-for-lot production strategy, and scheduling using an existing ...
High-throughput genome sequencing of lichenizing fungi to assess gene loss in the ammonium transporter/ammonia permease gene family

Horizontal gene transfer has shaped the evolution of the ammonium transporter/ammonia permease gene family. Horizontal transfers of ammonium transporter/ammonia permease genes into the fungi include one transfer from archaea to the filamentous ascomycetes associated with the adaptive radiation of the leotiomyceta. The horizontally transferred gene has subsequently been lost in most of the group but has been selectively retained in lichenizing fungi. However, some groups of lichens appear to have secondarily lost the archaeal ammonium transporter. Definitive assessment of gene loss can only be made via whole genome sequencing. Ammonium transporter/ammonia permease gene sequences were recovered from the assembled genomes of eight lichenizing fungi in key clades including the Caliciales, the Peltigerales, the Ostropomycetidae, the Acarosporomycetidae, the Verrucariales, the Arthoniomycetidae and the Lichinales. The genes recovered were included in a refined phylogenetic analysis. The hypothesis that lichens symbiotic with a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium as a primary photobiont or lichens living in high nitrogen environments lose the plant-like ammonium transporters was upheld, but did not account for additional losses of ammonium transporters/ammonia permeases in the lichens from the Acarosporomycetidae, Chaetotheriomycetes and Arthoniomycetes. In addition, the four ammonium transporter/ammonia permease genes from Cladonia grayi were shown to be functional by expressing the lichen genes in a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in which all three native ammonium transporters were deleted, and assaying for growth on limiting ammonia as a sole nitrogen source. Given sufficient coverage, next-generation sequencing technology can definitively address the loss of a gene in a genome when using environmental DNA isolated from lichen thalli collected from their natural habitats. Lichen-forming fungi have been losing ammonium transporters/ammonia permease genes at a slower rate than the most closely related non-lichenized lineages. These horizontally transferred genes in the Cladonia grayi genome encode functional ammonium transporters/ammonia permeases.
A Method For Reverse Engineering Legacy Accounting Systems

The growing emphasis on information for the development of products, services, and managing activities has increased the need for the integration of data which has been collected and used for various IS applications. Problems arise from the integration of information from such a variety of sources. One approach to this problem is reverse engineer these systems. Reverse engineering derives a data model from existing sys-tems with the aim of redesigning it. The paper describes a data modeling approach that takes data from general journal and an archetypal specialized journal and translates it into an entity-relationship diagram. The article also discusses areas for future research.
The Adult Goods Approach To Child Gender Bias: Evidence From Iran

This paper provides non-parametric evidence, from an Iranian budget survey, of the child gender effects on adults consumption. The outcome is contrary to the commonly-held opinion that the adults goods approach is not effective in revealing the presence of such effects. The evidence of pro-boy bias obtained in this study appears almost unchanged when examined against a variety of controls.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of Ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes with redox active ligands.

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA LB-191 Purpose: Tumor cells under hypoxic stress are among the most resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and are also most susceptible toward metastasis, making this subpopulation a particularly attractive chemotherapeutic target. We are interested in the development, toxicology and pharmacology of a new class of redox-active drugs that show potentiated DNA- cleavage activity under hypoxic conditions. These drugs are all based on a tetraazapentacene heterocycle which is the pharmacophore. Metal complexation of the drug provides solubility and imparts a cationic charge that helps the drug to tightly bind to DNA (Kb ~ 109 M-1) and this DNA damage is enhanced in presence of common cellular reductants like glutathione. The present paper presents structural design, studies in cultured malignant and normal cells, as well as animal toxicity and antitumor studies of this new pharmacophore. Experimental Design: A structure-activity relationship for a series of Ru(II) complexes has been established by synthesizing and screening them for its biological activity. Cytotoxicity studies were performed to determine the IC50 using a standard MTT drug sensitivity assay on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H358 and H226. The control experiments for this were also carried out in normal healthy cells HUVEC and HAVSMC. An initial animal toxicity screen was determined in a dose ranging study by intraperitoneal injection in C57BL/6NTac mice to calculate the maximum tolerable dose (MTD). The animals were also autopsied after interval of 0, 24 and 48 hr and the organs liver, spleen, intestine, kidney, heart, lung and brain collected and analyzed for studying the pharmacokinetics of the complex using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The in vivo antitumor activities of the most promising complexes were performed using an orthotopic syngeneic mouse melanoma model. For each complex 4 male C57BL/6NTac mice were injected with 1 million B16 mouse melanoma cells subcutaneously. The tumor volume and regression was monitored for the group. Results: The results of the drug sensitivity assay were determined for a total of 17 complexes (racemic/chiral). The most antipromising activity was shown by complex with a longer bridging redox active ligand tatpp with an IC50 value of about 10 μM, very rare for this class. The complex also showed low animal toxicity in the screen with MTD as high as 100 mg/Kg. Also we found that the complex had a measurable inhibitory effect on tumor growth as measured by the tumor volume. Conclusions: We report synthesis and biological activity of a novel molecule with anticancer properties that support a potential clinical utility for advanced human cancer. Supported by National Cancer Institute grant CA 113747
Force Characterization of Intracranial Endovascular Embolization: Coil Type, Microcatheter Placement, and Insertion Rate

Background Intraoperative rupture (IOR) is a rare, but potentially morbid complication of endovascular aneurysm coil embolization. Yet, IOR predictors have remained relatively uninvestigated in relation to coil design. Objective To develop a novel in vitro aneurysm model to characterize forces exerted by coils of different design on the aneurysm during endovascular embolization that are hypothesized to contribute to IOR. Methods A 3-mm saccular aneurysm model was developed with flat latex membrane at the dome apex. Membrane deflection was observed throughout simulated embolization and converted to force measurement. Simultaneous coil insertion and force measurement were accomplished with a compression strength-testing machine. Membrane and insertion forces across coil type, microcatheter tip placement, and insertion rate were evaluated. Results Insertion force and force directly on the aneurysm wall exhibited a difference, with framing coils exerting greatest force, followed by filling and finishing coils. Regarding microcatheter placement, a similar graded response in membrane and insertion forces was observed with positioning in the top-third of the aneurysm generating the greatest force compared with central and bottom-third placement. Insertion rate was also a factor with the slowest rate (10 mm/min) exhibiting the greatest membrane force, followed by lower forces at 30 and 50 mm/min. A multiple linear regression model was created to assess the contributions of each factor toward aneurysm forces. Conclusion Increased force on the aneurysm is associated with framing coil use, microcatheter placement proximal to aneurysm dome, and slow insertion rate. Further characterization remains necessary to reduce IOR risk, especially concerning the contributions of insertion rate.
Periodontosis with periodontitis: A study involving young adult males

T e clinical entity called periodontoti can be identified by early mobility and/ or migration of teeth in young persons (from puberty to the age of 30 years) who are in apparent good health. There is appreciable alveolas bone loss, with little inflammation of the gingiva at first. Only somewhat later is there gingival inflammation with rapid development of deep periodontal pockets. At that time the periodontosis is considered to be complicated by peri0dontitis.l Although there is some general agreement that periodontosis is a clinical entity, there is less agreement on some of the clinical findings and still less on the histopathologic aspects of the condition. The majority of investigators, however, have found histopathologic changes in which degeneration is the dominant feature.l There is no known etiologic factor common to all cases of periodontosis, and there is no uniformity of opinion concerning the course of the disease or its reaction to therapya The incidence of periodontosis, as reported, varies from 0.1 to 22 per cent of the population, but it is generally considered to be less than 2 to 3 per cent. It is, therefore, a rather rare manifestation and must be distinguished from clinically obvious primary occlusal trauma, which is much more common.* Cases of periodontosis in young men serving in the United States Armed Forces have been described by Orban’? 3 and Whinston4 Mindful of these reports, we undertook a study to investigate the clinical entity of “periodontosis with periodontitis” in young male recruits (aged 19 to 27) who entered the Army Basic Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, during the 2-year period from
Population Structure of the Ant Nest Symbiont Masoncus pogonophilus (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Myrmecophiles are arthropods that spend all or part of their life cycles living inside ant nests. However, little is known about how the distribution of host colonies in a habitat affects the dispersal and population structure of these symbionts. The polymerase chain reaction-based random amplified polymorphic DNA technique (RAPD-PCR) was used to investigate the population structure of the myrmecophilic spider, Masoncus pogonophilus Cushing (Linyphiidae), by examining the genetic diversity of 2 spider populations living in the nest chambers of adjacent ant colonies and a 3rd living in a distant colony. Using the analysis of molecular variance technique, I found that, of the total genetic diversity, 77.4% was attributable to intrapopulation differences, 18.2% to differences between the distant populations, and only 4.4% to differences between the neighboring populations. The Lynch and Milligan technique also indicated that neighboring populations differed from distant populations in their mean genetic diversity: the mean genetic diversity between neighboring populations was 0.7%, whereas the mean genetic diversity between distant pairs of populations was 1.8 to 3.5%. Both analyses suggest that spiders from neighboring nests are more similar in their genetic makeup than spiders from distant nests. Dispersal events of spiders between neighboring colonies may maintain this genetic similarity between neighboring populations.
The effect of Lithospermum on the mouse estrous cycle.

SummaryFemale mice of C3H strain when fed on a diet of 15% Lithospermum ruderale go into an immediate and persistent anestrus. Female mice of Rockland strain fed similarly also go into anestrus which, however, may be followed by varying degrees of developed refractoriness to the drug, as evidenced in some mice by a reappearance of normal estrous cycles. The anestrous condition in both strains is accompanied by atrophy of the ovaries and uteri, and atresia of the follicles. Possible modes of action of the Lithospermum are discussed.
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of measles in Zhanjiang from 2004 to 2013 and the measures to eliminate measles

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles and prevention and control measures in Zhanjiang from 2004 to 2013, so as to provide basis for strategies and measures for measles elimination. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted for the incidence of measles and prevention and control measures. Results There were a total of 3 552 cases with measles attack in Zhanjiang from 2004 to 2013, and the incidence was 0.06-15.34/100 000. Epidemic peak of measles occurred in 2006 and 2008, and the incidence was 10.72/100 000, 15.34/100 000, respectively. Control measures including leak detection, supplementary vaccination and supplementary immunization were taken in 2008-2010. It was reported in 2011 that the incidence was decreased to 0.06/100 000. However there was an epidemic peak again in 2013, and the incidence reported was 13.22/100 000. As a whole, the occurrence was mainly in the population with younger age. The cases with the age of 15 years accounted for 88.18%, and the group with the age of 0-1 year had the highest incidence. Conclusion routine immunization rate and ratio of the first timely vaccination for measles is relatively low, which is main cause of high incidence of measles; It is the effective for the control and elimination of measles to increase measles vaccination rate for the children at the appropriate age, implement the inspection of prevention and vaccination certificate when entering kindergarten and school, control the infection within hospitals and timely conduct supplementary vaccination of vaccines containing measles component.
Simulation research on non-line-of-sight atmospheric propagation

A non-line-of-sight single-scatter propagation model working on the solar-blind spectral regions is studied based on numerical calculation which is performed to analyze the impact on the signal path loss due to the variances of the geometries of the transceiver.It is shown that a larger field-of-view of receiver can significantly increase the system performance but is limited by practical conditions while a variance of the transmitter divergence has no difference on the path loss of the system.The numerical calculation also suggests that apex angel of the transmitter plays a more important role than that of the receiver hence needs to be considered carefully in the system design.
Intraluminal Interleukin 2 and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for Treatment of Bladder Cancer: A Preliminary Report

AbstractThe authors treated 13 patients who had undergone resection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with a combination of 3,500 units of interleukin 2 and half the recommended dose of bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Of the patients 11 (85 per cent) remained free of tumor for a mean of 13 months (range 6 to 24 months). These results are comparable to those with bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy alone. However, a longer followup with a large number of patients is needed to assess the efficacy of this modality compared to conventional bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy.Side effects after treatment were minor, self limiting (fever, hematuria and bladder irritability) and lasted for 24 hours.
High Temperature Superconducting Microwave Components

We have developed high yield thin film deposition and patterning processes for YBCO (YBa2Cu3O7-x) and TBCCO (Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8) high temperature superconductors (HTSC) that demonstrate low surface resistance (Rs) at mircowave frequencies (1/10 X to 1/100 X that of copper). These high quality thin films were developed using co-evaporation, ex situ sputtering and in situ sputtering techniques. We developed and evaluated several passive microwave components based on these YBCO and TBCCO thin films including: resonators, filter, delay lines, and splitter/combiners. HTSC microstipline resonators at 5 GHz provide Q’s >40X higher than the same device fabricated with copper thin films and have low power dependence. Delay lines fabricated on 2.5 cm X 2.5 cm substrates have a 11.4 ns delay and an insertion loss of less than 0.05db/ ns at 1.0 GHz. The power dependence of the microwave performance of both YBCO and TBCCO based devices were measured and shown to be low at normally useful power levels.
The Evolution of Our Preferences: Insights from Non-human Primates

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how choice changes preferences in adult humans and the origins of choice-based preference reversals. If decision-making researchers knew that some experiences were likely to promote choice biases, they could intervene in ways that might promote better decision-making. A second domain where researchers have examined the origins of choice biases involves framing effects. Although classical economists may want to believe otherwise, real human decision-makers often make different choices depending on how a problem is described or framed. Specifically, they appear to work harder to avoid losses than they do to seek out correspondingly sized gains, a bias known as loss aversion. Loss aversion is evident in the above scenario insofar as people tend to take on more risk in an attempt to avoid experiencing any loss relative to their reference point. The early emergence of choice biases hints that such biases might persist in the face of extensive economic exposure or market disciplining.
Opportunities Matter: Exploring Youth’s Perspectives on Their Long-Term Participation in an Urban 4-H Youth Development Program

This article highlights a study which explored youths’ perspectives on their long-term involvement at Adventure Central, a comprehensive 4-H youth development program based at an urban park facility. We conducted four focus groups with 16 youth between the ages of 12 and 16 who had participated in the program between three and seven years. The youth experienced a wide range of opportunities including nature-related activities, jobs at park facilities, and travel. They spoke positively of their experiences and described how they benefited from their participation. Novelty, challenge, and leadership were key features of these opportunities. The youth noted the connection between learning and fun. In the process, they learned new skills, such as teamwork and public speaking, and developed personal qualities, such as responsibility, that helped them as they were growing up, transferred to other settings, and would benefit them in the future. Findings from this study suggest some clear implications for youth development professionals.
Early Serum Free Light Chain Responses Following High-Dose Melphalan and Stem Cell Transplantation for AL Amyloidosis Predict Treatment Outcomes.

Abstract AL amyloidosis is caused by a clonal plasma cell dyscrasia and characterized by widespread, progressive deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from monoclonal Ig light chains, leading to multisystem organ failure and death. Aggressive treatment of AL amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant (HDM/SCT) can induce hematologic and clinical remissions and extend survival. Several approaches have been used to define hematologic responses following HDM/SCT and other forms of treatment. The standard definition of a hematologic complete response (CR) that we have used requires that there be no evidence of a persistent monoclonal gammopathy by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) of serum and urine proteins, or of a persistent plasmacytosis or plasma cell clonality in a bone marrow biopsy by immunohistochemistry. Others have defined hematologic responses according to reductions in free light chain (FLC) measurements. Treatment responses as defined by both criteria correlate with survival and clinical improvement following HDM/SCT. We have carried out a prospective analysis of HDM/SCT treatment outcomes for patients with AL amyloidosis to determine the extent to which early FLC responses within weeks of treatment predict hematologic CR, as defined by our standard criteria. Serum free light chain concentrations (FLC) were measured by a sensitive nephelometric immunoassay in 31 patients with AL amyloidosis, between 2003–2005, 1–3 weeks after treatment with HDM/SCT. Hematologic responses, as defined by standard criteria, as well as FLC responses were subsequently determined at 3, 6 and 12 months. Serum FLC levels or κ/λ FLC ratios were abnormal and informative in 28 patients (90%) prior to HDM/SCT, and these patients were included in subsequent analyses. Twenty patients (71%) achieved normalization of abnormal serum FLC levels or ratios within 1–3 weeks of undergoing HDM/SCT. Of these 20 patients, 13 patients (65%) subsequently achieved a hematologic CR as defined by standard criteria, while 7 (35%) did not, within 3 months following HDM/SCT. In contrast, none of the 8 patients with no demonstrable FLC response within 1–3 weeks of HDM/SCT, were found to have achieved a hematologic CR subsequently. In conclusion, meaningful quantitative FLC responses (or lack of response) can be detected within weeks following HDM/SCT treatment that predict hematologic responses, as defined subsequently by standard criteria based on IFE and marrow studies (p=0.0018 by chi square analysis). Moreover, a lack of an early FLC response predicts for hematologic non-CR. We anticipate that prospective studies of FLC responses in HDM/SCT and other clinical trials for AL amyloidosis will eventually lead to more rapid assessment of treatment responses that will guide therapeutic decisions.