cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of sheep pituitary extract on hypercholesterolaemia in intact and hypophysectomized rats.

THE prolonged administration of cortisone or adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has sometimes been found to cause a change in the concentration of cholesterol in serum in human beings and in experimental animals. While some workers1,4 report that they have found such an elevation, others have noted no effect7; still others have reported the opposite3.
PSA velocity for assessing prostate cancer risk in men with PSA levels between 2.0 and 4.0 ng/ml.

Objectives. To evaluate the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity (PSAV) in assessing prostate cancer risk among men with PSA levels less than 4.0 ng/mL. Methods. The relative risk of, and cumulative probability of freedom from, prostate cancer by PSAV was evaluated in 89 male participants (21 with cancer and 68 controls) of a longitudinal aging study—the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (National Institute on Aging)—who had serial PSA levels between 2.0 and 4.0 ng/mL for at least 18 months. The relative risk was estimated from a Cox proportional hazards regression model, and the disease-free probability was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of PSAV were calculated as a measure of test validity. Results. The sensitivity and specificity of a PSAV of 0.1 ng/mL per year was 81% and 50%, respectively. The relative risk of prostate cancer was 6.53 (range 1.90 to 22.51) when the PSAV was 0.1 ng/mL per year or more compared with a PSAV of less than 0.1 ng/mL per year (P = 0.0029). At 10 years, the cumulative probability of freedom from prostate cancer was 97.1% (range 91.4% to 100%) and 35.2% (range 14.0% to 56.4%) when the PSAV was less than and greater than 0.1 ng/mL per year, respectively. Survival curves began to differ at less than 5 years after the baseline PSAV determination. Conclusions. The association between PSAV and the subsequent risk of prostate cancer suggests that the PSAV may be useful in the risk assessment of men with lower PSA levels.
Singular string solutions with nonsingular initial data

Abstract We consider a class of solutions to string theory obtained by identifying Minkowski space under a discrete subgroup of the Lorentz group. These lorentzian orbifolds have singularities which form to the future of nonsingular spacelike surfaces. We argue that unlike the familiar case of euclidean orbifolds, test strings do not have a well behaved propagation near the singular points.
Effects of endotoxin tolerance on Propionibacterium acnes-primed lipopolysaccharide hepatic injury,

Background. Prior administration of the Gram-positive bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (PA) results in hypersensitivity and hepatocyte necrosis to a subsequent low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Endotoxin tolerance has been shown to prevent lethality after ischemia/reperfusion injuries, sepsis, and endotoxic shock. We investigated whether prior induction of LPS tolerance could prevent subsequent PA-priming and LPS-induced death. The levels of known effector cytokines possibly responsible for these changes were measured. Methods. C57BL/6 (B6) mice were given heat-killed PA (0.5 mg/mouse) followed 7 days later by LPS (20 μg/mouse). In parallel experiments, B6 mice were pretreated with a single 20 μg/mouse dose of LPS (lethal dose = 800 μg/mouse) 7 days prior to PA priming. Animal survival, liver and spleen weights, and histology were examined. Cytokine levels of the inflammatory cytokines interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and hepatocyte necrosis with death developed in all PA-primed B6 mice challenged with LPS. However, 83% of B6 mice given a tolerizing dose of LPS prior to PA survived (P < 0.01) without any increase in liver or spleen weights and without histological evidence of necrosis. Markedly decreased in vivo and in vitro inflammatory (interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-γ, IL-6, and IL-12) cytokine levels corresponded with survival in the LPS-tolerant mice. Endotoxin tolerance and subsequent survival were also associated with an increase in anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) mRNA expression. Conclusions. Lethal PA-primed LPS-induced hepatic injury can be prevented by administering a tolerizing dose of LPS prior to PA-priming. LPS protects the liver by preventing hepatic mononuclear cellular infiltration, reducing the production of the toxic proinflammatory cytokines, and inducing the production of endogenous anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Development of pore pressures by nonuniform electroosmosis in clays

Abstract A theory is presented for the development of nonuniform pore pressures during electrokinetic treatment caused by local deviations in the electric field intensity and soil surface chemistry. The electric field intensity and surface (zeta) potential are the driving parameters for electroosmosis in any local soil region; when these parameters vary with space, there is a nonuniform driving force that must be balanced by a decrease or increase in local pore pressure. The theory is derived for the case of a rigid capillary, and is based on the assumptions of incompressible flow, negligible consolidation, the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation, and constant hydraulic conductivity. Comparisons of the theory with laboratory measurements made by Eykholt in 1992 are presented for one-dimensional electroosmotic flow through saturated kaolinite plugs. Measurements of the net electroosmotic flow rate, pore pressure and electrical potential profiles, and hydraulic conductivity, can be used to assess, at least qualitatively, the relative contributions to electroosmosis in soil regions along the profile. The keo profile simulations provided here did not correlate well with measured chemical profiles. Future success of the simulation strategy will likely depend on two factors: accurate electric field measurements and electrokinetic characterization of soil sections.
The operation and death of Henry Schliemann.

Henry Schliemann's reputation as an archeologist, a linguist, a financial genius and a scholar, is seldom recognized by Americans. His discovery of the ruins of Troy changed Homeric myths and legends into history and made him the founder of Aegean archeology. Recent popular books on Schliemann sketchily describe his otologic problems which eventually led to his death of an otogenic brain abscess. From a number of bibliographic sources, the details of Schliemann's ear history and the final months of his illness are recounted. The important information of Schliemann's ear operation by the famous Professor Swartze is presented.
Stages of modernization in Latin America

Modern-industrial society as a generic category is defined here in terms of secularization, that is: (a) change in the predominant normative structure regulating social action and in the related internalized attitudes and propensities (an extension of"act ion by choice" over "action by prescription"); (b) growing specialization of institutions and emergence of specialized and autonomous value systems in relation to each institutional sphere; (c) growing institutionalization of change (over institutionalization of tradition). The minimum universal requirement for the existence of any modern-industrial society consists in the secularization of scientific knowledge, technology, and economy, in such a way as to lead to the ever-increasing use of high energy and to the maximization of efficiency in the production of goods and services (Germani, 1960).
A finite mixture distribution model for data collected from twins.

Most analyses of data collected from a classical twin study of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins assume that zygosity has been diagnosed without error. However, large scale surveys frequently resort to questionnaire-based methods of diagnosis which classify twins as MZ or DZ with less than perfect accuracy. This article describes a mixture distribution approach to the analysis of twin data when zygosity is not perfectly diagnosed. Estimates of diagnostic accuracy are used to weight the likelihood of the data according to the probability that any given pair is either MZ or DZ. The performance of this method is compared to fully accurate diagnosis, and to the analysis of samples that include some misclassified pairs. Conventional analysis of samples containing misclassified pairs yields biased estimates of variance components, such that additive genetic variance (A) is underestimated while common environment (C) and specific environment (E) components are overestimated. The bias is non-trivial; for 10% misclassification, true values of Additive genetic: Common environment: Specific Environment variance components of .6: .2: .2 are estimated as .48: .29: .23, respectively. The mixture distribution yields unbiased estimates, while showing relatively little loss of statistical precision for misclassification rates of 15% or less. The method is shown to perform quite well even when no information on zygosity is available, and may be applied when pair-specific estimates of zygosity probabilities are available.
Thermodynamic profiling of conformationally constrained cyclic ligands for the PDZ domain

Inspired by structure-based design and tailored for combinatorial preparation, a series of novel cyclic peptides has been developed to yield binding ligands for the third PDZ domain (PDZ3) of PSD-95. These side chain-side chain bridged peptides permit the systematic expansion or contraction of ring size, which is intended to maximize the conformational diversity of the ensemble. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to measure the dissociation constants (K(d)) and associated thermodynamic binding parameters.
Redox-activated MRI contrast agents based on lanthanide and transition metal ions

The reduction/oxidation (redox) potential of tissue is tightly regulated in order to maintain normal physiological processes, but is disrupted in disease states. Thus, the development of new tools to map tissue redox potential may be clinically important for the diagnosis of diseases that lead to redox imbalances. One promising area of chemical research is the development of redox-activated probes for mapping tissue through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, we summarize several strategies for the design of redox-responsive MRI contrast agents. Our emphasis is on both lanthanide(III) and transition metal(II/III) ion complexes that provide contrast either as T1 relaxivity MRI contrast agents or as paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) contrast agents. These agents are redox-triggered by a variety of chemical reactions or switches including redox-activated thiol groups, and heterocyclic groups that interact with the metal ion or influence properties of other ancillary ligands. Metal ion centered redox is an approach which is ripe for development by coordination chemists. Redox-triggered metal ion approaches have great potential for creating large differences in magnetic properties that lead to changes in contrast. An attractive feature of these agents is the ease of fine-tuning the metal ion redox potential over a biologically relevant range.
SEC urges big changes in accounting and reporting

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) will probably make the discourse between top management, audit committees, and auditors more contentious in the coming years. But the very nature of that discourse may change—if regulators adopt a new approach called “principles-based accounting.” SOX mandated that the SEC study the usefulness of this approach. And the SEC's report, issued late last year, recommended a move to principles-based accounting. So what are the implications of this change for top management? © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical technique for the removal of root canal obstructions

A technique was described that allows root canal obstructions to be exposed, secured, and removed. This technique suggests limited and careful use of a cyanoacrylate adhesive to bond a sized, hollow tube to the exposed tip of an obstruction. This method has been used clinically and has been found efficient and effective. It allows root canal obstructions to be removed without further breakage, while avoiding unnecessary mutilation of tooth structure.
A comparison of mail-service and retail community pharmacy claims in 5 prescription benefit plans.

Abstract Background Little evidence has been presented to date that would either support or refute a widely held belief that mail-service pharmacy utilization routinely produces savings in drug benefit costs for prescription benefit plan sponsors. Objective To present a comparative analysis of mail-service and community pharmacy service drug benefit costs for 5 employer-sponsored prescription drug benefit plans. Methods A cross-sectional comparison of 17,725 matched transaction pairs of community and mail-service prescriptions from a data set comprised 484,987 prescription claims from a convenience sample of 5 employer-sponsored prescription benefit plans. Differences between community pharmacy and mail-service prescription transactions were examined at the per-unit level of analysis for drug ingredient costs, dispensing fees, co-payments, dollar amounts paid by plan sponsor, and total dollar amounts. Results Overall, the total cost of prescriptions was lower through mail-service pharmacies for all 5 plans studied. Two of 5 plans had co-payment incentives to use mail-service, yet plan sponsors paid more for mail-service drugs; respectively, 4.5% and 8.3% more overall, 25.0% and 21.4% more for generic medications; and 3.0% and 7.0% more for brand name medications. Mail-service co-payments were 48.9% and 51.7% lower. Mail-service utilization rates were 15.2% and 31.5% of the total number of prescriptions dispensed in the period studied. Three of 5 plans had no co-payment incentive to use mail-service and paid less for mail-service drugs; respectively, 18.7%, 6.6%, and 15.7% less overall; 17.4%, 15.6%, and 7.9% less for generic medications; and 18.8%, 5.2%, and 16.6% less for brand name medications. Mail-service co-payments were 10.5% more, 5.2% less, and 1.8% more than community pharmacy co-payments, respectively. Mail-service utilization rates were 0.8%, 1.2%, and 4.4%. Conclusion Co-payment incentives to use mail-service pharmacies instead of community pharmacies were associated with higher mail-service utilization rates and with higher costs to plan sponsors. Absence of a co-payment incentive to use mail-service pharmacies was associated with lower mail-service utilization rates and with lower costs to plan sponsors.
Fundamental limits of cyber-physical security in smart power grids

Cyber-physical security of power systems under power injection attacks that alter generation and loads is studied. The system operator employs Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) for detecting such attacks, while attackers devise attacks that are unobservable by such PMU networks. For the NP-hard problem of finding the sparsest unobservable attacks, it is shown that the solution has a simple form with probability one, namely, min (κ(GM), M) + 1, where κ(GM) is the vertex connectivity of an augmented graph, and M is the number of PMUs. The constructive proof allows one to find the entire set of the sparsest unobservable attacks in polynomial time. Furthermore, the geometric interpretation of unobservable attacks leads to a natural characterization of their potential impacts. With optimized PMU deployment, the sparsest unobservable attacks and their potential impact as functions of the number of PMUs are evaluated numerically for IEEE 30, 57, 118, 300-bus systems and Polish 2383, 2737, 3012-bus systems. It is observed that, as more PMUs are added, the maximum potential impact among all the sparsest unobservable attacks drops quickly until it reaches the minimum sparsity.
Prompting women to seek cervical cytology

The cervical cytology (Papanicolaou smear) is a widely used technique for the early detection of cervical cancer. Previous attempts to increase the number of cervical cytologies have relied almost exclusively on antecedent prompts of letters and other invitations. In this study, traditional prompts involving postcards, telephone calls, and home visits were combined with offers of assistance intended to alter the response costs or consequences of coming for examination. The prime participants were 237 women who following a postcard reminder notice had not scheduled an appointment for an annual pelvic examination and Pap smear. As a result of additional prompting 23% of women who had been offered transportation or babysitting made clinic appointments as did 16% of those offered $5.00 to follow clinic attendance. Both of these interventions were significantly more effective than a no-prompting condition, but not significantly different from each other in generating appointments.
Microsystems for energy harvesting

This paper reviews the state of the art in miniature microsystems for harvesting energy from external environmental vibration, and describes two specific microsystems developed at the University of Michigan. One of these microsystems allows broadband harvesting of mechanical energy from extremely low frequency (1–5 Hz) random vibrations abundant in civil infrastructure, such as bridges. These parametric frequency increased generators have a combined operating range covering two orders of magnitude in acceleration (0.54–19.6 m/s2) and a frequency range spanning up to 60Hz, making them some of the most versatile harvesters in existence. The second of these systems is an integrated microsystem for harvesting energy from periodic vibrations at moderate frequencies (50–400 Hz) typically present in devices such as motors or transportation systems. This harvester utilizes a thinned-PZT structure to produce 2.74 µW at 0.1 g (167 Hz) and 205 µW at 1.5 g (154 Hz) at resonance. Challenges in the design of electronic circuitry (integrated or hybrid) for regulating the scavenged energy are briefly discussed.
The Influence of Fabrication Governed Surface Conditions on the Mechanical Strength of Thin Film Materials

The mechanical strength of thin polysilicon films has been examined in connection with exposure to Hydrofluoric Acid (HF). It is found that surface roughness as characterized by groove formation at grain boundaries depends on the HF release time. Surface undulations and crevasses related to grain structure result in reduced fracture strength and induced errors into the effective elastic modulus measurements - especially when the latter is determined from flexure configurations. Extensive exposure to HF results in material degradation, as evidenced by a transition from a transgranular to an intergranular failure manner and a corresponding drastic drop of the film strength with attendant increase of porosity.
Normal pregnancy and childbirth in a galactosemic woman.

nosis was made of ABO hemolytic disease and sepsis. At 6 months of age she was readmitted because of failure to thrive, persistent vomiting, and hepatosplenomegaly. A diagnosis of galactosemia was postulated because of an abnormal galactose tolerance test and later confirmed by specific assay of galactose-l-phosphate uxidyl transferase. Since childhood she has not been on any strict form of dietary lactose restriction. At the present time she is "doing well" in high school and plans to graduate. At the time of physical examination she was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 95 pounds, and had bilateral lamellar cataracts. Pregnancy and delivery were uncomplicated. She delivered spontaneously, at 58 weeks' gestation, a 6 pound 8 ounce healthy male who was placed on a lactose-containing formula after transferase assays of red cells from cord blood and the baby's blood at 12 hours of life were consistent with heterozygosity for the galactosemic gene. The serum bilirubin peaked at 19.8 rag. per cent on the fourth day of life, although no etiology of the hyperbilirubinemia was found. Repeated urinalyses for reducing substances were negative. The child has thrived at home on an unrestricted diet; at 6 months of age he weighs 18 pounds 8 ounces, is developmentally normal according to the Denver Developmental Screening Test, and has no cataracts or hepatosplenomegaly. METHODS
Mechanical characteristics of SiC coating layer in TRISO fuel particles

Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particles are considered as advanced fuel forms for a variety of fission platforms. While these fuel structures have been tested and deployed in reactors, the mechanical properties of these structures as a function of production parameters need to be investigated in order to ensure their reliability during service. Nanoindentation techniques, indentation crack testing, and half sphere crush testing were utilized in order to evaluate the integrity of the SiC coating layer that is meant to prevent fission product release in the coated particle fuel form. The results are complimented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the grain structure that is subject to change as a function of processing parameters and can alter the mechanical properties such as hardness, elastic modulus, fracture toughness and fracture strength. Through utilization of these advanced techniques, subtle differences in mechanical properties that can be important for in-pile fuel performance can be distinguished and optimized in iteration with processing science of coated fuel particle production.
Transfer of Beta-Lactamase Genes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Conjugation

Recent isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have been shown to be resistant to penicillin because they produce β-lactamase. In this study, conjugal transfer of the β-lactamase gene to a recipient N. gonorrhoeae strain occurred in one of the two strains studied but not in the other. The transconjugant could also conjugally transfer the β-lactamase gene to an Escherichia coli strain.
The effect of audibility on audio-visual speech perception in infant cochlear implant recipients

Abstract Very young children were followed during their pre-operative, hearing aid use and subsequent cochlear implant use. Repeated measures of audio-visual (AV) speech perception were collected from each child using the Split-Screen Preferential Looking Paradigm (SPLP). Audibility was calculated using the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) pre- and post-cochlear implantation. The relationship of AV speech perception to changes in audibility was examined retrospectively using an approximation of a single-subject design. A subset of this preliminary data is presented.
ZNF93 Increases Resistance to ET-743 (Trabectedin; Yondelis®) and PM00104 (Zalypsis®) in Human Cancer Cell Lines

Author(s): Duan, Zhenfeng; Choy, Edwin; Harmon, David; Yang, Cao; Ryu, Keinosuke; Schwab, Joseph; Mankin, Henry; Hornicek, Francis J | Abstract: BackgroundET-743 (trabectedin, Yondelis) and PM00104 (Zalypsis) are marine derived compounds that have antitumor activity. ET-743 and PM00104 exposure over sustained periods of treatment will result in the development of drug resistance, but the mechanisms which lead to resistance are not yet understood.Methodology/principal findingsHuman chondrosarcoma cell lines resistant to ET-743 (CS-1/ER) or PM00104 (CS-1/PR) were established in this study. The CS-1/ER and CS-1/PR exhibited cross resistance to cisplatin and methotrexate but not to doxorubicin. Human Affymetrix Gene Chip arrays were used to examine relative gene expression in these cell lines. We found that a large number of genes have altered expression levels in CS-1/ER and CS-1/PR when compared to the parental cell line. 595 CS-1/ER and 498 CS-1/PR genes were identified as overexpressing; 856 CS-1/ER and 874 CS-1/PR transcripts were identified as underexpressing. Three zinc finger protein (ZNF) genes were on the top 10 overexpressed genes list. These genes have not been previously associated with drug resistance in tumor cells. Differential expressions of ZNF93 and ZNF43 genes were confirmed in both CS-1/ER and CS-1/PR resistant cell lines by real-time RT-PCR. ZNF93 was overexpressed in two ET-743 resistant Ewing sarcoma cell lines as well as in a cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line, but was not overexpressed in paclitaxel resistant cell lines. ZNF93 knockdown by siRNA in CS-1/ER and CS-1/PR caused increased sensitivity for ET-743, PM00104, and cisplatin. Furthermore, ZNF93 transfected CS-1 cells are relatively resistant to ET-743, PM00104 and cisplatin.Conclusions/significanceThis study suggests that zinc finger proteins, and ZNF93 in particular, are involved in resistance to ET-743 and PM00104.
Study of the phenolic compounds in potato tubers during storage

Chlorogenic and caffeic acids were identified in extracts from Russet Rural potatoes by a combination of one-and two-dimensional paper chromatography, paper electrophoresis, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and spectrophotofluorimetry. The best estimate of the content of chlorogenic acid in the Russet Rural tubers was 15 mg. or less/100 gm. in the cortex tissue and 3 mg. or less/100 gm. (fresh weight) in the pith tissue. The total phenolic content as estimated by the Folin-Denis reagent and the o-dihydroxyphenolic content as estimated by the optical density of the extracts at 325 mμ did not change significantly in Russet Rural and Kennebec potato tubers during 5 months of storage at 55° and 40° or 3 months of storage at 32° F. Both varieties showed evidence of low-temperature injury after 4 months at 32° and the total phenolic and o-dihydroxyphenolic contents showed small but significant increases. It was concluded that this increase was related to the injury present rather than to the storage temperature.
Mechanisms of irregular vibration in a physical model of the vocal folds.

Previous investigations have shown that one mechanism of irregular vocal fold vibration may be a desynchronization of two or more vibratory modes of the vocal fold tissues. In the current investigation, mechanisms of irregular vibration were further examined using a self-oscillating, physical model of vocal fold vibration, a hemi-model methodology, and high-speed, stereoscopic, digital imaging. Using the method of empirical eigenfunctions, a spatiotemporal analysis revealed mechanisms of irregular vibration in subharmonic phonation and biphonation, which were not disclosed in a standard acoustic spectrum.
Quantifying IOHDR brachytherapy underdosage resulting from an incomplete scatter environment.

Purpose: Most brachytherapy planning systems are based on a dose calculation algorithm that assumes an infinite scatter environment surrounding the target volume and applicator. Dosimetric errors from this assumption are negligible. However, in intraoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (IOHDR) where treatment catheters are typically laid either directly on a tumor bed or within applicators that may have little or no scatter material above them, the lack of scatter from one side of the applicator can result in underdosage during treatment. This study was carried out to investigate the magnitude of this underdosage. Methods: IOHDR treatment geometries were simulated using a solid water phantom beneath an applicator with varying amounts of bolus material on the top and sides of the applicator to account for missing tissue. Treatment plans were developed for 3 different treatment surface areas (4 × 4, 7 × 7, 12 × 12 cm2), each with prescription points located at 3 distances (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, and 1.5 cm) from the source dwell positions. Ionization measurements were made with a liquid-filled ionization chamber linear array with a dedicated electrometer and data acquisition system. Results: Measurements showed that the magnitude of the underdosage varies from about 8% to 13% of the prescription dose as the prescription depth is increased from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. This treatment error was found to be independent of the irradiated area and strongly dependent on the prescription distance. Furthermore, for a given prescription depth, measurements in planes parallel to an applicator at distances up to 4.0 cm from the applicator plane showed that the dose delivery error is equal in magnitude throughout the target volume. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the magnitude of underdosage in IOHDR treatments delivered in a geometry that may not result in a full scatter environment around the applicator. This implies that the target volume and, specifically, the prescription depth (tumor bed) may get a dose significantly less than prescribed. It might be clinically relevant to correct for this inaccuracy.
Conflicting symmetries in topologically ordered surface states of three-dimensional bosonic symmetry protected topological phases

We study the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topologically ordered surface state of three-dimensional bosonic SPT phases with the discrete symmetries ${\mathrm{G}}_{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{G}}_{2}$. It has been argued that the topologically ordered state cannot be realized on a purely two-dimensional lattice model. We carefully examine the statement and show that the surface state should break ${\mathrm{G}}_{2}$ if the symmetry ${\mathrm{G}}_{1}$ is gauged on the surface. This manifests the conflict of the symmetry ${\mathrm{G}}_{1}$ and ${\mathrm{G}}_{2}$ on the surface of the three-dimensional SPT phase. Given that there is no such phenomena in the purely two-dimensional model, it signals that the symmetries are encoded anomalously on the surface of the three-dimensional SPT phases and that the surface state can never be realized on the purely two-dimensional models.
Germline and somatic mutation of the gene for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)

Dideoxyfingerprinting was used to screen for germline and somatic MENI mutations. This method, applied to a panel of germline DNA from 15 probands with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), allowed confident discovery of the MENI gene. Germline MEN1 mutation has been found in 47 out of 50 probands with familial MEN-I. in 7 out of 8 cases with sporadic MEN-1, and in 1 out of 3 cases with atypical sporadic MEN-1, Germline MENI mutation was not found in any of five probands with familial hyperparathyroidism. Somatic MENI mutations were found in 7 out of 33 parathyroid tumours not associated with MEN-1, Allowing for repeating mutations, a total of 47 different germline or somatic MEN1 mutations have been identified. Most predict inactivation of the encoded 'menin' protein, supporting expectations that MENI is a tumour suppressor gene. The 16 observed missense mutations were distributed across the gene. suggesting that many domains are important to its as yet unknown functions.
Discussion of “Mean airflow and heat transport patterns generated by wind machines with applications to frost protection”

It seems necessary to make some criticism of Baker's paper because the physical problem is much more complex than indicated. Although simplifying assumptions are frequently used to good advantage in the solution of many problems, when the initial assumptions are simplified to the point where they render the final results too unrealistic for practical use, their advantage may be lost. In Baker's paper, this situation may exist. One example of what may be a case of over-simplification is the author's assumption that the included cone-angle of the effective boundary of a stationary jet will be about 24deg;, and, for calculating the mass, inertia, buoyancy, and vertical acceleration of a ‘slice’ of the jet, this constitutes the effective boundary. Another such assumption is that the average density over the cross section thus defined is equal to the arithmetic average of the densities of all parcels of air entrained upstream of the cross section under consideration.
OMG Do Not Say LOL: Obese Adolescents' Perspectives on the Content of Text Messages to Enhance Weight Loss Efforts

Adolescents participating in weight loss programs experience difficulty adhering to behavior change recommendations. Communications technology provides a low cost means to increase the frequency of contact with adolescents which can improve their engagement and also lead to behavior change. Within a larger project on the development of tailored text messages for adolescents enrolled in an existing multidisciplinary weight management program, this study explored participants’ perspectives about message content. A library of messages was developed focused on topics central to weight management. Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 24 participants from the weight management program to gage their reactions to the messages. Detailed notes from the focus groups were analyzed to assess the acceptability of individual messages and to identify overriding themes. Results indicate that participants were very enthusiastic about receiving text messages. They preferred messages that provided recipe ideas, included successful weight loss strategies used by peers, and requested feedback regarding their progress. They preferred positive, encouraging, and direct messages. They were unanimous that messages should include encouraging symbols (e.g., exclamation points and “smiley faces”) as often as possible. They emphasized that any mention of unhealthy foods or behaviors would trigger them to eat those foods or engage in those behaviors. Text messaging acronyms (e.g., LOL) were considered too informal for messages from healthcare providers. This study suggests that including text messages in obesity interventions is acceptable to obese adolescents as a means of supporting their weight loss efforts, and it highlights the need for such messages to be carefully constructed.
Toll-like receptor regulation of effector T lymphocyte function

The landmark discovery of pattern-recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), furthered our understanding on how the host rapidly responds to invading pathogens. For over a decade now, extensive research has demonstrated the crucial role of multiple TLRs in the detection of a broad range of molecules expressed by microbial pathogens as well as host-derived danger signals. TLR activation is the hallmark of the innate immune response. Recent evidence, however, demonstrates that cells of the adaptive immune response use these innate signaling pathways as well. This review discusses recent findings regarding TLR functionality in T lymphocytes with a specific emphasis on the promotion of T helper cell-dependent inflammation through direct TLR signaling.
Technetium-99m antibodies labeled with MAG3 and SHNH: An in vitro and animal in vivo comparison

Abstract The in vitro stability and animal pharmacokinetics of 99m Tc bound to Sandoz and C110 IgG antibodies via a modified MAG 3 has been compared with the hydrazino nicotinamide (SHNH) moiety as standard. For both antibodies, the stabilities of the label to challenge at up to 50:1 cysteine: IgG molar ratio were comparable, but at higher molar ratios, MAG 3 showed greater instabilities. For the Sandoz antibody, size-exclusion HPLC analysis of 37 °C serum incubates and plasma samples from injected mice showed no clearly distinguishable differences. In the C110 case, some increased high molecular weight radioactivity was apparent with MAG 3 . Biodistributions in normal mice showed significant differences only in liver (Sandoz) and liver, spleen, intestines, stomach, and blood (C110), with SHNH usually providing higher levels. Thus, for two different antibodies and under the conditions of this study, the MAG 3 chelator provided a 99m Tc label with properties similar to that of SHNH moiety.
A novel experimental setup combining EEG and robotics to investigate brain activity driving controlled reaching movements in chronic stroke survivors

When chronic, hemiparetic stroke survivors make reaching movements while lifting the paretic arm against gravity, their ability to generate the necessary independent joint movements for reaching degrades dramatically due to abnormal muscle coactivation patterns that couple shoulder abduction with elbow flexion. The neural mechanisms behind the appearance of abnormal coordination patterns during post-stroke recovery are largely unknown, but they are possibly related to a loss in cortical resolution and an increased usage of undamaged, indirect descending motor pathways via the brainstem. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms for this behavior in chronic stroke survivors, we have developed a novel experimental setup that simultaneously records electroencephalographic (EEG) signals while the test subject makes different reaching movements with an ACT3D robot. This method allows us to map brain activity during controlled reaching movements with different levels of robot-mediated limb support for the first time. Our results provide evidence for changes in cortical activity driving realistic upper-extremity reaching movements as independent joint control becomes compromised in stroke survivors.
Improved Syntheses of Chlorodeoxynucleosides

Abstract Halodeoxynucleosides are very useful intermediates in the synthesis of nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives. Because the iodides are more reactive,1 the corresponding chlorides have received relatively little attention although 5′-chloro-5′-deoxyadenosine (1) is effective in controlling blood pressure,2 and has been employed in a novel approach to the synthesis of polynucleotides.3 Other halonucleosides have been cited as potentially important antibiotics.1
Effects of Deep Femoral Thrombophlebitis on the Circulation of the Lower Extremities

Studies of the patterns of venous collateral circulation in patients with acute iliofemoral venous thrombosis and in patients with chronic postphlebitic limbs secondary to iliofemoral venous thrombosis show a close similarity to the collateral circulation which develops in experimental iliofemoral venous thrombosis. Serial phlebograms indicate that the collateral circulation will disappear only if the originally thrombosed deep system is returned to functional patency. This reconstitution of function to the venous valves is accomplisbed by early thrombectomy. Thrombectomy may, therefore, be the best protection against the development of a chronic postphlebitic limb.
“BLACK HOLES” OF CALCUTTA AND LONDON: INTERNAL COLONIES IN VANITY FAIR

WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY'S Vanity Fair (1847–48) makes a passing reference to a seemingly insignificant trope, the “Black Hole of Calcutta.” Part of an eighteenth-century legacy of unofficial rule in India by the East India Trading Company, this reference to a prison incident in June 1756 rehashes the event that occurred there – nearly one hundred years before the novel was published. The name, the “Black Hole,” evokes the prison itself: an enormous pit dug deep into the ground “eighteenth feet long by fourteen feet, ten inches wide,” according to social historian Brijen K. Gupta. It was “British” in the sense that East India Company agents stationed on-the-ground in Calcutta controlled this makeshift dungeon, using it to enforce local trade agreements with native authorities. Those who intervened were deemed traitors, the worst offenders of state.
High-throughput size determination of nearly spherical gold nanoparticles

This paper demonstrates a wide-field interferometric imaging technique for determining the size of nearly spherical gold particles. Investigation of interferometric response as a function of polarization angle of illumination reveals the absolute dimensions and lateral orientation angle of the nanoparticles immobilized on a precisely designed reflective layered substrate. We demonstrate the sensitivity, precision and multiplexing capability of the method by studying a solution of gold nanoparticles with 45nm in diameter. The technique is promising for applications that require sensitive morphology characterization of nearly spherical nanoparticles.
Seismic fragility of suspended ceiling systems

Abstract Full-scale dynamic testing of suspended ceiling systems was performed to obtain fragility data suitable for performance-based assessment and design. On the basis of the fragility data derived from testing, (1) the use of retainer clips improves the performance of ceiling systems in terms of loss of tiles, (2) including recycled cross tees in the suspension grid increases the vulnerability of the ceiling systems, (3) undersized (poorly fitting) tiles are substantially more vulnerable than properly fitted tiles, and (4) the use of compression posts improves the seismic performance of ceiling systems for the limit states of minor and moderate damage. Fragility curves are provided for four damage states.
A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded study evaluating the safety of etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant comorbid diseases

Objective To evaluate the safety of etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and concomitant comorbidities. Methods The safety of etanercept (25 mg twice weekly) in RA patients with at least one comorbidity (i.e. diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease, recent pneumonia, recurrent infections) was evaluated in a 16-week placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded study. The primary endpoint was the incidence of medically important infections (MIIs; defined as those resulting in hospitalization or treatment with intravenous antibiotics). Results Data from 535 patients were analysed; the study was terminated early because of slow enrolment and lower than predicted incidence of infections. Serious adverse events (5.9% placebo, 8.6% etanercept) were most commonly observed in the cardiovascular system. Six patients (1 placebo; 5 etanercept) died during the study; four deaths were attributed to cardiovascular events. The numerically higher mortality in the etanercept group was not statistically significant [relative risk (95% CI) = 5.06 (0.59, 42.99)] but remains unexplained. No etanercept-related increase in the incidence of MIIs (3.7% placebo, 3.0% etanercept) or overall infections was observed in the total study population or in subgroups of patients who were > or = 65 yrs of age, had diabetes or had chronic pulmonary disease. Conclusions Etanercept was generally well tolerated by RA patients with comorbidities. Serious adverse events and deaths occurred more frequently in the etanercept group but event numbers were small and CIs were broad, preventing reliable conclusions from being drawn. Although the study had limited statistical power, the incidence of MIIs in these patients was not increased by etanercept treatment.
Editorial Commentary: Does Infection With Specific Clostridium difficile Strains or Clades Influence Clinical Outcome?

A number of DNA banding–based typing systems for classifying Clostridium difficile isolates have been devised including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping, restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) [1–4]. PCR ribotyping was developed in Wales and is commonly used in Europe, whereas REA and PFGE have been used more commonly in North America. In addition, toxinotyping, which is based on amplification of regions within the pathogenicity locus (PaLoc) for toxins A and B, has been used to describe “toxin variant” strains whose PaLoc genes differ from the standard or toxinotype “0” PaLoc to which most PCR ribotypes, REA groups, and PFGE types belong [5]. The aforementioned DNA-banding typing systems are invaluable for discriminating isolates from each other, but do not provide meaningful evolutionary analyses. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), in which a selected number of housekeeping gene loci (7 in the case of C. difficile) are amplified and sequenced to yield sequence types (STs), can be used to group STs by evolutionary relationships into clades [6]. Members of a clade are considered to be derived from the same common ancestor and can be organized into evolutionary trees using phylogenetic or cladistic analyses. MLST classification of C. difficile clades agrees with previous classification based on DNA microarray comparative genomics and suggests that genotypes clustered by MLST may be an accurate proxy for whole-genome sequencing analysis [7]. STs correlate well with PCR ribotypes; however, as with toxinotyping, the vast majority of STs are clustered in a single clade, clade 1, with only 1 or 2 STs (ribotypes) in each of the remaining 4 clades (Table 1).
Hardware Observability Framework for Minimally Intrusive Online Monitoring of Embedded Systems

As the complexity of digital systems rapidly increases, designers are presented with significant challenges in monitoring, analyzing, and debugging the complex interactions of various software and hardware components. Existing hardware tests and debugging methods are often intrusive, either requiring significant hardware resources or requiring the execution of the system to be halted thus leading to system perturbations that can change the execution behavior to an extent that the erroneous behavior can no longer be observed -- or lead to system failure due to missed execution deadlines. In this paper, we present an initial framework for minimally intrusive hardware observability that provides designers with the ability to monitor complex application-specific hardware execution behavior at runtime with zero -- or minimal -- impact on system execution.
Robust disruptions in electroencephalogram cortical oscillations and large-scale functional networks in autism

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are increasingly prevalent and have a significant impact on the lives of patients and their families. Currently, the diagnosis is determined by clinical judgment and no definitive physiological biomarker for ASD exists. Quantitative biomarkers obtainable from clinical neuroimaging data – such as the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) - would provide an important aid to clinicians in the diagnosis of ASD. The interpretation of prior studies in this area has been limited by mixed results and the lack of validation procedures. Here we use retrospective clinical data from a well-characterized population of children with ASD to evaluate the rhythms and coupling patterns present in the EEG to develop and validate an electrophysiological biomarker of ASD. Methods: EEG data were acquired from a population of ASD (n= 27) and control (n= 55) children 4–8 years old. Data were divided into training (n= 13 ASD, n= 24 control) and validation (n= 14 ASD, n= 31 control) groups. Evaluation of spectral and functional network properties in the first group of patients motivated three biomarkers that were computed in the second group of age-matched patients for validation. Results: Three biomarkers of ASD were identified in the first patient group: (1) reduced posterior/anterior power ratio in the alpha frequency range (8–14 Hz), which we label the “peak alpha ratio”, (2) reduced global density in functional networks, and (3) a reduction in the mean connectivity strength of a subset of functional network edges. Of these three biomarkers, the first and third were validated in a second group of patients. Using the two validated biomarkers, we were able to classify ASD subjects with 83 % sensitivity and 68 % specificity in a post-hoc analysis. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that clinical EEG can provide quantitative biomarkers to assist diagnosis of autism. These results corroborate the general finding that ASD subjects have decreased alpha power gradients and network connectivities compared to control subjects. In addition, this study demonstrates the necessity of using statistical techniques to validate EEG biomarkers identified using exploratory methods.