cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A revised timeline for biological agents: Revisiting the early years of the germ theory of disease

An agreed upon timeline for the initial, scientifically-informed use of biological agents typically begins with the Japanese Army in Manchuria and China prior to the generalized outbreak of World War II (1932 until 1945). The process included human experimentation with multiple biological agents followed by their release in combat (e.g. the plague bacillus) targeting military personnel and civilians. Two postulates are used support these dates. First, allegations of earlier bacteriological weapon experimentation and/or use represented the accidental, small scale, and sporadic dispersion of infectious agents preceding the Germ Theory of Disease. Therefore, attempts prior to the Twentieth Century were uninformed scientifically and are not considered representative. Later, as the Germ Theory was maturing, the hypothetical timeline was derived, in part retrospectively, from reputable historical sources (the Trillat Report and The League of Nations) published immediately upon the conclusion of World War I. These documents explicitly testified to the total absence of bacteriological weapons in any form (experimentation or battlefield application) directed at human subjects-in stark contrast to the utilization of chemical agents-during the course of that war. Therefore the Japanese Army in Manchuria became time zero. Recently, evidence previously hidden from outside study has surfaced demonstrating that a small group of Turkish physicians injected typhus-contaminated serum into Armenian civilians during WWI. Although controversy persists regarding primary intent-immunization, experimentation on human subjects, or the introduction of a crude biological weapon-the discovery might suggest a revision to the accepted timeline. The primitive efforts with contaminated serum that occurred during the First World War may seem trivial, especially when compared to overall fatalities during that conflict, but they did include the informed and fatal application of microbial agents. Furthermore, the actions may have influenced certain behaviors that followed in World War II.
Syllable similarity: The effects of differences in vowels, consonants, and order

In five experiments with synthetic and natural speech syllables, a rating task we used to study the effects of differences in vowels, consonants, and segment order on judged syllable similarity. The results of Experiments I-IV support neither a purely phonemic model of speech representation, in which vowel, consonant, and order are represented independently, nor a purely syllabic model, in which the three factors are integrated. Instead, the data indicate that subjects compare representations in which adjacent vowel and consonant are independent of one another but are not independent of their positions in the syllable. Experiment V provided no support for the hypothesis that this position-sensitive coding is due to acoustic differences in formant transitions.
Results of a second survey to assess the reproductive status of female Asian and African elephants in North America.

Surveys are being conducted to monitor the reproductive health of elephants managed by the TAG/SSP. This study summarizes results of a 2005 survey and compares data to one conducted in 2002. Surveys were returned for 100% and 79.0% of Asian and African elephants, respectively. Of those, 79.3% of Asian and 92.1% of African elephants had weekly progestagen data to assess ovarian cyclicity. For Asian elephants, acyclicity rates were similar between the 2002 and 2005 surveys (13.3% versus 10.9%), whereas irregular cycling increased in 2005 (2.6% versus 7.6%), respectively. For African elephants, the percentages of both acyclicity (22.0% versus 31.2%) and irregular cycling females (5.2% versus 11.8%) increased. In both species, ovarian inactivity was more prevalent in the older age categories (>30 years of age), but for African elephants also occurred in the reproductive aged groups. Reproductive tract pathologies did not account for the majority of acyclicity problems. Several females changed cyclicity status between the two surveys, including from noncycling to cycling, suggesting this is not an irreversible condition. However, seven African females went from cycling to abnormal or no cyclic activity. In summary, the incidence of ovarian acyclicity in Asian elephants is low and stable, but appears to be increasing in African females. These findings reinforce the need for long-term reproductive monitoring programs and continuous reproductive surveys, even for females not being considered for breeding. With more data we hope to determine what factors are related to changes in ovarian status and how to reverse the trend towards acyclicity. Zoo Biol 29:127–139, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Towards a standard operating procedure for fishery acoustic surveys in the Laurentian Great Lakes, North America

Acoustic surveys are conducted annually in all five of the Laurentian Great Lakes and Lake Champlain to assess forage-fish abundance. The main target species are rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), and several coregonine species (Coregonus spp.). The Great Lakes Fishery Commission sponsored an Acoustic Study Group from 2002 to 2006 to discuss common problems and suggest standardized methods across these lakes. The study group produced a set of recommendations, available as a Great Lakes Fishery Commission Special Publication and on the web, that use in situ target strength (TS) to scale volume backscattering. Here, we review these recommendations with special attention to four often-overlooked topics of interest to all acoustic users, namely issues associated with first, the choice of thresholds for both TS and volume-backscattering strength, second, different settings for single-echo detection algorithms for measures of in situ TS, third, those taking account of measuring in situ TS in dense fish concentrations, and finally, detection limits.
Optimum wireless power transmission through reinforced concrete structure

Wireless embedded sensors are ideally suitable for monitoring concrete structures because of their small size and ability to measure various quantities inside concrete. Wireless power transmission for such sensors embedded in plain/reinforced concrete slab is studied here. The return loss and transmission loss of dipole and patch antennas are studied at typical RFID frequencies. Also, the antennas' performance is investigated for free-space, dry concrete, saturated concrete and reinforced concrete. Our results lead to the determination of the optimum operating frequency as well as the suitable antenna type for wireless powering. Finally, a matched rectification circuit is designed, and typical battery charging times are calculated.
Teleconferencing with dynamic medical images

Dynamic images, a sequence of static images displayed in rapid succession and perceived as a continuous motion by the human eye, are widely used in medicine. One of the primary objectives of telemedicine is the transmission of such images to a distant location to manage clinical problems remotely. A broad variety of methods is available to acquire, store, transmit and display these images. However, the context of the clinical problem determines which of these methods can be deployed in a telemedicine solution. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the different technologies and presents an example of a teleconferencing system for interventional cardiology. This system acquires cardiac angiography and intravascular ultrasound images and transmits them over an existing Internet connection to a distant location. It is specifically optimized for clinical conferencing, where time is limited for each case presentation during the conference, compared to the relatively long time available for the conference preparation. The system takes advantage of this characteristic by transmitting the images well in advance of the clinical conference and displaying them synchronously at both locations during the conference. This allows for the preservation of the original image quality.
X-Linked Immunodeficient Mice Exhibit Enhanced Susceptibility to Cryptococcus neoformans Infection

ABSTRACT Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a signaling molecule that plays important roles in B-1 B cell development and innate myeloid cell functions and has recently been identified as a target for therapy of B cell lymphomas. We examined the contribution of B-1 B cells to resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans infection by utilizing X-linked immunodeficient (XID) mice (CBA-CaHN-XID), which possess a mutation in Btk. XID mice had significantly higher brain fungal burdens than the controls 6 weeks after infection with C. neoformans strain 52D (CN52D); however, consistent with the propensity for greater virulence of C. neoformans strain H99 (CNH99), CNH99-infected XID mice had higher lung and brain fungal burdens than the controls 3 weeks after infection. Further studies in a chronic CN52D model revealed markedly lower levels of total and C. neoformans-specific serum IgM in XID mice than in the control mice 1 and 6 weeks after infection. Alveolar macrophage phagocytosis was markedly impaired in CN52D-infected XID mice compared to the controls, with XID mice exhibiting a disorganized lung inflammatory pattern in which Gomori silver staining revealed significantly more enlarged, extracellular C. neoformans cells than the controls. Adoptive transfer of B-1 B cells to XID mice restored peritoneal B-1 B cells but did not restore IgM levels to those of the controls and had no effect on the brain fungal burden at 6 weeks. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that IgM promotes fungal containment in the lungs by enhancing C. neoformans phagocytosis and restricting C. neoformans enlargement. However, peritoneal B-1 B cells are insufficient to reconstitute a protective effect in the lungs. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that causes an estimated 600,000 deaths per year. Most infections occur in individuals who are immunocompromised, with the majority of cases occurring in those with HIV/AIDS, but healthy individuals also develop disease. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) has been linked to resistance to disease in humans and mice. In this article, we found that X-linked immunodeficient (XID) mice, which have markedly reduced levels of IgM, were unable to contain Cryptococcus in the lungs. This was associated with reduced yeast uptake by macrophages, an aberrant tissue inflammatory response, an enlargement of the yeast cells in the lungs, and fungal dissemination to the brain. Since XID mice have a mutation in the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene, our data suggest that treatments aimed at blocking the function of Btk could pose a higher risk for cryptococcosis.
Depression in late life: a hidden public health problem for Mexico?

Depression is one of the most important causes of disability in the world, causes considerable suffering, and problems associated with depression are extremely costly to society. Depression is one of the most common and debilitating illnesses of older people that is frequently overlooked. The most recent epidemiological study in Mexico estimated the lifetime prevalence of major depressive episodes among people 18 to 54 years old to be 7.8%, only second to alcohol dependence (8.2%). A previous study found that older adults tend to have higher levels of depression than younger adults. There are important gaps of information about depression among the elderly. Along with refined measurement approaches, further research is needed on risk and protective factors for depression as these factors might highlight the areas that need to be targeted. Addressing depression among the elderly can significantly contribute in reduced health care costs, lowered disability, morbidity and mortality. This could yield important savings, freeing resources that might become available for the attention of important health care needs.
Creation of Nutrition Support Centers of Excellence Is It Truly an Excellent Idea

In response to external pressures and events that threatened to adversely affect the field of bariatric surgery, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery created a mechanism for certifying surgeons and their facilities to guarantee that bariatric surgery would be performed with the greatest degree of patient safety. Those surgeons and facilities that satisfied the requirements were designated as Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE). That process involved creating an independent, not-for-profit corporation, establishing the best practice criteria for certification, and developing the mechanism for evaluating surgeons and programs. After the successful implementation of this program, the American College of Surgeons introduced a similar program, Bariatric Surgery Center Network. It was believed that implementing a BSCOE program in the field of bariatric surgery would counteract the forces threatening to reduce patient access to surgery. Although some of the predicted benefits have been realized, many have not. Additionally, the process has been shown to be costly in terms of labor and monetary expense. The field of nutrition support has many similarities to bariatric surgery. Although no acute crisis threatens to adversely affect the field, leaders are considering the creation of a similar credentialing program. The decision to proceed with the development of a Nutrition Support Center of Excellence should be made after significant discussion centered on the potential benefits and problems related to such a program. The BSCOE process can be used as a successful model. This article reviews the issues leading up to the creation of the BSCOE, describes its certification process, mentions some of the benefits, and offers recommendations for the consideration of an NSCOE program.
Superoxide and Respiratory Coupling in Mitochondria of Insulin-Deficient Diabetic Rats

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species have been implicated in both diabetic complications and the progression of the underlying diabetic state. However, it is not clear whether mitochondria of diabetic origin are intrinsically altered to generate excess reactive oxygen species independent of the surrounding diabetic milieu. Mitochondria were isolated from gastrocnemius, heart, and liver of 2-wk and 2-month streptozotocin diabetic rats and controls. We rigidly quantified mitochondrial superoxide, respiration and ATP production, respiratory coupling, the expression of several proteins with antioxidant properties, and the redox state of glutathione. Both fluorescent assessment and electron paramagnetic spectroscopy revealed that superoxide production was unchanged or reduced in the 2-month diabetic mitochondria compared with controls. Kinetic analysis of the proton leak showed that diabetic heart and muscle mitochondria were actually more coupled compared with control despite an approximate 2- to 4-fold increase in uncoupling protein-3 content. Adenine nucleotide translocator type 1 expression was reduced by approximately 50% in diabetic muscle mitochondria. Catalase was significantly up-regulated in muscle and heart tissue and in heart mitochondria, whereas glutathione peroxidase expression was increased in liver mitochondria of diabetic rats. We conclude that gastrocnemius, heart, and liver mitochondria of streptozotocin diabetic rats are not irrevocably altered toward excess superoxide production either by complex I or complex III. Moreover, gastrocnemius and heart mitochondria demonstrate increased, not decreased, respiratory coupling. Mitochondria of insulin-deficient diabetic rats do show signs of adaptation to antecedent oxidative stress manifested as tissue-specific enzyme and uncoupling protein expression but remain remarkably robust with respect to superoxide production.
Evaluation of losses in DC machines-a statistical approach

The power ratings of the drive systems used in cyclic duty applications such as flying-die and cut-to-length shears are dictated by the thermal considerations associated with the losses produced by the machine during an operation cycle and the specified production rate. Since speed and torque are both transient functions with no steady-state operating point for such systems, a study was conducted to determine an expression that would describe these losses for a DC machine as a function of its operating speed and torque. A multiple regression technique was applied to the data collected from a set of sample machines for this purpose. Starting with the analysis of individual expressions for each of the components of losses in a DC machine, two regression models are presented. The first, based on a sample size of ten machines, provides an expression for the determination of operating point losses at any specified speed and torque per unit of rated machine losses (at rated speed and torque). The second model, based on data on 64 machines, provides an expression for the determination of rated losses in percent of machine power rating as a function of rated motor speed in r/min, armature volume in cubic units (DSQL), and percent armature droop. Mean estimates are also presented for the determination of percent droop and armature volume for a range of power ratings from 50 hp to 800 hp machines. >
Hydrogel-Based Tunable-Focus Liquid Microlens Array With Fast Response Time

We present a hydrogel-driven focus-tunable liquid microlens array on a curvilinear surface with much faster response time than previously reported. Water-oil interfaces pinned at polymer apertures serve as microlenses. Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel incorporating glycidyl-methacrylate-functionalized graphene oxide is employed to provide faster actuation for focal length tuning. Thermoelectric modules based on Peltier effect were implemented to enhance the heat transfer to and dissipation from the hydrogel actuators. The average response time improves to 5 s, and the focal length ranges from 7 to 120 mm. Simulations were performed to characterize the thermal behavior of the microlens array during actuation. The microlens array is also demonstrated with an ability to be remotely controlled by infrared light.
Utilization of ambulatory health services by urban adolescents

Purpose: To describe adolescents' utilization of ambulatory health services and its association with sociodemographic and health status characteristics. Methods: Adolescents ( N = 199) were selected from a larger group of urban middle and high school students who had previously participated in a health risk survey. Subjects were surveyed about their health status and use of ambulatory medical services. Subjects' parents/guardians were also surveyed about sociodemographic information. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using Chisquare statistics and logistic regression techniques assessed the contribution of hypothesized variables to use of routine medical, illness-related medical, and dental services. Results: Most adolescents reported having seen a physician (70%) or a dentist (79%) within the past year. Subjects reported using a wide variety of practitioners and settings, with family/general practitioners (29%), and the private office setting (23%) most commonly reported. Subjects having a regular source of care and those perceiving their health as "excellent" or "very good" were 2.4 and 3.4 times more likely to have used routine medical services than those without a regular source of care and those reporting their health as "fair" or "poor". In contrast, the strongest predictors of having received illness-related care in the past year were the presence of a current medical problem and an age by gender interaction factor. Those reporting a current medical problem were twice as likely as those not reporting a problem and older females were 6.6 times as likely as younger males to have received illness-related care within the past year. The only significant predictor of recent dental care was having private insurance. Conclusion: For adolescents enabling variables, such as having a regular source of care and health insurance, are stronger predictors of routine use of medical and dental care, whereas medical need and sociodemographic factors, such as age and gender, are more important in predicting use of illness-related care. These results support, in part, models that have been previously developed to explain use of ambulatory health services.
Endogenous Leadership with and without Policy Intervention: International Trade When Producer and Seller Differ

Using a vertically linked model of international trade where producers and sellers are dierent entities and belong to two dierent countries, we examine the issue of endogenous leadership. In the absence of policy intervention, there are two cases depending on whether the producer or the seller is the leader. In the presence of policy intervention, the nationality of the leader and that of the follower also becomes important. We nd necessary and sucient conditions for endogenous leadership to arise, and nd that in the presence of policy intervention and lump-sum transfers, leadership by the domestic rm | whether it is a producer or a seller | will emerge as the equilibrium.
A method of obtaining a velocity-depth envelope from wide-angle seismic data

Summary. Due to the non-uniqueness of traveltime inversion of seismic data, it is more appropriate to determine a velocity-depth (u-z) envelope, rather than just a u-z function. Several methods of obtaining a u-z envelope by extremal inversion have been proposed, all of which invert the data primarily from either x-p, or ~-p, or both domains. These extremal inversion methods may be divided into two groups: linear extremal and non-linear extremal. There is some debate whether the linearized perturbation techniques should be applied to the inherently non-linear problem of traveltime inversion. We have obtained a u-z envelope by extremal inversion in T-p with the constraint that the inversion paths also satisfy x-p observations. Thus we use data jointly in T-p and x-p, and yet avoid the linearity assumptions. This joint, non-linear extremal inversion method has been applied to obtain a u-z envelope down to a depth of about 30 km in the Baltimore Canyon trough using x-t data from an Expanding Spread Profile acquired during the LASE project. We have found that the area enclosed by the u-z envelope is reduced by about 15 per cent using x-p control on the 7-p inversion paths, compared to the inversion without x-p control.
Role of ultrasonic shear rate estimation errors in assessing inflammatory response and vascular risk.

Atherosclerotic lesions preferentially originate in arterial regions that experience low wall shear stress (WSS) and reversing flow patterns. Therefore, routinely monitoring arterial WSS may help to identify the potential sites of early atherosclerosis. A new noninvasive ultrasonic method implemented with coded excitation techniques was utilized to improve WSS estimation accuracy and precision by providing high spatial and temporal resolution. WSS measurement errors were quantified in a model system by scanning a linearly varying WSS field (0.3 to 1.9 Pa) within a flow chamber. A 13-bit optimal code (Opt) was found to be most effective in reducing bias and standard deviation in WSS estimates down to ∼10% and ∼8%. The measurement errors slowly increased with input WSS for all imaging pulses. The expression of endothelial cellular adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) was investigated over a similar shear range (0 to 1.6 Pa) to study the impact of relating shear-mediated cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) expression to inaccuracies in WSS measurements. We quantified this influence as the prediction error, which accounts for the ultrasonic measurement errors and the sensitivity of CAM expression within certain shear ranges. The highest prediction errors were observed at WSS <0.8 Pa, where CAM expression is most responsive to WSS. The results emphasize the importance of minimizing estimation errors, especially within low shear regions. Preliminary two-dimensional in vivo shear imaging is also presented to provide information about the spatial heterogeneity in arterial WSS distribution. (E-mail: mfi@uiuc.edu)
Factors Associated With Recovery of Prehospital Function Among Older Persons Admitted to a Nursing Home With Disability After an Acute Hospitalization

ACUTE illnesses and injuries leading to hospitalization are potent precipitants of functional decline and disability among community-living older persons (1–4). Following an acute hospitalization, nearly 50% of newly disabled older persons are transferred to a nursing home (1), usually for Medicare-reimbursed subacute care (5). Subacute care in a nursing home is designed to optimize functional status and address ongoing medical conditions. In a recently completed study (6), we found that the functional trajectories among older persons admitted to a nursing home with disability after an acute hospitalization are generally poor, with only about a third of participants returning home at their prehospital level of function. Why some of these disabled older persons recover and others do not is not known. In prior studies of functional recovery, salient predictors have included younger age, fewer depressive symptoms, higher education, physical capacity, cognitive status, social support, and habitual physical activity (7–9). In the current study, we set out to identify the factors associated with recovery of prehospital function among older persons admitted to a nursing home with disability after an acute hospitalization. We used data from a unique longitudinal study that includes monthly assessments of disability for up to 9.8 years, along with nearly complete ascertainment of nursing home admissions and hospitalizations, on a large cohort of community-living older persons.
A Rapid and Sensitive Assay of Muramidase.

SummaryAn improved method has been developed for assay of muramidase in several biological systems. This method involves measurement of the rate of lysis of a 25 mg% suspension of M. lysodeikticus in 0.05 M NaCl and M/15 phosphate buffer, pH 6.2. The rate of lysis is measured in a Beckman DB spectrophotometer at 540 mμ with an attached recorder. This modification allows continuous measurement of the initial reaction velocity for samples containing from 0.1 to 10 μg of muramidase.
From the ground up: the evolution of a hospital in the Third World.

In La Romana Dominican Republic the majority of the sugar cane workers and their families who live in small villages referred to as "bateys" have little or no access to medical care. It is recognized that the most extremely impoverished living on a subsistence level could not afford services at the other hospitals in La Romana. In response some key people in the local community including Reverend Jean Luc Phanord and multiple volunteer American medical and construction workers have together spearheaded the creation of the Good Samaritan General Hospital (GSGH). The GSGH is the first hospital in the Dominican Republic designed with the primary goal of providing health care to the people in the bateys. It is supported primarily by American donations with the help of government funding. Overall the GSGH is an example of a community that has taken the initiative to provide its own nongovernmental health care to help a population that needs it the most.
Integrable Models of Two Dimensional Quantum Gravity

In the last year important progress has been made [1] in non critical string theory (or equivalently two dimensional Quantum Gravity (QG) coupled to matter). QG coupled to conformal field theories with a finite number of degrees of freedom was shown [1], [2] [3] [4] to be closely related to certain integrable systems of differential equations — the so called KdV hierarchy. Also, a relation to topological gravity was discovered [5]. Correlation functions for arbitrary topology were obtained, and much progress has been made in understanding non perturbative phenomena.
Daniel Morat (Ed.). Sounds of Modern History: Auditory Cultures in 19th- and 20th-Century Europe

Daniel Morat's edited collection of 13 essays on the “sound culture” of Europe between 1850 and 1950 is meant to help jump-start the “field” of sound studies as a fully developed academic specialty...
Validation of the revised International Prognostic Score of Thrombosis for Essential Thrombocythemia (IPSET-thrombosis) in 585 Mayo Clinic patients.

Abstract The primary objective of treatment in essential thrombocythemia (ET) is to prevent thromboembolic complications. In this regard, advanced age and thrombosis history have long distinguished "low" from "high" risk patients. More recently, JAK2V617F and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were identified as additional modifiers, leading to the development of a 3-tiered International Prognostic Score of Thrombosis for ET (IPSET-thrombosis): "low," "intermediate," and "high". The international data set used to develop IPSET-thrombosis was recently re-analyzed in order to quantify the additional pro-thrombotic effect of JAK2V617F and CV risk factors in specific risk subcategories. The revised IPSET-thrombosis identified four risk categories based on three adverse variables (thrombosis history, age >60 years and JAK2V617F): very low (no adverse features), low (presence of JAK2V617F), intermediate (age >60 years) and high (presence of thrombosis history or presence of both advanced age and JAK2V617F). In this study of 585 patients with ET (median age 68 years; 61% female), we validated the revised IPSET-thrombosis by confirming significant differences in thrombosis risk between "very low" and "low" (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 - 5.3) and between "intermediate" and "high" (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 5.2) risk patients. Furthermore, in multivariable analysis, only JAK2V617F (HR=1.8, CI= 1.07 - 2.94) and history of thrombosis (HR=2.1, CI= 1.20 - 3.58) were independently predictive of future thrombotic events. The revised IPSET-thrombosis needs confirmation in prospective studies, especially in terms of risk-adapted therapy that includes the need for aspirin therapy in very low risk, twice-daily aspirin therapy for low risk and cytoreductive therapy for low or intermediate risk patients. Am. J. Hematol. 91:390-394, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resistance to mineralocorticoids in wistar-furth rats

Wistar-Furth rats (WF) do not develop hypertension when treated with salt and mineralocorticoids and therefore may be useful for investigating the mechanisms of mineralocorticoid action and hypertension. In the present studies, we determined vascular and renal responses of WF to mineralocorticoids. Control Wistar rats (W) developed deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-NaCl and dexamethasone hypertension, whereas WF rats developed dexamethasone hypertension only. Aldosterone treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells cultured from WF resulted in 82% less upregulation of angiotensin II radioligand binding, 50% less induction of angiotensin II AT1a receptor mRNA, and 76% less potentiation of angiotensin II-stimulated inositol phosphates than did aldosterone treatment of cells from W. Similarly, DOCA-NaCl potentiated angiotensin II- and phenylephrine-stimulated contractions in aortic rings from W but not from WF. Although DOCA-NaCl treatment affected hypokalemia to an equal degree in WF and W, increases in renal citrate synthase activity (a specific renal mineralocorticoid response) were greater in W than in WF. WF manifest a partial defect in mineralocorticoid responsiveness in vascular smooth muscle and, possibly, in the kidney.
Seasonal and interannual variations in ice melange and its impact on terminus stability, Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland

We used satellite-derived surface temperatures and time-lapse photography to infer temporal variations in the proglacial ice melange at Jakobshavn Isbrae, a large and rapidly retreating outlet glacier in Greenland. Freezing of the melange-covered fjord surface during winter is indicated by a decrease in fjord surface temperatures and is associated with (1) a decrease in ice melange mobility and (2) a drastic reduction in iceberg production. Vigorous calving resumes in spring, typically abruptly, following the steady up-fjord retreat of the sea-ice/ice-melange margin. An analysis of pixel displacement from time-lapse imagery demonstrates that melange motion increases prior to calving and subsequently decreases following several events. We find that secular changes in ice melange extent, character and persistence can influence iceberg calving, and therefore glacier dynamics over daily-to- monthly timescales, which, if sustained, will influence the mass balance of an ice sheet.
Biological Values of Phosphorus from Various Sources for Young Turkeys

Abstract Two experiments, each utilizing 540 turkeys, were conducted to determine the biological value of phosphorus from 13 different sources when compared with that from dicalcium phosphate (dihydrate, purified) as a standard. Each phosphorus source was added to a basal diet composed of 44% ground yellow corn and 52% dehulled soybean meal to supply .09, .18, .27, or .45% inorganic phosphorus. Each of 60 diets, which included duplicates of the standard source, was fed to a pen of 9 male poults from 1 day to 3 weeks of age in each experiment. Body weight and toe ash measurements of poults collected at 3 weeks of age were used in nonlinear (exponential) bioassays to obtain relative biological values of phosphorus from various sources. With the dicalcium phosphate standard set at 100%, the average relative biological values of three samples from each of commercial monocalcium phosphate (21% P), dicalcium phosphate (18.5% P), and defluorinated phosphate were 93, 81, and 70%, respectively. Four samples of experimental defluorinated phosphate averaged 75%. Differences of about 5% between values were required for statistical significance, indicating significant differences among these biological values of phosphorus from the various phosphate sources in diets of young turkeys.
Synthesis of WC-Co Nanocomposites Using Polymer as Carbon Source

Ceramic-metal composites such as WC-Co are attractive for cutting-tool applications as they have high hardness, chemical inertness and resistance to heat. The properties and performance of these composites can be enhanced by keeping the size of the components on a manometer scale. Synthesis of WC-Co nanocomposites generally involves gas-phase carburization. The authors have developed a novel approach in which a polymer precursor such as polyacrylonitrile serves as an in situ source for carbon. The WC-Co nanocomposites formed are characterized by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The synthesis and processing conditions such as firing temperature, time and atmosphere play a critical role in obtaining phase-pure products.
Superior mesenteric artery stenting using embolic protection device for treatment of acute or chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to report the feasibility and results of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stenting using embolic protection devices (EPDs) to treat acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Methods A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent SMA stenting with EPDs from 2007 to 2016. EPDs were used selectively in patients with occlusions, severe calcification, or acute thrombus. A two-wire technique with SpiderFX 0.014-inch filter wire (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) combined with a 0.018-inch wire was used to provide support and to facilitate stenting and EPD retrieval. Presence of macroscopic debris in the EPD was recorded and graded as minor (minimal debris) or major (large thrombus or plaque). End points were technical success, presence of EPD debris, embolization, early morbidity, and mortality. Results SMA stenting was performed in 179 patients, of whom 65 (36%) had EPDs. The mean age was 73 ± 11 years, and 49 were female (75%). Clinical presentation was CMI in 48 patients (74%) and AMI or acute-on-CMI in 17 (26%). Indications for EPD were severe calcification in 22 patients (34%), acute thrombus in 18 (28%), and total occlusion in 16 (25%). Bare-metal stents were used in 33 patients, covered stents in 26, and both types in 6. Adjunctive therapy included thrombolysis in seven patients, thrombectomy in four, and atherectomy in three. Technical success was 100%. There were no instances of filter retention or arterial trauma due to filter manipulation. Distal embolization was noted in four patients (6%), of whom two had AMI. All large emboli were retrieved using catheter aspiration devices, but one small distal embolus was left untreated with no clinical consequences. Two patients had vessel spasm treated by nitroglycerin. Macroscopic debris was noted in 43 patients (66%) and was major in 21 (49%) or minor in 22 (51%). Of the patients with AMI, five (29%) required exploratory laparotomy and four (23%) had bowel resection. Eight additional patients (12%) had early complications (five CMI, three AMI), including cardiac complications, brachial hematoma, acute cholecystitis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in two patients each. There were no deaths among CMI patients and two early deaths (12%) among those who had AMI. Conclusions Use of EPDs during SMA stenting is safe and feasible with a two-wire technique. Large macroscopic debris was noted in one-third of the patients when the filter was applied selectively in patients with acute symptoms, occlusions, or severely calcified lesions. Despite the use of EPD, distal embolization occurred in 6% of patients and was successfully treated using catheter aspiration devices.
Self-Efficacy Theory. Implications for the occupational health nurse.

1. Self-efficacy, a concept derived from Social Learning Theory, provides a theoretical framework for behavior change. This framework can be used by the occupational health nurse to develop programs designed to effect behavior change. 2. Research studies focusing on behavior change (e.g., smoking cessation, weight control, exercise and cardiac rehabilitation, work resumption) employing the concept of self-efficacy are reviewed. 3. Self-efficacy predicts modification and maintenance of behavior.
Meta-analysis of subjective sensitivity to alcohol in sons of alcoholics.

OBJECTIVE Meta-analysis was used to review the research literature on self-reported sensitivity to alcohol among sons of alcoholic and among normal control subjects. METHOD Computerized and manual searches identified 17 eligible independent articles; nine contained the information necessary to compute effect sizes, and additional data on two other studies were provided by authors in response to written and telephone requests. RESULTS Findings from 10 studies indicated that sons of alcoholics report significantly less sensitivity to alcohol than normal control subjects overall and during the ascending (i.e., 0-35 minutes after alcohol) and descending (i.e., 40-240 minutes after alcohol) limbs of the blood alcohol curve. Response to placebo did not significantly distinguish these groups in the five studies that included such assessment. CONCLUSIONS It may be appropriate to appraise the biological sons of male alcoholics that they may experience less subjective sensitivity to alcohol than other individuals, but it is not possible to predict whether any particular individual will experience such lower sensitivity. In addition, self-report data can be influenced by many factors, and further research that assesses multiple psychological and physiological measures and uses longitudinal designs is needed to determine the relationship between specific factors and the development of alcoholism.
Immunosuppression supports implantation of zona pellucida dissected human embryos

The effect of low dose immunosuppression with methylprednisolone during the first 4 days after oocyte retrieval on potential immune cell invasion of partially zona dissected embryos in utero was investigated in alternate in vitro fertilization patients (n = 32). The incidence of pregnancy was significantly higher in patients receiving methylprednisolone (7 of 18, 39%) than in control patients (1 of 14, 7%). Twenty-eight percent (11 of 39) of the embryos replaced in the corticosteroid treated patients implanted, whereas only 7% (2 of 31) of embryos in control patients had a fetal heart beat. There were no side effects reported in any of the patients receiving corticosteroids. It can be concluded that methylprednisolone supports implantation of embryos with small holes in their zonae. However, the actual mechanisms of corticosteroid support on the interaction between immune cells and micromanipulated embryos are not well understood.
O13.2 Hormonal contraception is associated with stability and lactobacillus-dominance of the vaginal microbiota in a two-year observational study

Introduction Hormonal contraception (HC) has been associated with a reduced risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV). We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the relationship between vaginal microbiota and several HC methods. Methods During 2-years of follow-up, 108 women provided 2,662 mid-vaginal samples. Participants reported three HC methods [oral contraceptive pill (OCP), vaginal ring, implanon]. Controls not taking HC were also followed. Visits were scheduled at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. Additionally, participants self-collected mid-vaginal swabs twice-weekly in the two weeks before each visit. Vaginal microbiota composition was characterised on all samples by 16S rRNA gene analysis of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. We identified four community state types (CSTs) which were dominated by Lactobacillus species. CST-IV-B was characterised by a low relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and higher proportions of BV-associated bacteria (Gardnerella and Atopobium). A multinomial model for dependence of proportions was used to evaluate the association between CST and HC. Jensen-Shannon distances between all pairs of samples were analysed to assess stability of the microbiota longitudinally. Results Women on OCPs had more stable bacterial communities than controls during the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.04). HC (overall) also tended toward greater stability (p = 0.10). The low- Lactobacillus CST-IV-B had an 83% lower probability among OCP users and a 55% lower probability among implanon users. CST-II (L. gasseri-dominated) was significantly higher in all HC types compared to controls. Additionally, OCP users were more likely to be CST-III-A ( L. iners -dominated) and CST-V (L. jensenni-dominated), while CST-III-A was also high among ring users. CST-I (L. crispatus-dominated) was associated with implanon. All reported findings were statistically significant (p Conclusion Women on HC experienced greater stability of the vaginal microbiota over time compared to controls. OCPs and the vaginal ring were protective against transition to a Lactobacillus -depleted state. Disclosure of interest statement The study was funded by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) R01-AI089878. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.
Quantitative variation in sets of triplets and quadruplets: a simulation.

A computer simulation was devised to generate realistic but large samples of twins, triplets, and quadruplets in each of the possible zygosity types. To validate the simulation, I used formulas proposed by Richter and Geisser (1960) to predict the mean value of the sum of squared deviations in each of three types of triplets and five types of quadruplets and to predict the distributions of the sums of squares in pure types (e.g., monozygotic and trizygotic triplets). Use of the formulas to predict distributions in sets of mixed type or to diagnose zygosity requires more advanced mathematical methods, but the simulation readily generates standard populations of all types of sets. If large enough numbers of real triplets or quadruplets ever become available to permit useful comparison with these standards or with the formulas, developmental peculiarities of the higher-order births might be revealed.
Models of Krabbe Disease

Publisher Summary Globoid cell leukodystrophy, GLD is classical form of human Krabbe disease. It is caused by genetic deficiency of galactosylceramidase activity. Galactosylceramidase cDNA is cloned and disease-causing mutations have been identified in mouse, West Highland and Cairn terriers, and the Rhesus monkey. These models have been extensively utilized for studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of GLD. This chapter emphasizes on the mouse models and refers to other models, as appropriate. It discusses the twitcher mutant, its clinical manifestations, pathology, and biochemistry. In addition to the naturally occurring twitcher mutant, a new experimental model of GLD because of genetic galactosylceramidase deficiency and an entirely new, genetically distinct mouse model of GLD are also described. They provide varying advantages and disadvantages as animal models because of their different sizes and life spans. It is noted that GLD identified by its unique neuropathology has also been described in other mammalian species and some other strain of dogs.
Propagation of a viscous thin film over an elastic membrane

We study the buoyancy-driven spreading of a thin viscous film over a thin elastic membrane. Neglecting the effects of membrane bending and the membrane weight, we study the case of constant fluid injection and obtain a system of coupled partial differential equations to describe the shape of the air–liquid interface, and the deformation and radial tension of the stretched membrane. We obtain self-similar solutions to describe the dynamics. In particular, in the early-time period, the dynamics is dominated by buoyancy-driven spreading of the liquid film, and membrane stretching is a response to the buoyancy-controlled distribution of liquid weight; the location of the liquid front obeys the power-law form . However, in the late-time period, the system is quasi-steady, the air–liquid interface is flat, and membrane stretching, due to the liquid weight, causes the spreading of the liquid front; the location of the front obeys a different power-law form before the edge effects of the membrane become significant. In addition, we report laboratory experiments for constant fluid injection using different viscous liquids and thin elastic membranes. Very good agreement is obtained between the theoretical predictions and experimental observations.
Apoptosis Pathways in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Role of the Microenvironment and Therapeutic Strategies

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B‐cell malignancy marked by defective apoptosis and apoptotic resistance. CLL lymphocytes accumulate in bone marrow, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood and receive survival signals through a diverse microenvironment in these body compartments. CLL microenvironment and cell interactions have been studied extensively. The microenvironment aggravates the antiapoptotic components in CLL cells and depletes the proapoptotic signaling that is essential to defending against apoptosis resistance. Ample research has been conducted to understand the involvement of apoptosis pathway proteins and the role of the microenvironment in the biology of leukemic cells. Major protein groups of the apoptosis pathway are the B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family, inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) signaling axis, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), B-cell receptor (BCR), death effector domain-containing proteins (DED) family, caspase activation and recruitment domain-containing proteins (CARD) family, and the caspase family. Here, we review the role of apoptosis pathway protein groups in the CLL microenvironment and strategies to counter survival signals of these groups as approaches in CLL therapy.