cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium-calmodulin signalling pathway up-regulates glutamatergic synaptic function in non-pyramidal, fast spiking rat hippocampal CA1 neurons.

The role of Ca2+-calmodulin (CaM) signalling cascades in modulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission on CA1 non-pyramidal fast-spiking neurons was investigated using whole-cell recording and perfusion in rat hippocampal slices. Paired stimuli (PS), consisting of postsynaptic depolarization to 0 mV and presynaptic stimulation at 1 Hz for 30 s, enhanced excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) on non-pyramidal neurons in the stratum pyramidale (SP). The potentiation was reduced by the extracellular application of d-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (DAP-5, 40 μm), and blocked by the postsynaptic perfusion of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA, 10 mm), a CaM-binding peptide (100 μm) or CaMKII (281–301) (an autoinhibitory peptide of CaM-dependent protein kinases, 100 μm). The application of adenophostin, an agonist of inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) that evokes Ca2+ release, into SP non-pyramidal neurons via the patch pipette (1 μm) enhanced EPSCs and occluded PS-induced synaptic potentiation. The co-application of BAPTA (10 mm) with adenophostin blocked synaptic potentiation. In addition, Ca2+-CaM (40:10 μm) induced synaptic potentiation, which occluded PS-induced potentiation and was attenuated by introducing CaMKII (281–301) (100 μm). EPSCs were sensitive to an antagonist of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR). Application of Ca2+-CaM into SP non-pyramidal neurons induced the emergence of AMPAR-mediated EPSCs that were not evoked by low stimulus intensity before perfusion. Ca2+-CaM also increased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous EPSCs. A scavenger of nitric oxide, carboxy-PTIO (30 μm in slice-perfusion solution), did not affect these increases in sEPSCs. The magnitude of PS-, adenophostin- or Ca2+-CaM-induced synaptic potentiation in SP non-pyramidal neurons increased during postnatal development. These results indicate that Ca2+-CaM signalling pathways in CA1 SP non-pyramidal neurons up-regulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission probably through the conversion of inactive-to-active synapses.
Diubiquitin (Ubd) is a susceptibility gene for virus-triggered autoimmune diabetes in rats.

Genetic studies of type 1 diabetes (T1D) have been advanced by comparative analysis of multiple susceptible and resistant rat strains with a permissive class II MHC haplotype, RT1u. LEW.1WR1 (but not resistant LEW.1W or WF) rats are susceptible to T1D induced by a TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid followed by infection with parvovirus. We have mapped genetic loci for virus-induced T1D susceptibility, identifying a major susceptibility locus (Iddm37) near the MHC. The Iddm37 homologs on mouse and human chromosomes are also diabetes linked. We report that a major effect gene within Iddm37 is diubiquitin (Ubd). Gene expression profiling of pancreatic lymph nodes in susceptible and resistant rats during disease induction showed differences in Ubd transcript abundance. The LEW.1WR1 Ubd promoter allele leads to higher inducible levels of UBD than that of LEW.1W or WF. Using zinc-finger nucleases , we deleted a segment of the LEW.1WR1 Ubd gene and eliminated its expression. UBD-deficient rats show substantially reduced diabetes after viral infection. Complementary studies show that there may be another diabetes gene in addition to Ubd in the Iddm37 interval. These data prove that Ubd is a diabetes susceptibility gene, providing insight into the interplay of multiple genes and environmental factors in T1D susceptibility.
Robust Reputation Management Using Probabilistic Message Passing

In a typical reputation management system, after each transaction, the buyer (who receives a service or purchases a product) provides its report/rating about the quality of the seller for that transaction. In such a system, the problem of reputation management is to compute two sets of variables: 1. the (global) reputation parameters of entities who act as sellers, and 2. the trustworthiness parameters of the entities who act as the raters (i.e., buyers). In this paper, for the first time, we introduce an iterative probabilistic method for reputation management. The proposed scheme, referred to as RPM, relies on a probabilistic message passing algorithm in the graph-based representation of the reputation management problem on an appropriately chosen factor graph. In the graph representation of the problem, the sellers and buyers are arranged as two sets of variable and factor nodes, respectively, that are connected via some edges. Then, the reputation and trustworthiness parameters are computed by a fully iterative and probabilistic message passing algorithm between these nodes in the graph. We provide a detailed evaluation of RPM via computer simulations. We observe that RPM iteratively reduces the error in the reputation estimates of the sellers due to the malicious raters. Finally, comparison of RPM with some well- known and commonly used reputation management techniques (e.g., Averaging Scheme, Bayesian Approach and Cluster Filtering) indicates the superiority of the proposed scheme both in terms of robustness against attacks (e.g., ballot-stuffing, bad-mouthing) and computational efficiency.
Inotrophic effects of the K(+) channel blocker TEA on dystrophic (mdx and dy/dy) mouse diaphragm.

K+ channels regulate diaphragm resting membrane potential and action potential duration, and hence force. Certain blockers of these channels, e.g. tetraethylammonium (TEA), increase twitch force of normal diaphragm. To further address whether these agents may be useful in the treatment of diaphragm weakness, studies examined the effects of TEA on force of overtly diseased muscle. Diaphragm from two mouse models of muscular dystrophy (mdx and dy/dy) was studied in vitro. Diaphragm from both models was significantly weaker than diaphragm from control animals. TEA (10 mM) increased twitch force of both mdx diaphragm (P<0.005) and dy/dy diaphragm (P<0.0005), as well as force of diaphragm from non-diseased animals. The percent force increase of mdx diaphragm was at least as great as that of non-diseased muscle (15.3 vs 9.2%, P=0.14), and the percent force increase of dy/dy diaphragm was significantly greater than that of non-diseased muscle (22.7 vs 10.2%, P<0.02). Absolute force increases normalized for cross-sectional area were comparable for healthy and diseased diaphragm, however. These findings indicate that TEA increases force of both dystrophin-deficient and merosin-deficient dystrophic mouse diaphragm muscle.
The effect of tympanic membrane perforation size on umbo velocity in the rat.

The tympanic membrane (TM) in adult rats was surgically exposed and laser interferometry was used to measure TM velocity at the umbo for frequencies between 1.0 and 40.0 kHz. Velocity measures were obtained for five conditions : TM intact, and four progressively larger holes cut into the posterior region of the membrane. Photomicrographs of each condition were used to calculate the percentage of pars tensa lost to the perforation. The relation between TM velocity and stimulus sound pressure level (SPL) was also examined for each of the conditions. The results revealed a systematic loss in low-frequency velocity as perforation size increased. These observations were consistent with clinical reports of low-frequency hearing loss in the perforated human TM. The rat appears to be a successful model for studying this form of conductive pathology.
Spatially-spread sources and the SMVDR estimator

A novel algorithm called spread minimum variance distortionless response (SMVDR) algorithm is proposed in this paper for the problem of parameter estimation of spatially spread sources. Traditional estimation techniques have been designed only for point sources. Each point source travels along a single path to an antenna array. However, in wireless communications, a source with multipath propagation is spatially spread from one direction to another direction around nominal direction-of-arrival (DOA). Therefore, the traditional estimation techniques which are based on point source assumption may result in serious performance degradation. Numerical experiments for the case of one Gaussian source have shown that SMVDR exhibits better performance than the subspace-based algorithms for spatially spread source parameter estimation. SMVDR is more computationally efficient than the subspace-based algorithms too. However, SMVDR can not reach the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) in the example. Recall that the subspace-based methods do not reach the CRB either.
Multiscale free-space optical interconnects for intrachip global communications

Optical intrachip global interconnects are discussed. Methods for replacing metal global interconnects with free-space optical interconnects are compared analytically to highlight the bandwidth capacity benefits of using a multiscale optical system for intrachip global communications.
An Information Theoretic Approach to Rule-Based Connectionist Expert Systems

We discuss in this paper architectures for executing probabilistic rule-bases in a parallel manner, using as a theoretical basis recently introduced information-theoretic models. We will begin by describing our (non-neural) learning algorithm and theory of quantitative rule modelling, followed by a discussion on the exact nature of two particular models. Finally we work through an example of our approach, going from database to rules to inference network, and compare the network's performance with the theoretical limits for specific problems.
Long term oxygen therapy adherence and COPD: what we don't know

Persons utilizing long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) at home suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Adherence to LTOT ranges from 45% to 70% and utilization of 15 hours per day is widely accepted as efficacious. Although studies have reviewed the level of patient adherence with LTOT, few have introduced or evaluated interventions. The paucity of information regarding patients following oxygen prescription is an enormous void that must be tackled to augment clinical effectiveness and cost containment for the long term. A research agenda for LTOT adherence is postulated to help connect treatment adherence variables and concepts with clinical outcomes and quality of life.
THE HUMAN INTESTINAL CYTOCHROME P450 “PIE”

Cytochromes P450 (P450s) 3A, 2C, and 1A2 constitute the major “pieces” of the human liver P450 “pie” and account, on average, for 40, 25, and 18%, respectively, of total immunoquantified P450s (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 270:414–423, 1994). The P450 profile in the human small intestine has not been fully characterized. Therefore, microsomes prepared from mucosal scrapings from the duodenal/jejunal portion of 31 human donor small intestines were analyzed by Western blot using selective P450 antibodies. P450s 3A4, 2C9, 2C19, and 2J2 were detected in all individuals and ranged from 8.8 to 150, 2.9 to 27, 2C19 > 2J2 > 2D6 (8.4, 1.1, 0.9, and 0.5 pmol/mg, respectively). Analysis of a pooled preparation of the 31 donor specimens substantiated these results. In summary, as in the liver, large interindividual variation exists in the expression levels of individual P450s. On average, CYP3A and CYP2C9 represents the major pieces of the intestinal P450 pie, accounting for 80 and 15%, respectively, of total immunoquantified P450s.
Determination of protein concentration for protein–protein conjugates using ultraviolet absorption

The present study reports a method to determine the total protein concentration or concentration of a protein of interest in a protein-protein conjugate using ultraviolet absorption, after determining the molar ratio of proteins in the conjugates, from which an extinction coefficient can be calculated. A Microsoft Excel solver-based template using amino acid analysis data was developed for determining the molar ratio. The percent mass of each protein in the conjugate is calculated from the amino acid composition data using the least squares method in the Microsoft Excel solver function, and the percent mass is converted to molar portion of each protein using corresponding molecular weight. A molar ratio is obtained by dividing the molar portion of protein 1 by the molar portion of protein 2. A weighted extinction coefficient is calculated using the molar ratio, and the total protein concentration is determined using ultraviolet absorption at 280 nm. The accuracy of the method was verified using mixtures of known proteins. The present study provides a rapid, simple and accurate method for determining protein concentration in protein-protein conjugates.
Demographic and biological influences on cognitive reserve

High levels of education have been linked to reduced risk of dementia, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter hyperintensities (WMH) have been shown to correspond to deficits in executive functioning and psychomotor speed. We studied education, WMH, age, and gender as predictors of better cognitive performance, or cognitive reserve, in the normal elderly. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, supplemented by the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Test, and the California Computerized Assessment Package, were administered to 95 volunteers, aged 75-90 years. Quantitative MRI was used to determine the extent and location of WMH. Using factor analysis, the cognitive measures were reduced to three factors: verbal memory, information-processing speed/executive functioning, and visuospatial skills. When entered into a hierarchical regression, age and gender were the primary predictors of verbal memory, accounting for 34.8% of the variance, with education and WMH adding only 9%. WMH, education, and age contributed independently to predicting speed of information processing/executive functioning, explaining 22.5% of the variance. Only education and age were predictors of visuospatial skills, explaining 14.8% of the variance. These data suggest that cognitive reserve represents a combination of factors that independently determine the threshold for competence within specific cognitive domains.
Structural Effects of Magnesium Dialkoxides as Precursors for Magnesium-Ion Electrolytes

A challenge for magnesium ion battery research is the development of electrolytes that are capable of reversible magnesium electrodeposition through multiple cycles. Magnesium alkoxide chlorides and aryloxide chlorides are known magnesium ion electrolytes when used in conjunction with aluminum chloride. Herein we report the effects of structural variation in several dialkoxy and diaryloxy magnesium complex aggregates with aluminum chloride, Mg(OR)2:AlCl3 (R = iPr, t-Bu, phenyl), on electrochemical characteristics of their solutions and on compositions of the magnesium-containing deposits they yield. We also report the synthesis of a magnesium phenoxide-based electrolyte directly from magnesium metal. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0031506eel] All rights reserved.
Expert system-based reconfiguration of shipboard power distribution systems

Shipboard electric power systems (SPS) are dynamic, complex systems that require continuous monitoring and fast controls to operate in a reliable and secure state. To enhance survivability of naval ships and meet reduced manning requirements, automatic reconfiguration for service restoration may be performed to restore the de-energized loads. This paper presents an automatic rule-based expert system method for reconfiguration of electric power systems on naval ships which determine the control operations necessary to restore power supply to de-energized loads after battle damage or cascading faults. A few case studies are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Does Factor Timing Explain Hedge Fund Alpha

This paper empirically decomposes hedge fund excess return into factor timing, security selection, and risk premium using Lo (2008)’s performance measure. Portfolio-level tests show that security selection explains most of the excess return generated by hedge funds during 1994-2009, and the contribution of factor timing is small. Fund-level tests find significant evidence of both positive and negative timing, but the excess return of positive timing funds is not significantly higher than that of the other funds. These findings imply that factor timing is not the main source of hedge fund alpha, and the results are robust to different factor models.
A 46-Year-Old Woman With Persistent Asthma and Lung Masses

46-year-old woman presented with diffi culty breathing with exertion for the last few months. She had recently been diagnosed with asthma and was prescribed inhaled bronchodilators without significant improvement. She was using rescue bronchodilators three times a day. She denied fevers, chronic cough, hemoptysis, chest pain, nasal congestion, or postnasal drip. There was no history of nocturnal symptoms, heartburn, weight loss, or loss of appetite. She had previously never had a chest radiograph. Her past medical history was otherwise negative. She was using an albuterol metered-dose inhaler as needed. She did not smoke or use any illicit substances. She was unemployed and had no pets. Family history was unremarkable.
Menstrual cycle, race and task effects on blood pressure recovery from acute stress.

This study examined cardiovascular recovery from two standardized laboratory stressors in 68 healthy black and white normotensive women and men (mean age 33 years). Women were studied in a randomized order at the same time of day on two separate occasions, once during the follicular phase (days 7 to 10 following menses) and once during the luteal phase (days 7 to 10 following the leutenizing-hormone surge) of the menstrual cycle. Men were studied twice approximately 6 weeks apart. There were differential effects of the tasks on blood pressure recovery (change scores) with a mirror star task yielding poorer diastolic blood pressure recovery (p=0.004) and an interpersonal speaking task yielding poorer systolic blood pressure recovery (p=0.003). Across both tasks, blacks evidenced greater diastolic blood pressure recovery as compared to whites (p=0.02). Black women showed greater diastolic blood pressure recovery in the luteal as compared to the follicular phase (p=0.01), whereas white women evidenced no such change across the menstrual cycle. Correlation analysis across testing sessions generally revealed comparable temporal stability values for recovery as compared to reactivity measures. The findings support prior studies indicating racial differences in recovery from acute stress and extend these findings by suggesting that the menstrual cycle may differentially affect recovery in black versus white women.
Individual audio channels with single display groupware: effects on communication and task strategy

We introduce a system that allows four users to each receive sound from a private audio channel while using a shared tabletop display. In order to explore how private audio channels affect a collaborative work environment, we conducted a user study with this system. The results reveal differences in work strategies when groups are presented with individual versus public audio, and suggest that the use of private audio does not impede group communication and may positively impact group dynamics. We discuss the findings, as well as their implications for the design of future audio-based "single display privacyware" systems.
Goblet cell and mucin gene abnormalities in asthma.

Goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) has been established as a pathologic characteristic of mild, moderate, and severe asthma. Abnormalities in goblet cell number are accompanied by changes in stored and secreted mucin (MUC). The functional consequences of these changes in MUC stores and secretion can contribute to the pathophysiologic mechanisms for multiple clinical abnormalities in patients with asthma, including sputum production, airway narrowing, exacerbations, and accelerated loss in lung function. CD4+ T cells and their T-helper type-2 cytokine products are important mediators of GCH, and MUC5AC is the dominant MUC gene that is expressed in goblet cells. The mechanism of cytokine-induced GCH, the relationships between MUC gene up-regulation and GCH, and the role of ion channels are all currently being explored. The process of working out the molecular mechanisms of GCH and goblet cell degranulation should provide new targets for novel therapeutic interventions. Such new treatments are urgently needed, because mucus hypersecretion is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with asthma, and no specific treatments are available.
Patients' Use and Perception of Medication Information Leaflets

Background:Federal law mandates that at least 95% of patients receive useful written information with new medications. Recent data concerning whether patients read such leaflets are lacking.Objectives:To evaluate whether patients read non–manufacturer-developed leaflets and assess patients' opinions concerning the understandability and usefulness of these leaflets.Methods:Patients were surveyed at 32 community pharmacies in the New York City metropolitan area. The main outcome measures were the percentage of patients who read the leaflet provided with new and refilled medications and the perceived understandability and usefulness of the leaflet. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results.Results:A total of 307 patients were surveyed. For leaflets provided with new medications, 151 (49.2%), 65 (21.2%), 49 (16.0%), and 42 (13.7%) reported reading the leaflets always, often, seldom, or never, respectively. For refilled medications, 64 (21.6%), 41 (13.9%), 78 (26.4%), and 113 (38.2%) of the 296 r...
Thermal stress potentiates bupivacaine chondrotoxicity.

Purpose The primary objective of this study was to determine whether thermal stress potentiates the chondrotoxic effect of bupivacaine, resulting in decreased articular chondrocyte viability compared with exposure to bupivacaine alone. Methods Bovine articular cartilage explants and cultured chondrocytes were treated with a range of thermal exposures (10 to 20 minutes at 37°C to 65°C) to create time/temperature viability curves and to determine threshold conditions for cell death. A second set of experiments was performed to determine whether subthreshold thermal stress potentiates bupivacaine toxicity. Explants were exposed to 37°C or 55°C for 10 or 20 minutes, and cultured chondrocytes were exposed to 37°C or 45°C for 10 or 20 minutes. Thirty minutes later, the explants and chondrocytes were treated with either 0.9% normal saline solution or 0.5% bupivacaine for 30 minutes. Chondrocyte viability was quantified 24 hours after treatment. Results There was a temperature- and time-dependent decrease in chondrocyte viability above the thermo-toxicity threshold in both intact cartilage explants and cultured chondrocytes (55°C and 45°C, respectively; P P P P > .05). Conclusions Thermal stress potentiates the chondrotoxic effects of bupivacaine in intact cartilage, leading to decreased chondrocyte viability compared with exposure to bupivacaine alone. Clinical Relevance Intra-articular injection of bupivacaine after arthroscopic procedures during which cartilage is exposed to elevated temperatures, such as with prolonged use of radiofrequency probes, may increase the risk of chondrocyte toxicity.
Towards a framework for abstracting accelerators in parallel applications: experience with cell

While accelerators have become more prevalent in recent years, they are still considered hard to program. In this work, we extend a framework for parallel programming so that programmers can easily take advantage of the Cell processor's Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) as seamlessly as possible. Using this framework, the same application code can be compiled and executed on multiple platforms, including x86-based and Cell-based clusters. Furthermore, our model allows independently developed libraries to efficiently time-share one or more SPEs by interleaving work from multiple libraries. To demonstrate the framework, we present performance data for an example molecular dynamics (MD) application. When compared to a single Xeon core utilizing streaming SIMD extensions (SSE), the MD program achieves a speedup of 5.74 on a single Cell chip (with 8 SPEs). In comparison, a similar speedup of 5.89 is achieved using six Xeon (x86) cores.
Bladder Tumors: Association with Upper Tract Neoplasms

Following treatment for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), patients are at risk for urothelial recurrence in the bladder, urethra and upper tracts. This may be due to a field effect in the urothelium or implantation of malignant cells shed from the primary tumor [1]. Conversely, following treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) there is a 13–54 % and 6 % risk of recurrence in the bladder and contralateral upper tract, respectively [2]. Theoretical causes for intravesical recurrence following treatment for UTUC include tumor cell shedding during surgery, angiogenic factors released into the bladder as a consequence of the bladder incision, and a compromised immune status due to surgery [3]. Because there is a risk of UTUC after treatment for UCB, and UCB after treatment for UTUC, long-term surveillance of the urothelium is necessary in patients with a history of urothelial carcinoma.
The slow bactericidal effect of tetracycline and minocycline on wall-defective staphylococcus.

Tetracycline, considered to be a bacteriostatic antibiotic, has slow bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro [1]. The concentration of tetracycline required to inhibit the growth of stable, cell wall-defective S. aureus (WDS) in vitro is lower than that required to inhibit the parent strain of S. aureus [2]. The experiments presented here were designed to determine if the rate of killing of WDS by tetracycline and its derivatives was slow or rapid. The two antibiotics selected for study were tetracycline and its analog, minocycline, which is more effective in vitro against S. aureus [3].
Effect of Growth Influencing Factors on the In Vitro Deamination of dl-Alanine

SummaryExperiments on the effect of hormonal factors capable of influencing growth have failed to yield evidence of a decreased deamination of dl-alanine by rat liver and kidney.
Dosage-Mortality Studies on Laboratory-reared Larvae of the Tobacco Budworm and the Bollworm

Dosage-mortality lines were established for methyl parathion, toxaphene-methyl parathion (2:1, 3:1), toxaphene-DDT (2:1), methomyl, and monocrotophos against laboratory-reared larvae of either the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), or the bollworm, H. zea (Boddie). Effectiveness of the test compounds when topically applied to bollworm larvae (LD50 values expressed as μg of insecticide per g of larval weight) was: methyl parathion 9.59, methomyl 17.04, monocrotophos 21.87, toxaphene-methyl parathion (2:1) 34.40, toxaphene-methyl parathion (3:1) 69.65, and toxaphene-DDT 217.60. LD60 values for tobacco budworm larvae were: methyl parathion 19.70, monocrotophos 23.43, methomyl 24.77, and toxaphene-methyl parathion (2:1) 93.88.
Size Selectivity of Multifilament Gill Nets for Sampling Alligator Gar: Modeling the Effects on Population Metrics

AbstractGill nets are commonly used to sample Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula; however, gill nets are size selective. We used five common multifilament gill-net meshes (88.9-, 101.6-, 114.3-, 127.0-, and 139.7-mm bar measure) to collect 477 gar between 1,000 and 2,300mm TL. We fit size-selectivity functions for these meshes for a net in which each mesh was fished equally, i.e., equal-effort net design (EEND), and found selectivity was best described by a binormal distribution in which the assumption of geometric similarity had been relaxed (i.e., binormal with deviations). Overall relative retention was about 30% for fish at 1,200 mm, increased to 100% for fish at 1,670 mm, then declined to 50% when fish were 2,100 mm. To reduce size selectivity, we used an optimization to create a net that minimized bias over the greatest TL range of fish sampled, i.e., weighted-effort net design (WEND). We compared the WEND to the EEND via simulation to estimate the effects of selectivity bias on population metrics. ...
How Cell Phone Functionalities Affect Individuals’ Cell Phone Dependence?

The aim of this research is to explain how various cell phone services, features and applications may increase individuals’ degree of cell phone dependence and even lead to cell phone addiction. So far, there has been paucity of studies looking into cell phone dependence/addiction from the perspective of adoption and continuation of use of different cell phone services and applications. This study proposes an integrated model for cell phone dependence based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Diffusion of Innovations theory (DOI), Mobile Phone Technology Adoption Model (MOPTAM) and theory of optimal flow.
Purchaser Quality Measures: Progressing From Wants to Needs

Article-at-a-Glance Background Purchaser demands for hospital performance data are based on the fundamental nature of benefits management–the need to reconcile costs and results. The evolution from cost-based delivery of services to prospectively priced, value-based services is occurring concurrently with the adoption of quality improvement approaches. Issues The “wants” for data that purchasers articulate sometimes hide the “needs” the wants were meant to satisfy. A more efficient information agenda can be developed by exploring the nature of these needs for patients, who receive the benefits, and purchasers, who pay for them. Characteristics such as sensitivity, importance, feasibility, validity, and believability for outcome measures are discussed and then used to evaluate three popular measures of quality: cesarean section (C–section), mammography screening, and coronary artery bypass graft mortality rates. Conclusion By focusing on disease/treatment/outcome-specific measurement systems, information sets helping patients, providers, and purchasers to achieve the best possible quality of outcome can be efficiently developed.
Mesiotemporal Disconnection and Hypoactivity in Klüver-Bucy Syndrome: Case Series and Literature Review.

Objective Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) is often perceived as rare and limited to cases with bilateral amygdala destruction. In fact, various alternate mechanisms may be involved, warranting exploration of the syndrome's presentation, pathophysiology, prognosis, and management. Data sources Clinical management and the electronic medical records were examined for 2 patients diagnosed with partial KBS (ICD-10 F07.0) after experiencing ≥ 3 of the following: placidity, indiscriminate dietary behavior, hyperorality, hypersexuality, visual agnosia, and hypermetamorphosis. A literature search was performed in April 2015 by using the keyword Kluver-Bucy in PubMed and Ovid databases for English language publications since inception. Additionally, the authors reviewed the reference list of these publications in order to identify additional reports. Study selection Studies were included if they had information about presentation, pathophysiology, syndrome treatment or management, and course of KBS. Data extraction Information about our KBS cases was obtained by reviewing electronic medical records and by direct observation of the patients. A total of 186 (PubMed) and 137 (Ovid) publications were identified in each database. We ultimately reviewed 109 articles containing information about KBS, finding 51 publications addressing relevant aspects of this syndrome. Results The first case demonstrates KBS secondary to mesiotemporal structural atrophy, and the second illustrates transient KBS due to functional, postictal, hypoactivity within such structures. Literature review and discussion regarding both prognosis and treatment of KBS follows. Conclusions Kluver-Bucy syndrome may be underreported due to a limited understanding of the syndrome as one necessitating bilateral amygdaloid destruction. The syndrome can be seen with damage/hypofunction of the hippocampal-amygdaloid complex and its projections. The prognosis of KBS is variable, and its treatment is based on a combination of environmental and pharmacologic measures.
Identification of Altered Metabolomic Profiles Following a Panchakarma -based Ayurvedic Intervention in Healthy Subjects: The Self-Directed Biological Transformation Initiative (SBTI)

The effects of integrative medicine practices such as meditation and Ayurveda on human physiology are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify altered metabolomic profiles following an Ayurveda-based intervention. In the experimental group, 65 healthy male and female subjects participated in a 6-day Panchakarma-based Ayurvedic intervention which included herbs, vegetarian diet, meditation, yoga, and massage. A set of 12 plasma phosphatidylcholines decreased (adjusted p < 0.01) post-intervention in the experimental (n = 65) compared to control group (n = 54) after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing; within these compounds, the phosphatidylcholine with the greatest decrease in abundance was PC ae C36:4 (delta = −0.34). Application of a 10% FDR revealed an additional 57 metabolites that were differentially abundant between groups. Pathway analysis suggests that the intervention results in changes in metabolites across many pathways such as phospholipid biosynthesis, choline metabolism, and lipoprotein metabolism. The observed plasma metabolomic alterations may reflect a Panchakarma-induced modulation of metabotypes. Panchakarma promoted statistically significant changes in plasma levels of phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins and others in just 6 days. Forthcoming studies that integrate metabolomics with genomic, microbiome and physiological parameters may facilitate a broader systems-level understanding and mechanistic insights into these integrative practices that are employed to promote health and well-being.
Managing knowledge acquisition from multiple experts

A discussion is presented of various issues regarding knowledge acquisition from multiple experts as well as methods for improving the process. Of special interest is the computerized support to the process and the implementation of the blackboard approach. The need and benefits of using multiple experts, the difficulties involved, and the availability of methods and tools in various stages of knowledge acquisition and the blackboard technology are discussed. >
Rare Occurrence of a Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Bladder

Neuroendocrine tumors rarely occur in the urinary bladder. They can be carcinomatous, subdivided into small cell and large cell pathology. Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rarity that may present at an advanced pathologic stage. No treatment regimens have been standardized for local or metastatic disease. Review of the recent literature shows equivalent survival data for localized disease treated with chemoradiotherapy combined with either bladder sparing surgery or radical cystectomy. Patients with significant comorbidities are an additional challenge. We report a case of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the bladder, which could not be classified as small or large cell carcinoma, complicated by significant comorbidities. After management with transurethral resection of the tumor, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation, the patient is alive and asymptomatic nearly 1 year after initial TURBT with no evidence of disease recurrence.
Discrepant Potassium Results

A 70-year-old male patient called our laboratory to complain about an increased potassium result of 6.1 mmol/L, based on which his doctor advised him to go to the nearest emergency department (ED).2 He stated that he was scared and immediately went to an ED despite lacking chest pain, nausea, or dizziness. However, the ED laboratory obtained a potassium result of 4.7 mmol/L, and he was sent home. He questioned the high potassium result obtained from our laboratory, which caused him distress and an unnecessary ED visit. After receiving the patient's complaint, we retrieved the original serum sample collected in a BD Vacutainer® serum separator tube (SST™, Gold Top) for comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and visually examined it for hemolysis. The serum sample did not appear to be hemolyzed. In our laboratory, we use an indirect ion selective electrode (ISE) method on the Roche (Roche Diagnostics) Cobas 6000 automated chemistry analyzer to measure potassium. The original result of 6.1 mmol/L on the sample was above the critical call limit of 6.0 mmol/L for our laboratory and was confirmed by repeat testing before it was reported and called to the ordering physician. Quality control (QC) data was in range, indicating a normal working analytical process. As part of the investigation, we …
Family Change in Lebanon’s Biqa Valley: What were the Results of the Civil War?

The Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1989, profoundly affected Lebanon’s economy, political system, social life, and culture, leaving no part of the country untouched. As a result of t...
Abstract 316: Enhanced Cardiac Proteasome Function in the Naked Mole-rat, the Longest-lived Rodent

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for the recycling of misfolded proteins. Dysfunction of the UPS has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple heart disorders, including heart failure and reperfusion injury, but the basic science of cardiac UPS function remains unclear. An attractive mode of inquiry into the cardiac proteasome is the long-lived naked mole rat (NMR), which maintains intact cardiac reserve and diastolic function exceptionally late into its lifespan; equivalent to a 90 year old human with a 30 year old’s heart. In this study, we investigated whether the long-lived and healthful NMR had upregulated aspects of UPS function in comparison to the short-lived well-characterized mouse. NMR hearts have more than twofold (p
Super-resolution through out-of-focus imaging in lens-based microscopy (Conference Presentation)

The limited space-bandwidth-product of microscopy systems in general forces users to sacrifice either resolution or field-of-view (FOV). Here we introduce a wide-field and high-resolution imaging method that uses a stack of out-of-focus images of the specimen to increase the space-bandwidth-product of lens-based microscopes. Although modern microscope objective-lenses are designed for high-resolution imaging and can achieve a relatively large FOV, often the active area of the imager chip sets a limitation. To best utilize the full field-of-view of an objective-lens in our microscope, we first added a demagnification camera adaptor (e.g., 0.35×) to match the CCD sensor chip active area to the FOV of a 10X objective-lens (~5 mm2) that has an NA of 0.3. This demagnification, while increasing the FOV, downgrades the image resolution and results in pixelation. We illustrate that this spatial undersampling can be overcome through an iterative pixel super-resolution algorithm that uses a stack of out-of-focus images of the sample to restore a high-resolution image across a large FOV. We demonstrated the success of this approach using a resolution test-target and showed that our technique reduces the number of measurements required to achieve the same effective space-bandwidth-product using e.g., lateral scanning and digital stitching of different FOVs. Phase retrieval capability of this approach is also demonstrated by reconstructing unstained Papanicolaou (Pap) smear samples without the need for phase-contrast objective-lenses. This technique might be useful to maximize the throughput of lens-based optical imaging systems and inspire new microscopy designs that utilize auto-focusing steps to increase resolution.
Economic History, Historical Analysis, and the “New History of Capitalism”

This article presents a critical survey of ten books from the history of capitalism, a newly emerging subfield of history. At their best, the books offer provocative insights and vivid descriptions of some of the darker episodes of our economic past. Yet specious arguments and failures of analytical reasoning sometimes undermine these books' effectiveness as social criticism. I highlight insights from the field of economic history that would strengthen the work of historians of capitalism. I also suggest some opportunities for dialogue, if not collaboration, between the two communities of scholars.
Real-Time PCR Method for Detection of Salmonella spp. in Environmental Samples.

Methods currently used for detecting Salmonella in environmental samples require two days to produce results and have limited sensitivity. Here, we describe the development and validation of a real-time PCR Salmonella screening method that produces results in 18 to 24 h. Primers and probes specific to the gene invA , group D, and Enteritidis serovar were designed and evaluated for inclusivity and exclusivity using a panel of 329 Salmonella isolates representing 126 serovars and 22 non- Salmonella organisms. The invA and group D specific sets identified all the isolates accurately. The PCR method had 100% inclusivity and detected 1 to 2 copies of Salmonella DNA per reaction. Primers specific for Salmonella differentiating fragment-1 in conjunction with the group D set had 100% inclusivity for 32 S. Enteritidis isolates and 100% exclusivity for the 297 non-Enteritidis isolates. Single laboratory validation performed on 1,741environmental samples detected 55% more positives than the VIDAS method. The PCR results correlated well with the cultural results and the method did not report any false negative results. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis documented excellent agreement between the results from the cultural and PCR methods (area under the curve of 0.90 with a 95% confidence) confirmed the validity of the PCR method. Importance This validated PCR method detects 55% more positives of Salmonella in half the time required for the reference method, VIDAS. The validated PCR method will help to strengthen public health efforts through rapid screening of Salmonella in environmental samples.
Electrical Principles of Nerve and Muscle Function

This chapter begins with some basic electrical properties of biological cells and then examines the function of a special class of cells that have electrically excitable membranes. It shows how these properties are organized for sensory and muscle function. This information will help explain how externally applied currents can modify or interfere with normal function.
FLT1 and transcriptome-wide polyadenylation site (PAS) analysis in preeclampsia

Maternal symptoms of preeclampsia (PE) are primarily driven by excess anti-angiogenic factors originating from the placenta. Chief among these are soluble Flt1 proteins (sFlt1s) produced from alternatively polyadenylated mRNA isoforms. Here we used polyadenylation site sequencing (PAS-Seq) of RNA from normal and PE human placentae to interrogate transcriptome-wide gene expression and alternative polyadenylation signatures associated with early-onset PE (EO-PE; symptom onset 34 weeks) cohorts. While we observed no general shift in alternative polyadenylation associated with PE, the EO-PE and LO-PE cohorts do exhibit gene expression profiles distinct from both each other and from normal placentae. The only two genes upregulated across all transcriptome-wide PE analyses to date (microarray, RNA-Seq and PAS-Seq) are NRIP1 (RIP140), a transcriptional co-regulator linked to metabolic syndromes associated with obesity, and Flt1. Consistent with sFlt1 overproduction being a significant driver of clinical symptoms, placental Flt1 mRNA levels strongly correlate with maternal blood pressure. For Flt1, just three mRNA isoforms account for > 94% of all transcripts, with increased transcription of the entire locus driving Flt1 upregulation in both EO-PE and LO-PE. These three isoforms thus represent potential targets for therapeutic RNA interference (RNAi) in both early and late presentations.
Impact of Recent Medicaid Expansions on Office-Based Primary Care and Specialty Care among the Newly Eligible

Objective To quantify the effect of Medicaid expansions on office-based care among the newly eligible. Data Source 2008–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Study Design The main sample is adults age 26–64 with incomes ≤138% of poverty who were not eligible for Medicaid prior to the Affordable Care Act. For this population, difference-in-differences linear probability models compare utilization between expansion and nonexpansion states and between 2008–2013 and 2014. Extraction Methods Medicaid eligibility is simulated using data on family relationships, state of residence, and income. Principal Findings Relative to comparable adults in nonexpansion states, newly eligible adults in expansion states were 9.1 percentage points more likely to have any office-based primary care physician visit in 2014, a 21.4% increase from 2013 (p-value = .004); 6.9 percentage points more likely to have a specialist visit, a 25.2% increase from 2013 (p-value = .036); and 5.1 percentage points more likely to have a visit with a nurse practitioner, nurse, or physician assistant, a 34.5% increase from 2013 (p-value = .016). Conclusions State Medicaid expansions in 2014 were associated with greater likelihoods of visits with a variety of office-based providers. The estimated effects are larger among newly eligible compared with previous estimates on broader populations of low-income adults.
Structure and Composition of Subalpine Conifers in the Emerald Lake WATERSHED, Sequoia National Park, California

Abstract The Emerald Lake watershed forms a subalpine basin in the upper drainage of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park, California, with elevations ranging from 2804–3416 m. Five conifer species are present in the basin, with western white pine (Pinus monticola Douglas ex D. Don) as the most dominant species forming 71% of the stems and 82% of basal area censused in 1985 and 1986. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Loudon subsp. murrayana (Grev. & Balf.) Critchf.) was the second most dominant in the watershed as measured by numbers of individuals and basal area, but was almost entirely restricted to mesic bench and wet meadow habitats in the lower elevations of the watershed. Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana Grev. & Balf.) comprised 9.5% of the stems and 13.7% of the basal area within the basin, but was largely present on higher north-facing ridgelines where it formed 52% of stems and 65% of basal area. Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.), and red fir (Abies magnifica A. Murr...
Cell Membrane Antigens Associated with Human Adult Acute Leukemia

Cell membrane antigens associated with the blast phase of human acute leukemia are separable from inhibitory proteins and from histocompatibility antigens also present in the membranes. Since these antigens are not detectable in remission or normal white blood cells, they provide a useful marker for identification of cells undergoing carcinomatous changes. Blast antigens from acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) are also present on early human fetal thymus cells; antigens from both sources produce cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses and are structurally similar. Blast antigens from acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) are not associated with fetal antigens and do not cross react with ALL antigens. ALL cells possess a larger quantity of CMI inhibitory protein than AML cells. The isolation, purification and identification of these blast antigens is a step toward their use in studying cultured and cloned subpopulations of cells thought to be associated with pre-leukemia.