cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erythropoietin Is a Novel Vascular Protectant Through Activation of Akt1 and Mitochondrial Modulation of Cysteine Proteases

Background— Erythropoietin (EPO) is a critical regulator for the proliferation of immature erythroid precursors, but its role as a potential cytoprotectant in the cerebrovasculature system has not been defined. Methods and Results— We examined the ability of EPO to regulate a cascade of apoptotic death-related cellular pathways during anoxia-induced vascular injury in endothelial cells (ECs). EC injury was evaluated by trypan blue, DNA fragmentation, membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, protein kinase B activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cysteine protease induction. Exposure to anoxia alone rapidly increased genomic DNA fragmentation from 2±1% to 40±5% and membrane PS exposure from 3±2% to 56±5% over 24 hours. Administration of a cytoprotective concentration of EPO (10 ng/mL) prevented DNA destruction and PS exposure. Cytoprotection by EPO was completely abolished by cotreatment with anti-EPO neutralizing antibody, which suggests that EPO was necessary and sufficient for the prevention ...
Logic, Mathematics, and the A Priori, Part I: A Problem for Realism

This is Part I of a two-part study of the foundations of mathematics through the lenses of (i) apriority and analyticity, and (ii) the resources supplied by Core Logic. Here we explain what is meant by apriority, as the notion applies to knowledge and possibly also to truths in general. We distinguish grounds for knowledge from grounds of truth, in light of our recent work on truthmakers. We then examine the role of apriority in the realism/anti-realism debate. We raise a hitherto unnoticed problem for any Orthodox Realist who attempts to explain the a priori.
Impact of pegylated interferon α-2B and ribavirin on hepatic fibrosis in liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C: an open-label series

: Background: Patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) are often treated with interferon-based therapy in an attempt to eradicate HCV and prevent cirrhosis requiring retransplantation. We describe our experience with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and the impact of this therapy on hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Patients were treated with pegylated interferon α-2b 1.5 mcg/kg/week and ribavirin 800 mg/day for 6–12 months according to genotype. HCV ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA) was repeated at 3 months, end of treatment (EOT) and 6 months after EOT for patients HCV RNA negative at EOT. Liver biopsies were performed prior to treatment and at EOT. Results: Thirty nine patients were eligible. Twenty two completed treatment and 17 (43.6%) were intolerant. Eleven of 22 (50%) patients who completed treatment developed sustained viral response (SVR). Two patients intolerant to treatment also developed SVR. Serial biopsies were performed in 17 patients and refused in five. Improved fibrosis scores were present in four patients (non-responders, n=2), unchanged in 10 (non-responders, n=4), and worse in three (all non-responders). Conclusions: Side effects are an important limiting factor in recurrent HCV treatment with SVR only 33.3% in an intention-to-treat analysis. However, improved or stable fibrosis scores were also demonstrated in 66.7% of non-responders. This suggests failure to eradicate HCV should not necessarily lead to treatment discontinuation as a subgroup of patients may benefit from maintenance therapy.
The Importance of Location, Location, Location: As True for Rhodococcus fascians as for Real Estate

Rhodococcus fascians is a Gram-positive pleomorphic bacterial pathogen of plants which causes growth deformities known as leafy galls (Figure 1). The majority of plants affected are those produced for amenity use, hence grossly malformed plants, for which there is no cure, must be destroyed at the nursery, leading to losses up to and exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars per nursery on an annual basis
Impact of Subspecialty Fellowship Training on Research Productivity Among Academic Plastic Surgery Faculty in the United States.

The impact of subspecialty fellowship training on research productivity among academic plastic surgeons is unknown. The authors' aim of this study was to (1) describe the current fellowship representation in academic plastic surgery and (2) evaluate the relationship between h-index and subspecialty fellowship training by experience and type.Academic plastic surgery faculty (N = 590) were identified through an Internet-based search of all ACGME-accredited integrated and combined residency programs. Research output was measured by h-index from the Scopus database as well as a number of peer-reviewed publications. The Kruskal-Wallis test, with a subsequent Mann-Whitney U test, was used for statistical analysis to determine correlations.In the United States, 72% (n = 426) of academic plastic surgeons had trained in 1 or more subspecialty fellowship program. Within this cohort, the largest group had completed multiple fellowships (28%), followed by hand (23%), craniofacial (22%), microsurgery (15%), research (8%), cosmetic (3%), burn (2%), and wound healing (0.5%). Higher h-indices correlated with a research fellowship (12.5; P <.01) and multiple fellowships (10.4; P <.01). Craniofacial-trained plastic surgeons demonstrated the next highest h-index (9.8), followed by no fellowship (8.4), microsurgery (8.3), hand (7.7), cosmetic (5.2), and burn (5.1).Plastic surgeons with a research fellowship or at least 2 subspecialty fellowships had increased academic productivity compared with their colleagues. Craniofacial-trained physicians also demonstrated a higher marker for academic productivity than multiple other specialties. In this study, we show that the type and number of fellowships influence the h-index and further identification of such variables may help improve academic mentorship and productivity within academic plastic surgery.
Fractures of the Shoulder Girdle

William N. Levine, Guido Marra, and Louis U. Bigliani, editors. New York: Marcel Dekker; 2003. 288 pages. $165.00. This textbook is dedicated exclusively to the operative management of shoulder fractures. These fractures have always been among the most challenging musculoskeletal injuries for the orthopaedic surgeon. The text is based on the premise that shoulder girdle fractures can lead to frustrating results following …
TREATMENT OF UNCORRECTED DEFORMITY IN FRACTURES OF THE SHAFT OF THE FEMUR

Efficient first aid, early reduction of the fracture, elevation of the fractured part, early mobilization of the extremity, early massage, and active motion will reduce the damage and prevent disability in fractures of the femur. Any fracture that could have been reduced within the first week by direct skeletal traction can be reduced by this same traction, plus a minimum trauma open operation. In treatment of unreduced fractures, early reduction by tongs or nail combined with minimum trauma open operation is the method of choice. By this method the newly formed callus is traumatized relatively little, and the danger of infection, delayed union, and non-union is minimized. The combination treatment of direct skeletal traction, Hodgens splint, and Balkan frame, is as satisfactory in the treatment of old partially united unreduced fractures requiring open operation as it is in the acute fracture, and is the procedure of choice.
Calcium dynamics in thorny excrescences of ca3 pyramidal neurons

Jaffe, David B. and Thomas H. Brown. Calcium dynamics in thorny excrescences of CA3 pyramidal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 10–18, 1997. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to visualize Ca2...
Surveillance for death causes in residents in Youyang Tujia / Miao autonomous county,Chongqing,2013

Objective To understand the constituent of death causes and the incidence trend of related diseases,and provide evidence for the prevention and control of diseases. Methods Statistical analysis was conducted on the death data from death cause registry system with software DeathReg. Results The crude death rate was 560. 82 / lakh in Youyang in 2013. The death rate in males was 664. 16 / lakh and the death rate in females was 452. 11 / lakh. The overall life expectancy was 75. 75 years. The life expectancy in males was 72. 32 years and the life expectancy in females was76. 89 years. The first 5 leading death causes were circulatory disease,respiratory system disease,tumor,injury /poisoning and digestive system disease,and the related death rates were 255. 10 / lakh,101. 56 / lakh,90. 83 / lakh,36. 47 / lakh and 30. 84 / lakh,respectively. Conclusion Chronic non communicable diseases are major risk to people's health in Youyang,it is necessary to strengthen the health education and intervention in high risk group to reduce the incidence and death rate of chronic non communicable diseases.
Studies on ingot casting of Sm_2Co_(17) type permanent magnet materials

In this paper, ingot of Sm2Co17 type permanent magnet materials from two kinds of cooling molds was comprehensively sampled, and studied by metallographic observation and component analysis. The results indicates that Fe-Co, Sm-Cu and Zr rich phase are formed in the ingot, and the position and distribution of the precipitated phases were also determined. These consequences provide important reference for the research of Sm2Co17type permanent magnet material.
Decreased Expression of the Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma Gene in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The putative tumor suppressor gene deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC), located on human chromosome band 18q21, is deleted or inactivated in many solid tumors. Its role in the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has not been studied. Recently, inactivation of this gene was reported in cases of leukemia with monosomy 18. As monosomy 18 is frequently observed in low-grade NHL, we investigated the incidence of altered DCC gene expression in patients with NHL, and correlated it with the number of copies of chromosome 18. Fifteen unselected cases of NHL were studied for evidence of DCC gene expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The results were correlated with Southern blot analysis of the DCC gene and with the number of copies of chromosome 18 determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The controls were tissues from normal colon mucosa and normal tonsils. Eight of 15 (53%) NHL cases lacked DCC mRNA, and one expressed substantially less than normal. Southern blot analysis showed normal configuration of the DCC gene in all samples. Two copies of chromosome 18 were found in 9 of 11 samples studied by FISH: one case had a subpopulation of cells with monosomy 18 and one had trisomy 18. All controls expressed DCC. We conclude that DCC gene expression is frequently absent or decreased in NHL and may be involved in the pathogenesis of NHL. Monosomy 18 was not required for DCC inactivation.
177. Recapitulating the Triglyceride-Lowering Effect of Cold Exposure By Overexpression of Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Gene

Cold exposure reduces blood triglyceride level via repressing lipid synthesis and enhancing lipid oxidation, providing a potential option for hyperlipidemia therapy. However, cold exposure is not a practical therapeutic approach in humans due to its unacceptable requirements. As the effect of cold exposure is associated with elevated expression of fibroblast growth factor-21 (Fgf21) in the liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT), we assessed in this study whether the metabolic benefits of cold exposure in lowering blood triglyceride can be recapitulated by overexpressing Fgf21. Overexpression of Fgf21 was achieved by hydrodynamic delivery of plasmid driven by an albumin promoter for Fgf21 expression. Our results show that hydrodynamic transfer of the Fgf21 plasmid exclusively elevated Fgf21 expression in the liver in a dose-dependent manner. Fgf21 overexpression greatly improves triglyceride metabolism in regular as well as high-fat diet-induced obese mice, as evidenced by improved profiles of oral fat tolerance tests and reduced fasting triglyceride levels in blood. Mechanistically, improvements in triglyceride metabolism mediated by Fgf21 transfer were achieved by repressed lipid synthesis in the liver and enhanced lipid oxidation in BAT. At the molecular level, Fgf21 transfer repressed transcription of a variety of pivotal genes involved in lipid synthesis in liver, including Srebp1c, Fas, Scd1, Ppargamma2 and Mgat1, while increasing mRNA levels of Cpt1-alpha and Acadl, suggesting that the hepatic lipid synthesis was repressed while oxidation enhanced. In fact, transfer of the Fgf21 remained effective in attenuating hyperlipidemia in mice fed with 30% fructose and injected with lipase inhibitor, further verifying that this genetic approach markedly diminished hepatic lipid synthesis. In BAT, Fgf21 transfer induced a “super-brown” phenotypic change, which was accompanied by elevated expression of a panel of vital genes for adaptive thermogenesis, such as Ucp1, Pgc1-alpha, Cidea, Dio2 and Elovl3. Collectively, our findings unveil that the triglyceride-lowering effect of cold exposure can be fully recapitulated by liver-specific delivery of the Fgf21 using a hydrodynamics-based procedure, indicating that this new approach may provide an alternative and more acceptable option for hyperlipidemia therapy in humans.
Hope Amidst Horror: Documenting the Effects of the “War On Drugs” Among Female Sex Workers and Their Intimate Partners in Tijuana, Mexico

Sensationalistic media coverage has fueled stereotypes of the Mexican border city of Tijuana as a violent battleground of the global drug war. While the drug war shapes health and social harms in profoundly public ways, less visible are the experiences and practices of hope that forge communities of care and represent more private responses to this crisis. In this article, we draw on ethnographic fieldwork and photo elicitation with female sex workers who inject drugs and their intimate, non-commercial partners in Tijuana to examine the personal effects of the drug war. Drawing on a critical phenomenology framework, which links political economy with phenomenological concern for subjective experience, we explore the ways in which couples try to find hope amidst the horrors of the drug war. Critical visual scholarship may provide a powerful alternative to dominant media depictions of violence, and ultimately clarify why this drug war must end.
Feasibility and biological rationale of repurposing sunitinib and erlotinib for dengue treatment

Abstract There is an urgent need for strategies to combat dengue virus (DENV) infection; a major global threat. We reported that the cellular kinases AAK1 and GAK regulate intracellular trafficking of multiple viruses and that sunitinib and erlotinib, approved anticancer drugs with potent activity against these kinases, protect DENV-infected mice from mortality. Nevertheless, further characterization of the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of this approach is required prior to clinical evaluation. Here, we demonstrate that sunitinib/erlotinib combination achieves sustained suppression of systemic infection at approved dose in DENV-infected IFN-α/β and IFN-γ receptor–deficient mice. Nevertheless, treatment with these blood-brain barrier impermeable drugs delays, yet does not prevent, late-onset paralysis; a common manifestation in this immunodeficient mouse model but not in humans. Sunitinib and erlotinib treatment also demonstrates efficacy in human primary monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Additionally, DENV infection induces expression of AAK1 transcripts, but not GAK, via single-cell transcriptomics, and these kinases are important molecular targets underlying the anti-DENV effect of sunitinib and erlotinib. Lastly, sunitinib/erlotinib combination alters inflammatory cytokine responses in DENV-infected mice. These findings support feasibility of repurposing sunitinib/erlotinib combination as a host-targeted antiviral approach and contribute to understanding its mechanism of antiviral action.
Not as distinct as you think: Reasons to doubt that morality comprises a unified and objective conceptual category

That morality comprises a distinct and objective conceptual category is a critical claim for Stanford's target article. We dispute this claim. Statistical conclusions about a distinct moral domain were not justified in prior work, on account of the "stimuli-as-fixed-effects" fallacy. Furthermore, we have found that, behaviorally and neurally, morals share more in common with preferences than facts.
Sparse-Sensor Placement for Wind Farm Control

The objective of this paper is to incorporate sparse sensor data to improve flow-field estimates in a wind farm, which can then be used to perform better online wind farm optimization and control. A sparse-sensing algorithm is used to determine the optimal locations of sensors to improve the overall estimation precision of the flow field within the wind farm. This algorithm takes advantage of the dominant atmospheric structures in a wind farm to reconstruct the flow field from point measurements in the field. These measurements, in their optimal locations, have the ability to improve the observability of a wind farm and thus provide faster, more accurate, state estimation.
Synthesis of germanium nanocrystals in SiO2

Germanium nanocrystals in SiO2 with an average diameter of 5–25 nm were fabricated by co-deposition and annealing at 700–1000 °C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to measure the nanocrystal growth as a function of anneal time and temperature. The precipitation of nanocrystals was found not to follow the theory for precipitation from a solid solution of Lifshitz–Slezov; nanocrystal growth appears instead to be determined primarily by anneal temperature with little anneal time dependence. This departure from theory is attributed to the high concentration (40 at%) of germanium in the deposited films. A modified log-normal distribution was found to describe the distribution of nanocrystal sizes best. Photoluminescence was observed from nanocrystal-containing films, with luminescence energy shifted from that of bulk germanium. The luminescence spectra are in agreement with the theory of Brus for quantum confined carriers in small semiconductor crystals.
Environmental Applications of Soft Ionization with GC–TOFMS and GC–QTOFMS

Abstract Soft ionization used with gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOFMS) allows for the selective ionization of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in certified standard reference oil (NIST SRM2721) and coal tar (NIST SRM1597a). Soft ionization is accomplished by photoionization from vacuum ultraviolet resonance lines produced by Xe, Kr, and Ar microplasmas. Molecular ion fragmentation of an aliphatic hydrocarbon C 24 H 50 in a TOF mass spectrometer and a QTOF mass spectrometer using Ar and Kr are compared. The advantage of using soft ionization, as compared with the more commonly used electron ionization, lies in the enhancement of the relative intensity of molecular ions, which can be controlled by the choice of plasma gas. Furthermore, the enhanced selectivity provided by the ability to select the ionization wavelength is demonstrated through the qualitative analysis of a series of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles including dibenzothiophene, naphthothiophene, benzonaphthothiophene, and various methylated derivatives of these compounds.
Principles of Parallel Algorithm Design

The innovation of parallel computing has added a new dimension to the design of algorithms. Thus, parallel processing consists of parallel architectures and parallel algorithms, and recent interests in parallel computers has motivated the development of parallel algorithms to solve many types of problems. Many aspects of parallel algorithm design are presented in [Smith 93, Cosnard 95, Miller 96]. Algorithms in which several operations may be executed simultaneously are referred to as parallel algorithms. In general, a parallel algorithm can be defined as a set of processes or tasks that may be executed simultaneously and may communicate with each other in order to solve a given problem. The term task or process may be defined as a part of a program that can be executed on a processor.
The absorption and metabolism of vitamin E in swine

48 Introduction 49 Materials and Methods 50 Results 53 Discussion 55 Implications 62 Literature Cited 63
Teaching Bits: Statistics Education Articles from 2012

(2012). Teaching Bits: Statistics Education Articles from 2012. Journal of Statistics Education: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. null.
Observational Assessment of the Dyad

Assessment procedures for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers should include caregiver interviews, caregiver-report questionnaires, observational coding procedures, and collateral reports (i.e., medical, child care, etc.). This multimodal assessment approach provides clinicians a systematic means to incorporate the many factors that impact an infant’s clinical presentation. The prior chapter focuses on one aspect of a multimodal psychiatric evaluation, specifically observing the dyadic interaction. In this chapter, we outline key considerations regarding instrument selection, application and interpretation, and provide an in-depth list of dyadic observational measures which have been found to have useful clinical applications.
Char Oxidation, Conversion, and Reaction Rate Processes

The heterogeneous carbon oxidation and char gasification step is the second process to occur in the utilization of coal, and proceeds simultaneously or after devolatilization, depending on reaction conditions (Saito et al., 1991). The time required for the combustion of a char particle can be several orders of magnitude larger than that for devolatilization, ranging from 30 ms to over an hour, and is often the rate-determining step in the overall combustion of pulverized fuels (Essenhigh, 1981; I. Smith, 1982; Smoot and Smith, 1985). The processes of char oxidation are no less complex than those of devolatilization. The chemical structure of the coal does not control the reaction processes to the same extent as devolatilization, but, due to the high temperatures generally associated with char oxidation, pore diffusion and external diffusion often play a pronounced role. Thus, the physical structure of coal, including pore structure, surface area, particle size, and inorganic content, is important in understanding and modeling char oxidation processes. Intrinsic reactivity of char refers to the chemical reaction on the pore walls, after diffusion of gas through the pores inside the char. When intrinsic reactivity is the ratecontrolling process, oxygen migrates toward the center of the char particle, the particle size remains nearly constant during combustion, and the particle density decreases with conversion. However, if the reaction is fast, typically at high temperature, oxygen diffusion is the dominant process; the oxygen is consumed as it reaches the particle surface, and the density of the particle is near constant while the particle size decreases in a shrinking core mode.
Still We Rise: Psychotherapy for African American Girls and Women Exiting Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Among those who are at greater risk for sex trafficking are women, girls, impoverished perso...
The relationship between pregnancy-induced hypertension and neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage

Objective To study the relationship between pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) and neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage(PH).Methods Normal gravida,gravida with PIH and their neonates hospitalized from June 2005 to June 2007 were served as study objects.The concentration of serum ET-1 and NO were detected in gravidas and their neonates.The PH prevalence of neonates whose mother were normal or with PIH were compared.Results Compared with the normal gravidas and their neonates,the level of serum ET-1 was higher [(6.66±2.73)ng/L vs (3.24±1.74)ng/L,(6.42±3.17)ng/L vs (3.91±2.02)ng/L] and the level of NO was lower [(85.80±46.15)μmol/L vs (110.85±76.56)μmol/L,(82.73±48.51)μmol/L vs (122.23±75.08)μmol/L] in gravidas with PIH and their infants (P<0.002,P<0.001).In the neonates whose mothers with PIH,the prevalence of PH was much higher than those whose mothers were normal.Conclusion Production of NO decreases and ET-1 increases abnormally in gravidas with PIH,which leads to strong contraction of placental vessels,fetal hypoxic-ischemic change,and finally fetal or neonatal PH.Prophylaxis and treatment of PIH can decrease prevalence of neonatal PH.
PCI Express® 6.0 Specification at 64.0 GT/s with PAM-4 signaling: a low latency, high bandwidth, high reliability and cost-effective interconnect

PCI Express® (PCIe®) specification doubles the data rate every generation in a backwards compatible manner every three years. With PCIe 6.0 specification at 64.0 GT/s, we will be adopting PAM-4 signaling to ensure the channel reach remains the same as PCIe 5.0 specification at 32.0 GT/s. PAM-4 requires a Forward Error Correction (FEC) mechanism due to the high BER. However, since PCIe technology is a Load-Store architecture, the latency adder due to FEC must be less than 10ns and ideally 0. We present the new flit-based approach with a light-weight low-latency FEC coupled with a low-latency link level retry mechanism. We demonstrate that PCIe 6.0 architecture improves the bandwidth efficiency in the range of 0.95 to 1.4, resulting in a net bandwidth increase of 1.9X to 2.8X, depending on the payload size of the packets, in spite of the FEC and CRC overheads. The latency also decreases in most cases. The reliability (FIT) of our approach is demonstrated to less than 10−9. We also present a new power savings strategy that results in power consumption proportional to bandwidth usage without impacting the traffic flow.
“Things Done Changed”: Recalibrating the Real in Hip-Hop

This paper critically engages the ways in which hip-hop artists and scholars have commonly defined authenticity and “the real” in relation to Black male identities with an emphasis on the dominant ...
The treatment of bipolar disorder in the era of precision psychiatry: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract Precision psychiatry is formally defined as “an emerging approach for treatment and prevention that takes into account each person’s variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle.” Within this new field, predicting response to treatment and therefore selecting the best treatment for a given individual is a priority. Bipolar disorder is a debilitant and challenging to treat psychiatric condition. In this book chapter, we discuss the innovative designs of clinical trials and methodologies that can be used to validate and qualify biomarkers for use in BD and therefore predict treatment response in BD. The adoption of these new clinical trial designs by clinical trialists in psychiatric will ultimately lead to better outcomes in BD.
Anti-Black practices take heavy toll on mental health.

Maxine Davis’ experience as a Black academic in an overwhelmingly white department took a heavy toll on her mental health. Here she argues for an active examination of anti-Black practices in organizations to promote the health and well-being of all academics.
A generalized linear model for multivariate events

Abstract We propose a new generalized linear model for modeling multivariate events ( N , X , Y ) , where N is the duration, X is the magnitude, and Y is the maximum of the event. Such events arise, for example, when a process is observed above or below a threshold. Examples include heat waves, flood, draught, or market growth or decline periods. The model is flexible to include different covariates for different parameters. In addition, we propose a new method for checking the goodness of fit (validation) of the model to data. Our goodness of fit methods are based on distributional fit of appropriately transformed data. We include a data example from finance to illustrate the modeling potential of this new generalized linear model.
Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of Device-Related Complications Related to Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Pain Relief in 31 Patients.

Introduction Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation is a form of neuromodulation used to treat neuropathic pain due to a myriad of etiologies. Though this relatively new therapy has been shown to be quite effective, complications associated with the implantation of this therapy have not been well documented. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to describe the device-related complications associated with DRG stimulator implantations. Materials and methods This was a single-center retrospective analysis of 31 patients who underwent full implantation of neuromodulation hardware marketed for DRG stimulation. The predefined endpoints included device-related complications associated with DRG implantations, such as hardware failure, explantation procedures, and revision surgery. Additional endpoints included percentage of patients receiving therapy and pain as measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) pain scale at initial, six-month, and 12-month follow-up after hardware implantation. Results Thirty-one patients were included out of 42 patients trialed. Baseline VAS in patients was 7.7 (31 patients). At initial follow-up, six-month follow-up, and one-year follow-up, VAS scores were 4.7 (31 patients), 5.3 (20 patients), and 5.5 (13 patients), respectively. Paired t-test between preoperative VAS (mean 7.3) and one-year follow-up VAS (5.5) demonstrated statistical significance (p = 0.027). At initial, six-month, and one-year follow-up, 30/31 (97%), 19/24 (79%), and 18/23 (78%) patients were confirmed to be receiving DRG stimulation therapy after permanent implant. Of the 31 patients who were implanted with a permanent system, 8 (26%) were explanted and an additional 10 (29%) required revision surgery. Conclusion In this study, we examine the various device-related complications associated with DRG stimulation requiring repeat surgery. High rates of hardware failure, revision surgery, and explantation of stimulators illustrate the need for hardware optimization to improve patient outcomes.
Analysis of Four-legged Tower for Dynamic Loads

An analysis, applicable to wind-loaded tower structures and wave-loaded off-shore platforms, is presented. First a mathematical analysis, which considers time dependent loadings, a large number of degrees of freedom and internal and external damping, is formulated to determine resonant frequencies along with the corresponding peak forces and displacements. Second a physical model analysis for a specific tower structure is carried out to confirm and extend the results from the mathematical model. A welded four-legged steel tower, 36-in. high is externally loaded by an electro-magnetic shaker. Resonant frequencies are determined by a force gage and visual observations with stroboscopic light.
On distributed consensus control of higher-order systems with dynamically changing directed interaction topologies

In this paper, we propose a distributed consensus control protocol which extends the first order system results of Ren and Beard (2005) to agents represented by a general higher order controllable linear system, under the same network connectivity assumption that the union of the directed interaction graphs contains a spanning tree frequently enough. We show that the consensus can be achieved asymptotically by the group of agents under our proposed distributed control protocol. Simulation study illustrates the effectiveness of our proposed method.
“Two Parts of the Landscape of Family in America”: Maintaining Both Spousal and Domestic Partner Employee Benefits for Both Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples

In 2008, by administrative regulation, Arizona extended health benefits to the domestic partners of state employees.1 The criteria included living together for at least a year and demonstrated financial interdependence.2 Same-sex and different-sex partners were eligible.3 Keith Humphrey, a University of Arizona administrator, enrolled his partner of six years, Brett, a stay-at-home dad to the couple’s two foster children and Brett’s fifteenyear-old son.4 Tracy Collins, a senior highway patrol officer, enrolled her partner of nine years, Diana, whose debilitating disease early in their relationship had precipitated Tracy filing for bankruptcy.5 Beverly Seckinger, a University of Arizona professor, enrolled her partner of twenty years, Susan, a freelance website designer with primary responsibility for the care of her eighty-nine-year-old mother and a history of life-threatening asthma attacks.6
Educational Choices and the Politics of Inclusion

One of the few truly rational arguments against education tuition vouchers is that if implemented on a universal basis they would further separate the “haves” from the “have-nots” and create another instance of the so-called neo-conservatives perpetuating the politics of exclusion. Instead, we suggest a voucher plan that would be awarded according to family income and benefit only those truly in need, thus furthering the efforts of those espousing the politics of inclusion.
Frequent Expression of a Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Multiple Human Tumors

The epidermal growth factor receptor has received much interest as a target for various antineoplastic agents, but a complication is that many normal tissues also express this receptor. We have previously identified in human glial tumors an 801-bp in-frame deletion within the epidermal growth factor receptor gene that created a novel epitope at the junction. By using Western blot assays with a mutant-specific antibody as a rapid and sensitive means for detecting this alteration in primary human tumors, it was found that 57% (26 of 46) of high-grade and 86% (6 of 7) of low-grade glial tumors, but not normal brain, express this protein. This altered receptor was also present in 66% (4 of 6) of pediatric gliomas and 86% (6 of 7) of medulloblastomas, 78% (21 of 27) of breast carcinomas, and 73% (24 of 32) of ovarian carcinomas. The fact that this receptor is frequently found in tumors but not in normal tissue makes it an attractive candidate for various antitumor strategies.
Neurosurgery for Dummies

During one of the editors first week in Iraq, a soldier with an obvious severe head injury from a roadside bomb was brought in. He was rapidly tagged as “needing urgent transfer” to the neurosurgery team in Balad. While waiting for the helicopter his nurse fortunately noted that he was becoming more hypotensive, and alerted one of the trauma surgeons. A more thorough evaluation was performed, a FAST exam demonstrated hemoperitoneum, and the patient underwent emergent splenectomy with subsequent rapid stabilization and then transfer. The most important point of this chapter is: The presence of a head injury should not change the initial treatment of the trauma patient. As a corollary, the premature transfer of a trauma patient to a Neurosurgeon prior to appropriate initial treatment will adversely affect outcomes.
Megadose of vitamin C delays insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adults

The effect of a megadose of ascorbic acid (AA) on glucose and insulin responses after an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) is unknown. With a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, nine normoglycemic subjects (22 +/- 1 y, mean +/- SEM) consumed AA (2 g/d) or placebo for 2 wk after a 2-wk washout period with placebo, and an OGTT was performed after an overnight fast. This 4-wk protocol was repeated in a crossover fashion. Plasma glucose was significantly elevated 1-h postprandial in vitamin C-saturated subjects vs those taking a placebo. The plasma insulin response curve was shifted rightward in vitamin C-saturated subjects relative to baseline: plasma insulin was significantly depressed at 0.5 h postprandial but significantly elevated at 2 h postprandial. These data indicate that elevated plasma AA delays the insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adults, thereby prolonging the postprandial hyperglycemia. These effects might be partially explained by the competitive inhibition of glucose transfer into pancreatic beta cells by high concentrations of circulating AA.
Vertebrate Metabolic Variation

A variety of factors contribute to the variation in energy expenditure of vertebrates, including those associated with anatomical and physiological organization as well as those reflecting differences in behaviour and conditions in the environment. Keywords: ectotherms; endotherms; energetics; metabolic scope; metabolism; scaling
Defect zero p-blocks for finite simple groups

We classify those finite simple groups whose Brauer graph (or decomposition matrix) has a p-block with defect 0, completing an investigation of many authors. The only finite simple groups whose defect zero p-blocks remained unclassified were the alternating groups An. Here we show that these all have a p-block with defect 0 for every prime p ≥ 5. This follows from proving the same result for every symmetric group Sn, which in turn follows as a consequence of the t-core partition conjecture, that every non-negative integer possesses at least one t-core partition, for any t ≥ 4. For t ≥ 17, we reduce this problem to Lagrange's Theorem that every non-negative integer can be written as the sum of four squares. The only case with t < 17, that was not covered in previous work, was the case t = 13. This we prove with a very different argument, by interpreting the generating function for t-core partitions in terms of modular forms, and then controlling the size of the coefficients using Deligne's Theorem (nee the Weil Conjectures). We also consider congruences for the number of p-blocks of Sn, proving a conjecture of Garvan, that establishes certain multiplicative congruences when 5 < p < 23. By using a result of Serre concerning the divisibility of coefficients of modular forms, we show that for any given prime p and positive integer m, the number of p-blocks with defect 0 in Sn is a multiple of m for almost all n. We also establish that any given prime p divides the number of p-modularly irreducible representations of Sn, for almost all n. © 1996 American Mathematical Society.
Is IL12 necessary in experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Summary. Inhalation of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR) can cause the disease Farmer's Lung, a classic example of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Th1, but not Th2, cell lines can adoptively transfer experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP). Substantial amounts of IL12 appear in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after a single intratracheal (IT) injection of SR, and SR-induced IL12 secretion by both a macrophage cell line and alveolar macrophages. We tested the hypothesis that IL12 is essential for the development of EHP by addition of anti-IL12 to cultured cells, and adoptive transfer of EHP in IL12p40–/– animals. We transferred SR cultured spleen and lung associated lymph node cells from SR sensitized mice (both IL12p40–/– and wild type), to naive recipients (both wild type and IL12p40–/–). The addition of anti-IL12 to cultures of sensitized cells could not ablate the ability of these cells to transfer EHP. Cultured cells from IL12p40–/– animals were fully capable of transferring EHP. In contrast, IL12p40–/– recipients of both wild type and IL12p40–/–-cultured cells were less able to express EHP (lung histology and BALF characteristics) than wild type mice, and had more eosinophils in both lung tissue and BALF. We conclude that IL12 is not necessary for development of cells able to adoptively transfer EHP, but that it is required for full expression of EHP in recipient animals.
Erythrocyte membrane sulfatide plays a crucial role in the adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to endothelium

Enhanced adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to the vascular endothelium and subendothelial matrix is fundamental to the development of vascular occlusion in sickle cell disease. Erythrocyte membrane sulfatide is implicated in the pathogenesis of vasoocclusive crises in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Because previous evidence linking sulfatide to cell adhesion has largely been circumstantial due to a lack of reagents that specifically target sulfatide, we used two sulfatide-specific strategies to address the role of erythrocyte membrane sulfatide in sickle cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium: a single-chain fragment variable chain (scFv) antibody against sulfatide as well as cerebroside sulfotransferase-deficient mice incapable of synthesising sulfatide. The sickle erythrocytes from mice and humans adhered at a greater extent and at higher shear stresses to activated endothelium than normal erythrocytes, and approximately 60% of the adhesion was prevented by the anti-sulfatide scFv. Similarly, the extent of adhesion of sulfatide-deficient erythrocytes was lower than normal erythrocytes. These findings suggest an important role for membrane sulfatide in sickle cell disease pathophysiology.
Fibrous papule: An immunohistochemical study with an antibody to S-100 protein

We studied twenty biopsies taken from fibrous papules which were located in the central part of the face. The lesions, which were characteristic histologically, did not contain S-100 protein within the stellate cells in the papillary dermis, nor was this substance found in mesenchymal cells with some features of nevus cells. In control studies, S-100 protein was found using an unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technic within nevus cells composing junctional, intradermal, and compound nevi, Spitz nevi, and halo nevi. It therefore seems unlikely that fibrous papule represents a form of degenerated nevus as some investigators have proposed.
Ethnographic study on the Harley Davidson culture and community

Purpose – One of the most powerful and organizing methods in the world today revolves around the activities that individuals participate in and the subsequent interpersonal relationships that give people meaning in life. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Today's society longs to add meaning and identity to their lives in a variety of ways. A sense of belonging, or a sense of community, has proven very impactful on the lives of many and creates certain changes to an individual's mindset that relate to the specific subsets of culture and consumption to which they identify with. Findings – The authors find that Harley Davidson has a strong following in the USA and suggest that it might also have one in China. Originality/value – In this paper, the authors attempt to define and better categorize a subset of the Harley Davidson following, while studying the habits, relationships, and reasoning behind both the new motorcycle owners, and the veterans of the Harley Davidson way...
Utilization of Alpha-Ketoglutarate by Red Blood Cells for Glutathione Synthesis

INVESTIGATIONS in this laboratory have indicated that glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity is increased in young red blood cells. Subsequent ageing is associated with a marked decrease in activity1–3. In an attempt to provide some understanding of the possible physiological role of this enzyme in red cells, we were led to an examination of the metabolism of glutathione. Sufficient information has already become available to indicate that erythrocytes possess the enzymatic machinery for synthesizing glutathione4–6. The relatively rapid half-turnover time of glutathione, 65 and 96 h respectively in rat and human red cells4,7, suggests that this mechanism plays some part in their metabolic economy. In addition, it indicates that adequate supplies of substrate amino-acids are available to the erythrocyte. In view of the relative impermeability of red cells to glutamic acid8 there is some doubt as to the exact mechanism by which supplies of this amino-acid are made available to the red cell under physiological conditions. Consideration was therefore given to the possibility that glutamic acid might be supplied through transamination of another metabolic intermediate after its entry into the erythrocyte. This communication gives data indicating that α-ketoglutarate, the most obvious possibility, can be incorporated into glutathione in vitro by human red cells.
Linguistic experience modifies lexical stress perception.

Sensitivity to differences in lexical stress pattern was examined in 4- and 5-year-old monolingual French-, German- and Swedish-speaking children. For most stimulus discriminations, the 5-year-olds outperformed their 4-year-old comparison groups. For a discrimination involving a trisyllabic distinction not found in French, however, the French 5-year-olds performed worse than their 4-year-old compatriots, suggesting that the older children had ‘learned’ not to hear the trisyllabic distinction. In follow-up testing of the French 4-year-olds six months later, half of them showed a similar decrease in performance specific to the trisyllabic stimuli. These data support an ‘attunement’ theory of language acquisition, in which potentially relevant abilities that are already partially or fully developed at birth may become attenuated or completely lost if they are inappropriate or irrelevant for the child's language.
Bounds on the number of functions satisfying the strict avalanche criterion

The Strict Avalanche Criterion (SAC) was introduced by Webster and Tavares in a study of design criteria for certain cryptographic functions.
A less sour sweet; blocking galectin.

In this issue of Blood , Ouyang et al describe both an important tumor immune evasion strategy and a means by which it can be overcome.[1][1] They show that EBV proteins LMP1 and 2A induce expression of galectin-1 (Gal1) by the B lymphoblasts of EBV+ posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease (
Synthetic Routes to a Constrained Ring Analog of Didemnin B.

The didemnin class of biologically active cyclodepsipeptides, isolated from a marine tunicate, has shown antitumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive activities. Synthetic studies were undertaken to prepare a modified analog of one of the most potent congeners, didemnin B (1). The side chain of the isostatine unit was tethered into the macrocycle via a cyclohexane ring in order to provide a more rigid conformation and determine the importance of this unit in bioactive compounds. This modification created a new macrocycle core and generated a diastereomeric mixture of a constrained analog of didemnin B (2).