cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serotonin and thalmic synchronization

Abstract Serotonin was introduced, by means of a fine cannula, into the nonspecific thalamic nuclei of cats immobilized with Flaxedil and artificially ventilated, while the electrical activity at the point of injection was monitored by means of microelectrodes. Doses of 10–25 μg, dissolved in 1–2 μl of saline, produced, in 10–30 min, changes in electrical activity, characteristic of the synchronization which occurs in slow-wave sleep: decrease in the frequency and increase in the amplitude of the gross waves and increase in the clustering of neuronal action potentials. At the same time, there was a marked increase in the activity of neurons which produced action potentials of high amplitudes and a marked decrease in the activity of neurons which produced action potentials of low amplitudes. Doses as small as 10 μg of carbamylcholine, injected through the same cannula at the same location, when the synchronization by serotonin had been achieved, caused, in 2–10 min, complete desynchronization of the gross waves and neuronal activity, and return to a waking record. These findings support the hypotheses which proposes that some of the neuronal and synaptic systms concerned with arousal and wakefulness are cholinergic, while the neuronal and synaptic systems concerned with the induction of slow-wave, sleep, may be serotonergic.
Unresponsiveness of human B lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin

A WIDELY accepted, but unproven, distinction between human T (thymus-derived) and B (non-thymus-derived) lymphocytes is their differential response to mitogenic stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). It has been claimed that such a distinction does not truly exist and that the human B cell, unlike the murine B cell, transforms in the presence of PHA1. An editorial2 commenting on the consequences of this claim appropriately emphasised the danger of extrapolating data from one species to another. This communication presents evidence that pure populations of human B cells do not transform in response to stimulation with PHA. It also stresses the need of reducing the contamination of B cell preparations by T cells when studying the in vitro behaviour of the human B lymphocytes.
Folic acid-containing supplement consumption during pregnancy and risk for oral clefts : a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: There is equivocal evidence in the published literature that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may protect against the common congenital anomalies cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate alone (CP). We undertook this meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that nonsyndromic oral cleft birth prevalences are different for those whose mothers took folic acid–containing supplements and for those whose mothers did not. METHODS: Human studies published in English were identified through MEDLINE, bibliography reviews, and contacting experts in the field. Within strata of prospective and case-control studies, CLP, CP, and all clefts, respectively, were analyzed using either a fixed or random effects model, as appropriate. We assessed for publication bias using Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation and Egger's regression-based tests. RESULTS: Five prospective studies were analyzed, yielding combined relative risks of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.95) for CLP, 1.19 (95% CI: 0.43, 3.28) for CP, and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.95) for all clefts. Twelve case-control studies were assessed, which resulted in combined relative risks of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.90) for CLP, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.93) for CP, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.85) for all clefts. CONCLUSIONS: In aggregate, our results support the hypothesis of a protective effect of folic acid–containing supplement intake during pregnancy on the risk for oral clefts, although this conclusion is tempered by the potential for bias and uncontrolled confounding. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Performance Instability: An Identifying Characteristic of Learning Disabled Children?

The performance instability of learning disabled (LD) and emotionally handicapped (EH) children was compared in two studies. In the first study, 50 LD and 37 EH children were measured on three third-grade reading passages in two ways: (a) they were administered a different reading passage once a week for three consecutive weeks; and (b) they were measured on all three passages in one sitting. In the second study, a subsample of 43 students (24 LD, 19 EH) were measured on instructional level reading passages 28 to 47 times within 18 school weeks. Analyses of covariance were run on a stability index calculated on numbers of (a) words read correctly during each administration of the third-grade reading passages and (b) correct words and errors for the instructional level reading passages. Results indicated no difference between the performance instability of the two groups of subjects. Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of LD and other exceptional students are discussed.
Right atrial myxoma associated with vascular malformation and atypical chest pain

A 58-yr-old woman with a right atrial myxoma associated with a vascular malformation supplied by the right coronary artery is described. She presented with atypical chest pain that was reproduced during angiography of the malformation. Findings were confirmed during surgery. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of phenylpropanolamine on gastric retention in the adult rat

Abstract Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) induces anorexia and weight loss via an as yet unidentified mechanism. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory action of PPA on gastric emptying. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats consumed a wet-mash test meal and were then treated (IP) with either saline or 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg PPA. Gastric retention (ratio of weight of gastric content to weight of mash consumed) was evaluated immediately after the meal in a group of saline-treated rats or 3 hours after the meal in the drug groups and another saline-treated group. Rats treated with saline exhibited minimal retention (0.21) over a 3 hour period whereas rats treated with 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg dl-PPA exhibited increased gastric retention ratios of 0.29, 0.66, 0.63 and 1.38, respectively. These data demonstrate that PPA has a marked inhibitory action on gastric emptying and suggest that further studies are warranted to evaluate the possible contribution of gastric retention to the anorexic action of PPA.
The geometrical factor of a marine resistivity probe with four ring electrodes

Electrical resistivity (or conductivity) is often a useful parameter for investigating the marine sedimentary environment. The resistivity of unconsolidated sediment is usually measured in the laboratory from sample cores. Since the resistivity of sediment is highly dependent upon the pore arrangement and water contents, the laboratory values may not represent those under undisturbed conditions. Because of many practical difficulties and the costs involved, however, in situ resistivity determination for marine sediments is still rare.
An empirical technique for estimating near-surface air temperature trends in central Greenland from SSM/I brightness temperatures

In central Greenland, near-surface air temperatures can be estimated from long-term satellite passive microwave brightness temperatures supported by limited air-temperature data from automatic weather stations. In this region, brightness temperature depends on snow emissivity, which varies slowly over time, and on snow temperature, which varies more rapidly and is controlled by air temperature. The air temperature and brightness temperature data define an emissivity trend which can be modeled as an annual sinusoid. An air temperature trend can then be derived from the brightness temperature and modeled emissivity information. The estimated air temperature values represent an integrated near-surface value that defines the overall temperature trend at the Greenland Summit. The modeled emissivity cycle allows daily-average air temperatures to be estimated across significant gaps in weather station records, as well as quality control of their temperature data. The technique also generates annual trends of emissivity which can be used to evaluate radiative transfer models of microwave emissivity from dry firn.
Improved retention of acid-etched fixed partial dentures: A longitudinal study

Abstract Debonding of acid-etched fixed partial dentures has been a problem since their introduction. A study was conducted to determine whether this problem could be resolved by modifying the mechanical retention of tooth preparations. Retentive grooves were prepared at the line angles to create mechanical locks for the resin bonded fixed partial denture. The 4-year retention of posterior resin-bonded fixed partial dentures improved from 60% to 95% by the placement of the proximal grooves. This study was conducted in a dental school clinic during a period of 10 to 52 months. The results demonstrated that design modifications were necessary to improve clinical longevity so that the restoration could be considered “permanent” in the traditional sense. The less-experienced dentist may be more confident of the treatment with the recommended modifications and projected longevity.
Enhanced solid-state reaction kinetics of shock-compressed titanium and carbon powder mixtures

The effect of shock compression on the solid-state chemical reactivity of titanium and carbon powder mixtures was investigated with the objective of forming net-shaped TiC ceramics with a fine-grain microstructure. The combination of defect states and intimate interparticle contacts introduced during shock compression results in significant enhancement of the otherwise sluggish solid-state diffusion of Ti and C through the TiCx boundary layer. The apparent activation energy for TiCx formation was determined using solid-state reaction kinetics models, and was found to be reduced by four-to-six times that of diffusion of Ti into TiCx and two-to-three times that of diffusion of C in TiCx. As a result, net-shaped sections of shock-densified compacts (˜85% dense) were reaction synthesized via solid-state diffusion, producing microstructures with grain size <6 μm and microhardness of ˜2000 kg/mm2, in contrast to statically pressed powder compacts which reacted by a combustion process resulting in a highly porous product.
Computerization of Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Operating Procedures

Emergency operating procedures (EOPs) in nuclear plants guide operators in handling significant process disturbances. Historically these procedures have been paper-based. More recently, computer-based procedure (CBP) systems have been developed to improve the usability of EOPs. The objective of this study was to establish human factors review guidance for CBP systems based on a technically valid methodology. First, a characterization of CBPs was developed for describing their key design features, including both procedure representation and functionality. Then, the research on CBPs and related areas was reviewed. This information provided the technical basis on which the guidelines were developed. For some aspects of CBPs the technical basis was insufficient to develop guidance; these aspects were identified as issues to be addressed in future research.
Proteose-peptone fraction of bovine milk: distribution in the protein system.

Abstract Proteose-peptone preparations were isolated from both unheated (95 C for 30 min) skimmilk and from thrice-washed casein micelles. Preparations obtained from both the heated and unheated skimmilk contained three principal components, i.e., serum Components 3, 5, and 8. The preparations obtained from micellar casein did not contain Components 3. Thus, Component 3 appears to be a serum component, possibly of blood origin; whereas, Components 5 and 8, which seem to exist in equilibria between micellar casein and the serum, might be minor caseins. In starch-urea gels, Components 3 and 8 move as single electrophoretic zones, whereas Component 5 migrates as a doublet.
Malignant Eccrine Spiradenoma

Malignant transformation of eccrine spiradenoma is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 70-year-old man with malignant eccrine spiradenoma of the forearm and metastases to the axillary lymph nodes. Surgical excision with adequate margins and lymph node dissection was performed. Tamoxifen therapy was instituted after obtaining positive immunostaining results for estrogen receptor. After 41 months of follow-up, there has been no recurrence or distant metastases. Wide local excision and close follow-up are crucial in the management of malignant eccrine spiradenoma. The role of other therapeutic modalities, including hormonal therapy, remains to be determined.
Rheology of refractory coating materials used in lost foam casting process

The results of the experimental study of Theological and thermal properties of two refractory coating materials are presented in this paper. Although both coatings exhibit non-Newtonian shear and thermal thickening fluid flow behavior, one of them obeys the Casson theological model over the shear rate range investigated. Its parameters related to product performance and composition variations (limiting high-shear viscosity and yield point) are determined as a function of temperature.The theological data of the other type refractory coating are well fit the linear fluidity model. The parameters (limiting fluidity and structural fluidity coefficient) required to characterize the rheology of this coating against temperature are presented. A significant viscoelasticity of this refractory coating material was demonstrated using a jet thrust measurement technique. The relaxation times of this material as a function of shear rate and temperature are presented.
Seafood Types and Age-Related Cognitive Decline in the Women’s Health Study

BACKGROUND Seafood consumption may prevent age-related cognitive decline. However, benefits may vary by nutrient contents in different seafood types. We examined associations between total seafood consumption and cognitive decline and whether these associations differ by seafood types. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study of 5,988 women (mean age, 72 years) from the Women's Health Study who self-reported seafood intake at Women's Health Study baseline and also participated in telephone assessments of general cognition, verbal memory, and category fluency administered 5.6 years after Women's Health Study baseline and 2 and 4 years thereafter. Primary outcomes were standardized composite scores of global cognition and verbal memory. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, different amounts of total seafood consumption were not associated with changes in global cognition (p = .56) or verbal memory (p = .29). Considering seafood types, however, compared with women consuming less than once-weekly tuna or dark-meat finfish, those with once-weekly or higher consumption had significantly better verbal memory (0.079 standard units; p < .01) after 4 years-a difference comparable to that for women 2.1 years apart in age. There was also a statistically nonsignificant suggestion of better global cognition (p = .13) with once-weekly or higher tuna or dark-meat fish consumption. No significant associations were observed for light-meat finfish or shellfish. CONCLUSIONS The relation of seafood to cognition may depend on the types consumed. Total consumption levels of seafood were unrelated to cognitive change. However, consumption of tuna and dark-meat fish once weekly or higher was associated with lower decline in verbal memory for a period of 4 years.
A Herpesvirus Ribosome-Associated, RNA-Binding Protein Confers a Growth Advantage upon Mutants Deficient in a GADD34-Related Function

The herpes simplex virus type 1 gamma34.5 gene product and the cellular GADD34 protein both contain similar domains that can regulate the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2), a critical translation initiation factor. Viral mutants that lack the GADD34-related function grow poorly on a variety of malignant human cells, as activation of the cellular PKR kinase leads to the accumulation of inactive, phosphorylated eIF2 at late times postinfection. Termination of translation prior to the completion of the viral reproductive cycle leads to impaired growth. Extragenic suppressors that regain the ability to synthesize proteins efficiently in the absence of the viral GADD34-related function have been isolated. These suppressor alleles are dominant in trans and affect the steady-state accumulation of several viral mRNA species. We demonstrate that deregulated expression of Us11, a virus-encoded RNA-binding, ribosome-associated protein is necessary and sufficient to confer a growth advantage upon viral mutants that lack a GADD34-related function. Ectopic expression of Us11 reduces the accumulation of the activated cellular PKR kinase and allows for sustained protein synthesis. Thus, an RNA-binding, ribosome-associated protein (Us11) and a GADD34-related protein (gamma34.5) both function in a signal pathway that regulates translation by modulating eIF2 phosphorylation.
Impact Properties of A356-T6 Alloys

The Charpy impact energy of A356 alloys has been measured. Instrumented Charpy impact tests have been conducted at 25,100,150, and 200 °C. The Charpy specimens were machined from plate castings ortapered cylindrical castings. The plates were produced in sand molds, and tapered cylinders were produced in water-cooled copper molds. Both unmodified and strontium-modified castings were tested. The results indicate that strontium modification improves the impact properties of sand and permanent mold castings. The impact energy increases with solution treatment time. Strontium modification reduces the solution treatment time for attaining a specific impact property level in the casting.
Prenatal screening for group B Streptococcus: I. Impact of antepartum screening on antenatal prophylaxis and intrapartum care

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the current practice of antimicrobial prophylaxis of preterm and low-birth-weight infants and to determine the impact of intrapartum fever, group B Streptococcus carriage, intrapartum antimicrobial therapy, and duration of membrane rupture on neonatal therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1356 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics were asked their practice regarding neonatal screening and antimicrobial prophylaxis. Respondents were asked to define how maternal fever, group B Streptococcus carriage, intrapartum antimicrobial therapy, and prolonged membrane rupture would affect their decisions regarding neonatal therapy. RESULTS: A total of 982 responses were obtained (72.4%). Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis is given to asymptomatic preterm neonates by 33.7% of pediatricians. Prophylaxis is inconsistently given at 32 to 36 weeks but is early universal after intrapartum fever, regardless of intrapartum therapy. If empiric intrapartum prophylaxis was given before a preterm birth, both the incidence (47.1% vs 29.1%) and frequency of prolonged neonatal therapy (30.1% vs 17.4% ≥7 days) would be increased. Knowledge of maternal group B Streptococcus carriage would lead to a 2.6-fold increase in treatment (75.1% vs 29.1%) and 1.8-fold increase in the incidence of prolonged therapy of preterm infants (30.9% vs 17.4%), with 45.3% giving antibiotics for ≥1 week if intrapartum treatment had been instituted. Surprisingly, 18% of pediatricians would treat term neonates without any risk factors other than maternal group B streptococcal carriage, and 32.7% would continue treatment for ≥7 days. The majority of pediatricians (82.6%) felt that intrapartum prophylaxis would reduce early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis, but only 46.0% felt overall neonatal sepsis would be decreased by such therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Antepartum screening and intrapartum prophylaxis against group B Streptococcus by obstetricians may lead to an increased incidence and duration of treatment of preterm and term neonates by the pediatrician. The efficacy, cost, and risks of such treatment in broadly applied screening and treatment programs should be considered before a standard of care is established.
Evidence based practice guidelines for management of low back pain: physical therapy implications

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common disorder seen in physical therapy practice. There are several hundred clinical trials on the management of LBP. To summarize these trials, researchers wrote Evidence Based Practice (EBP) guidelines. This article reviewed the implications of EBP guidelines recommendations for physical therapy practice. OBJECTIVES: To review the recommendations for conservative management of LBP published in EBP guidelines since 2002. METHODS: Searches were performed on the following databases: Google web searching engine, Medline, Cochrane Library, and the Guideline Clearing House. Guidelines published in English and addressing conservative management of LBP were included. RESULTS: Thirteen multidisciplinary and three mono-disciplinary guidelines met the inclusion criteria. LBP was triaged into three groups: with red flags, with radiculopathy, or non-specific. Patients without red flags could be safely managed without specialist referral. Patient education was recommended for all patients with LBP. There was an agreement to advise spine manipulation for patients with acute and sub-acute non-specific LBP. There was a consensus to recommend exercises for acute, sub-acute, and chronic LBP. Few guidelines addressed conservative management of LBP with radiculopathy. Overall, the guidelines did not offer specific advice for manipulation (hypomobility or instability) and exercise (stabilization or directional preference). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary guidelines focused on primary care and lacked details significant for physical therapy practice. There is a need for mono-disciplinary physical therapy guidelines to improve the balance between evidence and professional relevance.
Developing the changes in attitude about the relevance of science (CARS) questionnaire and assessing two high school science classes

This study has two purposes: (a) methodological—to design and test a new instrument able to reflect changes in attitudes toward science over time, and (b) investigative—to find out the effect of two similar curricular treatments on the attitudes of two classes. Items about the relevance of science to students' lives were developed, pilot-tested, and analyzed using Rasch modeling. We then divided reliable items into three equivalent questionnaire forms. The final three forms of the questionnaire were used to assess high school students' attitudes. Over 18 weeks, one class used a core curriculum (Science and Sustainability) to learn science in the context of making decisions about societal issues. A second class used the same core curriculum, but with parts replaced by computer-based activities (Convince Me) designed to enhance the coherence of students' arguments. Using traditional and Rasch modeling techniques, we assessed the degrees to which such instructional activities promoted students' beliefs that science is relevant to them. Both classes tended to agree more, over time, that science is relevant to their lives, and the increases were statistically equivalent between classes. This study suggests that, by using innovative, issue-based activities, it is possible to enhance students' attitudes about the relevance of science. ! 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 757-775, 2003 ''Rose-coloredglasses.''''Halffullorhalfempty?''Suchsayings remindusofthe effectthat one's attitude can have on one's experience (Ranney,1996). In the educational and psychological research literature, manywaysofcategorizing attitudes have been developed,from disposition to opinion,andfromaffecttobelief.Generally,theresearchondispositionstendstoexaminehuman sensibilities and approaches; the work on opinions tends to include individuals' current attitudes orviewsofaparticularissue;researchonaffectdealswithemotionalexpressionandfeelings;and thebeliefliteratureconcernsdeeplyhelddoctrines,suchasepistemologicalideasaboutthenature of knowledge.
Mutations in both gp120 and gp41 Are Responsible for the Broad Neutralization Resistance of Variant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 MN to Antibodies Directed at V3 and Non-V3 Epitopes

The escape of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from effects of neutralizing antibodies was studied by using neutralization-resistant (NR) variants generated by growing the neutralization-sensitive (NS) wild-type MN virus in the presence of human serum with neutralizing antibodies, more than 99% of which were directed at the V3 region of gp120. The variants obtained had broad neutralization resistance to human sera, without limitation with respect to the V3 specificity of the sera. The molecular basis for the resistance was evaluated with molecularly cloned viruses, as well as with pseudoviruses expressing envelope glycoproteins of the NS and NR phenotypes. Nucleotide sequence analyses comparing NS and NR clones revealed a number of polymorphisms, including six in the V1/V2 region, two in C4/V5 of gp120, three in the leucine zipper (LZ) domain of gp41, and two in the second external putative alpha-helix region of gp41. A series of chimeras from NS and NR env genes was constructed, and each was presented on pseudoviruses to locate the domain(s) which conferred the phenotypic changes. The neutralization phenotypes of the chimeric clones were found to be dependent on mutations in both the C4/V5 region of gp120 and the LZ region of gp41. Additionally, interaction between mutations in gp120 and gp41 was demonstrated in that a chimeric env gene consisting of a gp120 coding sequence from an NS clone and a gp41 sequence from an NR clone yielded a pseudovirus with minimal infectivity. The possible significance of predicted amino acid changes in these domains is discussed. The results indicate that polyvalent antibodies predominantly directed against V3 can induce NR through selection for mutations that alter interactions of other domains in the envelope complex.
Sexual dimorphism in immunity: improving our understanding of vaccine immune responses in men

Weaker immune responses are often observed in males compared to females. Since female hormones have proinflammatory properties and androgens have potent immunomodulatory effects, this sexual dimorphism in the immune response seems to be hormone dependent. Despite our current knowledge about the effect of sex hormones on immune cells, definition of the factors driving the sex differences in immunoclinical outcomes, such as the diminished response to infection and vaccination observed in men or the higher rates of autoimmunity observed in females, remains elusive. Recently, systems approaches to immune function have started to suggest a way toward establishing this connection. Such studies promise to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the sexual dimorphism observed in the human immune system.
Modeling Acceleration Decisions for Freeway Merges

In uncongested traffic situations, a merge is executed when the available gap is sufficiently large. However, in congested traffic, acceptable gaps for merging are often not readily available, and merging can involve more complex mechanisms. For example, the driver in the target lane may slow down and cooperate with the merging driver, or the merging driver may become impatient and decide to force in, and compel the lag driver in the target lane to slow down. Choices of the merging plan or tactic affect the gap acceptance and acceleration decisions of the driver. A driver who has decided to force in, for instance, is likely to accept smaller gaps and accelerate to facilitate the merge. The chosen tactic at any instant, however, is not distinctly observable from the vehicle trajectory. The model presented in this paper extends previous research in modeling the effect of merging plans in the lane-changing decisions by integrating the acceleration decisions of the driver with the gap acceptance decisions. A combined model for merging plan choice, gap acceptance, target gap selection, and acceleration decisions of drivers merging from the on-ramp is developed in that regard. Parameters of all components of the models are estimated jointly with detailed vehicle trajectory data collected from Interstate 80 in California. The inclusion of the target gap choice and acceleration behavior components has been supported by a validation case study in which the model has been implemented in MITSIMLab and validated against the observed aggregate traffic data collected from US-101 in California.
Trend Analyses of Major Contributions in The Counseling Psychologist Cited from 1986 to 1996 Impact and Implications

This study commemorates the 30th anniversary of The Counseling Psychologist (TCP), the official publication of Division 17 since 1969. The investigation analyzes trends in the professional citations of the Major Contribution articles from the inception of TCP in 1969 through 1995. Results indicate (a) the impact factors and citation half-life statistics for Major Contribution articles for the years 1986 to 1996, (b) that citations of Major Contributions have increased over the past 11 years, (c) that Major Contribution articles are cited across a diverse range of disciplines, (d) that the number of Major Contribution articles in an issue is negatively related to the average number of citations for an issue, (e) the top 10 most frequently cited Major Contribution articles, (f) the percentages of Major Contributions published by men and women, and (g) emerging topic areas from citations of Major Contributions published from 1991 to 1995. Implications of the results are discussed with regard to professional ...
Robotically assisted spine needle placement: program plan and cadaver study

Gives an overview of our program plan in robotically assisted spine procedures and details an initial cadaver study. Low back pain is a common medical problem, and minimally invasive procedures such as nerve blocks are rapidly growing in popularity as a potential method of treatment. To assist the physician in needle placement during these procedures, we have investigated using a needle-driver robot developed at the Johns Hopkins Urology Robotics Laboratory. Robotic systems such as these have great potential as physician-assisting devices for improving the precision of needle placement and enabling the development of the next generation of precision guidance systems for interventional techniques.
Plasma Exosomal miRNAs in Persons with and without Alzheimer Disease: Altered Expression and Prospects for Biomarkers

To assess the value of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for Alzheimer disease (AD), the expression of microRNAs was measured in a plasma fraction enriched in exosomes by differential centrifugation, using Illumina deep sequencing. Samples from 35 persons with a clinical diagnosis of AD dementia were compared to 35 age and sex matched controls. Although these samples contained less than 0.1 microgram of total RNA, deep sequencing gave reliable and informative results. Twenty miRNAs showed significant differences in the AD group in initial screening (miR-23b-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-138-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-338-3p, miR-342-3p, miR-342-5p, miR-548at-5p, miR-659-5p, miR-3065-5p, miR-3613-3p, miR-3916, miR-4772-3p, miR-5001-3p), many of which satisfied additional biological and statistical criteria, and among which a panel of seven miRNAs were highly informative in a machine learning model for predicting AD status of individual samples with 83–89% accuracy. This performance is not due to over-fitting, because a) we used separate samples for training and testing, and b) similar performance was achieved when tested on technical replicate data. Perhaps the most interesting single miRNA was miR-342-3p, which was a) expressed in the AD group at about 60% of control levels, b) highly correlated with several of the other miRNAs that were significantly down-regulated in AD, and c) was also reported to be down-regulated in AD in two previous studies. The findings warrant replication and follow-up with a larger cohort of patients and controls who have been carefully characterized in terms of cognitive and imaging data, other biomarkers (e.g., CSF amyloid and tau levels) and risk factors (e.g., apoE4 status), and who are sampled repeatedly over time. Integrating miRNA expression data with other data is likely to provide informative and robust biomarkers in Alzheimer disease.
Mental illness stigma and engagement in an implementation trial for Cognitive Processing Therapy at a diverse community health center: a qualitative investigation

The present study aimed to describe associations between various types of mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors among ethnically diverse clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) served by an urban community health clinic. The present study draws qualitative data from a parent National Institute of Mental Health Study that aims to identify barriers and facilitators of implementing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. A total of 24 participants from the initial phase of the trial were included in the present study. Mental health stigma emerged as one notable barrier to seeking mental health treatment, as participants described how experiences of environment-level stigma, internalized (self-)stigma and perceived (felt) stigma from their family, friends and previous healthcare providers influenced their decisions to seek care. Despite these barriers to help seeking, many clients also reported that positive interactions with informal and formal support systems, and encouragement from study therapists, helped to combat mental health stigma and facilitate decisions to participate in an implementation trial for CPT. Findings suggest that providers in community health settings may need to attend directly to stigma at the initiation of mental health treatment.
Discontinuance of ADHD Treatment in Adolescents

Prevalence of ADHD drug discontinuance in adolescents and young adults was studied in the UK by using the General Practice Database for patients aged 15-21 years from 1999 to 2006.
Laser selection based on maximum permissible exposure limits for visible and middle-near infrared repetitively pulsed lasers.

The Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) is central to laser hazard analysis and is in general a function of the radiant wavelength. The selection of a laser for a particular application may allow for flexibility in the selection of the radiant wavelength. This flexibility would allow the selection of a particular laser based on the MPE and the hazards associated with that radiant wavelength. The Calculations of the MPEs for various laser wavelength ranges are presented. Techniques for determining eye safe viewing distances for both aided and unaided viewing and the determination of flight hazard distances are presented as well.
Positive affect predicts less reacquisition of fear: relevance for long-term outcomes of exposure therapy

Much emphasis in fear conditioning research is placed on understanding extinction learning, partly because of its application in treating anxiety disorders. Return of fear after extinction is a problem affecting long-term maintenance of treatment gains. The present study evaluated whether positive affect (PA) is associated with lower rates of reacquisition, or, an increase in fear following re-pairings of the conditional stimulus (CS+) and unconditional stimulus (US; e.g. electric shock) after extinction. Results showed that higher PA before and after extinction was associated with less CS+ fear during reacquisition as measured by skin conductance arousal and US expectancy. Conversely, negative affect was not associated with reacquisition of fear using any measure. These results provide implications for reducing reacquisition with exposure therapy for anxiety disorders.
Understanding the Economic Rationale for Legal Services Regulation: The Importance of Interdisciplinary Dialogue

This short essay offers the author’s reflections on a paper commissioned by the U.K. Legal Services Board. The paper is Christopher Decker & George Yarrow, Understanding the Economic Rationale for Legal Services Regulation (Oct. 31, 2010); this author’s commentary is entitled Understanding the Economic Rationale for Legal Services Regulation: The Importance of Interdisciplinary Dialogue. The 2007 UK Legal Services Act radically changed the regulation of the legal professions in England and Wales. The Legal Services Board is the entity that is now vested with oversight authority for lawyer regulation. It monitors the work of the so-called “front-line regulators” including the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board. In the past few years, the Legal Services Board has sought input on a wide range of issues. It has issued consultations on many issues and has commissioned a number of studies. Since the Legal Services Board is anticipating the launch of alternative business structures (ABS) in the UK, it has been particularly interested in exploring issues related to the nature of regulation. The Decker-Yarrow Report is one of the studies it has commissioned to help it better understand regulatory issues. This author’s short essay (which was constrained by space limitations) identifies three aspects of the Decker-Yarrow paper she found admirable and three points on which she wished it had been more fully developed. the latter three points included: 1) a desire for more consistency in reminding the reader that legitimacy and quality concerns may require one to look beyond the impact of regulation on a specific client; 2) a suggestion that the paper would have been stronger if it had developed in greater detail the 'assessment framework' idea it introduced; and 3) an observation that the paper’s treatment of the concept of 'self-regulation' failed to unpack the concept adequately because it implicitly used a definition of self-regulation that is similar to the UK’s prior model of self-regulation by a 'representational' body.
A Bibliography of the Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) Supplement I

Since publication of the author's initial bibliography of the alfalfa weevil (Cothran 1966), the insect has continued to spread (see Table 1) and has now been reported from all of the conterminous United States except Florida and Minnesota. It was also collected for the first time in Ontario in 1967 (MacLachlan 1967) adding eastern Canada to its New World range. Commensurate with this spread has been a continuing increase in its economic importance. A recent estimate of the annual losses caused by the weevil in the states where it has attained economic levels exceeds 56,000,000 (USDA 1967b). It has been the most important single pest of alfalfa in the U. S. since 1963 (USDA 1964, 1967a, 1968a) and is now considered to be the major agricultural pest in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Montana (USDA 1963, 1966a, 1967b, 1968a). It has been responsible for a reduction in alfalfa acreage in many states and has caused especially severe curtailment of the crop in several southern states. In Tennessee alfalfa acreage has declined from 147,000 acres in 1964 to 100,000 in 1966 (USDA 1967b), in Georgia from 45,000 in 1958 to 10,000 in 1965 (USDA 1965), and in Alabama from 200,000 to 2,000 during the period 1959–1966 (USDA 1967b).
Executive leadership, community action, and the habits of health care politics.

Health care executives must lead the way to the comeback of "voluntarism" in their field. This will require having four key political habits: (1) acting out of a sense of civic responsibility, (2) avoiding the dangers of faction and "magic bullets", (3) building alliances by a process of conferring with other relevant leaders and groups, and (4) participating in community activism, i.e., acting on, not reacting to, local problems and pressures.
Estimating Slowness of Array Sonic Data with Slowness Time Coherence and Genetic Algorithm

Based on the global optimization characteristics of genetic algorithm and the principle of slowness calculating with slowness time coherence,a new integrated processing technique of array acoustic data is proposed with slowness time coherence and genetic algorithm in the paper.Detailed description of the integrated method and its key steps are given.The correlation function reflecting waveform similarity in slowness time coherence is used as the object function of genetic algorithm,then,maximum of object function is found with genetic algorithm,finally the wave arrival time and slowness values corresponding to the maximum value of object function are obtained.The integrated method is not affected by the steps of wave arrival time and slowness,and global optimization solution is found with less computation in the range of given slowness and wave arrival time.Crossed multiple array acoustic data processing of two wells in Daqing oilfield is made,and the processing result is compared with that of commercial software eXpress,and good agreement has been(achieved.) It shows the proposed method can be applied to slowness processing of array acoustic data with good accuracy.
#IHATEYOURBRAND: Social Media Service Recovery Strategies via Twitter

Social media has integrated into the everyday lives of individuals and has transformed the communication process for both individuals and businesses alike. With nearly three-fourth of all online adults having a social media account (Pew Research 2013), this has not only impacted the way in which consumers communicate with each other, but consumers have gravitated to communicating and complaining with service providers through social media (Xia 2013; Pinto and Mansfield 2011). The pervasiveness of social media and its importance as a channel of communication is something that marketers have become aware of, as the majority of firms now have some form of social media presence (Obal et al. 2011). In fact, 92 % of marketers indicate that social media is important for their business; however, 89 % of those are unsure of the most effective social tactics to engage their audience on social media (Stelzner 2014).
Urban Economic Reform and the Case of Shenzhen

Chinese revolutionary leaders from 1911 to 1949 of both the Nationalist and the Communist persuasions have indeed wanted to build a modern and powerful industrial state in East Asia. The Japanese modernisation success provided the inspiration and the United States provided the ideal of democracy for Sun Yat-Sen on the one hand; on the other, the Bolshevik victory in Russia in 1917 offered a new revolutionary alternative to Mao Zedong and his idealistic predecessors. Both Sun and Mao not only once cooperated but also agreed to make China strong enough to be treated with equality in the international community. Sun did not know the Western nations were not prepared to aid him and circumstances forced him to accept assistance from Lenin in 1923. Mao Zedong, likewise, failed to realise until 1960 that Stalin was not prepared to help China become a strong partner. A new Sino-Soviet conflict eventually compelled him to be reconciled with the United States in the 1970s. All of these twists of history help illustrate clearly one of the many genuine Chinese expectations, to build China into a strong industrial state capable of self-defence and a higher living standard. The May 4th movement in 1919 further demonstrated how young intellectuals were devoted to the same purpose through democracy and science.
The Messianism of Beating the Fool

This chapter describes how the book of Proverbs contributes elements to messianic expectations. The argument that the book of Proverbs is related to Jesus’ crucifixion sufferings is based on a reading of the Old Testament that anticipates Yahweh’s gracious salvation. The book of Proverbs and its courtly language anticipates a future king in the lineage of David-Solomon who will fulfill Yahweh’s covenantal promises.
Capacity of semi-parametric regression models to predict extreme-event water quality in the Northeastern US

Abstract This study assessed the capacity of semi-parametric regression models to predict riverine solute concentrations during extreme high-flow hydrologic events, when such events are absent from the models' calibration data. Using a large dataset from 459 monitoring stations across the US Northeast, the models showed a tendency to overpredict extreme-event concentrations, with increasing bias and variance for increasingly extreme hydrologic conditions. The validation framework in this study effectively compared model performance across disparate hydrologic regimes and constituents, yet can be used to estimate individual model performance under an unobserved extreme-flow condition, regardless of whether any extreme-flow data are available for that model. The validation procedure can further be generalized to explore model performance in an arbitrarily defined extreme condition for a broad range of model types. Despite an overall increase in uncertainty for extreme-event concentration estimates, estimates under extreme hydrologic conditions could be improved by taking into account the observed bias in the aggregated regional database.
Failure to Communicate: Gossip as Institutional Conflict

This chapter examines a double standard in academic gossip; it is used by outsiders as a way to get and spread information and ideas about the profession, while being invisibly used (while externally denounced) by insiders as a way of attacking critics’ credibility.
Cognitive Interviews for Validating the Family Nutrition Physical Activity Instrument for Korean-American Families With Young Children.

Abstract Purpose Childhood obesity is a growing health concern for Korean-Americans (KA). The purpose of this study was to develop a culturally appropriate Korean-language version of the Family Nutrition Physical Activity (FNPA) instrument and evaluate its comprehensibility and cultural appropriateness of the FNPA for KAs. Design and Methods The FNPA was translated into Korean and cognitive interviews were conducted with 19 KA mothers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Results Overall, participants reported that the FNPA is easy to understand and said they had no difficulty answering items using a 4-point Likert scale. Six out of 20 items had minor revisions due to: items that were not specific enough, had confusing wording, or led to incorrect interpretations. Conclusions Cognitive interviews confirmed the cultural appropriateness of the translated FNPA in the KA context. It is crucial that child's age and cultural aspects of a child's household routines should be taken into consideration when the original FNPA is being used with culturally diverse populations. Practice Implications Health care professionals may use the FNPA when assessing family environment in their efforts to prevent and control childhood obesity among KAs.
Fueling development? Assessing the impact of oil and soybean wealth on municipalities in Brazil

Abstract The commodity boom of the 2000s, which now came to an end, represented a windfall to resource-rich countries. However, the benefits − or potential curse − likely had heterogeneous effects at the local level, with the potential to increase regional or income inequalities within countries. This paper examines the impact of the international commodity boom during the first decade of the 2000 s on different parts of Brazil. Using a range of quantitative techniques, it estimates the changes in development and inequality indicators between 2000 and 2010 among oil rich, soybean rich, and resource poor control municipalities. Our results indicate both that there is a “catch-up” effect benefitting less developed, resource poor municipalities, and that oil rich municipalities may be experiencing some of the dynamics associated with a resource curse. These findings are broadly in line with existing empirical research on the effect of oil wealth on local development in Brazil. We argue that national-level institutions and social programs that redistribute the windfall and constrain how local governments spend their resources likely constitute part of the reason for why regional inequalities have not been exacerbated as a result of the boom and local resources curses are at most incipient.