cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROLE OF ADRENALS IN PRODUCTION OF TRAUMATIC SHOCK IN RATS1

THE NORMAL RAT appears to be resistant to the production of shock following II severe muscle trauma. Although the mechanism of this reaction is obscure, resistance to this type of shock seems to be dependent upon the presence of the adrenal glands since muscle trauma in adrenalectomized rats readily produces shock and death (I).The present studies were undertaken to obtain information concerning the following questions which arise, a). What is the quantitative degree of the normal rat's resistance to traumatic shock as compared to that of other species? b). What mechanisms are utilised by normal rats to cope with sublethal injury? c). Why does trauma produce shock and death in adrenalectomized rats? The rats used in this study, weighing between 80 and 120 gm., were fed Purina dog chow biscuits. The bilaterally adrenalectomized rats, operated 5 to 7 days prior to the date of experimentation, were maintained in excellent health post-Operatively by substituting saline for drinking water and by feeding them b...
Cost-effectiveness of novel first-line treatment regimens for tuberculosis.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of novel first-line treatment regimens for tuberculosis (TB).
Decade of climate extremes

The first decade of the 21st century was the warmest decade recorded since modern measurements began around 1850, according to a 3 July report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In addition, a pronounced increase in the global temperature occurred over the 4 decades between 1971 and 2010.
Positron-Gas Scattering Measurements

A 4.75 MeV proton beam from a Van de Graaff accelerator is used to generate an 11C positron source by making use of the 11B(p, n) 11C reaction. Moderated, low energy positrons emerging from the boron target are then electrostatically focussed into a beam which is used in positron-gas scattering experiments. Total scattering cross sections have been measured for 0.3 to 800 eV positrons scattering from several atoms and molecules. Comparisons of these measurements with the corresponding electron total scattering cross section measurements (made with the same apparatus and technique) reveal many interesting similarities and differences. Positronium formation has been found to play an important role in positron scattering from the gases that have been studied.
Method for predicting airway climatic conditions during a fire and its validation using reduced scale experiments

Abstract A simplified method is presented for evaluation of the climatic conditions along a single underground mine airway. The method is then verified with use of a reduced scale experiments. A real-time computer routine is described, which can be used as part of a fire simulation computer program to evaluate air temperatures and humidities.
Point-of-care urine trypsinogen testing for the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Objectives To assess a point-of-care (POC) urine trypsinogen (UT) test for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in the emergency department (ED). Methods This was a prospective cohort study of a convenience sample of patients presenting to the ED with abdominal pain or symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis. A 3-minute POC UT test (Actim Pancreatitis; Medix Biochemica, Kauniainen, Finland) was compared with plasma lipase and amylase measurements, imaging results when performed, and final discharge diagnoses. The criterion standard was a final discharge diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Results Of 191 patients included in this study, 17 patients were diagnosed with either acute or acute-on-chronic pancreatitis. The sensitivity and specificity of UT for acute pancreatitis were, respectively, 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 77% to 100%) and 96% (95% CI = 92% to 98%). Seven of the 17 patients with pancreatitis (41%) had diagnostic findings on CT and positive UT tests but had nondiagnostic plasma lipase and amylase levels. Conclusions A POC UT screening test for pancreatitis in the ED compared favorably with plasma lipase and amylase levels. Future studies should be performed to explore whether this test in the ED setting has better clinical utility than plasma lipase or amylase.
Cassini/Huygens mission to the Saturnian system

Cassini is the name given to an interplanetary spacecraft and also to the mission which it is designed to fly. The Cassini spacecraft carries a smaller spacecraft, the Huygens Titan atmospheric probe, which will go to Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Scheduled for launch in October 1997, Cassini will take seven years to reach Saturn. In November of 2004, about six months after the Cassini spacecraft begins its first orbit about Saturn, Huygens will be dropped into Titan's atmosphere. The Huygens probe will descend slowly, by parachute, through Titan's thick, obscuring atmosphere. On the way down it will observe and measure the atmosphere and finally the surface. With the completion of Huygens' mission, the Cassini spacecraft will then embark upon an orbital tour of the Saturnian system, including an extended series of flybys of Titan, and close encounters with several of the smaller, icy satellites. Some instruments will observe by remote sensing; others will make in situ measurements. All of the elements of the systems (rings, magnetosphere, satellites, and Saturn itself) will be studied.
Empirical validation and the importance of testable theory: a paradigm shift in psychotherapy?

In response to the recent special issue of the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Vol. 54, No. 4, “Cognitive Hypnotherapy: Twenty Years Later”), this commentary discusses: (1) the weak connection between cognitive science and cognitive behavioral therapy, and (2) the importance of coherent and testable theoretical underpinnings to the practice of psychotherapy. The author briefly introduces Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which postulates that strategies to control, manage, or extinguish language based internal experience are unlikely to be successful. Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindful and acceptance based empirically supported approach to creating client psychological flexibility. ACT underpinned by RFT is suggestive of a paradigm shift in psychotherapy to a mindfulness and acceptance approach to internal experience.
Abstract C102: Identify novel pathways conferring PARP inhibitor resistance in BRCA-associated breast and ovarian cancer.

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes hold great promise in treating BRCA1/2 associated breast and ovarian cancers, which have profound homologous recombination (HR) defect. However, not all BRCA1/2 patients respond to PARP inhibitor treatment, and the majority of the responders eventually relapsed. Little is known about the resistance mechanisms that are clinical relevant. We recently developed a highly versatile insertional mutagenesis system, using transposons to insert a CMV promoter randomly into the genome and thereby activate nearby genes. We constructed genome-wide insertional libraries using both human and mouse BRCA1-deficient cancer cell lines. When these mutated cells were treated with the PARP inhibitor, resistant colonies formed at extremely low frequency. Resistant colonies were re-grown and maintained in drug-free medium for extended period of time and robust resistance was retained. Insertion sites for these colonies were then determined, many of which are near genes whose alteration in expression can up-regulate activities of MEK/ERK pathway or PI3K/AKT pathway. Next we hope to investigate the resistance mechanism. We hypothesize that resistance is mediated via decreased DNA damage, improved DNA repair, or increase in general survival pathway after PARP inhibitor treatment. We have access to tumor specimens from a recently-completed clinical trial using ABT-888 in combination with temozolomide in a BRCA1/2 carrier-enriched population. The expression level and mutational status of these genes will be surveyed and correlated with clinical response. Finally based on the insight gained from aforementioned mechanism study, we hope to find inhibitors that specifically target the resistance mechanism; by combining this inhibitor with PARP inhibitor, we could develop effective therapy to treat the subset of patients resistant to PARP inhibitor. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C102. Citation Format: Lei He, Li Chen, Saranya Ramakrishnan, Kristine Torres-Lockhart, Leif Ellisen. Identify novel pathways conferring PARP inhibitor resistance in BRCA-associated breast and ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C102.
Histomonas meleagridis (Parabasala, Trichomonadea, Monocercomonadidae): presence of natural agglutinins in horse serum.

Cultured Histomonas meleagridis cells were readily agglutinated in vitro by horse serum at concentrations as low as 5%, although clumping was more rapid and prominent at 15% or higher. For observation of clumping, the cultured organisms were washed twice in Hanks balanced solution (HBSS) by centrifugation (1,000×g for 15 min) and filtered through glass wool. The test sera were added and the mixture incubated in a Petri plate or 24-well culture plates at r.t. for 15–30 min. Formation of clumps was time- and concentration-dependent. Gentle agitation hindered agglutination at low serum concentration and accelerated agglutination at higher concentrations. The agglutinating factor (AF) was detected in several batches of serum from different sources, regardless of whether sera were heat-treated to inactivate complement. Histomonads were not clumped by either fetal horse or bovine serum (5–30%). Neither chicken nor turkey serum agglutinated histomonads to the extent seen with horse serum. Immune turkey serum lysed histomonads, hindering observation of clumping. Complement inactivation of immune serum slightly reduced lysis. AF in horse serum was precipitated with 25–40% ammonium sulfate and was active when cleaned by dialysis and reconstituted in HBSS. Clumping by serum facilitated the cleaning of histomonads for other studies where pure suspensions were needed.
Enhanced line detection using hyperspectral data

This paper demonstrates significant improvement in line detection using hyperspectral data compared to panchromatic data in natural scenes. Improvements in the number of lines detected using a Hough transform vary between 50% and over 400% for two AVIRIS and two HYDICE scenes. This enhanced detection is expected because hyperspectral data preserves gradient information that is lost in the inherent averaging across spectral bands for panchromatic imagery. For the same computational complexity per band, hyperspectral line detection is shown to outperform panchromatic line detection.
The vaginal inflammatory milieu and the risk of early premature preterm rupture of membranes.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the association of vaginal pH ≥5.0 and vaginal neutrophils >5 per oil field with preterm rupture of membranes (PPROM). Study design This was a secondary analysis of the Vaginal Infections and Prematurity cohort, and was comprised of 12,734 evaluable women enrolled between 23 and 26 weeks' gestation. Women were tested for sexually transmitted infections and vaginal pH. Gram-stained smears were used for the detection of neutrophils. Results In this analysis, 5751 (41.3%) women had neutrophils >5 per oil field, and 2500 (18.0%) had pH ≥5.0. Both elevated pH and neutrophils were present in 1149 women (8.3%). The concomitant presence of both neutrophils and elevated pH was significantly associated with PPROM at 24 to 32 weeks. Conclusion Elevated vaginal pH and neutrophils are most strongly associated with early third-trimester PPROM, reflecting the importance of infection and/or inflammation in the pathogenesis of this condition.
Direct Analysis of Spectra of Type Ib Supernovae

Synthetic spectra generated with the parameterized supernova synthetic-spectrum code SYNOW are compared to photospheric-phase spectra of Type Ib supernovae (SNe Ib). Although the synthetic spectra are based on many simplifying approximations, including spherical symmetry, they account well for the observed spectra. Our sample of SNe Ib obeys a tight relation between the velocity at the photosphere, as determined from the Fe II features, and the time relative to that of maximum light. From this we infer that the masses and the kinetic energies of the events in this sample were similar. After maximum light the minimum velocity at which the He I features form usually is higher than the velocity at the photosphere, but the minimum velocity of the ejected helium is at least as low as 7000 kms. Previously unpublished spectra of SN 2000H reveal the presence of hydrogen absorption features, and we conclude that hydrogen lines also were present in SNe 1999di and 1954A. Hydrogen appears to be present in SNe Ib in general, although in most events it becomes too weak to identify soon after maximum light. The hydrogen-line optical depths that we use to fit the spectra of SNe 2000H, 1999di, and 1954A are not high, so only a mild reduction in the hydrogen optical depths would be required to make these events look like typical SNe Ib. Similarly, the He I line optical depths are not very high, so a moderate reduction would make SNe Ib look like SNe Ic.
Missing data and the accuracy of magnetic-observatory hour means

Abstract. Analysis is made of the accuracy of magnetic-observatory hourly means constructed from definitive minute data having missing values (gaps). Bootstrap sampling from different data-gap distributions is used to estimate average errors on hourly means as a function of the number of missing data. Absolute and relative error results are calculated for horizontal-intensity, declination, and vertical-component data collected at high, medium, and low magnetic latitudes. For 90% complete coverage (10% missing data), average (RMS) absolute errors on hourly means are generally less than errors permitted by Intermagnet for minute data. As a rule of thumb, the average relative error for hourly means with 10% missing minute data is approximately equal to 10% of the hourly standard deviation of the source minute data.
Tools for predicting the PK/PD of therapeutic proteins

Introduction: Assessments of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics are an integral part in the development of novel therapeutic agents. Compared with traditional small molecule drugs, therapeutic proteins possess many distinct PK/PD features that necessitate the application of modified or separate approaches for assessing their PK/PD relationships.Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss tools that are utilized to describe and predict the PK/PD features of therapeutic proteins and that are valuable additions in the armamentarium of drug development approaches to facilitate and accelerate their successful preclinical and clinical development.Expert opinion: A variety of state-of-the-art PK/PD tools is currently being applied and has been adjusted to support the development of proteins as therapeutics, including allometric scaling approaches, target-mediated disposition models, first-in-man dose calculations, physiologically based PK models and empirical and semi-mechanistic ...
Generalization capability of a wearable early morning activity detection system

In this paper, we study the generalization capability of a classifier system which can detect, classify and monitor the activities of daily living for assisting patients with cognitive impairments due to traumatic brain injuries. Generalization implies that the system does not need subject specific training or minimal training, if needed, when the system is deployed in a home setting. We briefly describe the infrastructure of a cost-effective system and show initial applications in detecting activities executed in the early morning. A set of in-home fixed wireless sensors and wearable wireless sensors were used to detect the activity of the user. Both time and frequency-domain features were extracted and used to classify activities using Gaussian Mixture Models post processed with a Majority Voter. We show promising experimental results from 7 subjects while completing washing face, shaving face and brushing teeth activities. We compare results from intra subject classification study with inter subject classification study and show the generalization capability of our wearable system to detect several early morning activities.
Charge Recycling MTCMOS for Low Energy Active/Sleep Mode Transitions

Multi-threshold voltage CMOS (MTCMOS) has emerged as an increasingly popular technique for reducing the leakage energy consumption of idle circuits. The MTCMOS circuits, however, suffer from high energy overhead during the transitions between the active and standby modes. A new circuit technique is proposed in this paper to lower the energy overhead of these mode transitions for effective energy reduction with the MTCMOS circuits. The charge stored at the virtual lines is recycled during the active-to-sleep-to-active mode transitions with the proposed technique. Applying the charge recycling MTCMOS circuit technique to a 32-bit Brent-Kung adder reduces the energy overhead of mode transitions by up to 36.3% as compared to the conventional MTCMOS circuits. Furthermore, the standby mode power consumption is reduced by 91.1% as compared to a standard Brent-Kung adder in a 65nm CMOS technology.
The perception of saltiness is eliminated by NaCl adaptation: implications for gustatory transduction and coding.

The tastes of salts to humans are complex. NaCl is the most purely salty of all salts, but even this stimulus tastes sweet at low concentrations and somewhat sour at mid-range intensities. Other salts taste significantly sour or bitter in addition to salty. Previous studies have shown that the saltiness of simple halide salts is reduced by adaptation to NaCl, suggesting that a single mechanism might be responsible for the salty taste of these stimuli. In electrophysiological studies in rodents, the response to NaCl is reduced by application to the tongue of the Na + -channel blocker amiloride. Organic Na + salts are more heavily dependent on this amiloride-sensitive transduction component than NaCl, and are generally less salty and more sour. In order to investigate the relationship between NaCl saltiness and that evoked by other salts, we adapted the tongue to distilled H 2 O and to 0.1 M NaCl and obtained direct magnitude estimates of the taste intensity of 15 organic and inorganic Na + , Li + , K + and Ca 2+ salts, matched for total intensity. Subjects divided these magnitude estimates among the component taste qualities. Adaptation to NaCl abolished the taste of NaCl and LiCl, and eliminated the saltiness of all other salts. The magnitude estimates of the bitterness and sourness of many salts increased after NaCl adaptation. Since recent biophysical data suggest that adaptation in taste receptors may involve whole-cell mechanisms, we propose that saltiness is reduced by NaCl adaptation because it originates in the subset of taste receptors responsive to NaCl. This implies that saltiness is coded within the CNS in cells whose receptive fields include the NaCl-sensitive receptor cells and that the degree to which any salt tastes salty is determined by its ability to drive these receptors. This model proposes, for example, that KCl has a salty component because it stimulates some of the same receptor cells as NaCl, even though the transduction mechanisms for KCl are different than those engaged by NaCl. Adaptation to NaCl blocks the saltiness of KCl and other salts because they stimulate NaCl-sensitive receptor cells. Chem. Senses 20 : 545-557, 1995.
Combining the top-down approach with bottom-up advantages in logic synthesis

The current trend in logic synthesis of top-down ASIC designs has been towards offering the same advantages associated with bottom-up designs such as transistor level optimization with advanced algorithms. This paper proposes a method to exploit these benefits during logic synthesis. Top-down and bottom-up strategies are discussed and a way is shown how to combine both advantages of both methodologies. Results achieved with and without this methodology are compared. The comparisons exhibit the value of the new approach. >
Influences of fertilization on Aphis gossypii and insecticide usage

Fertilization levels for ornamental crops may influence pest population dynamics, crop quality, and pest management strategy. We examined the effect of fertilization on population growth and within-plant distribution of melon or cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, on potted chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflora (Tzvelev). In terms of pest management implications, we also investigated the effect of fertilization on the number of insecticide applications needed to control A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemum. Population growth rate of A. gossypii increased with fertilization levels from 0 to 38 ppm N and reached a plateau from 38 to 488 ppm N. Increased fertilization beyond 38 ppm N, 10% of the commercial standard, did not result in higher aphid number. Aphids responded to nutrient availability of plants by distributing themselves in areas with higher level of nitrogen. More aphids were found in the apical and middle strata of the plants than the basal stratum, which had the lowest nitrogen content. Leaf nitrogen content increased with increased fertilization level and was consistently higher in the apical and middle strata than the basal stratum. Increased fertilization from 0 to 375 ppm N did not result in higher number of insecticide applications. All three insecticides (bifenthrin, kinoprene or pymetrozine) were effective in keeping the aphid infestation below a pre-determined level, five aphids per plant, but pymetrozine required the least number of applications. For chrysanthemum, a fast-growing crop and heavy utilizer of nitrogen, increased fertilization shortened the time to flowering, which would allow growers to harvest their crop sooner and reduce the time for aphid population growth. Reduction in time to harvest could result in significant reduction of insecticide usage by reducing the time for aphid population growth. As a result, high fertilization together with minimal runoff may be a useful tactic to an integrated pest management (IPM) programme for managing A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemums.
synaptic Mechanisms of Activity-Dependent Remodeling in Visual cortex During Monocular Deprivation

It has long been appreciated that in the visual cortex, particularly within a postnatal critical period for experience-dependent plasticity, the closure of one eye results in a shift in the responsiveness of cortical cells toward the experienced eye. While the functional aspects of this ocular dominance shift have been studied for many decades, their cortical substrates and synaptic mechanisms remain elusive. Nonetheless, it is becoming increasingly clear that ocular dominance plasticity is a complex phenomenon that appears to have an early and a late component. Early during monocular deprivation, deprived eye cortical synapses depress, while later during the deprivation open eye synapses potentiate. Here we review current literature on the cortical mechanisms of activity-dependent plasticity in the visual system during the critical period. These studies shed light on the role of activity in shaping neuronal structure and function in general and can lead to insights regarding how learning is acquired and maintained at the neuronal level during normal and pathological brain development.
Poverty, Relationship Conflict, and the Regulation of Cortisol in Small and Large Group Contexts at Child Care

The purpose of this research is to explore the dynamics of cortisol regulation in the context of center-based child care by examining the impact of social context (large classroom vs. small group) and relationship quality with caregivers (conflict with mothers and teachers). We extend the research on children's physiologic stress system functioning in center-based child care by focusing on morning cortisol levels among young children living in poverty. While in high-quality center-based child care, children's cortisol levels decreased over the course of the morning—a result that contrasts with findings in previous research with middle-class children, for whom cortisol typically increased over the course of the day while attending center-based child care. Cortisol levels were further reduced when children were moved from a large classroom environment to a small group context. Relationship conflict with mothers and teachers moderated these effects. Children who had high conflict with their mother exhibited cortisol levels that remained higher (decreased less) over the course of the morning, and children who had high conflict with their teacher exhibited cortisol levels that remained higher (decreased less) in response to the small group context. These results indicate that high-quality child care has the potential to support reduced stress among children living in poverty, at least as indicated by adrenocortical activity.
Concentration of Oak Aphids, Myzocallis spp., on Irradiated White Oaks

In two gradients of gamma irradiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory, white oaks exposed to 10 to 30 R per 20-hr day- are retarded in leafing out. From June 9 to 13, 1969, these oaks under radiation stress were colonized by alate aph:ds, 61 plus or minus 11 )mean plus or minus Standard Error) Myzocallis tuberculata Richards 1:3 plus or minus 7 M. discolor (Monell) per 100 leaves. The alates were apparently attracted by the yellowish hue of the retarded foliage, and the initial concentration led to high aphid densities, 500 to 1600 per 100 leaves, during late June and early July.
Alternative Treatment Modalities for the Hypogonadal Patient

Testosterone (T) deficiency syndrome (TDS) is a prevalent condition, commonly managed with exogenous T. Despite an abundance of T formulations, alternative treatments are often sought for various reasons. To evaluate outcomes of alternative therapies, a PubMed search was performed of all publications that included men with TDS from 1990 through October 2013, with results summarized. Proposed mechanisms of action were also reviewed to provide a pathophysiologic basis for reported outcomes. Nonpharmacologic therapies that increase endogenous T are weight loss, exercise, and varicocelectomy, while medications used off-label include aromatase inhibitors, human chorionic gonadotropin, and selective estrogen receptor modulators. All reported therapies increase T, while changes in estradiol and adverse events vary by therapeutic class. Although limited data preclude direct comparisons between therapies, exercise and weight loss alone or in combination with medications may be considered first line. The role for surgical therapy in TDS remains undefined and requires further study.
Fat-free mass in relation to stature: ratios of fat-free mass to height in children, adults, and elderly subjects

A cross-sectional relationship of fat-free mass to height expressed as a ratio (FFM:ht) is presented for 1103 people aged 6-86 y. Data are presented for 13 specific age groups by gender. By providing information for normal, healthy individuals, these data may be of comparative value for nutritionists and clinicians concerned with body composition of patients with wasting diseases. The data were collected over 20 y in our laboratory by using the same densitometric procedure. A significant increase in FFM:ht occurs during the preadolescent and adolescent years. The adolescent spurt continues for a longer period for boys than for girls, resulting in a significant gender difference beginning at approximately age 16 y and continuing throughout adulthood. A decline in FFM:ht, not statistically significant, appears to occur in men greater than 60 y of age, and a significant decline occurs among women greater than 50 y of age (alpha less than 0.01). Thus, both gender- and age-related trends that have implications for the interpretation of comparative body-composition status are suggested.
Sexual risk at first coitus: does alcohol make a difference?

Abstract This study examines whether use of alcohol at first coitus is associated with increased sexual risk for young women. First coitus is the focus of the investigation because it is a memorable, formative experience that has implications for subsequent sexual health. A community sample of young women ages 18–19 years (N = 227) completed retrospective interviews. Characteristics and perceptions of the first coital event were examined using chi squares and one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to determine if there were differences based on alcohol-involvement. Alcohol-involved first coitus events occurred in social settings with risky partners, were rated less positively, and were non-consensual relative to those that did not involve alcohol. Alcohol use was not related to condom use. Alcohol-involvement was associated with subsequent pairing of alcohol with sex and incapacitated rape. Adolescent alcohol use occurs in contexts that increases young women's sexual risk through exposure to risky partners.
A temporary immersion plant propagation bioreactor with decoupled gas and liquid flows for enhanced control of gas phase

Temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs) are being used to propagate superior plant species on a commercial scale. We demonstrate a new TIB design, a Hydrostatic-driven TIB (Hy-TIB), where periodic raising and lowering the media reservoir maintains the advantages of temporary immersion of plant tissues without requiring large amounts of gas to move the media that is a characteristic of other TIB designs. The advantage of utilizing low volumes of gas mixtures (that are more expensive than air) is shown by a doubling of the growth rate of plant root cultures under elevated (40%) oxygen in air, and with CO2 supplementation showing improved phototrophic and photomixotrophic growth of seedless watermelon meristem cultures. The development of this bioreactor system involved overcoming contamination issues associated with utilizing very low gas flow rates and included utilizing microchip pressure sensors to diagnose unexpected changes in internal bioreactor pressure (± 20 Pa ∼0.0002 atm) caused by flexing of non-rigid plastic bag vessels. The overall design seeks to achieve versatility, scalability and minimum cost such that bioreactor technology can play an increasing role in the critical need to improve plant productivity in the face of increasing demand for food, reduced resources, and environmental degradation. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:337-345, 2016.
Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation During Sepsis: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) during sepsis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but practice patterns and outcomes associated with rate- and rhythm-targeted treatments for AF during sepsis are unclear. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using enhanced billing data from approximately 20% of United States hospitals. We identified factors associated with IV AF treatments (?-blockers [BBs], calcium channel blockers [CCBs], digoxin, or amiodarone) during sepsis. We used propensity score matching and instrumental variable approaches to compare mortality between AF treatments. Results Among 39,693 patients with AF during sepsis, mean age was 77 ± 11 years, 49% were women, and 76% were white. CCBs were the most commonly selected initial AF treatment during sepsis (14,202 patients [36%]), followed by BBs (11,290 [28%]), digoxin (7,937 [20%]), and amiodarone (6,264 [16%]). Initial AF treatment selection differed according to geographic location, hospital teaching status, and physician specialty. In propensity-matched analyses, BBs were associated with lower hospital mortality when compared with CCBs (n = 18,720; relative risk [RR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97), digoxin (n = 13,994; RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.85), and amiodarone (n = 5,378; RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.61-0.69). Instrumental variable analysis showed similar results (adjusted RR fifth quintile vs first quintile of hospital BB use rate, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79). Results were similar among subgroups with new-onset or preexisting AF, heart failure, vasopressor-dependent shock, or hypertension. Conclusions Although CCBs were the most frequently used IV medications for AF during sepsis, BBs were associated with superior clinical outcomes in all subgroups analyzed. Our findings provide rationale for clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of AF rate- and rhythm-targeted treatments during sepsis.
Gallstones: diagnosis and treatment.

In westernized countries most gallstones are composed chiefly of cholesterol. Normal bile is all liquid, whereas bile from patients with cholesterol cholelithiasis also contains cholesterol in crystalline form that has precipitated from solution. This indicates that the solubility of cholesterol in bile is limited. Within the next 10 years, a rational, safe method for preventing cholelithiasis in high-risk groups and for dissolving “silent” gallstones will be developed.
Assessing Risks of Cholinesterase-Inhibiting Pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) generally uses cholinesterase inhibition (ChE-I) to characterize the risks of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides since ChE-I is a sensitive predictor of exposure. Assessing the risks of these widely used pesticides on the basis of ChE-I involves uncertainties which necessitate science policy decisions, including, “How large an uncertainty factor (UF) should be used when estimating a reference dose (RfD) or acceptable daily intake (ADI)?” Although EPA and other agencies recommend that a 100-fold factor be used when extrapolating from valid results from long-term studies on animals, EPA has frequently used an UF of 10 for ChE-I pesticides. The UF used should be large enough to account for the uncertainty in extrapolating from results in animals to results in humans (interspecies variation) and the uncertainty regarding different susceptibilities among humans (intraspecies variation). A review of the literature and a study of a small sample of regulated pesticides suggest that the use of an uncertainty factor as small as ten to account for inter- and intra-species variation of ChE-I may not be justified.
An investigation on AIDS related knowledge and attitude among general population in Shifang City,Sichuan

Objective To study awareness of AIDS related knowledge and attitude among general population in Shifang City to provide scientific evidence for further health education on prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.Methods Totally,480 local residents from two villages and one town community were face-to-face interviewed with a structured-questionnaire by multistage sampling.Results Awareness of knowledge related to HIV/AIDS was 82.8 percent in the interviewees,particularly awareness of routes of HIV/AIDS transmission(over 89.5 percent),but poor awareness of routes which HIV/AIDS can not be transmitted.Only about half of the interviewees knew that HIV can not be transmitted by mosquitoes.And,41.2 percent of the interviewees did not use condom during sexual intercourse,only 23.6 percent of them used it occasionally,and 68.1 percent of 47 interviewees with non-fixed sexual partners did not use or never uses condom.They acquired information about HIV/AIDS prevention mainly by watching television.Conclusion Health education of HIV/AIDS prevention for the public should be further strengthened,and its core knowledge should be targeted at what they did not recognize.
ISCHEMIA in chronic kidney disease: improving the representation of patients with chronic kidney disease in cardiovascular trials.

Despite the high cardiovascular risk associated with chronic kidney disease, a recent systematic review confirmed that patients with kidney disease remain underrepresented in cardiovascular trials. Two ongoing trials are assessing the risk:benefit of aggressive evaluation and intervention for ischemic heart disease in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.
Long-Term Social Outcomes in Childhood Epilepsy

Population-based longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of social outcomes of children with epilepsy in different countries are reviewed by researchers at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Epilepsy, Chronic Disease, Idiopathic Epilepsy.
Magnetic characterization technique and materials comparison for very high frequency IVR

To efficiently power multi-core processors in today's computing devices, integrated voltage regulator (IVR) shows significant energy saving ability by dynamic voltage and frequency scaling. One key aspect in developing IVR is to design power inductors with small size and small loss at very high frequency. However, the challenge in very high frequency magnetic characterization is a major obstacle to accurately design and test the IVR inductors. In this work, the magnetic characterization technique at tens of MHz is investigated, and the issue and solution in permeability and loss measurement are demonstrated. The LTCC and NEC flake materials are characterized and compared at very high frequency for IVR inductor design.
Nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations: an integrative review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To conduct an integrative review of nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations to better understand the prevalence; to identify the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender subgroups at increased risk for nonsuicidal self-injury; and to examine the risk factors associated with nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. BACKGROUND: Nonsuicidal self-injury, defined as intentional injury to the body's surface without intent to die, is a significant mental health concern among adolescents and adults. Mental health disparities in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations, including anxiety, depression and suicidality, have been documented in the scientific literature with little focus on findings about nonsuicidal self-injury. DESIGN: Integrative literature review of published quantitative and qualitative empirical research. METHODS: A literature search of 11 on-line databases was conducted of articles published through April 2015. Keywords were used to identify articles about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations and nonsuicidal self-injury. RESULTS: After screening by title, abstract and full text, 26 articles were included in this review. The literature synthesised demonstrates a consistent pattern of increased prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury among sexual and gender minority populations compared with heterosexual peers. This body of literature indicates which subgroups of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations appear to be at increased risk for nonsuicidal self-injury and which specific factors contributing to vulnerability to nonsuicidal self-injury among these populations. CONCLUSIONS: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations are at higher risk for nonsuicidal self-injury compared with the general population. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-specific and general risk factors appear to contribute to this heightened vulnerability. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinical nurses should screen for nonsuicidal self-injury and for sexual and gender minority identity in all of their patients. Comprehensive assessment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients presenting with nonsuicidal self-injury may lead to identification of risk factors that can be addressed through nursing interventions. Nurse researchers and clinicians should take an active role in developing and implementing evidenced-based tailored interventions to reduce the higher vulnerability to nonsuicidal self-injury among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations.© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Language: en
Powerset Operator Foundations For Poslat Fuzzy Set Theories And Topologies

This chapter summarizes those powerset operator foundations of all mathematical and fuzzy set disciplines in which the operations of taking the image and preimage of (fuzzy) subsets play a fundamental role; such disciplines include algebra, measure theory and analysis, and topology. We first outline such foundations for the fixed-basis case—where the lattice of membership values or basis is fixed for objects in a particular category, and then extend these foundations to the variable-basis case—where the basis is allowed to vary from object to object within a particular category. Such foundations underlie almost all chapters of this volume. Additional applications include justifications for the Zadeh Extension Principle [19] and characterizations of fuzzy associative memories in the sense of Kosko [9]. Full proofs of all results, along with additional material, are found in Rodabaugh [16]—no proofs are repeated even when a result below extends its counterpart of [16]; some results are also found in Manes [11] and Rodabaugh [14, 15].
Carbon dioxide upcycling into industrially produced concrete blocks

Abstract A novel carbon utilization trial produced carbon dioxide treated concrete blocks by adding carbon dioxide gas to the concrete during the mixing and forming stages of the block production. The gas was supplied at up to 1.5% by weight of cement. The carbon dioxide was absorbed into the concrete with an average efficiency of about 88% of the gas delivered. The carbon dioxide was shown to reduce the block compaction (and thereby the density) but increasing the mix water was an effective countermeasure. The carbonation process was shown to increase compressive strength (13–33% at ages from 7 to 56 days) and decrease absorption (by 18–36%). The CO2 upcycling reduced the carbon footprint of the blocks by 1.4% thereby demonstrating a simple approach to utilizing carbon dioxide to make useful construction materials.
Abstract 2660: A renal CpG island methylator phenotype (R-CIMP) in kidney tumors associated with germline mutations ofFHandSDHB

Germline mutations of the genes encoding the Krebs cycle enzymes fumarate hydratase (FH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD) have both been associated with an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These renal tumors demonstrate complete loss of enzyme activity and significantly increased levels of intracellular fumarate or succinate that are predicted to infer with the actions of multiple cellular processes primarily through the inhibition of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, such as the prolyl hydroxylases that regulate the HIF pathway and the TET enzymes that regulate DNA methylation. This study evaluated and compared the genome-wide methylation profiles of 33 tumor samples (including 9 FH -/- and 7 SDHB -/- tumors), 10 associated normal samples and 13 cell-lines (including cell-line models derived from FH -/- and SDHB -/- tumors) using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip arrays. Tumors derived from patients with germline FH or SDHB mutations demonstrated a distinct pattern of hypermethylation across the genome with enrichment for hypermethylation within the CpG island regions. SDHB mutation associated tumors demonstrated that was more variable and less extensive pattern of hypermethylation than the tumors associated with germline FH mutations. Cell-line models derived from HLRCC or SDHB tumors demonstrated patterns of hypermethylation similar to the patterns observed in the tumors, yet re-expression of either wild-type FH or SDHB within these cell-line models did not alter the methylation profiles. All the HLRCC and SDHB-RCC cell lines, including the cell-line re-expressing of either wild-type FH or SDHB, demonstrated growth inhibition and reduced invasion rates in response to treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. Thus, renal cell carcinomas associated with FH or SDHB germline mutation demonstrate a specific R-CIMP hypermethylation profile that differentiates these tumors from tumors derived from other RCC susceptibility syndromes. These tumors represent the most aggressive types of familial-associated RCC and this could provide a useful biomarker for identifying these tumors and de-methylating agents, such as 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, may be effective as part of a therapeutic regime for the treatment of these tumors. Citation Format: Christopher Ricketts, J. Keith Killian, Cathy D. Vocke, Carole Sourbier, Youfeng Yang, Maria J. Merino, Paul S. Meltzer, W. Marston Linehan. A renal CpG island methylator phenotype (R-CIMP) in kidney tumors associated with germline mutations of FH and SDHB . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2660.
A General Initial Value Problem

Suppose r ≥ O is a given real number, R = (−∞,∞), Rn is a real or complex n-dimensional linear vector space with norm |•|, C([a,b],Rn) is the Banach space of continuous functions mapping the interval [a,b] into Rn with the topology of uniform convergence. If [a,b] = [−r,0] we let C = C([−r,0],Rn) and designate the norm of an element ϕ in C by \(\left| {\rm{\phi }} \right|{\rm{ = sup}}_{{\rm{ - r}} \le \theta \le {\rm{0}}} \left| {{\rm{\phi }}\left( \theta \right)} \right|\). Even though single bars are used for norms in different spaces, no confusion should arise. If σ ∈ R, A ≥ 0 and x ∈ C([σ−r,σ+A],Rn), then for any t ∈ [σ,σ+A], we let xt ∈ C be defined by Xt(θ) = x(t+θ), −r ≤ θ ≤ 0. If · = d/dt and f: R × C→Rn is a given function, we say that the relation $${\rm{\dot x}}\left( {\rm{t}} \right) = {\rm{f}}\left( {{\rm{t,x}}_{\rm{t}} } \right)$$ (2.1) is a functional differential equation of retarded type or simply a functional differential equation. A function x is said to be a solution of (2.1) if there are σ ∈ R, A > 0 such that x ∈ C([σ−r,σ+A),Rn) and x(t) satisfies (2.1) for t ∈ (σ,σ + A). In such a case, we say x is a solution of (2.1) on [σ−r,σ+ A). For a given σ ∈ R and a given ϕ ∈ C we say x = x(cr,cp) is a solution of (2.1) with initial value ϕ at σ or simply a solution of (2.1) through (σ,ϕ) if there is an A >0 such that x(σ,ϕ) is a solution of (2.1) on [σ−r,σ+A) and xσ(σ,ϕ) = ϕ.
Morphology of Interneurons: Interplexiform Cells

Retinal interplexiform neurons are a specialized subclass of amacrine cells that mediate intraretinal feedback of photic signals from photoreceptors, ganglion cells, and perhaps from brain nuclei to reconfigure retinal circuits according to prevailing illumination and circadian factors. They act primarily through the secretion of the neurotransmitter dopamine, both synaptically and via volume transmission. Dopaminergic amacrine neurons and interplexiform neurons play critical roles in overall retinal function and in visual health by modulating retinal circuits, synchronizing the retinal clock, and regulating eye and photoreceptor tropism.
Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy for the Treatment of Spasticity in Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome.

Intrathecal baclofen therapy is widely accepted as a treatment option for patients with severe spasticity. The current treatment of spasticity in patients with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome is largely symptomatic, given that no effective causal therapy treatments are available. We report the outcome of 2 patients with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome who had pump implantation for intrathecal baclofen. We observed a positive response, with a decrease of spasticity, reflecting in the Modified Ashworth Scale, and parents and caregivers observed a functional improvement in both patients. One patient experienced skin irritation 15 months after surgery, necessitating pump repositioning. No infection occurred. Our report shows that intrathecal baclofen therapy can have a positive therapeutic effect on spasticity in patients with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, and therefore may be a promising addition to current treatments.
Knocking on opportunity's door

My research career started when, at 15 years old, I showed up at university laboratories asking for a job. When I told this story to my spouse, another academic, we laughed uproariously at the idea of a kid not even out of high school knocking down the doors of our future laboratories. It sounded