cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gersonides: Judaism Within the Limits of Reason

Seymour Feldman: Gersonides: Judaism Within the Limits of Reason. Oxford: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2010, pp. x + 254. £35.00, $59.50 (hb.). ISBN 978-1-904113-44-7 Ask someone to ...
Environmental factors affecting decision support system design

The development of a Decision Support System (DSS) that is truly responsive to user needs has proven to be a deceptively complex, error-prone, and expensive process. One of the problems seems to be a mismatch between the design approaches and the organizational design environments. Because of the mismatch, many systems which are developed cease to be used or are used for routine report generation rather than for direct support of decision makers. This paper addresses that problem by first, analyzing existing DSS design approaches and discussing their shortcomings; second, by examining the nature of organizational design environments; and third, by prescribing which design approaches are appropriate for the environmental factors that are identical.
Some problems in the teaching of psychosomatic medicine.

The part that social and emotional life plays in the response to stress and the course of illness has been recognized for ages. But the obstacles to the teaching of a “psychosomatic approach” to health and disease persist. This paper explores briefly the attitudinal, definitional, historical and structural factors which present as problems in attempts to teach a psychosomatic approach to medical diagnosis and practice. If there is a body of knowledge rightfully called psychosomatic medicine, and if it is important to appreciate, understand and utilize the psychosomatic approach in everyday clinical work with the whole patient, then new ways must be explored to accomplish this task. Suggestions are offered towards this objective.
Community structure and function in a H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor capable of bioreduction of selenate and chromate.

Two different H2-based, denitrifying membrane-biofilm reactors (MBfRs) initially reduced Se(VI) or Cr(VI) stably to Se0 or Cr(III). When the oxidized contaminants in the influent were switched, each new oxidized contaminant was reduced immediately, and its reduction soon was approximately the same or greater than it had been in its original MBfR. The precipitation of reduced selenium and chromium in the biofilm was verified by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. These results on selenate and chromate reduction are consistent with the interpretation that the H2-based biofilm community had a high level of functional diversity. The communities’ structures were assessed by cloning analysis. Dechloromonas spp., a known perchlorate-reducing bacteria, dominated the clones from both reactors during selenate and chromate reductions, which suggests that it may have functional diversity capable of reducing selenate and chromate as secondary and dissimilatory acceptors.
Factors influencing the quantum yields for rose bengal formation of singlet oxygen

Abstract The φ for 1O2 formation obtained via the relative actinometric method is dependent on the quencher concentration when photo-oxidations in different solvents are compared; a method to determine the appropriate quencher concentration is described.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Insights From Recent Advances in Molecular Biology

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hemolytic anemia characterized by the increased sensitivity of red cells to complement, leading to intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria. Other clinical features are cytopenias caused by bone marrow failure and an increased risk of thrombosis. If unrecognized and not treated appropriately, PNH is often associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality. PNH is caused by the expansion of a hematopoietic progenitor cell that caries a somatic mutation in the X-linked phosphatidylinositol glycan complementation group A (PIGA) gene. The PIGA gene encodes a protein essential in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor molecules. A proportion of blood cells from patients with PNH is therefore deficient in all GPI-linked surface proteins. Considerable progress in the field of PNH research in the last 7 years has resulted from the cloning of the PIGA gene. The purpose of the current article is to describe the structure and function of the PIGA gene, to summarize the lessons learned from the analysis of PIGA gene mutations, to review the impact of mouse models on our current understanding of the human disease, and to discuss the possible pathogenesis of PNH. In addition, we will outline novel approaches to PNH diagnosis, research, and therapy that became available thanks to the cloning of the PIGA gene.
Sex-related effect on gene expression in the mouse meibomian gland.

Purpose: Sex-related differences have been identified in the anatomy and physiology of the meibomian gland. We hypothesize that these differences are due, at least in part, to variations in gene expression. This study's objective was to determine whether sex-related differences do exist in meibomian gland gene expression. We also sought to elucidate whether such differences, if any, might be (a) analogous to those known to occur in the lacrimal gland and (b) due to the effect of sex steroids. Methods: Meibomian glands were obtained from young adult male and female BALB/c mice (n = 7 to 15 mice per sex per experiment), pooled according to sex and processed for the isolation of RNA. Samples were evaluated for differentially expressed mRNAs by using CodeLink Bioarrays and GEM 1 and 2 gene chips. Bioarray data were analyzed with GeneSifter. Net software and also compared with microarray data in GEO and GeneSifter databases. Results: Our results demonstrate that sex has a significant influence on the expressio...
Density-functional investigations of the spin ordering in Fe 13 clusters

A recently developed two-step computational strategy [P. Bobadova-Parvanova et al., J. Chem. Phys. 116, 3576 (2002)] is used to investigate the geometric and magnetic properties of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{13}.$ The method combines an unbiased search of the cluster energy surface using a density-functional-based tight-binding method, followed by fully self-consistent density-functional theory (DFT) calculations for detailed studies of the low-lying structures. The calculations indicate that the geometry of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{13}$ cluster is a distorted icosahedron. Careful investigations of the optimal spin state of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{13}$ show the existence of two different magnetic orderings for the cluster\char22{}a ferromagnetically ordered state in which all atoms have approximately the same magnetic moment $(3{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})$ and a nominally antiferromagnetic state in which the moment of the central atom is flipped with respect to those of the surface atoms. The relationship between cluster bond lengths and the magnetic ordering suggests that a transition in spin ordering could be driven by uniformly changing the geometric parameters in this cluster.
Using computer graphics to teach the heat equation

Abstract The graphs of the Fourier series solution to three transient, one-dimensional heat conduction problems were produced. Also, the graphs of the orthogonal function solution to five transient, one-dimensional heat conduction problems with radiating boundary conditions were produced. These were made into two TV tapes which are used in the classroom to help illustrate the mathematical solution to the heat conduction problem.
Safety margins in older adults increase with improved control of a dynamic object.

Older adults face decreasing motor capabilities due to pervasive neuromuscular degradations. As a consequence errors in movement control increase. Thus, older individuals should maintain larger safety margins than younger adults. While this has been shown for object manipulation tasks, several reports on whole-body activities, such as posture and locomotion, however demonstrate age-related reductions in safety margins. This is despite increased costs for control errors, such as a fall. We posit that this paradox could be explained by the dynamic challenge presented by the body or an external object, and that age-related reductions in safety margins are in part due to a decreased ability to control dynamics. To test this conjecture we used a virtual ball-in-cup task that had challenging dynamics, yet afforded an explicit rendering of the physics and safety margin. The hypotheses were: 1) When manipulating an object with challenging dynamics, older adults have smaller safety margins than younger adults. 2) Older adults increase their safety margins with practice. Nine young and 10 healthy older adults practiced moving the virtual ball-in-cup to a target location in exactly two seconds. The accuracy and precision of the timing error quantified skill and the ball energy relative to an escape threshold quantified the safety margin. Compared to the young adults, older adults had increased timing errors, greater variability, and decreased safety margins. With practice, both young and older adults improved their ability to control the object with decreased timing errors and variability, and increased their safety margins. These results suggest that safety margins are related to the ability to control dynamics, and may explain why in tasks with simple dynamics older adults use adequate safety margins, but in more complex tasks, safety margins may be inadequate. Further, the results indicate that task-specific training may improve safety margins in older adults.
Desiccation Kinetics and Biothermodynamics of Glass Forming Trehalose Solutions in Thin Films

In this study, the desiccation kinetics of aqueous trehalose solutions were investigated numerically by solving the coupled heat and mass transfer problem with a moving interface using the finite element method. The free volume models for vapor pressure and mutual diffusion coefficient were incorporated into the model to account for the effect of glass transition on the heat and mass transport process that ultimately determines the desiccation kinetics. It was found that the temperature in the film could drop significantly upon the initiation of drying due to the absorption of latent heat associated with water evaporation although the spatial distribution of temperature in the solution is very homogeneous. On the contrary, the spatial distribution of water content in the solution is non-homogeneous, particularly at the solution–vapor interface where an extremely thin layer of skin with extremely low molecular mobility usually forms during drying. The solution film can be dried to ∼6–10 wt.% residual water within minutes for thin films; but drying times depends strongly on the initial film thickness, initial solution concentration, temperature, and convective coefficient. Desiccation to below 6 wt.% residual water is very slow due to the retarded water mobility in the extremely thin skin where the solution is in the glassy state. Since the water mobility in a trehalose solution or glass with 6–10% residual water is still high enough to allow degradative reactions to occur in a relatively short time at room temperature, it is important that the samples should be kept at a temperature around 0 °C or lower for storage after drying. Furthermore, approaches that might enable further quick reduction of the residual water to less than 6–10 wt.% are also proposed so that a sample could be preserved at super-zero or even room temperature. The established models and the reported results will be useful for the development of effective protocols for lyopreservation of biomaterials including living cells using trehalose as the excipient.
Fuzzy logic approach in metals fatigue

Abstract The fatigue behavior of metal structures is extremely complex. Many types of uncertainty exist in metal fatigue studies, including member geometry; shape and size of fatigue cracks; type, shape, and size of defects and discontinuities in the structural detail; loading and environmental conditions; and thermal and corrosive effects. This article reviews a number of factors affecting the fatigue behavior of metal members. An example problem is presented to illustrate the use of fuzzy sets to evaluate the acceptability of a welded structural detail.
Intentional networking: opportunistic exploitation of mobile network diversity

Mobile devices face a diverse and dynamic set of networking options. Using those options to the fullest requires knowledge of application intent. This paper describes Intentional Networking, a simple but powerful mechanism for handling network diversity. Applications supply a declarative label for network transmissions, and the system matches transmissions to the most appropriate network. The system may also defer and re-order opportunistic transmissions subject to application-supplied mutual exclusion and ordering constraints. We have modified three applications to use Intentional Networking: BlueFS, a distributed file system for pervasive computing, Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client, and a vehicular participatory sensing application. We evaluated the performance of these applications using measurements obtained by driving a vehicle through WiFi and cellular 3G network coverage. Compared to an idealized solution that makes optimal use of all aggregated available networks but that lacks knowledge of application intent, Intentional Networking improves the latency of interactive messages from 48% to 13x, while adding no more than 7% throughput overhead.
LVDCSL: low voltage differential current switch logic, a robust low power DCSL family

In this paper we present a robust Differential Current Switch Logic gate suitable for low V/sub DD/, low power operation. Differential Current Switch Logic gates achieve high performance and low power by restricting internal node voltage swings. Traditional DCSL is, however, highly sensitive to load imbalance because of the presence of a cross coupled inverter pair at the output. In this paper we describe LVDCSL, a low voltage DCSL family which preserves the essential features of DCSL namely, high speed, low power, restricted internal voltage swings and a latching input stage. However, it is much more robust to mismatched output loads, and is capable of working at far lower voltages. In addition spikes in output transitions are greatly reduced simplifying interface to conventional CMOS circuits. Our results show that LVDCSL is capable of working at under 2 volts in a 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS process while being faster than comparable Domino gates. At the same time total power consumption is reduced. LVDCSL achieves 40% delay improvement and 22% power reduction in comparison with Domino gates.
Commentary on Vacuum-assisted closure in severe abdominal sepsis with or without retention sutured sequential fascial closure: A clinical trial

IN THIS ISSUE OF SURGERY, the study by Pliakos et al explores further the importance of the vacuumassisted closure (VAC) technique for the coverage and eventual closure of the open abdomen. In a prospective randomized study, the authors compare 15 patients managed by VAC with 15 patients managed by VAC and retention fascial sutures. The latter experienced a higher rate of primary closure and shorter hospital stay. The same technique--with only minor differences---was published by Cothren et al at the Denver Health Medical Center in 2006. The Denver group managed 14 patients and achieved primary closure in 100%, which is similar to the 93% of the Pliakos et al study performed in Greece. The average time to closure was also similar, 7.5 days in Denver and 8 days in Greece. The average number of operations needed to change the VAC sponge and to replace the fascial sutures was 4.5 in the Denver study and 2.87 in the Greek study. The similarity of the results in the 2 studies adds credibility to the results and encourages a more widespread use of the technique. A few more points are worth mentioning:
Personality pathology in purging disorder and bulimia nervosa

Objective: To compare levels of personality pathology in women with purging disorder (PD), bulimia nervosa (BN), and controls and to compare women with PD and BN on associations between personality pathology and shared eating disorder features. Method: Women with BN (n = 73), PD (n = 48), and controls (n = 64) completed interviews and self-report questionnaires. Results: BN and PD were associated with significantly greater personality pathology compared to controls. Cluster C symptoms and trait anxiety were greater in BN compared to PD, but groups did not differ on Cluster B symptoms or impulsivity. Subjective binge episodes were associated with anxious and impulsive personality traits in PD but not BN. Purging in PD was associated with trait anxiety, while purging in BN was associated with impulsivity. Discussion: Although BN and PD share eating disorder features and personality disturbance, some of the underlying associations between these eating disorder and personality features differ between groups. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ain't misbehavin': the relationship between writing and social interaction in computer-mediated group (CMG) process

In the study of computer-mediated communication (CMC), it is important to understand the concept of "writing behavior "from the perspective of social interaction and computer-mediated group (CMG) process (CMGP) and development. This work asserts that there is an identifiable relationship between language use and group process and development, as observed in peer pressure in the form of writing behavior, which influences group cohesiveness over time. The relationship that exists between writing and social interaction is explored here in a discussion of the nature of small groups, learning and socio-psychological environments, cooperative learning, electronic and face-to-face social interactions, and group process and development models; it is demonstrated in "writing behaviors" observed in CMC groups illustrating changes in group cohesion as a result of peer pressure lessening over lime.
Impact of channel estimation errors on multiuser detection via the replica method

For practical wireless DS-CDMA systems, channel estimation is imperfect due to noise and interference. In this paper, the impact of channel estimation errors on multiuser detection (MUD) is analyzed under the framework of the replica method. System performance is obtained in the large system limit for optimal MUD, linear MUD, and turbo MUD, and is validated by numerical results for finite systems.
R-Factor: A New Parameter to Enhance Location Accuracy in RSSI Based Real-time Location Systems

The fundamental cause of localization error in an indoor environment is fading and spreading of the radio signals due to scattering, diffraction, and reflection. These effects are predominant in regions where there is no-line-of-sight (NLoS) between the transmitter and the receiver. Efficient algorithms are needed to identify the subset of receivers that provide better localization accuracy. This paper introduces a new parameter called the R-Factor to indicate the extent of radial distance estimation error introduced by a receiver and to select a subset of receivers that result in better accuracy in real-time location determination systems (RTLS). In addition, it was demonstrated that location accuracy improves with R-factor reduction. Further, it was shown that for a given R-factor threshold, localization accuracy is enhanced either by increasing the number of receivers that fall below this threshold or by increasing the diversity channel count with appropriate combining of signals from diversity. Therefore, existing localization algorithms can utilize R-factor and diversity through selection combining to improve accuracy. Both analytical and experimental results are included to justify the theoretical results in terms of improvement in accuracy by using R-factor.
Research and Health Policy Where Does the Money Go? Where Should it Go?

The purpose of this column is to discuss the nature of public policy both as a process and as an entity. A connection between public policy and research is proposed and a discussion about the nature of funding at the National Institute of Nursing Research illuminates the disparity of support between quantitative and qualitative research.
Perspective on the Role of the Pediatrician in the Management of Adolescent Drug Use

Coincident with the incorporation of adolescent care into pediatric practice has been the emergence and appreciation of new health concerns regarding these children as they move toward adult life. Issues of depression and suicide, developing sexuality, and substance abuse are recent additions to the knowledge expected of the pediatrician. These issues are all characterized by an inherent relationship between behavior and health, where the demarcation between normative development and dysfunction is often ill-defined and confounded by legal and moral concerns. Therefore, the practitioner is required to develop not only interviewing and counseling skills appropriate to a teenage population, but also that combination of knowledge and judgment that allows for a personalized definition of normal v abnormal behavior.
Fundoplication versus postoperative medication for gastro-oesophageal reflux in children with neurological impairment undergoing gastrostomy

Background Children with neurological impairments (NI) frequently experience feeding difficulties which can lead to malnutrition and growth failure. Gastrostomy feeding is now the preferred method of providing nutritional support to children with NI who are unable to feed adequately by mouth. Complications may arise as a result of gastrostomy placement and the development or worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) has been widely reported. This has led to the frequent use of surgical anti-reflux treatment in the form of a fundoplication, or other Anti-Reflux Procedures. Fundoplication is associated with a high recurrence rate, surgical failure and significant morbidity and mortality. Since Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) were introduced in the 1990s they have come to play a larger part in the medical management of GOR in children with NI. Uncontrolled studies suggest that PPIs may be a safe, appropriate treatment for GOR. Other agents currently used include milk thickeners, acid suppression drugs, acid buffering agents, gut motility stimulants and sodium alginate preparations. There are risks and benefits associated with both surgical and medical interventions and further comparison is necessary to determine the optimal treatment choice. Objectives To compare the effectiveness of anti-reflux surgery and anti-reflux medications for children with NI and GOR who are undergoing placement of a gastrostomy feeding tube. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to Issue 2, 2006, MEDLINE (1966 to June 2006), EMBASE (1980 to week 33, 2006), CINAHL (1982 -to May, week 4, 2006), LILACS (1982 to June 2006), ISI Web of Science (1970 to June 2006) and the Child Health Library (searched June 2006). We also performed online searches of trial registries, medical journals, conference proceedings, dissertations and theses. Specialists in the medical and industry setting were contacted for knowledge of completed or ongoing trials. Selection criteria We sought to include only randomised controlled trials that recruited children up to the age of 18 years with NI and GOR who were undergoing gastrostomy tube insertion. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers worked independently on selected trials and performed data extraction and assessment of trial quality. Main results No trials were identified that satisfied the criteria for this review. Authors' conclusions There remains considerable uncertainty regarding the optimal treatment when faced with the decision of fundoplication surgery versus anti-reflux medications for gastro-oesophageal-reflux in the child with neurological impairment who is undergoing gastrostomy insertion. There is a need for robust scientific evidence in order to provide data on the comparable risks or benefits of the two interventions.
Prophylactic dosing adjustment in pregnancy based upon measurements of anti-factor Xa levels.

Objective. To determine the necessity for monitoring of anti-factor Xa levels in pregnant women taking low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).Study design. A review of a hematological database with chart review was undertaken to identify patients on LMWH. Levels were drawn monthly. They were considered suboptimal if prophylactic and therapeutic doses of LMWH had an anti-Xa value <0.2 U/mL and 0.6 U/mL, respectively. Variables of interest included age, parity, thrombophilias, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.Results. Of 30 patients, three required therapeutic-dose LMWH and 27 were on prophylaxis. Sixty-six percent on a therapeutic dose required a dose change, whereas 11% on a prophylactic dose were changed (p = 0.013). None of the variables were predictive of a need for change. One thromboembolic event was noted while on prophylactic-dose LMWH.Conclusions. No single variable is predictive of a need for dose change. Patients on a therapeutic dose were more likely to need change.
Studies of isolated global brain ischaemia: I. Overview of irreversible brain injury and evolution of a new concept - redefining the time of brain death.

Summary Despite advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), the mortality from sudden death after cardiac arrest is 85–95%, and becomes nearly 100% if ischaemia is prolonged, as occurs following unwitnessed arrest. Moreover, 33–50% of survivors following ACLS after witnessed arrest develop significant neurological dysfunction, and this rises to nearly 100% in the rare survivors of unwitnessed arrest. Although, whole body (cardiac) survival improves to 30% following recent use of emergency cardiopulmonary bypass, sustained neurological dysfunction remains a devastating and unresolved problem. Our studies suggest that both brain and whole body damage reflect an ischaemic/reperfusion injury that follows the present reperfusion methods that use normal blood, which we term ‘uncontrolled reperfusion’. In contrast, we have previously introduced the term ‘controlled reperfusion’, which denotes controlling both the conditions (pressure, flow and temperature) as well as the composition (solution) of the reperfusate. Following prolonged ischaemia of the heart, lung and lower extremity, controlled reperfusion resulted in tissue recovery after ischaemic intervals previously thought to produce irreversible cellular injury. These observations underlie the current hypothesis that controlled reperfusion will become an effective treatment of the otherwise lethal injury of prolonged brain ischaemia, such as with unwitnessed arrest, and we tested this after 30 min of normothermic global brain ischaemia. This review, and the subsequent three studies will describe the evolution of the concept that controlled reperfusion will restore neurological function to the brain following prolonged (30 min) ischaemia. To provide a familiarity and rationale for these studies, this overview reviews the background and current treatment of sudden death, the concepts of controlled reperfusion, recent studies in the brain during whole body ischaemia, and then summarizes the three papers in this series on a new brain ischaemia model that endorses our hypothesis that controlled reperfusion allows complete neurological recovery following 30 min of normothermic global brain ischaemia. These findings may introduce innovative management approaches for sudden death, and perhaps stroke, because the brain is completely salvageable following ischaemic times thought previously to produce infarction.
Weblogs as a source for extracting general world knowledge

Knowledge extraction (KE) efforts have often used corpora of heavily edited writing and sources written to provide the desired knowledge (e.g., newspapers or textbooks). However, the proliferation of diverse, up-to-date, unedited writing on the Web, especially in weblogs, offers new challenges for KE tools. We describe our efforts to extract general knowledge implicit in this noisy data and examine whether such sources can be an adequate substitute for resources like Wikipedia.
Technical communicators beware: the next generation of high-tech recruiting methods

This article presents an overview of how the Internet has changed the way employers advertise vacancies and the way technical communicators search and apply for these openings. First, I explore the evolution of how employers have used the internet as a tool for identifying the best candidate for the job. Next, I review seven specific online recruiting strategies used by employers today. Finally, I describe major mistakes made by online job seekers and offer advice on how best to avoid or minimize these blunders. Included is a list of useful job search resources for technical communicators.
Temperature Dependent Electrical Characteristics of Neutron Irradiated AlGaN/GaN HFETs

Low temperature neutron irradiated Al0.27Ga0.73N/GaN heterostructures reveal a complex temperature dependent displacement damage formation process. This process results in differences in drain currents at low (80 K) versus high (294 K) temperatures. Irradiation increases the gate and drain currents at 80 K, and decreases the drain current at room temperature. These effects saturate at ~ 3 times 1010 n/cm2 indicating complexing with a native impurity. After a room temperature anneal, the effect on the gate current persists and the drain current partially recovers. A two-step persistent interface trap formation model is presented that explains these results. This model is further supported by CV measurements at 80 K and 294 K after annealing.
Hypoxia-Induced Mediators of Stem/Progenitor Cell Trafficking Are Increased in Children With Hemangioma

Objective— The mechanism of neovascularization during the proliferative phase of infantile hemangioma is poorly understood. It is known that circulating bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) form new blood vessels in ischemic tissues using mediators regulated by the transcription factor, HIF-1α. Mobilization of EPCs is enhanced by VEGF-A, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and estrogen, whereas homing is secondary to localized expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α). We examined whether these mediators of EPC trafficking are upregulated during the proliferation of infantile hemangioma. Methods and Results— Surgical specimens and blood samples were obtained from children with proliferating hemangioma and age-matched controls (n=10, each group). VEGF-A and MMP-9 levels were measured in blood, and tissue sections were analyzed for SDF-1α, MMP-9, VEGF-A, and HIF-1α. The role of estrogen as a modulator of hemangioma endothelial cell growth was also investigated. We found that all these mediators of EPC trafficking are elevated in blood and specimens from children with proliferating infantile hemangioma. In vitro, the combination of hypoxia and estrogen demonstrated a synergistic effect on hemangioma endothelial cell proliferation. Conclusions— These findings demonstrate that proliferating hemangiomas express known mediators of vasculogenesis and suggest that this process may play a role in the initiation or progression of this disease.
MECHANISMS OF MICROVASCULAR WOUND REPAIR II. INJURY INDUCES TRANSFORMATION OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS INTO MYOFIBROBLASTS AND THE SYNTHESIS OF MATRIX PROTEINS

Under normal growth conditions, in vitro dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) retain an epithelioid morphology and do not synthesize matrix proteins found increased in scar tissue. When injured by a standard scratch, cells at the wound edge and within the culture transform into spindle-shaped, myofibroblast-like cells. To determine if the transformed cells synthesize matrix proteins, expression of type I collagen and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was investigated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Twelve hours following injury, a major upregulation in expression of α-SMA and type I collagen was observed both in cells proximal and distal to the wound edge. Cells with the typical morphology of myofibroblasts and displaying intracellular α-SMA positive fibrils were observed in HDMEC throughout the culture. In contrast, type IV collagen, a basement membrane protein, was not detected in migrating cells. Following completion of wound repair (24–36 h), type I collagen was no longer expressed and type IV collagen synthesis increased to prewound levels. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the changes in gene expression for both type I collagen and α-SMA at each time point during repair. These results demonstrate that normal skin microvascular endothelial cells retain an ability to transform into myofibroblast-like cells when injured and to synthesize matrix proteins not expressed in noninjured cells. The synthesis of matrix proteins by injured endothelial cells suggests a direct role for the endothelium in the pathology of scar formation.
Cardiovascular Disease in Women and Pregnancy

Worldwide, 8.6 million women will die from cardiovascular (CV) disease each year [1]. Similarly in the US, CV disease is the number one killer of women [2]. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control reported 1.2 million deaths among US women, 370,000 (30 %) of which were attributable to CV disease (heart disease and stroke). To compare, 293,000 (24 %) were attributable to all forms of cancer combined [2].
Intra-articular treatment of knee osteoarthritis: from anti-inflammatories to products of regenerative medicine.

ABSTRACTObjectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition that may ultimately require total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Non-operative treatments are bracing, oral analgesics, physical therapy, and intra-articular knee injection (IAKI). The objective of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review regarding intra-articular treatment of knee OA and insight into promising new products of regenerative medicine that may eventually have a substantial effect on treatment.Methods: A literature search was executed using Medline, Cochrane, and Embase with keywords “knee osteoarthritis” and “injection.” Specifically, 45 articles that discussed intra-articular knee injection using corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, analgesics, local anesthetics, and newer products of regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), were analyzed. Of these, eleven were level 1, three were level 2, twelve were level 3, two were level 4, and seventeen were level 5 evidence...
Renal excretion of 5,5-dimethyl-2-4-oxazolidinedione (product of demethylation of trimethadione.

SummaryA method is described for determination of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) in urine. DMO is not bound to serum albumin. In the dog DMO is excreted completely unchanged in the urine. In the dog and in man the renal clearance of DMO is much higher in alkaline urine than in acid urine. This is explained on the assumption that the compound is reabsorbed in the renal tubule by a process of passive diffusion, the tubular epithelium being permeable to the un-dissociated form and impermeable to the ionic form.
Using Peer Study to Prepare for Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator Certification

Abstract Background This article describes a peer study program implemented as preparation for taking the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Certification examination. Methods During the first 6 weeks participants reviewed articles, developed key points, related the readings to practice, and created practice test questions. Week 7 was a final review session. Results Six participants applied for the examination and all successfully passed the examination on the first attempt, being the first Certified Healthcare Simulation Educators in Kansas. Conclusions Participants reported improvement in the quality of simulation sessions, creation of a network of simulation educators, and an improvement in test writing skills.
The ultrastructure of rat lung in the pre- and postnatal period. Some remarks on the fine structure of the foetal alveolar epithelium

Ultra-structural differences are to be expected between the cells of foetal lung epithelium and those of postnatal lung epithelium. Some definite idea upon the ultra-structure of lungs already engaged in respiration including alveolar epithelium, is given in a number of publications dealing with healthy lungs in normal animals and man (2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 18). There are also some publications describing the ultrastructure of lung tissue in certain pathological states (11, 17, 18). The foetal lungs have been, as yet, the object of very few electron microscope examinations. In the literature obtainable, van Breemen, Neustein and Bruns (3) examined the lung tissue from premature human infants and young guinea-pigs compelled to breathe oxygen in conditions of high humidity, with the object of studying the formation of hyaline membranes. The publications of SCHULZ (19, 20) deal with the pathology of mitochondria of alveolar epithelial cells in rats. This author examines here the structural differences of mitochondria to be found in foetuses and after birth.
Model Selection and Interpretation

Survival analysis studies typically include a wealth of clinical, demographic, and biomarker information on the patients as well as indicators for a therapy or other intervention. If the study is a randomized clinical trial, the focus will be on comparing the effectiveness of different treatments. A successful randomization procedure should ensure that confounding covariates are balanced between the treatments. Still, we may wish to include such covariates in the model to adjust for any differences that may have arisen, and also to understand how these other factors affect survival. If the study is based on observational data, and if there is a primary intervention of interest, then adjustment for potential confounders is essential to obtaining a valid estimate of the intervention effect. The effect of other covariates on survival will also be of interest in such a study, and in some applications discovery and quantification of explanatory variables may be the primary goal. Regardless of the type of study, we will need methods to sift through a potentially large number of potential explanatory variables to find the important ones.
Discourse Conditioned Tense Variation

Grammar in its broadest definition is a form—meaning relationship, and there is almost nothing in language that is outside of that domain. Rutherford (1987a) speaks of language learning as the intersection of three systems: grammar, semantics, and discourse. He identifies semantics and discourse as the forces that shape language form and comprise the context within which the language learner becomes conscious of grammar. Rutherford’s position tends to separate grammar from meaning by regarding grammar as form only. On the other hand, he recasts the relationship of form and meaning by triangulating it with discourse function. Larsen-Freeman (1987) also uses a three-part system to analyze the notion of learning difficulty in second-language learning. She claims that for any grammatical structure, either form, meaning, or pragmatics will be the key or essential learning difficulty. This position reflects growing awareness of the interconnectedness of all of the elements of language. This is a necessary stage of consciousness-raising on the part of both second-language acquirers and re¬searchers and one to which this chapter contributes. It remains to be seen whether a three-part division of language is superior to a two-level analysis: form—meaning or form—function.
Tunable few-cycle soliton generation up to 3.6 μm in fluoride fiber

We demonstrate generation of femtosecond pulses tunable from 2.6–3.6 μm through soliton self-frequency shift in a fluoride fiber. 8-nJ, 75-fs pulses at 3.6 μm are obtained, with 10 times higher peak power than prior results.
A Discourse on Discourse Studies

Discourse analysis can be said to have evolved out of the desire linguists had to move beyond the sentence and be able to analyze all kinds of texts, from conversations to advertisements and texts with written or spoken language, images, video and music. As it evolved, some ideologically centered discourse analysts developed what is called CDA: Critical Discourse Analysis and then, to deal with the complex nature of mass mediated texts, MultiModal discourse analysis and, for some, Critical Multimodal Discourse Analysis. Two examples of how discourse analysis can be used are offered: the first is a discussion of the way language in speed dating shapes decision making by speed daters. The second is an analysis of a Fidji perfume advertisement.
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: What Can It Teach Us?

The scientific presentations at this symposium have provided many clues to the future direction of research in virology, immunobiological processes, and AIDS. Exciting newscasts describing the identification of what appears to be the AIDS agent have occurred concurrent with the symposium. It is clear that much of the subject matter of this symposium is relevant to issues of great interest to the general society. Against this scientific backdrop--and at a historical moment--I would like to share some subjective reflections about “what AIDS can teach us.”
Utilizing the Carba NP test as an indicator of expression level of carbapenemase genes in Enterobacteriaceae

The Carba NP test was developed to detect carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and uses imipenem as the reaction substrate. In Japan, IMP-6 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producers, which are usually resistant to meropenem but susceptible to imipenem, and IMP-1 MBL producers, which are usually resistant to both carbapenems are prevalent. We performed the Carba NP test with IMP-6 and IMP-1 MBL producers, and both types were detected by the Carba NP test with high sensitivity. All IMP-1 MBL producers were detected by the Carba NP test, but the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of imipenem varied from 0.25 to >32μg/mL, and the time to positivity varied from 0 to 30min. Time to positivity was significantly correlated with expression levels of blaIMP-1, but not with MICs of imipenem. These results suggested that the Carba NP test can be used as a screening assay for carbapenemase gene expression levels among producers of the same type of carbapenemase. Using this approach, it is possible to determine whether the carbapenem resistance of each carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolate is primarily due to carbapenemase production, or to another mechanism such as outer membrane impermeability.
Safety and benefits of inhaled hypertonic saline following airway challenges with endotoxin and allergen in asthmatics.

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine whether induced sputum (IS) with hypertonic saline inhalation is safe to use in asthmatics within 24 hours of two commonly used airway challenges, namely endotoxin and dust mite allergen, and to assess whether IS can enhance mucociliary clearance (MCC) rates in asthmatics. Methods: IS (three 7-minute inhalation periods of 3%, 4%, and 5% hypertonic saline) was employed before (N = 29) and within 24 hours of inhaled challenges with endotoxin (N = 13) and dust mite allergen (N = 12) in a cohort of mild to moderate asthmatics. Safety was assessed by lung function (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second; FEV1) and MCC was measured using a radiolabeled gamma scintigraphy method (Tcm99 sulfur colloid). IS was performed pre and post MCC. Results: No significant lung function decrement was observed before or after inhaled challenges with endotoxin or dust mite allergen. IS significantly enhanced MCC rates before and after inhaled endotoxin challenge. Conclusion: Based on a small cohor...
Which Social Problem-Solving Components Buffer Depression in Adolescent Girls?

Life stress is associated with depression, although it accounts for only about 10% of the variance. Social problem solving has been found to be a moderator of the stress–depression relationship in adults and children. This study extends research in this area by testing whether social problem solving moderates the relationship between stress and depression among adolescent girls and whether the moderating role of social problem solving is specific to certain domains of social problem solving. The hypothesized role of specific social problem-solving deficits in the association between stress and depressive symptomatology was supported.
SENTINEL LYMPH NODE SCINTIGRAPHY IN BREAST CARCINOMA- COMPARISON OF TWO VERSUS FOUR INJECTION SITE TECHNIQUE

Purpose: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first regional node that drains lymph from the primary tumour and receives seeding of metastatic cells. Axillary node dissection remains the most reliable predictor of disease outcome. Controversies still exist about several aspects of lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy for breast cancer, including number of radioisotope injection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the success rate of different number of injection sites in the detection of SLN in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 consecutive breast cancer patients were divided into two groups. Group A (60 patients) received four intradermal periareolar (ID-PA) injections. Group B (60 patients) received two ID-PA injections.Imaging was carried out at 45 min post-injection. A gamma probe was used to explore the SLNs during surgery. Results: In Group A, 60 females with the mean age of 50.77 years were included in the study. 34 (56%) patients had single SLN. 25 (41.7%) had SLN with the second tier. 1 (1.7%) was negative. Group B included 60 patients (59 females and 1 male) with the mean age of 51.9 years. In 30 (50%) patients, single SLN was detected. 29 (48.3%) had SLN with the second tier. 1 (1.7%) was negative. Conclusion: SLN mapping with two periareolar ID injections carries less radiation dose and less pain as compared to the four injections with equal sensitivity for the visualization of SLNs. Key words: Breast cancer, intradermal injection, sentinel lymph node, Tc99 human serum albumin
β-Blockers were not associated with depression in adults

Source Citation Bright RA, Everitt DE. β-blockers and depression. Evidence against an association. JAMA. 1992 Apr 1;267:1783-7.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of New York City Health Policy Initiatives in Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Mortality, 1990–2011

Beginning in 2002, New York City (NYC) implemented numerous policies and programs targeting cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Using death certificates, we analyzed trends in NYC-specific and US mortality rates from 1990 to 2011 for all causes, any CVD, atherosclerotic CVD (ACVD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke. Joinpoint analyses quantified annual percent change (APC) and evaluated whether decreases in CVD mortality accelerated after 2002 in either NYC or the total US population. Our analyses included 1,149,217 NYC decedents. The rates of decline in mortality from all causes, any CVD, and stroke in NYC did not change after 2002. Among men, the decline in ACVD mortality accelerated during 2002-2011 (APC = -4.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI): -6.1, -3.4) relative to 1990-2001 (APC = -2.3%, 95% CI: -3.1, -1.5). Among women, ACVD rates began declining more rapidly in 1993 (APC = -3.2%, 95% CI: -3.8, -2.7) and again in 2006 (APC = -6.6%, 95% CI: -8.9, -4.3) as compared with 1990-1992 (APC = 1.6%, 95% CI: -2.7, 6.0). In the US population, no acceleration of mortality decline was observed in either ACVD or CAD mortality rates after 2002. Relative to 1990-2001, atherosclerotic CVD and CAD rates began to decline more rapidly during the 2002-2011 period in both men and women-a pattern not observed in the total US population, suggesting that NYC initiatives might have had a measurable influence on delaying or reducing ACVD mortality.