cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential roles for cholecystokinin a receptors in energy balance in rats and mice.

Although cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptors (CCK-AR) mediate the feeding inhibitory actions of CCK in both rats and mice, the absence of CCK-AR results in species-specific phenotypes. The lack of CCK-AR in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats results in hyperphagia and obesity. We have suggested that demonstrated increases in meal size and elevated levels of dorsomedial hypothalamic (DMH) neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression may contribute to this phenotype. In contrast to OLETF rats, CCK-AR / mice have normal total daily food intake and do not develop obesity. To assess the basis underlying the different phenotypes in rats and mice lacking CCK-AR, we characterized meal patterns in CCK-AR / mice and determined whether CCK-AR / mice exhibited an alteration in DMH NPY gene expression. We demonstrate that although CCK-AR / mice show a similar dysregulation in meal size as OLETF rats, they do not have an elevation in DMH NPY mRNA expression levels. In fact, intact mice have no CCK-AR in the DMH. Furthermore, in intact rats, NPY and CCK-AR are colocalized in DMH neurons, and parenchymal injection of CCK into the DMH reduces food intake and down-regulates DMH NPY mRNA expression. These results suggest that although CCK-AR plays a role in the mediation of CCK actions in the control of meal size in both rats and mice, CCK-AR seems to contribute to modulating DMH NPY levels only in rats. The deficit in CCK’s action in the control of DMH NPY gene expression may play a major role in the obese phenotype in OLETF rats. (Endocrinology 145: 3873–3880, 2004)
ON SIMULATING THE GENERATION OF MOSAICISM DURING MAMMALIAN CEREBRAL CORTICAL DEVELOPMENT

Renewed calls for a systems biology reflect the hope hat enduring biological questions at single-cell and cell-population scales will be resolved as modern molecular biology, with its reductionist program, approaches a nearly-complete characterization of the molecular mechanisms of specific cellular processes. Due to the confounding complexity of biological organization across these scales, computational science is sought to complement the intuition of experimentalists. However, with respect to the molecular basis of cellular processes during development and disease, a gulf between feasible simulations and realistic biology persists. Formidable are the mathematical and computational challenges to conducting and validating cell population-scale simulations, drawn from single-cell level and molecular level details. Nonetheless, in some biological contexts, a focus on core processes crafted by evolution can yield coarse-grained mathematical models that retain explanatory potential despite drastic simplification of known biochemical kinetics. In this article, we bring this modeling philosophy to bear on the nature of neural progenitor cell decision making during mammalian cerebral cortical development. Specifically, we present the computational component to a research program addressing developmental links between (i) the cellular response to endogenous DNA damage, (ii) primary mechanisms of neuronal genetic heterogeneity, or mosaicism, and (iii) the cell fate decision making that defines the population kinetics of neurogenesis.
Can the Golgi form de novo

Does the Golgi apparatus proliferate by adding new material to a permanent template, or do Golgi structures form de novo by a process of self-organization? Recent work suggests that the Golgi is capable of forming de novo.
Displaying electrocorticographic findings on gyral anatomy

Human electrocorticographic findings recorded from subdural arrays of electrodes were topographically mapped directly onto magnetic resonance images of gyral anatomy. With this technique gyri involved in generating somatosensory evoked potentials and epileptic phenomena are easily identified. Regions of the cortex which exhibit local spectral changes associated with cognitive tasks can also be visualized. These composite images of structure and function can provide insight regarding the functional organization of human cortex in relation to gyral anatomy and localized pathologic rhythms.
Dietary Patterns and Body Mass Index in Children with Autism and Typically Developing Children

To determine whether dietary patterns (juice and sweetened non-dairy beverages, fruits, vegetables, fruits & vegetables, snack foods, and kid's meals) and associations between dietary patterns and body mass index (BMI) differed between 53 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 58 typically developing children, ages 3 to 11, multivariate regression models including interaction terms were used. Children with ASD were found to consume significantly more daily servings of sweetened beverages (2.6 versus 1.7, p=0.03) and snack foods (4.0 versus 3.0, p=0.01) and significantly fewer daily servings of fruits and vegetables (3.1 versus 4.4, p=0.006) than typically developing children. There was no evidence of statistical interaction between any of the dietary patterns and BMI z-score with autism status. Among all children, fruits and vegetables (p=0.004) and fruits alone (p=0.005) were positively associated with BMI z-score in our multivariate models. Children with ASD consume more energy-dense foods than typically developing children; however, in our sample, only fruits and vegetables were positively associated with BMI z-score.
Here's My Phone Number, Don't Call Me: Physician Accessibility in the Cell Phone and E-mail Era

Physician accessibility, for example how available a doctor should be by cell phone or e-mail is an important issue that is not well understood. There can be large differences between the expectations of patients and the perspective of their providers. The rationale for providing accessibility has historical roots and relates to the very basis of the physician-patient relationship and the effects on patient outcomes. While patients may want this line of communication, physicians may worry about disruption from unexpected phone calls, being requested to provide advice without access to records and providing services without adequate remuneration among other concerns. Herein, we discuss the rationale for these concerns, and provide suggestions on how we might overcome them. We suggest a framework with guidelines on establishing and maintaining remote accessibility with patients in the context of a productive physician-patient relationship.
Rare nonsynonymous variants in alpha-4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene protect against nicotine dependence.

Background Several studies report association of alpha-4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (encoded by CHRNA4 ) with nicotine dependence (ND). A meta-analysis of genomewide linkage studies for ND implicated a single chromosomal region, which includes CHRNA4 , as genome-wide significant. Methods After establishing that common variants are unlikely to completely account for this linkage, we investigated the distribution of CHRNA4 rare variants by sequencing the coding exons and flanking intronic regions of CHRNA4 in 209 European American (EA) ND cases and 183 EA control subjects. Because most of the rare variants that we detected (and all nonsynonymous changes) were in Exon 5, we sequenced Exon 5 in an additional 1000 ND cases and 1000 non-ND comparison subjects, both of which included equal numbers of EAs and African Americans. Results Comparison subjects had a higher frequency of rare nonsynonymous variants in the Exon 5 region (encoding the large intercellular loop of the α4 subunit; Fisher's Exact Test p = .009; association test p = .009, odds ratio=.43; weighted-sum method p = .014), indicating a protective effect against ND. Considering data from the two stages combined and only nonsynonymous variants predicted to alter protein function, the association was stronger (Fisher's Exact Test p = .005; association test p = .008, odds ratio=.29; weighted-sum method p = .005). Single-photon emission computed tomography imaging results were consistent with functionality. Conclusions CHRNA4 functional rare variants may reduce ND risk. This is the first demonstration that rare functional variants at a candidate locus protect against substance dependence to our knowledge, suggesting a novel mechanism of substance dependence heritability that is potentially of general importance.
THE EFFECTS OF ISCHEMIC CONDITIONS (HYPOXIA AND GLUCOSE DEPRIVATION) ON CALCIUM REGULATION IN THE NEONATAL RAT MYOCARDIUM

The effects of hypoxic (pO2 12 atria) were completed at 37°C. The atria were then placed in 4°C Tyrode's solution containing 6.8 mM Ca/5 mM EGTA for 45 min to displace extracellular 45Ca. Ca uptake (earcolemma 1 Ca permeability) was increased significantly from 45.3±16.5 (SD) to 85.8±28.5 μmol/kg following 2 hr exposure to hypoxic/glucose-free solution (p < 0.001) and from 37.0±8.2 to 124.9±16.2 μmol/kg (p < 0.001) following 3 hr exposure. After 2 hr, Ca content was increased from 0.69±0.25 to 1.00±0.17 mmol/kg and after 3 hr from 0.84±0.24 to 2.70±0.62 mmol/kg (p < 0.001 from both). Cooling tissues to 27 C during the Ca uptake period (1 min) reduced control Ca uptake from 32.5±14.5 to 20.0±5.5 μmol/kg, a 38% decrease (p < 0.01), and the uptake measured in hypoxic/glucose-free tissues (3 hr) from 100.4 ± 18.7 to 75.6 ± 14.2 μmol/kg, a 25% decrease (p<0.001). At 7°C, Ca uptake under both conditions was reduced by ~80%. Control and 3 hr hypoxic/glucose-free Ca uptakes were not affected by diltiazem (5×10-6 M). In conclusion, hypoxic/ glucose-free conditions in the neonatal rat atrium increase sarcolemmal Ca permeability and cellular Ca content. We hypothesize that the increased permeability is not the result of “breaks” in the sarcolemma (temperature sensitivity of the increased Ca uptake) nor Ca flux via diltiazem-sensitive Ca channels, but may result indirectly from the rise in intracellular sodium during these conditions.
Synthesis, pharmacokinetics, and biological use of lysine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We aimed to create a more robust and more accessible standard for amine-modifying single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). A 1,3-cycloaddition was developed using an azomethine ylide, generated by reacting paraformaldehyde and a side-chain-Boc (tert-Butyloxycarbonyl)-protected, lysine-derived alpha-amino acid, H-Lys(Boc)-OH, with purified SWCNT or C60. This cycloaddition and its lysine adduct provides the benefits of dense, covalent modification, ease of purification, commercial availability of reagents, and pH-dependent solubility of the product. Subsequently, SWCNTs functionalized with lysine amine handles were covalently conjugated to a radiometalated chelator, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). The 111In-labeled construct showed rapid renal clearance in a murine model and a favorable biodistribution, permitting utility in biomedical applications. Functionalized SWCNTs strongly wrapped small interfering RNA (siRNA). In the first disclosed deployment of thermophoresis with carbon nanotubes, the lysine-modified tubes showed a desirable, weak SWCNT-albumin binding constant. Thus, lysine-modified nanotubes are a favorable candidate for medicinal work.
Biochemical processing of E-cadherin under cellular stress

The proteolytic cleavage pathways of E-cadherin endogenously expressed in MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells were characterized in cells treated with antimycin A and deoxyglucose to examine transmembrane protein processing under cellular stress. E-cadherin is a type I transmembrane protein which operates as the cell adhesion molecule component of the adherens junction, a complex of proteins involved in epithelial tissue development and integrity. We now demonstrate that treatment of MDCK cells with antimycin A and deoxyglucose activates caspase mediated pathways that cleave E-cadherin. E-cadherin is cleaved into two major fragments, with the sizes predicted by the location of a caspase-3 cleavage consensus sequence. Cleavage of E-cadherin and deposition of the C-terminal fragment into the cytoplasm are inhibited by the caspase inhibitor DEVD-CHO. Thus, a major mechanism for E-cadherin cleavage and dissolution of the adherens junction under antimycin/deoxyglucose treatment is caspase mediated, initiated by activation of an apoptosis pathway.
Characterization of Failure Mechanisms and Failure Rate of Oxide Wearout by Hot Electron Using D.C. and A.C. Substrate Electron Injection

Determination of the failure mechanisms and failure rate of oxide wearout by hot carrier injection in submicron metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET) requires special test structures to isolate the oxide field dependence of oxide trap generation and charging. A bipolar-MOS transistor (BiMOS) structure is used which d.c. injects substrate electrons into the gate oxide of a MOS transistor by forward biasing the emitter-base n+/p junction of a vertical n+/p/n-inversion-layer bipolar junction transistor. The field and temperature dependences enable a separation of thermal and tunnel electron detrapping rates at low and high oxide field from the generation rate of new oxide traps at high fields. Pulsed a.c. substrate electron injection in a n+ sourced metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor (SMOSC) structure is used to characterize the field dependence of oxide degradation in chlorinated oxides.
A threshold disability score corresponds with an estimated diagnosis of clinical depression in patients with upper extremity disease

Background The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a threshold Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score among patients with common hand diagnoses that corresponds with an estimated diagnosis of clinical depression.
Synthetic strategies in the preparation of regiospecifically chlorine‐37 labeled polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins

A series of thirteen regiospecifically chlorine-37 labeled polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins were synthesized via the Sandmeyer reaction. Nitrochlorodibenzodioxins which were obtained by a base promoted condensation of catechols and dinitropolyhalobenzenes were reduced and converted to the diazonium salts. Chlorine-37 was introduced using cuprous chloride-37. The isotopic enrichment was in the range 75-96%.
Flocking for multi-agent dynamic systems: algorithms and theory

In this paper, we present a theoretical framework for design and analysis of distributed flocking algorithms. Two cases of flocking in free-space and presence of multiple obstacles are considered. We present three flocking algorithms: two for free-flocking and one for constrained flocking. A comprehensive analysis of the first two algorithms is provided. We demonstrate the first algorithm embodies all three rules of Reynolds. This is a formal approach to extraction of interaction rules that lead to the emergence of collective behavior. We show that the first algorithm generically leads to regular fragmentation, whereas the second and third algorithms both lead to flocking. A systematic method is provided for construction of cost functions (or collective potentials) for flocking. These collective potentials penalize deviation from a class of lattice-shape objects called /spl alpha/-lattices. We use a multi-species framework for construction of collective potentials that consist of flock-members, or /spl alpha/-agents, and virtual agents associated with /spl alpha/-agents called /spl beta/- and /spl gamma/-agents. We show that migration of flocks can be performed using a peer-to-peer network of agents, i.e., "flocks need no leaders." A "universal" definition of flocking for particle systems with similarities to Lyapunov stability is given. Several simulation results are provided that demonstrate performing 2-D and 3-D flocking, split/rejoin maneuver, and squeezing maneuver for hundreds of agents using the proposed algorithms.
Molecular Biology of Cytomegalovirus Replication

Infection of the host by cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) can lead to productive infection that can either persist asymptomatically, be accompanied by disease, or become latent. This chapter focuses on the molecular events associated with CMV gene expression and replication. The CMV classification is based on the biological properties of host specificity, length of the replication cycle, and cytopathic effects. These viruses are referred to as betaherpesviruses (Roizman and Batterson, 1985).
An effective lower bound on L max in a worker-constrained job shop

A common industrial operation is a dual resource constrained job shop where: (a) the objective is to minimize L max , the maximum job lateness; (b) machines are organized into groups; and (c) each worker is assigned to a specific machine group. Because this problem is NP-hard, finding optimal solutions by enumeration is impractical. This paper details a procedure to compute a lower bound on L max that will be used in follow-up work to effectively evaluate the absolute performance of heuristic solutions. Given an allocation of workers to machine groups, a lower bound on L max is first computed for each machine group using a network-flow formulation. The lower bound on L max for the job shop is the largest of the lower bounds for the machine groups. A search algorithm then finds a worker allocation yielding the smallest such lower bound on L max for the job shop; and the latter quantity is our proposed lower bound on L max . Given a worker allocation, we use the Virtual Factory (a heuristic scheduler developed by Hodgson et al. in 1998) to generate a schedule. Experiments with a wide variety of job shops indicated that the proposed lower bound on L max could often be achieved by a Virtual Factory schedule based on the worker allocation yielding this lower bound. However, there were problem instances for which other worker allocations enabled the Virtual Factory to generate better schedules. Follow-up work provides optimality criteria, and heuristics to find improved allocations if these criteria are not satisfied.
Serial abdominal ultrasound in the setting of trauma.

Ultrasound is gaining wide acceptance in Emergency Medicine as an inexpensive and accurate examination modality. One of the leading uses of this technology is in the initial assessment of the trauma patient, where the ultrasound examination is often used to determine the need for immediate laparotomy or further diagnostic study. We present a series of four patients, all of whom sustained blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. In each case, the initial screening abdominal ultrasound was negative for free intraperitoneal (i.p.) fluid but, when repeated by the same practitioner, became positive. These cases demonstrate the need for serial ultrasounds in evaluating the patient with abdominal trauma. Future studies of trauma ultrasound should investigate the utility of serial sonographic examinations.
Discrimination of shot-noise-driven poisson processes by external dead time: Application to radioluminescence from glass

The shot-noise-driven doubly stochastic Poisson point process (SNDP) describes the photodetection statistics for several kinds of luminescence radiation (e.g., cathodoluminescence). This process, which is bunched (clustered) in character and is associated with multiplied Poisson noise, has many applications in pulse, particle, and photon detection. In this work we describe ways in which dead time can be used to constructively enhance or diminish the effects of point processes that display such bunching, according to whether they are signal or noise. We discuss in some detail the subtle interrelations between photocount bunching arising in the SNDP and the antibunching character arising from dead-time effects. We demonstrate that the dead-time-modified count mean and variance for an arbitrary doubly stochastic Poisson point process (DSPP) can be obtained from the Laplace transform of the single-fold and joint moment-generating functions for the driving rate process. The dead time is assumed to be small in comparison with the correlation time of the driving process. Specific calculations have been carried out for the SNDP. The theoretical counting efficiency e m and normalized variance e υ fox shot-noise light with a rectangular impulse response function are shown to depend principally on the dead-time parameter and on the number of primaxy events in a correlation time of the driving rate process. The values of e m and e υ are significantly reduced below those obtained with the constant-rate Poisson because of the clustering associated with the SNDP. The theory is in good accord with the experimental values of these quantities for radioluminescence radiation in three transparent materials (fused silica, quartz, and glass). Various parameter values for each material have been extracted. For large counting times, the experimental photon-counting distributions are shown to be well described by the Neyman Type-A theoretical distribution, both in the absence and in the presence of dead time.
Evaluating Immediate and Long‐Range Effect of a Geriatric Clerkship Using Reflections and Ratings from Participants as Students and as Residents

This article describes a longitudinal study developed to assess perceived usefulness of a mandatory geriatric clerkship from the perspective of junior students completing the newly initiated program in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 and these same students as second- or third-year residents. End-of-clerkship student evaluations were compared with follow-up resident surveys of those same students to identify the utility of information provided and strengths and weaknesses of the initial course experience. Students participated in hospice, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and transitional care venues during their clerkship experience at the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Two hundred eighty-five student evaluations were collected, and 143 resident surveys were returned. Quantitative and qualitative data from students and residents corroborated each other in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the clerkship. Hospice information was successfully incorporated into residency practice. In contrast, outpatient clinic, nursing home, and transitional care segments of the clerkship were perceived as inadequate. Survey responses validated faculty changes that were initiated in the following years. These changes use settings and patients that more accurately mirror those seen in typical resident encounters.
Footprint Analysis to Assess the Conditioning of Temperature and Humidity Measurements in a Weather Station Vicinity

Equations for estimating the influence of upwind fetch on air temperature and humidity measurements are applied to assess fetch impacts on agricultural weather stations. The equations are derived from flux and scalar footprint models and may serve as a first approximation of the amount of impact (F = 0 to 1) that upwind fetch distance has on measured air temperature or humidity at height z above the surface. This information is useful for judging adequacy of green fetch upwind of a weather station and for judging the amount of impact that a dry surface in the vicinity of a weather station has on measurements. The equations were applied to various fetch lengths of clipped grass and dry, bare soil over a range of wind speed. Results indicate that F increases more-or-less logarithmetically with fetch distance for both surface conditions and show F to increase with decreasing wind speed for a specified fetch distance. Results indicate that the 100:1 fetch distance:measurement height ruleof-thumb applies to unstable boundary layer conditions (positive Bowen ratio), but may underestimate the fetch requirement for neutral and stable conditions. Values for F for short fetch lengths, for example 5 and 10 m, show the fallacy of locating a weather station over a small area of grass or other vegetation, but surrounded by dry, poorly vegetated further upwind. Essentially none of the sensor signal (T and e measurement) is conditioned by the grass when wind speed is greater than 2 m s -1 .
Surgical outcomes of breast reconstruction: comparison of autogenous tissue and expander/implant techniques.

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is an important aspect of cancer care. Surgical outcomes data help patients navigate the complex decision-making process of choosing an implant or an autogenous tissue reconstructive technique. In general, complications rates are similar across procedure types. However, both pedicle and free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) procedures are associated with an 11–18% decrease in flexion peak torque. However, no significant difference in flexion peak torque has been found between patients with pedicle and free TRAM reconstructions. In addition, patients with TRAM compared with expander/implant procedures appear to be more aesthetically satisfied and have greater gains in body image. In summary, with a variety of reconstructive procedures available, choosing the ‘right’ operation can be a daunting task. Outcomes data can provide patients with objective, reliable information to assist in surgical decision making.
Differentiation of human neuronal progenitor cells via novel integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling pathway

Activation of cAMP signaling pathway, along with its transcriptional factor CREB and coactivator CBP, are key determinants of neuronal differentiation. Our studies have revealed an integrative nuclear FGFR1 signaling (INFS) pathway by which extracellular signals and cAMP induce differentiation of proliferating fetal brain- or cord blood-derived neuronal progenitor cells. Upon cell stimulation, FGF receptor-1 (FGFR1) is released from ER membranes into the cytosol and translocates to cell nucleus where it blocks cell proliferation and induces neuronal differentiation. FGFR1 associates with the active nuclear centers of RNA synthesis and processing and activates structurally distinct neural-specific genes and CBP. Our findings indicate that (1) INFS mediates activation of multigene program for neuronal growth/differentiation, and (2) FGFR1 serves as a nuclear matrix-attached scaffold on which multifunctional protein complexes are dynamically assembled causing a coordinated local RNA pol II regulation and chromatin remodeling.
Keynesian Fiscal Policy

Here are the opening sentences of the preamble to the constitution of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW):
Effects of fertilizer application and dry/wet processing of Miscanthus x giganteus on bioethanol production

Abstract The effects of wet and dry processing of miscanthus on bioethanol production using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process were investigated, with wet samples showing higher ethanol yields than dry samples. Miscanthus grown with no fertilizer, with fertilizer and with swine manure were sampled for analysis. Wet-fractionation was used to separate miscanthus into solid and liquid fractions. Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment was employed and the SSF process was performed with saccharomyces cerevisiae and a cocktail of enzymes at 35 °C. After pretreatment, cellulose compositions of biomass of the wet samples increased from 61.0–67.0% to 77.0–87.0%, which were higher than the compositions of dry samples. The highest theoretical ethanol yield of 88.0% was realized for wet processed pretreated miscanthus, grown with swine manure. Changes to the morphology and chemical composition of the biomass samples after pretreatment, such as crystallinity reduction, were observed using SEM and FTIR. These changes improved ethanol production.
Urinary levoglucosan as a biomarker for residential wood smoke exposure

ABSTRACTAs part of a randomised controlled residential intervention study, levoglucosan (LG) was investigated as a biomarker for wood smoke exposure. This study was conducted among 33 children living in homes that used wood stoves for residential heating. Indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and corresponding urine samples from participants were collected during pre- and a post-intervention winter sampling periods. Interventions included the installation of an air filtration unit and a wood stove change out. Homes and children assigned to a placebo filter served as the control condition. Results showed a strong reduction in indoor PM2.5 among the air filter homes (≈58% reduction), whereas the wood stove change out homes did not have a significant PM2.5 reduction from pre- to post-intervention observations. Children living in the air filter homes did not show a corresponding reduction in urinary LG concentrations. Further analysis did not show an association between overall changes in indo...
Modeling the economic and epidemiologic impact of hookworm vaccine and mass drug administration (MDA) in Brazil, a high transmission setting.

Abstract Background Although mass drug administration (MDA) has helped reduce morbidity attributed to soil-transmitted helminth infections in children, its limitations for hookworm infection have motivated the development of a human hookworm vaccine to both improve morbidity control and ultimately help block hookworm transmission leading to elimination. However, the potential economic and epidemiologic impact of a preventive vaccine has not been fully evaluated. Methods We developed a dynamic compartment model coupled to a clinical and economics outcomes model representing both the human and hookworm populations in a high transmission region of Brazil. Experiments simulated different implementation scenarios of MDA and vaccination under varying circumstances. Results Considering only intervention costs, both annual MDA and vaccination were highly cost-effective (ICERs ≤$790/DALY averted) compared to no intervention, with vaccination resulting in lower incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs ≤$444/DALY averted). From the societal perspective, vaccination was economically dominant (i.e., less costly and more effective) versus annual MDA in all tested scenarios, except when vaccination was less efficacious (20% efficacy, 5 year duration) and MDA coverage was 75%. Increasing the vaccine's duration of protection and efficacy, and including a booster injection in adulthood all increased the benefits of vaccination (i.e., resulted in lower hookworm prevalence, averted more disability-adjusted life years, and saved more costs). Assuming its target product profile, a pediatric hookworm vaccine drastically decreased hookworm prevalence in children to 14.6% after 20 years, compared to 57.2% with no intervention and 54.1% with MDA. The addition of a booster in adulthood further reduced the overall prevalence from 68.0% to 36.0% and nearly eliminated hookworm infection in children. Conclusion Using a human hookworm vaccine would be cost-effective and in many cases economically dominant, providing both health benefits and cost-savings. It could become a key technology in effecting control and elimination efforts for hookworm globally.
Effect of Progesterone and Other Hormones on Liver Glycogen.

SummaryProgesterone as well as cortical extract raised the liver glycogen levels of intact fasting ferrets. Pseudopregnancy probably enhanced the effectiveness of progesterone. In a small number of rats cortical extracts had similar effects, while progesterone, testosterone propionate and stilboestrol gave little if any response.
Negro and White Response to Advertising Stimuli

Marketers have been directing advertising messages to the Negro market based upon possibly inadequate research findings. The study reported here, though decidedly limited in scope, reveals a genera...
Curvularia coicis and the Nodulosa group of Bipolaris.

The nodulosa group of the genus Bipolaris, including B. coicis (Nisikado) Shoemaker (= Curvularia coicis Castellani), B. kusanoi (Nisikado) Shoemaker, B. hadrotrichoides (Ell. & Ev.) Luttrell comb. nov., and B. nodulosa (Berk. & Curt. in Sacc.) Shoemaker, is characterized by ovateellipsoid to obclavate-fusoid, brown, thin-walled, 3-7-septate conidia and nodulose conidiophores with swollen, pestle-shaped tips which are at first hyaline and are late in becoming brown. Examination of the type collection of Curvularia coicis Castellani (1, 2) has shown that this species does not belong in Curvularia (5) but is probably identical with Helminthosporium coicis Nisikado (10). Since Shoemaker (12) has transferred H. coicis to Bipolaris, a reassessment of the status of the genus Bipolaris is necessary.
Chronic Consumption Coagulopathy Due to Hemangiomatous Transformation of the Spleen

The Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (giant cutaneous hemangioma associated with thrombocytopenia) has been found frequently to include a consumption coagulopathy. Presented here is a similar situation occurring with a hemangiomatous transformation of the spleen. A 72-year-old Caucasian woman had had progressive splenomegaly of 2 years’ duration associated with pancytopenia and purpura. She had prolongation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, with moderate fibrinogenopenia. Deficiencies of factors V, VII, VIII, and X were also found, with a low normal level of prothrombin. No increased plasmin activity could be demonstrated. Following splenectomy, there was an almost immediate normalization of the partial thromboplastin time, with rapid increases in factors V, VIII, IX, fibrinogen, and platelets. There was a secondary “rebound” increase in fibrinogen and platelets, as well as factors V and IX activity, with return to normal levels in two months. No similar secondary rise occurred with factor VIII. The prothrombin time and factors VII and X returned to normal more slowly. The normal architecture of the spleen was found to be almost completely replaced by benign neoplastic vascular structures of various sizes, many of which contained platelet or fibrin thrombi.
Two New Notonecta from South America. (Hemiptera-Notonectidæ).

Through the kindness of Mr. R. B. Vereertbrugghen I have received the new back-swimmers described below. There were two species of Notonecta in the lot—one very much resembling the larger species common in Chile and the smaller one so much like the smaller Chilean species that I thought that both species were the same as those sent to me by Mr. Alfredo Faz from Santiago, Chile—closer study shows them to be species distinct from any hitherto described.
Gold nanorod translocations and charge measurement through solid-state nanopores.

We study translocations of gold nanoparticles and nanorods through silicon nitride nanopores and present a method for determining the surface charge of nanorods from the magnitude of the ionic current change as nanorods pass through the pore. Positively charged nanorods and spherical nanoparticles with average diameters 10 nm and average nanorod lengths between 44 and 65 nm were translocated through 40 nm thick nanopores with diameters between 19 and 27 nm in 1, 10, or 100 mM KCl solutions. Nanorod passage through the nanopores decreases ion current in larger diameter pores, as in the case of typical Coulter counters, but it increases ion current in smaller diameter nanopores, likely because of the interaction of the nanopore’s and nanoparticle’s double layers. The presented method predicts a surface charge of 26 mC/m2 for 44 nm long gold nanorods and 18 mC/m2 for 65 nm long gold nanorods and facilitates future studies of ligand coverage and surface charge effects in anisotropic particles.
The biology of brain metastases—translation to new therapies

Brain metastases are a serious obstacle in the treatment of patients with solid tumors and contribute to the morbidity and mortality of these cancers. It is speculated that the frequency of brain metastasis is increasing for several reasons, including improved systemic therapy and survival, and detection of metastases in asymptomatic patients. The lack of preclinical models that recapitulate the clinical setting and the exclusion of patients with brain metastases from most clinical trials have slowed progress. Molecular factors contributing to brain metastases are being elucidated, such as genes involved in cell adhesion, extravasation, metabolism, and cellular signaling. Furthermore, the role of the unique brain microenvironment is beginning to be explored. Although the presence and function of the blood-brain barrier in metastatic tumors is still poorly understood, it is likely that some tumor cells are protected from therapeutics by the blood-tumor barrier, creating a sanctuary site. This Review discusses what is known about the biology of brain metastases, what preclinical models are available to study the disease, and which novel therapeutic strategies are being studied in patients.
Evaluation of FLWA and SRAs on autogenous deformation and long-term drying shrinkage of high performance concrete

Abstract The use of pre-wetted fine lightweight aggregate (FLWA) as partial replacement of normal weight fine aggregate has been shown to effectively reduce the deleterious effects of autogenous shrinkage in high performance concrete (HPC). In this study, autogenous deformation of mortar, free drying shrinkage of concrete prisms, and mechanical property development with various shrinkage mitigation methods were examined. HPC drying shrinkage specimens were externally wet cured for 14 days or less to commensurate with field curing. Three different methods were evaluated to provide a potential reduction in drying and autogenous shrinkage; pre-wetted FLWA, shrinkage-reducing admixtures (SRAs) or the combination of pre-wetted FLWA and SRA. It was observed that the combination of shale FLWA and SRA was the most effective at reducing autogenous deformation, and was 84% less than the control. HPC mixtures with SRA reduced the drying shrinkage by 17% at 1095 days of drying. Furthermore, extending the external wet cure beyond three days had little effect on the magnitude of drying shrinkage for all mixtures when compared to a control mixture cured for 14 days.
A Semantics for the Hornlog System

We start by presenting some examples of logic programs in the Hornlog system. The body P of a logic program in this system consists of any arbitrary set of Horn clauses over one-sorted Horn clause logic without equality. In chapters 6 through 8 we will examine equational extensions to the Hornlog method which apply to many-sorted Horn clause logic with equality. The procedural interpretation of logic programs [54] is extended so that negative clauses in the body of the logic program are interpreted as negative constraints. That is, ← B 1,..., B m , is interpreted as false ← B 1,..., B m , or “not the case that B 1,...,B m , all hold simultaneously.” The crucial difference between this interpretation and the negation by failure semantics used in Prolog is that in this interpretation any substitutions computed using substitution instances of negative clauses may participate in the construction of the answer substitution. Thus the Hornlog system incorporates a form of classical negation restricted to Horn clauses.
The Forecasting Performance of Energy-Economic Models

The predictive performance of economic-energy models has a direct bearing on their usefulness in the climate policy debate. One of the salient aspects of that debate is that some opponents of action to reduce GHG emissions are willing to make confident assertions about what the “cost to the economy” of various policy proposals (such as compliance with the Kyoto Protocol) would be. Yet at the same time these skeptics doubt the validity of the science that underlies forecasts of global warming, and claim that the observed century-long trend of increasing temperatures is indistinguishable from the “noise” of natural variation. They are willing to base strong policy recommendations on the forecasts of economic/energy models that purport to predict output, employment, prices, and emissions decades into the future, while denying the predictive power of physical science models of climate dynamics.
Populations in Space

Over relatively large spatial scales, it is not unusual to have many species that seem to occur everywhere, and even more species that seem to be found in only one or a few locations. For example, Scott Collins and Susan Glenn [35] showed that in grasslands, each separated by up to 4 km, there were more species occupying only one site (Fig. 4.1, left-most bar) than two or more sites, and also that there are more species occupying all the sites than most intermediate numbers of sites (Fig. 4.1, right-most bar), resulting in a U-shaped frequency distribution. Illke Hanski [70] coined the rare and common species “satellite” and “core” species, respectively, and proposed an explanation.
The economics of growing shrub willow as a bioenergy buffer on agricultural fields: A case study in the Midwest Corn Belt

Landscape design has been embraced as a promising approach to holistically balance multiple goals related to environmental and resource management processes to meet future provisioning and regulating ecosystem services needs. In the agricultural context, growing bioenergy crops in specific landscape positions instead of dedicated fields has the potential to improve their sustainability, provide ecosystem services, and minimize competition with other land uses. However, growing bioenergy crops in sub-productive or environmentally vulnerable parts of a field implies more complex logistics as small amounts of biomass are generated in a distributed way across the landscape. We present a novel assessment of the differences in production and logistic costs between business as usual (BAU, dedicated fields), and distributed landscape production of shrub, or short-rotation willow for bioenergy within a US Midwestern landscape. Our findings show that regardless of the mode of cropping, BAU or landscape design, growing shrub willows is unlikely to provide positive revenues (−$67 to –$303 ha−1 yr−1 at a biomass price of $46.30 Mgwet−1) because of high land rental costs in this agricultural region. However, when translated into a practice cost per unit of N removed at the watershed scale (range: $1.8–37.0 kg N−1 yr−1), the net costs are comparable to other conservation practices. The projected opportunity cost of growing willows instead of corn on underproductive areas varied between –$14 and $49 Mgwet−1. This highlights the potential for willows to be a cost effective choice depending on the intra-field grain productivity, biomass price and desirable concurrent ecosystem services. © 2016 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
l-Leucine-Based Poly(ester urea)s for Vascular Tissue Engineering.

Poly(ester urea)s (PEUs) derived from α-amino acids are promising for vascular tissue engineering applications. The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize l-leucine-based PEUs and evaluate their suitability for vascular tissue engineering. Four different PEUs were prepared from di-p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of bis-l-leucine esters and triphosgene using interfacial condensation polymerizations. Mechanical testing indicated that the elastic moduli of the respective polymers were strongly dependent on the chain length of diols in the monomers. Three of the resulting PEUs showed elastic moduli that fall within the range of native blood vessels (0.16 to 12 MPa). The in vitro degradation assays over 6 months indicated that the polymers are surface eroding and no significant pH drop was observed during the degradation process. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and A-10 smooth muscle cells (A-10 SMCs) were cultured on PEU thin films. Protein adsorption studies showed the PEUs di...
Scholars in Mehmed II's Nascent Imperial Bureaucracy (1453–1481)

The period 1453–81 (from the capture of Istanbul until Mehmed II's death) proved to be the beginning of a new phase in the Ottoman government's relationship with scholars. Flushed with the prestige of capturing Constantinople, Mehmed II initiated an imperial program and undertook grandiose architectural and legal projects. His unprecedentedly large investments in madrasas attracted many scholars to move to the empire. In addition, he designed and implemented a hierarchical framework that not only provided scholars with a lifetime career in the administration, but also created career expectations and caused an ever-increasing number of them to offer their services to the dynasty. In this chapter, I discuss the efforts of Mehmed II and his men to establish Istanbul as the imperial center, project himself as a patron of scholars and artists, and create a civil bureaucratic class of scholar-bureaucrats based on the appropriate institutional and legal frameworks. I show how the internal and external conditions, as well as deliberate policies, of those years enabled the dynasty to start developing a bureaucratic structure. In addition, I draw attention to the fact that while this envisaged institutional framework was developing, certain features of the early Ottoman period (for instance, personal ties between the sultan and scholars and the scholars’ reluctance to wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the Ottoman project) still existed. Rebuilding Istanbul and Supporting Scholars A significant component of the imperial program was architectural. Building mosques, madrasas, public bathhouses, marketplaces, and other establishments and converting Byzantine buildings to new purposes projected the sultan's imperial vision on Istanbul and other cities in stone. Another component was to increase the importance of Ottoman cities, especially Istanbul, as centers of learning. To this end, Mehmed II and his men erected madrasas in Istanbul and elsewhere. It seems that Istanbul's reconstruction was central to creating a hierarchical institutional framework through which scholars could affiliate themselves with the dynasty and its enterprise. I contend that controlling the planning and completion process of architectural projects in Istanbul, especially madrasas, enabled Mehmed II to project a hierarchy of madrasas and impose a hierarchical structure on the scholars. Eager to repopulate his capital city, Mehmed II forced people to migrate to it; others came willingly. The commercial center was rebuilt to propel economic development. These policies succeeded, and the population grew from about 10,000 in 1453 to more than 50,000 in 1478.