cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatotoxicity related to intracavernous pharmacotherapy with papaverine

Abstract Objectives. To determine the incidence of hepatotoxicity related to self-administration of intracavernous papaverine or papaverine/phentolamine (bimix). Methods. From October 1994 through June 1996, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 71 consecutive patients diagnosed with organic erectile dysfunction (ED) and receiving intracavernous injection therapy. Inclusion criteria were documentation of normal baseline liver function tests (LFTs), a minimum of 6 months of follow-up that included LFTs, at least one self-injection every 2 weeks, and no other prior or concurrent treatment for ED. Thirty evaluable patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and formed group 1. Mean age was 63 years (range 40 to 77), mean follow-up was 18 months (range 6 to 32), and mean number of injections per month was 5.7 (range 3 to 12). An age-matched population of 20 patients (mean age 69 years, range 46 to 90) without ED but with similar comorbid risk factors formed the control group (group 2). All patients in group 2 had routine long-term follow-up of LFTs (mean 52 months, range 10 to 114). Results. Two patients (6.67%) from group 1 had elevated LFTs during treatment: one experienced a mild elevation in alanine aminotransferase and the other developed transient elevations of total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase 6 months after beginning therapy. Both patients reported a history of alcohol abuse. Both patients remained asymptomatic. Neither patient required discontinuation of therapy. One patient (5%) from group 2 developed an elevation of total bilirubin at a follow-up of 12 months. Conclusions. Routine monitoring of LFTs is probably unnecessary during intracavernous pharmacotherapy. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse or liver disease, however, should be followed up more closely when papaverine is selected for intracavernous injection. In these patients, LFTs should be obtained before initiating treatment and at 6-month intervals.
Trends in incidence and treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ in Hispanic, American Indian, and non-Hispanic white women in New Mexico, 1973-1994.

BACKGROUND Incidence rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast carcinoma and the use of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for its treatment show substantial geographic and ethnic variations nationwide. To the authors' knowledge, few studies have investigated incidence rates and treatment patterns in Hispanics and American Indians. METHODS The authors used data from the population-based New Mexico Tumor Registry to describe trends in DCIS incidence rates between 1973-1994 and investigate patient and physician characteristics related to BCS in a multiethnic population between 1985-1994. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate patient and physician factors related to receiving BCS. RESULTS Incidence rates for DCIS in Hispanics were approximately 50% lower compared with non-Hispanic whites. American Indians had the lowest incidence rate. Beginning in 1985, incidence rates for Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites showed a 21% annual increase. Between 1990-1994, incidence rates in American Indians increased more than twofold. BCS increased 5.8% per year between 1985-1994, with 50% of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients treated with BCS in 1994. The strongest factor associated with receiving BCS was geographic location of treatment (P < 0.001). The odds of receiving BCS were 5.8 times higher in the northern third of the state compared with the southern third. No significant variation in BCS was found by ethnicity, rural/urban residency, socioeconomic status, or physician characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Incidence rates for DCIS increased substantially in all three ethnic groups. The use of BCS was associated most strongly with the location of treatment, most likely reflecting differences in physician practices and treatment recommendations. Further research is needed to investigate the increasing incidence rates of DCIS and the determinants of BCS for the treatment of DCIS. Cancer 1999;85:1084–90. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Embracing Hybridity: The Merged Organization, Alt/Ac and Higher Education

ABSTRACT This article is based upon a decade of experience as the director of a merged organization. It includes the author's insights he has gained while working as Dean of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Academic Libraries and as a founding member of the CLIR/CIOs group. The article suggests ways to think about the ecology of higher education in a digital age and what role libraries and allied departments in a college or university might play. It proposes that useful steps forward include inviting differently positioned and credentialed individuals into the world of libraries and working together with computing organizations to create temporary structures within which to revise ideas and approaches to our work.
An Evaluation of Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in North Carolina, 2003-2010.

IntroductionCommunity Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is a group of tools and methods designed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide rapid, reliable, and accurate population-based public health information. Since 2003, North Carolina public health professionals have used CASPERs to facilitate public health emergency responses and gather information on other topics including routine community health assessments.ProblemTo date, there has been no evaluation of CASPER use by public health agencies at the state or local level in the US.MethodsLocal health departments of North Carolina reported when and how CASPERs were used during the period 2003 to 2010 via an online survey. Data on barriers and future plans for using CASPERs also were collected.ResultsFifty-two of North Carolina's 85 local health departments (61%) completed the survey. Twenty-eight departments reported 46 instances of CASPER use during 2003 to 2010. The majority of CASPERs were performed for community health assessments (n = 20, 43%) or exercises (n = 11, 24%). Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated they were “likely” or “very likely” to use CASPERs in the future; those who had prior experience with CASPERs were significantly more likely (P = .02) to report planned future use of CASPERs compared to those without prior experience with the tool. Lack of training, equipment, and time were the most frequently reported barriers to using CASPERs.ConclusionsLocal public health agencies with clear objectives and goals can effectively use CASPERs in both routine public health practice and disaster settings.HorneyJ, DavisMK, DavisSEH, FleischauerA. An Evaluation of Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in North Carolina, 2003-2010. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(2):1–5.
Annexin V inhibits the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced activation of Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway upstream of Shc in MCF-7 cells.

Annexin V is a Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding protein. Although it has been shown to inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) in cell-free systems, its role in the intact cell is unclear. A stable MCF-7 human breast cancer cell overexpression system was established to investigate the function of annexin V. In these cells, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced phosphorylation and kinase activity of ERK1/2 were suppressed. Morphological changes induced by TPA were reduced by annexin V overexpression as well as by the pan-PKC inhibitor, bisindolylmaleimide I, and by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059. TPA-induced MEK1/2 and Raf-1 phosphorylation were reduced in these cells. The TPA-enhanced active Ras, and its association with Raf-1, were reduced. TPA treatment of MCF-7 cells caused an increased association of Shc with Grb2. However, this increased association was prevented in the annexin V-overexpressors. p21WAF/CIP1 is responsible for inhibition of cell cycle progression in MCF-7 cells. TPA induced the expression of p21WAF/CIP1 to a greater extent in MCF-7 parent and control plasmid cells than in annexin V overexpressors. PD98059 inhibited this increase, suggesting that TPA upregulation of p21WAF/CIP1 occurs via the MEK pathway, and that annexin V overexpression blunts it. This work shows that annexin V overexpression suppresses the TPA-induced Ras/ERK signaling by inhibiting at/or upstream of Shc, possibly through the inhibition of PKCs.
Changes in occupation after aortocoronary vein-bypass operation.

The effect of aortocoronary vein-bypass operation on changes in occupational status was investigated in a cohort of 893 men. The median period of time between the operation and follow-up evaluation of postoperative occupational status was 14 months. The patients were divided into two age groups, with 55 years as the dividing point. The results showed that 11% of the younger men and 26% of the older group who were employed before the operation retired following the operation. In addition, 30% of the patients changed their occupational status following the operation. When occupational changes also resulted in changes in physical demands, 49% of the patients took new jobs that were less demanding physically, while 40% took jobs that were more demanding. Close to 9% of the patients were retired prior to the operation; about one fifth of them came out of retirement following the operation. ( JAMA 236:361-364, 1976)
Characterization of the Structural and Electronic Properties of Spin-Coupled Dinuclear Copper(II) Centers by Proton NMR Spectroscopy

The 1H NMR spectra of a series of well-characterized μ-phenoxo and μ-alkoxo spin-coupled dicopper(II) complexes have been investigated. The complexes studied were [Cu2(BPMP)(OH)]2+ (1) (BPMP = 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl]-4-methylphenol), [Cu2(CH3HXTA)(OH)]2- (2) (CH3HXTA = N,N ‘-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-xylylene)bis(N-carboxymethylglycine), [Cu2(m-XYL)(OH)]2+ (3) (m-XYL = 2,6-bis[[bis(2-pyridylethyl)amino]methyl]phenol), and [Cu2(TBHP)(OAc)]2+ (4) (TBHP = N,N,N ‘,N ‘-tetrakis[(2-benzimidazolyl)methyl]-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane). The magnetic interactions of these complexes range from strongly antiferromagnetically to weakly ferromagnetically coupled. Both one- and two-dimensional (COSY) 1H NMR methods were used to facilitate the assignment of the hyperfine shifted 1H NMR signals of each complex. COSY experiments provide clear cross signals for resonances <200 Hz wide. These data have facilitated the assignment of the hyperfine shifted 1H NMR signals and have verified that the solid state ...
Follicular populations and luteal function in dairy heifers treated with a controlled internal drug release insert for 14 days as a method to synchronize the estrous cycle before prostaglandin F2α treatment and artificial insemination

Progesterone-containing controlled internal drug release (CIDR) inserts are used to synchronize the estrous cycle before PGF2α is administered for timed AI (14dCIDR-PGF2α program). The program, initially designed for beef cattle, was recently shown to be efficacious in dairy heifers. We hypothesized that the 14-d CIDR treatment would synchronize the estrous cycle in dairy heifers and result in a uniformly sized corpus luteum (CL) and largest follicle (LF) at the time of PGF2α treatment. Holstein (n=110) or Holstein × Guernsey (n=4) dairy heifers were assigned to 2 treatments: (1) 14dCIDR-PGF2α [CIDR in for 14 d, CIDR out for 16d, PGF2α and AI after observed estrus (n=57)] or (2) control [PGF2α and AI after observed estrus (n=57)]. Regardless of treatment, additional PGF2α injections were administered at 14-d intervals to heifers that were not seen in estrus. Ovarian ultrasonography and blood sampling were done on d 0 (CIDR administered), 14 (day CIDR removed), 19 (5d after CIDR removed), 30 (PGF2α administered), and 44 (second PGF2α dose administered to heifers that were not detected in estrus after the first PGF2α). Compared with control (untreated), more CIDR-treated heifers were categorized as having a small CL (≤ 9.9 mm) and large LF (15.0-19.9 mm) on d 14 (CIDR removal) and, as expected, a greater percentage of CIDR-treated heifers were in estrus during the 5d after the CIDR removal compared with control heifers (75.4 vs. 22.8%, respectively). On d 19, the CIDR-treated heifers had apparently ovulated based on disappearance of LF and appearance of small CL. On d 30 (PGF2α administration), 89% of 14dCIDR-PGF2α heifers had CL that were ≥ 20 mm in diameter compared with 55% for control. Presence of larger CL on d 30 was associated with greater concentrations of plasma progesterone in 14dCIDR-PGF2α compared with control (10.5 ± 0.5 vs. 5.0 ± 0.6 ng/mL, respectively). The percentages of heifers with LF in the smallest category (≤ 9.9 mm) tended to be less (5.3 vs. 16.6%) and the percentage of heifers with LF in the medium-size category (10.0 to 14.9 mm) tended to be greater (84.2 vs. 69.1%) for 14dCIDR-PGF2α versus control, respectively, on d 30. More heifers were detected in estrus within 5d after the first PGF2α (86.0 vs. 56.1%) and conception rate to AI using sexed semen tended to be greater (61.2% vs. 40.6%) for 14dCIDR-PGF2α compared with control (respectively). Treating dairy heifers with a CIDR for 14 d was an effective method to synchronize an estrous cycle before PGF2α was administered.
Chemical and biological characterization of emissions from a fireperson training facility

Firefighters are routinely exposed to a wide variety of combustion products. To examine health-related aspects of their exposure to combustion products from specific sources, samples from oil fire plumes at a fireperson training, facility were collected for chemical characterization of organic compounds and for Ames microbial mutagenesis biological testing. Chemical characterization of particulate and vapor-phase samples demonstrated the existence of a complex mixture of organics containing a series of alkanes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and other compounds. The Ames bioassay showed an average mutagenic response of 0.4 rev/µg with most of the activity observed in strain TA98 with metabolic activation.
Block Copolymers: Past Successes and Future Challenges

Block copolymers are the focus of a great deal of research activity in contemporary macromolecular science. This is attributable to a range of fascinating fundamental issues associated with understanding self-assembly processes in both solution and in bulk, coupled to an adventitious convergence of substantial progress in synthetic versatility, developments in molecular and structural characterization, understanding of the factors that control phase behavior, and elucidation of the response of copolymer materials to external fields. It is argued that due to the rapid progress in these areas block copolymers now stand on the verge of a new generation of sophisticated materials applications, in which particular nanostructures will play a crucial role. This may be contrasted with the current billion dollar annual market for block copolymer materials, in which no substantial advantage is taken of any particular nanostructure. A variety of persistent challenges are identified that stand between block copolymers and widespread success in novel applications; foremost amongst these are issues concerned with processing.
Differential responses to angiotensin-(1-7) in the feline mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds

Abstract Regional vascular responses to angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7), a heptapeptide derivative og Ang II were investigated in the feline hindquarters and mesenteric vascular under conditions of controlled flow. In the mesenteric vascular bed, injections of Ang-(1–7) in doses of 1, 3 and 10 μg produced dose-dependent decreases in mesenteric perfusion pressure whereas at doses of 30 and 100 μg, increases were observed. In contrast, in the hindquarters circulation, low doses produced increases while high doses produced decreases in perfusion pressure. In both vascular beds the degree of vasoconstriction was weak, being less than 1% of that elicited by Ang II. The vasoconstrictor effect of Ang-(1–7) in both the mesenteric and hindquarters vascular bed was blocked by DuP 753 (1 mg/kg i.v.), an Ang receptor subtype 1 (AT 1 ) antagonist. The vasodilator responses in both vascular beds were partially blocked by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 mg/kg i.v.) but were unaffected by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, meclofenamate (2.5 mg/kg i.v.). The present results show that in the peripheral vascular bed of the cat, Ang-(1–7) causes vasodilation or modest vasoconstriction, depending on the dose and the regional vascular bed studied. The present data also suggest that the vasodilator effect of the peptide may be mediated in part by the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the vasoconstrictor effect by activation of the AT 1 receptor subtype.
The bearing of the frequencies of x-ray induced interchanges in maize upon the mechanism of their induction

A study of X-ray induced interchanges in maize has shown, in theF1 progeny from irradiated pollen, that individuals with two rings of four chromosomes are slightly more frequent than those with a ring of six chromosomes. Similar relations between these two classes hold at different X-ray doses. These facts may be accounted for on the contact hypothesis or on the breakage hypothesis if it be supposed that structural rearrangements chiefly follow breaks occurring in nearby positions. The data cannot be used to decide whether translocations require one or more hits for their production.
Design and Implementation of an Efficient General-Purpose Median Filter Network

Abstract Median filtering, an image enhancement technique, is commonly used to filter out certain types of noise from an image. In this technique each pixel value in the image is replaced by the median value of the pixels in a window centered around the pixel. This paper discusses the design and implementation of median filters using pipelined multistage networks. The first part of the multistage network is a bitonic sequencer, followed by a shuffle stage feeding the bitonic sorter. The bitonic sorter shuffles the data at every stage, which is implemented as an Omega network. Earlier designs for such filters have used a number of basic unit cells interconnected in a sorting network. In the best known VLSI implementation currently in use, the delay and the number of basic unit cells, increase as O(n) and O(n2), respectively, for an (n = s × s) window of pixels. The improvements in the basic unit cell and the network layout topology presented here reduce the number of cells used to O(n log2n) and the delay to O(log2n).
Show or tell: Testimony is sufficient to induce the curse of knowledge in three- and four-year-olds

Because much of what children learn extends beyond their first-hand experience, they are reliant upon the testimony of others to acquire information about aspects of the world they have not experie...
The influence of subterranean termites on the hydrological characteristics of a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem

Rainfall simulation at an average intensity of 124 mm·h-1 was used to compare infiltration and run off on arid areas where subterranean termites had been eliminated four years prior to the initiation of the study (termite free) with adjacent areas populated by subterranean termites (termites present). Infiltration rates on termite free plots with less than 5% perennial plant cover were significantly lower 51.3±6.8 mm·h-1 than rates on comparable termites present plots 88.4±5.6 mm·h-1. On plots centered on Larrea tridentata shrubs, there were no differences in infiltration rates with or without termites. Plots with shrub cover had the highest infiltration rates 101±6 mm·h-1. Highest run-off volumes were recorded from termite free <5% grass cover plots and the lowest from plots with shrubs. There were no differences in suspended sediment concentrations from termites present and termite free plots. Average bed load concentration was more than three times greater from termite free, <5% cover plots than from termites present, <5% cover plots.
Influence of dietary factors on actinically-induced skin cancer.

The first indication that high dietary fat intake could influence the development of ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin cancer in experimental animals was reported in 1939. In the 1980s a series of animal studies showed that a high level of dietary fat intake markedly shortened the time between UV exposure and tumor appearance and increased the number of tumors that developed. Further, high levels of dietary fat affected skin cancer development at the promotional stage of UV-carcinogenesis, i.e., after the cancer causing dose of UV had been delivered. Perhaps more important, switching from a high-fat to a low-fat diet immediately after delivery of the UV-initiating dose negated the exacerbating effect of high fat intake. The latter finding suggested that dietary modification, even after a cancer-causing exposure to UV, might represent a potentially important intervention strategy in the prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and provided the rationale for undertaking a dietary intervention trial. One hundred and fifteen skin cancer patients completed the 2-year clinical trial on the effect of a low-fat diet on occurrence of actinic keratosis (AK) and NMSC. Patients were randomly assigned to either continue their usual diet (control group, NI) or to adopt a diet with 20% of total caloric intake as fat (diet intervention group, DI). All patients were examined at 4-month intervals for new AK and NMSC. At baseline, the mean percent of caloric intake as fat was 40±4% in the NI group and 39±3% in the DI group. After 4 months of dietary therapy, the percent calories as fat had decreased to 21±7% in the DI group. The percent of calories as fat in the NI group did not drop below 37% during the study period. The cumulative number of new AK per patient from months 4 through 24 was 11.6±17 in the NI group and 3.2±6 in the DI group (P<0.001). Numbers of new NMSC were analyzed in 8-month periods. There were no significant changes in NMSC occurrence in the NI group. However, NMSC occurrence in the DI group declined significantly (P<0.02) in the last 8-month period. Patients in the DI group also had significantly (P<0.01) fewer NMSC in the last 8-month period than did patients in the NI group (0.02 versus 0.26). Practical dietary advice, with respect to reduction of percent of calories as fat, could make an important contribution to the prevention and management of AK and NMSC.
Neuro-Adaptive Formation Control of Multi-Mobile Vehicles: Virtual Leader Based Path Planning and Tracking

This paper presents a neuro intelligent virtual leader based approach for close formation of a group of mobile vehicles. Neural Network-based trajectory planning is incorporated into the leading vehicle so that an optimal reference path is generated automatically by the virtual leader, which guides the whole team vehicles to the area of interest as precisely as possible. The steering control scheme is derived based on the structural properties of the vehicle dynamics. Simulation on multiple vehicles formation is conducted as a verification of the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Autologous tumor-derived heat-shock protein peptide complex-96 (HSPPC-96) in patients with metastatic melanoma

Glycoprotein-96, a non-polymorphic heat-shock protein, associates with intracellular peptides. Autologous tumor-derived heat shock protein-peptide complex 96 (HSPPC-96) can elicit potent tumor-specific T cell responses and protective immunity in animal models. We sought to investigate the feasibility, safety, and antitumor activity of HSPPC-96 vaccines prepared from tumor specimens of patients with metastatic melanoma. Patients with a Karnofsky Performance Status >70% and stage III or stage IV melanoma had to have a metastasis >3 cm in diameter resectable as part of routine clinical management. HSPPC-96 tumor-derived vaccines were prepared in one of three dose levels (2.5, 25, or 100 μg/dose) and administered as an intradermal injection weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. In vivo induction of immunity was evaluated using delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to HSPPC-96, irradiated tumor, and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The γ-interferon (IFNγ) ELISPOT assay was used to measure induction of a peripheral blood mononuclear cell response against autologous tumor cells at baseline and at the beginning of weeks 3, 4, and 8. Among 36 patients enrolled, 72% had stage IV melanoma and 83% had received prior systemic therapy. The smallest tumor specimen from which HSPPC-96 was prepared weighed 2 g. Twelve patients (including 9 with stage IV and indicator lesions) had a negative DNCB skin test result at baseline. All 36 patients were treated and evaluable for toxicity and response. There were no serious toxicities. There were no observed DTH responses to HSPPC-96 or to autologous tumor cells before or during treatment. The IFNγ-producing cell count rose modestly in 5 of 26 patients and returned to baseline by week 8, with no discernible association with HSPPC-96 dosing or clinical parameters. There were no objective responses among 16 patients with stage IV disease and indicator lesions. Among 20 patients treated in the adjuvant setting, 11 with stage IV melanoma at baseline had a progression-free and overall survival of 45% and 82%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 10 years. Treatment with autologous tumor-derived HSPPC-96 was feasible and safe at all doses tested. Observed immunological effects and antitumor activity were modest, precluding selection of a biologically active dose. Nevertheless, the 25-μg dose level was shown to be practical for further study.
Energetics and Structural Effects of Boron Additive to Intermetallic Compound: γ-Tial

Improving the low temperature ductility of the intermetallic compound γ - TiAl by alloying with small concentrations of an additive is of great practical importance. The difference in site selection energy of the additive plays an important role in the stability and behavior of the alloy. For boron in L1 0 TiAl, we have calculated the site selection energy using linearized combination of muffin-tin orbitals (LMTO) total energy calculations. For pure γ - TiAl, we found the equilibrium lattice structure by minimizing the total energy, and obtained good agreement with the experimental values. With the introduction of boron, a relaxation of the lattice around the boron additive is expected. For boron additives, we have calculated the forces on each atom leading to the minimization of the total energy as a function of the ionic positions in order to obtain the “true” stable structure of the alloy.
Determination of effective permittivity and permeability of metamaterials from reflection and transmission coefficients

We analyze the reflection and transmission coefficients calculated from transfer matrix simulations on finite lengths of electromagnetic metamaterials, to determine the effective permittivity ~«! and permeability ~m! .W e perform this analysis on structures composed of periodic arrangements of wires, split ring resonators ~SRRs!, and both wires and SRRs. We find the recovered frequency-dependent« and m are entirely consistent with analytic expressions predicted by effective medium arguments. Of particular relevance are that a wire medium exhibits a frequency region in which the real part of « is negative, and SRRs produce a frequency region in which the real part of m is negative. In the combination structure, at frequencies where both the recovered real parts of « and m are simultaneously negative, the real part of the index of refraction is also found to be unambiguously negative.
Estimating Adjusted Risk Ratios for Matched and Unmatched Data: An Update:

The Stata 11 margins command makes it easier to estimate adjusted risk ratios, and the new robust variance option for xtpoisson, fe provides correct confidence intervals for adjusted risk ratios from matched-cohort data.
Mechanical loading affects the energy metabolism of intervertebral disc cells

Research has shown that mechanical loading affects matrix biosynthesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) cells; however the pathway(s) to this effect is currently unknown. Cellular matrix biosynthesis is an energy demanding process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of static and dynamic compressive loading on energy metabolism of IVD cells. Porcine annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells seeded in 2% agarose were used in this experiment. Experimental groups included 15% static compression and 0.1 and 1 Hz dynamic compression at 15% strain magnitude for 4 hours. ATP, lactate, glucose and nitric oxide (NO) contents in culture media, and ATP content in cell-agarose construct were measured using biochemical assays. While the total ATP content of AF cells was promoted by static and dynamic loading, only 1 Hz dynamic loading increased total ATP content of NP cells. Increases in lactate production and glucose consumption of AF cells suggest that ATP production via glycolysis is promoted by dynamic compression. ATP release and NO production of AF and NP cells were significantly increased by dynamic loading. Thus, this study clearly illustrates that static and dynamic compressive loading affect IVD cell energy production while cellular responses to mechanical loading were both cell type and compression type dependent.
Effect of the Atlantic hurricanes on the oceanic meridional overturning circulation and heat transport

[1] Hurricanes have traditionally been perceived as intense but relatively small scale phenomena, with little effect on the large scale climate system. However, recent evidence has suggested that hurricanes could play a much more significant role in global climate. Here we prescribe Atlantic hurricanes in a global coupled climate model to show that, climatically, the strong hurricane winds can strengthen the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) that is responsible for an increased northward meridonal heat transport (MHT), and the hurricane rainfall tends to weaken the MOC and to reduce the MHT. The net effect of the hurricanes on the MOC and MHT depends on the outcome of these two competing processes. This result implies that hurricanes may indeed play an important role in the coupled climate system and need to be studied further in high resolution global coupled models.
Models, prior information, and Bayesian analysis☆

Abstract Formulation of models for observations and prior densities for their parameters is an important activity in many sciences. In the present paper, after a discussion of this area of activity, entropy-based methods are employed to derive many central econometric and statistical models and noninformative and informative prior densities for their parameters in an explicit, reproducible manner. Examples are provided to illustrate the general procedures. In particular, maxent is employed to produce linear and nonlinear regression and autoregression models, hierarchical models, time-varying parameter models, etc. Then maximal data information prior (MDIP) densities for hyperparameters, common parameters in different likelihood functions, multinomial parameters, etc., are derived. Also the MDIP approach is utilized to produce prior odds for alternative hypotheses or models.
Formulas for estimating the costs averted by sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs in the United States

Background Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs can mitigate the health and economic burden of STIs. A tool to estimate the economic benefits of STI programs could prove useful to STI program personnel.
Analyzing Commercial Mobile Phones by a Domain Decomposition Approach

This paper presents a domain decomposition method (DDM) to model commercial mobile phones in the vicinity of a human head. The DDM is employed in two ways: One is to facilitate a novel non-conformal coupling scheme between finite elements and boundary elements. Secondly, it is also used to obtain the numerical Green's function, which includes the effects of the surrounding environment. The method is applied to a sample example to demonstrate the potential applications of such an approach
EPIGENESIS OF LANGUAGE

Studies employing event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were designed to study the effects of different types of language experience on the development and organization of neural systems important in language processing. Comparisons of cerebral organization in normally hearing, monolingual English speakers with that observed in hearing and deaf late learners of English suggest that while systems important in lexical/semantic processing are relatively invulnerable to delays in exposure to a language, the development of systems important in grammatical processing, including the specialization of the left hemisphere, is affected by early language experience. Studies of individuals who acquired American Sign Language (ASL) as a native language suggest that similar systems within the left hemisphere are employed in processing all natural languages independently of the structure and modality of the language acquired. These studies also reveal that additional areas within the right hemisphere can be recruited into the language system when the language depends on the perception of spatial location and motion. Studies of children acquiring their first language reveal that there is increasing differentiation of the neural systems important in processing the meaning of words and of the areas important in lexical and grammatical processing and that these increases in specialization are linked to language abilities rather than to chronological age per se. Further studies suggest that developmental language impairment can result from alterations in one of several different systems important in language, and that some indices of these functional neural systems may be predictive of language impairment.
Butterworth filters as loudspeaker frequency-dividing networks

The constant input impedance properties of combined high- and low-pass Butterworth filters would make them appear ideal for loudspeaker crossover networks. However, the combined signal at the output of the combined filter is not identical to the input. A modified filter system based on Butterworth polynomials is suggested and the transient and frequency response reported.
Juveniles' Miranda comprehension: Understanding, appreciation, and totality of circumstances factors.

This study examined juvenile justice-involved youths' understanding and appreciation of the Miranda warnings' rights to silence and legal counsel using the Miranda Rights Comprehension Instruments (Goldstein, Zelle, & Grisso, 2012). It also examined the relationships between totality of circumstances factors and understanding and appreciation of rights. Data were collected from 183 youths (140 boys) in pre-and postadjudication facilities in 2 states. Overall, youths demonstrated greater difficulty on measures of appreciation than understanding, with particular deficits in their abilities to comprehend the abstract concept of the right to silence. RESULTS varied slightly by instrument, highlighting the importance of a multimodal assessment of these complex abilities. Examination of totality of circumstances factors identified relationships between some factors (e.g., age, verbal IQ, academic achievement) and Miranda comprehension, but revealed that other factors (e.g., gender, number of previous arrests) were not significantly related to Miranda understanding or appreciation. The findings support a nuanced conceptualization of Miranda rights comprehension that acknowledges the complexity of understanding and appreciating the warnings. Empirical analyses also support the continued use of some totality of circumstances factors and abandonment of others. FINDINGS underscore the necessity of multimodal assessment and interpretation when conducting capacity to waive Miranda rights evaluations. Language: en
Micro-Environmental Mechanical Stress Controls Tumor Spheroid Size and Morphology by Suppressing Proliferation and Inducing Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Background Compressive mechanical stress produced during growth in a confining matrix limits the size of tumor spheroids, but little is known about the dynamics of stress accumulation, how the stress affects cancer cell phenotype, or the molecular pathways involved. Methodology/Principal Findings We co-embedded single cancer cells with fluorescent micro-beads in agarose gels and, using confocal microscopy, recorded the 3D distribution of micro-beads surrounding growing spheroids. The change in micro-bead density was then converted to strain in the gel, from which we estimated the spatial distribution of compressive stress around the spheroids. We found a strong correlation between the peri-spheroid solid stress distribution and spheroid shape, a result of the suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptotic cell death in regions of high mechanical stress. By compressing spheroids consisting of cancer cells overexpressing anti-apoptotic genes, we demonstrate that mechanical stress-induced apoptosis occurs via the mitochondrial pathway. Conclusions/Significance Our results provide detailed, quantitative insight into the role of micro-environmental mechanical stress in tumor spheroid growth dynamics, and suggest how tumors grow in confined locations where the level of solid stress becomes high. An important implication is that apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway, induced by compressive stress, may be involved in tumor dormancy, in which tumor growth is held in check by a balance of apoptosis and proliferation.
Proximate Cues for a Short-Distance Migratory Species: an Application of Survival Analysis

Investigation of bird migration has often highlighted the importance of external factors in determining timing of migration. However, little distinction has been made between short- and long-distance migrants and between local and flight birds (passage migrants) in describing migration chronology. In addition, measures of food abundance as a proximate factor influencing timing of migration are lacking in studies of migration chronology. To address the relationship between environmental variables and timing of migration, we quantified the relative importance of proximate external factors on migration chronology of local American woodcock (Scolopax minor), a short distance migrant, using event-time analysis methods (survival analysis). We captured 1,094 woodcock local to our study sites in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (USA) during autumn 2002–2004 and documented 786 departure dates for these birds. Photoperiod appeared to provide an initial proximate cue for timing of departure. Moon phase was important in modifying timing of departure, which may serve as a navigational aid in piloting and possibly orientation. Local synoptic weather variables also contributed to timing of departure by changing the rate of departure from our study sites. We found no evidence that food availability influenced timing of woodcock departure. Our results suggest that woodcock use a conservative photoperiod-controlled strategy with proximate modifiers for timing of migration rather than relying on abundance of their primary food, earthworms. Managing harvest pressure on local birds by adjusting season lengths may be an effective management tool with consistent migration patterns from year to year based on photoperiod.
Functional Parcellation of Attentional Control Regions of the Brain

Recently, a number of investigators have examined the neural loci of psychological processes enabling the control of visual spatial attention using cued-attention paradigms in combination with event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging. Findings from these studies have provided strong evidence for the involvement of a fronto-parietal network in attentional control. In the present study, we build upon this previous work to further investigate these attentional control systems. In particular, we employed additional controls for nonattentional sensory and interpretative aspects of cue processing to determine whether distinct regions in the fronto-parietal network are involved in different aspects of cue processing, such as cue-symbol interpretation and attentional orienting. In addition, we used shorter cue-target intervals that were closer to those used in the behavioral and event-related potential cueing literatures. Twenty participants performed a cued spatial attention task while brain activity was recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found functional specialization for different aspects of cue processing in the lateral and medial subregions of the frontal and parietal cortex. In particular, the medial subregions were more specific to the orienting of visual spatial attention, while the lateral subregions were associated with more general aspects of cue processing, such as cue-symbol interpretation. Additional cue-related effects included differential activations in midline frontal regions and pretarget enhancements in the thalamus and early visual cortical areas.
Interference processes in monkey auditory list memory

A rhesus monkey’s memory was tested for single items and four-item lists of natural and environmental sounds. Memory items were presented from a center speaker, followed by a retention delay and then a choice response to a test sound presented simultaneously from two side speakers. Recognition of the last item of four-item lists was much poorer than that of single items at 0-, 1-, and 2-sec delays, despite there being the same temporal relations between study and test. This result showed that the first three items proactively interfered with memory of the last list item. Proactive interference dissipated after 2 sec, revealing a recency effect that eventually equaled single-item performance. Recognition of the first item of four-item lists was much poorer than single items at 20- and 30-sec delays, showing that the last three items retroactively interfered with memory of the first list item. The results point to the critical nature of interference processes in the understanding of serial position functions.
The distinct effects of habitat fragmentation on population size

We sought to understand how the separation of habitats into spatially isolated fragments influences the abundance of organisms. Using a simple, deterministic model of population growth, we compared analytically exact solutions predicting abundance of consumers in two isolated patches with abundance of consumers in a single large patch where the carrying capacity of the large patch is the sum of the carrying capacities of the isolated ones. For the deterministic model, the effect of fragmentation was to slow the rate of population growth in the fragmented habitat relative to the intact one. We also analyzed a stochastic version of the model to examine the effect of fragmentation on population abundance when resources vary randomly in time. For the stochastic model, the effect of fragmentation was to reduce population abundance. We proved in closed-form, that for a non-equilibrium population exhibiting logistic population growth, fragmentation will reduce population size even when the total carrying capacity is not affected by fragmentation. We provide a theoretical basis for the prediction that habitat fragmentation amplifies the effect of habitat loss on the abundance of mobile organisms.
Priming of strong semantic relations in the left and right visual fields: a time-course investigation.

Abstract Prior time-course investigations of cerebral asymmetries in word processing have sometimes reported hemisphere differences in the onset and duration of semantic priming. In the current study, very strongly related word pairs (categorical associates such as arm – leg ) were employed in a low relatedness proportion lexical decision priming paradigm. A range of prime–target stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs: 150–800 ms) was included. Only very weak evidence was obtained for a LVF priming lag at the briefest SOA, while priming was bilateral at moderately long SOAs. We consider these data in the context of previous time-course studies and suggest that, when highly semantically similar word pairs are used, a right hemisphere priming lag is, at best, a very small effect.
Census, habitat preference, and polyspecific associations of six monkeys in the Lomako Forest, Zaire.

This paper reports preliminary data on a number of poorly known cercopithecids inhabiting the Lomako Forest, Zaire. Data include those on density, biomass, group size, the relationship between group type (mono vs. polyspecific) and forest type (mixed primary, secondary, monodominant primary, and swamp), and vertical stratification. Species examined are Colobus angolensis, Cercocebus aterrimus, Cercopithecus wolfi, Cercopithecus ascanius, Cercopithecus neglectus, and Allenopithecus nigroviridis. The density and biomass for the Lomako Forest anthropoids (excluding Cercopithecus neglectus and A. nigroviridis) are 165 ind/km2 and 1,034 kg/km2, respectively. Cercopithecus wolfi and Colobus angolensis are found in group sizes similar to those reported from other sites while Cercopithecus ascanius, Cercocebus aterrimus, and A. nigroviridis display group sizes unique to the Lomako. While Colobus angolensis, Cercocebus aterrimus, Cercopithecus ascanius and Cercopithecus wolfi were found, to varying extents, in all four forest types, Cercopithecus neglectus and A. nigroviridis inhabited only swamp forest. The different species sort out along vertical continua both within and between the four forest types. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nonmagnetic nanocomposites for optical and infrared negative-refractive-index media

We develop an approach to use nanostructured plasmonic materials as a nonmagnetic negative-refractive-index system at optical and near-infrared frequencies. In contrast to conventional negative-refraction materials, our design does not require periodicity and thus is highly tolerant to fabrication defects. Moreover, since the proposed materials are intrinsically nonmagnetic, their performance is not limited to the proximity of a resonance, so the resulting structure has relatively low loss. We develop the analytical description of the relevant electromagnetic phenomena and justify our analytic results via numerical solutions of Maxwell equations.